NFL upside-down

No need to adjust your television set -- the NFL standings really have flip-flopped through the first two weeks. Detroit, Houston and San Francisco lead their divisions with undefeated records while playoff favorites New Orleans, the New York Jets and Philadelphia have stumbled to 0-2. Times staff writer David Wharton looks at how it happened:

Who’s up

Detroit -- The Lions have feasted on lambs Oakland and Minnesota, but quarterback Jon Kitna sees something more at work. Sidelined with a concussion in the first half Sunday, Kitna abruptly recovered to spark an overtime victory. He told the Associated Press “it was nothing short of a miracle. I just definitely feel the hand of God.”

Houston -- Fans might have shrugged when the Texans defeated hapless Kansas City in their opener, but Sunday’s win at Carolina opened some eyes. The off-season addition of quarterback Matt Schaub and running back Ahman Green has boosted scoring while the young defense is surrendering only 12 points a game.

San Francisco -- Though the 49ers have a talented offense, they have won ugly by taking advantage of turnovers and scoring just enough to slip past NFC West foes Arizona and St. Louis. The next three games -- Pittsburgh, Seattle, Baltimore -- could put the brakes on their fast start.

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Who’s down

New Orleans -- Who would have guessed that an offense featuring quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston would manage only 24 points through the first two weeks? Coach Sean Payton was hard-pressed to name only one problem. “The ball is on the ground, we’ve dropped some passes, missed some blocks,” he said. “We can’t operate like that and be effective.”

New York Jets -- At least the Jets have excuses. New England not only stole their defensive signals but also injured their quarterback, Chad Pennington, in the opener. With backup Kellen Clemens suffering two interceptions at Baltimore, they lost a close game, 20-13. Now the schedule brings some respite with three winless opponents -- Miami, Buffalo and the New York Giants.

Philadelphia -- Donovan McNabb looks shaky, his receivers look slow and the hometown crowd is already grumbling. A slow start is not the best way to compete in the NFC East, one of football’s toughest divisions.