NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs Rise, Steelers Fall
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 9, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) tries to get off a pass from his knees during first quarter action against the Texans at Qualcomm Stadium. Rivers was ruled down for a sack. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
THE BOTTOM 12
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 32
31. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 29
New York Jets and Oakland Raiders will be fighting for this spot for most of the year, but the Browns may be the favorite for this positions if they cannot get Brandon Weeden up and running.
30. Oakland Raiders
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 31
Terrell Pryor rushed for 112 yards, a franchise record for quarterback rushing yards, in Oakland’s close loss to Indianapolis. There is nothing from that game that leads me to believe we should buy into Pryor – Indy’s defense isn’t all that great to begin with – but the Raiders could be more pesky than originally thought.
29. New York Jets
Record: 1-0
Previous Ranking: 30
Tampa Bay handed New York the game with incredibly sloppy play, especially in the final 34 seconds. But, hey, a win is a win. Kudos to the Jets for taking advantage.
28. Buffalo Bills
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 28
E.J. Manuel held his own against the New England Patriots in his first game as a starter and professional. However, New England’s defense will be the easiest one he faces for a long time. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly he develops, if he does develop.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 20
It is tough to find a worst-coached football team than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
26. San Diego Chargers
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 24
You can take Norv out of San Diego but you can take Norv out of the Chargers. Somethings just never change, do they Philip Rivers?
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 14
“With the 5th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select…” This is a very real possibility for the Steelers next May.
24. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 26
Arizona may end up being a surprise team in the NFC playoff picture, but that conference is so loaded that it may be tough for them to clinch a wild card.
23. Carolina Panthers
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 25
No shame in losing to the Seattle Seahawks, who are a top five team in the NFL.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 0-1
Previous Ranking: 18
Adrian Peterson… then what?
21. Tennessee Titans
Record: 1-0
Previous Ranking: 27
It is tough to know how much of Tennessee’s great start to the season was based on Pittsburgh being awful or Tennessee being good. This week’s matchup against the Houston Texans should give us a better idea of how good the Titans will be this season.