This year I have incorporated strength of opponent into my power rankings. That makes the first couple of weeks difficult, as they are based more on anticipated achievements projected from how the first team squad played in preseason. Preseason can be a poor predictor of performance, so this measure will be more accurate in later weeks.
Top half
1. Baltimore Ravens (1-0) : Strong victory against a quality divisional opponent made them the easy top team
2. Denver Broncos (1-0) : They overcame the Steelers defense and Peyton proved he's back to form
3. Chicago Bears (1-0) : They shut down the best quarterback in preseason, picking off Andrew Luck three times
4. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) : They dominated the Pack, and the offense looked pretty good, too
5. New York Jets (1-0) : A strong victory over a divisional opponent, and the offense was actually working; what an improvement over preseason
6. Houston Texans (1-0)
7. New England Patriots (1-0)
8. Washington Redskins (1-0) : RGIII had the best rookie performance of all six QBs
9. San Diego Chargers (1-0) : Embarrassed Oakland on Monday Night, which isn't easy
10. Dallas Cowboys (1-0) : Surprised the Giants and one the first NFC East showdown of the season
11. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
12. Green Bay Packers (0-1) : They may have lost, but they still looked good
13. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-0)
14. Detroit Lions (1-0) : Too close against the Rams
15. Arizona Cardinals (1-0) : Still won despite losing their starting QB
16. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
1. NFC North : Here's a surprise! However, the Nordic division started strong, with three victories and one impressive loser. They're also the only division to have all of their teams in the top half of the power rankings.
2. AFC West : Typically scraping the bottom, Denver's rejuvenation under Peyton Manning seems to have lifted the entire division.
3. NFC East : Three winning teams, two in the top half of the Power Rankings (and Philly at #17), and the Giants likely to improve gives this division some great power.
4. NFC West : The 49ers are strong, and the other are clustered near the middle of the pack. No bad teams so far, as both Seattle and St Louis showed strengths in their losses.
5. AFC East : This is a division of diversity -- two strong teams and two weak teams
6. AFC North : I thought this division would be better, but both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati struggled in bad losses.
7. NFC South : Despite the Saints' players being allowed to play, they still couldn't muster a victory. Carolina looked bad, and even Tampa's victory wasn't strong.
8. AFC South : Quarterback play hurt this division, as Luck, Locker, and Gabbert brought the teams down
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