Shutdown Corner NFL Power Rankings: So who should be No. 1? (Shutdown Corner)

If you knew nothing about the NFL before Sept. 4, were dropped in and watched the first two weeks and had to determine the best team in the NFL just off that, the answer would be easy. It's the Cincinnati Bengals. It's not particularly close, either. In Week 1, the Bengals played very well in a road win against the Ravens. Four days later, the Ravens looked phenomenal against the Steelers. The Falcons couldn't be stopped against the Saints in a Week 1 win. Then Atlanta played Cincinnati, and the Falcons didn't score until deep into the fourth quarter when the game's result was not in doubt anymore. Also, the Bengals won that game without their best player, receiver A.J. Green, who left early with a toe injury. The Bengals' defense looks like one of the best in the NFL. The offense has a lot of playmakers. They have been dominant in both games. So are they the best team in the NFL? I'll explain here: I don't do these power rankings in a one- or two-game vacuum. If you want something that ranks teams in exact order of their win-loss record, this link has the only power rankings you'll need. It's not always that easy. I don't think 2-0 Houston would beat 0-2 New Orleans on a neutral field, and I doubt you do either. Similarly, I'm not quite ready to buy into Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis being the leaders of the best team in the NFL. But they're creeping up. A few more dominant weeks like the first one, and they'll be in the discussion. They've clearly moved into the small group of teams that is clearly good enough to be called a Super Bowl contender. But I don't think they should be No. 1. So who is, after the 49ers' loss? Let's go to the post-Week 2 power rankings. 32. Oakland Raiders (0-2, LW: 30) They're likely going to be underdogs in each of their last 14 games. It's hard to figure out how Dennis Allen saves his job.



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