Steelers

1-0

  The champs put out a reminder that teams with great defenses can win games when their starting QB is sidelined. Of course, when the backup plays as well as Batch did, it’s much easier.

2 (5)

Colts

  1-0  

  The Manning Bowl goes to Peyton. But more importantly it was a road win versus a playoff a team from last season.

3 (9)

Jaguars

  1-0

  Defense stifled the Cowboys after first quarter adjustments. Three tall receivers Wilford, Jones, and Williams are tough to handle at the goal line, opening the door for unexpected play calls- such as the Byron Leftwich QB draw going for a TD.

4 (4)

Patriots

  1-0  

  The defense woke up in time to stop the Bills. The running game looked solid with Dillon and Maroney. However, the passing game sputtered… As of Monday, Deion Branch is officially gone. New England will need Doug Gabriel to step up in place.

5 (2)

Broncos

  0-1  

  Found out how tough it is to win in St. Louis, especially when Bulger is healthy.

6 (13)

Bengals

1-0

Few teams win in Arrowhead, let alone hold the Chiefs to one TD and LJ under 100 yards. If Cincinnati’s defense turns in performances like this all season, look out rest of league.  

7 (3)

Cowboys

  0-1  

Road loss versus one of the top defensive units in the league… Dallas held the lead for nearly half of the game, but committed several costly penalties which killed drives and took points off the board.

8 (8)

Giants

  0-1  

Losing a close game versus the Colts is slightly more impressive than winning a close game versus the Lions- as the Giants land just above the Seahawks in the rankings.

9 (6)

Seahawks

  1-0  

  Failing to reach the end zone in Detroit raises a flag, and may be a sign of how much they’ll miss Hutchinson… But Monday’s addition of Deion Branch should pay big dividends.

10 (7)

Panthers

  0-1  

  Will need to win the second meeting in Atlanta to make up for the home loss… The Panthers don’t fall too far in the rankings as Steve Smith wasn’t in the lineup.

11 (14)

Bears

1-0

The defense picked up where it left off in 2005, and notched a shutout on the road in Green Bay. The Bears scored six times, but only one of the scores was an offensive TD.

12 (15)

Eagles

1-0

Handled a weaker Houston team on the road, just like they were supposed to do.

13 (18)

Falcons

1-0

  Recaptured the form that landed them in the NFC championship game two seasons ago. Playing Carolina without Steve Smith was a break. Hopefully John Abraham won’t be lost as he played a huge role in the win.

14 (19)

Rams

1-0

  Showed how tough it can still be for visiting teams to win on the carpet… Three notables: St. Louis failed to get in the end zone. The defense held the Broncos to 10 points. Starting center Andy McCollum was lost for the year.

15 (21)

Ravens

  1-0

  Shutting out a playoff team (Tampa Bay) on the road was an impressive way to start the season.

16 (20)

Vikings

1-0

  Carried over their preseason toughness into the regular season with an outdoor road win versus a 2005 playoff team. The ability to win outside is key for any dome team. Chicago Bears should keep a watch out.

17 (17)

Chargers

1-0

Completely dominated the Raiders.

18 (10)

Redskins

  0-1

Coming in as a playoff team from a season ago, the Redskins suffered a tough home loss to a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year.

19 (12)

Chiefs

0-1

  Trent Green suffered a concussion versus the Bengals and we wish him well. The running game was unable to get going in a rare home loss.

20 (16)

Dolphins

  0-1

  Had some moments while taking the lead in Pittsburgh. But couldn’t hold on to the lead and allowed Batch to beat them filling in for Big Ben.

21 (11)

Buccaneers

0-1

  Sound the early alarm as this 2005 playoff team was shut out at home.

22 (26)

Bills

0-1

The offense showed flashes at New England, including several quality throws by Losman. The defense successfully rushed Tom Brady who may have been feeling the effects of losing Branch and Givens. The Bills gave the Patriots a scare, and move up in the rankings.

23 (22)

Cardinals

1-0

  Scored plenty of points in their win. But allowed the most points of any team that won in week 1.

24 (25)

Saints

1-0

Scoring a road win versus a team that had twice as many wins a season ago is always a good thing… Even if we are talking about 6 wins being twice as many as 3.

25 (28)

Lions

0-1

  Holding Seattle to 9 points was a victory, even if it didn’t show up in the win column.

26 (30)

Jets

1-0

A road win versus the bottom team in the power rankings gets New York out of the 30’s.

27 (23)

Browns

0-1

  Home loss to a 3 win team from 2005 isn’t at all encouraging.

28 (24)

Packers

0-1

  Shutout at home, raise the warning flag… Better to have happened versus the #1 defense from the previous season than against another team.

29 (27)

49ers

0-1

Bright spot- scored 27 points. The mark- gave up 34.

30 (31)

Texans

0-1

  Picked up where they left off last season, allowing opposing QB’s to have big games as McNabb threw for 314 yards.

31 (29)

Raiders

0-1

  Not competitive in a home shutout loss to the Chargers.

32 (32)

Titans

0-1

Losing at home to the 30th ranked team from last week isn’t encouraging.