NFL Power Rankings: Ranking All 32 Teams

With every passing week in the NFL, the sample size increases and  pictures of each team become clearer and clearer.

While a handful of teams have distinguished themselves as the very best and worst in the league, the majority of teams remain enigmatic, benefiting (or suffering) from a win-loss record that doesn't belie their true status amongst their 31 counterparts.

As always, I try to use more than just overall wins and losses to determine the order of my power rankings. With that in mind, here's how I see how each team in the league stacks up headed into Week 3. 

No. 1: New England Patriots (2-0)

The Patriots have taken over the top spot in my rankings after defeating the much-respected San Diego Chargers 35-21. Quarterback Tom Brady has thrown for 940 yards over two weeks and looks on pace to continue that production throughout the season. The only concern should be the defense, especially the secondary. 

No. 2: Green Bay Packers (2-0)

The Packers have dropped a spot this week due to their own troubles stopping the pass; they gave up 432 yards and a passing touchdown to the Carolina Panthers and rookie Cam Newton. They did manage to pick him off three times, however. The fact that they struggled in what should have been an easy win means they slide a spot this week. 

No. 3: Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

The Eagles lost their chance to win their second game when wide receiver Jeremy Maclin dropped a pass thrown to him by backup quarterback Mike Kafka in the waning minutes. If starting quarterback Michael Vick didn't leave the game with a concussion, it's quite possible Philadelphia would be undefeated right now.

I didn't drop them in my rankings this week because the Eagles don't seem to have actually decreased in skill or talent even after the loss. 

No. 4: New Orleans Saints (1-1)

The Saints bounced back from their Week 1 loss against the Green Bay Packers in a big way, defeating the Chicago Bears 30-13 and preventing an 0-2 start to their season. They proved that they can stiffen up in the secondary, where they were weak against the Packers. All facets of their game have returned to the solid form we expected out of the 2009 Super Bowl champions. 

No. 5: New York Jets (2-0)

The Jets are known for their run game, but it appeared stifled in the first two weeks of the season. However, their terrific defense and efficient (though not flashy) passing game has carried them to two wins. They performed exactly as expected against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, stomping them to the tune of a 32-3 victory. They just need to get back to the run as the season wears on. 

No. 6: Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

No, trouncing a terrible team like the Seattle Seahawks is not an impressive feat in and of itself. But the fact that they did so by shutting them out 24-0 and allowing their offense just one foray into Pittsburgh territory is a good start to moving past their first week embarrassment at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.   

No. 7: Houston Texans (2-0)

The Texans are fifth in the league in rushing offense and first in the league in passing defense—what a difference a year makes. Even without running back Arian Foster, the Texans are doing just fine with Ben Tate taking the carries while Foster heals. The new-look Wade Phillips defense is as good as advertised. Houston could easily take the AFC South title for the first time in team history.

No. 8: Detroit Lions (2-0)

The Lions crack the top 10 of a power ranking for perhaps the first time in over a decade, and they deserve to look down at the 22 below them. They ran and passed with ease against the dismal Kansas City Chiefs and continue to field one of the most elite defensive squads in the league.

This week's game against the Minnesota Vikings will be a major test; if they can put pressure on quarterback Donovan McNabb, contain Adrian Peterson and keep scoring points on offense, they'll jump up the rankings again next week.

No. 9: Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

After destroying their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, the Ravens backslid big time into a 26-13 loss against the Tennessee Titans, who lost to the Jaguars a week previous. While I am not suggesting that the Jaguars are better than any team, it's a sign that the Ravens have some significant inconsistencies to address going forward. 

No. 10: San Diego Chargers (1-1)

The Chargers dipped three spots from last week after losing to the New England Patriots in a game that should have been closer. Their defense, best in the league in 2010, looked rough against a potent Patriots offense, though they came up big time in Week 1 against the Vikings. The league is full of big-passing offenses that lack in their own secondaries, which will plague teams like the Chargers all season long. 

No. 11: Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

The win over the Philadelphia Eagles has them jumping three spots this week after losing mightily to the Bears in their season opener. Running back Michael Turner is proving to be the team's best asset. Indeed, quarterback Matt Ryan and tight end Tony Gonzalez game up big against the Eagles, but it's hard to say how long that can continue.

No. 12: Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo proved that he could come through in the clutch in the team's Week 2 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers. But they still have question marks—and injuries—dotting both sides of the ball. 

No. 13: Chicago Bears (1-1)

The Bears fell to the Saints 30-13 Week 2 and have a major test ahead with the Green Bay Packers coming to town on Sunday. Running back Matt Forte is responsible for a whopping 52 percent of the team's total offense, while the rest of the team remains predictably inconsistent. 

No. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)

The Buccaneers are going from one of the surprises of 2010 to a middling team in 2011, thanks to decreased offensive production and a more difficult schedule. If they lose to the Atlanta Falcons this week, they will drop below No. 16 going into Week 4 and may languish in obscurity for the duration of the season. 

No. 15: Buffalo Bills (2-0)

The Bills have taken two easier opponents and ran with them to an undefeated start to their season. They've jumped ten whole spots in my rankings since Week 1 and even if they lose to the Patriots this Sunday, they won't drop back. In a division as tough as the AFC East, the Bills are showing they can hang in there. 

No. 16: Washington Redskins (2-0)

Another team riding two easy opponents to a 2-0 start is the Redskins. Their passing game has improved and they have two good running backs in Tim Hightower and Roy Helu. Their defense hasn't looked half bad either. I am not sold yet, however. The Redskins need to impress against a difficult opponent before they can climb in my rankings. 

No. 17: New York Giants (1-1)

The Giants made the best of a bad situation on Monday night, defeating the St. Louis Rams in a game that played closer than the score indicates. They still have issues in their injury-plagued secondary but their running game appears back on track. 

No. 18: San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

The Niners suffered a heartbreaking overtime defeat in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. The defense that looked unbeatable Week 1 against the Seahawks appeared less consistent in their second game. Inconsistency has the team stuck in the middle this week.

No. 19: Miami Dolphins (0-2)

After seemingly matching the New England Patriots pass for pass in Week 1, the Dolphins crumbled under the weight of the Houston Texans' running attack and rush defense in their second game. With the Jets, Patriots and Bills playing inspired football, it looks like the Dolphins are going to be left behind in the AFC East 

No. 20: Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

One close win and one close loss means that while the Cardinals have the potential to field one of the most brilliant offenses in the league this season, their defense is holding them back. 

No. 21: St. Louis Rams (0-2)

The Rams may be the only team in the NFL right now that is 0-2 and still has a good chance to win their division. Though that says more about the NFC West than it does St. Louis at this point. They should have beaten the Giants last night, but didn't. Not a good sign. 

No. 22: Cleveland Browns (1-1)

While the Bengals are a tougher opponent than we all thought going into the season, that does not excuse the Browns giving up their lead in the final two minutes of the Week 1 loss. Nor is it very impressive that they beat the woeful Colts Week 2. Running back Peyton Hillis does not a football team make. 

No. 23: Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

The Bengals lost a close Week 2 contest against the Denver Broncos that they should have won. While rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is exceeding expectations so far this season, there are more reasons to be worried about the team down the stretch than there are positive signs. 

No. 24: Oakland Raiders (1-1)

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell had an anomalous performance in his team's Week 2 loss against the Bills, leading the team in a shootout that also saw running back Darren McFadden come up huge. While McFadden will carry the team's offense without question, the inconsistencies we are likely to see in the passing game and on defense will have the team struggling. 

No. 25: Tennessee Titans (1-1)

Though the Titans defeated the Ravens in Week 2, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looked comfortable with his new team, I am not entirely sold on the Titans just yet. Losing to the Jaguars is something I just can't shake. 

No. 26: Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Quarterback Cam Newton's 854 total passing yards this season mean nothing without wins, of which the Panthers have none. Issues on defense and running the ball have held down a team that otherwise could be undefeated right now. 

No. 27: Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

The Vikings seem like a team split in two: Adrian Peterson and everyone else. And no, that's not a good thing. 

No. 28: Denver Broncos (1-1)

The Broncos rank near the bottom in both passing, rushing and point average statistics through the first two weeks of the season. But it's the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball combined with what looks like terrible morale that has me dropping Denver to the bottom of the pack. 

No. 29: Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

The Jaguars owe a great deal of gratitude to the Tennessee Titans for that Week 1 win because at least now this struggling team can't go winless in 2011. 

No. 30: Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)

The Chiefs, on the other hand, have no one to thank and everyone to blame for their two losses. Already troubled on both sides of the ball, injuries have degraded Kansas City even further. The Chiefs have gone from being offseason playoff favorites to a team averaging just five points a game in a matter of months. Get used to the bottom this year, Kansas City. 

No. 31: Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

At some point, the blame will have to shift from not having Peyton Manning under center to the poor play of just about every player on the Colts' active roster. I say that starts now. Somehow, "a mess" just isn't a strong enough way to describe this team.

No. 32: Seattle Seahawks (0-2)

The Seahawks, Colts and Chiefs all deserve the bottom spot on the power rankings, so we might as well consider this a tie. At least the Seahawks have the benefit of playing in the talent-bare NFC West; that might make them good for a win (or two, but let's not get crazy here) this season.