Three Up, Three Down

With two weeks of NFL action in the books, it's safe to make some early predictions about the movers and shakers around the league. The reason this sport is so exciting is because each season you never know what's going to happen. Unlike baseball, where the best teams are almost always at the top, football features a ton of shifting of gears from year to year. Especially this season with the insanity of the short free agent period following the lockout. Of course some stalwarts are almost always going to be in the mix, but it's never a guarantee. Heading into Week 3, let's take a look at the top three and bottom three teams in the NFL so far.

Top 3
1.) Green Bay Packers- I'm very impressed with the play of the defending Super Bowl Champs. The Pack followed up their thrilling shootout win over the Saints in Week 1 with a surprising comeback W against the Panthers in Week 2. If this were 2010, that Carolina triumph wouldn't look so hot. This is 2011 though, and the Panthers, despite being 0-2, is a much improved club. Cam Newton is tearing it up and is proving a lot of doubters wrong. This isn't about Cam though, it's about the Packers. Although their secondary hasn't been up to snuff, you can't deny that the offense is clicking on all cylinders. Aaron Rodgers has been his usual spectacular health, turning ordinary receivers like Jordy Nelson into stars. Until Green Bay falters, I'm keeping them on top of the totem pole.
2.) New England Patriots- The MVP through two games is none other than Tom Brady. The legendary Ugg's spokesman set the record for most passing yards through the first two games of the season. If we're being honest here, the Pats have looked just as good as the Packers so far. Similarly to Green Bay, it's the defense that has lagged behind the O. However, they did just enough to stave off a probable playoff team in the Chargers on Sunday. What's more, they're doing it without much help from their biggest off-season acquisition Chad Ochocinco. Before the season, I picked the Patriots to top the Packers in a Super Bowl showdown, and that pick is looking pretty, pretty good after two weeks.
3.) New York Jets- I know this post has lacked some strong defense so far, so before things get too offensive let's check in with the Jets. They may not be the flashiest team around, but just like they have the past two years under head coach Rex Ryan, they're getting it done with smash mouth football. Gang Green has picked up right where they left off after reaching a second straight AFC Championship game. In a dominant 32-3 victory over the Jaguars in Week 2, the defense looked title caliber. Now nobody is going to mistake the Jets offense for the Pats or Pack, but Mark Sanchez and company are doing just enough to get by.
Next 3: Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions


Bottom 3
30.) Indianapolis Colts- What a difference a year makes. Last season at this time, the Colts were among the league's Top 3. That's what losing Peyton Manning will do to your ranking. I knew Indy would be bad, but I didn't think they'd be this bad without the future Hall of Famer. Following a blowout at the hands of the Texans, the Colts were embarrassed by the Browns on Sunday at home. Kerry Collins has looked terrible in relief and clearly isn't the answer. Obviously, the team's future outlook is bleak. I still don't think they will finish with the worst record in football, thereby ensuring themselves a shot at Andrew Luck. At the same time, there is no reason to rush Manning back at this point. If he missed the entire season, I wouldn't be at all surprised.
31.) Seattle Seahawks- I seriously considered putting the Seahawks dead last. I don't think anyone would have disagreed after Seattle was blanked by Pittsburgh in Week 2. This team is a mess. The optimism from high priced signings like Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice, and Zach Miller has been replaced with the gloom that is a weather staple in the Pacific Northwest. In the NFC West (otherwise known as the NFC Worst), almost anyone has a shot, anyone besides the Seahawks. I just don't see this team winning many games this year in their current form. Crazy to think that eight months ago, this team not only won their division, but won a playoff game too. Don't count on any of that this season.
32.) Kansas City Chiefs- And the current leader in the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes goes to....Your Kansas City Chiefs! Ok, so when you're best hope after two weeks of play is getting your quarterback of the future in next year's draft, things are bad. Really bad. In fact, the season couldn't really be going any worse for the Chiefs so far. After getting obliterated at home by the Bills in Week 1, KC got demolished again by Detroit. Although those teams are both 2-0, it's not like we're talking about the '85 Bears here. To make matters worse, the Chiefs lost their best playmaker Jamaal Charles for the season to an ACL tear. That's the same injury that erased the season of their best defensive player Eric Berry in Week 1. I'm getting depressed just talking about this team. As of now, it looks like the #1 pick is theirs to lose.

by Andrew Adamson