NFL Power Rankings Week 2: 3 Bottom-10 Teams Set to Climb Up Rankings

If you look at my rankings below, you'll realize that Week 1 wins and losses aren't the only factor. Generally, the teams that won are ranked in the top half, but it's not 100 percent true.

But the bottom 10 teams all lost. So, of those teams, which ones are going to make a quick rise up the rankings?

It may not be this week, but these teams will be much higher sooner rather than later.

Carolina Panthers (No. 31)

The Panthers are ranked low because they were the worst team in the NFL last year and dropped the opener.

Similarly, the Packers are ranked No. 1 because they won in Week 1 and are the defending champs. The Panthers weren't the least impressive team and the Packers weren't the most impressive (though they were good), but things can't radically shake up until something more significant happens.

But there is reason for the Panthers' fans to be hopeful. With Cam Newton having a strong first game, their future doesn't look so bad. Now, with Steve Smith and a strong running attack, Carolina is in place for a surprisingly decent season.

These two teams meet in the second week. I don't see a win from Carolina in this one, but they will show strong improvement by the end of the year.

Cleveland Browns (No. 30)

Maybe I am just holding on to a preseason notion I had that the Browns would be a good team. Coming off of an abysmal home loss to the Bengals, the Browns need to beat the Colts to be seen as anything close to a legitimate threat. 

Still, I am not giving up on them. Colt McCoy is actually a good West Coast Offense quarterback and the running attack should be solid behind him.

If they can't manage a win against the Colts, I will have to change my tune here.

St. Louis Rams (No. 23)

The Rams got beaten up in a convincing home loss to Philadelphia. But we can't read too much into that, Philadelphia is going to make a lot of teams look bad this year.

St. Louis is still the top team in the NFC West. Granted, a Week 2 loss and a win from either San Francisco or Arizona will put the Rams in a pretty good hole, but I think they will come back strong against the Giants on Monday night.

Sam Bradford is a good quarterback and has weapons around him to help him succeed. Steven Jackson will likely miss the Monday night game, but they should be fine against a depleted Giants team. 

The NFC West's teams will all have their share of losses this year, but the Rams should end up at the top in relatively short order. That will start with a win against the Giants.

Michael Dixon's Week 2 Power Rankings:

Rank	Team	Record
1	Green Bay Packers	1-0
2	New England Patriots	1-0
3	Philadelphia Eagles	1-0
4	Baltimore Ravens	1-0
5	Chicago Bears	1-0
6	New Orleans Saints	0-1
7	San Diego Chargers	1-0
8	New York Jets	1-0
9	Houston Texans	1-0
10	Detroit Lions	1-0
11	Pittsburgh Steelers	0-1
12	Atlanta Falcons	0-1
13	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0-1
14	Arizona Cardinals	1-0
15	San Francisco 49ers	1-0
16	Oakland Raiders	1-0
17	Buffalo Bills	1-0
18	Washington Redskins	1-0
19	Dallas Cowboys	0-1
20	Cincinnati Bengals	1-0
21	Jacksonville Jaguars	1-0
22	Minnesota Vikings	0-1
23	St. Louis Rams	0-1
24	Tennessee Titans	0-1
25	New York Giants	0-1
26	Kansas City Chiefs	0-1
27	Miami Dolphins	0-1
28	Indianapolis Colts	0-1
29	Denver Broncos	0-1
30	Cleveland Browns	0-1
31	Carolina Panthers	0-1
32	Seattle Seahawks	0-1