NFL Power Rankings: Heading into Week 2 of the 2011 Preseason

After the first week it's hard to put much stock into any of the teams. Several starters didn't even play and if they did, it wasn't for very long. Some teams that are still unsure of who their starters will be heading into Week 1 made the biggest leaps in this week's power rankings. But don't expect many big changes until the regular season starts.

1. Green Bay Packers—For a team that was criticized for not practicing much, they sure looked in-sync on the first drive against the Browns.

2. New England Patriots—The majority of their starters didn't play, but even their backups played well. Teams that passed up on Ryan Mallett may soon begin regretting it. 

3. Philadelphia Eagles—Philly and the "Dream Team" looked great in the few minutes they were on the field. Too bad Philadelphia vs. Baltimore wasn't saved for the regular season.

4. New York Jets—It used to be when LaDainian Tomlinson got just one carry in a preseason game, it was because the team didn't want him to get hurt. Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case here.

5. Atlanta Falcons—That Matt Ryan and Julio Jones connection looked pretty good. Every other team in the NFC South should be afraid. Very afraid.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers—The Steelers didn't really show us much. But the good news is, James Harrison wasn't on the field long enough to earn a fine from the league. If only every game was a preseason game.

7. New Orleans Saints—The Saints averaged a first down every reception and Drew Brees completed only one pass. I don't know if that says more about New Orleans or less about the 49ers defense.

8. San Diego Chargers—We know the Chargers almost always click on offense. It looks like they have another weapon with running back Jordan Todman.

9. Baltimore Ravens—That defense couldn't slow down Vick and company, but just one series doesn't really mean much. What does bother me is the team's 11 penalties.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Tampa Bay played the most solid game as a team, as they shut out the Kansas City Chiefs. Three young players on defense with at least 1.5 sacks? Can't complain at all.

11. Indianapolis Colts—I enjoy watching the Colts' preseason games because it gives all the other quarterbacks on the team some playing time. Once the regular season starts, the only time they touch the field is when the game is over.

12. Dallas Cowboys—Felix Jones looks like he is in regular season form and that's good news for the Cowboys as they try to finally get over the hump this year.

13. Houston Texans—Linebacker Xavier Adibi had more sacks in one game than he's had in his entire three-year career. He was a great player at Virginia Tech; hopefully he can regain form in his fourth NFL season.

14. New York Giants—It's nice to see Domenik Hixon catch everything his way. The Giants will need him to step up and fill in the void Steve Smith left.

15. Oakland Raiders—The Raiders have solid pieces on both sides of the ball. I just don't trust their quarterback situation with a shaky starter and two washed-up vets.

16. Chicago Bears—Oh my. Marion Barber looked like he had something to prove and if he can continue to run like that and stay healthy, the Bears could become a solid threat in the NFC.

17. Kansas City Chiefs—Were there any positives taken out of the game against the Buccaneers? I guess zero penalties is great, but just 134 yards on offense? Not so much.

18. Detroit Lions—Good news, Lions fans. Matt Stafford threw two touchdown passes on seven pass attempts and didn't get hurt.

19. St. Louis Rams—Keith Toston is labeled fourth on the depth chart at running back. But you're telling me if he has more preseason games like last week, he can't jump Jerious Norwood and an injury-prone Cadillac Williams?

20. Minnesota Vikings—Didn't learn much about the Vikings as they played a pretty vanilla game against the Tennessee Titans. 

21. Miami Dolphins—Chad Henne or Matt Moore? Right now, Moore has to be leading the race. The first of Henne's two interceptions wasn't his fault, but the second one was horribly thrown to a wide open receiver.  

22. San Fransisco 49ers—Is there really anything positive to say about their performance last week against the New Orleans Saints? Anytime you bring Daunte Culpepper in for a tryout, things can't be going good.

23. Tennessee Titans—I'm sure we all thought Matt Hasselbeck was going to be the starter, but Jake Locker really impressed. He throws a very pretty ball. But this Chris Johnson hold out is starting to get serious.

24. Arizona Cardinals—Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald wasted no time connecting. He just throws it up there and Larry goes and gets it. He is officially a Top 10 fantasy WR this season. 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars—Blaine Gabbert played okay, but was it well enough to push David Garrard for the starting spot? We should find out more next week. 

26. Cleveland Browns—I know it's preseason, but Colt McCoy played extremely well. I liked him in Texas and if he can continue to grow, the Browns could finally have found their quarterback of the future. 

27. Seattle Seahawks—I know they are an offense that was put together in a week, but Tarvaris Jackson was horrible. If he doesn't want the same treatment he received in Minnesota, he'll have to step it up fast.

28. Washington Redskins—I caught hell for putting the Redskins last in last week's power rankings. They move up this week not for the win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but for the play of Rex Grossman. If he can continue that play, they'll be much better off.

29. Carolina Panthers—Cam Newton played well in his first NFL action. Although it seems like every pass he throws stays in the air 10 seconds too long.

30. Denver Broncos—Is it possible Brady Quinn gets added to the "Who starts in Denver?" controversy? Probably not. But he was impressive against the third stringers of the Dallas Cowboys.

31. Buffalo Bills—Are the Bills really serious about getting C.J. Spiller more involved? He had the fewest carries of anybody on the team.

32. Cincinnati Bengals—One of the worst preseason performances as a team last week. Not much answered about this team, except the fact that they are going to be bad.