NFL Power Rankings: Week 2
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily express those of The Hofstra Chronicle.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending champs stood their ground in a close week one matchup with the Cowboys, offense firing on all cylinders and defense stopping anyone who came in their way. They will look to continue this momentum into next week's matchup with the Falcons.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs played in a close one with the Cleveland Browns, but in the end, the Chiefs’ big three was too much to handle for Cleveland. They travel to Baltimore next week for a Sunday night showdown against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford was nothing less than amazing in his debut with LA, along with that lockdown defense led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, the Rams look primed for a deep playoff run this season. They head to Indianapolis for a matchup with another lockdown defense in the Colts.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were not great Sunday, behind a very poor performance from their offensive line and a rare off game from star quarterback Josh Allen. I wouldn't hit the panic button just yet though, as Buffalo's defense did step up and was a huge advantage for them. They will look to rebound this week on the road against the 1-0 Miami Dolphins.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks looked extremely good against a very strong Colts defense, torching them for 28 points. Seattle's defense remains a big question mark for the team but they held their own, only giving up 16 points. They'll have a bigger task next week as Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans roll into town.
6. Cleveland Browns
Although the Browns did not come away with the win, they played the defending American Football Conference (AFC) champs very tough. They were one Baker Mayfield interception away from potentially winning. This team is poised for a big year built around arguably the best run game in the league. They'll try to take care of business vs. the Texans at home.
7. Green Bay Packers
Wow! Aaron Rodgers played by far the worst game of his career and the Packers followed his lead, losing by an abysmal 38-3. I still think it's quite early to be panicking, but if Rodgers and the Packers don’t pick up the slack they could find themselves farther down the list as the year goes on. They'll take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night at home.
8. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners looked amazing on offense, lighting up the Lions shaky secondary for 41 points, led by a big game from WR Deebo Samuel, the defense looked very solid as well, coming up with three sacks and pick six. The end of the game was a little shaky as some special team mistakes and coaching errors caused the Lions to battle back in it, but overall it was a great win for them. They will make the trip to Philly to play the red-hot Eagles.
9. New Orleans Saints
The Jameis Winston-led Saints looked playoff caliber, to say the least, the high-pace offense led them to a huge blowout win against a Super Bowl contending Packers team. The defense also managed to give Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers his worst performance ever. Look for them to continue this week against the Panthers.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona's defense was a big question mark going into the season, and oh boy did Chandler Jones have something to say about that, tallying three sacks in the first quarter alone. Kyler Murray and Deandre Hopkins look to be in midseason form already. Look for this team to be contending for not only the playoffs but also their division. They will face the Vikings at home next week.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers pulled off what in many people's minds was the upset of the week, beating and holding a high-powered Bills offense to 16 points. The Steelers’ defense once again showed us why they should not be taken as a joke. Questions still remain about the offense and how they can get things going, but for now, everything looks good. They will take on 1-0 Las Vegas Raiders this week at home.
12. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens played well considering the injury bug that hit them in the preseason. In a very back-and-forth, exciting game we saw star quarterback Lamar Jackson creating plays. Even though they did not get it done, they should remain a threat to contending teams, as they will also be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Next week they get ready for the juggernaut Chiefs as they try not to drop to 0-2.
13. Indianapolis Colts
The Carson Wentz-led Colts played overall solid on the offensive end, but their defense had no answer for Seattle’s high-powered offense. They will look to rebound against another high-powered offense in the Rams.
14. Tennessee Titans
The Titans looked like an overall mess as the offense could not get anything going and Kyler Murray danced all over their defense. There were even reports that Vrabel was not happy with Julio Jones. I think they can turn things around, and they'll look to do so against another tough matchup in Seattle.
15. Dallas Cowboys
Although they could not stop Tom Brady in the 2-minute drill (not many can), the Cowboys did show us that they look much better than last year. Dak Prescott had a great comeback game throwing for just over 400 yards and three TDs. They look to get in the win column next week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers did just enough to pull out a win against Washington's elite defense. Quarterback Justin Herbert, picking up right where he left off, threw for well over 300 yards and a TD. The defense played well too. They will look to continue the momentum against the Cowboys next week at home.
17. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins edged out a close one against division rival New England Patriots. Led by their stellar defense, the Dolphins were able to hold the Pats and rookie quarterback Mac Jones to only 16 points. Questions still remain on Tua and if that offense is good enough to gain a playoff spot. They will host the Bills this Sunday afternoon.
18. New England Patriots
Although the Pats did not come up with the victory, they have a lot to look forward to. For starters their rookie Quarterback Mac Jones put up a very respectable game in his debut, throwing for 281 yards and a TD. They will travel to New York to face off against the Jets next week.
19. Washington Football Team
The Football Team did not have the best luck Sunday as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick left the game early with an injury and is due to miss an extended amount of time. That being said, backup Taylor Heinicke held his own and is expected to be the starter until Fitz is back. They'll host the New York Giants on Thursday night.
20. Denver Broncos
The Broncos played a fantastic game all around, they were of course led by a monster defense that the Giants had no answer for, and Teddy Bridgewater showed us glimpses of hope for them at the QB position. It was an all-around good win for them; they will play the Jaguars in Jacksonville this week.
21. Minnesota Vikings
A questionable overtime fumble call led to a Vikings loss on Sunday, but nonetheless, the team did not play its best football. The defense was unable to stop Joe Mixon from running over 120 yards and could not stop Burrow in the passing game. Running back Dalvin Cook was not his usual self on the offensive side but quarterback Kirk Cousins did have himself a very solid game. They will look to bounce back on the road against Arizona.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
The first game of the Nick Sirianni era was nothing short of dominant, the Eagles pounced on the Falcons throughout the entire game, and quarterback Jalen Hurts silenced his doubters by putting up a fantastic 326 total yards and three TDs. They will look to continue their dominance this week against the 49ers at home.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders won and played in a fantastic game on Monday night against the Ravens, quarterback Derek Carr had an amazing night leading the offense with 435 passing yards and 2 TDs. Question marks still surround that revamped offensive line but for now, the Raiders look really good heading into their week two matchup with the Steelers.
24. Chicago Bears
The Bears simply looked lost out there on offense, which eventually led their defense to get tired and surrender more points to the Rams. Andy Dalton did not look good, to say the least, and it's only a matter of time before we see rookie phenom Justin Fields slide into the QB1 spot.
25. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers played a very solid game, especially on the defensive end against a weak Jets offense. The defense came away with one interception and six sacks all while holding rookie quarterback Zach Wilson and the Jets offense to just 14 points. They look to go 2-0 this week against a hot New Orleans team.
26. Houston Texans
The Texans led by QB Tyrod Taylor shocked many as they put up 37 points and spoiled number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence's debut. The offense was firing on all cylinders, including a crazy game from Brandin Cooks. They look to repeat what they did against the Browns in Cleveland this week.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals pulled off what is another week one upset by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in overtime. The offense was great all around from the rushing to the passing attack. There still are massive concerns on the offensive line and defense but this was a great week one win for them. They look to continue this momentum into next week in Chicago against the Bears.
28. Detroit Lions
The Lions started off slow in what looked like to be a 49ers blowout win but surprisingly late in the fourth quarter they started up a comeback and were at one point about 40 yards away from having a chance to send it to overtime. TJ Hockenson had a phenomenal game and Jared Goff provided flashes of hope especially late in the game. They look to get in the win column this week against the Packers.
29. New York Giants
The Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones did not look great as they got embarrassed by the Broncos’ defense. The Giants’ defense was also not great, allowing 27 points. They will look to bounce back at Washington this week.
30 New York Jets
The Jets, unlike the Giants, kept it close but they were not able to pull through against the Panthers. Their offense was not great, but quarterback Zach Wilson was not bad in his debut game, throwing for 258 yards and two TDs. They will look to do better against the Patriots at home.
31. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons looked absolutely horrible on Sunday, surrendering 32 points to Jalen Hurts’s Eagles and only putting up six points in the process against a below average defense at best. Both passing and rushing games were off and the defense was nowhere to be found. They face the Bucs in an extremely tough matchup this week.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are coming off of a 1-15 season where they lost 15 straight games. They added a 16th this past week by losing to the dysfunctional Texans. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence did have some bright spots but also ended the game with three picks. The Jags look to turn it around this week against the Broncos at home.
Photo Courtesy of Mike Ehrmann
