Power Rankings: Slow starts ... aberrations or a trend?

Updated Sept. 16

It can be heard from San Diego to Jacksonville and several points in between.

"Hey, the Giants started 0-2 last season and won a Super Bowl. We can do it, too."

The San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns were all pegged as playoff teams by most when the NFL season started. Now they're staring 0-3 in the face.

Isn't the NFL great? These kinds of starts are what make the league so special. We really don't know, do we?

For the entire summer, the Chargers were being called the most talented team, led by a hardened defense. The Jaguars were the rising challengers in the AFC, a big, physical team that could run the ball. Cleveland would be a point machine with its pass-happy offense and Seattle would have a vice-like defense.

So what happens? The Chargers defense isn't very good, the Jaguars can't run it, the Browns aren't scoring and the Seahawks gave up 33 points to J.T. O'Sullivan on Sunday. J.T. O'Sullivan?

Those suddenly average teams are plunging faster than some of the big financial institutions. They've all made steep drops in the CBS Sports.com Power Rankings, all the way to Average-ville.

Can they turn it around? Yes, they can. But turnarounds like the Giants had in 2007 don't happen all that much. Going to 0-2 is a doughnut-sized hole compared to going 0-3, which is canyon-sized. So they all better win this week.

Poll Which team with two losses is most likely to make the playoffs?   7%  Browns     11%  Jaguars     73%  Chargers     10%  Seahawks     Total Votes: 53332

The flip side is that we have exciting new teams emerging as potential playoff teams. The Buffalo Bills are 2-0. The Arizona Cardinals are 2-0.

Maybe this is the year I finally get it right in picking the Cardinals to win the division. If you pick something long enough it eventually has to come in, right?

At least one team in the Valley of the Sun is doing something. Arizona State, my alma mater, choked away a good season Saturday night in losing to UNLV as a 24-point favorite.

Fret not, Sun Devils. LSU lost twice and won a national title last season. So all you have to do is beat Georgia and Southern California and Oregon to name a few.

"LSU did it, so can we," they're probably saying in Tempe and other parts today.

That's the college version of what NFL teams are saying about the 2007 Giants. At least it gives them all hope.

And it makes for one heck of an NFL season.

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.