Power Rankings: It may not last long, but 2-0 is 2-0

Updated Sept. 18

Do 2-0 starts automatically mean that a team should be in the top 10 of the CBSSports.com Power Rankings?

That's a question I pondered for two days. For some, like the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, it's an automatic yes.

A 2-0 start is something that cheeseheads everywhere can get behind. (US Presswire)

But what about those surprise Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions? Are they legitimate top 10 teams considering there are only 10 2-0 teams in the league?

After 48 hours of thinking about it, I came to this conclusion: The first three deserve to be there, but the Lions started so far down that they're just on the outside.

OK, so the reality is that none of these teams are among the 10 best in the NFL. But the 2-0 starts give them reason to stake a claim -- for now.

What's more, shouldn't we let them bask in their success a little? That's especially true with the first three each having games this week against teams deservedly ranked in the top 10.

The Packers play host to the San Diego Chargers. The 49ers travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers, while the Houston Texans play host to the Indianapolis Colts. Of those six teams, the only team with a loss is the Chargers, a team some felt was the best in the NFL when the season started.

The likelihood is that one or two or even three of the surprise 2-0 teams will lose this week. I'm not saying they will -- you can't get that information until Friday's picks -- but they're all underdogs according to those wise guys who set the lines.

Would it be a shock if the Packers beat the Chargers? Not the way those two teams are playing. The Texans have played the Colts well, beating them late last season. If Andre Johnson can't play, it will be a tougher task. The 49ers have a real toughie, going on the road for a second consecutive week and facing a red-hot Steelers team.

Let's make this prediction now: At least one of the surprise 2-0 teams will lose.

Then there are the Lions. They're still outside the top 10 because I didn't believe Jon Kitna when he said they'd be good. If they beat the Eagles on the road this week -- which is certainly possible after watching the Eagles on Monday night -- it should vault them into the top 10.

I'm a little shocked the Washington Redskins are 2-0, but most aren't so they're not a real surprise 2-0 team.

Can you imagine if the Packers, Texans, 49ers and Lions all win this week? Nobody could argue against them being in the top of any power rankings.

What's next? A Mother of the Year award to Britney Spears? Bill Belichick admitting he cheats? The comments under my columns here actually being nice?

Maybe by season's end these surprise 2-0 starts will have long faded away. But here's betting that at least one of the four teams -- the Lions, Packers, Texans or 49ers -- finds a way to get into the playoffs.

They might not be top 10 power teams for long, but let them enjoy it for a while. Good things like this haven't happened to those teams for a long time.

Who am I to ruin their parties?

The Power Rankings after Week 2:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	They get a major test next week when the Patriots come to town for a Monday night game. Is that the end of the unbeaten season?
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	Brett Favre might be having his best season. Who said he would flop? Oh, me.
	4	Patriots · Trends	5
	They bounced back nicely against the Jets and have a two-game lead in the division, but the Saints will be a great barometer for where they are now.
	5	Cowboys · Trends	7
	They beat the Redskins, but they still looked off. They'll get it going Thursday against the Raiders.
	6	Bengals · Trends	4
	What was that in Oakland? That reminds us a little of why they're still the Bengals. They had no business losing that game.
	7	Chargers · Trends	9
	They are rolling again after a slow start. What else is new for this team? They are the class of the AFC West, just like we thought they'd be.
	8	Cardinals · Trends	10
	They played a decent road game against the Rams, even if they made it interesting in the end. The running game is getting cranked up, which is great for the playoff run.
	9	Eagles · Trends	11
	They snapped a two-game losing streak against the Bears to keep their playoff chances solid. This is the time when the Eagles usually get it going.
	10	Steelers · Trends	6
	They just haven't looked that good this season. Something is off. It might be wise to work on that kickoff coverage.
	11	Giants · Trends	12
	Eli Manning's big game saved their season against Atlanta. Now they face a tough road game at Denver on a short week.
	12	Broncos · Trends	8
	Was their start a fraud? It sure looks like it. They aren't playing well on either side of the ball, but especially on offense.
	13	Jaguars · Trends	16
	If the playoffs started today, they'd be in. Wow. They aren't winning pretty, but they're finding a way.
	14	Packers · Trends	17
	Losing Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season will impact that defense in a big way. It's good that the offense is playing better now to help offset it.
	15	Falcons · Trends	14
	They have three consecutive homes games to turn their season back around. The defense just gives up too many big plays.
	16	Dolphins · Trends	21
	Chad Henne is growing up. As he does, they will be better. The playoffs are still possible. But don't lose at Buffalo.
	17	Ravens · Trends	15
	They've been a disappointment so far. If they lose to the Steelers this week, they can say goodbye to the playoffs.
	18	Texans · Trends	13
	That loss at home to the Titans is a big hit to their playoff chances. They just never got it going on offense. Kris Brown choked two weeks in a row. Now the Colts come to town.
	19	Titans · Trends	22
	They are somehow still alive at 4-6. Winning four consecutive games after opening 0-6 is impressive. Vince Young is doing a nice job.
	20	Jets · Trends	18
	Mark Sanchez is playing like a rookie. But it doesn't mean he should sit down. He needs to grow and playing is the right way.
	21	Panthers · Trends	19
	They will likely have a new coach next season and that could mean the end for Jake Delhomme. He just isn't good enough.
	22	Bears · Trends	20
	Is Lovie Smith in trouble? He might be. Cutler sure hasn't lived up to the expectations. He needs help.
	23	49ers · Trends	23
	They can forget the playoffs now. The rest of the season is about finding out if Alex Smith is the long-term answer at quarterback.
	24	Bills · Trends	25
	Perry Fewell's first game showed a team that will still fight. And there was a Terrell Owens sighting. Amazing.
	25	Seahawks · Trends	24
	Count this team as one of the biggest flops of the season. But injuries have played a big part. Is Mike Holmgren coming to the rescue?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	They're on a two-game winning streak. Beating the Steelers is a big step for this young team. The Chiefs are improving.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	The best thing to come out of the Cowboys loss is that Jason Campbell played better. They're still fighting.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	Say hello to the bench, JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski is the guy the rest of the way.
	29	Lions · Trends	31
	Matt Stafford showed against the Browns that he was the right pick last April. They have their building block.
	30	Rams · Trends	29
	Do you feel sorry a little for Steven Jackson playing on this team? He's having a huge season. And now Marc Bulger is out? Ouch.
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	Josh Freeman played like a rookie against the Saints, but he will have those days. It's hard to believe that's a Bucs defense we've been watching. It tells us why Jim Bates was fired.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	The good news is Brady Quinn is looking better. The bad news is the defense regressed. They have a long way to go to being able to compete for a playoff spot.