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Another week is in the books in the NFL. I honestly cannot think of a good introduction, to instead of babbling I will just get to the rankings.

High Riser: Ravens and Jets (7)

Low Faller: Patriots and Eagles (11)

1. New Orleans Saints- record: 2-0 (rank last week (6): defeated Eagles, 48-22)

300+ passing yards? Check. 3+ touchdown passes? Check. 40+ points? Check. Expect more of the same this Sunday against Buffalo.

2. New York Giants- record: 2-0 (rank last week (7): defeated Cowboys, 33-31)

Eli Manning's late fourth quarter scoring drive spoiled the grand opening of the Taj Mah-Jones.

3. Atlanta Falcons- record: 2-0 (rank last week (5): defeated Dolphins, 28-20)

Matt Ryan quickly discovered new tight end Tony Gonzalez, and the defense shut out the Dolphins until the game was already decided.

4. Indianapolis Colts- record: 2-0 (rank last week (4): defeated Miami, 27-23)

27 points scored on offense is impressive considering they had less than a quarter in time of possession for the game. A different coordinator and philosophy, and the defense STILL cannot stop anyone of third down.

5. Baltimore Ravens- record: 2-0 (rank last week (12): defeated Chargers, 31-26)

This defense may be no longer capable of consistently holding opponents to less than two touchdowns a game, but what a play by ageless Ray Lewis to close out another victory!!!

6. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 1-1 (rank last week (1): lost to Bears, 14-17)

Normally solid kicker Jeff Reed misses two fourth quarter kicks in a predictably low-scoring affair.  

7. Minnesota Vikings- record: 2-0 (rank last week (11): defeated Lions, 27-13)

The Vikings apparently was granted two extra exhibition games in preparation for their first test against the 49ers.

8. San Francisco 49ers- record: 2-0 (rank last week (13): defeated Seahawks, 23-10)

Their next game is a match-up of two of the hottest running back/defensive combos in the league.

9. Chicago Bears- record: 1-1 (rank last week (15): defeated Steelers, 17-14)

Cutler played much better against a superior defense.

10. New York Jets- record: 2-0 (rank last week (17): defeated Patriots, 16-9)

Rex Ryan was not playing when he said he was not there to ???kiss Belichick's rings'. Holding the Patriots touchdown-less is no small feat.

11. Dallas Cowboys- record: 1-1 (rank last week (8): lost to Giants, 31-33)

Despite the loss, the Cowboys' do not appear to have difficulty scoring (sorry, T.O.).

12. San Diego Chargers- record: 1-1 (rank last week (9): lost to Ravens, 26-31)

LaDainian is going to have a difficult time convincing his critics he's not washed up while sitting out games in September. Just saying...

13. New England Patriots- record: 1-1 (rank last week (2): lost to Jets, 9-16)

They was bailed out against the Bills, but was shut down against the Jets. Maybe the almighty Patriots ARE mortal. Who would have thought?

14. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 1-1(rank last week (3): lost to Saints, 22-48)

Kevin Kolb played well, but a team known for its defense cannot allow 48 points and expect not to plummet...

15. Arizona Cardinals- record: 1-1 (rank last week (14): defeated, 31-17)

In case it isn't obvious, beating the Jaguars is not very impressive now-a-days

16. Green Bay Packers- record: 1-1 (rank last week (10): lost to Bengals, 24-31)

... just like losing to the Bengals, and allowing Ocho Cinco to do the Lambeau leap. Some things just should not happen.

17. Houston Texans- record: 1-1 (rank last week (21): defeated Titans, 34-31)

THIS is the Texans team I was expecting. They should be able to handle the Jaguars, but divisional games can be tricky to predict.

18. Denver Broncos- record: 2-0 (rank last week (23): defeated Browns, 27-6)

Sorry, it takes more than a lucky game-ending catch and beating the Browns to impress me. Beating the Raiders would not be impressive either, but a 3-0 start will have to count for something.

19. Cincinnati Bengals- record: 1-1 (rank last week (24): defeated Packers, 31-24)

Could it be that Cedric Benson (141 yards on 29 carries) will finally live up to his first round selections??? Stay tuned.

20. Buffalo Bills- record: 1-1 (rank last week (26): defeated Bucs, 33-20)

It will be a shame when Marshawn Lynch is back from suspension, because based on the last couple of season I think that Fred Jackson is the better all-around running back.

21. Washington Redskins- record: 1-1 (rank last week (22): defeated Rams, 9-7)

Not sure is Jim Zorn is the worst coach in America (as he so famously claimed last season), but he proved against the Rams that he is America's worst play-caller in the red zone.

22. Seattle Seahawks- record: 1-1 (rank last week (16): lost to 49ers, 10-23)

Not sure what they should be concerned with more; another Hasselbeck injury, or that run defense.

23. Miami Dolphins- record: 0-2 (rank last week (18): lost to Colts, 23-27)

The Colts' offense spent all but one quarter in time of possession on the sidelines, and they STILL lose? Unbelievable!

24. Tennessee Titans- record: 0-2 (rank last week (19): lost to Texans, 31-34)

Still think they do not need Haynesworth? I believe their secondary begs to differ.  

25. Oakland Raiders- record: 1-1 (rank last week (27): defeated Chiefs, 13-10)

JUST WIN, BABY!!!

26. Carolina Panthers- record: 0-2 (rank last week (20): lost to Falcons, 20-28)

Obviously this opening schedule is too much for them to handle. Obviously.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 0-2 (rank last week (25): lost to Cardinals, 17-31)

It is still early in the season, so the Jags will have a great opportunity to reverse their fortunes against the Texans. No, I did not believe what I just wrote either.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- record: 0-2 (rank last week (28): lost to Raiders, 10-13)

Looks like this rebuilding project will take some time.   

29. St. Louis Rams- record: 0-2 (rank last week (32): lost to Redskins, 7-9)

If only all of their opponents were horrid play-callers as the Redskins...

30. Detroit Lions- record: 0-2 (rank last week (32): lost to Vikings, 13-27

At least the first quarter of the game was competitive.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 0-2 (rank last week (29): lost to Bills, 20-33)

Kind of odd when a team led by a defensive-minded head coach has already allowed 900 total yards and 67 points.

32. Cleveland Browns- record: 0-2 (rank last week (30): lost to Broncos, 6-27)

How long do you suppose it will be until Derek Anderson is under center?

 

Five notes from week one:

1. The Jets talked the talk, and they definitely walked the walk. Three field goals allowed with no touchdowns were impressive enough, but holding Tom Brady to under 50% completion by constantly pressuring him has to put the rest of the league on notice.

2. How does a team hold the ball for over 45 minutes, gain well over 200 yards on the ground, converted 15 of 21 on third down, and still lose? The Dolphins manage to be on the losing end despite having favorable game stats. The condemning factor? They allowed 10.2 yards per play.

3. What's the best way to help a rookie quarterback? A strong defense. Rex Ryan, the former defensive specialist of the Ravens as turned the Jets into a strong, attacking team. Through two games they have allowed a league low 241 total yards a game. Even more impressive are the two offenses they have faced (Texans and Patriots).

4. The Eagles will be worth paying attention to. McNabb is still ailing with a rib injury, and Kevin Kolb played respectably in their loss to the Saints. They still have Jeff Garcia for at least one more week, and Michael Vick will be eligible to play this weekend.

5. Stat of the week: Team(s) that rushed for at least 200 yards in week 2 (Dolphins, Cowboys, 49ers, Titans). Record of teams that rushed for at least 200 yards: 1-3 (49ers was the lone winner).