The Baltimore Ravens opened the 2011 NFL season ranked 8th in SB Nation's Power Rankings prior to their first regular season game. After destroying the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-7, they jumped up the board to #2, trailing only the Green Bay Packers. However, they promptly thudded back to earth with an embarrassing 26-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in week two, which affected their Power Ranking as well.
However, the Ravens didn't drop in SB Nation's Power Rankings with as much as a thud as they did in the hearts of Ravens fans, falling only to the 5th position. Still leading the way are the Green Bay Packers, followed in order, by the New England Patriots, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. The Pittsburgh Steelers moved up to #6, right behind the Ravens.
Interesting to note is that with teams ranked 4th through 6th having one loss, they still command the respect that they are among the top six ranked teams in the league, despit there still being four other undefeated teams ranked lower than them. The Houston Texans (7th), Detroit Lions (10th), Buffalo Bills (11th) and Washington Redskins (13th) are all 2-0, but still do not get the higher ranking as those who do the rankings realize that record alone is not the pure indicator of a team's strength.
However, at the same time, there are seven winless teams remaining in the NFL, with the highest ranked winless team being the Ravens next opponent, the St. Louis Rams. The bottom of the barrel is graced with the pathetic Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts (#31) and the defending AFC West Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs (#32). My, how the mighty have fallen. Talk about a real loud "thud!"