NFL Power Rankings After Week 1
Each year some teams get better and some get worse. You never truly know what they are going to be like until the pads come on and the pigskin starts flying around. After week 1, we got some teams that look destined to repeat, some that look like their usual miserable selves, while others are going to surprise people and surpass expectations. These are the power rankings after week 1 of the NFL.
32. Jets
31. Dolphins
30. Bengals
29. Giants
28. Lions
27. Jaguars
26. Panthers
25. Browns
24. Broncos
23. Falcons
22. Washington
21. Bears
20. Colts
19. Chargers
18. Raiders
17. Eagles
16. Vikings
15. Buccaneers
14. Texans
13. Cardinals
12. Patriots
11. Cowboys
10. Rams
The Rams didn’t make too much noise this offseason in free agency or the draft. Yet, they quietly did well in both aspects. They got healthy, drafted some key offense guys that should start to show results this season. Then they resigned their prized trade assess in Jalen Ramsay to a record-breaking deal. Against the Cowboys, they started to look like the Rams of 2018 that made it to the Superbowl. They ran the ball effectively, had good protection for Jared Goff, and got the quick passing game going. The defense looked a bit shakily out the gate, but locked down more as the game progressed. If they continue this way, the Rams will make the postseason this year.
9. 49ers
Even without three of their top four wide receivers playing they made the game close with the Cardinals. The running game got going to the tune of 150 plus yards and Jimmy G looked solid in the first half. Yet, after one good read to Mostert for a 76-yard catch and run, the offense looked mediocre at best. Jimmy G only got four catches on eleven targets to his receivers and missed a go-ahead TD to Kendrick Bourne in the last two minutes. The defense looked strong in the first half, then started to falter in the second. Losing Richard Sherman is a big blow for the defense as the team looks to try and defend its NFC championship title. Let’s see if they can bounce back next week.
8. Bills
Yes, the Bills played the lowly Jets, but they dominated to the point the game was basically over at halftime. Josh Allen looked a bit better passing, but still needs to improve on passing and his fumbling issues. He lost another two fumbles this week, and you can’t win against playoff teams turning the ball over like that. Diggs and Brown had solid outings and showed to be a good one-two punch. While the defense looked great all afternoon, excluding a Jamison Crowder catch and run TD. The more games we see from Josh Allen this year will tell us how far the Bills will go this year as they look for their first division title in almost two decades.
7. Steelers
Again, we have another team that dominated their competition defensively for most of the game excluding one big passing TD to Darius Slayton. The Steelers got after Daniel Jones for the majority of the night and made Saquon Barkley look like a backup’s backup in terms of his rushing stats. He managed only 6 yards, and that is impressive to many people in the league. The offense started out slow with Big Ben coming back from injury. Then in the final two minutes of the first half, Ben started to just sling it and looked like himself again. He had Juju Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson looking like fantasy darlings for the year. The biggest thing is the depth at wide receiver for this team is scary with Smith-Schuster, Johnson, Washington, and the new guy Claypool. They will be certainly challenging the Ravens this year for the division title.
6. Titans
The Titans looked solid this past week with Tannehill leading the way. Derrick Henry was fed but wasn’t as impactful as he normally is in the second half of a season. He barely hit the 100-yard mark with over 25 carries. The team didn’t waver as Tannehill was slinging it all over the field to multiple guys. Corey Davis looks to have a good year with a 100-yard performance right the gate. While the defense for the most part looked like a cohesive unit with newly acquired Jadeveon Clowney in the lineup. They will have to get Gostkowski over the yips to make another run this season as he missed three field goals and a PAT. Other than that, the Titans look like a playoff contender out the gate this year.
5. Seahawks
Russell Wilson is on a mission this year to get his first MVP this year. He started off the year with over 300 yards and three TD’s with no interceptions. He looked crisp like he was in midseason form from the start. Chris Carson looks to be a better overall running back this year with his continued development in the passing game. This offense is going to be one of the best in the league this year with Russ at the helm. The defense is a different story. Jamal Adams made his presence known early and often in the game, but the defense gave up way too many yards to Matt Ryan and his aerial attack. They will need to clean up the defensive side some more, but with Russ at the helm, they will surely make one of the playoff spots this year.
4. Saints
The Saints looked like a starter version of themselves this week against the Buccaneers. Alvin Kamara looks to uphold his end of the freshly minted deal he signed. Drew Brees looked like his vintage high completion self yet without all the yards and touchdowns. The defense was getting after Brady and the Buccaneers offense by forcing three turnovers and scoring off one of them. The craziest part of all this is that Michael Thomas only had 3 catches for 17 yards in the game and the Saints won by double digits. When the team gets to its midseason form, they are going to be hard to stop this year. The only downfall was big, Micheal Thomas looks to be out at least three weeks. If the Saints can overcome this, they might finally get past the first round for the first time in a while.
3. Packers
Aaron Rodgers is a baaaadddd man. After an offseason that saw the Packers draft Rodgers presumed successor and once again ignoring his receiving corp, Rodgers showed he is still one of the best. After getting down by a score, he torched the Vikings defense to the tune of 364 yards and four touchdowns. Davante Adams was ridiculous in his stat line and performance, while Allen Lazard and Marques Valdes-Scantling each chipped in with big plays that resulted in touchdowns. The other Aaron, Aaron Jones even got in on the action with a rushing touchdown. The defense seemed to be poised for a good game until the second half came around and the Vikings kicked it in gear. They stopped the bleeding enough for the Packers to win but need to be better. This could be another great year for the Packers and a dark horse year for Rodgers to get MVP.
2. Ravens
Another game, another stellar performance from the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. Bouncing back from a heartbreaking loss in the divisional round of the playoffs last year, Jackson seems even better as a passer. He threw the ball with zip and accuracy. He connected with multiple receivers and got his best weapons involved early and often. If not for a dropped pass from Miles Boykin, Lamar would have finished with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Then you add in rookie J.K. Dobbins scoring twice and the defense seemingly looking better than last year and you have the makings of a Superbowl contender. They just need to make sure the run defense improves down the line before they have a repeat of last season.
1. Chiefs
This team is just unfair for the rest of the league. Patrick Mahomes threw for less than 220 yards and still had three touchdowns. Hill and Kelce were both held under 100 yards and somehow they still managed 34 points to open the season. The addition of rookie runner Clyde Edwards-Helaire has added a legitimate rushing threat to a team that doesn’t need any more help. The defense looked like it did closer to the end of last year and will continue to get better as the year progresses and they get cornerback Breeland back. Watch out though for rookie cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to sneak into the defensive rookie of the year conversation if his play continues. This year’s Chiefs team looks to be the first team since the Patriots to repeat as Champions and it’s highly good odds.
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