Can ya believe that week one is already in the books? It may not have all been under one roof, but the circus definitely came to town.
Broadway Brett shined in his Jets debut, Aaron Rodgers battered the mighty Vikings defense, upset central USA in Indianapolis and San Diego -- not forget rookie sensations Joe Flacco, Eddie Royal, Matt Forte, and Felix Jones all made a name for themselves -- oh yeah, Tom Brady will be holding a clipboard instead of tearing apart defensive schemes for the rest of the season.
Call me crazy, but, I do believe these rankings will change around quite a bit in the next sixteen weeks. For now -- Jerry Jones and Cowboy Nation can relax -- you're team is on top ( that is until Jessica Simpson comes to your game on Monday Night, ugh oh!)
Here they are the power rankings for week 1!
1) Cowboys - America's team is back on top, thanks in part to rookie tailback Felix Jones who gives Dallas a lethal 1-2 punch in the backfield. Previous: 4
2) Steelers - While the other AFC powerhouses stumbled Pittsburgh dominated Houston in dynamic fashion. Willie Parker doesn't seem to have lost a step after breaking his leg last season. Previous: 7
3) Giants - The Super Bowl champs picked up where the left off. Eli Manning looked confident, Plaxico and Brandon Jacobs were dominating, while the defense was able to hold their own. Jeremy who? Previous: 10
4) Patriots - Brady might be on the sideline; but, New England has always found a way to win under Belichick. Don't count the Pats out quite yet. Previous:1
5) Saints - Drew Brees threw for 343 yards and three scores, while Reggie Bush put up 163 total yards. Watch out NFC South this might be a long year if New Orleans can stay hot. Previous: 6
6) Eagles - Donovan McNabb didn't have his top two targets and still put up monstrous numbers (361 yards, 3 td.) Philly could upset a lot of teams this year, especially if Westbrook and McNabb stay healthy all season...a big if. Previous 15
7) Chargers - San Diego should've blown the Panthers out of the water, instead they let Carolina stay in it till the end. The Bolts aren't strangers to slow starts, a rough first week won't stop LT and the boys from making another playoff run. Previous: 2
8) Packers - Aaron Rodgers sure seemed to silence the critics with his first NFL start ( 213 total yards 2 TD) If the new kid on the block can keep it up Green Bay shouldn't have trouble making a run at grabbing their second consecutive NFC North Crown. Previous: 9
9) Colts - Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison were coming off tumutulous off-seasons and it showed. Joseph Addai was held to 44 yards on the ground, but don't count out the Colts just yet -- although this is the first time in 56 football weeks they aren't in or tied for first in the AFC South. Previous 3
10) Panthers - Jake Delhomme looked great in his first game since Tommy John Surgery, and the heavy hitting Panthers were able to stick it to a Super Bowl favorite Chargers squad. Previous: 19
11) Bears - In a re-match of Super Bowl XLI, Da Bears D smacked around a sloppy Colts offense. Chicago held Joseph Addai to 44 yards, scored off a recovered fumble, and sacked Peyton Manning for a safety en route a dominating 29-13 victory. Previous: 26
12) Jaguars - It didn't take thirteen weeks for David Garrard to throw his first interception, as he gave up two picks in the season opener. Tennessee's looked to be too much at times, but don't cancel the Jacksonville Jaguars just yet plenty of season left. Previous: 5
13) Ravens - Joe Flacco shined in his first NFL game, and the Baltimore D held Carson Palmer to only 99 yards in the air. Only time will tell if Flacco truly is the man for the job. Previous: 20
14) Browns - The secondary was suspect coming into this season, and now they have proven they have a lot to do. Romo threw for 320 yards while Derek Anderson only countered with 114 yards through the air. It may be early in the season but it's safe to say the Browns still have a lot of work to do. Previous: 11
15) Jets - Brett "The Jet" Favre shined in his white and green debut -- throwing for nearly 200 yards and 2 scores -- in the end though it was the Jets D that got them through this one. With Brady out, can the Jets capture the AFC East Crown? The two teams meet for the first time without Tom Brady since 2000. Previous: 25
16) Bills - Buffalo sacked Matt Hasselback five times, scored on a Roscoe Parrish punt return, and Trent Edwards threw for a score and 215 yards complimented by a solid ground attack that put up 100 yards the Bills looked posed to make a charge at the AFC East title. Previous 23
17) Vikings - The stout defense we've come accustomed to from Minnesota wasn't there; no sacks, Jared Allen didn't register a tackle, although Green Bay was able to run for only 124 yards. Doesn't get any easier as the Colts come to town on Sundday. Previous: 12
18) Broncos - Jay Cutler has showed signs this is his breakout year, rookie wideout Eddie Royal earned his stripes as he caught nine balls for 146 yards and a score. Unfortunately it was all against cellar dweller Oakland. Previous: 21
19) Texans - The upcoming squad couldn't stick with the bruising Steelers, but Matt Schaub (202 yards, TD) and Andre Johnson (1o receptions, 112 yards) still show that their is promise for the other Texas team this season. Previous: 16
20) Buccaneers - Jeff Garcia played well in the losing effort but he's heading to the injured list for at least one game. It'll be up to journeyman Brian Griese as the Bucs welcome in the fresh Falcons on Sunday and try to avoid an 0-2 start. Previous: 13
21) Arizona - Kurt Warner minimized errors, Edgerrin James went over 100 yards for the 56th time in his career, and even Anquan Boldin made an appearance bringing in 8 receptions for 82 yards. Arizona could make moves in the NFC West if Seattle continues to struggle. Previous: 17
22) Seahawks - The Bills dominated the ball on defense and special teams and it seemed all Seattle could do was watch. At least that's what Nate Burelson will be doing the rest of the season, with the loss of Burleson the Seahawks have now lost their top three receivers and will turn to backup quarterback Seneca Wallace to make some catches. Previous: 8
23) Redskins - Jim Zorn looked confused, Jason Campbell never got started (how could he, the 4th year quarterback threw seven times in the first half) and Washington got punched in the mouth against the defending Super Bowl champs 17-6. Previous: 14
24) Falcons - Matt Ryan threw a 62-yard touchdown pass on his first attempt of his career. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood proved Atlanta has solid ground game. Don't put the slipper on Cinderella quite yet, the young dirty birds still have quite a way to fly. Previous: 31
25) Titans - Vince Young goes down for 2-4 weeks, but that might not be the worst thing for Tennessee. Young was only able to complete 12 passes for 110 yards in the 17-10 victory over Jacksonville. Previous: 24
26) Dolphins - Even though they fell short against the Jets, it's safe to say Miami looked light-years ahead of last years squad. Pennington looked comfortable, Ricky Williams was back to old form, who knows maybe Miami wins some games this year. Previous: 29
27) Bengals - Chad Ocho Cinco made headlines all offseason because of his disgust with Cinci's D -- well Chad, I hope you don't you think your one reception for 22 yards was anything phenomenal. When Carson Palmer throws for 94 total yards you're in for a long season. Previous: 22
28) Lions - Calvin Johnson forgot to send out invitations to his breakout party, and Jon Kitna lit up the scene with 262 yards passing. If Detroit wants to even consider contending this year someone on defense needs to show up. Previous: 28
29) 49ers - Alex Smith is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Who cares, he wasn't playing anyway. Things can only go up for San Francisco who almost squeaked out a victory over Arizona on Sunday. Previous: 32
30) Chiefs- We knew they were going to be bad this season, but at least they had a shot of taking down the Patriots when they took down Tom Brady. Right? Previous: 30
31) Raiders - The one shining spot for Oakland was JaMarcus Russell who threw for 180 yards and two scores. The one not so shiny spot, Oakland's herendous D which surrendered 396 yards. Previous: 27
32) Rams - Last and very least. St. Louis plain ole stunk on Sunday, giving up 363 yards of offense to Donovan McNabb alone. How bad were the Rams on Sunday? Their second leading rusher had -4 yards (NEGATIVE FOUR!) Previous: 18
Things to notice:
Biggest improvement - Bears from 26th to 11th
Biggest drop - Seattle from 8th to 22nd
Comfortable where they are - Chiefs and Lions stay at 30th and 28th respectively.
