| Rank | Team | LW | 2008 Record | Ups and Downs |
| 1 | Cowboys | 4 | 1-0 | Solid win against a solid team and solid offense... kinda. Here by default, but here. |
| 2 | Patriots | 1 | 1-0 | Huge internal debate about who would get #1 this week... still kind of feeling the Pats. But Tom Brady is legitimately worth at least one spot in the rankings. |
| 3 | Giants | 5 | 1-0 | A meager win against a meager opponent, but they still deserve some credit. |
| 4 | Steelers | 8 | 1-0 | Big Ben was nearly perfect, Hines Ward proved he was healthy, and Willie Parker ran like Fast Willie Parker. |
| 5 | Titans | 9 | 1-0 | I kind of like this team more without Vince Young at the helm, and I am not alone in that. |
| 6 | Jaguars | 7 | 0-1 | Losing a close game to a division rival, when your team happens to be in one of the best divisions in the league, is nothing to feel too bad about. |
| 7 | Eagles | 16 | 1-0 | I had a great internal debate about where to put the Iggles. In a sentence: they handled Steven Jackson. In two: it was still just the Rams. |
| 8 | Packers | 13 | 1-0 | Aaron Rodgers fever, wooooo-hoooo! Wait. No. But they did hold the Vikes in check. |
| 9 | Panthers | 14 | 1-0 | So far: looking more like the Super Bowl potential we have all season for a few seasons, and without Steve Smith, too. |
| 10 | Colts | 2 | 0-1 | I have faith that Manning will get it together. I have less faith in the rest of the team. But somehow, the Jags loss makes it all okay. |
| 11 | Chargers | 3 | 0-1 | Losing at home is never good. But to a reborn Panthers team on a last minute drive... it happens. I guess the slow start of Norv Turner returns. |
| 12 | Saints | 15 | 1-0 | I take back all that stuff I said about relying on the running game. It relies on receivers that can catch. |
| 13 | Buccaneers | 10 | 0-1 | They kept it close and, really, had plenty of chances to win. Tough road loss. Still contenders in a tough division with the Saints and Panthers. |
| 14 | Bills | 21 | 1-0 | Impressive win against a Seahawks team that I still believe has the ability to win a lot of games. But still, what a rout. |
| 15 | Bears | 23 | 1-0 | Matt Forte has some fancy feet. Kyle Orton has a passable arm. The defense looks returned to form. |
| 16 | Broncos | 19 | 1-0 | Um... it was the Raiders. |
| 17 | Cardinals | 19 | 1-0 | I think this is about where this team will settle, and perhaps peak, throughout this season. But I still like Neil Rackers. |
| 18 | Ravens | 22 | 1-0 | They might just be the Bengals, but to silence the Palmer-Ocho Cinco-Housmandzedaj trio is still a feat deserving much praise. |
| 19 | Vikings | 11 | 0-1 | It's just one loss, but they did not look like a playoff team for the first three quarters. |
| 20 | Browns | 12 | 0-1 | Handled by the Cowboys. And clearly the preseason jitters are hard to shake. |
| 21 | Jets | 26 | 1-0 | I still can't quite believe in this team. Brett Favre, though, I believe in Brett Favre. |
| 22 | Falcons | 31 | 1-0 | Quite the show they put on, and we shouldn't really snub what they did to the Lions potent offense. But when a defense stops The Burner, they stop the Falcons. |
| 23 | Seahawks | 6 | 0-1 | Earlier I said they might just win a lot of games. And they might. And if they do, they can have their old ranking back. Maybe. |
| 24 | Texans | 17 | 0-1 | Seriously... who thought this team was going to be good? And why? And why did we all listen? |
| 25 | Redskins | 18 | 0-1 | I feel bad dropping them in the rankings, I honestly do. Because it's not like anyone was expecting them to win. But they aren't going to find many easier defenses in their division. |
| 26 | Chiefs | 30 | 0-1 | They hung on against the Pats. More importantly, Herm Edwards played was forced to play Damon Huard. If that continues, they might win a game. |
| 27 | Bengals | 24 | 0-1 | Offensively, defensively and everywhere in between: they looked like they forgot what game they were playing. |
| 28 | 49ers | 25 | 0-1 | They kept it close... against the Cardinals. |
| 29 | Raiders | 28 | 0-1 | It does not appear that JaMarcus Russel nor Darren McFadden can save this team. |
| 30 | Dolphins | 32 | 0-1 | They almost – almost – beat a decent team. |
| 31 | Lions | 27 | 0-1 | They had no answer for Michael Turner. But I am starting to feel that no one is going to have much of an answer for him. |
| 32 | Rams | 29 | 0-1 | I mean, just wow. Was that really the best that offense had to offer? |
