We have now completed two full weeks of the NFL season and the contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pretenders.
At this point, the two biggest surprises of this young NFL season have to be the miserable starts by the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys. The fan bases of these two proud organizations had high expectations going into this season. In Minnesota, fans were hoping Brett Favre could lead the Vikings on another miracle run that would end in a Super Bowl victory.
In Dallas, Cowboy fans were hoping their team would become the first team to hose a Super Bowl in their own Stadium. Earth to everyone in Texas, its not going to happen.
In Dallas, Cowboy fans were hoping their team would become the first team to hose a Super Bowl in their own Stadium. Earth to everyone in Texas, its not going to happen.
The Vikings and the Cowboys are clearly pretenders to start the season.
Lets look at this week's ManSpeak NFL Power Rankings to see who the top contenders are at this point.
The Saints open the season ranked as the number 1 team in the ManSpeak Power Rankings and rightfully so. The defending Super Bowl Champs have started off 2010 in the same way they ended 2009, by winning.
The Saints overall have been impressive in season opening victories against the Vikings in the season opener and the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in week 2, despite their glorified offense struggling to move the ball. Even with the offensive struggles, this team of champions has found a will to win, mainly because of the strong play of QB Drew Brees and a defense led by MLB Jonathan Vilma.
The Saints are number one at this point in the Power Rankings, but how will they do without the services of Reggie Bush for the next six weeks?
Wow! If the Saints weren't undefeated and the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Houston Texans would be ranked first as they easily have been the most impressive team thus far to open the season.
Week 1 was a breeze for the Texans at home against their perennial nemesis Indianapolis Colts, as Arian Foster went bonkers for over 200 yards on the ground in an easy and dominating win to open the season.
In Week 2, the Texans showed they could toss the ball all over the field in a stunning comeback against the Washington Redskins on the road. Matt Schaub threw for nearly 500 yards and the best receiver in the league, Andre Johnson, pulled down 12 balls for yet another impressive performance.
The Texans don't seem to have a weakness thus far as they look strong in all facets of the game, including on defense where they are led by former 1st overall pick Mario Williams. The Texans are for real, and get a chance to rub one in the Cowboys face during their match-up in week 3.
3. Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Everybody knew that Aaron Rodgers was a stud coming into the season. So much talk has been made about how good Rodgers will be in 2010 that it is hard to remember that at one point in the not so distant past, Brett Favre was good in Wisconsin.
Not any longer as Rodgers leads an aerial attack into Chicago in Week 3 in a match-up of undefeated teams.
The Packers have gotten through one week without RB Ryan Grant, but how will they fare in a tough, divisional road game against a quality opponent like the Chicago Bears? It will be interesting to see.
Yes, I know that their Week 1 victory against the Buffalo Bills was ugly and in Week 2 the Dolphins did everything in their power to give the game to the Minnesota Vikings, but head coach Tony Sparno's team found a way to win.
Led by a tough rushing attack and the Wildcat offense, the Dolphins are difficult team to play against because they love to grind the game and control the clock. But what happens when Chad Henne grows up and starts connecting with their off-season acquisition WR Brandon Marshall regularly? How good can the Dolphins really be if Henne and Marshall can get on the same page? Scary!
The Dolphins are tough and their style of play will keep them in every game. Look for a good one this week in their home opener against the New York Jets.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
How is this team 2-0? Who is their quarterback? I'm unsure about question number 2, but I know this team has started undefeated because of their excellent defense.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has found a way to win as their star QB Ben Roethlisberger continues to serve his 4 game suspension. In the interim, Dennis Dixon was doing an outstanding job at QB until her suffered a serious knee injury against the Tennessee Titans.
So, if Pittsburgh can get question 2 answered on their quarterback situation, the Steelers will certainly march up this board and to the top when they get Big Ben back if their defense keeps playing at this level.
The Saints, Texans, Packers, Dolphins and Steelers at this point clearly look like contenders to star the season. it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their extremely high level of play as all 5 teams have question marks and injuries going forward.
Who are your top 5? Share with me here on themanspeak.com
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