Patriots take the lead in NFL Power Rankings

That didn't take long. The Patriots raced out to a 37-13 lead at Buffalo before the Bills made a late charge to make the game more competitive, but when Tom Brady throws for 466 yards against a vaunted Bills defence, New England looks as good as any team through two weeks. 

Key Injuries: WR Brandon LaFell (foot), DT Dominique Easley (hip).

This has been an unusual start for a Peyton Manning team, averaging the fewest yards per game through the first two weeks, but while the Broncos wait on the offensive line to gel, their defence can get after it and sparked the win at Kansas City.

Key Injuries: DE Derek Wolfe (suspension), LT Ryan Clady (knee).

An impressive home win against Seattle still ends up with the Packers sliding down a spot because of an injury to RB Eddie Lacy. Maybe just keep the ball in the hands of QB Aaron Rodgers who, since the start of last season, has thrown 43 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Key Injuries: WR Jordy Nelson (knee), ILB Sam Barrington (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), DT Josh Boyd (ankle).

After obliterating the 49ers, jumping out to a 29-3 halftime lead, the Steelers showed the kind of offence that makes them so dangerous this season, and should only be better now that RB Le'Veon Bell is coming off suspension. The maligned defence was led by second-year ILB Ryan Shazier, who had 15 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.

Key Injuries: WR Martavis Bryant (suspension), C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle).

With workhorse RB Jeremy Hill fumbling twice, the Bengals turned to Gio Bernard, who rolled up 139 yards on 23 touches in the win over San Diego. It's a sign of the strength of Cincinnati's offence that they have options that can be so productive.

Key Injuries: OLB Vontaze Burfict (knee).

It's hard to know just how good the Cardinals are, because the Saints and Bears haven't been strong opposition, but a healthy Carson Palmer gives their offence a shot in the arm -- it's also kicked WR Larry Fitzgerald into gear after several seasons of declining production. 

Key Injuries: OLB Daryl Washington (suspension), RG Mike Iupati (knee), RB Andre Ellington (knee).

Now that the Seahawks are 0-2, SS Kam Chancellor has ended his holdout, but it's not merely the presence of a big hitter in the secondary that will sort out the Seahawks' issues. First up should be figuring out how to effectively use TE Jimmy Graham, because he's been under-utilized to this point. 

Key Injuries: None.

Dallas has been impressive in two wins, but that injury list is getting longer and it's going to be interesting to see whether they can move the ball, with either Brandon Weeden (at least initially) or Matt Cassel filling in for Tony Romo at quarterback. The 'Boys probably need their D to make some plays.

Key Injuries: CB Orlando Scandrick (knee), ILB Rolando McClain (suspension), DE Greg Hardy (suspension), WR Dez Bryant (foot), DE Randy Gregory (ankle), QB Tony Romo (collarbone).

Rallied in the fourth quarter for a win at the Giants, and it happened on a day in which veteran WR Roddy White as an after-thought (no catches on one target). Falcons can still let QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones play catch and do all right.

Key Injuries: OLB Brooks Reed (groin), RB Devonta Freeman (hamstring), RB Tevin Coleman (ribs).

Turned the ball over three times at Cincinnati, and couldn't get the ball downfield as effectively as they did in Week One. Nevertheless, Philip Rivers has options in the passing game and the running game is in good hands with the duo of rookie Melvin Gordon and veteran Danny Woodhead.

Key Injuries: TE Antonio Gates (suspension).

An impressive showing at Indianapolis puts the Jets in a better-than-expected spot through two weeks. Playing solid D can go a long way, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been able to take advantage of quality receivers at his disposal (though injuries could be affecting that group this week). 

Key Injuries: TE Jace Amaro (shoulder), RB Stevan Ridley (knee), DT Sheldon Richardson (suspension), CB Antonio Cromartie (knee), WR Eric Decker (kne), WR Chris Owusu (knee).

The Ravens at least moved the ball in Week Two, but also couldn't keep Oakland's wideouts under wraps, so now Baltimore sits 0-2 with a lot of pressure resting on this week's home opener against Cincinnati.

Key Injuries: TE Dennis Pitta (hip), WR Breshad Perriman (knee), OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles), RT Eugene Monroe (concussion).

Buffalo's rally against New England, which ultimately fell short, may have been in part because the Patriots had built such a comfortable lead, but it was heartening to see the Bills offence move the ball better than expected. It was less encouraging to see Buffalo's touted defence get abused by Brady and Co.

Key Injuries: CB Leodis McKelvin (ankle), FS Aaron Williams (neck).

Coughed up an opportunity for a big divisional win against Denver, and while it was a very winnable game for the Chiefs, there was a lot to like about Kansas City's defence in the losing effort.

Key Injuries: CB Sean Smith (suspension).

In last week's loss at Jacksonville, the Jags and Dolphins were tied at 20, then combined for 10 straight series that led to punts (only two of which went for more than five plays from scrimmage) before the Jaguars' game-winning drive. Ugly.

Key Injuries: LT Branden Albert (knee), SS Louis Delmas (knee), FS Reshad Jones (hamstring).

Expectations were decidely higher for the Colts coming into the season, but it's hard to have a reasonable evaluation for a team that can't hang onto the football. They aren't going to go minus-50 in turnover differential this season, but now that they've started 0-2, they need to get it together at Tennessee this week. They should.

Key Injuries: DE Arthur Jones (ankle), WR T.Y. Hilton (knee).

The passing game remains a work in progress, but QB Cam Newton can mix it up enough, adding 76 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against Houston, to keep the ball moving.

Key Injuries: WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee), CB Charles Tillman (concussion), MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion).

Better against Detroit in Week Two after a debacle in Week One. RB Adrian Peterson was turned loose for 192 yards on 31 touches against the Lions, and that's likely going to be the formula required for Minnesota to be successful this season.

Key Injuries: RT Phil Loadholt (Achilles).

Couldn't build on their Week One win, falling flat at Washington, but the Rams did get Tre Mason back in the lineup and, while he wasn't used much, that backfield improvement results in a slight move up.

Key Injuries: RB Todd Gurley (knee).

A better showing from QB Kirk Cousins (23-for-27, 203 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT) gives Washington some home moving forward. With Romo hurt and the Eagles and Giants both starting 0-2, Washington might see an opportunity in the NFC East.

Key Injuries: QB Robert Griffin III (concussion), WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), LB Perry Riley (calf).

It probably comes as little solace, but the Giants could very easily be 2-0, blowing fourth-quarter leads in back-to-back games. Also, it was encouraging that WR Odell Beckham Jr. (7 REC, 146 YDS, 1 TD) got loose against Atlanta. The G-Men need more of that.

Key Injuries: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (hand), MLB Jon Beason (knee), WR Victor Cruz (calf).

There is a lot to fix with the Eagles early in the season, but start with the running game. After spending big money to get DeMarco Murray in free agency, the Eagles have seen him rush for 11 yards on 21 carries through two games, and now he has an injured hamstring that puts his status for this week in doubt.

Key Injuries: MLB Kiko Alonso (knee).

Taken to the woodshed by the Steelers, the 49ers at least moved the ball a bit later in the game, but they were clearly outclassed; an indication of how much improvement is needed.

Key Injuries: RB Reggie Bush (calf).

Quickly falling behind Minnesota by a 14-0 score left the Lions to throw for most of the game, and kept them away from runners Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah, who should be able to contribute to an offence that should be better than it has shown thus far.

Key Injuries: OLB DeAndre Levy (hip), 

The Raiders have plenty of flaws in their lineup, but their passing game (QB Derek Carr and receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree) give them a puncher's chance, and they smacked the Ravens in Week Two.

QB Blake Bortles was much better (18-for-27, 283 YDS, 2 TD) and rookie RB T.J. Yeldon churned out 83 yards on 28 touches in Week Two's win over Miami. Those two will be focal points of the Jaguars attack.

Key Injuries: TE Julius Thomas (finger).

Controlled their road win at New Orleans, building a 23-7 lead before the Saints scored a couple of touchdowns in an attempted comeback. As WR Mike Evans gets healthy, the Bucs have a chance to have a capable offence, if rookie QB Jameis Winston can deliver.

Key Injuries: None.

As impressive as the Titans were in Week One, they gave a lot back by losing 28-14 to the Browns in Week Two. There will be more downs than ups with the Titans this season, it seems. 

Key Injuries: None.

The change to QB Ryan Mallett didn't do much to alleviate the Texans' offensive concerns and their No. 1 receiver now has a concussion. 

Key Injuries: RB Arian Foster (groin), LT Duane Brown (thumb), WR DeAndre Hopkins (concussion).

There have been some mixed messages about the health of Saints QB Drew Brees, but it appears that, whether he plays or not, his shoulder is going to be an issue. If Brees isn't able to generate the offence, can the Saints adjust?

Key Injuries: CB Keenan Lewis (hip), RB C.J. Spiller (knee), QB Drew Brees (shoulder).

In a surprising twist, I prefer the Browns with Johnny Manziel at quarterback. He has a long way to go, but hit on some big plays with WR Travis Benjamin.

Key Injuries: None.

The Bears didn't start poorly against Arizona, trading touchdowns back-and-forth with the Cardinals, but then QB Jay Cutler threw a pick six, hurting himself in pursuit of Tony Jefferson, and it went downhill in a hurry.

Key Injuries: WR Kevin White (shin), QB Jay Cutler (hamstring).