The first week of the NFL season has concluded and we finally got our first look at all of the teams across the league. The week was highlighted by a great matchup between the Chiefs and the Ravens that came down to the final play of the game. You had Jared Goff and the Lions winning in overtime, never letting former Lions QB Matthew Stafford touch the ball. On Monday night you had dominant 49ers win over a really good Jets team. Then your first week upsets that included the Patriots beating the Bengals and the Falcons falling to the Steelers. One thing that remains true, the NFL is very unpredictable. With that being said let’s take a look at the power rankings heading into week 2.
1. Kansas City Chiefs 1-0 (-)
The Chiefs open this season at the top of our power rankings coming off their 2nd straight super bowl win. Last season it felt like everything was tough on offense for the Chiefs, this season will be different. With the additions to the wide receiver room the Chiefs will be back to the high-powered offense we all know in 2024.
2. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 (-)
The 49ers started slow against the Jets mostly due to many of the 49ers star players wanting a new contract or injuries during the preseason and training camp. Without star RB Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers shredded one of the best defenses in the NFL. This team is on a mission this year to finally finish the job and bring a super bowl home to San Francisco.
3. Baltimore Ravens 0-1 (-)
The Ravens are staying right at 3 after their week 1 loss to the Chiefs but almost pulled off the upset with TE Isaiah Likely’s toe being slightly out of bounds. The final score does not show how outmatched the Ravens were in that matchup. The Ravens defense got shredded for a majority of the night over the middle of the field and their plays on first down went nowhere resulting in them playing behind the sticks.
4. Houston Texans 1-0 (-)
The Texans offense was as advertised on Sunday. Newcomer RB Joe Mixon had 30 carries for 159 yards and 1 touchdown as the Texans showcased their ability to run the ball. The extra dimension to their offense is only going to open up the passing game for their other playmakers. They will have a tough test on Sunday night football against a stout Bears defense.
5. Detroit Lions 1-0 (-)
The Lions started 2024 just like a majority of their wins in 2023, a one score game. Detroit has another weapon in WR Jameson Williams who finally had his breakout game. His deep threat abilities are going to open up the intermediate passing game for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. The defense looked improved on Sunday night. Their pass rush was generating pressure all night and it will be interesting to see if that will continue this season.
6. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 (+3)
Their new offense under OC Kellen Moore is fun to watch. They featured all 3 of their star playmakers in A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and newly acquired Saquon Barkley totaling over 300 yards. QB Jalen Hurts had some questionable throws and needs to improve. Their secondary was hard to watch at times last night but should get better as the season goes on.
7. Buffalo Bills 1-0 (+4)
The Bills offense shredded a poor Cardinals defense to start the season 1-0. Star QB Josh Allen was dominant in the win spreading the ball around to all of his playmakers. The defense was not great but showed signs of life in the pass rush department.
8. Dallas Cowboys 1-0 (+4)
The Cowboys bullied the Browns all day long as they won 33-17 over the Browns. Their defense gave the Browns offense problems all day and looks to be just as dominant without coordinator Dan Quinn. The offense was not great but got the job done.
9. New York Jets 0-1 (-2)
A disappointing opener for the Jets as it looked like they were off to a hot start in the 1st quarter when they took a 7-3 lead. After that touchdown it was all 49ers as they dominated them in all 3 phases of the game. The Jets offense looks like a unit who has not played together yet. The offense will improve, there were positive signs in that game that suggest better play going forward. This defense needs to step up and play better as the offense works on their chemistry.
10. Los Angeles Rams 0-1 (-)
The Rams had a rough start to the season in Detroit. Despite losing a coin flip that ultimately lost them the game, they lost multiple key pieces on the offensive side of the ball. Their injuries on their offensive line are concerning going forward more than the injury to star WR Puka Nacua. If they can’t protect Matthew Stafford his long injury history suggests that he might be joining them too. The Rams depth is going to be tested early.
11. Miami Dolphins 1-0 (+2)
The Dolphins looked lethargic in their win over the Jaguars on Sunday. With sloppy play in all aspects, they somehow found a way to win against a solid Jags team. Their explosiveness can get you at any minute and they are never out of a game. They have a revenge game against the Bills on Thursday night football and should be ready to go.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0 (+6)
Former OC Dave Canales was not the secret weapon for the Bucs offense success last year. QB Baker Mayfield deserves everyone’s respect he had 289 yards and 4 touchdowns and was unstoppable all day long. The Bucs are the team to beat in the NFC South.
13. Chicago Bears 1-0 (+1)
The Bears defense carried them to the finish line after an uninspiring debut from rookie QB Caleb Wiliams. He finished the day with under 100 passing yards and the Bears offense struggled all day. If the Bears defense is going to be that good all year and Williams is average, they will be a playoff team.
14. Cincinnati Bengals 0-1 (-6)
Embarrassing loss. When are we going to hold Joe Burrow and company accountable for their woes early on in the year. The Bengals got beat up by the Patriots defense all day on Sunday putting up a measly 10 points. The offensive line still seems to be bad and outside of Ja’Marr Chase none of their weapons were impressive. They have a tough matchup against the Chiefs this week.
15. Cleveland Browns 0-1 (1)
Deshaun Watson is not very good at football. Maybe Jameis Winston gives this team a better chance of competing in the playoffs. Their defense played great and limited a solid Cowboys offense that was 1st in the NFL last year.
16. Green Bay Packers 0-1 (-10)
The Packers lost an ugly shootout in Brazil to the Eagles where star QB Jordan Love went down with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Matt LaFleur was great this week dialing up wide open routes basically the whole game. Jordan Love was very inaccurate and left many points on the board. The defense was brutal, and the Eagles had their way with them. This ranking reflects how the team will perform without Love
17. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-1 (2)
The Jags seemingly fall apart in every close situation, Sunday was no different. They thoroughly outplayed the Dolphins the entire game and a fumble by Travis Etienne Jr. gave the Dolphins life. Doug Pederson could be on the hot seat if this continues.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 (2)
The Steelers brand of football is back! Field goals and a great defense. They dominated the Falcons in this one with the offense methodically moving the ball down the field and getting a field goal. On defense T.J. Watt was a monster, and the secondary added 2 interceptions as well.
19. Indianapolis Colts 0-1 (-2)
The Colts gave the Texans a run for their money on Sunday. The Colt’s defense was uninspiring as they allowed 29 points, and the Texans moved the ball at will most of the day. The offense on the other hand was as explosive as advertised with QB Anthony Richardson’s return. Their success this season will come down to their defense.
20. Atlanta Falcons 0-1 (-5)
Such a disappointing debut for the new look Falcons. Their offense looked uninspiring by leaning too heavily on the run, having no pass blocking, and QB Kirk Cousins looking very bad. There are not many good things to say about the Falcons after that loss, we will see what we get in week 2.
21. Seattle Seahawks 1-0 (2)
The Seahawks defense played great against the Broncos forcing Bo Nix to throw 2 interceptions and only throw for 138 yards. Mike Macdonald looks like he will be a great add for the development of that group. The offense had some moments in the 2nd half and could be a solid unit if they run the ball well like they did today.
22. Arizona Cardinals 0-1 (-)
The Cardinals are going to be a fun team to watch this year. They will constantly be in shootouts. Their offense looked promising with a healthy Kyler Murray, although we did not get a lot from rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The defense on the other hand is going to have a lot of struggles this season.
23. Minnesota Vikings 1-0 (2)
Kevin O’Connell is easily a top 10 coach in this league. QB Sam Darnold played great, and the Vikings got out to an early lead that was never challenged. The defense also was stout as the Giants were limited to 6 points. Could they be a sneaky team this year?
24. New Orleans Saints 1-0 (2)
The Saints had a statement win that they will not be regressing this season by blowing out the Panthers. Not much to discuss with this one the offense and defense were firing on all cylinders for them on Sunday.
25. Los Angeles Chargers 1-0 (2)
Jim Harbaugh starts his Chargers regime 1-0 after the defense was stellar against the Raiders. The Chargers ground game was great as they had 176 total yards, which takes the pressure off of star QB Justin Herbert. Maybe they could be frisky too and move up these power rankings
26. Tennessee Titans 0-1 (-5)
Will Levis campaign to be the Titans franchise QB is not off to a hot start after his debut. After going up 17-0 his turnovers got the Bears back in the game and a pick six is what gave the Bears the lead. The defense was great as they limited the Bears offense all day.
27. Las Vegas Raiders 0-1 (-3)
The Raiders offense under new QB Gardner Minshew was disappointing. Mustering 10 points against the Chargers lackluster unit is not great if this team wants to compete for a playoff spot this season. The defense did play well though the entire day.
28. New England Patriots 1-0 (4)
The Patriots pulled off the upset against the Bengals behind their great defense. They had Joe Burrow and company to 10 points. The Patriots look like they won’t be losing a beat on defense under new head coach Jerad Mayo.
29. Denver Broncos 0-1 (-1)
After all of the hype from the preseason, Bo Nix’s debut was awfully disappointing. The defense showed some signs of life in this game at times by forcing 2 safeties. Denver is in a retooling season and there will be growing pains this season.
30. New York Giants 0-1 (-1)
Daniel Jones is currently playing his last year for the Giants. After another poor showing from Jones the Giants only managed 6 points against a poor Vikings defense. The defense also struggled to slow down the Vikings all day on Sunday.
31. Washington Commanders 0-1 (-)
The Commander’s defense was atrocious against the Buccaneers. Dan Quinn has a long way to go to develop this group into a competent unit. The offense showed signs of life as Jayden Daniels became the first rookie QB with 80 yards and 2 touchdowns in a debut.
32. Carolina Panthers 0-1 (-2)
That was an embarrassing loss, it is going to be a long year in Carolina.