Nine teams finished week two of the NFL season with a 2-0 record, getting off to hot starts to their 2009 campaigns. How many of these teams are legit contenders though is the question?

Today I will look at the four AFC teams that are unbeaten.

NEW YORK JETS:

First, in the AFC East the New York Jets are 2-0. The Jets have outscored their opponents 40-16 in the two games and beat division rival New England on Sunday. Their first win came at Houston, who defeated the Tennessee Titans in week two. That win look over the Texans looks much stronger now.

The Jets defense has been outstanding so far, shutting down two of the leagues better offenses. Also rookie QB Mark Sanchez looks like he will have a season like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco had last year. He has thrown for 432 yards and two touchdowns so far. The attack of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington in the running game also looks strong.

I would call the Jets legit contenders for the division championship and a team that could make noise in the playoffs, even coming out of a tough AFC East.

BALTIMORE RAVENS:

The Ravens are off to a 2-0 start and lead the AFC North. The defense is allowing 25 points per game so far, but it is the offense that has impressed. After struggling to put away Kansas City at home week one the Ravens had a solid road win at San Diego.

Joe Flacco has impressed so far, going 43-69 for 497 yards and five touchdowns in the two games. The run game looks solid too, with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee splitting carries.

The Ravens definitely are a solid team but to win the AFC North they will have to perform against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I would say that Baltimore is a legit contender for the division championship and definitely a wild card berth into the playoffs. If the defense doesn’t play better however, the postseason could be short.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS:

The Colts are 2-0 and lead the AFC South, despite only winning the two games by a combined six points. Week one, they beat Jacksonville 14-12, showing that they could play some defense. On Monday night the Colts showed that if the defense struggles they can still win, when they beat Miami 27-23.

Against Miami the offense only had the ball for 14 minutes and 53 seconds, but put up huge play after huge play. Payton Manning has thrown for 604 yards in the two games. The run game is sluggish again for the Colts, but the pass game is still there. Dallas Clark has 11 catches for 222 yards and Reggie Wayne has 13 for 199 yards.

The Colts are contenders to win their division and make a run in the playoffs because of their pass attack, but if the defense can’t get off the field like on Monday night, then the Colts will go through their struggles in 2009.

DENVER BRONCOS:

Who would have thought that after all the offseason turmoil with the Broncos they would be sitting at 2-0 to start the season? In week one they came up with a miracle victory at Cincinnati when Brandon Stokley caught a deflected pass and ran it to the house for the winning touchdown with 11 seconds left. Week two, Denver took care of Cleveland with sound defense, 27-6.

Kyle Orton has played well in the first two games of his Broncos career, throwing for 506 yards. He might not put up the huge passing yards like Jay Cutler did, but he will manage the game for Denver. Correll Buckhalter has looked strong, with a 7.2 yards per carry average and rookie RB Knowshon Moreno will continue to improve.

If the defense can keep performing, the Broncos can contend for the division against the Chargers. If there is one team that is 2-0 in the AFC that I don’t think is ready to contend yet, it would be Denver. They need more from Brandon Marshall and to beat the Chargers head-to-head before I am a believer in them.

TOMORROW:

I will write about the five NFC teams that started 2-0 and tell you whether they are legit contenders.