When it comes to Creative Misfortune Power Rankings, production is combined with potential to determine a team's true strength compared to the rest of the league. Winning isn't the only factor, but it is one of the most important components 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 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 32)
At least the Jaguars gave us one really good half to start the year. Since going up 17-0 on the Eagles early in the season opener, Jacksonville has been outscored 75-10. That's not very conducive to a productive, winning season.
# 31 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 27)
The Raiders continue to struggle on both sides of the ball. James Jones provided a nice highlight reel special for NFL fans everywhere with his rare "Double Fumble" on the same play. Too bad this one play will define Oakland's 2014 season.
# 30 - New York Giants (previous: 28)
Just when you think the Giants almost have it, Eli throws another interception.
# 29 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 26)
The offense showed a lot of promise in the preseason, but that promise has not panned out so far. The Buccaneers aren't terrible, but if they don't win a few games sooner rather than later, this team will completely fall apart.
# 28 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 25)
The Chiefs battled the Broncos hard in the second half last week, but just don't have the firepower to compete with them. The injury to Jamaal Charles hurts, even if Knile Davis is a capable backup.
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 31)
St. Louis was destroyed by the Vikings and barely escaped Tampa Bay with a victory. With their next four games against Dallas, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, the Rams will have to play near-perfect football if they hope to come out of that stretch with anything better than a 1-5 record.
# 26 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 19)
The Colts couldn't come back against the Broncos and they allowed the Eagles to steal a game away from them last week. Already two full games behind the resurgent Texans, Indianapolis needs to start winning right now if they hope to be anything more than a Wild Card team in January. A date with the Jaguars should be the perfect chance for them to finally notch a mark in the win column.
# 25 - New York Jets (previous: 16)
Errant timeout aside, the Jets came to play last week and nearly took the Packers out in Lambeau. New York will be hit or miss all season, and while that normally would translate into an 8-8 finish, the AFC East is finally a wide-open division and New York's manic style could lead to big things for them, if they can hold everything together and avoid the mistakes that cost them a victory in Green Bay.
# 24 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 29)
The Packers have only played about three good quarters so far this year and are extremely lucky to have a win under their belt. They will be in a fight with Detroit and Chicago all season long for the division title and, the way things are shaping up, only the NFC North division champion will make the playoffs.
# 23 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 15)
So good in week 1, so terrible in week 2. A short week and a weak opponent should get Atlanta back on track.
# 22 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 11)
The Steelers were completely manhandled by the Ravens. That does not bode well for Pittsburgh with how well Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland are playing right now.
# 21 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 10)
The Dolphins dominated the Patriots and were dominated by the Bills. I have no idea where Miami fits in the grand scheme of things this season. 10-6 or 6-10? Neither would surprise me.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 17)
Two close losses to open the season have the Saints on the ropes, but they are definitely not out of it. If they lose this week, at home, against the Vikings, then it will be time to push the panic button.
# 19 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 24)
The best part about the Browns playing so well is that Johnny Football has not had anything to do with it. Hopefully Brian Hoyer can keep Cleveland competitive enough each week that Manziel will stay on the bench until he has matured enough to step into the spotlight and take the reigns as a true franchise quarterback.
# 18 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 7)
The Vikings have deactivated Adrian Peterson indefinitely, pending the results of ongoing child abuse investigations. The Vikings did the right thing by deactivating Peterson last weekend, then made a bad choice activating him after additional allegations came up regarding Peterson's discipline techniques. It's too bad the only reason the Vikings have deactivated Peterson again is because of backlash from corporate sponsors. The NFL must not chase the dollars in these situations if they ever hope to restore their image.
# 17 - Chicago Bears (previous: 22)
Chicago's never give up attitude could lead to great things down the road, but they have to get better on defense before the Bears will truly be considered a solid playoff contender.
# 16 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 5)
The Titans looked so good against Kansas City on the road, then came home and were shellacked by the Dallas Cowboys. Tennessee is still trying to find their identity after Chris Johnson's departure, but things definitely look positive going forward.
# 15 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 21)
A nice win on the road after a tough, mistake-filled loss at home. The Dallas Cowboys have a great opportunity against the Rams this week to gain some momentum before they head back home for a tough, two-game homestand against the Saints and the Texans.
# 14 - Washington Redskins (previous: 30)
It's never good for a starting quarterback when he goes down with an injury and the backup comes in and leads the team to a 41-10 blowout victory. This is Kirk Cousins' team now. I don't know if it will ever be RGIII's team again.
# 13 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 6)
Great teams don't collapse in the fourth quarter like the 49ers did last Sunday night. Too many penalties, too many turnovers, and too many mistakes doomed San Francisco. In a tough division, the 49ers cannot afford to give away games they have won when so many games they'll play this year will be hotly contested with victory always in question.
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Detroit Lions (previous: 2)
Did the Lions just have a bad day or did Carolina expose them for what they really are? After a few more weeks we'll know what kind of team the 2014 Lions are.
# 11 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 18)
Huge win over the Seahawks! Victories like these can propel teams on to great things.
# 10 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 23)
After all the off-field drama, the Ravens got back to playing football and dominated their division rivals. Still second-best in the division, the Ravens have some storms to weather before we consider them a strong playoff team.
# 9 - New England Patriots (previous: 20)
What is up with Brady and the passing game? The deep strike of yesteryear does not seem to be an option any more. The Patriots can certainly survive with a dink-and-dunk approach, but that won't inspire great fear in opponents. Perhaps a home date with the Oakland Raiders will get the offense back in the gear we expect them to be in.
# 8 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 1)
A complete letdown by the Seahawks last week in San Diego. Now Seattle looks vulnerable right before a huge game against the Broncos. The Seahawks are lucky the game will be played in Seattle. The 12th Man should hinder Manning's ability to call plays at the line and give the defense an advantage they might need after being hammered by the Chargers.
# 7 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 12)
All alone at the top of the division, but the Cardinals are not taking their early season division lead lightly. "There's still a lot of work to do," says star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
# 6 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 14)
The surprise team of the AFC, Buffalo is on a roll. If they can make it to their bye week in week 9 with a .500 record or better, they'll be in great position to push for a playoff spot.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Houston Texans (previous: 13)
This is the Texans team everybody expected to see last season before Houston collapsed and completely fell apart. If their offensive stars can avoid the injury bug, the Texans can become a true powerhouse.
# 4 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 4)
Just think how scary the Eagles would be if they didn't insist on spotting their opponents two and three touchdown leads early in the game?
# 3 - Denver Broncos (previous: 3)
A solid, if unspectacular, victory over the Chiefs last week. Only Peyton Manning could make a three-touchdown performance seem uninspiring. The Broncos will have to play much better this week in Seattle if they hope to gain some small measure of revenge for their embarassing loss in the Super Bowl.
# 2 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 8)
The Bengals have started fast out of the gate, but injuries will slow down their passing attack. If Dalton can avoid the big mistake and the running game can stay consistent, Cincinnati will remain the team to beat in the AFC North.
# 1 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 9)
The defense has not missed a beat since last season and with Cam Newton back in the lineup and healthy, the offense is playing well enough to keep pace with almost anyone. If the defense can continue to hold opponents to 20 points or less a game, Carolina will become a very scary team.
Week 2 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Tennessee Titans (-11), Minnesota Vikings (-11), Miami Dolphins (-11), Pittsburgh Steelers (-11), Detroit Lions (-10)
The Biggest Movers - Washington Redskins (+16), Baltimore Ravens (+13), New England Patriots (+11), Carolina Panthers (+8), Houston Texans (+8)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Denver Broncos (3), Philadelphia Eagles (4), Jacksonville Jaguars (32)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLIX Favorite ~ After Week 2
Check back tomorrow for week 3 predictions.
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