The Bills, Chiefs, and Chargers sit atop the NFL Week 2 Power Rankings who can catch them?
Tyler Lauletta
- Week 1 of the NFL season is officially in the books.
- The Bills, Chiefs, and Chargers have all established themselves as great contenders for the AFC throne.
- Meanwhile, the NFC feels as wide open as ever before.
32. New York Jets
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Ravens, 24-9
Week 2 opponent: at Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: Jets fans chanted for third-string quarterback Mike White to take the reins of their offense after a disappointing showing from Joe Flacco. Things aren't great in New York right now, and don't appear to be getting better any time soon.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Saints, 27-26
Week 2 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: The Falcons jumped out to a 16-3 lead over the Saints at halftime, only to squander it through the final two quarters. At least running back Cordarrelle Patterson is once again winning leagues for fantasy players.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Commanders, 28-22
Week 2 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: The Jaguars looked more fiery than they ever did under the reign of Urban Meyer, but they still didn't have enough to take down the Commanders. Clean up some rookie mistakes though, and Jacksonville could be a tough out later in the year.
29. Houston Texans
Record: 0-0-1
Week 1 result: Tied with the Colts, 20-20
Week 2 opponent: at Denver Broncos
One thing to know: Lovie Smith's tenure with the Texans started not with a win or a loss, but a tie. Given his decision to punt near midfield in the waning seconds of overtime, it appears it's an outcome Smith was comfortable with.
28. Detroit Lions
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Eagles, 38-35
Week 2 opponent: vs. Washington Commanders
One thing to know: The final score of this game made it appear closer than it actually was, but Detroit's offensive line and rushing attack are quite potent.
27. Carolina Panthers
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Browns, 26-24
Week 2 opponent: at New York Giants
One thing to know: Baker Mayfield nearly led the Panthers to an epic comeback, but the Cleveland Browns spoiled it with a walk-off field goal. With his revenge game behind him, Mayfield may feel a bit of weight come off his shoulders heading into the rest of the year.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Buccaneers, 19-3
Week 2 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Cowboys were the only team in the NFL to fail to score a touchdown in Week 1. With Dak Prescott out for six-to-eight weeks due to an injured thumb, it may be a while longer until they find the end zone.
25. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Broncos, 17-16
Week 2 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: Geno Smith and the Seahawks looked far more feisty than many expected on Monday night against the Broncos. It makes sense that Seattle was pumped up to play in primetime at home against their former quarterback, Russell Wilson. If they can keep that intensity going for a stretch, they could be a factor in the crowded NFC West.
24. New England Patriots
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 20-7
Week 2 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: Week 1's poor showing suggests that Bill Belichick and the Patriots have a lot to figure out. For starters, who exactly is running the offense?
23. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 44-21
Week 2 opponent: at Las Vegas Raiders
One thing to know: Kyler Murray and the Cardinals had a wonky off-season, and once the real season kicked off, things didn't get much better.
22. Washington Commanders
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Jaguars, 28-22
Week 2 opponent: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: After being cast off by two different teams in back-to-back seasons, Carson Wentz impressed in his debut with the Commanders, throwing for 313 yards and four touchdowns against the Jaguars.
21. Chicago Bears
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the 49ers, 19-10
Week 2 opponent: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: It was a game played in a torrential downpour, but the Bears' win over the 49ers counts just the same as every other win from Week 1. Next week's trip to Green Bay to face a frustrated Packers team should provide quite a test for the Chicago squad.
20. New York GIants
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Titans, 21-20
Week 2 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: After two disappointing seasons, Saquon Barkley may be back, having finished Sunday's bout against the Titans with 194 total yards and a touchdown.
19. Cleveland Browns
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Panthers, 26-24
Week 2 opponent: vs. New York Jets
One thing to know: Rookie kicker Cade York saved the day for the Browns, crushing a 58-yard game-winner through the uprights with just seconds left to play against the Panthers. The only kicker drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, the investment in York is already paying off for Cleveland.
18. Tennessee Titans
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Giants, 21-20
Week 2 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Tennessee Titans missed what would have been a game-winning field goal as time expired against the Giants. With games against the Bills and Raiders on the horizon, the Titans will have to turn things around fast if they are to avoid a shockingly bad start to the season.
17. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 0-0-1
Week 1 result: Tied with the Texans, 20-20
Week 2 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: While a tie wasn't the outcome the Colts were gunning for against the lowly Texans, Indianapolis is likely pleased with the performance of receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who finished with nine receptions for 121 yards and a score on Sunday. He's revealed himself as a potential superstar wideout, an essential roster piece to have on a championship team.
16. Denver Broncos
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 17-16
Week 2 opponent: vs. Houston Texans
One thing to know: A bit of bone-headed clock management by rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett may have cost the Broncos their best shot at a win on Monday night against the Seahawks. A get-right game against the Texans might be just what the doctor ordered for a Denver team licking its wounds.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Chargers, 24-19
Week 2 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Despite their loss, the Raiders got the most out of their biggest off-season acquisition, with Davante Adams bringing in 10 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Bengals, 23-20
Week 2 opponent: vs. New England Patriots
One thing to know: Minkah Fitzpatrick showed up huge for the Steelers defense, opening the game with a pick-six and closing regulation with a blocked extra point that forced the game to overtime. Head coach Mike Tomlin once again shows his teams are capable of finding ways to win.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Bears, 19-10
Week 2 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The debut of the Trey Lance era was quite a disappointment. While it's tough to make any overarching judgments on a game played through a monsoon, if Lance doesn't get the 49ers offense running in the next few weeks, fans might start asking about Jimmy Garoppolo again.
12. New Orleans Saints
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Falcons, 27-26
Week 2 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Michael Thomas announced his return from injury with an exclamation point, scoring two touchdowns in his first game action in more than a year.
11. Miami Dolphins
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Patriots, 20-7
Week 2 opponent: at Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: A busy off-season is showing solid early returns for Miami, with new head coach Mike McDaniel managing one heck of a game and stud wide receiver Tyreek Hill making an immediate impact on the Dolphins offense.
10. Green Bay Packers
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Vikings, 23-7
Week 2 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
One thing to know: Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers came out looking like a dead team walking for the second-straight season. But before you write off the Packers, let's remember that after last year's embarrassing Week 1 performance, Green Bay went on to finish 13-4 and take the top seed in the NFC.
9. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Bills, 31-10
Week 2 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: The Rams opened their pregame festivities on Thursday with an unveiling of their new Super Bowl banner. It all went downhill from there.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-1
Week 1 result: Lost to the Steelers, 23-20
Week 2 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: Joe Burrow struggled mightily against the Steelers defense, giving up five turnovers over the course of the game. Still, the Bengals were a made-extra-point away from winning.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Lions, 38-35
Week 2 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: All three of the Eagles' primary running backs — Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott — found the end zone against the Lions. With newly acquired A.J. Brown opening up the passing game, the Philadelphia offense should put on quite a show this year.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Packers, 23-7
Week 2 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Before the start of the season, Justin Jefferson said it was his goal to become the first receiver in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards. After putting up 184 yards in the Vikings season opener, he may have underestimated his target.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Jets, 24-9
Week 2 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: Failing to sign an extension this off-season that would keep him with the Ravens long-term, quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing out his rookie deal instead. If Jackson stays healthy and continues to play at a high level, he could be looking at one of the richest deals in NFL history when he finally signs.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Cowboys, 19-3
Week 2 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: The Buccaneers' defense handled the bulk of the workload against the Cowboys, holding Dallas to just three points in primetime. Given how much better Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense can play, it's a scary sign for what looks like a pretty weak NFC.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Raiders, 24-19
Week 2 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: Justin Herbert and the Chargers took care of business against the Raiders to start the year. This Thursday's matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs has the potential to be one of the best games of the entire season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Cardinals, 44-21
Week 2 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: Patrick Mahomes diced up the Arizona defense, which made the shocking decision to blitz the heck out of the best blitz-beating quarterback in the league. Mahomes has now thrown 46 touchdowns to just three interceptions in the month of September over his career.
1. Buffalo Bills
Record: 1-0
Week 1 result: Beat the Rams, 31-10
Week 2 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: The Buffalo Bills put up a statement win over the Rams to start the year. Could this finally be the season they break through?
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