NFL Week 2 Power Rankings: Houston Texans Rise Big, San Francisco 49ers Freefall
With Week 1 of the NFL season in the books, it's time to break down the power rankings for all 32 teams.
We had some upsets that have affected how certain teams will be looked at. Meanwhile, some teams that had been overlooked have risen up the list. Power rankings are one of the best parts of the NFL season and the debate will last all 17 weeks.
For now, here's how I see the 32 teams and where they stack up against each other.
No. 32: Buffalo
1 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
It is going to be a long, long year in Buffalo, just like every other year as a Bills fan. The Bills have no quarterback, no wideouts, nothing. All of those things that teams need to win in the NFL, just aren't there outside of some playmakers in the secondary. It's just bad.
Better Than We Thought
Steve Johnson: Who is Steve Johnson you may ask? That's the same thing I said when I saw his name start popping up. Johnson is a third-year wide receiver out of Kentucky who had three grabs for 40 yards. Not bad considering Trent Edwards is his quarterback.
Worse Than We Thought
Paul Posluszny's luck: Posluszny was hurt yet again and will miss about two weeks as he rehabs a knee sprain. He had injury problems at Penn State and he's had injury issues in the pros too. Just a shame.
Week One Clutch Performer
Seeing as Buffalo purposely took a safety and then tried an onside punt to try and get back in the game, no one gets this award. It was an awful, heartless performance all the way around by the Bills.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Seeing as the Bills are traveling to Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and company, I'd say the best thing to do is just pray for the best, because that's going to be an ugly three hours at Lambeau Field.
No. 31: St. Louis
2 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that St. Louis has some fight in them. After being a pushover the past few years, the Rams were scrappy last week and fought to the bitter end against the Cardinals. Sam Bradford injected some life into them and you can see that out on the field.
Better Than We Thought
Sam Bradford: Considering all the circumstances around the top pick's first game as a pro, Bradford held up well, even if he did throw three interceptions. That will change with time though as Bradford looked poised for most of the afternoon under center.
Worse Than We Thought
St. Louis' playcalling: You have a rookie quarterback and an All-Pro running back. What's a team to do? Well, the answer isn't throw the ball 55 times. Steven Jackson averaged 3.7 a carry on 22 carries. You have to do a better job of keeping the defense honest and the Rams didn't do that at all.
Clutch Performer
Mark Clayton: I believe Sam Bradford has found his favorite target. Clayton caught 10 passes for 119 yards on Sunday and was clearly the most trustworthy wideout on the field on Sunday. Without Donnie Avery, it's going to be hard to keep a lot of defenses honest with the pass but Clayton is doing a good job.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Rams will play Oakland next week and they just need to be aggressive on defense. The Raiders have a weak offensive line that got blown up against Tennessee and if the Rams can get pressure on Jason Campbell it'll lead to good things. Oh, and run the ball before Bradford's arm falls off.
No. 30: Cleveland
3 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that a change of scenery is not the best medicine for Jake Delhomme. Delhomme threw two picks in the loss, continuing the trend of self-destructive play that ran him out of Carolina. The city of Cleveland deserves better than to have to suffer through his play.
Better Than We Thought
Evan Moore: The tight end caught three passes for 87 yards in the loss including a 49-yard grab. The second-year player out of Stanford looks like he's turning into a nice little safety valve. Let's just hope Delhomme can get him the ball.
Worse Than We Thought
Eric Mangini: Didn't really get much respect in NFL circles as it is, but when Jerome Harrison is getting 5.8 yards per carry, you need to give him the rock more. Instead, they kept airing it out with Delhomme and he cost them the game. Mangini never learns and it's only a matter of time before he's fired.
Clutch Performer
The Browns defense: Since the offense wasn't doing squat on Sunday, the defense stepped up. Cleveland recorded three sacks and picked off a pass but it wasn't enough to give Cleveland the victory. Either way, the Browns' defense showed heart on Sunday.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Before this week, a matchup against Kansas City would be looked at as chance at a victory. But after this Monday's win over San Diego, the Chiefs look a little more formidable. The Browns just have to avoid turning the ball over. Run the ball and lessen Delhomme's burden.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 29: Oakland
4 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
The hype for the Raiders was unwarranted. A lot of people thought Oakland would be a dark horse team in the AFC West and they came out and promptly laid an egg. They just looked like the same old Raiders, not a team that's going to make noise in the AFC.
Better Than We Thought
Darren McFadden was the only Raider who showed up to play against the Titans. McFadden rushed for 95 yards and accounted for another 55 through the air. It was a breakout game for a player who has struggled early on in his career.
Worse Than We Thought
Oakland's defense was just repeatedly gashed by the Titans offense. There were repeated breakdowns in coverage and Vince Young exploited the pass defense. They held Chris Johnson in check before he just broke out and never looked back. It was just a bad performance.
Clutch Performer
Darren McFadden: When you're the only player who shows up for your team, you almost win by default, but let's not take away from what he did on Sunday. McFadden had a great game and it'll be interesting to see if he can keep it up.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Raiders will play St. Louis and they just have to get pressure on Sam Bradford. If they can put a rookie under fire, he'll make mistakes like he did last Sunday and it'll put Oakland in a a great position to win the game. They also have to protect Campbell, who got hit all day long against the Titans.
No. 28: Detroit
5 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned a lot more about the rules that make a touchdown pass than we ever wanted to.
Let's be real, by the law, it wasn't a touchdown. But to be blunt, the rule is awful. We all know he caught it. Chicago knows he caught it. Detroit got robbed and it's a shame and only something like that could happen to the Lions.
Better Than We Thought
Detroit's defense: They forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks of Jay Cutler on Sunday. The Lions' defense kept them in the game and it was a gutsy performance led by rejuvenated Kyle Vanden Bosch, who had 11 tackles in the game.
Worse Than We Thought
Jahvid Best: The rookie didn't find much room to run but made the best of it. Best ran 14 times for 20 yards but did record two touchdowns. It wasn't the worst performance ever, but Best didn't get it going on Sunday.
Clutch Performer
Shaun Hill: The former San Francisco quarterback did a great job of leading his team down the field after Matthew Stafford went down and did make a great throw to Calvin Johnson on the would-be touchdown. To come in cold like that and deliver is to be commended.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Lions play Philadelphia and they're just going to need to dig deep and gut this one out. Stafford won't be playing and they're just going to have to find a way to get the ball to Calvin Johnson and find running lanes for Best. It's a tough test for Detroit and it's going to be hard to walk away with a win.
No. 27: Tampa Bay
6 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that if Tampa Bay is going to win, they're going to win ugly. It's just not who they are and it showed this week. They just wore down Cleveland and made just enough plays to win. I'm sure that won't put Tampa Bay fans to sleep.
Better Than We Thought
Josh Freeman: Freeman looked improved from last year in his first outing of the season. The quarterback threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Freeman looked much more confident in the pocket and maybe it's a sign of things to come.
Worse Than We Thought
It's hard to say anything on Tampa Bay was really worse than we thought. The running game was just enough to get by. The wideouts were solid but unspectacular and the defense was solid against a weak offense. I think Tampa Bay played right on par with what we thought they were.
Clutch Performer
Ronde Barber: Barber just continues to make plays as he's done all of his career. Barber picked off Jake Delhomme and returned it inside the five to set up a score for Tampa Bay. It was a game-changer and that's why he's a future Hall of Famer.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Tampa Bay drew division rival Carolina and with Matt Moore possibly missing this game with a concussion, they need to turn the pressure up on rookie Jimmy Clausen. If the Bucs can stop the run, they're going to force the Panthers' hand and they'll have to air it out. It's a recipe for success if you're Tampa Bay.
No. 26: Carolina
7 of 32
What We Learned In Week One
What we suspected, that Carolina has no quarterbacks and it's going to be a long season under center for the Panthers. Matt Moore threw three red zone interceptions which are just absolute killers. Moore may not play on Sunday and it could get worse with Jimmy Clausen under center.
Better Than We Thought
Dwayne Jarrett: Jarrett kind of fell off the face of the earth after he left USC but Jarrett was second in receiving for Carolina and showed some signs of the talent he flashed so regularly in college. Another threat outside of Steve Smith would be a nightmare for opposing secondaries.
Worse Than We Thought
Jonathan Stewart: I'm not saying he's a bum, but five carries for 12 yards is just bad. Some of that has to do with the fact they only gave it to him five times but you need to show why you should be in the game. Stewart will bounce back but it was a bad showing.
Clutch Performer
Steve Smith: Smith came back from a broken arm like he never left, making five grabs for 75 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Smith is the best player on offense for the Panthers and he showed why against the Giants.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Carolina just really has to protect the ball. Five turnovers are a killer and are unacceptable at the pro level. Protect the ball and control the clock with the run and you can walk away with a win against Tampa.
No. 25: Denver
8 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Denver's start to last season was nothing more than a fluke. The Broncos are a mediocre team and they played like it on Sunday. That was a winnable game and it just slipped away. Josh McDaniels seat may get a little hotter if his team keeps playing like that.
Better Than We Thought
Kyle Orton: Has anyone been more sneaky good over the past three years than Kyle Orton? He's no Drew Brees, but you could do a whole lot worse than Orton under center. He went 21 of 33 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Worse Than We Thought
The Broncos' secondary: David Garrard went to work on Denver's corners, throwing for three touchdowns while going 16 of 21. Garrard's not the best passer in the league, but he looked better than he should against Denver. I know the loss of Elvis Dumervil hurts, but the Broncos need to get better.
Clutch Performer
Brandon Lloyd: No, that's not a misprint. Brandon Lloyd showed up in a big way, pulling in five passes for 117 yards against Jacksonville. It's been an uneventful eight years for Lloyd in his career, but if he keeps putting up stats like that, he's going to finally shine.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Broncos take on Seattle and they have to limit the Seahawks' passing game, if they can force Seattle to run, it'll play right into their game plan and put Denver in a good position to sober up Seahawks fans after last week.
No. 24: Kansas City
9 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
The Chiefs aren't going to roll over for anyone. Kansas City showed up to play and gutted out a tough win against a good San Diego team. Even though the Chargers were missing Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil, it was a great win and well-deserving for those fans who have suffered in recent years.
Better Than We Thought
Dexter McCluster: That kid came out of nowhere. McCluster turned the game around with his electrifying punt return touchdown. McCluster looks like a legit special teams threat and a game-changer for Kansas City.
Worse Than We Though
Matt Cassel: Sorry Matt, you can't click your heels together three times and go back to New England. Cassel was 10 of 22 for 68 yards and a touchdown. I guess you can't argue with results but it wasn't pretty.
Clutch Performer
Jamaal Charles: Charles picked up where he left off last year and ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. The running back carried the load for the Kansas City offense and looks like a stud in the backfield.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Chiefs take on Cleveland and they just need to control the ball with Charles and Thomas Jones in the backfield and let Cassel do just enough to win. Another special teams play wouldn't hurt but controlling the clock with the run should get the job done.
No. 23: Jacksonville
10 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Jacksonville isn't to be taken lightly as they made plays on the ground and threw it in the air and kept Denver off balance all day long. Jacksonville won't be making the playoffs, but they're okay.
Better Than We Thought
Mike Thomas: Thomas stepped up among the wideouts and reeled in six passes for 89 yards. Jacksonville hasn't really had many great threats to throw to for years and it was nice to have someone who could pull in grabs for Jacksonville.
Worse Than We Thought
Mike Sims-Walker: No grabs, no yards. Way to show up for game day, Mike. Just a bad performance from someone who broke out last year.
Clutch Performer
David Garrard: Garrard threw three touchdowns and looked good doing it for the Jags. Garrard had a big season a couple of years ago and this was a good start towards him getting back to that level.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Jags will take on San Diego and they just need to make a couple big plays and win the turnover battle. If the Chiefs could do it, so can Jacksonville and they could win this game. Norv Turner isn't exactly the next Lombardi.
No. 22: Seattle
11 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
Don't sleep on Seattle. San Francisco did and had its doors blown off by the Seahawks. They just dominated the 49ers from start to finish on Sunday and didn't let up. It was a surprise performance from Seattle and a great start to the Pete Carroll era.
Better Than We Thought
Pete Carroll: Carroll's first NFL stint wasn't exactly memorable but that opener was. I'm not saying we're looking at Coach of the Year material here, but no one expected him to lead his team to that. Kudos to Carroll.
Worse Than We Thought
Julius Jones: Man, he fell off. Jones finished with eight carries for 18 yards on the game and just hasn't produced in years. It might be the end for Julius in terms of being the man in a team's backfield.
Clutch Performer
Matt Hasselbeck: Hasselbeck looked great in victory, throwing two pretty touchdowns against San Francisco. The quarterback has struggled with injuries in the past and if he can stay healthy, he's shown he can be effective under center.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Seattle is traveling to Denver and the Broncos have proved they can be beaten through the air so if Hasselbeck can make plays down the field to his receivers, it could be a very good day for the Seahawks. They need to make some plays in the running game though.
No. 21: Chicago
12 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Chicago can win ugly. Very ugly. The Bears really lost that game but the standings don't say that and that's all that matters. The Bears' offense under Mike Martz didn't have a great debut but there are signs to hold on to.
Better Than We Thought
Jay Cutler: The interception monster only bit Cutler once but other than that he was amazing through the air, throwing for 372 yards and two touchdowns. If Cutler keeps putting up performances like that, it'll be what we always expected from him out of Vanderbilt.
Worse Than We Thought
Chicago's run game: There were just no holes to run through for Matt Forte. Forte only gained 50 yards on 17 carries. The offensive line needs to do a better job of clearing the way for Forte.
Clutch Performer
Matt Forte: Forte may have not gotten it going on the ground, but through the air he was unstoppable. He caught seven passes for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns including an 89-yard touchdown off of a screenplay.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Chicago will take on Dallas and will have to step it up on defense to stop Dallas' numerous offensive weapons. Cutler will need to continue to avoid making the awful throws that have plagued him through his career.
No. 20: Arizona
13 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Arizona isn't nearly as explosive as it was last year without Kurt Warner. Normally, Arizona would go to work on St. Louis but this year it's a three-point win. It's something Cardinals fans will have to get used to.
Better Than We Thought
Derek Anderson: A surprisingly good game from the former Browns quarterback. Anderson threw for 297 yards and a touchdown. Anderson had to throw it 41 times but he made it count.
Worse Than We Thought
Tim Hightower: Despite the success through the air, Hightower couldn't really get it going on the ground, only getting 54 yards on 12 carries. Hightower did score a touchdown so it wasn't a total wash.
Clutch Performer
Steve Breaston: Breaston showed why the Cardinals shipped Anquan Boldin to Baltimore with this performance. Breaston caught seven passes for 132 yards, leading the team in both categories. Breaston is a great second fiddle to Larry Fitzgerald.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Arizona will take on Atlanta and they just need to force Matt Ryan to beat them because it worked for the Steelers, and it seems like Ryan has taken a step back as a quarterback. He'll make mistakes if you pressure him.
No. 19: Atlanta
14 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
A disappointing start for Atlanta. Taking on Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger and they laid a total egg on Sunday. There was just no sign of offense and eventually Pittsburgh just wore them down and took the game in overtime. A huge step back for a team that was in the playoffs two years ago.
Better Than We Thought
The defense: Atlanta's defense caused problems for Pittsburgh all day. Dennis Dixon didn't look great and Mendenhall did very little before the long overtime run. The Falcons were only in that game because of their defense.
Worse Than We Thought
Matt Ryan: What happened to Mattie Ice? He didn't play well last year and this was no better for Ryan. Ryan's interception this week was a killer and he needs to step up and lead the team.
Clutch Performer
Roddy White: White continued to make some plays for Atlanta, pulling in 13 passes for 111 yards. He's the only threat Atlanta has right now so get used to seeing a lot of him.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Atlanta will have to make Derek Anderson beat them. Arizona's running game can be stopped but shutting down Fitzgerald and Breaston will make or break the game next week.
No. 18: Washington
15 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Washington can grind it out with the best of them. It wasn't pretty, but the Redskins got the job done. They won't be able to win like that every week, but it got the job done against the Cowboys.
Better Than We Thought
The defense: If you want to thank anyone for the win, thank the defense, the strip of Tashard Choice and the touchdown by DeAngelo Hall was the play of the game and it was a big momentum shift.
Worse Than We Thought
Clinton Portis: Only 3.6 yards a carry for the former All-Pro and I think it's time to sort of own up to the fact that Portis is done as a dominant rusher in the NFL. Not even the return of Mike Shanahan will fix what's wrong with Portis. You can't fix age.
Clutch Performer
DeAngelo Hall: His scoop up of the fumble and the touchdown was the defining play of the game and a solid play by a player who had been overrated in past seasons.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Washington will play Houston and they'll have to stop Andre Johnson from getting deep and keep Arian Foster in check. On the offensive end, Donovan McNabb must make more plays in the passing game than he did last week.
No. 17: Philadelphia
16 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Kevin Kolb isn't what Eagles fans hoped he'd be, at least in early action. Kolb didn't look good, even before the concussion, and I think that injury will keep him out of this week's game. The Eagles will regret trading Donovan McNabb.
Better Than We Thought
Michael Vick: It was Vick's best game since coming back from his prison sentence. Vick looked explosive running the ball and made plays for Philadelphia and brought them back into the game. It's created more drama in Philadelphia, as if that's what we needed.
Worse Than We Thought
Kevin Kolb: There's just no defending him. He just didn't look good and came out and had no rhythm to the offense. Kolb is young and inexperienced, but it was a disappointing debut.
Clutch Performer
Michael Vick: Vick finished with over 100 yards rushing and while some of that had to do with the fact that Green Bay didn't game plan for him, it was a great performance nonetheless. Andy Reid didn't put Vick in a great position on that final 4th-and-1 by running him right up the middle. What else is new?
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Eagles take on Detroit and they just have to get after Shaun Hill and make him throw the ball. The defense can take over the game and give the offense a short field to work with all day.
No. 16: Pittsburgh
17 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
Life goes on after Ben Roethlisberger, and the Steelers have enough talent, especially on the defensive end to make plays to keep the team in the game. It was a gutty performance by Pittsburgh.
Better Than We Thought
Dennis Dixon: Dixon was unspectacular but solid and put his team in a position to win the game. Isn't that all you can ask from your backup?
Worse Than We Thought
Jeff Reed: Reed was three-for-five on field goals and you really need to hit more than that as a kicker. Reed's missed some big kicks in the past and it could haunt Pittsburgh down the line.
Clutch Performer
Rashard Mendenhall: Mendenhall was having a solid but okay game until his 50-yard touchdown run sent the crowd home happy. It was a big player by the player out of Illinois and the only big play of the day for the Steelers.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Steelers must stop Chris Johnson. Johnson opens up Vince Young's passing game and if they don't, the Titans will have them off balance all day. The Titans will be coming at that offensive line and without Max Starks it must stand up to the test.
No. 15: NY Giants
18 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that the Giants are still a work in progress. There were a lot of good signs, but there were also a couple areas of concern that will have to be patched up down the line this season.
Better Than We Thought
Red zone defense: Matt Moore was picked off three times in the red zone and the defense stood tall with its backs against the wall. The defense made plays and it took the wind right out of Carolina's sails.
Worse Than We Thought
Eli Manning: Manning threw three touchdowns, but he also had three picks. He has to take better care of the ball if the Giants want to get back to the playoffs. Manning should know better at this point in his career.
Clutch Performer
Hakeem Nicks: All three of Manning's touchdowns went to Nicks, who showed why the Giants spent a first-round pick on him. Nicks is turning into Manning's favorite target and he's got all of the tools that make a great wideout.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Giants take on the Colts in primetime and Eli Manning must try to avoid the distraction of playing his brother and just let the game come to him. If he forces it like he did last week, it'll be a long night for the Giants.
No. 14: San Francisco
19 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
Let's not crown San Francisco the de facto champions of the NFC West just yet. The 49ers clearly overlooked Seattle and got their doors blown off because of it. Nothing went right for San Francisco and they have work to do.
Better Than We Thought
You can't give this to anyone because San Francisco was just such a severe letdown in every facet of the game against the Seahawks. It was an embarrassing performance.
Worse Than We Thought
Frank Gore: The former Pro Bowler looked mediocre on Sunday, running 17 times for 38 yards. That's 2.2 yards per carry. That's just not going to cut it. Gore has to carry the load offensively and needs to play better than that.
Clutch Performer
It's hard to give out an award to someone on this team, but if I had to, it'd be Nate Clements who picked off one of Matt Hasselbeck's passes and was probably the only play that San Fran made all day.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The 49ers take on the Saints on Monday night and they need to be ready. The secondary is going to be tested all night long and they need to stay at home and not try to be a hero. Keeping Reggie Bush under wraps in special teams will also be a key factor in the 49ers' success.
No. 13: Cincinnati
20 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
Don't believe the hype. A lot of people, myself included, liked the Bengals to steal a game against New England and the Patriots beat them down. The score was a lot closer than the game actually was. It was a bad performance by the Bengals.
Better Than We Thought
Chad Ochocinco: He was thrown to 13 times and made catches on 12 of them. He racked up 159 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots' secondary. Maybe Ocho is Batman and not Robin after all.
Worse Than We Thought
Special Teams: The Bengals started off the second half by giving up a kickoff return touchdown and it just deflated Cincy's chances. Special teams failures are unacceptable and the Bengals will have to patch that up going forward.
Clutch Performer
Chad Ochocinco: Thanks for being the only one to show up to play, Chad. Cedric Benson was shut down and Ochocinco did his part. Too bad no one else did.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Bengals start AFC North play against Baltimore and they just need to balance the attack. Cedric Benson needs to try and find some holes in the Ravens defense and Carson Palmer needs to protect the ball. Cincy's secondary will also be tested and must make plays against the Ravens' wideouts.
No. 12: Miami
21 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
I'm not sure what we can really take away from Miami's victory over Buffalo. It was a slow, plodding, boring game that was a five-point win. A win's a win, but as far as they go, it was an ugly one.
Better Than We Thought
Running game: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams gashed the Bills for 65 and 62 yards each and Brown found the end zone. The Dolphins only averaged 3.7 a carry but it was enough to get the job done.
Worse Than We Thought
There really wasn't any player for Miami who disappointed against Buffalo, they just didn't blow the Bills' doors off. It's hard to go into Buffalo and dominate but it just was a very underwhelming performance.
Clutch Performer
Chad Henne: He didn't light up the stat sheet, but he controlled the game and made just enough plays to get the win, and that's all Miami really asks of him. As long as he doesn't shoot Miami in the foot, Henne will get the job done.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Miami will take on Minnesota and its defense will need to control the line of scrimmage. If the Dolphins can slow Adrian Peterson down and pressure Brett Favre, it will be in a great position to win the game.
No. 11: Tennessee
22 of 32
Better Than We Thought
Vince Young: Who is this quarterback and what has he done with Vince Young? Young was 13 of 17 for 154 yards and two touchdowns including a pretty deep ball to Nate Washington for the Titans' first score. They aren't spectacular numbers but they're what Tennessee needs from him.
Worse Than We Thought
Run defense: Darren McFadden really gashed the Titans at times and it's something that's going to have to be addressed going forward for the Titans. McFadden averaged 5.3 yards per carry and that's unacceptable.
Clutch Performer
Defensive Line: Four sacks for the Titans and they forced Campbell to turn the ball over twice. The line was getting to the quarterback all day and that's a great sign considering in the past two years Tennessee has lost Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch to free agency.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Titans will have to stop Rashard Mendenhall and then force Dennis Dixon to beat them. Once they do, the linebackers and secondary has to make plays. Those areas are big questions marks for Tennessee and will play a big role, especially in stopping a running threat like Dixon.
No. 10: San Diego
23 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
It was a rough start to life without LaDainian Tomlinson for the Chargers. They didn't look spectacular on offense and let the Chiefs hang around and couldn't finish them off when they had the chance. Just a bad start to the season for the AFC West favorites.
Better Than We Thought
Legedu Naanee: Without Vincent Jackson in the lineup, Naanee became Philip Rivers’s favorite target as he caught five passes for 110 yards including a 59-yard touchdown pass where he found himself all alone. Could Naanee be Jackson's replacement? Only time will tell.
Worse Than We Thought
Ryan Matthews: The rookie had a long night in the backfield as he had 75 yards on 19 carries but had a costly fumble that was returned deep into Chargers territory that ended his night. Welcome to the NFL.
Clutch Performer
Philip Rivers: Rivers was his normal self on Monday night, going 22 of 39 for 298 yards and two touchdowns last night. He had a couple chances to seal the game for San Diego at the end but couldn't convert which was a bad ending to an otherwise great night.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Chargers have Jacksonville next week and they have to stop Maurice Jones-Drew. Jamaal Charles ate up San Diego's defense last night and they have to seal those gaps, otherwise MJD is just going to tear the Chargers apart on the ground.
No. 9: NY Jets
24 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that there's a reason the Jets were 9-7 last year. After all of that hype, the Jets came out and laid a total egg against the Ravens. Six points isn't the way New York fans were hoping the season would start but they showed no signs of life at all. Even when the Jets got the ball late, you knew they were going nowhere.
Better Than We Thought
The performance was such a letdown, but LaDainian Tomlinson showed some signs of life on Monday night. Tomlinson rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries, and at times, looked like the old LT. He should see more carries after Shonn Greene's awful performance.
Worse Than We Thought
The Offense: I haven't seen that poor of an offensive performance in some time.
The Jets just had nothing going on offensively the entire game. Six first downs is inexcusable. New York was just as bad on third downs. Nothing went right and to be honest, they have nowhere to go but up after that dreadful showing.
Clutch Performer
The defense: The star of the show in New York did not disappoint as the Jets defense forced two turnovers from Joe Flacco. The defense did enough to get the win but the offense was just nowhere to be found all night long.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Jets have the Patriots this week and New England is coming for them so they need to be ready to be spread out and attacked from every angle. Tom Brady is going to try and throw on them so Antonio Cromartie has to step up and avoid the penalties that he picked up last night. The offense has to do something, anything really to try and help the defense out.
No. 8: Dallas
25 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
There's a lot of work that needs to be done on Dallas' offense. The playcalling stunk, the penalties were killers, and they just couldn't finish drives off. If Dallas is going to make another deep playoff run, they need to start scoring touchdowns and stop settling for field goals.
Better Than We Thought
Mike Jenkins: Jenkins made two huge plays in the end zone to save touchdowns and keep Dallas in the game. Without those plays, the game would have been over much before the last play of the game.
Worse Than We Thought
Alex Barron: I know you're out of position and all but you can't mug a guy the way you did to Brian Orakpo on the final play. The entire offensive line was bad, but Barron was the worst of them all, and I'm not sure how much longer he'll be on the field this season.
Clutch Performer
Miles Austin: Austin continued right where he left off after his breakout season last year. Austin caught 10 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown and was one of Tony Romo's favorite targets along with Dez Bryant.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Cowboys just have to stay aggressive in the red zone and dance with what got them there. They can't get cute or fancy, they just need to take it right to the defense. Dallas also has to avoid taking the stupid penalties it took last week. Otherwise, it could find itself in trouble again.
No. 7: Minnesota
26 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned it's going to take a bit of time for the Vikings to start clicking as a unit. Minnesota looked like a team that hadn't played together for a while against the Saints. The Vikings were just a hair off all day long and that's only going to change with time.
Better Than We Thought
Brett Favre: Despite sitting out most of training camp, Favre looked pretty good for someone coming off of ankle surgery. There was the one bad interception, but other than that Favre did a good job under center.
Worse Than We Thought
Percy Harvin: Only one grab for 12 yards from Harvin last Thursday. The Vikings really need him to step up with Sidney Rice being out for half of the season. Harvin has missed time in camp and maybe that had something to do with his performance, but it has to get better.
Clutch Performer
Visanthe Shiancoe: Shiancoe continued to be one of Brett Favre's favorite targets against the Saints. He caught four passes for 76 yards including a beautiful touchdown grab. Look for that type of performance from the tight end all season long.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Vikings need to start to rely on Adrian Peterson more as Favre tries to shake off the rust from sitting out most of training camp. Let Peterson do all of the work and open things up for Favre and the passing game and things will work out.
No. 6: Indianapolis
27 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Indy has some work to do, especially with the run defense. You can't get gashed like that and expect to contend for the Super Bowl, not with some of the offenses in the league. That has to get fixed, quickly.
Better Than We Thought
Austin Collie: Collie caught 11 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown against the Texans and continued to be one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets. With Collie along with Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, Indy can beat you in so many ways, it's scary.
Worse Than We Thought
Bob Sanders: Poor Bob is out with yet another injury and he's out for the season. Sanders has been snake-bitten for most of his career, and it's a sad thing to see.
Clutch Performer
Peyton Manning: Manning put the team on his shoulders and just ripped the Texans apart through the air. However, he had to throw 57 times, which is a scary thought.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Colts just have to stop the run and force Eli Manning to pass. He threw three picks last week and will turn the ball over if you pressure him. The line has to get penetration and keep the heat coming all night long.
No. 5: Houston
28 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
We learned that Houston might actually be for real this year. They took the Colts down and did it through a dominant rushing attack that put Matt Schaub on the backburner. It could be the start of a big run for the Texans
Better Than We Thought
Arian Foster: Anytime you run for 231 yards and three touchdowns against the AFC Champions, you're doing something right. Foster looked amazing and could be a big weapon for Houston this season.
Worse Than We Thought
Secondary: Peyton Manning ripped Houston's secondary apart on Sunday. While he had to throw 57 times, he completed 40 of them for 433 yards and three touchdowns. That type of performance can't become commonplace or Houston is going to lose often.
Clutch Performer
Arian Foster: He wore the Colts defense down into nothingness and had huge holes to run through all day long. I haven't seen the Colts get dominated like that in a long time.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Houston has Washington and what they need to do is forget about last week. The Texans aren't going to win on reputation so they need to just take this one week at a time and not listen to what people are saying about them.
No. 4: New England
29 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
Don't underestimate the Patriots. A lot of people had concerns about New England coming into this year but the Patriots came out and beat the Bengals down. New England got on top of them early and then sort of took its foot off the gas at the end.
Better Than We Thought
Fred Taylor: Taylor hit the rewind button and rushed 14 times for 71 yards, which is 5.1 yards per carry. Taylor is one of the better guys in the league so it's nice to see him have a good day.
Worse Than We Thought
Randy Moss: Not for his on-the-field play, but his inexplicable press conference diatribe where he went on about his contract situation. You've already had Tom Brady back you in your search for a new deal. Now just shut up and play some football.
Clutch Performer
Wes Welker: Somehow, Welker is back already after blowing his knee out and it was like he never left. Welker caught eight passes for 64 yards and got into the end zone twice. He was making all of the right cuts and looked 100 percent.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Patriots have the Jets this week and they need to not let emotions get the best of them. Brady has said he hates them and the two have gone back and forth for some time now. New England needs to approach this like any other game and just take care of business.
No. 3: Baltimore
30 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
The Ravens can slug it out with the best of them. Baltimore took it to the Jets all night long and just pulled out the win. It was a street fight, but it was a win and that's all that matters in the end.
Better Than We Thought
Todd Heap: The big tight end made a big impact on the game last night, grabbing six passes for 76 yards, including a sprawling, diving grab late in the fourth that gave the Ravens a lot of momentum. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a force this year.
Worse Than We Thought
Joe Flacco: He looked much better in the second half but in the first, he was brutal. An interception and a fumble really hurt the Ravens, but he did enough to get the win in a tough environment and that's all you can ask.
Clutch Performer
Ray Lewis: That hit on Dustin Keller will be hit of the year material and knocked Keller so loopy that he didn't know where the first-down marker was and stepped out a yard short. Now that's making an impact.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Ravens have the Bengals and they have to stay sharp in the secondary. They weren't really tested by the Jets, but Cincy will go to the air often and have the weapons to do it. The corners have to stay at home and not get beat deep.
No. 2: Green Bay
31 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
The Packers are a tough team to beat, even when they're not at their best. Aaron Rodgers wasn't spectacular and Ryan Grant left with a season-ending ankle injury, and they still walked away with a win. It wasn't pretty but Green Bay got the job done in a hostile environment.
Better Than We Thought
Clay Matthews: Matthews just took over the game and was all over the place for Green Bay on Sunday. Matthews has seven tackles and two sacks and was a game-changer for the Packers on defense.
Worse Than We Thought
Aaron Rodgers: I'm not saying he was awful, but with all of the hype surrounding him, it almost looked like he was forcing things a bit too much. Rodgers had two picks and didn't look nearly as crisp as he has in the past. I'm sure he'll shake it off.
Clutch Performer
Defense: After getting torched by Michael Vick all game long they stood tall and stuffed him on 4th- and-1 to win the game. That's the mark of a great defense, even if it was a bad play call by Philadelphia.
Keys to Week Two Rise
Green Bay has Buffalo this week and they just need to pressure Trent Edwards. Edwards is brutal under pressure and with some of the rushers the Packers have, they just need to send the heat all game long and wait for the inevitable mistake.
No. 1: New Orleans
32 of 32
What We Learned in Week One
There was no Super Bowl hangover for the defending champs. Even though it looked like possibly a rout early on, the Saints battled and got a tough win against a good opponent. There's not much more you can ask coming off of a championship.
Better Than We Thought
Pierre Thomas: Thomas looked good last Thursday. He was getting big chunks of yards, he was running smart, and he kept Minnesota honest enough to open up the passing game for Drew Brees. The Saints will never be a running team but they have a good running game if they choose to go to it.
Worse Than We Thought
Garrett Hartley: After being the hero for the Saints in the NFC Championship game, Hartley is starting to use up some of that good faith after two misses last week, including one that would have iced the game for the Saints. He doesn't want to end up like John Carney, on the scrap heap after the Saints let him go.
Clutch Performer
Drew Brees: Brees once again did a masterful job of running the offense and showed why he's the top quarterback in football. He was impressive on the first drive and didn't disappoint after. He didn't hurt his team and just kept them steady all night long.
Keys to Week Two Rise
The Saints have the 49ers on Monday night and they need to ignore the box score from San Fran's game against Seattle. That game means nothing and the 49ers can sneak up on them if they're not careful. Mike Singletary will have them ready to play.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")