Written by Mark Maske at Washington Post.com
1. Denver Broncos (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 1
Does any QB have any chance whatsoever against the Denver defense this season? Cam Newton and Andrew Luck have tried, with little success. The question now is whether the absence of pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware for four to five weeks because of a broken forearm will make a difference.
2. New England Patriots (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 2
No Tom Brady? No matter. No Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo? That could be a different matter. Rookie QB Jacoby Brissett could take over as the starter Thursday night against the Texans with Brady still suspended and Garoppolo now hurt. If Bill Belichick can beat a playoff-caliber team on a short week with a rookie QB making his first NFL start, there will be no praise too lavish for his level of coaching genius.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 4
The triumph over the Bengals gives the Steelers the early edge in the AFC North. This game lacked the nastiness of other recent Steelers-Bengals matchups but was, as always, highly competitive. The Pittsburgh offense has remained productive, as promised, without the suspended Martavis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell. DeAngelo Williams has kept the running game moving without Bell, but things should only get better once Bell returns after missing one more game.
4. Carolina Panthers (1-1) | Last week’s rank: 6
Ron Rivera is a terrific coach, but it’s enough now about the schedule. We get it: You would rather have opened up at home than gone on the road for a Super Bowl rematch. That’s how it goes. The Panthers got into the win column Sunday against the 49ers and now have an interesting matchup this weekend against the Vikings.
5. Minnesota Vikings (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 8
Remember when this season was supposed to be all about Teddy Bridgewater’s ability to develop into a reliable QB to complement the running of Adrian Peterson and the defense? Now Bridgewater is out for the season and Peterson has a torn meniscus in his right knee. The Vikings are fortunate that they were able to trade for QB Sam Bradford and even more fortunate that he played so well Sunday night. The offense now could revolve around Bradford and WR Stefon Diggs.
6. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) | Last week’s rank: 9
A 1-1 start, with two home games to open the season, is not exactly what the Cardinals envisioned. But they were back to being themselves against the Buccaneers. The schedule remains less than demanding in the next few weeks, with the Bills, Rams and 49ers up next.
7. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 11
Beating the Bills and Browns does not exactly qualify as an otherworldly accomplishment, especially after somehow finding a way to fall 18 points behind in the first quarter in Cleveland. But the Ravens will take it, particularly after the way they faltered from the outset last season with a next-to-impossible early schedule. Next up on the Ravens’ tour of pitiable NFL opponents are the Jaguars.
8. Houston Texans (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 13
Plenty is going the Texans’ way so far. They’re off to a good start. The rest of the division is mediocre to dreadful. And now the Texans get to face the QB-depleted Patriots on a short week. It still won’t be easy to win in New England, of course. But the odds certainly have tilted in Houston’s favor.
9. New York Giants (2-0) | Last week’s rank: 14
The expensive defensive improvements made during the offseason are paying off, at least so far. On offense, Eli Manning is making the most of the almost-constant three-WR alignments. Victor Cruz is back, seemingly fully healthy and making significant receiving contributions at key moments.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) | Last week’s rank: 7
The Bengals quickly find themselves chasing both the Steelers and Ravens in the division race. There’s no time to lament the loss in Pittsburgh, with the Broncos coming to town this weekend for the Bengals’ home opener. QB Andy Dalton, if given enough time against the Denver defense, must do a better job of getting WR A.J. Green involved in the offense.
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