Marshawn Lynch and the Bills are 4-0 … but not No. 1 in my rankings {Thanks, AP}

When I released the first installment of my National Football League power rankings at the end of the preseason, I knew they would end up being a bit off once the real games started. I had no idea I’d be this wrong.

But, then again, how was I supposed to predict that Tom Brady would blow out his knee, Cleveland and Minnesota would be total busts and the Ravens’ defense would hop in the time machine and bring its 2000-’01 form back to the future? Jumping jiggawatts, Marty, I was way off! Thankfully, I get a chance to right my wrongs in the second installment:

1. N.Y. Giants (Previous Ranking — 9): I guess losing Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora didn’t hurt the defending champs that much after all. Maybe it’s because they still sport chips on their shoulders, even though they have nothing to prove.
2. Tennessee (19): With a strong running game, a suffocating defense and an ineffective scrambling QB riding the pine, this is the team the Vikings were supposed to be.
3. Dallas (3): The loss to the ’Skins stings, but the Cowboys are still in good shape.
4. Buffalo (20): Can the Bills hold off the Brady-less Patriots in the AFC East?
5. Denver (16): We’ll just dismiss that K.C. loss as a little bump in the road.
6. Washington (17): Yes, the Redskins beat the Cowboys, but I need to see a bigger sample of work from Jason Campbell before I put them ahead of New York and Dallas.
7. Pittsburgh (6): Big win Monday, but the injuries are starting to pile up.
8. New England (1): Don’t ever count out Bill Belichick.
9. Philadelphia (11): All four NFC East teams in the top nine? That’s not an error.
10. Carolina (15): Steve Smith’s return makes the Panthers even more dangerous.
11. San Diego (2): The Chargers are bouncing back after another slow start.
12. Tampa Bay (22): Somehow, Jon Gruden’s Bucs always seem to get the job done.
13: Baltimore (27): The Ravens might have lost to the Steelers, but when I release the next rankings four weeks from now, they could very well be on top of the division.
14. Indianapolis (4): Do you really think Peyton’s Colts won’t make the playoffs?
15. New Orleans (7): Call me crazy, but the Saints are still the best of the NFC South.
16. Jacksonville (5): The Richard Collier tragedy makes me sick to my stomach.
17. N.Y. Jets (12): Brett Favre’s presence gives the Jets the nod over his old team.
18. Green Bay (14): Ryan Grant’s disappearing act is more concerning than Favre’s.
19. Minnesota (8): As much as they’ve struggled, the Vikings are a game out of first.
20: Chicago (28): Kyle Orton is the Bears’ starting QB. What more can I say?
21. Arizona (23): Can we give the NFC West mid-major status? It needs to be done.
22. San Francisco (26): J.T. Money (err, O’Sullivan): second coming of Montana?
23. Atlanta (32): Matt Ryan and the Falcons have been pleasantly surprising.
24. Seattle (18): With healthy receivers, they’ll win the division by default.
25. Cleveland (10): The Browns are on life support, but they’ve kept hope alive.
26. Miami (29): Bill Parcells has already put his stamp on this team in a huge way.
27. Houston (13): Fell victim to the less-publicized ESPN: The Magazine cover jinx.
28. Kansas City (30): See what happens if you give Larry Johnson his carries?
29. Oakland (31): Firing Lane Kiffin was a big mistake; he’ll land on his feet, though.
30. Detroit (21): Jon Kitna is as good at predicting win totals as I am. That’s bad.
31. Cincinnati (25): Chad Ocho “Stinko” comments are painfully tacky, but correct.
32. St. Louis (24): There’s no other way to put it: the Rams suck.

Matt Vensel is a content creator for b. E-mail him at matt@bthesite.com.

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