Football returned last week in exciting fashion–blowouts, upsets and shootouts. There were lots of touchdowns, turnovers and field goals. One week is all it takes to change the entire perception of your favorite football team, but lucky for you, there’s still 17 more weeks to get it right. Let’s dive into the full 32 team power rankings for Week 2.
1) Dallas Cowboys (+2, LW: 3)
After a long offseason of slander for QB Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, they showed up, and they showed up big, defeating the New York Giants 40-0. Now I’m not saying I expected the Giants to score 0 points, but I did predict this; it would be a blowout. That only confirms my belief that Dallas is one of, if not THE premiere team in the NFL. If they can continue to build on their Week 1 victory, it’s only going to get better for them from here.
2) San Francisco 49ers (+7, LW: 9)
Any questions I had about Brock Purdy– whether that was the health of his elbow, or his general talent, were quickly put to rest on Sunday. Purdy looks like a 10 year veteran the way he commands the offense and the line of scrimmage, helping his 49ers squad enroute to a 30-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Dallas had won in a one-score affair with the Giants, San Francisco would easily be the #1 team- and it wouldn’t be close
3) Kansas City Chiefs (-2, LW: 1)
The defending Super Bowl Champions didn’t neccesarily get off to the start they had hoped, suffering a 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on opening night. Wide Reciever Kadarius Toney had the worst game of his career, most notably dropping a perfect pass that led to a pick-6. Chiefs were also missing TE Travis Kelce and DT Chris Jones, who should both return for Week 2. Sitting at 0-1, it’s only up from here for Kansas City.
4) Miami Dolphins (+3, LW: 7)
Remember “Tank for Tua”? That’s the Tua we’re now seeing, he has arrived. Dolphins won a shootout over the Chargers 36-34, pulling away with a touchdown in the final minutes. The offense looked unstobbable, with Tagovailoa throwing for over 450 yards, and wide reciever Tyreek Hill putting up 200. A 100 yard game is tough for a reciever, let alone double. Their defense obviously left a lot to be desired, especially since they were so outshined by their offense. You’re not going to score 30 every game, and you’re not going to hold the opponent to 20 or less every game. Miami has the talent to do both, and they’re in for a great season.
5) Detroit Lions (+6, LW: 11)
I’ve been on the Lions bandwagon ever since Head Coach Dan Campbell talked about biting kneecaps. Although it was a bit strange, his passion and true love for the game of football was oozing through, and it shows in the way this Lions football team plays. Beating Kansas City at any point seems incredibly tough, let alone to do it in Arrowhead on opening night. An impressive win in all 3 phases for Detroit, who look to continue to build off their recent success and curb the dysfunctional tag around their franchise.
6) Philadelphia Eagles (NC, LW: 6)
The General Managers who let Jalen Carter fall to Philadelphia should be fired (unless you drafted a quarterback). Carter was a wrecking ball all game long, recording a sack and the best pressure rate across the league in Week 1. The Eagles jumped out to an early lead, mainly in due part to mistakes by New England, who would then go on to make it a one-score game. Jalen Hurts and co. did enough to get the job done, but will have to pick it up if they’re looking to have any chance at going back to the Super Bowl. The NFC is looking solid early.
7) Baltimore Ravens (-5, LW: 2)
Baltimore cannot stay away from the injury bug, losing running back J.K. Dobbins to a season ending injury. As for the rest of the Ravens roster, they looked alright, beating up on a young & inexperienced Texans team 25-9. Lamar Jackson got paid this offseason, and Baltimore is hoping he can help this team finally return to a Super Bowl.
8) Jacksonville Jaguars (NC, LW: 8)
In a game that almost got away from them, Jacksonville managed to get ahead and win by 2 scores, 31-21. The Jaguars usually struggle in Indianapolis, so getting this victory against a Colts that looked surprisingly solid, was impressive. Jacksonville has division championship hopes this season, and beating a division opponent in the first week sets the tone. All 3 phases played well for the Jaguars, who face a tough and angry Chiefs squad who are looking to avoid an 0-2 hole to start the season.
9) Buffalo Bills (-5, LW: 4)
No matter what team you’re a fan of, you never want to root for a player to get injured. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a season ending achillies injury on the Jets 4th snap of the season, which is gut wrenching for everyone in the organization, and including the fans. With that aside, the Bills managed to jump ahead to a 2 score lead and proceeded to blow it, with QB Josh Allen throwing 3 brutal interceptions and an even worse fumble on top of that. You aren’t going to win many games (if any) turning the ball over 4 times. Allen wasn’t the only superstar QB who struggled in Week 1, and the expectation is that he will get back on track, and hopefully fast- Miami could run away with the AFC East early.
10) Cincinnati Bengals (-5, LW: 5)
The Bengals struggling in Week 1 is no shock to myself, and shouldn’t be to anyone. QB Joe Burrow has not had a full training camp throughout his entire 4 year career. Either missing part of it, or it entirely. They’ve always had slow starts to the season, especially last year, when they started 0-2. Like Buffalo, the expectation is that they will get back on track. Their team is too talented to not make a playoff push. With the Ravens and Browns both picking up wins in Week 1, Cincinnati has a hole to climb out of.
11-32
11) Los Angeles Chargers (+1, LW: 12)
12) Green Bay Packers (+9, LW: 21)
13) Cleveland Browns (+3, LW: 16)
14) New York Jets (-4, LW: 10)
15) Seattle Seahawks (-1, LW: 14)
16) New Orleans Saints (+2. LW: 18)
17) Pittsburgh Steelers (-4, LW: 13)
18) Minnesota Vikings (-3, LW: 15)
19) Denver Broncos (-2, LW: 17)
20) Tennessee Titans (NC, LW: 20)
21) Los Angeles Rams (+5, LW: 26)
22) New England Patriots (+1, LW: 23)
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4, LW: 27)
24) Las Vegas Raiders (+1, LW: 25)
25) Indianapolis Colts (+3, LW: 28)
26) Washington Commanders (-2, LW: 24)
27) New York Giants (-8, LW: 19)
28) Carolina Panthers (-6, LW: 22)
29) Atlanta Falcons (+1, LW: 30)
30) Chicago Bears (-1, LW: 29)
31) Houston Texans (NC, LW: 31)
32) Arizona Cardinals (NC, LW: 32)