Week 1 Power Ranking (Yahoo)

[CRASHER]

Five of six, and eight of 12 overall.

That's how many 2004 playoff teams lost their season openers – five of six in the NFC (Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, Packers and Vikings) and three more in the AFC (Chargers, Broncos and Jets). It made for a messy first week in the rankings, as only Indianapolis and New England maintained their position in the Top 12. The shuffling led to two teams dropping out, as problems in Baltimore (quarterback, as usual) and Denver (quarterback and defense) dropped the Ravens and Broncos into the Muddled Middle.

Two teams that got especially close attention this week went a long way toward validating themselves among the league's best – Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Running back Willie Parker helped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shed some of the Steelers' massive preseason worries, while the Chiefs' defense played to the level of its considerable talent.

And while the Bottom Five saw two teams pull off shocking wins – Miami over Denver and San Francisco over St. Louis – they aren't ready to climb out of the rankings cellar just yet. Skepticism is an anchor that's tough to leave behind.

THE TOP 12
1. Indianapolis Colts (1-0) – The defense was able to gang up against the run, but it was still impressive to see Indy's front seven hold Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor to a combined 75 yards on 20 carries. This unit will get even better when Marlin Jackson is healthy and Corey Simon gets into shape.

2. New England Patriots (1-0) – The media blew it out of proportion, but watching the typically laidback Tom Brady get in Corey Dillon's ear was interesting. It was good to see the team's centerpiece showing some emotion when it was needed.

3. Atlanta Falcons (1-0) – They have the most underrated defensive line in the NFL, and linebacker Edgerton Hartwell has already established himself as Atlanta's emotional leader on defense. It's early, but DeAngelo Hall could develop into a faster version of Lito Sheppard.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (0-1) – Losing Jeremiah Trotter wasn't fair on Monday night, but he made a mistake getting into a pregame scrum with a nickel back, of all people. The lack of a second wide receiver and choppy protection for Donovan McNabb are long-term concerns.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) – Tennessee was a pushover and this week's match-up at Houston won't be much of a measuring stick, either. The Sept. 25 game against New England is when we find out whether these Steelers belong in the league's elite top three.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) – The defense locked up Curtis Martin and was less than a minute from a shutout against the Jets. Losing Willie Roaf hurts, but they can survive without him until the Sept. 26 game at Denver. It's too bad the Larry Johnson arrest will take away from a feel-good week.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) – The win over the Browns was far closer than the score indicated, and the pass defense looked like it might be a concern. But Carson Palmer was fantastic in the second and third quarters.

8. Carolina Panthers (0-1) – The loss to New Orleans had shades of last season's slow start: Jake Delhomme struggled and a defensive lineman suffered a season-ending injury. Finding a No. 2 receiver to complement Steve Smith suddenly looks imperative.

9. New York Jets (0-1) – The defense failed early and often against the Chiefs, giving up 17 points on Kansas City's first three drives. Chad Pennington and the offensive line should split the blame for an awful day on offense.

10. San Diego Chargers (0-1) – Keenan McCardell looked good, but Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson need Antonio Gates in order for the offense to be great. The defensive secondary played better, but was a failure in the red zone.

11. Buffalo Bills (1-0) – They have the best defense in football, hands down. If J.P. Losman can limit his mistakes and Willis McGahee can stay healthy with a diet of 25 carries a game, this team could give fits to the AFC elite.

12. Minnesota Vikings (0-1) – Even with all the ugliness, the Vikings had their chances to pull out a win over Tampa. There are a lot of things to clean up. The offensive line is a mess; Mike Tice has butchered the running back situation and Daunte Culpepper is fumbling again.


RISING
Dallas Cowboys (1-0) – The defense stiffened when it mattered most against the Chargers, and that's a great mental step forward. It was hard to tell which was more impressive: Drew Bledsoe's three touchdown passes, or Bill Parcells' dapper look on opening day.

THE MUDDLED MIDDLE (in alphabetical order)
Arizona Cardinals (0-1) – Allowing 14 points on special teams was a killer, but the failure to establish any kind of running game in the first half was really frightening. Dennis Green can't make this offense work with Kurt Warner throwing 40 times a game.

Baltimore Ravens (0-1) – The defense is right where it needs to be, giving up only 17 points to Indianapolis. The game against Tennessee and a Week 3 bye will give the Ravens a little extra time to figure out if Anthony Wright is the answer at quarterback.

Detroit Lions (1-0) – The defense looked better in the win over Green Bay, but Detroit's high-priced trio of Roy Williams, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams had only four catches for 47 yards and one touchdown. Free-agent bargain Marcus Pollard might be the player that gets Joey Harrington rolling.

Denver Broncos (0-1) – Ashley Lelie is going to give Jake Plummer a run for his money as Denver's "Mr. Inconsistent" this season. Ron Dayne inches closer to his big chance with every Tatum Bell fumble.

Houston Texans (0-1) – Take a deep breath, Texans fans. The offense isn't nearly as bad as it looked against Buffalo. I think.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) – Jimmy Smith dropped everything in sight in the preseason, then flipped his Pro Bowl switch about an hour before the win over Seattle. Don't call Matt Jones the next Slash. That's an insult to Jones.

New Orleans Saints (1-0) – The defense finally played up to its talent level last week. And as much as Aaron Brooks is criticized – he really does need to use his feet more – that game-winning drive against the Panthers was Brooks at his best.

New York Giants (1-0) – Willie Ponder's 95-yard kickoff return against the Cardinals was an absolute dagger, and the run defense was strong. Rookie running back Brandon Jacobs is a cross between Eddie George and the Hulk.

Oakland Raiders (0-1) – As I told my editor: It's only one game, but watching Kerry Collins throw to Randy Moss was something like watching Roseanne Barr squeeze into a Versace dress. Collins might end up having a higher touchdown total than completion percentage.

St. Louis Rams (0-1) – The 49ers won't be anywhere near being the worst team in the NFL when the season ends, so Sunday's loss wasn't that bad. And on the bright side, the run defense didn't look too shabby.

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) – Matt Hasselbeck is the Jake Plummer of the Northwest. And by the way, it would be nice if that secondary came through when the defense needs a few vital stops.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) – Joey Galloway made it through a game without getting injured, the rookies looked great and the offensive line looked better. But before we pencil this team in for the playoffs, let's see how this revamped offense deals with Buffalo this weekend.

Washington Redskins (1-0) – Wait a few games before ripping coach Joe Gibbs' switch to Mark Brunell. Gibbs is trying to win now, and Brunell has looked healthy and surprisingly sharp in limited time.

FALLING
Green Bay Packers (0-1) – Bubba Franks talked about becoming one of the league's best tight ends, then put up four catches for 27 yards in the season opener. With Javon Walker out, now would be a good time to actually make good on that wish.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
28. Miami Dolphins (1-0) – Stopping Denver five times inside the 3-yard line was an awesome moment in a shocking win. But fans might want to wait and see how Miami competes against the Jets this Sunday before punching their ticket on the Nick Saban bandwagon.

29. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) – Bryant Young's three-sack performance was the most surprising of any player in the league, including Pittsburgh's Willie Parker. The defense made plays when it had to and Tim Rattay had a solid day, but the 49ers will come back to earth hard against Philadelphia.

30. Cleveland Browns (0-1) – Dilfer's 43 passes were far too many. With Reuben Droughns starting, this should be a run-centered team, and Dilfer should never throw more than 30 balls in any game.

31. Chicago Bears (0-1) – Compared to Sunday's offensive numbers – 166 yards, 11 first downs, zero touchdowns – the Bears were an offensive juggernaut last season. And no, it wasn't just Washington's defense, folks.

32. Tennessee Titans (0-1) – Pittsburgh is good, but the Titans' defense rolled over after the first quarter. And I understand the whole injury fear, but Chris Brown should be touching the ball a minimum of 20 times a game.