Week 2 NFL Power Rankings
By Tim Kelly
Sep 8, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) catches a pass as San Diego Chargers cornerback Shareece Wright (29) pursues during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
16. Miami Dolphins
Just when you thought Knowshon Moreno was a product of playing with Peyton Manning, the former Georgia star lit it up in his first game in South Beach, running for 134 yards en route to an upset win.
Do I expect the Dolphins to stay this high on the list or Moreno to out-rush LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles combined every week? Obviously not, but they pulled away from the Pats, and they deserve some credit for doing so.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger looked really good as he begins year three in Todd Haley’s offense, and an explosion from Le’Veon Bell didn’t hurt either. While I’m not sure Bell stays that hot, I think Big Ben has finally clicked with Haley, which is dangerous for the rest of the league.
Entering week two, the Steelers seem like they are the biggest threat to to the Bengals in the AFC North. If they can win tomorrow night over the Ravens, sending a team dealing with the Ray Rice distraction to 0-2, it could assure that the division becomes a two team race.
14. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Matthews struggled and they self destructed in the fourth quarter, but they were playing a 10 win team from a year ago on the road.
They gave up a few big plays to Carson Palmer and company, but still held what is one of the more underrated offenses in the NFL to 18 points.
I still fully expect the Chargers to be one of the best seven or eight teams in the league, and if questions about the Patriots and Colts persist, they may emerge as the Broncos biggest challenger in the AFC.
13. Arizona Cardinals
I love the cornerback tandem of Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, but you just wonder how many injuries/suspensions this defense can take before they take a step back. They also don’t appear to have improved on their biggest achilles heel of 2013, which was covering the tight-end in the passing game.
What I am impressed/slightly concerned about is that Larry Fitzgerald had only one catch, and they were able to win. I like Michael Floyd a lot, but they need to find a way to keep Fitz from getting blanketed by opposing defenses if they are going to compete with the NFC’s elite.