Now that week 2 is in the books, let’s look at the top 3 teams in each division. This is based off of 2 weeks only!
Let’s start with the NFC!
1. The San Francisco 49ers stay atop the power rankings after a second straight win against a 2011 playoff team.
The Green Bay Packers couldn’t move the ball against the 49ers defense, and neither could the Detroit Lions. Holding the powerful Lions offense to field goals just goes to show the sheer might of the San Francisco defense.
If Green Bay and Detroit can’t score on the 49ers, who can?
What’s more terrifying for opponents is that the San Francisco offense is much better this year. Michael Crabtree is playing like the Top 10 draft pick that he was, Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter are a dynamic duo at running back, and Vernon Davis provides the spark as a game-changing tight end. The 49ers might not go undefeated, but they are undoubtedly the team to beat right now.
2. Green Bay Packers– Redemption feels good, and that’s what the Green Bay Packers were able to do in their win over the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Rodgers‘ offense remedied the issues that held them back in Week 1 against a tough Chicago Bears defense. The protection up front was much improved, and even the run game was able to generate an impact.
When the offense is firing, no one can stop Green Bay. And when Clay Matthews is getting to the quarterback and forcing bad throws, the secondary is good enough to create turnovers.
The Packers can’t be overlooked as a Super Bowl contender. Even if many fans wanted to overreact and freak out after a Week 1 loss, the Packers showed this week why they’re a top team in the NFL right now.
3. Philadelphia Eagles– It hasn’t been pretty, but the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0 and out in front of the NFC East crowd.
This is where the Eagles were supposed to be last year, when they seemed allergic to winning tight games. This year’s team is winning even when they shouldn’t—and to be fair, the Eagles had no business winning this week or last.
Michael Vick hasn’t been great, but LeSean McCoy has been. Good teams win even when they’re not at their best, and the Eagles we saw in the first half of Week 2 were far from their best. Andy Reid‘s squad came out ready to roll in the second half and showed what type of team this can be.
Now The AFC!
1. Houston Texans-The best team in the AFC isn’t the New England Patriots. It’s the Houston Texans.
The Texans aren’t just the best team because of their record, they’re the best team because of their play to date and the knowledge of what they can do. The Texans are talented, but they’re a complete team with the balance to win on the ground, in the air or when the offense can’t generate big points.
Barring injury (Schaub), there is no reason the Texans can’t be playing in the Super Bowl. The combination of a potent, balanced offense and a defense that’s tough and disciplined will make Houston damn-near impossible to beat this season.
2. New England Patriots– Losing to the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t supposed to happen—but it did, and the New England Patriots must move on…and quickly, as they have the Baltimore Ravens up next on the schedule.
Few teams are better than New England has been in moving past a tough loss. Bill Belichick will have his team focused on the next opponent, and Tom Brady rarely plays two bad games back-to-back. What’s most concerning about this year’s version of the Patriots is the offensive line play.
The Patriots’ loss to the Cardinals can be credited to the offensive line’s inability to keep Brady protected. Against the Baltimore Ravens’ pass rush, the O-line will be under constant pressure from All-Pro talent. For New England to move to 2-1, the offensive line has to get their act together.
3. Baltimore Ravens– You won’t find anyone faulting the Baltimore Ravens after an incredibly tough loss to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens escape the week with no change in My ranking.
Baltimore’s offense got off to a great start, and you could see Joe Flacco becoming the quarterback he’s supposed to be. Then halftime came, and the Ravens offense fell asleep. The quarterback we saw in the second half in no way resembled the guy who was tearing apart the Eagles in the first two quarters. The Ravens can and should win the AFC North, but it will be on the back of Ray Rice and a great defense if Flacco can’t put together a full game.
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