1. New Orleans Saints
The Super Bowl champs are 1-0, and beat a good team in week one. They say repeating is the hardest feat in sports, so it's sure to be a tough road ahead. But, until someone knocks them down a peg, they're the team to beat.
2. Green Bay Packers
The Pack got it done in Philly without playing their A game. They are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and were playing defense shorthanded. Green Bay lost Ryan Grant for the year which certainly doesn't help their chances to stay at the top of this list.
3. Baltimore Ravens
If you're concerned with the Ravens offense after their Monday night performance, you're forgetting they played the league's best defense on the road. The Ravens played some defense of their own and they were without Ed Reed. I am a little concerned with Joe Flacco, but the Ravens have the most complete roster in the NFL.
4. Houston Texans
If anyone says they saw Arian Foster and the Texans beating Indianapolis, they're lying. I liked Houston before the season, but I wasn't sold on their running game. Considering Foster beat Indianapolis by himself, I'm sold.
5. New York Jets
It's not time to panic if you're a Jets fan. But it might be time for a reality check. If you bought into the hype of the Jets, you might have forgotten they are putting their hopes on Mark Sanchez who has yet to be a productive pro. Rex Ryan and the rest of the team might be writing checks Sanchez can't cash.
6. Indianapolis Colts
Well, it's a good news/bad news scenario for the defending AFC champs. Good news: Peyton Manning threw for tons of yards and three touchdowns. Bad news: The hyped up Indianapolis defense can't slow down the run. It will be interesting to see if the Colts defense is that bad, or if Arian Foster is that good. The Colts need a nice bounce back or they will plummet on this list.
7. New England Patriots
The AFC playoff picture will get really cloudy if the Patriots are as good as they looked Sunday. You knew the offense would be productive, but the defense was the surprise. Although they ended up giving up 24 points to Cincy, the game was out of reach before the Bengals started scoring. The Pats might be back. Let's hope not.
8. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings defense played fantastic against the Saints in New Orleans. The offense, however, worries me. I don't believe Brett Favre is ready to play this year. More concerning than Favre is Minnesota's inability to run block or find ways to get Adrian Peterson in space. Talent can only take you so far, at some point you need coaching to impact the team. Ask the Chargers.
9. Tennessee Titans
I will always be surprised that a team starting Vince Young has any success. Of course, it does help that the Titans have the best runner in the league who didn't disappoint week one. If the Titans defense fixed their problems from last year, this is a dangerous team. There's not a lot of room in their division if the Texans are for real.
10. Miami Dolphins
I'm not quite as certain about the Dolphins after week one. I will be looking forward to the Pats game to see where they measure up within their division. They didn't have much offense in Buffalo, then again, it's not an easy place to play. The Dolphins defense looked good, but played against a very pedestrian offense.
11. Dallas Cowboys
It's not time to panic in Dallas, but it is time to find a replacement for Alex Barron. When's the last time you saw an offensive lineman literally lose a game? I didn't like the play calling for Dallas' offense against the Skins. They clearly tried to force the ball early to Dez Bryant and were inconsistent running the ball. The Cowboys will rebound, but they do need help on the O-line.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Defense and running the ball are not new ideas in Pittsburgh. Most people forgot that they are two years removed as Super Bowl champs. I don't see the Steelers making the playoffs, but they can still win games with their formula of football. The biggest mistake this franchise can make is to allow Roethlisberger to return and start throwing the ball around like they did last year.
13. Washington Redskins
The Redskins have improved as a team with the addition of Mike Shannahan and Donovan McNabb. They didn't show it too much Sunday, but I think they will be able to score some points. They are old at running back, but have lots of veteran leaders on the team. Hopefully they can get some equity when they are forced to trade Albert Haynesworth.
14. Cincinnati Bengals
This team's season could be over if they don't win early. With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco feeding off each other, Marvin Lewis will have the toughest coaching position in football. The defense looked like a disaster against New England, but they were playing one of the league's best offenses in their house. I'll wait another week before writing off the Bengals. Maybe two weeks since they host the Ravens this weekend.
15. New York Giants
The Giants were underwhelming in their victory over Carolina. They turned the ball over four times, but they got five from Carolina. Hakeem Nicks and Eli Manning appear to have developed some chemistry. They have a ways to go if they want to compete in the NFC East.
16. San Diego Chargers
Slow starts are nothing new for this bunch. It looks like San Diego will probably find themselves in the playoffs again this year since the AFC West will clearly be the weakest division in the AFC. San Diego will have to find a way to run the ball more effectively, while tightening up their run defense.
17. Philadelphia Eagles
It is going to be a challenging year for the Eagles with Kevin Kolb at quarterback. Especially when he is getting booed by fans that want Michael Vick in the game. The funny part about the soon-to-be quarterback controversy is that fans booed when Vick entered the game in the first half, then booed Kolb when he was ineffective, then cheered after Kolb was knocked out with a concussion and Vick moved the offense. Now Andy Reid is going to have to explain every week why Kolb is his quarterback. The Eagles are talented, but they would be much more ready to win if they still had McNabb under center.
18. Atlanta Falcons
When Matt Ryan was a rookie, he exceeded expectations but had the benefit of Michael Turner's MVP caliber season. Turner was ineffective last year, and started off this season against Pittsburgh. The fate of this team relies on how Turner is able to move the chains. I don't see the Falcons in the playoffs playing in the same division as the Saints.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Without question, the biggest disappointment of week one. Seattle is never an easy place to play, especially the first game of the season. That being said, if Alex Smith is the same 'ol Alex Smith, and Michael Crabtree continues to have attitude problems, the 49ers could have another disappointing season. The good news is it's just one game, but there's no magic pill for good quarterback play. A bounce back victory next week would help improve team chemistry which seems to be lacking. But that's a tall order against the reigning Super Bowl champs.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Is there any chance this team is for real? They certainly surprised the football world with a lopsided week one victory, but it's just one game. They lack talent, have a fragile, veteran quarterback, and a suspect running game. They should be a losing team by the end of the season.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs won a huge game for the franchise Monday night, and were the only team in the AFC West that came away with a week one victory. The Chiefs have an interesting mix of young and veteran players, but I wouldn't get too excited about their chances. Maybe if they played every game at home. They do enjoy one of the best home field advantages in the NFL.
22. Chicago Bears
I can't buy into these guys. They had some big plays on offense but were far from consistent. If it weren't for a terrible rule that disallows common sense, they would have lost at home to the Lions.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags picked up an exciting week one victory without MJD finding the end zone. If I had to describe the Jags in one word I would say, "plucky." Plucky gets you six wins in the NFL.
24. Arizona Cardinals
These guys will struggle this season with Derek Anderson at quarterback. They still have pride and a good coach which will maximize their win total, but they won't score a lot of points.
25. Detroit Lions
These guys have terrible luck. A week one victory would have energized the dormant fan base in Detroit. If you catch the ball in the end zone, possess the ball, get two feet down, get a butt down, hold the ball up, and set the ball down to celebrate your touchdown, IT'S A TOUCHDOWN!!!!! The people that defend the rule are ridiculous. We have watched football our whole lives, and know what a touchdown is. Why don't the officials?
26. Denver Broncos
Eight more losses until Tebow gets a start. Start the countdown.
27. Oakland Raiders
After one week, I am ready to give up on these guys I so boldly proclaimed would be improved. There is still plenty of time for them to be competitive, but something about their week one performance was very reminiscent of the 2009 Raiders.
28. St. Louis Rams
A team with Steven Jackson should never force their quarterback to throw the ball 55 times. Especially when that quarterback is playing in his first NFL game as a rookie. It will be another long season for the Rams if they don't run the ball. Bradford will re-energize the fans, but won't win many games without a balanced offense. His receivers need to help out by catching the ball. Drops hurt the Rams against Arizona.
29. Buffalo Bills
They played some nice defense in a home loss. Trent Edwards will take them no where. How are the CJ Spiller fantasy owners doing today?
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Did somebody say the undefeated Tampa Bay Bucs? The high point of the season has already come and gone for Tampa.
31. Cleveland Browns
Let's play, "Guess...That...Quarterback!!!" (*game show music*)
I'll give you the stats, you tell me the QB. Okay, let's go...
227 passing yards...
1 touchdown...
2 interceptions...
59 QB rating...
1 embarrassing loss...
Okay, now tell me...Who's...That...Quarterback?!? (*countdown timer*)
If you guessed Jake Delhomme, you're correct! Always above 200 yards, always more picks than TD's, and usually on the losing end.
32. Carolina Panthers
Matt Moore threw three picks in the end zone. Carolina actually had plenty of chances to beat the Giants on the road, but decided to give it right back. Two good running backs are useless if your quarterback is terrible. They should probably be higher on this list, but I watched nearly every snap of their game and it was embarrassing. I would play Jimmy Clausen.
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