After the historic performance by QB Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos topped the Sports Illustrated NFL Power Rankings. The rankings reflect changes after one week of play.
The Broncos were an easy choice to to the power rankings. To open the season last Thursday Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes. The number tied an NFL record. If Denver looked good on paper, they looked really good in live action.
The 49ers came in second, jumping up two spots since the last rankings. Everyone knew San Francisco was good, and now any critics they had should be quiet. Second year starter Colin Kaepernick threw for over 400 yards against Green Bay. Last season not a fluke.
The Seahawks, Saints, and Patriots round out the top five. The Saints pushing in is the most surprising. New Orleans made a big leap from fifteen to four after beating the Falcons. Having Sean Payton back is going to be a good thing for the Saints.
Still, the big story remains the Broncos domination of the power rankings. It’s too early to start talking about it, but if the Denver offense continues to put up crooked scores it will be hard to see them losing.
Two years removed from five neck surgeries Peyton Manning looks better than ever. He has a deadly receiving corps anchored by Demaryius Thomas and Erick Decker. The addition of Wes Welker and emergence of tight end Julius Thomas make this a high flying aerial attack worth the price of admission.
If there is any flaw, the Broncos do need to find a running game. None of their running backs stood out against the Ravens.
At the end of the day it’s still way to early to declare Denver the best team in the NFL. There are still 15 games to go and anything can happen.
Do the Broncos deserve to be at the top of the power rankings? Of course they do. At this point in the season it is incredibly clear that there is one team to beat in the NFL and they a mile above everyone else.
[image via Daniel Spiess | flickr ]