2013 Power Rankings - Week 2

I didn't get around to posting my full preseason power rankings, but you'll see their preseason mark in the "last week" spot following each pick. It was a wild week of games this Sunday, take a look where everyone ended up:

1) DENVER BRONCOS (1-0): I had them at #1 coming into the season, and at #1 they stay. I picked them to be the best team in the regular season, and they exceeded by expectations on opening night, utterly crushing the defending champs. Manning looked like he was back in a Colts jersey. Change: 0 [1,1]

2) SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS (1-0): I didn't expect them to beat the Pack, but they came through in a huge way to take their home opener. I don't think they'll be able to hold down this slot all season, but they've earned it this week. Change: +2 [2,4]

3) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0): They looked rusty against the Panthers, but no one realizes just how good that defense is yet. A win is a win, and I think Carolina is a top-10 team. The 'Hawks stand pat this week.
Change: 0 [3,3]


4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0): What an impressive home win against the defending division champs. They've played prettier games, but this was a solid all-around win against their bitter rivals. That's good for a substantial move up in the rankings.
Change: +2 [4,6]

5) GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1): I expected them to beat the 49ers, but many did not, and they were very competitive in the game. Eddie Lacy looked good once he got going, and Rodgers is back and better than ever. Look for them to climb back up this ladder very quickly.
Change: -3 [2,5]

6) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0): What a bland season opener. They needed a last-second field goal to beat the Bills. This is not the same Pats team of the last two years, but they will still win a lot of games with their weak schedule.
Change: -1 [5,6]

7) HOUSTON TEXANS (1-0): It took a classic MNF Chargers choke, but the Texans pulled out the win, so I won't drop them this week. I feel so shaky about them this year, though, and I don't know if they will last.
Change: 0 [7,7]

8) CHICAGO BEARS (1-0): What an impressive win! This looked like the Bears team I was expecting last year when I picked them to get to the Super Bowl. Cutler played well, and that defense was scary as they beat a quality opponent.
Change: +3 [8,11]

9) CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1): They lost a hard-fought game to the Bears in Soldier Field...they'll be back this week. This is a very well-rounded squad, and they'll do well.
Change: -1 [8,9]

10) CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1): I TOLD you that defense was for real! The Panthers came up just short, but gave the Falcons a real scare. This team will do some damage this season.
Change: -1 [9,10]

11) ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1): I've been saying it for two years: this team has issues. The Saints exposed them, and they will be in trouble very quickly in an extremely competitive NFC.
Change: -1 [10,11]

12) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-0): An average team with an extraordinary QB. The QB was the difference once again, as he led a huge game-winning drive, the seventh of his career. This team would be nowhere without him.
Change: +2 [12,14]

13) DETROIT LIONS (1-0): A shaky start, but a strong finish against an inferior Vikings team. After giving up the huge run to AP, the Lions' improved defense buckled down and only allowed him 15 yards the rest of the game. It appears they're on the outside in a competitive NFC, but time will tell.
Change: 0 [13,13]

14) ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-0): This team showed the toughness of a Jeff Fischer team as they held on for a win against a Cardinals team that came to play. They need to raise their level of play to be a legitimate contender, but they on in the top half of the league for now.
Change: +1 [14,15]

15) NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1): Everyone will criticize this, and Tex may kill me, but the Giants are just more of a threat than the Cowboys team they lost to. Sure, the Giants had six turnovers, but the Cowboys couldn't do anything with those turnovers, which is far worse to me. The Giants had an off game, and will bounce back....not so sure about the 'Boys.
Change: -3 [12,15]

16) DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0): It was so ugly, but the Cowboys finally broke the streak and defended their home turf against the Giants. They have serious problems, though, and it's only a matter of time before they fall into the bottom half of this list.
Change: +2 [16,18]

17) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0): WOW, Chip Kelly....WOW. That offense looked far better than I expected, and your team makes the largest team of the week. It will be very interesting to see how the Eagles fare once the other teams have a chance to analyze their tape and better prepare.
Change: +7 [17,24]

18) BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1): What an uninspired performance to open the season. I knew the Ravens would be bad, and I picked them to miss the playoffs....but that bad?!
Change: -2 [16,18]

19)WASHINGTON REDSKINS (0-1): They looked lost in the first half, but revved it up in the second. Week 2 will give us a much better indication of which team this is.
Change: -2 [17,19]

20) ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1): They were more competitive than I expected, and I like this team more than most do this year. Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald is just scary.
Change: 0 [0,0]

21) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0): Sure, it was only a win against the Jags, but this Chiefs teams looks much improved and will be a threat in the AFC.
Change: +1 [21,22]

22) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (0-1): They were very competitive and should have won on MNF. This team has way more talent that I expected.
Change: +3 [22,25]

23) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1): They are so out of sync, but AP alone is good enough to keep you at least this high.
Change: 0 [23,23]

24) CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1): I was so disappointed in their horrible showing against a Dolphins team that lacks talent. Oh, Cleveland, you always manage to do this no matter how good you look... Change: -3 [21,24]

25) TAMPA BAY BUCS (0-1): You made a stupid error at the end of regulation and handed a win to the Jets. You're going to have a huge drop in the rankings.
Change: -6 [19,25]

26) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-1): It feels wrong to rank them so low, but what was that loss to the Titans???
Change: 0 [26,26]

27) TENNESSE TITANS (1-0): What a win against Pittsburgh. Didn't see that coming.
Change: +3 [27,30]

28) MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0): So many weak teams with a win in the AFC
Change: -1 [27,28]

29) BUFFALO BILLS (0-1): Hey, they almost beat the Patriots.
Change: -1 [28,29]

30) NEW YORK JETS (0-1): Sure, they won, but they're still awful. I'll move them down regardless. Change: -1 [29,30]

 31) Oakland Raiders (0-1): They were competitive in their loss to the Colts, but I'm not buying it.
Change: +1 [31,32]

32) Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1): I thought I could at least put the Raiders below them. I was wrong. Change: -1 [31,32]