Metro’s NFL Power Rankings, Week 2

Week 2 rankings … an away we go:

1. Green Bay Packers (1-0): Aaron Rodgers justified our preseason No. 1 ranking. Throw in newcomer Randall Cobb and it’s only going to get better, folks.

2. New England Patriots (1-0): If there was ever any doubt that Tom Brady was the best quarterback in the NFL, it’s gone. At least, it should be.

3. New York Jets (1-0): Blame Tony Romo for choking if you want, but Rex Ryan’s crew showed its mettle and took care of business when it counted.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): The offense started slow and still put 31 points on the board. If Birds are half as good as they say they can be, wow.

5. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): Joe Flacco got the monkey off his back by beating Big Ben. If he plays like that for 16 more weeks, crab cakes for everyone.

6. San Diego Chargers (1-0): Looked rusty early against a bad Minnesota team and lost two key starters (K Nick Kaeding, DE Luis Castillo) to boot.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1): Losing a road game to a tough division opponent is nothing to panic over. They’ll bounce back this week vs. cupcake Seattle.

8. Chicago Bears (1-0): Brian Urlacher (interception, fumble recovery for TD) won’t be disrespected — and neither should Jay Cutler.

9. Atlanta Falcons (0-1): Our preseason darlings looked severely overmatched. And now they must find a way to stop the Mike Vick Experience.

10. New Orleans Saints (0-1): Drew Brees and new weapon Darren Sproles are scary good. But the defense is their Achilles heel.

11. Houston Texans (1-0): Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense is going to turn Mario Williams (two sacks) into the best defensive player in the league.

12. Detroit Lions (1-0): Cinderella got her first opening-day win since 2007. And Matt Stafford is still healthy. Believe.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1): Tough loss for promising, young Bucs. Then again, they didn’t lose any ground with the NFC South going 0-4.

14. Washington Redskins (1-0): Mike Shanahan rolled the dice with Rex Grossman and won big. He has a legit shot to win the next three, before hosting the Eagles in Week 6.

15. Dallas Cowboys (0-1): Silver lining is they played well for three quarters. Head coach Jason Garrett will pound that message home.

16. Oakland Raiders (1-0): If they can clean it up — 15 penalties for 131 yards — the Raiders could make some noise. Darren McFadden is the real deal.

17. Miami Dolphins (0-1): Is Chad Henne for real? If so, not dealing for Kyle Orton might be the best move of the offseason.

18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0): Adding Kevin Kolb ignited the offense. Losing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hindered the defense.

19. New York Giants (0-1): Eli Manning looked very average and the secondary is atrocious. Could be long (final?) year for Tom Coughlin.

20. Buffalo Bills (1-0): Enjoy the spotlight for a week. The Bills’ 40 points were the franchise’s most in an opener since 1992.

21. St. Louis Rams (0-1): Injuries slowed a quick start. And with Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola out, it all rests on Sam Bradford’s bruised right finger.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0): They ran at will last week against Tennessee, but the Jets’ defense isn’t the Titans’ defense.

23. San Francisco 49ers (1-0): It looks like new coach Jim Harbaugh is going to get the most out of this bunch, even Alex Smith.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0): Get Andy Dalton back vs. a very weak Denver team coming off a short week. Could easily see a 2-0 Bengals team.

25. Tennessee Titans (0-1): Not going to win many games when Chris Johnson rushes just nine times for 24 yards.

26. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1): Made Bills look like Greatest Show on Turf. We weren’t sold before. We’re less sold without star safety Eric Berry.

27. Indianapolis Colts (0-1): Don’t pin this all on Kerry Collins. Indy had been slowly fading even with Peyton Manning.

28. Carolina Panthers (0-1): Cam Newton, we owe you an apology … for now. Let’s see how you handle the defending champions.

29. Cleveland Browns (0-1): West Coast offense or not, they need to give the rock to Peyton Hillis.

30. Minnesota Vikings (0-1): Donovan McNabb (7-of-15 for 39 yards) is the reverse Benjamin Button.

31. Seattle Seahawks (0-1): Pete Carroll’s old USC powerhouses could beat this team.

32. Denver Broncos (0-1): When the fans start chanting for Tim Tebow, you gt BIG problems.