2013 NFL Power Rankings Week 2

Wee-ooo! Wee-ooo! Wee-ooo! That is the sound of the ambulance coming to haul away all the star players who were hurt this past week. Eddie Lacy, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Steven Jackson were all injured over the weekend, and that is just on the running back front. It isn't just the players who are hurting. After a beatdown at the hands of division rival Seattle I am sure the San Franciso 49ers pride is hurt as well. After an enthralling victory over the Green Bay Packers in the opener the 49ers were wallopped by the Seahawks. Last week's number one team, the Denver Broncos, kept things going with a victory in Manning Bowl part three as Peyton bested little brother Eli in New York. But enough about the games in the intro. I need some material to list below in this week's rankings.

1. Denver Broncos (2-0) ~ Through two games Denver is averaging 45 points per contest. Only three other teams in the entire AFC have scored a combined 45 points in their first two games. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Seattle Seahawks (2-0) ~ Last week I said I wasn't buying what the Seahakws were selling. After kicking the crap out of San Francisco I hope they had enough time to bake me some humble pie. (LWR 6)

3. New Orleans Saints (2-0) ~ The Saints look like they are picking up right where they left off with Sean Payton at the helm. Being 2-0 to start the year, with division wins no less, is the way to do it. (LWR 4)

4. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) ~ As I mentioned the Niners had their asses handed to them on a silver platter in Seattle. That said, a loss on the road to a good team in your division isn't enough to drop them too far in the rankings. (LWR 2)

5. Houston Texans (2-0) ~ Houston has been playing with fire the first two weeks and could easily be 0-2. They aren't though. They found a way to win tough games. The next two weeks will also be tough on the road against Baltimore and then a home date with Seattle. (LWR 5)

6. New England Patriots (2-0) ~ A late rally to beat Buffalo in the opener. Ekeing out a terribly sloppy win at home against the New York Jets. The Pats may be 2-0 but it is the most unconvincing 2-0 in the league right now. (LWR 3)

7. Chicago Bears (2-0) ~ The Bears have defeated two playoff teams from last year and have a tough road date at a desperate 0-2 Pittsburgh squad Sunday night. A win could be a big statement for this Bears squad under rookie coach Marc Trestman. (LWR 9)

8. Green Bay Packers (1-1) ~ Aaron Rodgers went off against the sorry Washington defense on Sunday to the tune of 480 yards and four scores. That's one way to avoid an 0-2 start. (LWR 8)

9. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) ~ Roddy White is already hobbled and reports are the Falcons will be without S-Jax for the next two to four weeks. Atlanta's next two opponents? The 2-0 Miami Dolphins and 2-0 Patriots. (LWR 7)

10. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) ~ Just what the doctor ordered for the Ravens. A fine defensive effort in the home opener to somewhat ease the concern over the team after the opening week debacle in Denver. (LWR 10)

11. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) ~ After losing a heartbreaker to the Bears in week one Cincy took care of the hated Steelers on Monday night. A tough matchup next week agasint the Packers could give us a glimpse into the true character of this Bengals squad early on. (LWR 13)

12. Miami Dolphins (2-0) ~ The most impressive part of Miami opening the season 2-0? Both wins were on the road. (LWR 18)

13. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) ~ It doesn't get much jucier than Andy Reid returning to Philly on Thursday night now does it? (LWR 21)

14. Indianapolis Colts (1-1) ~ For just the second time in his young career Andrew Luck lost a game at home. His next home tilt is in three weeks against Seattle which won't be an easy task. (LWR 11)

15. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) ~ The new offense looks great having scored at least 30 points in its first two games. The offense isn't the problem though. The leaky D has allowed 60 points in its first two contests as well. (LWR 12)

16. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) ~ Jason Witten had just three catches for 12 yards in a loss to Kansas City. Tony Romo will need to find his favorite target a lot more if the Cowboys are going to challenge in the NFC East. (LWR 14)

17. Detroit Lions (1-1) ~ If Reggie Bush is going to miss any time due to injury the Lions lose their best weapon not named Calvin Johnson. (LWR 15)

18. St. Louis Rams (1-1) ~ Rookie Tavon Austin showed a bit of what he brings to the table by scoring two touchdowns on six catches and he also saw two carries. He is going to be fun to watch for years to come. (LWR 17)

19. Buffalo Bills (1-1) ~ I love the poise EJ Manual showed in leading his team to a game-winning touchdown with two seconds remaining. I can't wait to see what he has for an encore next week in a winnable matchup against the Jets and fellow rookie QB Geno Smith. (LWR 22)

20. New York Giants (0-2) ~ Eli Manning has thrown seven interceptions in two games, there is no ground game to speak of and the defense has allowed a league worst 77 points so far. I'm not sure if the season could have started worse for the G-Men. (LWR 16)

21. San Diego Chargers (1-1) ~ The road win in Philly was impressive. It shouldn't have been that close but these are the Chargers we are talking about. They know how to keep things interesting. (LWR 28)

22. Washington Redskins (0-2) ~ I picked the 'Skins to win the division only if Robert Griffin III was healthy. So far, he doesn't look healthy. (LWR 19)

23. Tennessee Titans (1-1) ~ The Titans took the Texans to overtime before falling but this team is showing that they won't be a pushover this year. (LWR 20)

24. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) ~ With Carson Palmer in the mix the Cardinals should be able to hang around in games. They could surprise some teams this year. I wouldn't bet against them in a last man standing pool. (LWR 27)

25. Minnesota Vikings (0-2) ~ I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Vikings will not win with Christian Ponder under center. (LWR 23)

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-2) ~ The Steelers are 0-2 for the first time since 2002 and are two games under .500 for the first time in Mike tomlin's seven years at the helm. (LWR 24)

27. Carolina Panthers (0-2) ~ Two tough losses for Carolina to start the year. The bright spot? They host the Giants this week who are currently a hot mess. Falling to 0-3 is not an option for either club but it may soon be reality for one of them. (LWR 25)

28. New York Jets (1-1) ~ With Mark Sanchez being placed on IR it looks like this is Geno Smith's team to run. (LWR 26)

29. Oakland Raiders (1-1) ~ They have a date with Denver on Monday night. I have a feeling that isn't going to be pretty for anyone in a Raider uniform. (LWR 31)

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) ~ Ok, maybe this is a little harsh considering both losses were by last second field goals. With a road date in New Englang looming 0-3 might not be far off for the Bucs. (LWR 29)

31. Cleveland Browns (0-2) ~ If Brandon Weeden is going to miss any time the Browns at least have a capable backup this year in Jason Campbell. (LWR 30)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) ~ Remember how I said the Giants were a hot mess? Well, things are hotter and messier in Jacksonville. (LWR 32)