No Coast NFL Power Rankings — Week 2

Andrew Cumbee September 18, 2012 0

The 2012 NFL season is shaping up to be a classic . . . for good and for bad. Right now, a full 20 teams have 1-1 records, leaving only six at 2-0, the lowest number of teams to start 2-0 since 1997. We’ve seen teams no one expected rise to the top and perennial favorites tank in their first showings. There were very few games not worth watching this weekend and the coming week looks just a good. I did say there was some bad, though. Unfortunately, the replacement refs proved player and fan worries were a reality this week, most notably in the Monday night meeting between Denver and Atlanta. The game worked at a snail’s pace and left fans snoring until the fourth quarter. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t comment that it was the Rams and Redskins game that proved an instant classic this weekend. I have to say it: the referees’ screw-ups actually enhanced this game. Plenty of controversy was documented here, providing a historical context of this officials lockout. Both of these teams are leaps and bounds above where they were last season and they rose to the occasion, overcoming bad and no calls, turning the game into a shootout and ending in the final seconds with even more (non-ref caused) discord. Man, I can’t hide it. While everyone else is complaining, I had a fantastic time watching the games this week. And I cannot wait for Thursday. With that said, here is NCB’s Week 2 rankings with some wild changes. Chiefs fans . . . steel yourselves. It’s not pretty.

San Francisco 49ers (2-0) [No Change] – The 49ers were so good again this week. I’ve heard some rumblings that this team could run the table. I don’t think so. Giants in week 6 will be their first real test. And I’ll get to this with the other teams, but this NFC West is not the same as the last couple seasons. All four teams are pretty well balanced and have so much improvement over last year. I guess you have to step it up when the 49ers are in your division. I don’t see this team moving out of this spot anytime soon.
Houston Texans (2-0) [Up 5 Spots] – Well, that was quick. The Texans only allowed the Jags to score once this week. Look, I know it’s Jacksonville, but they shut Schaub down this week with an excellent pass defense and the Texans still put up 27 points almost exclusively rushing. The schedule is about to heat up though. We’ll see if they can stay this high.
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) [Up 3 Spots] – That defense was scary yesterday. Everyone keeps talking about the offense, but Peyton Manning (the Peyton Manning) threw three interceptions in the first quarter. And just looking at the way they lined up, who knows what they’ll do. Looks to me like the Falcons are about to live up to the previous three years’ hype.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) [Up 6 Spots] – This is where the rankings are already getting tough. I mean, based on previous seasons, the remaining three unbeatens are not contenders. Sure, they’ll be higher, but some of the 1-1 teams simply looked better this week. The Steelers looked like they were in trouble early on in this game. The Jets looked just like last week: like they had a Sanchez-based offense that could upset the NFL’s big guns. But Pittsburgh responded with tough defense and a capable offense. The divisional games are gonna be tough, but the Steelers look back on track.
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) [Down 3 Spots] – A one-point loss to the Eagles in Philly with a ton of refereeing controversy. To that loss, I say, “Meh.”
New York Giants (1-1) [Up 8 Spots] – The Giants looked more like the team everyone remembers winning the Super Bowl last year. When their backs are against the wall, they kick into gear. Especially Eli, who put up 510 yards in the huge comeback against the Bucs.
New England Patriots (1-1) [Down 3 Spots] –A shocking loss to a team with an underrated defense and by a final seconds missed kick won’t knock the Pats out of the top 10. It was a tough day, but they are still a powerhouse.
Denver Broncos (1-1) [Down 3 Spots] – That first quarter was brutal, but by the end of the second, the Manning we all know and love returned.
Green Bay Packers (1-1) [No Change] – I know that other organizations have them higher than this, but why? That Thursday night game was one of the sloppiest I’ve ever watched by both teams. And if you can’t beat Jay Cutler when he throws four interceptions and completes 40% of passes, then who are you going to beat? I know the Packers will be good this year, but they aren’t there yet.
Detroit Lions (1-1) [Up 1 Spot] –They lost, but I’m still bumping them up. They kept their matchup with 49ers competitive, even if they did play safer than usual. It’s a loss to the 49ers. It’ll be okay in the longterm.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) [Up 4 Spots] – Hmm . . . I’m confused by this team. They’ve won two in a row by one point. It’s not like they are blowing teams away. But they are grinding out wins against capable defenses.
Arizona Cardinals (2-0) [Up 13 Spots] – Okay, I admit that I was wrong. But I’m guessing you were, too. This is the biggest change on this list. The Cardinals defense is the real deal. Don’t believe it? Did you know they are actually 9-2 in their last 11 games stretching back to last season? And making Tom Brady useless is a pretty spectacular task. NFC West, yo.
New York Jets (1-1) [Down 10 Spots] — The Jets are looking a little more like the team we’re used to. Inconsistent. Still, hold your horses on the Tebow chants. This team has won at Heinz field once in history.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) [Up 6 Spots] – All right. Now it’s become increasingly difficult to place these 1-1 teams. If you caught the Browns/Bengals this weekend, both teams really came out with something to say. And while you may scoff that this victory came at the hands of the Browns, Dalton showed what this offense could do and the defense kept the Browns from getting too close until the second half.
San Diego Chargers (2-0) [Up 4 Spots] – I know they won and all that. Rivers looked great even without Gates out there. But it’s just really hard to judge when the team is playing the Titans.
Carolina Panthers (0-1) [Up 5 Spots] – This is more like it. The Panthers offense was incredible all game and the defense made Brees look helpless through the first half and forced two interceptions.
Chicago Bears (1-1) [Down 9 Spots] – This team just imploded, losing badly to a very non-Packers-looking Packers team.
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) [Up 11 Spots] – I was so wrong about the Cardinals that it made me be so wrong about the Seahawks. It’s well-documented that it’s hard to win in Seattle, but they made the Boys look like a joke. Impressive win from the NFC West again.
New Orleans Saints (0-2) [Down 6 Spots] – How the mighty have fallen.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) [Down 3 Spots] –
Tough loss to the champs, but the Bucs completely outplayed the Giants in every phase early in the game. By no means was this loss shameful and the Bucs will be a threat going forward.
St. Louis Rams (0-1) [Up 2 Spots] – If you combine the win this week with the almost win against the Lions last week, this team has a lot of upside. The Rams were out of this game early on and still came back to win. If only they didn’t have to play in 2012′s most improved division, they might have a wildcard shot. Yeah.
Washington Redskins (1-0) [Down 6 Spots] – It’s not that the Skins were that much worse than last week, it’s just that so many others stepped up this week. I still like this team going forward and RGIII has just been spectacular. If they can work out some minor issues, they’ll have a winning season.
Dallas Cowboys (1-0) [Down 12 Spots] – I knew it was fake. Same team as always. On one week, off the next.
Buffalo Bills (1-1) [Up 4 Spots] – The Bills accosted the Chiefs this week. That’s the only word there is for it. Until garbage time they didn’t even let KC close to the redzone. Spiller ran all over the place, putting up Jim Brown type numbers. We’ll see if they can keep this up, but this is much more in line with what I thought they would do before the season started.
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) [Up 5 Spots] – Impressive first win for Luck, but it came from the Vikings. And it was still close.
Minnesota Vikings (1-1) [Down 2 Spots] – I’ve been impressed with this team, but let’s see how they do against the 49ers this week.
Cleveland Browns (0-2) [Up 5 Spots] — This was just a completely different team from last week. Richardson and Weeden made massive strides and I think this is more in line with what they’ll offer in the future. And remember, this was against a very tough division rival.
Miami Dolphins (1-1) [Up 3 Spots] – I’m in shock. I can’t believe the Dolphins got a win. At the same time, I think this was more of a statement as to how bad Oakland is, rather than how good Miami is.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) [Down 3 Spots] – The team is looking better. Unfortunately, the Texans exist.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) [Down 8 Spots] – When I started writing this, I was sure the Chiefs would be last, but after thinking about it, I just couldn’t do it. At least they got some TDs before the clock ran out. Still . . . to lose like this against a team that was so terrible in week one is just horrific.
Tennessee Titans (0-2) [Down 4 Spots] – Ugh. Just nothing working right now.
Oakland Raiders (0-2) [Down 12 Spots] – Just . . . what is this? Everything is going wrong. The Dolphins. Really? The Dolphins? There’s too much potential on this team for them to be this bad.