NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 2
Now check out all the waiver wire pickups your fantasy team needs to make before Week 2
1. Green Bay Packers
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Seattle Seahawks 17-9
This week: at Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: In what could very well have been a preview of the NFC Championship, the Packers were able to hold off the Seahawks attack and dominate the second half once they’d tired out the Seattle defense. If Green Bay can ruin the primetime debut of Atlanta’s new stadium, they’ll indisputably be the team to beat in the NFC.
2. Oakland Raiders
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Tennessee Titans 26-16
This week: vs. New York Jets
One thing to know: In Week 1, the Raiders lived up to the high expectations following them into the season. Derek Carr spread the ball around to his array of offensive options, Marshawn Lynch looked as explosive as ever, and the defense held an intriguing Titans team to just one rushing touchdown from Marcus Mariota.
3. New England Patriots
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 42-27
This week: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: A loss to the Chiefs was not the way that the Patriots envisioned the season starting, but Andy Reid, Alex Smith, and a breakout performance from rookie Kareem Hunt brought the Patriots their first defeat since November of last year. But as road favorites this week against the Saints, many expect the Pats to right the ship and with good reason — since Brady took over in 2001, the team has lost consecutive regular season games just seven times.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the New England Patriots 42-27
This week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: The Chiefs may have pulled off one of the most surprising wins of the season by upsetting the Patriots, but they suffered perhaps a bigger loss in losing safety Eric Berry for the season with a torn achilles.
5. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the New York Giants 19-3
This week: at Denver Broncos
One thing to know: The Cowboys looked great on Sunday night, but with Odell Beckham sidelined, the Giants offense offered little in terms of an offensive attack. Their trip to Denver should give a better indication of how they stack up against powerhouses across the league.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Cleveland Browns 21-18
This week: vs. Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: While Le'Veon Bell disappointed in his return to the Steelers, the team looks like they may have a future star on their hands in T.J. Watt, who posted two sacks and an interception in his NFL debut.
7. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Bears 23-17
This week: vs. Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: Matt Ryan and company looked less than impressive against the Bears on Sunday and were just one play away from starting the season with a loss. Time will tell if Atlanta suffers from a Super Bowl hangover, but if they can take down the Packers on Sunday Night Football at their opening game in their new stadium, it will go a long way to assure football fans that they still have what it takes to hang with the best in the NFC.
8. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the New Orleans Saints 29-19
This week: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: Sam Bradford had the best game of his career in Week 1, shredding the Saints for 346 yards on 27-of-32 passing and three touchdowns and posting a career-best 143 passer rating. The question now is if he can keep it up.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Green Bay Packers 17-9
This week: vs. San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: No team wants to start the season with a loss, but Lambeau is a tough place to play and the Seattle defense looked strong enough to carry the team some ways into the season. Hosting their division rivals San Francisco should be a solid game for the Seahawks to use execute a gameplay and get their year back on track.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Washington Redskins 30-17
This week: at Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: Carson Wentz showed a glimpse of his incredible improvisational talent in Week 1 by evading several Washington defenders and throwing a gorgeous 58-yard touchdown.
11. Denver Broncos
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-21
This week: vs. Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: If Trevor Siemian can play like he did on Sunday against the Chargers for a full season, the Broncos will be a real contender this year. Facing off against the Cowboys defense at Mile High Stadium will be a good test for the 25-year-old quarterback.
12. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-0
This week: vs. Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: The Ravens defense currently ranks best in the league after picking off Andy Dalton four times, sacking him five times, and holding the Bengals scoreless. If the offense can get and stay healthy, this could be a resurgent year for Baltimore.
13. Tennessee Titans
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Oakland Raiders 26-16
This week: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: The Titans season got off to a rough start after the team tried and failed to catch the Raiders off-guard with a surprise onside kick attempt to open the game. While the play didn’t work out, it showed the aggressive, play-to-win style many expected out of the Titans this year, which fans can expect to continue with their trip to Jacksonville.
14. Detroit Lions
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Arizona Cardinals 35-23
This week: at New York Giants
One thing to know: The Lions' self-acclaimed little-known defense is currently sixth in defensive DVOA after terrorizing the Cardinals into three interceptions, a sack, and a fumble. They could be a formidable group this year.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 0-0
Last week: No game due to Hurricane Irma
This week: vs. Chicago Bears
One thing to know: After sitting out Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma, the Buccaneers will finally get their season started this Sunday a week later, hosting the Bears in Tampa Bay. The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers have pledged to donate $1 million to relief efforts.
16. Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-3
This week: vs. Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: Christian McCaffrey played second fiddle to veteran running back Jonathan Stewart in Week 1, which head coach Ron Rivera compared to getting a new toy for Christmas but trying to preserve the "batteries."
17. New York Giants
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 19-3
This week: vs. Detroit Lions
One thing to know: The Giants were exposed without Odell Beckham Jr., their only real offensive threat against quality competition. The fate of New York’s season could very well come down to the health status of their star player’s ankles.
18. Washington Redskins
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 30-17
This week: at Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: The Redskins' normally high-octane offense may take awhile to adjust as Kirk Cousins gets more familiar with newcomer Terrelle Pryor and players like Rob Kelley and Josh Docston playing bigger roles.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Denver Broncos 24-21
This week: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: Philip Rivers came this close to bringing the Chargers back from a huge deficit to take down the Broncos, only to have their hopes thwarted by some savvy special teams adjustments by the Denver field goal block unit.
20. Miami Dolphins
Record: 0-0
Last week: No game due to Hurricane Irma
This week: at Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: The Dolphins return home after Irma and now have to begin a grueling 16-game stretch without a bye, something players aren't thrilled about.
21. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Detroit Lions 35-23
This week: at Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: The Cardinals lost to the Lions for the first time in 20 years after giving up 20 points in the fourth quarter. Up against the Colts backup Scott Tolzien, Week 2 is a great chance to get back to .500 on the season.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Houston Texans 29-7
This week: vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: The Jaguars might be the early winners for best offseason signing after Calais Campbell's Week 1 performance — the former Cardinal registered four sacks, five QB hits, and generally menaced the Texans' offensive line and quarterbacks.
23. New Orleans Saints
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to New Orleans Saints 29-19
This week: vs. New England Patriots
One thing to know: The long relationship between Sean Payton and Drew Brees has largely been a successful one, but this could very well be the year that the Saints stumble out of prominence.
24. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the Indianapolis Colts 46-9
This week: vs. Washington Redskins
One thing to know: The Rams have to feel good about Jared Goff's Week 1 performance — 306 yards and one touchdown on 21-of-29 passing. Already Goff looks like a better fit in head coach Sean McVay's offense than Jeff Fisher's offense last season.
25. Chicago Bears
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Atlanta Falcons 23-17
This week: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: The Bears looked better than expected against the Falcons on Sunday, but they came up just short of beating the Falcons at home. Mike Glennon was fine, but with second overall draft pick Mitch Trubisky waiting in the wings, it’s tough to imagine that Glennon has that tight a hold on the starting job.
26. Buffalo Bills
Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat the New York Jets 21-12
This week: at Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: LeSean McCoy carried the Bills offense with 159 total yards on 22 carries and five receptions, but there's some concern about his workload going forward.
27. Houston Texans
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 29-7
This week: at Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: After an emotional return to the field in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the Texans looked out of sorts on Sunday, most notably with their porous offensive line allowing 10 sacks. One bright spot — Deshaun Watson took to the field in the second half after starter Tom Savage was pulled, and made the most of his opportunity, scoring a touchdown on his first drive. Even if the Texans don’t contend this year (although they are still very much in the hunt of the wide open AFC South), Watson can get invaluable experience this year.
28. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18
This week: at Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: Browns coach Hue Jackson had a stern message for veteran wide receiver Kenny Britt after Britt dropped a perfectly thrown 20-yard pass, calling it "inexcusable."
29. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 20-0
This week: vs. Houston Texans
One thing to know: The Bengals were shut out at home on Sunday, the team’s first shutout to open a season since 1979. Quarterback Andy Dalton looked especially bad, giving up the ball four times before being booed off the field to end the game. The team will try and win back their home fans hosting the Texans on Thursday.
30. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 46-9
This week: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: The Colts may turn to newcomer Jacoby Brissett at quarterback as Andrew Luck's return continues to be a mystery.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Carolina Panthers 23-3
This week: at Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: While crowd size was a big issue in Los Angeles during Week 1, San Francisco didn’t have much of a fan base either. Given the team’s current construction and play, it’s not hard to see why.
32. New York Jets
Record: 0-1
Last week: Lost to Buffalo Bills 21-12
This week: at Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: Unsurprisingly, the Jets had trouble moving the ball on offense in Week 1. Quarterback Josh McCown averaged just 4.8 yards per completion and had two interceptions and the running backs managed just 38 total yards on 15 carries for an average of 2.5 yards per rush.
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