Two weeks of the NFL season are in the books, and we have already seen several teams assert themselves in a big way, setting the stage for multiple showdowns next week between would be contenders.

Here’s how I see the league breaking down as of right now… as always, feel free to comment as you like at the bottom of the page.

Top of the Heap

1. New Orleans (2-0) – Once again the Saints did exactly what they needed to do to take home a crucial victory, relying heavily on screen passes and timely completions deep downfield to win. It won’t be that easy next week against Atlanta.

2. Green Bay (2-0) – Beating Buffalo at home isn’t exactly the most difficult thing to do, but props have to be given to the Packers for taking care of their business in a big way last Sunday. A Monday night game on the road in Chicago next week will be the real test.

3. Indianapolis (1-1) – The Colts made statement this week in crushing the Giants at home on national TV, and put the rest of the league on notice that they’re not ready to lie down for anyone anytime soon. Look for more of the same next week in Denver.

4. Houston (2-0) – The Texans were on the ropes in Washington, but found a way to get the win with clutch play from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. A monster showdown with the Cowboys at home awaits.

5. New York Jets (1-1) – The Jets flipped the switch on their offense in the second half of Sunday’s showdown against the Patriots, and they took home a crucial victory as a result. Now it’s time to see if they can do it consistently, with a huge road game coming against the Dolphins.

6. Pittsburgh (2-0) - Not many people gave the Steelers a shot with Roethlisberger suspended, including yours truly, but they’ve come out swinging in a big way thus far, making it likely that run to the postseason is in the works. Handling Tampa Bay is a must this week.

7. Miami (2-0) – The Dolphins rolled into the Metrodome and stole a major win away from the Vikings, giving them sole possession of first place in the highly competitive AFC East to start the season. We’ll see if they can keep it up next Sunday night at home against the Jets.

8. New England (1-1) – Last Sunday’s game was a tale of two halves for the Patriots, as they played well through the first two quarters, only to be run out of the building in the second half by the Jets. It should be easy to find their rhythm again this week though against the Bills.

9. Atlanta (1-1) -The Falcons absolutely crushed the Cardinals in every facet of the game, and they did it without their top playmaker Michael Turner for the whole of the second half. Going on the road to New Orleans next week will be the real test though.

10. Baltimore (1-1) – Laying an egg in Cincinnati is big step backwards for the Ravens, and an even greater concern has to be the play thus far of Joe Flacco, who has been abysmal through two games. Getting back on track shouldn’t be too difficult, with the Browns coming in next week.

Middle of the pack

11. Tennessee (1-1)

12. San Diego (1-1)

13. Philadelphia (1-1)

14. Chicago (2-0)

15. Washington (1-1)

16. Dallas (0-2)

17. Minnesota (0-2)

18. New York Giants (1-1)

19. Cincinnati (1-1)

20. Arizona (1-1)

21. Kansas City (2-0)

22. San Francisco (0-2)

23. Tampa Bay (2-0)

Bottom of the Barrel

24. Denver (1-1)

25. Carolina (0-2)

26. Seattle (1-1)

27. Jacksonville (1-1)

28. Cleveland (0-2)

29. Detroit (0-2)

30. Oakland (1-1)

31. St. Louis (0-2)

32. Buffalo (0-2)