Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Close Games Shift the Rankings

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2013 Week 2

The first week of football has come and gone. And it was a stressful week! Almost every game - aside from the Kansas City (playoff-bound) Chiefs blowout of the poor Jacksonville Jaguars - was really close. And those close games have shifted things in the rankings. The Ravens, who I had never really believed in but still ranked 8th last week after everyone else still held them in such high regard, have dropped out of the Top 10. Who replaced them? Was is the surprisingly quick Eagles (who reaffirmed my decision to take the Redskins out of the Top 10 the past couple weeks over now-justified concerns of a rusty RG3)? No, not yet, let's not overreact. The Bears? They're close, but not quite. It's the Saints, who beat the #4 ranked Atlanta Falcons. So where did they and everyone else land? Let's get to it. Hike!


Nipping at #10's heels: The Ravens & Bears

10. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 9th
Top Ranking: 9th (Week 1)

9. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 10th
Top Ranking: 8th (Preseason)

8. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: -
Top Ranking: 8th (Week 2)

7. Houston Texans
Last Week: 7th
Top Ranking: 7th (Preseason, Week 1, Week 2)

6. New England Patriots
Last Week: 5th
Top Ranking: 1st (Pre-Free Agency)

5. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 6th
Top Ranking: 5th (Week 2)

The Packers lost last week. So why did they move up a spot in the rankings? I answer your question with another: Who did they lose to? Answer: The 49ers. And they put up quite a fight against the team many consider to be the best in the NFL. The Packers can improve in a number of areas, but they can make a strong push for Top 3 if they play that hard each week.

4. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 4th
Top Ranking: 3rd (Pre-Free Agency)

The Falcons lost, but they're still a very good team. Let's just say the Saints took them by surprise. Ok, I'll buy it this time. But Atlanta needs to get it together, because it can be easy to fall fast in the NFL.

3. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 1st
Top Ranking: 1st (Week 1)

How did the Seahawks fall two spots from #1 after chalking up a "W" on the scoreboard? Because they barely beat the Panthers. The defense held Cam Newton to his worst statistical day ever in the NFL, but the offense needs to wake up.

2. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 3rd
Top Ranking: 2nd (Week 2)

Holy crap. The Broncos look like the most powerful team in the NFL. 7 touchdown throws in one game? That's crazy. So why aren't they #1? Believe me, I thought about it. But they were playing the Ravens. And I don't want to overreact too much. But a big win in the Manning Bowl this week might be the push you need to take 1st for the 1st time.

1. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 2nd
Top Ranking: (Pre-Draft, Preseason, Week 2)

The 49ers really earned their win on Sunday and reclaimed the top spot in the rankings. Their big game this week against the Seahawks will tell us a lot about both teams and give greater clarity to the Top 10.

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