Writing the Pine

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America

Note: These rankings have less to do with a team’s reputation and accomplishments in past seasons and more with how they’re projected to perform throughout the season based on talent, current performance, and injuries.

1) New York Giants (2-0)
The cream of the crop right now in the NFL. Very impressive divisional victories against the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys to start the season, particularly this week’s win against the Cowboys on the road. Eli Manning has stepped up his game this season. Given the failure last season and his groundbreaking contract extension, I’m sure he realizes that he needs to do more for the team this season as opposed to past seasons where his role in the past few seasons resembled more of a game manager’s role. Even without Plaxico Burress and the running game struggling, Eli has found a way to be successful in the air connecting with his BFF Steve Smith often as well as another new favorite target in Mario Manningham. The Justin Tuck injury does not appear serious. I expect the Giant defense to resemble the unit that we saw against Washington as opposed to the unit that gave up 31 points to Dallas and a boatload of hards to Marion Barber and Felix Jones. They have been very good at forcing turnovers, which is always a plus, but my only question is Brandon Jacobs‘ consistency. Despite his 4.4 40 time, he lacks any lateral agility and he hasn’t run with the same conviction that he ran with the last 3 seasons. He might be conserving his health for the latter portion of the season, however.

2) Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
I realize that they’ve played two cupcake teams in the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions, but can you fault them for their weak schedule to start the season? Adrian Peterson looks like a man on a mission as it is seemingly impossible for defenders to tackle him in the open field. Many criticized the signing of Brett Favre, but honestly I don’t think any QB currently on their roster could’ve come anywhere close to completing 23 out of 27 passes like Favre did on Sunday albeit it only being for 155 yards. The thing that makes this team complete is that their defense front seven might be one of the scariest in football, especially now that we know that both Kevin and Pat Williams will not be suspended this year. This is nitpicking, but I rank them just a shade behind the Giants only because I need Favre to prove to me that he can win a game at this stage of his career. Also, don’t overlook the loss of safety, Darren Sharper. The active career interceptions leader already has 3 interceptions this year with the Saints. I’m not sure I trust Madieu Williams back there.

3) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Yes, they had a tough loss against the Chicago Bears (who would’ve though Jeff Reed would miss two field goals?). Yes, they were close to losing their opener against the Tennessee Titans. Yes, their offensive line looks quite suspect right now. And yes, they’re missing Troy Polamalu for about a month or so. Regardless, their defense is still the best in the league and the credit goes to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s exotic 3-4 alignment. It is nearly impossible to run on this defense as Chris Johnson, Lendale White, and Matt Forte have witnessed. Simply put, regardless of whatever adversity this team goes through, their defense always gives them a chance to win any game and usually, they do come out on top. And while the poor play of the offensive line have limited Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall’s ability to contribute, Ben Roethlisberger seems like he’s ready to elevate himself to that elite quarterback status. He has really raised his play against some strong defensive units in Tennessee and Chicago.

4) New Orleans Saints (2-0)
The dismantling of a really tough Eagles defense that forced countless turnovers against the Panthers last week is very impressive. As great as Adrian Peterson has looked thus far, Drew Brees has to be the early frontrunner for MVP this season. Brees already has NINE touchdowns to start the season! My goodness, it takes most quarterbacks half a season to rack up nine touchdowns. He’s been such a blessing for fantasy football owners dating back to last season. Yet, in the national media, he’s never gotten the recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in football, at least in the class of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I blame that in large part on the Saints defense in years past that has been an obstacle in the Saints’ playoff aspirations. However, it seems as though this year, they are holding they’re end of the bargain having grabbed 6 interceptions and forced a few fumbles these first two games. Sean Payton, who gave up part of his salary this offseason in order to sign defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, is definitely getting his money’s worth. In the end, the Saints’ destiny lies this season lies on the arm of Drew Brees and his shredding of a really good Philadelphia Eagles defense was an impressive feat, especially with their excellent Pro Bowl caliber corners in Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown.

5) Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
I only give the Saints a slight edge over the Falcons because the Saints have appeared more dominant on both sides of the ball than the Falcons have. Nonetheless, the Falcons’ offense can be every bit as potent as the Saints offense given the studs that they have at the skilled positions. Matt Ryan looks as if he will not be going through any sophomore slump. Teams appear to be loading up the box to stop Michael Turner first and foremost so that should really open up the passing game for Ryan especially with the addition of Tony Gonzalez who has been getting rave reviews thus far for his blocking. The only question with the Falcons is their defense. With a revamping of a good portion of their defense, time will tell how this unit will do in the long haul. Their secondary looks vulnerable, but Mike Peterson looks like he’s been rejuvenated having been reunited with coach Mike Smith. Beating the last year’s playoff teams in the Dolphins and Panthers to start this season will go a long way to developing this young team’s confidence, especially in beating last year’s NFC South champion.

6) New York Jets (2-0)
Huge statement win against the Patriots this weekend. The New York Jets players have ABSOLUTELY bought into what first year head coach Rex Ryan has been trying to sell to them thus far in this young season. The defense, which was the strength of this team going back to last year, looks like they have a serious swagger as evidenced by the sound bytes that Jet players have been throwing at the media in their preparation for the Patriots this past week. Darrelle Revis looks like a shutdown corner as he done everything to limit Andre Johnson and Randy Moss during these first two games, while Lito Sheppard appears to be every bit as valuable of an offseason acquisition as Bart Scott was. Meanwhile, Kris Jenkins is playing like the best nose tackle in all of football. Mark Sanchez has impressed, but he’s been aided by a potent offensive line and a diverse running game in Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. The win over the Patriots this week proved alot and showed how great the Jets’ defense can be. This might be the third best defense in all of football behind the Steelers and Giants. Right now, the Jets have control of the AFC East during this young NFL season. Can they keep it up?

7) New England Patriots (1-1)
It’s still early in the season, but something doesn’t look right about Tom Brady. Granted, it took Peyton Manning half of the regular season last year to fully get back into form following a knee surgery, but we all expected Tom Brady to be more potent than this. I don’t remember the last time Brady didn’t throw a touchdown pass in a game that he’s played. You’ve got to believe that the knee injury is affecting is psyche. His pocket presence, which normally were impeccable and flawless, seems to be out of sorts. Brady’s accuracy, thus far, has been very erratic in the face of heavy pressure. The defense isn’t doing him any favors. The loss of Jerod Mayo is huge. After losing Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi, the linebacking corps of the Pats now seem inexperienced. And although many think they hit a home run with the Richard Seymour trade, I have a feeling that it will bite them in the ass sometime later on in the season when they’re having trouble creating pressure and getting a stop.

8 ) Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
For once, the Baltimore Ravens have an identity on offense! As great as Joe Flacco looked last season as a rookie, he seems to have progressed many levels this year. Coach John Harbaugh has given Flacco the keys to run the offense and not just be a game manager. The thing that’s even more impressive is that Flacco lacks the playmakers at the receiver position that many successful young quarterbacks have. Nevertheless, he is still heavily aided by a potent three back running game in Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Leron Mcclain. The Ravens defense looked great at junctures of the game against the Chargers, making key stops when needed. Ray Lewis proves that he still has a lot left in the tank. His fourth down tackle of Darren Sproles in the backfield to seal the game was really something to marvel at. While their run defense and blitz tactics are still intimidating, I still have questions about their pass defense. I know they have Ed Reed lurking at safety back there, but who else? I don’t think cornerbacks Dominique Foxworth and Frank Walker scare the daylights out of opposing quarterbacks and receivers. The Ravens allowed over 400 yards in the air this week to Philip Rivers and allowed Brodie Croyle to keep the Chiefs close in the fourth quarter last week. That is unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

9) Green Bay Packers (1-1)
After an impressive win against the Bears last week, the Packers completely laid a goose egg this week. Give the Bengals credit for playing well. However, there’s no reason one player should have 5 sacks in a game alone and there’s no reason Carson Palmer should wreck the Green Bay defense on one good leg. Much has been made about the improvements that the Packers have made to their 3-4 defense with the addition of defensive coordinator Dom Capers, but the loss this week shows that there are still consistency issues. Last year, the Packers defense would look great some weeks but would get shredded other weeks (see games against the Saints and Panthers). On the offensive side, declarations of Aaron Rodgers developing into an elite quarterback seem premature. Alot was made after Rodgers has an incredibly strong preseason, but I think that’s why people should put zero weight on what happens during the preseason. In his defense, however, receivers not named Greg Jennings are letting him down with dropped passes. Ryan Grant appears to be a reliable back. The Packers will continue to be in the running for the division.

10) Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Hands down, the Cowboys have the best offensive line in the league. Simply put, their offensive line looks amazing. On Sunday night, their O-line was manhandling the Giants defensive line. I think that speaks volumes about this unit. The lanes that Marion Barber and Felix Jones are getting look alot like a Los Angeles highway. Like the Giants, however, their quarterback play will dictate how far they go. Tony Romo looks great at times, but he does have his horrible moments. The interceptions that he threw against the Giants were throws that were made nowhere near a Cowboy receiver. Without those turnovers, the Cowboys easily win Sunday Night’s game. The defense is applying good pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but their secondary is still suspect. With the failure of the Pacman Jones experiment, the Cowboys now turn to Mike Jenkins to line up opposite Terrence Newman. Jenkins still looks really raw and Newman is very injury prone as we’ve seen in years past. This team’s offense will have to carry them.

On the cusp of breaking into the Power 10:
11) San Diego Chargers
12) Indianapolis Colts
13) Philadelphia Eagles
14) San Francisco 49ers
15) Arizona Cardinals