Sporting Joe NFL Power Poll: Week 2

After what many are calling the worst week in the history of the NFL, football fans are ready for on the field action.  Week Two delivered some quality games and a significant jostling of the Power Poll.  While the top two remain unchanged, that will not be the case in a week after the Denver vs. Seattle showdown.

                                             

1)      Seattle- Yes they lost, but San Diego is a good team and the Seahawks were on the road.  The Champs hold their spot but Percy Harvin’s efficiency is worth watching.

                 

2)      Denver- Yes they won, but beating Kansas City with a goal line stand at home is not an indicator of dominance.

    

3)      Green Bay- The Packers righted the ship thanks to Jordy Nelson and Marty Mornhinweg’s ill-timed timeout.

  

4)      New England- Sunday’s stress free 30-7 win over Minnesota illustrated that the Belichick and Brady train is still on track for late January football.

5)      Philadelphia- Indianapolis does not have dominate offensive line play but their use of power formations controlled the bulk of the Monday night game.  The Eagles need to demonstrate an ability to handle power football before they can become a Super Bowl contender.

6)      Cincinnati- After shutting down Atlanta’s talented trio of wideouts it is safe to conclude that Cincy’s defense is not suffering from a lack of Mike Zimmer currently. 

     

7)       San Diego- The Chargers took what Seattle’s defense offered and executed throughout the game.  The ceiling is high for the Bolts but as is always the case, can San Diego maintain that level of effort and efficiency?

8)      Chicago- A gritty and well-coached win against San Francisco should vault the Bears up the rankings.  Losing Charles Tillman among other key defenders results in a wait and see approach.

    

9)      Carolina- Excitement from a win over a Jim Caldwell coached team is putting the cart before the horse.  However, the Panthers have quietly gotten to 2-0 (against soft competition), which is always a step in the right direction.

10)  San Francisco- Sunday night was a whole lot of ugly.  So was last season’s 29-3 loss to Seattle in week two and their debacle in week 3 to the Colts by a 27-7 margin.  It is too soon to dismiss such a deep and experienced team.