NFL Power Rankings
I’m grateful for week 2 of NFL football. It kept me on my toes. It wasn’t easy. By my counts, there were 8 upsets according to the spreads that were generated. I wish I could tell you if this was a record or even close to one, but the fact remains that this week was a wild one. Sure, some injuries are baked into rankings and will surely impact the long-term outlook for certain teams but some of these “bad” teams are just flat-out good. Heck, it’s better than the competition in most cases.
It’s been a wonky start for not just certain teams, but certain superstars as well. The quarterback position seems unusually bad this year while receivers continue to dominate the way and running backs of all shapes and sizes show that they can be effective without being paid massive amounts of money. The fact of the matter remains that we are still only the 2nd week into the season and a lot can change in 15 more games, but the cream is rising to the top.
There have been some massive moves in this week’s edition of the power rankings. Some of it is due to long-term injuries that will surely be difficult to overcome. Some are just from sheer underperformance. Some are just because a team is bad and they may need to draft another quarterback again after taking one #1 overall 2 years ago. Let’s see where your team falls.
Biggest Riser: New Orleans Saints (+9), Biggest Faller: Los Angeles Rams (-11)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
Isiah Pacheco has a broken fibula and the run game is in question now. This Chiefs offense has been more run-heavy this year than expected so losing Pacheco is a huge blow. Is it Carson Steele time? Or will we see a Chiefs offense throw like they did in 2019?
2. Houston Texans (7) 📈
This team is truly one of the elites. This defense has allowed a 57.1 completion percentage which is good enough for 5th in the league. As well as the defense is playing, the offense might be playing better. Look out for this team come January.
3. Buffalo Bills (11) 📈
Josh Allen has played 13 career games against Miami and now holds an 11-2 record against them. To say this was a “light work” game is an understatement. Allen has the Dolphins number and it seems the entire Bills team does too given how the defense played. Buffalo is reasserting themselves in the upper echelon even after losing a myriad of players.
4. San Francisco 49ers (2)
What the heck happened? Minnesota had their way with San Francisco this week which is odd considering San Francisco dominated time of possession. You have to make plays and the 49ers just did not. Sure, the 49ers are banged up badly on both sides of the ball, but this is a deep team that should compete at all levels.
5. Detroit Lions (3)
Another surprise upset, the Lions dropped one to the Baker Mayfield-led Buccaneers at home. I can’t tell if this was a game that Detroit threw away or if Tampa truly outplayed the opposition, but regardless, Detroit has to get back on track if they want to compete in a competitive NFC North.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (12) 📉
After a rough week 1, Cincinnati bounced back in a big way against Kansas City losing by just 1 point on a last-second field goal. This offense looked much better and the defense kept Patrick Mahomes under wraps the entire game. The issue here is the sloppiness of play. There were too many penalties that ultimately cost the Bengals the game.
7. New Orleans Saints (17)🚀
You tell me now if you predicted the Saints to lead the league in point differential at +62 at the beginning of this season. They are the first team to score 40+ points in the first 2 weeks of the season since they did it back in the 2009 season. What happened that year? They won the Super Bowl.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13)
I’m so bought into this team. They are playing at a high level and winning the games they should and shouldn’t. Sure, the Commanders weren’t supposed to win but Detroit was and Tampa is walking away from these 2 games 2-0. Chris Godwin looks sensational along with the rest of this offense.
9. Seattle Seahawks (15)
Was Shane Waldron the problem? You can certainly make a case for this as Seattle has bounced back in a big way since Waldron took the offensive coordinator job in Chicago. Geno Smith looks to be replicating his 2022 season while the offensive line is playing at a higher level than expected. I predict great things for this team moving forward.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5)
What is going on here? Is there that big of a disconnect for this team? They have one of the best rosters in the NFL and yet still somehow find a way to make games either too close or outright lose them. They have a point differential of +4 which is good enough for 12th in the league. I have to think this gets figured out, but man are these some tough times in Philly.
11. Baltimore Ravens (6)
Baltimore is 0-2 and tied for last in the AFC North. Sure, they lost to Kansas City and that’s just a tough break, but you turn around and lose to Las Vegas the following week? What is happening? They have the most passing yards in the league (567) yet the least amount of rushing yards (99). After signing Derrick Henry this offseason, these numbers just don’t make sense.
12. Dallas Cowboys (4)📉
The extensions were given out yet somehow the Cowboys still find a way to underperform. They were throttled in this game as both sides of the ball were completely neutralized. I never know what happens in Dallas anymore, but maybe it’s time for a coaching change. Mike McCarthy doesn’t seem to be the answer.
13. Minnesota Vikings (19)
Sam Darnold is leading this team on a warpath this year as the Vikings are 2-0 and have sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North. Sure, Justin Jefferson left this game early with an injury, but all reports show that he should be fine. This team may be playing above their heads, but man are they fun to watch.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (18)
Justin Fields is the starting QB for the foreseeable future and if Mike Tomlin doesn’t see that, I don’t know what else to do. Fields has led this Steelers team to a 2-0 record and sole possession of 1st place in the AFC North. While they may not be pretty wins, a win is a win. This defense is legit and all the offense has to do is not turn the ball over.
15. Green Bay Packers (10)📉
Malik Willis led this team to a win in week 2, but Josh Jacobs was truly the star of the show. Jacobs rushed 32 times for 151 yards. Indianapolis lost 2 defensive linemen so that could have contributed, but the fact remains that this is going to be the identity of this team moving forward.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (20)
Jim Harbaugh has completely changed the complexion of this team in just 2 games. There is more energy, more passion, and just better football all the way around. Los Angeles is 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards (395) and the questions about whether Harbaugh’s run-heavy approach will work in the NFL has been answered. It will and it will dominate.
17. New York Jets (16)
The first win in a Jets uniform for Aaron Rodgers could not have come at a better time after they dropped their week 1 game. The Jets seem to be moving in the right direction even with the injuries this team suffered (you could say this about almost every team after this week). Time will tell if Rodgers and the Jets can turn things around for this perennial underperforming franchise, but the returns look good.
18. Los Angeles Rams (6)👎
And just like that, the Rams season is looking quite bleak. Puka Nacua is already hurt and now Cooper Kupp is set to miss multiple weeks. And this isn’t even considering all the other injuries they have suffered. Los Angeles might be looking towards the future this season.
19. Miami Dolphins (11)📉
Tua Tagovailola has suffered yet another head injury and this one might have been the scariest of them all. According to multiple doctors, this was indicative of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can lead to significant brain damage. While I’m glad Tua is okay, his departure from the team spells bad news for the Dolphins.
20. Atlanta Falcons (28)
What a win! Atlanta had one of the biggest statements wins after they defeated the Eagles on Monday night. I think we can all agree that Kirk Cousins is still not 100% (he admitted so himself) but that doesn’t mean he can’t lead a team to victory. This defense is a lot better than most expect and this offense will only get better.
21. Arizona Cardinals (29)
I told you Marvin Harrison Jr. would be fine! The 1st quarter was all about the connection between him and Kyler Murray and man was it an explosive one. He totaled over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns right out of the gate as Arizona stomped the opposition. This team still has some work to do, but man does the future look bright in Arizona.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (26)
Speaking of bright, Antonio Pierce seems to be a revelation for the Raiders franchise as he leads them to their first 2-0 season since 2021. Gardner Minshew II is doing exactly what he needs to do and Brock Bowers is staking his claim as a top tight end in the NFL early in his career. Things are trending up in Vegas.
23. Indianapolis Colts (14)
I wish I could say that things were trending up in Indy, but we are seeing the downside of Anthony Richardson. The dichotomy of this quarterback is astounding. He was superb in week 1, but week 2 shined a light on many of his faults. Richardson is still one of the most explosive quarterbacks in the NFL, but you will have to deal with the ups and downs as a Colts fan.
24. New England Patriots (24)
Were we overvaluing the Patriots defense after a great showing in week 1 against Cincinnati? Possibly. We knew this team wasn’t going to be that good, but they look much better than advertised. I think they are doing the right thing with Drake Maye given the struggles of the other rookie quarterbacks. Fun fact: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye have the same amount of passing touchdowns. Zero.
25. Chicago Bears (21)
What is going on in Chicago? Williams was stepping into a dream scenario for a rookie quarterback and it has been an absolute flop. I don’t know if it’s him, the offensive line, the offensive scheme, or the coaching but it is abysmal. I don’t think that Williams is going to trend this way forever but good lord it’s hard to watch.
26. Cleveland Browns (27)
Speaking of hard to watch, this team is awful. Deshaun Watson continues to show no flashes of the player he used to be and this offense decides to play D’Onta Foreman over Jerome Ford to start the game. I can’t even begin to tell you what is going on in Cleveland but that is generally how everyone feels.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (23)
Speaking of terrible quarterback play, what is going on with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville? Is this a coaching thing that is once again holding back the development and greatness of Lawrence? I want to say yes, but it can’t all just be coaching. Lawrence has yet to live up to his lofty expectations and it’s truly a shame. I hope he figures it out soon. Not just for sheer entertainment purposes, but for the city of Jacksonville as well.
28. Tennessee Titans (24)
Yes, Tennessee is 0-2 and I wrote about how they were turning things around, but the stats are promising. They have surrendered the least amount of passing yards in the NFL (269) as the new look defense is beginning to take shape. If the offense can follow suit, this team can be a real problem down the road for many teams.
29. Denver Broncos (25)
Denver dropped this game that featured 2 stout defenses in them and Pittsburgh. This offense isn’t terrible, but man is it not great either. Bo Nix needs more time than most thought, but with a coach like Sean Payton, he should be a popular breakout candidate next year.
30. Washington Commanders (30)
The Commanders won in week 2 on 7 field goals. 7. Field. Goals. That’s insane. Where is Terry McLaurin?
31. New York Giants (31)
Malik Nabers is that guy and that’s it. I don’t care who he plays. He’s going to get his. Hopefully, New York will get him a better quarterback soon.
32. Carolina Panthers (32)
Bryce Young has been benched for Andy Dalton and I think this signals the end of Young’s career as a starter in the NFL. What an awful end to such a promising start.
