Power Rankings
The Times’ NFL rankings
by Lance Pugmire
Up: 49ers + 1 | Down: Jaguars - 1
49ers
2-0 1QB Alex Smith’s efficiency (no INTS in 216 passes), defense-led victories over Packers, Lions make them early favorite for Super Bowl.
falcons
2-0 0Takeaway skills set up big first half against Denver. Now they have challenge of getting up for nonconference road game in San Diego.
texans
2-0 0Two blowouts (albeit over Miami and Jacksonville) reveal all elements of a winner: defense, strong running game, sound coaching.
eagles
2-0 0Hard-to-please fans might not like nine-turnover route to the wins, yet beating Ravens and QB Mike Vick’s pressure play deserve credit.
cardinals
2-0 0Field goal away from losing to Patriots, but it missed and four sacks of Brady worth noting since defense rarely slumps. Eagles next.
broncos
1-1 0QB Peyton Manning rallied self from three INTs and new team on road after big early deficit. Home showdown awaits against Houston.
packers
1-1 0Shutting down Bears’ Cutler a needed boost for Rodgers and Co., and now they get a long rest before venturing to Seattle Monday.
chargers
2-0 0Two wins without RB Ryan Mathews because of swarming defense that has given up TDs only with victory at hand. Test vs. Atlanta next.
ravens
1-1 0One-point defeat at Eagles soured by poor officiating. Doses of defense and RB Ray Rice moving forward make them a tough out.
patriots
1-1 0Struggle to score TDs, stunning home-opener loss to Arizona has bitter chaser of facing Sunday night at Baltimore.
steelers
1-1 0Clamping down Jets in second half marks annual resurrection of “Steel Curtain” reputation. Roethlisberger a precise 24-of-31.
lions
1-1 0Secondary absences hurt cause at tough 49ers, but QB Matthew Stafford-WR Calvin Johnson duo should start big run at Tennessee.
giants
1-1 0Another testament to why QB Eli Manning has done what he’s done, rallying through two picks and two-touchdown second-half deficit.
redskins
1-1 0Now they know: don’t lose your temper in final minutes. Rookie star QB Robert Griffin III 20-of-29, rushed for 82 yards in close loss.
seahawks
1-1 0RB Marshawn Lynch running with authority, QB Russell Wilson not playing like a kid and special teams capable of stoking home-field fire.
cowboys
1-1 0Jerry Jones probably wanted someone to black out his glasses in 20-point loss at Seattle. Inconsistency remains the reputation.
jets
1-1 0QB Mark Sanchez throws chum in water to New York media along with incompletions, finishing 10-of-27, 138 yards as “Tebow Watch” warms.
bears
1-1 0Grumpy QB Jay Cutler answers toughness questions in Packers’ attack, but leadership remains enigmatic. Hobbled RB Forte doesn’t help.
buccaneers
1-1 0Blown lead at Giants, failed “Miracle at Meadowlands” attempt defuses new Coach Greg Schiano’s work, yet they’re clearly much better.
panthers
1-1 0Piled up rushing yards with QB Cam Newton directing option attack, a true threat moving forward. Newton also passed for 253 yards.
bengals
1-1 0Bullied Browns again, with QB Andy Dalton throwing three TDs. Red flag is allowing 27 points to Cleveland after opening spanking.
saints
0-2 0Either them or Kansas City will be 0-3 next week. Clearly cutting the head off leader has changed them and Brees left to throw too much.
rams
1-1 0Coach Jeff Fisher’s toughness being felt, and QB Sam Bradford has found definite comfort receiver in Danny Amendola (15 receptions).
bills
1-1 0C.J. Spiller rushed for 123 yards and two TDS in win, and defensive investment finding chemistry as five sacks, three turnovers attest.
dolphins
1-1 0RB Reggie Bush reverted to USC days with 172 yards vs. Raiders, lifting pressure from rookie QB Ryan Tannehill. Still work in progress.
chiefs
0-2 0Looking bad, very bad. Where was RB Jamaal Charles in blowout loss? Where was protection? Now they walk into New Orleans’ desperate den.
colts
1-1 0Andrew Luck gets first win thanks to Adam Vinatieri’s 53-yard kick near buzzer. What qualifies season as a success? I’ll say six wins.
vikings
1-1 0Can’t be happy with loss to Colts. Grind of season something to watch on RB Adrian Peterson, whom they need big games from for victory.
browns
0-2 0RB Trent Richardson broke 100 yards, fellow rookie QB Brandon Weeden surpassed 300 and still wasn’t enough. Dog pound, indeed.
titans
0-2 0Wow, they look rough. Trailing 17-0, they were pinned near own 5 and never really worried Chargers. RB Chris Johnson calling out line.
raiders
0-2 0Flat trip follows sloppy opener. Run defense fails this time. Tell me where to find excitement? Now they look up and see Steelers coming.
jaguars
0-2 1As if things weren’t bad enough, QB Blaine Gabbert hurt. Send the worst replacement refs to their next game, they need a break. Or 10.
