NFL Power Rankings: Where Did ESPN Go Wrong in Week 2 Power Rankings?

ESPN gives us a great gift every week: a power ranking that we can both admire and deride. For this piece, I am interested in the things that ESPN got horribly wrong. 

Week 1 in the NFL presented me ample time to mutter things at the TV like, "That seems about right" and "Are you freaking kidding me?"

We had an inkling of what these teams were like heading into the regular season. Now, with five weeks to judge, four being the preseason, we can accurately judge who these teams really are. 

Shame on ESPN for thinking they know everything. Here are the bits of tid that the four-letter got wrong. But please, by all means judge for yourself. You can see the Week 2 rankings here. 

And I encourage you to kill me as much as I am about to kill ESPN. Sports commentary would be boring without an alternative view. 

Here are the mistakes ESPN made in reverse order, because reverse is the proper order in the realm of sport. 

32. Cleveland Browns

Let's start with something positive—by agreeing with ESPN that the Browns are the worst team in football. Losing to the Bengals is like getting your pocket change taken by an infant.

29. Carolina Panthers

Allow me to be the booger in the punch bowl. I agree that what Cam Newton did on Sunday was marvelous. I would have been there with my "I Love Newtonian Physics" shirt with the rest of you if I weren't privy to a little info: The Panthers are awful. 

While we are at it, the Cardinals defense is abominable as well. Newton will get a wake-up call next week against the Packers. I would have liked to see the Bengals here. You know, a team that actually won. 

27. Buffalo Bills

I don't know what the Bills did to piss us all off, but they are much better than currently slotted. This Bills team has an underrated receiving corps led by an even more under-appreciated quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

I would take the Bills on any day against the Broncos. At least Fitzpatrick can hold onto the ball. Kyle Orton, I am looking at you.

17. New York Giants

This one hurts more than seeing the Colts hit rock bottom. The Giants must have crossed under a ladder while a stampede of black cats ran in front of them.

As unlikely as that seems, it is even more rare to see a team hit so hard by injuries. This team is thin, and losing a player every game. It is time to make amends with reality and push them lower than No. 17.

12. Detroit Lions

Time to nitpick here. I would flip the Lions and Falcons. Atlanta looks like a little kid lost at the mall. It is time to ask them if they know where their parents are. 

7. Chicago Bears

At some point in the last decade, I got fat and the Chicago Bears became the team fans love to disrespect. While both issues are troubling, I will save my weight gain for another article.

The Bears only issue is their offensive line. They may still be porous, allowing four sacks on Sunday, but the Bears always find a way to win. This is a team that destroyed most people's favorites to claim the Super Bowl. It is time to make them a top-five team and keep them there.

That's all folks.