Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrates their 37-34 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

12. Detroit Lions

Matt Stafford played one of the best games of his career Monday night, looking as if he may finally have found an offensive system that finally utilizes his big arm and teaches him not to throw into double and triple coverage every time a play breaks down.

Defensively, it’s still hard to get a gauge on how good their defense is, because they played a disastrous looking offense in the Giants week one.

But if any team in the NFL really caught my attention week one, it was the Lions, because if Stafford doesn’t turn the ball over, the Lions could be a dangerous team.

11. Green Bay Packers

I expected the opening game to be closer, but I’m not sure there’s a ton of shame of losing in Seattle at this point.

The Packers go home this Sunday, but will host the Jets, who aren’t exactly an easy team to score on.

I’m confident Aaron Rodgers is going to get in a groove after throwing for under 200 yards in his first game. Eddie Lacy struggled in week one, and needs to get going if the Packers are going to compete with the 49ers, Saints and Seahawks.

10. Atlanta Falcons

Remember just two years ago when they were up 21-0 on the 49ers in the NFC Title game? They don’t have Tony Gonzalez anymore, but a healthy return of the Julio Jones/Roddy White duo looks to have put Matt Ryan back in the discussion as one of the game’s elite quarterbacks. They even got at least league average production from the Steven Jackson/Jacquizz Rodgers duo, which really opened things up for Matty Ice to have a career day.

Unfortunately, I think they fall in the same class as the Eagles and Bears, as teams that can compete in a shootout with anyone, but if there offense falters against a team like Seattle or San Francisco, their chances of winning the game are slim to none.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

I can’t fathom how there are people who have the Eagles in their top five after week one, and I’m an Eagles fan. I like what I saw out of their front seven, but Cary Williams got torched by Allen Hurns. Yeah.

Offensively, I do think they are much closer to the team that put up 34 points in the second half Sunday, than the team who was shutout in the first half. The first half was a fluke, and this will be a top five offense again this year.

Still, are they better than the Colts just because they played the Jaguars? Are they better than Tom Brady, Darrelle Revis and the Pats? Not yet, at least.