NFL Power Rankings Week 2: 3 Mid-Level Teams Ready to Make Big Leaps

Everyone knows that the opening week of the season is nowhere near enough of a sample size to judge from.

In reality, you probably need about four games before you can get strong indicators. Even then, things change a lot. Still, it's fun to take a look at things like this.

Since 12 teams make the playoffs, we'll call the top 12 the top teams. I know it won't work out quite that way, but let's just stick with that for now.

Let's also call the bottom 10 the bottom teams. I am really imaginative today. But between those spots sit 10 teams that currently are in the middle of the pack.

Who's likely to make that leap into the top 12?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 13)

The Buccaneers lost a tough game to the Lions in the opener. But the quarterbacking of Josh Freeman and coaching of Raheem Morris has been a winning combination in Tampa Bay thus far.

The loss to the Lions may well come back to hurt them if both teams are vying for a playoff berth late in the year. But for now, look for the Buccaneers to get right against the Vikings in Week Two.

If they don't, then the Buccaneers will be leaping in the wrong direction.

Buffalo Bills (No. 17)

Did anyone call a 2-0 start from the Bills this year? Well, right now they sit at 1-0 and will host a Raiders team that was anything but dominant on Monday against the Broncos.

Sharing a division with the Patriots and Jets means that you play four games that will be extremely difficult to win.

A playoff spot is still quite unlikely in a tough AFC, but Week One gave their fans reason for hope.

The Chiefs are a playoff team from 2010 and Arrowhead Stadium is a notoriously tough place to play. Someone forgot to tell the Bills, as they blew the Chiefs out. 

If they beat the Raiders, particularly in a big way, it will be hard to ignore Buffalo.

Washington Redskins (No. 18)

A playoff spot will not be quite as difficult to come by for the Redskins. Still, it will be tough.

But in their opening week game against the Giants, the Redskins were quite impressive. Rex Grossman had a strong day. Washington has a good group of receivers for Grossman to throw to.

I certainly understand any fan being hesitant to buy Grossman as a quarterback that can lead a team back to the playoffs.

But in the opening week, they took a good first step in silencing doubters. A strong showing against the Cardinals would be a strong next step.

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