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Power Rankings: Could it be an East Rutherford Super Bowl?

Updated Sept. 22

Can we call it a Subway Super Bowl if it's not played in New York?

OK, so that's getting a little ahead of things -- especially when it comes to the New York Jets. But after two weeks, is it as impossible a notion as it might have seemed before the season started, seeing the Jets play the Giants in the Super Bowl?

Power Rankings: Could it be an East Rutherford Super Bowl? - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Don't just wave your hand and say, "Fugggetaboutit."

There's a long way to go until then, and plenty of teams to challenge them both, but those two New York teams are 2-0 and ranked in the top 10 of the CBSSports.com Power Rankings, with the Giants at the top.

Start spreading the news ...

The Giants were considered one of the best teams heading into the season. But they had one question hanging over their heads: Who would provide the big plays in the passing game?

With Plaxico Burress on his way to prison, the Giants had a group of unproven receivers. But Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, those receivers put on a show. Both Mario Manningham and Steve Smith went over 100 yards as the Giants beat the Cowboys to spit into the punchbowl at Jerry Jones' stadium party.

Don't think that receiver play was a fluke either. Those guys are good. They don't have blazing speed, but they know how to get open.

Of course, that Cowboys secondary can make me look like Randy Moss. They leave more receivers open than Kanye West leaves himself to criticism.

The other side of a potential all-New York Super Bowl is the Jets. They are one of the surprises of this season so far. Brash, outgoing and refreshing coach Rex Ryan has his team 2-0 after beating the New England Patriots this past Sunday.

Poll
Who should be No. 1 after Week 2?
  26% Giants
 
 
  7% Colts
 
 
  4% Falcons
 
 
  41% Saints
 
 
  13% Ravens
 
 
  8% Jets
 
 
 
Total Votes: 71128

Ryan's defense, which is his baby, has not allowed a touchdown in two games. That unit plays with the same swagger as the head coach. What's not to like about Ryan? He doesn't back down from saying his team is good and he tugged on Superman's cape last week, and then got away with it.

He rubbed it in the face of the Patriots a bit by naming three ex-Patriots as his game captains.

That's jabbing the great Hoodie One. He didn't kiss his feet; he told him to kiss his behind.

We'll know a lot more about the Jets in the next two weeks. They play the Tennessee Titans at home this week and then go to New Orleans to play the Saints the next week. The Saints are another team off to a fast start at 2-0, scoring 93 points in their first two games.

I have them in the fourth spot, behind the Giants and the Indianapolis Colts, which means the Manning brothers are in the top two spots.

Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl?

Like any of them, including an all-New York game, it's way too early for that. But I'm sure there are loads of fans in New York who would love to see a Jets-Giants game and millions more around the country that would loathe it.

The Power Rankings after Week 2:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Saints1Saints · Trends4
What is hidden about the Saints is that there are a lot of good, young players on their roster. I can't imagine them taking a big step back.
Colts2Colts · Trends1
Let's not forget they get Anthony Gonzalez back next year, which will make the offense better. They are the team to beat in the AFC again.
Vikings3Vikings · Trends5
After blowing a chance to win the NFC title game in regulation, it must have killed the Vikings to see the Saints win the Super Bowl. Now Minnesota has to play the waiting game with Brett Favre.
Chargers4Chargers · Trends2
They have a lot of contracts that come up, and they will have to make some tough decisions. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but they have to get over the hump at some point. Losing to the Jets was a big upset.
Cowboys5Cowboys · Trends3
Wade Phillips comes back for another year, and he has to get this team past the first round of the playoffs again. Tony Romo is in the same situation.
Eagles6Eagles · Trends6
Can we stop the Donovan McNabb trade talk? He will be back, and he should be back. Will Brian Westbrook?
Jets7Jets · Trends11
The next step will be letting Mark Sanchez do more. They have to throw it better in 2010. And they will.
Packers8Packers · Trends7
Aaron Rodgers showed he's a star in the making this season. That will make Green Bay a Super threat in 2010.
Bengals9Bengals · Trends8
They made big strides to win the division, but they have to improve the passing game. That means getting speed help outside.
Ravens10Ravens · Trends12
It's time for Joe Flacco and that passing game to take a big step forward. You have to get big chunks of yardage to win in this league.
Patriots11Patriots · Trends10
Tom Brady will be a year removed from his knee injury, which means he will be better. The key for the Patriots will be improving their pass rush.
Cardinals12Cardinals · Trends9
Matt Leinart takes over for the retired Kurt Warner. There are a lot of questions about the former Heisman winner, but the Cardinals staff believes in him. Do his teammates?
Broncos13Broncos · Trends13
What do they do with Brandon Marshall? Is he back? Is he traded? They need him, that's for sure.
Steelers14Steelers · Trends14
The concerns with this team are on both lines. They have to play better there. Isn't that the Steelers way?
Texans15Texans · Trends15
They had a winning season, but it's time to make the playoffs. They do have an explosive passing game, which gives them a good chance.
Falcons16Falcons · Trends16
They played the Saints tough twice with a lot of injuries. That has to give them hope heading into next season. They have to work on fixing that defense.
Giants17Giants · Trends20
There is some talk that Tom Coughlin could be in trouble if he doesn't win next season. I don't buy it. But they do have to improve the defense.
Titans18Titans · Trends17
Vince Young played well when he took over. Now he has to show he can do it again.
Dolphins19Dolphins · Trends18
I think this is a team to watch in 2010. Chad Henne will give the Dolphins a better chance to get to a Super Bowl. He does need a receiver.
49ers2049ers · Trends19
The Niners have talent, but they have to throw it better to be a playoff team. I think Alex Smith just might be the answer. The offensive line needs fixing.
Jaguars21Jaguars · Trends21
Jack Del Rio got another year, which some question. Does his quarterback get the same?
Panthers22Panthers · Trends22
They have to decide who plays quarterback. Is it Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme? It should be Moore. What to do with Julius Peppers?
Redskins23Redskins · Trends23
Mike Shanahan has to decide if Jason Campbell is his quarterback of choice. I bet he decides that he is. Hiring Jim Haslett was a good move for the defense.
Bears24Bears · Trends24
Lovie Smith has one year to show that he can turn this team around. Hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator is a great move.
Seahawks25Seahawks · Trends25
Pete Carroll has a long way to go to turn this team around. First decision is if Matt Hasselbeck is the right guy at quarterback.
Bills26Bills · Trends26
Is Chan Gailey the right choice? Let's put it this way: His hiring was a surprise. He does know offense.
Chiefs27Chiefs · Trends28
You can bet the first priority is trying to improve that offensive line. Matt Cassel took a beating.
Browns28Browns · Trends27
Eric Mangini gets another year, and he probably earned it late. Can Mike Holmgren turn this team around? He has a lot of work to do.
Buccaneers29Buccaneers · Trends30
Raheem Morris gets another year and his team should be better just because Josh Freeman will be better. Hey, they did beat the Saints late in the season.
Raiders30Raiders · Trends29
Tom Cable is back. Is that a good thing? Who knows? If they don't fix the quarterback position, does it matter?
Lions31Lions · Trends31
It's all about improving the defense. They need pass-rush help in the worst way. They are another year away from competing -- at least.
Rams32Rams · Trends32
They have a huge decision at the top of the draft: Do they take a quarterback or do they solve that by acquiring Michael Vick? We'll see.
 
For more from Pete Prisco, check him out on Twitter: @PriscoCBS
 

Talk Back
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 13, 2009

September 25, 2009 5:46 pm

Okay, these are really just my opinion--I have no way of proving they are more accurate.  But still, here goes:

1.  Giants-- They're not dominating quite as much as some might have expected, but neither are any of the other top teams.  So I'll go with the recent Super Bowl winner with two division victories alre ...(more)

Reputation:52
Level:Pro
Since:Feb 13, 2009

September 25, 2009 3:07 pm
Pete,

You are once again inaccurate with your rankings my friend.  You let your emotions instead of your brains do the reasoning.  It is quite obvious you are a Mannings and Ryan fan.  I can see why you would have the Giants ranked high but number one?  They just gave up around 200 yards on the ground to the
...(more)
Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 18, 2006

October 1, 2009 1:41 pm
Interesting qoute here about the Mannings from a recent post:




"I find it a bit humorous that the Power Rankings include in the top 4, the teams of Archie's 2 sons, the team he made his career with, and that team's arch-nemesis. 

Maybe Archie sleeps a bit better at night.  He lived hating the
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 24, 2009

September 28, 2009 4:15 pm
Yes, I am a Giants fan.  Before the season, all we heard was no Plax = no passing game = no running game.  Well, after 3 weeks teams are forcing Eli to throw.  Steve Smith has stepped up, but it does remain to be seen if he is still productive if teams try to double team him.  My prediction if this happens is Mannigham w ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 12, 2007

September 22, 2009 1:45 pm
First off, how does Dallas lose AND move up 2 spots?

Secondly, how do the Giants scrape by Dallas with a last second field goal and be ranked first?  While they did get the win, that's hardly the sign of a team that is dominant.  Same with the Colts, they got t
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 24, 2009

September 28, 2009 5:53 pm
In week 3, the Giants did nothing to hurt their #1 ranking.  They demolished a pi$$ poor Bucs team, not allowing a first down until mid way thru the 3rd quarter and allowing a total of 86 yards.  As a championship caliber team, they did what you are supposed to do to a bad team.
 
 
 
 
Pete Prisco
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