NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Which Perennial Losers Are 2011 Contenders?

There are many things that make the NFL the most compelling sports league in the nation, and parity easily tops that list.

It's what helped the Miami Dolphins go from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 and the AFC East title in 2008, and there's little doubt that there's a team or two who will benefit from it this season as well.

Two teams that are going to see brighter years, and playoff games, in 2011 are the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans.

Both went 6-10 in 2011, leaving them both in third place in their respective divisions. This year, I can see both teams going at least 10-6, with the Lions reaching their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Detroit has the more difficult path this season, due mainly to the difficult NFC North division they play in. However, they boast a terrific defense, a surging offensive attack, a solid starting quarterback (and good backups as well) and the most roster depth in seasons.

They also benefit from a relatively easy schedule, on paper, beyond their in-division contests. It's not a foregone conclusion that this year's Lions cannot beat the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears.

If they even split their series with these teams, they are on a great path not just to reach the playoffs, but to prove that things in Detroit have turned around significantly.

The Houston Texans, on the other hand, have the benefit of the AFC South going from a locked-up and difficult division for any team not from Indianapolis to win to one plagued with chaos.

The only team boasting any type constancy is the Texans. This is an excellent advantage for the Texans, a team that has been perennially on the verge in recent seasons.

With the AFC South seemingly up for grabs, it appears that Houston is the only team with both the stability and the talent to rise to the top this season.

In their 10 years as an NFL franchise, they've never won their division. This season, the Texans are poised to run away with it.

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