NFL Power Rankings: Which 2010 Disasters Are 2011 Contenders?
Each and every NFL season we see more than a few teams makes strides into turning their franchise around, or manage to get the organization back to glory.
However, that does not come without have disappointed in years past, in addition to underachieving expectations regardless of record.
That being said, through two weeks there are numerous teams feeling like they have a shot to contend this season after a lackluster performance in 2010.
Buffalo Bills: 2010 Record, 4-12
After 2010 concluded, the Buffalo Bills found themselves with a 4-12 record and looking up at arguably the toughest division in pro football.
Well, so far the Bills are 2-0 in 2011 and are now a part of that tough division, and have opened some eyes to say the least.
Sure, this wasn't expected, but then again, it just goes to show how good players are in the NFL, even though they may have been terrible a year ago.
This week, however, will be very telling of Buffalo as they play host to the 2-0 New England Patriots.
Even if the Pats' win this game, the Bills must play very competitive because getting demolished is only going to set them back even further.
A win, on the other hand, and the NFL world will be significantly impressed and in addition, would force the Patriots to think about what direction they're headed in.
Houston Texans: 2010 Record, 6-10
In 2009, the Houston Texans finished with a record of 9-7 and had some exceedingly high expectations for 2010.
Needless to say, Houston underachieved last year and there were some doubts as to how they would respond in 2011.
Thus far, however, the Texans have answered the call and are 2-0 heading into a big Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints will obviously be the best opponent that Houston has faced to this point, so playing well is extremely crucial.
A loss doesn't kill them, but it will humble them as to putting a perspective on how much more they need to improve.
On the other hand, a victory will propel them into being elite amongst the elite, in turn they will have to consistently measure up to remain elite, because as we all know it's easier to get there, than it is to stay there.
Arizona Cardinals: 2010 Record, 6-10
It took a while but in 2008 the Arizona Cardinals finally became a relevant NFL franchise on a year-to-year basis.
They won two straight NFC West titles in '08 and '09, but fell back to their old ways in 2010.
All that appears to have changed back to the better in 2011.
And yes, they are only 1-1 right now, but Week 2 was a tough loss on the road to a now 2-0 Washington Redskins team, and their lone win came against the 0-2 Carolina Panthers.
The being said, Arizona will surely get better and are currently the front-runners in the NFC West.
Now although it is pitted as the NFL's weakest division, lest we forget what happened in 2008 when the Card's entered the postseason at 9-7 and then proceeded to almost win the Super Bowl.
Remember, all that matters is that you get into the playoffs, because regular season records don't matter when it comes to the NFL's second season.
Week 3 Power Rankings (LW = last week's rank.)
| 1.ย Green Bay Packersย (2-0) (LWย 1)ย | 17.ย Washington Redskinsย (2-0) (LWย 22) |
| 2.ย New England Patriotsย (2-0) (LWย 2) | 18.ย Jacksonville Jaguarsย (1-1) (LWย 14) |
| 3.ย New York Jetsย (2-0) (LWย 5) |  19. Tennessee Titans (1-1) (LWย 28) |
| 4. New Orleans Saintsย (1-1) (LWย 6) | 20. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) (LWย 18) |
| 5. Houston Texansย (2-0) (LWย 7)ย | 21. St. Louis Rams (0-2) (LWย 19) |
| 6. Philadelphia Eaglesย (1-1) (LWย 3) | 22.ย Oakland Raidersย (1-1) (LWย 23) |
| 7.ย Baltimore Ravensย (1-1) (LWย 4) | 23. Carolina Panthersย (0-2) (LWย 26) |
| 8.ย Pittsburgh Steelersย (1-1) (LWย 10) | 24.ย Miami Dolphinsย (0-2) (LWย 25) |
| 9.ย Atlanta Falconsย (1-1) (LWย 11) | 25.ย Minnesota Vikingsย (0-2) (LWย 29) |
| 10.ย Detroit Lionsย (2-0) (LWย 12) | 26.ย San Francisco 49ersย (1-1) (LWย 24) |
| 11.ย San Diego Chargersย (1-1) (LWย 8) | 27.ย Denver Broncosย (1-1) (LWย 30) |
| 12. Chicago Bearsย (1-1) (LWย 9) | 28.ย Cincinnati Bengalsย (1-1) (LWย 27) |
| 13. New York Giantsย (1-1) (LWย 16) | 29.ย Cleveland Brownsย (1-1) (LWย 32) |
| 14.ย Tampa Bay Buccaneersย (1-1) (LWย 13) | 30.ย Kansas City Chiefsย (0-2) (LWย 21) |
| 15. Dallas Cowboysย (1-1) (LWย 15) | 31.ย Indianapolis Coltsย (0-2) (LWย 17) |
| 16.ย Buffalo Billsย (2-0) (LWย 20) | 32.ย Seattle Seahawksย (0-2) (LWย 31) |
Be sure to check outย John on Bleacher Report.
And you can follow him onย Twitter @ Sportswriter27.
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