2012 NFL Power Rankings Week 2: 49ers Stay At The Top, Cardinals Rise

This is the second installment of a weekly NFL power rankings from members of the SB Nation Arizona staff. Check back in seven days from now to see where your team stands following their most recent showing.

1) San Francisco 49ers (2-0) - No change here as the 49ers remain the top team in the NFL in our rankings. San Francisco dominated Detroit 27-19 on Sunday Night Football. The defense looked dominant for the second straight week and Alex Smith went a quiet 20/31 with 226 yards and two touchdowns. San Francisco beat two playoff teams from 2011, and dominated them both. Last Week: 1

2) Atlanta Falcons (2-0) - Atlanta has been very impressive with two victories over the AFC. First a road victory over Kansas City and this week a home victory over Denver. Atlanta has look very good on both sides of the ball so far this season. Last Week: 5

3) Houston Texans (2-0) - The Texans have blown out bad teams on back-to-back weeks. Houston dismantled Jacksonville, compiling over 200 yards rushing and the Houston defense held Blaine Gabbert to a 7.6 QBR. Last Week: 4

4) Green Bay Packers (1-1) - Green Bay rebounded nicely from their opening week loss to San Francisco, as the Packers demolished Chicago 23-10. The Packers defense forced four turnovers and sacked Jay Cutler seven times on Thursday night. Last Week: 6

5) Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - The Ravens lost a razor close game to Philadelphia on Sunday, 24-23. The Ravens defense forced four turnovers and held LeSean McCoy to 3.2 yards per carry. However, Joe Flacco was only 22/42 with 232 yards and a QBR of 24.6. Last Week: 2

6) New England Patriots(1-1) - New England got outplayed by the Cardinals for most of their game on Sunday. However the Patriots should have won the game as Stephen Gostkowski missed a 42 yard field goal in the final seconds. The injury to Aaron Hernandez could be a huge loss for New England if the tight end misses a significant of time. Last Week: 3

7) Denver Broncos (1-1) - The Broncos looked sloppy Monday night in Atlanta as Payton Manning threw three interceptions and Denver turned the ball over four times. The Broncos should be fine as long as they can keep Manning upright. Last Week: 10

8) San Diego Chargers (2-0) - The Chargers dominated Tennessee in their home opener and even without Antonio Gates, Phillip Rivers still pulled off 284 passing yards and three touchdowns. Don't be surpised if San Diego is right here with Denver all season long in the AFC West. Last Week: 16

9) Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) - Despite committing nine turnovers in two games, the Eagles are 2-0. Philly got a big win against Baltimore on Sunday and the Eagles get a road test against Arizona this week. Last Week: 14

10) Arizona Cardinals (2-0) - The Cardinals went into Foxboro and beat the New England Patriots. Although it wasn't the prettiest game the Arizona defense played outstanding and is finally getting the national recognition that it deserves. Last Week: 19

11) Detroit Lions (1-1) - The Loins were dominated most of the game in San Francisco, however Detroit only lost by eight points and had a chance at the end. If Detroit can stay healthy they look like a playoff team in the NFC. Last Week: 12

12) Dallas Cowboys (1-1) - There is no shame in getting beat at Seattle, it is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. Dallas ranks third in passing defense in the NFL and 7th in passing offense. Going into New York and beating the Giants should not be overlooked. Last Week: 9

13) New York Giants (1-1) - The Giants scored used a 25 point 4th quarter to even up their record at 1-1. Eli Manning threw a career high 510 passing yards against Tampa Bay. The health of Amad Bradshaw is crucial to the rest of New York's season. Last Week: 13

14) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) - Pittsburgh used a strong pass defense to beat the Jets 27-10. The Steelers rank 5th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. However, Pittsburgh ranks 30th in rushing offense. Last Week: 11

15) Chicago Bears (1-1) - The Bears had a terrible showing on Thursday Night Football losing 23-10. Jay Cutler was sacked seven times and threw four interceptions. The Bears better hope that is the worst Cutler plays this season. Last Week: 7

16) New York Jets (1-1) - The Jets got pounded in Pittsburgh in week two, losing 27-10. New York has failed to establish a running game this season and Tim Tebow has 33 yards of offense this season. Last Week: 15

17) Carolina Panthers (1-1) - Cam Newton compiled over 300 yards of total offense in Carolina's win over New Orleans. Carolina's defense also picked off Drew Brees twice on Sunday. Last Week: 25

18) Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) - The Bengals held off Cleveland to even up their record at 1-1. Andy Dalton threw three touchdowns and Adam Jones returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown against Cleveland. Last Week: 20

19) Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - Russel Wilson may be the real deal as the rookie was 15/20 with a touchdown against Dallas on Sunday. Last Week: 24

20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) - Tampa Bay had a chance to make a statement on Sunday in New York, and for the first three quarters it was going well. In the fourth quarter the wheels came off and Tampa Bay fell to .500. Last Week: 18

21) Washington Redskins (1-1) - Robert Griffin III continues to impress as the rookie had over 290 yards of offense against St. Louis. Who knows, if Josh Morgan doesn't blow a gasket and hurl a ball at Cortland Finnegan, maybe Washington is 2-0. Last Week: 13

22) Buffalo Bills (1-1) - Buffalo rebounded from a disastrous week one with a big victory over Kansas City in week two. C.J. Spiller continues to turn heads as Buffalo leads the NFL in rushing yards through two weeks. Last Week: 23

23) New Orleans Saints (0-2) - It seems like the the turbulent offense has caught up to the Saints as New Orleans has started off 0-2. The Saints have the worst rushing defense in the league after two games. Last Week: 17

24) St. Louis Rams (1-1) - The Rams got into the win column with a narrow three point victory against Washington. Sam Bradford had 310 yards passing and three touchdowns and the Rams had 151 rushing yards of offense. Last Week: 26

25) Indianapolis Colts (1-1) - The Colts got the first win the Andrew Luck era on Sunday with a three point victory over Minnesota. Luck was very efficient with 244 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota. Last Week: 32

26) Minnesota Vikings (1-1) - The Vikings lost on a last second field goal to Indianapolis. Christian Ponder had a solid game for Minnesota, going 27/35 with two touchdowns and Adrian Peterson ran for 60 yards. Last Week: 28

27) Miami Dolphins (1-1) - The Dolphins crushed Oakland as Ryan Tannehill threw his first touchdown pass of this career and Reggie Bush exploded for 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Last Week: 30

28) Cleveland Browns (0-2) - Cleveland has been respectable this season, a one point loss against the Eagles week one and a seven point lost against Cincinnati this past Sunday. Cleveland out-rushed Cincinnati in week two as Trent Richardson posted his first career 100-yard rushing game. Last Week: 31

29) Tennessee Titans (0-2) - The Titans have gotten blown out in two games and the Tennessee offense has only scored 23 points this season. Jack Locker has been mediocre this season and the Titans are last in the league in rushing. Last Week: 22

30) Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) - Kansas City has not been close to winning a game this season. The Chiefs have been outscored by 34 points in two games and the defense has give up 75 points in two games. Last Week: 21

31) Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) - Jacksonville had a solid outing against Minnesota in week one, losing in OT by three. In week two, the Jaguars got beat by 20 points against Houston and Blaine Gabbert had another dreadful game, going 7/19 with 53 yards passing. Jacksonville ranks 31st in the league in passing. Last Week: 29

32) Oakland Raiders (0-2) - The Raiders have been disastrous in their first two games, and got blown out by a mediocre Miami team on Sunday. The Raiders rank 31st in the league in rushing and 28th against the rush. Last Week: 27