NFL Week 2 Power Rankings

Just like that, we’re onto Week 3. Week 2 will be remembered for a couple of incredible games, featuring furious comebacks, last-second drama, and the toughness of quarterbacks around the league.

As we work through each game looking for takeaways, the biggest takeaway so far is the logjam of good teams. The ‘middle’ block of teams, seventh to 23^rd, are separated by very little. That group will thin as the season goes on, but for now it makes for exciting football every weekend. 

Here are my Power Rankings heading into Week 3.

1.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

There doesn’t need too much justification here. The Atlanta Falcons weren’t the toughest opponent, but the Buccaneers and Tom Brady rolled through them. Next.

2.       Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Chiefs were the victim of a comeback. The game seemed in hand early. Up 35-24 early in the fourth quarter, with no signs of slowing down, the Chiefs seemed destined to break Baltimore hearts once again. Instead, they fumbled in field goal range with 1:20 left and gave up a fourth-and-one in Ravens’ territory to lose. Nevertheless, this team is still uber dangerous and the royalty of the AFC.

3.       Los Angeles Rams (2-0)

Sunday’s win over the Colts was far from perfect. Matthew Stafford wasn’t nearly as hot as he was in Week 1 and the punt team produced a blunder of all blunders, but overall, it was a solid win. The defense came up with big plays in the redzone multiple times, creating turnovers, and the offense had big plays of its own. This team showed it is built to win despite its own mistakes. 

4.       Buffalo Bills (1-1) +2

If you were looking for a rebound performance, the Bills wrote the textbook on Sunday. Buffalo bludgeoned the Dolphins 35-0 in their biggest shutout win since 1992. Defensively, they built from their Week 1 performance, sacking the Dolphins’ QB six times, and turning them over twice. Offensively it resembled 2020. I think we can chalk Week 1 up to a bad day at the office.

5.       Cleveland Browns (1-1)

The Browns’ win over the Texans may have been closer on the scoreboard than you’d expect from the number five team in the NFL, but it’s not much reason to move them down. Overall they showed they’re still a well-rounded team who can win with a variety of different playmakers. Save his two interceptions on the year, Baker Mayfield has looked sharp, too.

6.       Arizona Cardinals (2-0) +1

The Cardinals are unbeaten, and Kyler Murray is creating insane plays every week, but there are enough concerns to keep them from the top five. Murray still has some maturation in his decision-making, and he holds the ball a long time. Defensively they were gashed for periods of this game and gave up a should-be game-winning drive. Nevertheless, they’re super explosive and are going to be highly competitive every week.

7.       Baltimore Ravens (1-1) +5

What a win. The enormity of Sunday night’s win over the Chiefs cannot be overstated for the Ravens. KC has been their biggest bugaboo for four years, and the outlook ahead of this game was not good. Add how the game started, and an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, this win could signal a shift the Ravens have been seeking.

8.       Green Bay Packers (1-1) +3

Back to business as usual in Green Bay. When playing like they did on Monday night, there isn’t a trio as willingly destructive as Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams. After a shaky first half the defense stiffened in the second, completely shutting down the Detroit Lions. Like the Bills, Week 1 was an anomaly.  

9.       New Orleans Saints (1-1) -5

How much difference can a week make? The Saints dramatically fell down to earth with a humbling by the Carolina Panthers. The offensive line was completely overmatched by the Panthers’ front-seven as Jameis Winston had no time and was forced into poor decisions. This game was all-time bad offensively, though missing eight assistant coaches is never helpful.

10.   Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) +7

I have moved the Raiders up many spots at once before only to be scorned, but what they’ve accomplished so far has me convinced they’re legit. Defensively they’re creating so much pressure without blitzing, which is a recipe for immense success. Offensively, Derek Carr is balling. He seems to have taken the step we expected after the 2016 season and he’s making use of all his pieces. The Raiders are legit.

11.   San Francisco 49ers (2-0) -2

It wasn’t explosive, nor particularly pretty, but it was a win. The defense played well, despite cornerback depth issues, and the offense found itself, somewhat, in the second half. Jimmy Garoppolo’s play, though, particularly in the first half, could test Kyle Shanahan’s patience in promoting Trey Lance.  

12.   Dallas Cowboys (1-1) +1

This week’s performance was not nearly what we saw in Week 1, but at least the Cowboys got their ground game going. The game was dominated by penalty flags, but Dak Prescott played well enough and came through when the Cowboys needed it. The Cowboys have shown all the pieces to be a complete team, now they need to put it all together at once.

13.   Seattle Seahawks (1-1) -3

Sunday was a poor loss for the Seahawks. Up 30-16 in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks found a way to lose. Credit where credit is due to the Titans for their performance, but this is a loss the Seahawks just can’t have. The defense gave up 33 first downs and 532 total yards. Defense was the main concern last year, this type of performance suggests it’s still going to be.

14.   Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) -1

This was a tough loss. Penalties really got in the Chargers' way on Sunday, taking a pair of touchdowns off the board. The Chargers in theory did enough to win the game, and it took a 56-yard field goal to lose it, but offensively they have to clean up their performances to reach the levels I and many others expect them to reach.

15.   Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) -6

After a big Week 1 win at Buffalo, Pittsburgh couldn’t get it done against the Raiders at Heinz Field. Sunday’s loss highlighted more of the same concerns for this team: the offensive line and the run game. Roethlisberger was under a lot of pressure and Najee Harris had just 38 yards on 10 carries. Luckily T.J. Watt’s groin injury isn’t serious, but they need him on the field to make up for some of their offensive struggles.

16.   Carolina Panthers (2-0) +10

The Panthers are the only team in the NFL to run every offensive play this season with a lead. With how the defense has played, and how comfortable Sam Darnold and the offense has looked, 16th may be a touch low, but if they sustain this form – which their schedule suggests they could – this will rise in the coming week.

17.   Denver Broncos (2-0) +4

The scores may not have been massively eye-popping, but the Broncos are not messing around. Their defense is legit. Fangio’s scheme we know about, but between Von Miller and the front-seven, and a very good secondary, this group is solid top to bottom. Furthermore, the offense is playing very well. The Broncos look like a real darkhorse. 

18.   Indianapolis Colts (0-2) -2

The Colts looked pretty evenly matched with the Rams for much of the game but ultimately they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, and that cost them. Now they may have to start Jacob Eason at QB. He certainly offers upside and may be able to bring some calmness and control to the QB position which Wentz hasn’t been able to provide so far.

19.   Miami Dolphins (1-1) -1

Sunday was very bad for the Dolphins. The offensive line was completely overmatched, costing the team their starting QB. Luckily the injury isn't severe, but Tua Tagovailoa needs stability to develop into the guy he was projected to be, and this offense is far from providing that. He has no chance to make the necessary leap if he is under the duress he was this week.

20.   New England Patriots (1-1) -1

The scoreline paints a slightly different picture of the Patriots than the film. The defense was very good, picking off Zach Wilson four times and shutting down much of what New York attempted, continuing Bill Belichick’s success against rookie QBs. Offensively it was unspectacular, but Mac Jones ultimately operated well within the offense. That will be the theme of the year in New England and could carry them to the edge of the playoffs.

21.   Washington Football Team (1-1) -1

What a wild win for the Football Team. In Tyler Heinicke’s first regular-season start he played very well. His interception was poor as he stared down Terry McLaurin, but he has a tendency for coming up with big plays when Washington needs them. While we’re here, let's give McLaurin the love he deserves. He’s a star.

22.   Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) -7

With how the offense looked for much of the first quarter, it’s hard to believe this game ended in a 17-11 loss for the Eagles. The Eagles could not convert short-yardage situations, highlight when they failed to score in seven plays starting at the 49ers’ six-yard line. The heights they seemed capable of reaching in Week 1 may have had more to do with the opponent than I gave credit for.

23.   Tennessee Titans (1-1)

The Titans came through with a huge win in Seattle, overcoming two peculiar refereeing calls to boot. While falling into the hole they highlighted some of their defensive issues, the Titans displayed their offensive power for the first time. Derrick Henry got going in a big way and Julio Jones had his first big game as a Titan. This game should serve as a reminder of the Titans' firepower.

24.   Chicago Bears (1-1) -2

After being shredded by the Rams last week, the Bears' defense got back on track against the Cincinnati Bengals. In a stretch of three plays, the Bears seized control of the game, intercepting Joe Burrow on back-to-back-to-back attempts, taking the first back for a touchdown. The biggest news from this game, however, was Andy Dalton’s injury. He avoided any serious injury, but if he misses any time it will be fascinating to monitor Justin Fields’ play, considering Matt Nagy’s stubbornness.

25.   Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

The Vikings have some pretty astounding bad luck when it comes to simple game-winning kicks. While it is easy to blame Greg Joseph for the loss, the defense simply gave up too many explosive plays for the second week in a row. If it’s any consolation, Kirk Cousins played very well and the Vikings gashed the Cardinals for periods of this game.

26.   Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) -2

I was hopeful after Week 1 the Bengals would be able to go from strength to strength, but this week derailed that somewhat. The Bengals struggled to gain big yards, and three interceptions on three attempts are never helpful. This is a young team who’ll have growing pains, and this week proved to be an example of that.

27.   New York Giants (0-2)

The Giants should have beaten Washington on Thursday night, but it will ultimately be a game of missed opportunities. After intercepting Heinicke with 2:16 remaining, the Giants took the lead, only to let Washington get in field goal range and then jump offsides to let them re-kick for the win. Hopefully Daniel Jones can build from what was a strong performance.

28.   Houston Texans (1-1)

If you watched just the first half you would think everyone had been harsh on the Texans and Tyrod Taylor ahead of the season. Taylor had the team in position to compete for an upset, but a hamstring injury derailed that. Now, it seems the team will be without Taylor for some time, leaving third-round rookie Davis Mills as the team's only contributing QB. This coming Thursday night, at least, may be a real struggle.

29.   Detroit Lions (0-2)

Like the Texans, the Lions were on upset alert as Jared Goff led them to a 17-14 lead at halftime. However, the Packers very quickly quelled any hopes of a Lions upset after the break. Defensively the Lions had no answer, and the offense couldn’t get anything going as the game came to a very deflating end for Detroit.

30.   New York Jets (0-2)

The struggles of having a rookie QB were all too evident for New York on Sunday. Wilson looked out of his depth, throwing four poor interceptions. He was a project coming out of BYU, with issues in reading coverages and decision making, and they bluntly showed themselves against New England. It is important Wilson and the Jets have a short memory to get over these early growing pains.

31.   Atlanta Falcons (0-2)

The Falcons never really stood a chance against the Buccaneers. The defense was quickly on the back heel and the offense is not good enough to keep pace against the Bucs’ defense. Matt Ryan isn’t physically the same QB as he was, and the offense doesn’t have the talent to make up for his deficiencies. It’s going to be a long season in Atlanta.  

32.   Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)

While struggles were expected for Zach Wilson, Trevor Lawrence was projected to be more effective more quickly. However, through two starts he has shown he has plenty of development ahead. He has made a number of very nice throws, but he’s struggled to see coverages and has five interceptions through two games. Like Wilson, again, it’s crucial Lawrence and the Jags have a short memory and are patient through this first season as he matures as an NFL QB.