NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Let’s overreact! Chargers, Bucs up; Bengals, Falcons down

admin September 11, 2024 Sports Leave a comment 1 Views

The Week 2 NFL Power Rankings are here, and that means it’s time to overreact.

The league’s coaches and players have spent all offseason telling us that every year brings new possibilities, that what happened in the past and media expectations for the future don’t matter. We’re going to take them at their word. That means all the winners are in the top 16 and all the losers are in the bottom 16. Those are the Week 2 rules.

These rankings are based only on what happened in the opening slate of games, and we’re not afraid to make some big pronouncements. For instance, passing is dead in the NFL. The average passing yards gained in the first 16 games was 186.9 yards. Only two quarterbacks topped 300 yards through the air. Only DeeJay Dallas saved the new “dynamic” kickoff, and the NFL should consider scrapping it immediately. Dallas had a 96-yard return for a touchdown, but it was mostly just a bunch of touchbacks. And, finally, the Cleveland Browns should just stop playing now, but we’ll get to that later.

For now, we start at the top, which is about the only place these rankings look the same.

Last week: 1

Thursday: Beat Baltimore Ravens 27-20

Is it too early to start talking about a four-peat? Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy touched the ball three times and gained 68 yards and scored twice. Second-year receiver Rashee Rice opened the season with the fourth 100-yard game of his career. Eight Chiefs skill-position players touched the ball, and Travis Kelce had only 34 yards, so there’s plenty more there for the Chiefs, who could be the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era if they keep this up.

Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

How Xavier Worthy’s speed changed the game for the Chiefs on opening night

Last week: 5

Monday: Beat New York Jets 32-19

Christian McCaffrey was inactive Monday night because of a lingering calf strain. That would sink most teams. These 49ers aren’t most teams. They survived a drama-filled preseason. Heck, they thrived. Coach Kyle Shanahan plugged in third-year running back Jordan Mason, a former undrafted free agent, in place of McCaffrey, and Mason carried the ball 28 times for 147 yards against what was one of the league’s best defenses in 2023. Newly super-rich wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had only two catches, and the Niners still scored on eight straight drives. No wonder San Francisco wasn’t bending over backward to meet all his demands.

Up next: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Last week: 8

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 34-28

Josh Allen took the super-early MVP lead by throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more, including a vintage Josh Allen half-hurdle, half-bulldoze a defender. He’s now tied with Steve Young for most games in NFL history with multiple passing and rushing touchdowns (four). Nine Bills caught a pass, and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman led the group with four catches for 51 yards. Linebacker Terrel Bernard helped fill the gap left by another Matt Milano injury by registering 11 tackles.

Up next: at Miami Dolphins, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Last week: 4

Sunday: Beat Indianapolis Colts 29-27

Joe Mixon is the league’s leading rusher after getting a career-high 30 carries and finishing with 159 yards. It put him in such a good mood that he declined after the game to take a shot at the team that let him go — the Cincinnati Bengals. “I just wanna leave them where they’re at, just like where they left me,” he said. Another new guy in town for Houston had a pretty good debut, too, as Stefon Diggs caught two touchdown passes. (Nico Collins still racked up 117 yards.)

Up next: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Last week: 2

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Rams 26-20 (OT)

The Lions won the game with an eight-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in overtime. Seven of those plays were runs that covered 60 yards. It was Dan Campbell’s dream drive. This might be his dream team, too. Jared Goff was fine. David Montgomery had 91 rushing yards. Maybe most importantly, Jameson Williams had his first 100-yard receiving game, finishing with five catches for 121 yards.

Up next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Lions refuse to break in prime-time overtime battle against Rams

Last week: 10

Friday: Beat Green Bay Packers 34-29

The New York Giants didn’t open the season until Sunday and somehow they got embarrassed on Friday night in South America. Former Giants running back Saquon Barkley saved Jalen Hurts from a tough day by scoring three touchdowns, two on the ground, to go with 109 yards rushing, and one through the air. There are some reasons for worry, though. Hurts had two interceptions, and the Jason Kelce-less Tush Push failed on its first attempt.

Up next: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Last week: 7

Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 33-17

Dak Prescott won the day Sunday. Not just in the NFL but on the planet. Nobody had a better day than the Cowboys quarterback. Hours before the game, Prescott finalized a six-year contract that guarantees him $231 million and makes him the first player in league history to make $60 million per season. Then he went out and had a very Dak game — efficient but not spectacular with 19-for-32 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown. It was plenty to beat an already flailing Cleveland team.

Up next: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Which preseason Super Bowl contenders looked the part in Week 1? Sando’s Pick Six

Last week: 14

Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17

Tyreek Hill was handcuffed and detained outside the stadium just before the game after a traffic incident. He was released almost immediately and made it inside, where he had seven catches for 130 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown that he followed with a handcuff celebration. Tua Tagovailoa led all quarterbacks in Week 1 with 338 yards, and the Dolphins scored the game’s final 13 points to come from behind.

Up next: vs. Buffalo Bills, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Last week: 17

Sunday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 22-10

Justin Herbert passed for 144 yards. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 135 (on 10 carries). Welcome back to the NFL, Jim Harbaugh! His return to the NFL is everything we thought it would be. Dobbins, a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2020, has a chance to be one of this year’s breakout stars. He has played in just 24 games in four years because of injury, but if he stays healthy, Harbaugh will make sure he gets plenty of carries.

Up next: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)

Last week: 22

Sunday: Beat Washington Commanders 37-20

If not for Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield would have been the best quarterback of the day Sunday. The Browns and Panthers both let Mayfield walk out the door and both have franchise-sinking situations at quarterback at the moment. Meanwhile, Mayfield passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns. His performance makes us believe a fourth straight NFC South title is within reach for Tampa Bay.

Up next: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

11. New Orleans Saints (1-0)

Last week: 25

Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 47-10

The Saints have the NFL’s longest active streak of season-opening victories with six after embarrassing the Panthers. Derek Carr had three touchdown passes. Alvin Kamara had 83 rushing yards. And New Orleans scored on 81.8 percent of its drives, a Week 1 high. Defensively, the Saints held Carolina to 3.5 yards per play. For one week at least, New Orleans is not the worst team in the NFC South, and it may be the second best.

Up next: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Last week: 19

Sunday: Beat Denver Broncos 26-20

Despite being the first team since 2017 to give up multiple safeties in a game, Seattle won Mike Macdonald’s coaching debut behind Kenneth Walker’s 103 rushing yards. Keep an eye on cornerback Tariq Woolen, who had an interception and two passes deflected. Woolen and Devon Witherspoon could be the best cornerback duo in the league under Macdonald.

Up next: at New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Seahawks earn Mike Macdonald’s first win after finding their ‘swagger’ on defense

Last week: 20

Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 18-10

Mike Tomlin started a backup quarterback and his team didn’t score a touchdown. Of course, the Steelers won. Chris Boswell tied the team record and came two short of tying the NFL record with six field goals and had to serve as emergency punter in the fourth quarter, too. Justin Fields started in place of the injured Russell Wilson (calf) and did just enough (57 yards rushing, 156 yards passing) to get a win.

Up next: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

14. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

Last week: 23

Sunday: Beat New York Giants 28-6

The Vikings let Kirk Cousins leave for Atlanta, then lost rookie J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury. Now it’s the Sam Darnold Show, and the first episode wasn’t that bad. Darnold finished 19 of 24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Eight Vikings caught passes, and Aaron Jones rushed for 94 yards. Four Minnesota defenders, including rookie Dallas Turner, had at least one sack.

Up next: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

15. New England Patriots (1-0)

Last week: 32

Sunday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 16-10

Defensive lineman Keion White had 2 1/2 sacks, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble, and Rhamondre Stevenson had 120 rushing yards on 25 carries. Those things make it a lot less important who New England plays at quarterback. Sunday, as expected, it was veteran Jacoby Brissett over the rookie Drake Maye. Brissett threw for 121 yards, and no Patriot had more than 31 receiving yards. Bill Belichick must have loved this game.

Up next: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

16. Chicago Bears (1-0)

Last week: 16

Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 24-17

No quarterback in the league had fewer yards per attempt in Week 1 than No. 1 pick Caleb Williams (3.2), who was 14 of 29 for 93 yards and a 55.7 passer rating in his NFL debut. New running back D’Andre Swift had 10 carries for 30 yards and No. 9 pick Rome Odunze had one catch for 11 yards. The idea that the new-look Bears were going to be the league’s surprise team seems silly after Week 1. The good news is a special teams touchdown (blocked punt return) and a defensive touchdown (pick-six) saved the day.

Up next: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Greenberg: Caleb Williams’ debut didn’t live up to expectations, but he did enough for now

17. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)

Last week: 3

Thursday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 27-20

Lamar Jackson can’t keep this up. Sure, the reigning MVP looked great — he led the Ravens in rushing with 16 carries for 122 yards and threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, handling the ball on 57 of 74 plays. Hopefully, that was just Jackson trying to put on his superhero cape to knock Patrick Mahomes down a peg and he’ll settle down now because it’s hard to imagine him surviving 17 games with the kind of workload and contact he had Thursday night. Baltimore, theoretically, brought Derrick Henry in for a reason this offseason, but Henry had only 13 carries.

Up next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

18. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)

Last week: 18

Sunday: Lost to Houston Texans 29-27

In his fifth NFL game, second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson participated in 268 of the Colts’ 303 yards. It may not be a sustainable way to play offense, but it was fun to watch Sunday, including a spectacular 60-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce. It was the third-longest touchdown pass in air yards (65.3) since Next Gen Stats began tracking in 2016. He also led the Colts with 56 yards on the ground.

Up next: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

19. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)

Last week: 12

Sunday: Lost to Detroit Lions 26-20

By the end of the game, the Rams were without Puka Nacua (knee) and down to two healthy offensive line starters, and they still managed to push Detroit to overtime. The reasons were Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. In his eighth season, Kupp had a career-high 21 targets and tied his career high with 14 catches. Stafford, despite being pressured on 45 percent of his attempts, was one of two quarterbacks in the league to top 300 passing yards.

Up next: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

20. New York Jets (0-1)

Last week: 13

Monday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 32-19

Let’s focus on the positive: Aaron Rodgers made it through Week 1 perfectly healthy. He was a pedestrian 13-for-21 for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but he’ll make it to Week 2. His old friend Allen Lazard even had a Lazarus-like performance with six catches for 89 yards. The worrying thing is the defense that was supposed to provide a floor for this team gave up 401 yards to a 49ers team without Christian McCaffrey and barely anything from Brandon Aiyuk.

Up next: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

21. Green Bay Packers (0-1)

Last week: 6

Friday: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 34-29

The ink is barely dry on Jordan Love’s new $220 million contract, and he’s now facing an extended absence because of a knee injury suffered late in the game. As worrisome? Love didn’t look great before the injury, completing only 50 percent of his passes and throwing an interception. Playing in Brazil on a less-than-perfect field certainly contributed to that, but not all of Love’s misses were turf-related. The Packers have Malik Willis behind Love, and it sounds like they might try to ride with him until Love can return.

Up next: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)

Last week: 21

Sunday: Lost to Miami Dolphins 20-17

With two minutes left in the third quarter, Jacksonville had a 92.3 percent chance to win the game, according to The 33rd Team. The Jaguars gave up 13 straight points from there. Trevor Lawrence’s 12-of-21 for 162 yards performance isn’t going to convince anyone who was on the fence about him. The wide receivers were the only bright spot. Gabe Davis had three catches for 62 yards. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. had four for 47.

Up next: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

What we learned in NFL Week 1: Good day to be Dak, Lions look gritty as ever

23. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)

Last week: 27

Sunday: Lost to Buffalo Bills 34-28

Is Marvin Harrison Jr. a bust? Just kidding, but remember we’re overreacting this week. The No. 4 pick in the draft dropped his first target and finished with one catch for 4 yards. On the plus side, Arizona still scored 28 points thanks to DeeJay Dallas getting the first kickoff return for a touchdown of the “dynamic” kickoff era.

Up next: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

24. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)

Last week: 26

Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers 22-10

Maxx Crosby had a sack, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. Newcomer Christian Wilkins was second on the team with five tackles. Raiders fans would be happy to end talk about Sunday’s game here. The Raiders averaged 3.2 yards per carry on the ground and managed only three points in the final three quarters. The most head-scratching coaching decision of the day came from Antonio Pierce, who opted to punt from the Chargers’ 43-yard line down six points with seven minutes left in the game.

Up next: at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

25. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)

Last week: 9

Sunday: Lost to New England Patriots 16-10

Ja’Marr Chase didn’t have a great negotiating week. The Bengals star wide receiver kept his team in suspense about his status all week as he tries to negotiate a new contract. He played, and the Cincinnati offense still looked terrible. Chase had 62 yards on six catches, but the Bengals still had their third-lowest offensive output since 2021. It didn’t help that fellow receiver Tee Higgins sat out with a hamstring injury. Joe Burrow’s 164 passing yards were the fifth fewest of his career.

Up next: at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

26. Tennessee Titans (0-1)

Last week: 24

Sunday: Lost 24-17 to Chicago Bears

If this is the “Let’s See If Will Levis Is The Guy Season,” then the early answer is no. Levis completed 19 of 32 passes, averaged 4 yards per attempt and gave Chicago its winning pick-six with a terrible decision midway through the fourth quarter. That’s how Tennessee gave up a 17-0 lead despite the Bears gaining only 148 yards. At least Tony Pollard’s debut was solid. He had 16 carries for 82 yards.

Up next: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET


Broncos quarterback Bo Nix found himself on the run a lot in Sunday’s loss in Seattle. (Joe Nicholson / USA Today)

27. Denver Broncos (0-1)

Last week: 30

Sunday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 26-20

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the Broncos in rushing was not on anyone’s bingo card. The problem for Denver is it took only 35 yards to lead the team in rushing. That’s not sustainable for a Sean Payton offense with a rookie quarterback, especially one who threw for 138 yards on 42 attempts in his debut. Only fellow rookie Caleb Williams had fewer yards per attempt in Week 1 than Nix’s 3.3.

Up next: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

28. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)

Last week: 15

Sunday: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers 18-10

The Falcons spent big on free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason. In fact, only one team spent more this offseason overall than Atlanta ($252.6 million), which also hired an offensive coordinator out from under Sean McVay. It all added up to 10 points and 226 total yards, the fourth fewest in the league in Week 1. Cousins threw two interceptions and contributed to a fumble as the Falcons lost the turnover battle 3-0.

Up next: at Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

29. Washington Commanders (0-1)

Last week: 28

Sunday: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-20

The award for quietest good day goes to Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had the best day in a crowded rookie class at the position. Daniels completed 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards and led Washington in rushing with 16 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns. He had the sixth-best EPA (expected points added) per play (.25) and the Commanders piled up 22 first downs and had the fourth-best offensive success rate in the league (48.3 percent).

Up next: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

For Tom Brady and Fox, Sunday was a first step toward the broadcast that truly counts

30. New York Giants (0-1)

Last week: 31

Sunday: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 28-6

New York’s big bet on Daniel Jones last offseason basically meant it couldn’t pay Saquon Barkley this offseason. While Barkley led the divisional rival Eagles to a win this week, Jones opened up with a 44.3 passer rating, the second worst in the league in Week 1. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers did manage five catches for 66 yards.

Up next: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. Carolina Panthers (0-1)

Last week: 29

Sunday: Lost to New Orleans Saints 47-10

Bryce Young’s first pass of the season was intercepted, and it didn’t get any better from there. The Saints scored on their first eight possessions and had 37 points before Carolina scored a touchdown. “We’ve got a lot to figure out (on defense),” first-year head coach Dave Canales said. Offensively, too. The Panthers had 20 carries for 58 yards and were led in receiving by Adam Thielen’s 49 yards.

Up next: vs Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Cleveland Browns (0-1)

Last week: 11

Sunday: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 33-17

Let’s review the Deshaun Watson situation. His salary-cap number for the next two seasons is $72 million per season. If the Browns were to cut him after this season, it would be a $200 million dead-money cap hit, according to Over the Cap. Even if they stick with him until 2026, it’s still a $99 million dead-money cap hit to get rid of him. They are stuck with this. “This” is the fourth-worst passer rating in the league Sunday (51.1). His 3.8 yards per attempt was the third lowest in the league, and it was as bad as it looked. On Monday, the situation got even worse and more complicated as he was accused again of sexual battery and assault in a new lawsuit.

Up next: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Top photo of Khalil Shakir, left, and Dalton Kincaid: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images)




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