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Pete Prisco

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

By | CBSSports.com Senior Writer

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 News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy Advice

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.

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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
Giants1Giants · Trends8
With a young team, an elite quarterback and a coach who knows how to make these playoff runs, they will be a Super factor again.
Packers2Packers · Trends1
They have to do a better job on the defensive side of the ball in 2012. There was a major regress by a lot of defensive players in 2011.
Patriots3Patriots · Trends3
Bad drafting is starting to catch up with this team. It's time to fix that. And one has to ask: Has Tom Brady lost his postseason magic?
49ers449ers · Trends4
Alex Smith is a free agent, but don't expect him to go anywhere. But if the 49ers are going to stay a good team, they have to throw it better.
Ravens5Ravens · Trends5
This is a team getting up in years at some spots, which might mean the window is closing.
Saints6Saints · Trends2
Biggest offseason priority: Getting Drew Brees signed to a long-term deal. You can bet it will happen soon.
Steelers7Steelers · Trends6
They face a lot of uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball. What veterans won't be back? Who shouldn't be?
Texans8Texans · Trends10
If Matt Schaub comes back healthy, this could be the team to beat in the AFC next season. They have a tough decision on Mario Williams in free agency.
Falcons9Falcons · Trends7
They have two new coordinators, and that might be a good thing. Dirk Koetter will bring more down-the-field stuff to the offense.
Bengals10Bengals · Trends11
This is a young team on the rise. As the young players mature, especially Andy Dalton, they will be a Super contender.
Lions11Lions · Trends9
It's all about improving the defense and getting more out of the running game on offense. Cliff Avril is a priority free agent.
Cowboys12Cowboys · Trends13
We think they underachieve every year, but are they really as good as we think?
Broncos13Broncos · Trends12
The entire offseason will be devoted to making Tim Tebow a better passer. Good luck with that.
Eagles14Eagles · Trends14
The Eagles' big splash last year didn't pay any dividends. Now they have to regroup and try and get back to playoff football. If not, Andy Reid could be gone after the 2012 season.
Titans15Titans · Trends15
Jake Locker needs to be the starter in 2012. It's time to move forward.
Jets16Jets · Trends16
How do they fix that broken team? The locker room seems to be a mess. There is a lack of discipline.
Cardinals17Cardinals · Trends17
There is talk they will get into the Manning derby? If that's true, what's that say about Kevin Kolb?
Chargers18Chargers · Trends18
Was keeping Norv Turner the right move? Philip Rivers thinks so. But we know he has to win in 2012.
Raiders19Raiders · Trends19
Dennis Allen takes over the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise. Is Greg Knapp the right guy to lead that talented offense?
Seahawks20Seahawks · Trends20
Who will be the starting quarterback in 2012? Do they make a push for Matt Flynn?
Bears21Bears · Trends21
With Mike Martz out, and Mike Tice in, it appears they will move more to a running offense. Is that a good thing? Matt Forte is a top offseason priority.
Chiefs22Chiefs · Trends22
Romeo Crennel gets his second chance to be a head coach. Better sweep the office for bugs first.
Dolphins23Dolphins · Trends23
I like the hire of Joe Philbin, a bright offensive mind. Now they need to get him a quarterback. Peyton Manning?
Redskins24Redskins · Trends24
Here's another team that is expected to be in the Manning sweepstakes. They have to do something there.
Panthers25Panthers · Trends25
Cam Newton fixed the offense. Now it's time for the defense to be addressed this offseason.
Bills26Bills · Trends26
They are switching to a 4-3 front. That means they have to find some ends to help the pass rush.
Jaguars27Jaguars · Trends27
Mike Mularkey is the new coach, but the key will be how much of new owner Shad Kahn's money they are willing to spend in free agency.
Buccaneers28Buccaneers · Trends28
New coach Greg Schiano's first order of duty has to be to get Josh Freeman playing to his 2010 levels again.
Browns29Browns · Trends29
They have to decide if Colt McCoy is the long-term answer. He didn't look like it in 2011.
Vikings30Vikings · Trends30
They need to get better players around Christian Ponder. He needs weapons, especially with Adrian Peterson coming off a torn ACL.
Colts31Colts · Trends31
The Peyton Manning saga is getting old. The team needs to make a decision soon and move on. New coach Chuck Pagano has a lot of work to do.
Rams32Rams · Trends32
Jeff Fisher takes over a team with a lot of holes. They have to get Sam Bradford some weapons.
 
 
 
 
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