This week in “The KP Poll”, that’s a fact – as heading into NFL Power Rankings Week 2, the Houston Texans made the biggest jump in the poll, while the Dallas Cowboys – after struggling on the road against the Redskins – take the biggest fall.
As the phrase goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas.”
Here’s the latest poll:
The KP Poll (NFL Power Rankings Week 2)
1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0)
(Last Week: 1) Many expected a shootout with the Vikes – including yours truly, but New Orleans proved its defense is just as nasty – and a repeat is definitely possible.
2. BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0)
Flacco and the Ravens struggled at times, but still managed a Week 1 win at the Jets
(Last Week: 4) The Ravens were sloppy with 3 turnovers, and credit the Jets defense for part of that. Still, Baltimore’s new passing game showed its ugly head at times, and as much as the team struggled, the result was still a big win.
3. GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-0)
(Last Week: 5) The loss of Ryan Grant hurts, but for a team relying mainly on its passing attack, the Packers should still be ok using Brandon Jackson in the backfield.
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0)
(Last Week: 7) As I said before when ranking the Pats ahead of the Jets, Brady is healthy and Wes Welker is back – and this is still the team to beat in the AFC East.
5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1)
(Last Week: 3) Brett Favre is going to have to play better, and someone is going to have to step up in place of the injured Sidney Rice.
6. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1)
(Last Week: 2) The Colts were slammed in the trenches by Houston – on both sides of the ball, especially when allowing Foster to post 200+ on Indy’s D.
7. ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1)
(Last Week: 6) The Falcons could only manage 58 yards on the ground and 3 field goals against a Pittsburgh defense that played very well all game.
8. NEW YORK JETS (0-1)
(Last Week: 8 ) The biggest blow of the night for the Jets was losing DT Kris Jenkins for the season due to a knee injury.
9. TENNESSEE TITANS (1-0)
(Last Week: 15) It’s hard to judge how big this win was considering it was against the Raiders, but one thing’s for sure, both Vince Young and Chris Johnson played well.
10. MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0)
(Last Week: 12) It was a bit of an ugly win for Miami, but the Dolphins still managed to hold the Bills to 166 total yards of offense.
11. CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1)
(Last Week: 11) Many are jumping off the Cincy bandwagon, but New England is a great team that plays even better at home, so cut the Bengals a break. They’ll bounce back.
12. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (0-1)
(Last Week: 10) The Chargers struggled to score against the Chiefs in the rain, especially once KC decided to double up on Antonio Gates throughout the 2nd half.
13. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-0)
Matt Schaub and the Texans finally took care of the Colts
(Last Week: 22) Houston got a monkey off its back in beating the Colts – and doing so while frequently harassing Manning in the pocket and getting 231 yards and 3 TD’s from back Arian Foster.
14. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0)
(Last Week: 17) Washington’s defense frustrated the Cowboys all night long – even with Albert Haynesworth doing next to nothing, and pouting on the sideline.
15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0)
(Last Week: 18) Pittsburgh played a steady game, keeping the Falcons out of the end zone, while getting enough from a Dennis Dixon-run offense to win in OT.
16. NEW YORK GIANTS (1-0)
(Last Week: 16) New York’s game with the Panthers was an ugly one – as both teams combined for 9 turnovers. WR Hakeem Nicks was a highlight, catching 3 TD’s.
17. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0)
(Last Week: 14) It’s tough to drop a team in a poll after a win, but Arizona almost gave the game away a few times to the Rams – and the verdict is still out on the 2010 Cards.
18. DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1)
Finger Pointing: Tony Romo and the Cowboys struggled Sunday night in Washington
(Last Week: 9) As I said last week, there’s no fear striking me with Philips running the show – and the call by Garrett and Phillips to not down it before half is atrocious. Maybe Garrett should have taken that head coaching job when he had the chance.
19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (0-1)
(Last Week: 13) The Eagles made a great comeback on Green Bay with Vick under center – and because of that, there should be a QB controversy. But Andy Reid says there isn’t, and it’s Kolb’s job.
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0)
(Last Week: 23) Pete Carroll wins his debut in Seattle – and in a big and unexpected way, taking down the 49ers 31-6.
21. CHICAGO BEARS (1-0)
(Last Week: 20) Jay Cutler may have had the quietest quality fantasy day of anyone, throwing for 372 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
22. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0)
(Last Week: 24) For anyone hating on Jackonsville’s passing attack, David Gerrard threw for three touchdowns in the Jaguars’ opening week game against Denver.
23. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1)
(Last Week: 19) It’s safe to say that after San Francisco’s performance against the Seahawks, the QB watch is on again – and Alex Smith should be on the hot seat.
24. CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1)
(Last Week: 21) The Panthers had 5 turnovers against the Giants, including two interceptions in the end zone. Matt Moore struggled and rookie Jimmy Clausen may see his name called soon.
25. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0)
(Last Week: 29) The Chiefs were great on defense and special teams, but Weis’ offense struggled – much like during his coaching tenure at Notre Dame.
26. DETROIT LIONS (0-1)
(Last Week: 26) The Lions received the hose job of the week, not just losing QB Matthew Stafford to injury, but also having an NFL rule take away a fantastic game-winning TD catch by WR Calvin Johnson.
27. DENVER BRONCOS (0-1)
(Last Week: 25) Tim Tebow was named the backup quarterback, and got into Denver’s game on Sunday, running 2 plays for just 2 yards.
28. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0)
(Last Week: 30) It was an efficient comeback victory for the Bucs in Week 1, forcing three Cleveland turnovers and eeking out a three-point win.
29. CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1)
(Last Week: 28) Jake Delhomme managed just a 59.2 QB rating against the Bucs, but did complete passes to nine different Cleveland receivers.
30. ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-1)
Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford played well in Week 1
(Last Week: 32) The Rams didn’t play like the worst team in football – and Sam Bradford didn’t play like a rookie either, throwing 55 passes, and accumulating 253 yards.
31. OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-1)
(Last Week: 27) Jason Campbell’s debut in Oakland: 22-37, 180 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in a 38-13 loss to the Titans. New QB, same results.
32. BUFFALO BILLS (0-1)
(Last Week: 31) Buffalo’s late game management alone earned it a spot in the cellar for this week’s poll. Their overall performance (3-14 on 3rd down and 23 min of possession time) isn’t much better.
Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!
Well, KP, with sportschump.net hogging up the worldwide web, it’s understandable that your traffic is down.
I mean there’s only so many hits too around.
AERO–
For your sake, I hope not… they should be better this year, but there will be bumps in the road.
REV–
My boy Clemens, huh? Ha ha… you got it, I am a few behind on your site since going on vacation – and my traffic is down some too which is frustrating. Have to get back on a roll.
AMY–
All fair points… usually after one week, a QB controversy is not something that comes up. It is Philly though and that’s how their fans are and I don’t know…. that was the Vick of old that I saw, and I could see them having more success with him under center than Kolb…
I think in a duel to the death, Ray Lewis would kick my ass ten out of ten times. And that’s with me having a baseball bat to defend myself.
Speaking of bats, check out my latest take on your boy Clemens.
http://sportschump.net/2010/09/16/chumpservations-vol-17-aroldis-chapman-troy-polamalu-yankees-rays-and-the-persecution-of-roger-clemens/4467/
The Bucs suprised me Sunday. I hope it’s not the last time this season.
I personally don’t think there should be a QB controversy in Philly. As long as Kolb is healthy and cleared to play, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be. The Eagles are Kolb’s team, he’s been there longer than Vick has. He has to be given a chance to prove that he can run things, I believe he is the QB of the future for them.