Week 2 NFL power rankings

FoxSports ^ | 9-20-06 | Peter Schrager

[Dysart]

Whereas last weekend’s college football slate gave us “Separation Saturday”, this weekend’s NFL schedule should provide us with a “Shakedown Sunday.” Or, if you include the Monday night game, which you should — a “Shakedown Sunday (and Monday).” Catchy, right? Every winning slogan should have parentheses. The 2-0 Colts play the 2-0 Jaguars; The 2-0 Vikings play the 2-0 Bears; and the 2-0 Saints play the 2-0 Falcons. Three divisions — six undefeated teams — tons of excitement! Cue the Grateful Dead’s Shakedown Street!

As for this week’s rankings, the big movers are the Jacksonville Jaguars who jumped 8 spots from No. 11 to No. 3. With convincing wins over Dallas and Pittsburgh on national TV, the Jags are making folks notice them. It’s not like they’re coming out of nowhere. After all, they did go 12-4 last year. Another team on the rise is the Atlanta (No. 9 to No. 7), whose rushing attack has been so dominant that it can be compared to those mid-90’s Nebraska squads with Tommie Frazier, Ahman Green, and Lawrence Phillips. The Niners (No. 30 to No. 22), Vikings (No. 14 to No. 13), and Bills (No. 27 to No. 19) also saw some significant bumps in their rankings.

[Dysart]

Current QB Ratings from Sportsline that may be worth perusing:
Player Rankings

[Dysart]

I don't think the Vikes are truly special by any means, just that they are playing smart ball as a whole and getting the most from their talent right now.

These rankings will shift each week.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Oh, I expect they will. And our defense is vastly improved. But the days of all offense, no defense are positively over here.

[Dysart]

The Saints only need to win 1 more game this year to equal last year's total. Amazing what a good QB and some attitude can do. And playing the Clowns and the Hackers

D you think that the Saints can capitalize on their jubilant return to the Superdome and upset the Falcons Mon night? BTW, I like Brees a great deal after seeing his performance vs the Cowboys in last yrs season opener against the Cowboys in 2005. Sean Peyton may well be quite an ally for his further development.

[Cyclopean Squid]

I picked the Saints in the pick em league, but I'm not sure how likely it is. I like that they are making some noise.

[mainepatsfan]

Thank God the NFL doesn't pick their champion this way.

[mainepatsfan]

That's good. The former isn't a formula for post season success.

[Colonel_Flagg]

No, it isn't. But when the only way you get in the end zone is through your field-goal team, that's balance too far in the other direction. :)

[Richard Kimball]

Bud Adams is a real sweetheart isn't he? That's one reason everybody in Houston wanted a team that WASN'T owned by him. The Texans passing on Bush, though, is making a lot of people wonder what they got in return.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Great ownership, dumb decision-makers.

[neb52]

"No, it isn't. But when the only way you get in the end zone is through your field-goal team, that's balance too far in the other direction. :)"

Except the Ravens did it and that will always be the exception to the rule.

[neb52]

I have always liked Brees and never understood San Diego's fascination in wanting to get rid of him as fast as possible. While Phillips looks OK, The Greatness and his backup are still doing the hauling. I think SD will find out how much they miss Brees by the end of the season. (Its never good to separate one of the Peas from the Pod).

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Raiders dead last. I predicted on a Raider discussion forum that they'd end up 0-16. This is worst Raider team in their history.

Amen...if the U.S. Senate is so interested in torture, they should look into the fact that those of us in So. California are stuck having Raider games televised here and release us from our misery....

[My2Cents]

LOL...You should at least be given the choice between Raider games and those of the Az. Cardinals.

[xpertskir]

I think that they should reserve the power ranking until at least the 5th week. Things are so volatile in the first few weeks that it is not reasonable to try and assess much of anything.

On another note, what the hell is going on with these new rules to "protect" players. This is football, you know a physical game. While I think that blatant personal fouls should be enforced, the types of penalties players are getting, especially for hitting QB's is downright ridiculous. The scariest part is, these rules get stricter every year, we have indeed stepped onto the slippery slope. Next thing you know they will be playing football indoors!

[Cyclopean Squid]

I bet a friend that the Cards go at least 8-8. I'm really pulling for them, aside from the monetary consideration. They could have beaten Seattle at home if they had played up to their ability--that impresses me (of course, if Seattle played up to its ability then Arizona playing up to its ability wouldn't have mattered--now there I go confusing myself).

[Dysart]

...I think that blatant personal fouls should be enforced, the types of penalties players are getting, especially for hitting QB's is downright ridiculous. The scariest part is, these rules get stricter every year, we have indeed stepped onto the slippery slope. Next thing you know they will be playing football indoors!

I understand that the rules committee is considering implementing a new dictum mandating that QBs wear this getup begining next year.