When it comes to Creative Misfortune Power Rankings, winning isn't the only thing, but it is the most important component of the rating. I don't believe teams can be powerful if they consistently lose, even to other great teams.
The Forked Few ~
Abandon hope and fortune all ye who rank here
# 32 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 32)
It's always tough to lose a heart-breaker on the road. It's even more difficult when you lose a game to the Oakland Raiders led by a back-up quarterback.
# 31 - Detroit Lions (previous: 31)
Two weeks, two losses, two almost wins. Don't almost win next week. WIN! I know it's a radical concept for the Lions, but Minnesota is ripe for the taking.
# 30 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 29)
0-2 against the likes of Tampa Bay and Kansas City. That can't be good.
# 29 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 28)
You were expected to be 0-2, Buffalo. Now that you are here, what are you going to do about it?
# 28 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 26)
Delhomme was jettisoned during the off-season because of turnovers. Two games into the young season, Matt Moore has been saddled with the same disease. Over/under on Clausen generated turnovers in week 3? That's what I thought.
The Creatively Challenged ~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 30)
Campbell benched. Gradkowski in. Raiders rally for their first victory of the season. It sure would have been impressive had it been anybody other than St. Louis on the opposite sideline.
# 26 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 27)
Taking New Orleans to the wire last night begs the following question - what the heck happened in Seattle two weeks ago? Good teams don't lose games like that, even on the road.
# 25 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 12)
No lightning storm. No magic. No nothing. The wheels are coming off quick.
# 24 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 15)
Seriously? Talk about being over-hyped. A trip to Houston will not make the season start any better. If desperation hasn't kicked in by now, it never will. If Dallas doesn't play Houston on Sunday like they played the Saints last season, 2010 could quickly become a wasted year.
# 23 - Washington Redskins (previous: 14)
Washington, you have nothing to regret about Sunday's loss to the Texans except for having yacked up a 17-point lead with just over one quarter left to play. Shanahan has shown these Redskins not to be the pushovers of recent years, but it's still too early to tell if he can return them to their former glory.
# 22 - New York Giants (previous: 9)
Eli Manning wasn't the problem on Sunday Night. The problem was everything else. At least the entire NFC East looks to be filled with hit-or-miss teams this year. The Giants still aren't out of it.
# 21 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 13)
Age has finally caught up with the Chosen One. The defense should win games when they only allow 7 points, but missed opportunities and untimely miscues have doomed the Vikings before they even managed to get their walkers out.
The Remarkably Average ~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 18)
The Seahawks can fly! They can't fly. The Seahawks can fly! They can't fly. Make up your mind, will ya.
# 19 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 6)
In an aerial battle, the Falcons emerged the true birds of prey. At least Oakland comes to Phoenix next week. Nothing helps you get over a whipping like playing the Raiders the following week.
# 18 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 24)
Batman and Robin hardly stellar, but the Bengals Defense carries the day and helps Cincinnati move up a bit in the rankings.
# 17 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 8)
Here we go again. First Young can't do it and Collins can. Then Collins can't do it and Young can. Now Young can't do it and Collins is out to prove he still can. Ultimately it doesn't matter who thinks they can if Chris Johnson goes nowhere and fumbles in the process.
# 16 - Denver Broncos (previous: 25)
I am sorry for your loss. RIP, Kenny McKinley.
# 15 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 22)
The defense made the battle with Detroit far more interesting than it needed to be and cost me a fantasy victory by allowing Megatron to score a late touchdown. Way to ruin my weekend, Philadelphia. It's not the first time. I'm sure it won't be the last.
# 14 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 3)
Stop squawking about the refs, Lewis. They didn't cost you the game. Four interceptions by your quarterback did.
# 13 - New York Jets (previous: 17)
How sad are Patriot fans today? Sanchez outdueled Brady for a solid victory. Talk about a couple of glamour boys.
The Fortunate Seven ~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 19)
I'm starting to believe, but still not buying it, Kansas City. 2-0 is a nice start, but barely beating Cleveland is not nearly as impressive as surprising San Diego.
# 11 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 20)
Getting fat off the bottom feeders in the league may not help you once you face off against New Orleans and Atlanta, but with those matchups still a few weeks away, you'll have to face the Steel Curtain this week. Get to 3-0 against that defense and we'll know you are for real.
# 10 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 10)
Impressive win against an underachieving team on the road. The offense may not have been there enough to move up in the rankings, but the defense played well enough to keep you in the top 10.
# 9 - New England Patriots (previous: 2)
It's not the end of the world, but it certainly doesn't help you, or the rest of the world, to give the annoying New York Jets their swagger back.
# 8 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 23)
Dirty Birds on a roll, but more injuries to Turner might hamper your style points.
# 7 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 16)
Big Brother remains undefeated versus Little Brother and the Colts have discovered they can run the ball. Scary.
# 6 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 21)
After the way the Chargers struggled in week 1, they better play well the rest of the year to secure home field in the playoffs. San Diego won't do well in the bitter cold of New England, New York, Baltimore or Pittsburgh come January.
The Creative Elite ~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Chicago Bears (previous: 11)
You may have been granted a gift in week 1, but week 2 you ripped the heart out of Cowboys fans and improved to an impressive 2-0. Who would have thought the Monday Night matchup in week 3 against Green Bay might be for the overall #1 ranking and the inside track to the NFC North title?
# 4 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 7)
It doesn't matter how ugly the victory, just that it's a victory. A trip to undefeated Tampa Bay will help separate the contenders from the pretenders.
# 3 - Houston Texans (previous: 5)
Undefeated after the two most most impressive franchise victories to date. With Dallas coming to town next week, 3-0 is by no means out of the question.
# 2 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 4)
That is how defending champions stay strong, weather the storms, and win on the road. Who dat gonna beat dem Saints?
# 1 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 1)
Dominating teams beat the good teams and crush the weak teams, especially at home. You crushed a weak team on Sunday, as you should have. A win on the road at Chicago next Monday adds fuel to the Packers Super Bowl fire.
Week 2 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Arizona Cardinals (-13), New York Giants (-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (-13)
The Biggest Movers - San Diego Chargers (+15) and the Atlanta Falcons (+15)
Maintaining The Status Quo - St. Louis Rams (32), Detroit Lions (31), Miami Dolphins (10) and the Green Bay Packers (1)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLV Favorite ~ After Week 2
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