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Benigno's Best: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

By Joe Benigno
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1. San Francisco 49ers (4) – 1-0

Niners dismantled wobbly Packers in opener. Add Randy Moss and Mario Manningham to offense, coupled with league's top defense, and Niners look like NFL's most balanced team.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6) 1-0

Throttled division rival Bengals on Monday night. If Joe Flacco is going to play like this and ancient Ray Lewis keeps making 20 tackles a game, this may be AFC's best team.

3. New England Patriots (3) 1-0

Add rookies Chandler Jones and Don't'a Hightower to defense and throw in Stevan Ridley running the ball -- one word: "scary."

4. Houston Texans (5) 1-0

Great defense -- ask Ryan Tannehill. Arian Foster running it. Need a healthy Matt Schaub to get to Super Bowl.

5. Dallas Cowboys (unranked) 1-0

Showed me something by beating defending champs in opener. Major upgrade in secondary with additions of Carr and Claiborne. Now if O-line can play all year like it did vs Giants, 'Boys could be back.

6. Denver Broncos (unranked) 1-0

Peyton Manning sure looked like Peyton Manning vs. Steelers. Solid D with Miller and Dumervil rushing the passer. Denver may have their best team since the Elway years.

7. Washington Redskins (unranked) 1-0

With all the rookie quarterbacks that started Week 1, no one looked better than RGIII in stunning road beatdown of Bountygate Saints.

8. Chicago Bears (unranked) 1-0

With Brandon Marshall reuniting with Jay Cutler, and the addition of Michael Bush to running game, Chicago could be class of NFC North. Huge early test Thursday in Lambeau.

9. Atlanta Falcons (unranked) 1-0

With Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, Matt Ryan and company should put up a lot of points in the NFC South. Still, this team must win in playoffs. Will get a better feel of these guys Monday when Peyton Manning comes to town.

10. New York Jets (unranked) 1-0

For all the "Tebowmania," if O-line is going to protect Sanchez like it did Sunday vs. Bills, Jets could be back in playoffs.

Sorry Giants fans, you're out of luck. Post your comments on Joe's rankings below...

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