Week 2 rankings … an away we go:
1. Green Bay Packers (1-0): Aaron Rodgers justified our preseason No. 1 ranking. Throw in newcomer Randall Cobb and it’s only going to get better, folks.
2. New England Patriots (1-0): If there was ever any doubt that Tom Brady was the best quarterback in the NFL, it’s gone. At least, it should be.
3. New York Jets (1-0): Blame Tony Romo for choking if you want, but Rex Ryan’s crew showed its mettle and took care of business when it counted.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): The offense started slow and still put 31 points on the board. If Birds are half as good as they say they can be, wow.
5. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): Joe Flacco got the monkey off his back by beating Big Ben. If he plays like that for 16 more weeks, crab cakes for everyone.
6. San Diego Chargers (1-0):
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1): Losing a road game to a tough division opponent is nothing to panic over. They’ll bounce back this week vs. cupcake Seattle.
8. Chicago Bears (1-0): Brian Urlacher (interception, fumble recovery for TD) won’t be disrespected — and neither should Jay Cutler.
9. Atlanta Falcons (0-1): Our preseason darlings looked severely overmatched. And now they must find a way to stop the Mike Vick Experience.
10. New Orleans Saints (0-1): Drew Brees and new weapon Darren Sproles are scary good. But the defense is their Achilles heel.
11. Houston Texans (1-0): Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense is going to turn Mario Williams (two sacks) into the best defensive player in the league.
12. Detroit Lions (1-0): Cinderella got her first opening-day win since 2007. And Matt Stafford is still healthy. Believe.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1): Tough loss for promising, young Bucs. Then again, they didn’t lose any ground with the NFC South going 0-4.
14. Washington Redskins (1-0): Mike Shanahan rolled the dice with Rex Grossman and won big. He has a legit shot to win the next three, before hosting the Eagles in Week 6.
15. Dallas Cowboys (0-1): Silver lining is they played well for three quarters. Head coach Jason Garrett will pound that message home.
16. Oakland Raiders (1-0): If they can clean it up — 15 penalties for 131 yards — the Raiders could make some noise. Darren McFadden is the real deal.
17. Miami Dolphins (0-1): Is Chad Henne for real? If so, not dealing for Kyle Orton might be the best move of the offseason.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0): Adding Kevin Kolb ignited the offense. Losing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hindered the defense.
19. New York Giants (0-1):
20. Buffalo Bills (1-0): Enjoy the spotlight for a week. The Bills’ 40 points were the franchise’s most in an opener since 1992.
21. St. Louis Rams (0-1): Injuries slowed a quick start. And with Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola out, it all rests on Sam Bradford’s bruised right finger.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0): They ran at will last week against Tennessee, but the Jets’ defense isn’t the Titans’ defense.
23. San Francisco 49ers (1-0):
24. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0): Get Andy Dalton back vs. a very weak Denver team coming off a short week. Could easily see a 2-0 Bengals team.
25. Tennessee Titans (0-1): Not going to win many games when Chris Johnson rushes just nine times for 24 yards.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1):
27. Indianapolis Colts (0-1): Don’t pin this all on Kerry Collins. Indy had been slowly fading even with Peyton Manning.
28. Carolina Panthers (0-1): Cam Newton, we owe you an apology … for now. Let’s see how you handle the defending champions.
29. Cleveland Browns (0-1): West Coast offense or not, they need to give the rock to Peyton Hillis.
30. Minnesota Vikings (0-1): Donovan McNabb (7-of-15 for 39 yards) is the reverse Benjamin Button.
31. Seattle Seahawks (0-1): Pete Carroll’s old USC powerhouses could beat this team.
32. Denver Broncos (0-1): When the fans start chanting for Tim Tebow, you gt BIG problems.
