Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

As expected, some of the games played out as most expected, but there were quite a few with crazy endings and big comebacks. Week 1 kicked off with a bang when the Titans hooked up with the defending champion, Steelers. It took overtime to settle the opening night game and set the tone for the weekend. I was unable to post my picks for the weekend, but you will have to take my word this week for them today. **Picks will be in the mindset of before the games**

Dolphins at Falcons: A matchup featuring two of last year's big surprise teams. How will both play now with last year's success in mine and who takes the win in each's drive to get back to the postseason? Matt Ryan has a new weapon in Tony Gonzalez to help his sophomore season. PICK: Falcons
Broncos at Bengals: Both teams enter the season with more questions then answers. The Broncos had a turbulent offseason and the Bengals have been known more for their off the field issues then their on the field success the last couple years. This game is crucial to both as they look to have a good a 2009 season. PICK: Bengals
Vikings at Browns: Its the Vikings' regular season debut of Brett Favre vs the Ohio native, Brady Quinn, of the Browns. However the game will come down to how well Adrian Peterson does. If he gets on fire, this will probably not be too close. Favre just needs to manage the game this week. PICK: Vikings
Jaguars at Colts: This series has become the highlight of the AFC South of recent years. They are usually close and the Colts usually win when they need to. The Colts will do just that. PICK: Colts
Lions at Saints: Poor Lions. They are coming off a 0-16 season and what do they get: a road game against the top offense of last year and the TD machine, Drew Brees. This could be bad, but Stafford should be able to gain some lessons this week. PICK: Saints
Cowboys at Buccaneers: The TO-less Cowboys debut against a new look Bucs under a rookie coach. Both teams will look to prove they are for real. Can the Cowboys be a Super Bowl contender? Can the Bucs be a contender? It should be a good game. PICK: Cowboys
Eagles at Panthers: This is one of the intriguing matchups of the week. The Eagles and Panthers both fell short of the Super Bowl last year. Both were victims of the Cardinals on their way to the Super Bowl. Delhomme had a horrible game to end the season and wants to redeem that performance. The Eagles look to have a lethal offense and are playing defense this year for their fallen leader; from Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson. PICK: Eagles
Chiefs at Ravens: Matt Cassel probably won't be back from injury and the Chiefs are under a rookie head coach, who is looking to bring the Chiefs back to prominence. The Ravens under Joe Flacco fell one game short of the Super Bowl and they should be better this year. PICK: Ravens
Jets at Texans: The Mark Sanchez era starts on the road in Houston. How will he do when the bright lights come on for real? Is Houston ready to break through this year? This game will be a good test for both sides. UPSET PICK: Jets
Redskins at Giants: The new look Giants offense without Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer gets started with a division game. It will be important for Eli Manning to set a good pace with the first game for the whole year. The Giants defense should be strong and might be the difference. Was Albert Haynesworth worth the money? We will see. PICK: Giants
49ers at Cardinals: The Cardinals start their NFC title defense against a division foe who might be a surprise team this year. Will the 2009 team be able to follow the success of the 2008 team? Super Bowl losers of late have not have good seasons follow the big loss. PICK: Cardinals
Rams at Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck is back healthy, but the Rams have so many question marks Hasselbeck might not even have to be healthy. The Rams under a new coach are looking to take a step in the right direction of having a better season than last year and maybe pulling off some surprises. The Seahawks have dominated teh series of late. PICK: Seahawks

Sunday Night
Bears at Packers: One of the premiere rivalries in the history of the NFL headlines the Sunday day of action. Aaron Rodgers is looking to improve on a very good year and Jay Cutler is the QB that the Bears have been waiting for for over 50 years. It will be a true battle as these games often are. Will Culter live up to the hype? PICK: Packers

Monday Night Doubleheader
Bills at Patriots: Tom Brady makes his return to serious action in a classic AFL showdown. Terrell Owens is now in Buffalo and can he help them return to the playoffs. The Patriots look like the better team and it might not be close, but who knows. The Patriots have owned the Bills since 2003. PICK: Patriots
Chargers at Raiders: Ironically, the Chargers have had the same type of dominance against the Raiders like the Patriots have had over the Bills. LaDanian Tomlinson is looking to prove at 30 he is still the MVP back he used to be. Philip Rivers is looking to show he is top tier QB. The Raiders are ultimately looking to show they are for real and not the laughing stock of recent years. PICK: Chargers

This past weekend, we saw the contenders step up and win the close ones or dominate when necessary. Some of last year's lower tier teams did not move up from there. Where are we now a week into the season? That brings me to this week's power rankings.

2009 Power Rankings (going into Week 2):
1. Steelers (1-0): They came out with a win and are still the defending champs so that counts for something. Need to work on the running game.
2. Patriots (1-0): They needed a little magic and luck to win in the final minutes, but the good teams get in done when they need to. This team is not the slam dunk they were two years ago and will need to bring their A game every week unless they won't be so lucky.
3. Eagles (1-0): They didn't have a healthy Donovan McNabb at the end of the game, but they didn't need much from him with Jake Delhomme copying his NFC divisional game performance with 4 Ints.
4. Giants (1-0): They almost blew the game near the end, but were able to escape with a win and Eli managed an offense without a top target quite well. The Eagles made many Super Bowl runs with a similar formula of a run game and good defense.
5. Colts (1-0): For those who thought the Colts would take a step back without Tony Dungy at the helm were shown why the Colts have been one of the best teams of the decade. Still work to be done.
6. Chargers (1-0): Philip Rivers delivered in the clutch and the Chargers barely escaped Oakland with a win. They will need to be sharper in the coming weeks if they are going to get over the hump this year.
7. Packers (1-0): Aaron Rodgers year two is off to a pretty good start. This team might be the best in the NFC North and they made a strong statement against a division foe.
8. Falcons (1-0): Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez. That combo made its debut this week and could be what turns Matt Ryan into an all-pro in year 2. Michael Turner didn't have a strong game and the Falcons still barely had any trouble with the Dolphins.
9. Vikings (1-0): Adrian Peterson started strong and Favre can have a great year by handing off to his best weapon. Hasn't had that benefit in 18 years.
10. Titans (0-1): Two missed FGs and a couple mistakes cost the Titans a big win against the Steelers. They are still a top team in the NFL despite the loss.
11. Ravens (1-0): The Ravens defense bent a little against the Chiefs, but the Ravens offense looks the most explosive it has ever been. Joe Flacco in year 2 looks to step up and so far so good.
12. Saints (1-0): Drew Brees picked up where he left off last season. The Lions were the victims of the dangerous pass attack of the Saints.
13. Cowboys (1-0): So far so good for the Cowboys in 2009. It has the potential to have a very strong offense. A good win against a less than talented Bucs team.
14. Jets (1-0): Rex Ryan as coach and Mark Sanchez as starting QB have the Jets fans thinking postseason. The team looked very sharp against the Texans.
15. Seahawks (1-0): Granted it was against the Rams, the Seahawks look like they may be in position to regain the NFC West crown.
16. Cardinals (0-1): A tough loss to a division foe was not what the Cardinals had in the script. The passing game was what carried them last year and is struggling early.
17. Bears (0-1): Jay Cutler looked bad in his debut. Brian Urlacher, the leader of the defense, is lost for the season. They suffered a tough loss to hated rivals, the Packers. Not a good way to start to 2009.
18. 49ers (1-0): The 49ers took a big step in proving 2009 will be different than recent years. Time will tell if this was a fluke or if this team is for real in the NFC West.
19. Dolphins (0-1): The Dolphins ran into a very good team to start the year and having a second successful season will not be easy.
20. Panthers (0-1): Jake Delhomme wanted to forget his last playoff performance however he couldn't escape it has it was deja vu all over again. They won the division a year ago but look very shaky after the first week.
21. Bills (0-1): Moral wins don't count in football. The Bills were so close to pulling the upset of Week 1, but then folded when it counted.
22. Jaguars (0-1): Another tough, close loss to the Colts. They fought hard and look to be better than last year.
23. Redskins (0-1): They came close, but couldn't knock off the Giants. Offensive struggles of a year ago continue.
24. Texans (0-1): The Texans couldn't live up to a little more hype than usual and looked like the Texans we have become accustomed to.
25. Broncos (1-0): They didn't win pretty but got lucky at the right time and that's all you need some weeks.
26. Bengals (0-1): They trailed most of the game, get the lead with limited time left, and then blow the game on a tip play. The Bengals just can't catch a break lately.
27. Raiders (0-1): The Raiders were so close to leaving the Chargers with a bad taste in the mouths with another bad start, but they fell short. Definitely a good sign for Raiders fans early on if they can play this hard all year.
28. Buccaneers (0-1): They had a strong showing on offense, but still have holes on defense and overall.
29. Chiefs (0-1): They looked okay against the Ravens but still don't expect too much this year especially if Matt Cassel isn't healthy.
30. Browns (0-1): Gave the Vikings a bit of a fight before Adrian Peterson literally tossed them away. Who knows about the Browns moving forward.
31. Lions (0-1): The Lions continue to lose, but Stafford and the team showed signs that they should be able to finally get some wins this year.
32. Rams (0-1): The Greatest Show on Turf this team is not. They are still a while away from being very good again. They kept it close in the first half, but need to get an offensive rhythm. Plus getting blanked is never good.

Next week, we may see some change. However early on we can see some of the teams who will be in the shuffle in December.