NFL Power Rankings 2014, Standings for Week 2 – Updated; Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals, Panthers, Eagles, Patriots

Here’s the mostly updated power rankings for the week.

Of note, it’s pretty much guaranteed that starting 0-2 means no playoffs. “Only 23 teams out of 198 have advanced to the postseason (11.6 percent) when starting 0-2 since 1990, according to Fox Sports. Only four of those teams (2.0 percent) advanced to the Super Bowl, with three of those teams actually winning the NFL’s prized possession (1993 Cowboys, 2001 Patriots, 2007 Giants),” reads an excerpt from an NOLA article on the matter.

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1. Denver Broncos (2-0) – The only complaint against the Broncos is they’ve allowed both the Colts and Chiefs to climb back after taking early leads.

2. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) – Seattle lost against the Chargers Sunday, but that’s not enough to bump this team down past No. 2.

3. Cincinatti Bengals (2-o) – The Bengals might have the best defense in the AFC. They crushed Matt Ryan and the Falcons, who put up the best offensive stats last week, and made it look easy.

4. Carolina Panthers (2-0) – The Panthers’ D hasn’t missed a beat. Cam Newton’s first start of the season went well, throwing for 281 yards on 22 of 34 pass attempts and a touchdown.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) – Two huge comebacks in two consecutive games, but penalties may have kept this team alive in the fourth quarter.

6. New England Patriots (1-1) – The Patriots looked like themselves against the Vikings.

7. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) – There questions and criticism against 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick coming into the season. Throwing three picks against the Bears won’t silence them.

8. Arizona Cardinals (2-0) – The Cardinals have lost four defensive starters after the 2013 season, including Karlos Dansby and Darnell Dockett, but that hasn’t stopped them.

9. San Diego Chargers (1-1) – Beating the Seahawks will be a massive confidence-booster going into Buffalo next week.

10. Houston Texans (2-0) – Sure, they beat the lowly Raiders, but it appears that both the Houston defense and running game are to be reckoned with. Houston fans hope they don’t lose 14 straight like last year.

11. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) – In the NFC South, it looks like a two-horse race between the Panthers and Falcons.

12. Green Bay Packers (1-1) – In a nail-biter, a botched timeout from the Jets essentially saved this game from going into OT. The Packers still have issues with their defense, but stopping the Jets’ final drive was significant. Aaron Rodgers is 28-3 at home as a starter.

13. Detroit Lions (1-1) – After putting on an offensive clinic against the Giants, the Lions were constantly flustered and battered. Calvin Johnson also missed a gimme touchdown.

14. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) – The Colts are a lot better than what their record suggests and when the schedule softens up a bit, they should be able to string wins together.

15. New York Jets (1-1) Jets offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg has to be kicking himself right now. But the defense collapsed: the Jets were up 21-3 at one point and lost 31-24.

16. Buffalo Bills (2-0) – For the fist time in forever, the Bills are on top of the AFC East.

17. Chicago Bears (1-1) – After looking like the worst team in the NFC North last week, the Bears beat the SF 49ers at home after mounting a huge comeback. Isn’t the NFL great?

18. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) – The defense returned to form, but there’s still too many offensive hiccups.

19 New Orleans (0-2) – The Saints are the best 0-2 team in the league, but teams that start 0-2 usually don’t make the playoffs.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) – The same complaints levied against this team last season apply to Thursday’s game: no offensive rhythm and an aging defense.

21. Cleveland Browns (1-1) – Brilliant win over the Saints. The Browns won their first home-opener in a decade; is it sign that Cleveland’s finally turned the page?

22. Miami Dolphins (1-1) – The Dolphins can’t seem to shake the Bills. They’re 1-4 in their past five meetings.

23. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) – Much, much needed win over the Titans. Expect more heavy doses of DeMarco Murray (29 carries for 167 yards; 1 TD) in the future.

24. Tennessee Titans (1-1) – Tennessee has a lot of potential but the run defense looks suspect.

25. Minnesota Vikings (1-1) – The Vikings utterly demolished the Rams in the season opener but were brought back down to earth playing the Patriots at home.

26. Washington Redskins (1-1) – Nice win but losing DeSean Jackson is rough. Kirk Cousins played extremely well but next week could be different.

27. St. Louis Rams (1-1) – Austin Davis was effective and efficient in his first start with the Rams.

28. KC Chiefs (0-2) – Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry were injured against the Broncos, continuing the brutal season for the Chiefs that’s been racked by injuries. Five of the Chiefs’ 22 starters–including LB Derrick Johnson–are out. They’re also playing likely one of the toughest schedules this season.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) – Not a good start to the Lovie Smith-Josh McCown era.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) – Last week’s almost-win was eclipsed by Week 2’s drubbing by the Redskins.

31. New York Giants (0-2) – It might be time for the Giants to move on from pick-machine Eli Manning and the Tom Coughlin era.

32. Oakland Raiders (0-2) – Oakland doesn’t have many bright spots–too many penalties, turnovers, and a weak defense.

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Last week AP Pro32 update:

The beat-down persuaded everybody in the 12-member media panel that regularly covers the league to put Seattle on top. Denver had received one first-place vote in the preseason poll.