NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the NFL's 2-0 Teams

Two weeks down, and already 25 of the NFL's 32 teams have experienced a loss.

Parity is at its finest in the NFL in 2011, and there are very few teams who have not at least looked competitive in their first two games this season.

But for the seven who have made it to 2-0, while it doesn't assure them success beyond this point, it's a huge advantage to still be undefeated after Week 2 this year. While other teams are still trying to separate themselves from the pack, these teams already have.

Here are how the 2-0 stack up against each other so far.

7. Washington Redskins

Mark this one under "things I didn't see coming"—the Washington Redskins are in first place in the NFC East after two weeks.

The Skins are coming off victories over the New York Giants, and a dramatic come-from-behind victory Sunday over the Cardinals at home.

Rex Grossman is validating head coach Mike Shanahan's decision to make him the starter over John Beck with solid play over the first two weeks.

Although Dallas and Philadelphia will be in the mix as the year goes on, Washington has the opportunity to really be players in this division if they continue to play this consistently, particularly on the defensive end.

Although they rank the lowest of the seven undefeated teams, things are looking up in Washington. I'm not sold on any Super Bowl chances, but Grossman's prediction that they'll take the division doesn't sound all that crazy anymore.

6. Buffalo Bills

Something seems to be in the air in Buffalo this season. 

The Bills have been the loveable losers of the AFC East for several years, but Chan Gailey and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick have changed the mindset in just two games.

After a blowout victory over the Chiefs, the Bills looked absolutely flat in the first half against Oakland, having many Bills fans muttering "here we go again." But in the second half, Fitzpatrick turned it around and engaged in a shootout for the ages.

After coming all the way back and taking the lead, the Bills traded the lead with the Raiders several times in the second half until it came down to one play—a 4th-and-1 from the 8-yard line. Fitzpatrick's touchdown pass to David Nelson erupted the crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium and gave the Bills a 2-0 start.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, they still play in the same division as the Jets and Pats (also both 2-0), so the postseason still seems like a long-shot. But if any team believes they are going to walk in and beat the Bills without a fight this year, they got another thing coming.

5. Houston Texans

With Peyton Manning seemingly out for the season, the Jaguars looking inept in their Week 2 loss to the Jets, and the Titans playing inconsistently in their first two games this season, the AFC South is looking more and more like the Houston Texans' division.

Although their first two opponents aren't the most impressive in Indianapolis and Miami, the Texans are looking like they mean business. Matt Schaub continues to be one of the least talked about quarterbacks in the NFL and the Texans have all the parts needed for a playoff push.

Questions still remain where they match up to the elite AFC teams, such as the Patriots, Jets, Ravens and Steelers, but all Houston wants is a chance to show what they can do in the postseason.

If they continue to play this way, they'll do just that.

4. Detroit Lions

Over their first two games, the Lions are making people like me who picked them to make the playoffs look smart.

The argument for the Lions was that with Matt Stafford healthy and the improved defensive front, the Lions would be one of the most high-powered teams this season. So far, they have not disappointed.

After knocking off the Bucs in Week 1, Detroit dominated a lifeless Chiefs team at home to mark their largest margin of victory in franchise history. Stafford has completed nearly 73 percent of his passes through Week 2, and looks like an elite QB in the making.

Chicago will be there at the end of the year, and so will the defending champion Packers, but there is no doubt at this point that the Lions are for real.

3. New York Jets

Now that is more like it.

After having to pull out all the stops, including a blocked punt to escape with a win over the Cowboys in Week 1, the Jets steamrolled the Jaguars at home 32-3 in their Week 2 victory.

Mark Sanchez struggled early, throwing two picks in the first half, but the Jets defense was smothering and made Jaguars QB Luke McCown look completely inept, picking off four of his passes. 

Now a real test for the New York Jets comes the next three weeks, as they travel to Oakland, Baltimore and finally New England to take on three AFC contenders.

If the Jets can pull in two wins in that stretch, then their position as Super Bowl contenders will be cemented. Anything less, and lingering questions will remain.

2. Green Bay Packers

The defending Super Bowl champion Packers have avoided the Super Bowl hangover in their first two games this season.

After outlasting the Saints in a Week 1 shootout, Green Bay survived another stellar performance by rookie sensation Cam Newton to win it 30-23 in Carolina. 

Aaron Rodgers still looks like an elite QB and the offense continues to be lights out. But the pass defense, well, that is a different story. The Packers have somehow managed to start 2-0 despite giving up over 400 yards passing in their first two games against Drew Brees and Newton.

The offense can't bail the Pack out every time, and while their defense certainly is capable, it will need to step up if Green Bay wants to repeat as champions.

1. New England Patriots

Watch out. The Patriots, and particularly Tom Brady, are playing near-perfect football over their first two games and look like staunch favorites to take the AFC.

The Pats dominated Miami in Week 1 and beat a very talented San Diego team in Week 2, with Brady putting up astonishing numbers thus far. Brady followed up his 517-yard, four-touchdown performance in Week 1 with 423 more and three TDs in Week 2.

With no Peyton Manning in the AFC, there is simply no quarterback who can hold a candle to Brady's ability, and it will take a genius defensive game plan and perfect execution to control him; stopping him does not seem to be an option.

While what Brady and the Pats do is almost inconsequential, (it's the postseason that has haunted them lately) before they get there the Patriots will have to take care of business in the regular season—at the expense of every team on their schedule.