We finally saw every team on the field for real, and the Week 2 NFL power rankings include some shuffling that’ll certainly continue as teams find their footing through September.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) | Last week: 1
While the Chiefs didn’t play their best game to open the season, they got two quick-strike touchdowns from explosive rookie receiver Xavier Worthy—and they’ll soon get additional speed in the lineup when Hollywood Brown (shoulder) is ready. I want to note that receiver Rashee Rice—a guy Andy Reid finds a way to get matched up on linebackers and safeties over the middle—basically looks like an heir apparent to Travis Kelce as Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted go-to guy.
2. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) | Last week: 2
Based on the first game, there is no Super Bowl hangover for the 49ers. They immediately came out looking like a juggernaut while dismantling the Jets to conclude Week 1 on Monday night. We’ll have to watch Christian McCaffrey and his calf/Achilles issue the team has been secretive about, but Jordan Mason has always run the ball well when given opportunities and it was cool to see him easily eclipse 100 yards in a career night.
3. Detroit Lions (1-0) | Last week: 3
Speaking of career nights, Jameson Williams caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown—and the super-dynamic third-year receiver sayshe doesn’t plan on that being the best game of his career. Jamo is a legitimate gamebreaker and will have a bigger role that’ll make Detroit even more dangerous in 2024.
4. Buffalo Bills (1-0) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Greg Rosseau was mentioned a couple of times including in myseason previewas someone that must step up for the Bills if they are going to get past the best teams in the AFC like Kansas City. He looks poised to be that guy after recording three sacks of Kyler Murray in a season opener that Buffalo came back to win behind Josh Allen’s four total touchdowns.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Both sides were sloppy in the NFL’s first-ever Brazil game, but the Eagles found a way to get it done. Saquon Barkley was a headliner, with well over 100 yards and three total touchdowns in the first game with his new squad, which included way more room for him to do damage with his elite talent.
6. Dallas Cowboys (1-0) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Dak Prescott became by far the highest-paid player in league history at $60 million per year shortly before kickoff on Sunday, and the Cowboys came out strong on both sides of the ball in a tough environment at Cleveland.
7. Baltimore Ravens (0-1) | Last week: 4 (-3)
The Ravens did not take their incredibly close loss (by the tip of a cleat) to the Chiefs well, but there are positive things to build on and keep in mind if they meet again in January. One, Lamar Jackson was much more willing to run than he was in the AFC title game, when he apparently might not have been at full health. And tight end Isaiah Likely continues to progress into a major weapon for Baltimore.
8. Houston Texans (1-0) | Last week: 8
The Texans looked a lot like I expected in terms of Joe Mixon (30 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown) being amassivepart of their identity on offense during the Week 1 divisional win at Indy. Houston’s offense with a back like Mixon complementing C.J. Stroud and his receivers is a challenge to face.
9. Miami Dolphins (1-0) | Last week: 11 (+2)
Getting over a slow start, the Dolphins rallied to beat the Jaguars while Tua Tagovailoa led Week 1 in passing. The involvement of De’Von Achane as a receiver with seven receptions for 76 yards is promising and adds another element to Mike McDaniel’s attack.
10. Seattle Seahawks (1-0) | Last week: 16 (+6)
Perhaps with exception to the 49ers, the Seahawks were arguably the most impressive team during the opening week in my opinion. That defense under new head coach Mike Macdonald was totally flying around, including Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen blanketing Broncos receivers and getting timely blitzes from the unit. Paired with a talented offense, watch out for Seattle.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) | Last week: 17 (+6)
Pittsburgh is another defense that really flew around, particularly in the secondary and with T.J. Watt up front. New additions to the backend DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson each intercepted Kirk Cousins, and Chris Boswell came through with six field goals in the 18-10 road victory.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) | Last week: 9 (-3)
Joe Burrow having a full summer might have been negated by the Ja’Marr Chase contract situation, which has not brought great vibes—paired with Tee Higgins injuring his hamstring in practice and missing Week 1 following an excellent camp. So, the Bengals again started rusty, a common theme over the past few years.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) | Last week: 23 (+10)
The Bucs did not start rusty, with Baker Mayfield throwing four touchdowns in a balanced attack that also saw contributions from rookie running back Bucky Irving behind Rachaad White. Overall, Washington looks like they’ll again be a subpar defense, but Tampa rises after coming out strong.
14. Green Bay Packers (0-1) | Last week: 10 (-4)
Jordan Love’s knee injury could have been worse, so it’s good to hear that he’s expected to miss minimal time. However, Love missed way too many throws before the injury, which is a problem when Matt LaFleur is getting guys open that should be hit. The Green Bay run defense must get better quickly for a matchup against the Colts.
15. Los Angeles Rams (0-1) | Last week: 13 (-2)
The Rams are already getting decimated by injuries, with the offensive line thrown into further flux on top of receiver Puka Nacua being set to miss at least a month with a re-aggravation of his knee issue. As for the good news, the Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp connection looks to be in 2021 form after one game.
16. New Orleans Saints (1-0) | Last week: 25 (+9)
The new-look Saints offense passed their first test with flying colors, with Derek Carr spreading the ball around with ease and confidence versus the Panthers. We should note that Carolina did not play well at all, but a showdown at Dallas should be fun this week.
17. Indianapolis Colts (0-1) | Last week: 14 (-3)
Losing at home in the opener to a division favorite is tough, but it was an encouraging showing from the Colts with how hard they played and battled. I’d like to see him take care of himself more at times, but Anthony Richardson can do insane things on the field.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON 60-YARD DIME TO ALEC PIERCE.
📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/p0xddm5Kl1— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) | Last week: 15 (-3)
Travis Etienne Jr’s fumble on his way to the end zone was obviously costly in a tight loss at Miami, but I think the dynamic back will be better for it moving forward. The Jags are another team to be encouraged by, as Trevor Lawrence made some jaw-dropping throws, and again I think this revamped receiving group matches his skillset.
19. Chicago Bears (1-0) | Last week: 19
Two non-offensive touchdowns sparked Chicago’s comeback win over the Titans after falling behind 17-0, which speaks to the uncommonly positive situation No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams (14/29, 93 yards) finds himself in after the Bears acquired the Panthers’ eventual top pick a year early. The offense is going to have to be better for a battle with the Texans, though.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) | Last week: 21 (+1)
Jim Harbaugh has quickly brought grit to the Chargers. They separated in the fourth quarter to begin 1-0, getting contributions from running back J.K. Dobbins (ten carries, 135 yards, one touchdown) and rookie receiver Ladd McConkey (first career touchdown) to do enough in complementing a defense that forced three turnovers.
21. New York Jets (0-1) | Last week: 12 (-9)
It’s early, and Aaron Rodgers basically didn’t play a full game in nearly two years, but I think it’s fair to be concerned about the Jets given how bad the defense looked at San Francisco. Offensively, New York was inconsistent while facing a stingy Niners defense.
22. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) | Last week: 24 (+2)
The bookend tackles for the Vikings held Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in check, giving an indication of the tremendous spot quarterback Sam Darnold is now in. And Brian Flores’ defense got home for five sacks with two interceptions.
23. Atlanta Falcons (0-1) | Last week: 22 (-1)
The Falcons felt severely limited offensively in their loss to the Steelers. Ray-Ray McCloud (four receptions for 52 yards) flashed, but the Falcons now need Drake London and Darnell Mooney to step up after just three combined catches in the opener.
24. Denver Broncos (0-1) | Last week: 20 (-4)
I knew Seattle was a difficult first ask for a rookie quarterback, but the speed the Seahawks played at was highly impressive—and it might say a lot about the lack of “juice” the Broncos have on offense. Bo Nix made uncharacteristic mistakes but also showed flashes, and at least the Denver defense also played fast and kept them in the game.
25. Cleveland Browns (0-1) | Last week: 18 (-7)
It was just one week, but—as I previously mentioned as a possibility—the Browns are going to have to start thinking hard about giving Jameis Winston a shot if Deshaun Watson doesn’t improve soon. Off the field,Watson now has another sexual assault lawsuit against him.
26. Arizona Cardinals (0-1) | Last week: 26
The Cardinals started very well but just couldn’t finish the job with a shot to win it at the end at Buffalo. Still, Arizona fans should be optimistic about the fast start for the squad, and a divisional showdown with the Rams this Sunday will go a long way in showing they’re an early playoff contender.
27. New England Patriots (1-0) | Last week: 32 (+5)
As the biggest underdogs of the week, the Patriots came through with a huge road victory versus the Bengals to begin the Jerod Mayo era 1-0. The formula of riding Rhamondre Stevenson (25 carries, 120 yards, one touchdown) and the defense worked, and they’ll look to follow a similar strategy for their home opener against the Seahawks.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) | Last week: 27 (-1)
The Chargers essentially did to the Raiders what the Raiders were doing to teams down the stretch in 2023. Vegas was outplayed in terms of mistakes and just playing good all-around football. After getting run on, they’ll now have to contend with stopping Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
29. Tennessee Titans (0-1) | Last week: 29
Will Levis tried to do too much and ultimately hurt the team, which is not uncommon for young quarterbacks trying to make their mark. An encouraging aspect for the Titans was how good Tony Pollard looked further removed from his broken leg suffered a couple of postseasons ago.
30. New York Giants (0-1) | Last week: 28 (-2)
As is the case for all these teams, it was just one game, but the Giants look like a potential mess. Again, Burns and Thibodeaux were mostly neutralized by the Vikings, and they need to be major factors for New York to make some noise this year.
31. Washington Commanders (0-1) | Last week: 30 (-1)
Jayden Daniels was plenty explosive with his legs, but a surprising missed deep ball (where he is typically excellent) to Terry McLaurin prevented a stronger day as a passer in his debut. Washington’s defense struggled to stop the Bucs, continuing a theme from all last season.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-1) | Last week: 31 (-1)
The Panthers continued their 2023 theme so far, too, looking like the worst team in the league after one week—getting blown out by the Saints. On top of that, star defensive tackle Derrick Brown is now out for the season with a meniscus injury. We must see the Panthers get more competitive, and fast.
