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Power Rankings: Let's not be hasty, unless we're burying the Pats

Updated Sept. 9

The rushing game is in vogue in the NFL right now.

By that, I mean rushing to judgments.

After opening week of the season, we're already seeing some knee-jerk reactions to the craziness that went on during the games:

 The NFC is better than the AFC, which none of us expected. So maybe the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears pulled off big road victories against two of the AFC's elite in San Diego and Indianapolis. They should be lauded for that, but the AFC is still the top conference. Maybe Carolina and Chicago are better than most thought, but I get the feeling they're both glad to get those AFC teams out of the way now.

 There's something wrong with the Colts. They looked bad against the Bears, but it was Peyton Manning's first action and the Colts traditionally hold light camps, which, in turn, could have led to the tackling problems on defense. They'll be fine.

 The Jets made the right move getting Brett Favre and they're now Super Bowl contenders. Hey, the team they beat went 1-15 in 2007. I watched that game live and then watched it again, and Favre wasn't nearly as good as he was portrayed. He was just OK.

 The Dallas Cowboys will win it all. They were dominant against the Cleveland Browns, but they were the best team in the NFC last season before choking away their chance to get to the Super Bowl with a home playoff loss. They're good. But let's slow that coronation down a bit. Win a playoff game first, maybe?

One week does not make a season -- unless you're the New England Patriots. Theirs is over. OK, so that's a bit of a rush. I'm guilty.

Felix Jones had a strong debut for the Cowboys. (AP)  
Felix Jones had a strong debut for the Cowboys. (AP)  
I keep hearing all this talk about how the Patriots will regroup under Bill Belichick, how he will work his magic like he did in 2001 when Tom Brady came off the bench to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl title.

With Brady out for the season with a torn ACL, that puts Matt Cassel into the Brady role this season. He will make his first start since high school against the Jets this week.

Brady at least had Michigan.

Again, aside from the Patriots, one week does not make a season. It does make for a messy second set of the CBSSports.com Power Rankings.

The Colts were my top team last week, and they lost. The Patriots were in the second spot, won, and still dropped way down. No Brady, no respect.

The Chargers lost and dropped. The Jaguars also lost and fell, which means three of my top seven teams lost and the Patriots fell way down.

The new No. 1 team is the Cowboys, although I'm not in that rush to make them world champs yet.

Not a lot of rushing to judgment here. Remember, I like the passing game anyway.

The Power Rankings after Week 1:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Colts1Colts · Trends1
They won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning.
Saints2Saints · Trends2
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?
Vikings3Vikings · Trends3
Brett Favre might be having his best season. Who said he would flop? Oh, me.
Patriots4Patriots · Trends5
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.
Cowboys5Cowboys · Trends7
They beat the Redskins, but they still looked off. They'll get it going Thursday against the Raiders.
Bengals6Bengals · Trends4
What was that in Oakland? That reminds us a little of why they're still the Bengals. They had no business losing that game.
Chargers7Chargers · Trends9
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.
Cardinals8Cardinals · Trends10
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.
Eagles9Eagles · Trends11
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.
Steelers10Steelers · Trends6
They just haven't looked that good this season. Something is off. It might be wise to work on that kickoff coverage.
Giants11Giants · Trends12
Eli Manning's big game saved their season against Atlanta. Now they face a tough road game at Denver on a short week.
Broncos12Broncos · Trends8
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.
Jaguars13Jaguars · Trends16
If the playoffs started today, they'd be in. Wow. They aren't winning pretty, but they're finding a way.
Packers14Packers · Trends17
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.
Falcons15Falcons · Trends14
They have three consecutive homes games to turn their season back around. The defense just gives up too many big plays.
Dolphins16Dolphins · Trends21
Chad Henne is growing up. As he does, they will be better. The playoffs are still possible. But don't lose at Buffalo.
Ravens17Ravens · Trends15
They've been a disappointment so far. If they lose to the Steelers this week, they can say goodbye to the playoffs.
Texans18Texans · Trends13
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.
Titans19Titans · Trends22
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.
Jets20Jets · Trends18
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.
Panthers21Panthers · Trends19
They will likely have a new coach next season and that could mean the end for Jake Delhomme. He just isn't good enough.
Bears22Bears · Trends20
Is Lovie Smith in trouble? He might be. Cutler sure hasn't lived up to the expectations. He needs help.
49ers2349ers · Trends23
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.
Bills24Bills · Trends25
Perry Fewell's first game showed a team that will still fight. And there was a Terrell Owens sighting. Amazing.
Seahawks25Seahawks · Trends24
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?
Chiefs26Chiefs · Trends26
They're on a two-game winning streak. Beating the Steelers is a big step for this young team. The Chiefs are improving.
Redskins27Redskins · Trends27
The best thing to come out of the Cowboys loss is that Jason Campbell played better. They're still fighting.
Raiders28Raiders · Trends28
Say hello to the bench, JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski is the guy the rest of the way.
Lions29Lions · Trends31
Matt Stafford showed against the Browns that he was the right pick last April. They have their building block.
Rams30Rams · Trends29
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.
Buccaneers31Buccaneers · Trends30
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.
Browns32Browns · Trends32
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.
 
For more from Pete Prisco, check him out on Twitter: @PriscoCBS
 

 
 
 
 
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