This week has been one of many injuries to not only many teams, but for those teams, it was injuries to key star players. Without these players, teams will be tested early and often with depth and seeing if they can hold out until reinforcement comes or step up and show their young talented players. The rankings will be changing for everyone and some teams will definitely surprise many for how they perform. 

32. Jets

31. Dolphins

30. Giants

29. Lions

28. Panthers

27. Bengals

26. Washington

25. Falcons

24. Broncos

23. Browns

22. Vikings

21. Jaguars

20. Bears

19. Eagles

18. Texans

17. Chargers

16. Colts

15. Cowboys

14. Buccaneers

13. Raiders

12. Patriots

11. 49ers

10. Cardinals

• The Cardinals in the top ten can be a surprise to many, but the few experts and football junkies could have told you that the Cards have a lot of pieces to put together a great team. These past two weeks have shown that the Cards are legit. Week one they played a very solid and talented 49ers team that only a few months ago was in the Superbowl. They managed to not only win that game but have second-year quarterback Kyler Murray and superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins show that the connection between them is real. They then came back in Week 2 vs the Washington football team and completely controlled the game from start to finish. Murray is on pace to be an early MVP candidate with multiple weapons. The defense is still working out the kinks but can be dangerous when all gelled together. 

9. Rams

• Each week this team is looking better and better. Jared Goff is looking good coming out of the gate. The offensive line is returning to its previous 2018 form. While the defense has revamped itself under the new defensive coordinator. The most surprising thing to happen so far is the running back rotation. Entering the season, the job seemed to be up for grabs with the release of All-Pro running back Todd Gurley. Malcolm Brown is the veteran, Henderson is the second year guy while Cam Akers is the talented rookie. All three backs offer different things, but they can all be multi-purpose backs. The first two weeks have highlighted Brown and Henderson. Hopefully, Akers can show his potential after his injury clears up, but for now, this team is looking great all around. 

8. Saints

• Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Sean Payton, and a solid defense is what keeps this team from dropping out the top ten. Yet, the loss to the Raiders on Monday night football really hurt and possibly showed how much Brees relied on his favorite target Michael Thomas. Thomas being sidelined for at least three to four weeks will be a true test for the remaining wide receivers and Brees to get through. If they can come out 2-2 in the next four games they should be good. 

7. Titans

• Tannehill is definitely trying to show everyone he earned that new contract this past offseason. Tannehill went 18 for 24 for 239 yards with four touchdowns. This type of production is what the Titans have been counting on since last year. While Henry is second in the league in rushing through two weeks. Even with no AJ Brown, Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith, and Adam Humphries have picked up the slack. The defense is showing well with new addition Jadeveon Clowney and the team finally got back the real Gostkowski after a kicking debacle in week one. This team plays to its strength and it's been working.

6. Steelers

• Another week, another win for the Steelers and that defense. Once again the defense was the strength for this team, seven sacks, and a pick while getting 19 quarterback hits is a difficult way to live for a quarterback. Then when you add in Big Ben starting to look like himself again with a 300-yard performance with a pair of touchdowns touchdown this team will be hard to beat. The main reason for the jump up though was the defense and running attack with James Connor was rolling. Connor had a 100-yard performance and looked solid against a good Denver run defense. If things continue like this the Ravens have a real threat to their division crown like this.

5. Bills

• Josh Allen seems to be figuring it out this year and the Bills are reaping the benefits. Josh Allen currently leads the league in passing yards while accounting for seven total touchdowns. His shiny new target Stephon Diggs is having a great start to the year with 14 receptions for a league-leading 239 and a touchdown. That offseason trade seems to be paying off. While the defense under Sean McDermott seems to just be getting better. It's unfortunate two of their best linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano are going to be out for this upcoming game. Yet, with this secondary led by Tre'davious White and Co., they should be able to weather out the storm.  This Bills team is primed for a playoff run, lets just hope they keep it up against a Rams team that looks to be coming back to form.

4. Packers

• The Packers two Aarons’ mixed with Davante Adams is going to be a nightmare this season for opposing teams. 238 yards total, that would Aaron Jones put up this best week to go along with three touchdowns. Then you mix in the fact that the Packers defense is holding up pretty well and are starting to gel again. For anyone this past offseason that questioned whether Aaron Rodgers is over the hill, he is currently saying his famous R-E-L-A-X to them then. Let’s just see if this continues against a Saints team that just let Derek Carr and the Raiders throw over 30 points on the board.

3. Seahawks

• During this past week, Bill Belichick stated that Russell Wilson is underrated and one of the best he has seen. Russell Must have seen this and wanted to prove him right by throwing five touchdowns to five different receivers this week. He threw a pick-six early after a ball went through Greg Olsen's hands, but reminded everyone quickly that Russell is one of the best to do it. This defense might bend often but can make plays when they count from guys like Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright, and Jamal Adams. The goal-line stand on Cam at the one was a clear example. This team is good, but only can go as far as Russ can take them. Luckily for them, that includes nine playoff appearances and two two Superbowl appearances. Not bad for a 75 overall selection.

2. Ravens

• The reigning MVP is exactly lighting up the scoreboard, but that is by design because this team overall is one of the most complete this year. They have started off winning their first two games by an average of 24.5 points per game. The offense is efficient in the passing and rushing game averaging 200 yards and 150 yards respectively. The defense with all the addition this offseason looks better than last season. There is truly only one team right now that is better and it is the Ravens’ next opponent. Ravens vs Chiefs will decide the new number one next win.

1. Chiefs

• Patrick Mahomes just continues to shine. Even in a game where the offense struggled in the first half, you can’t ever count this team out. The last three drives he led all lead to points that helped them eventually tie and win the game. The biggest play was a 54-yard bomb to Tyreek Hill for the touchdown to tie. The defense is continuing on with its improved play as they kept the Chiefs within striking distance from a Chargers team that was surprisingly efficient with Justin Herbert at the helm in his first start. Yet the real MVP last week goes to Harrison Butker who knocked down two 55 plus yard field goals. When you have every phase of the game working like this, a Super Bowl repeat is definitely possible. 

Writer

-By: Darren Braxton

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.

Writer

-By: Darren Braxton

NFL Power Rankings Week 16

1. Ravens ↔

Another week, another win. The Ravens at this point are just steamrolling opponents. Another five-touchdown performance along with a broken record for the MVP frontrunner. He has made this season just looks easy by running and passing his way to the top of both lists. He leads the league in passing touchdowns and QBR, while also having the eighth highest rushing total in the league. He also leads the league’s highest-scoring offense and number one rushing attack with 202.4 yards. Lastly, you combine that with a defense that hasn’t given up more than 21 points in its last ten games and has at least one turnover in each game, you have a recipe for success. 

2. Saints↑ 1

Drew Brees is one of the few living legends playing still at a high level. The breaking of multiple records in a game is just one of the many accomplishments he does in his career. Having a guy like that along with a future Hall of Fame coach in Sean Payton drawing up the plays that led to some of the best mismatches throughout the league. As well as one of the best two-man combos on offense, the defense is playing some of its best it has in the last few seasons. With Marshon Lattimore and Cameron Jordan leading the way, this team is as complete as the best in the league.  

3. Chiefs ↑ 1

Patrick Mahomes is finally back at full strength and the defense is continuously improving from a slow start. They have been significantly better in pass defense and the run defense is starting to hold up better. They held the last two opponents to under 100 yards total rushing and gotten turnovers in bunches. This defense playing as well as it has will make it easier to have this offense scoring in bunching as it did last year and with the huge leads, the pass rush can get back to its level of greatness it had last year.  

4. 49ers ↓ 2

A heartbreaking loss near the last to last play strikes again for the 49ers team. Their only losses have come on last-second game-winning field goals and this last-second touchdown by Julio Jones. Other than these three hiccups, the 49ers had been one of the most surprising teams this year. Jimmy G is looking like the franchise quarterback, they are the second-best rushing team in the league only behind the Ravens. Also, the defense is top three if not number one in almost every category. They have a defensive line that is first rounds picks across the board as well as great linebacker and secondary play. This team is as complete as any team in the league.

5. Seahawks ↑ 1

When the Seahawks are at their best, they have a dominant rushing attack, a magical Russell Wilson, and a defense that can cause turnovers at a moment notice. Against the Panthers, they rushed for 154 yards, Russell Wilson had two touchdowns and a QBR of 87.4. While the defense had another three interceptions on the day and got in the backfield consistently. This team can be very dangerous when they are playing at 100 percent, yet when they are not, they can be a middling team at best. More often than not though, they have been at or close to their best all year long. 

6. Packers ↓ 1

Ugly win after ugly win seems to be the formula for the Packers this year. They won another one against a Bears team that was trying to make a final push to sneak into the playoffs. They scored just enough points to hold off the Bears aerial attack that in the second half looked to come alive. As well as stopping them on the ground game for most of the game, they held them out of the endzone on the last play. They stopped the miracle lateral play the Bears were hoping for. Rodgers is playing his normal way just a bit more conservative, while the running game seems to be getting back on track. Along with a defense doing a good job, this team is playoff bound for sure.

7. Patriots ↑ 1

They finally stopped their losing skid. The team had a lot of questions against them going into the game, but they used a Belichick mantra to win; On to the next game. The defense came up again big, especially Stephon Gilmore who came away with two picks and one he returned for a touchdown. The offense showed some sort of game plan, yet it was still overly underwhelming. They scored a few points, but the defense is going to have to make or break this team in the end. As long as this defense can stop anyone and give the offense extremely short field, they can win games. 

8. Vikings ↓ 1

They have continued their good play of late after their lost to the Seahawks. They followed up their beatdown of the Lions with a good defensive victory over a good but not great Chargers team. They forced Melvin Gordon, who has been on a miniature tear lately, into two fumbles before the end of the 3rd quarter and got a defensive touchdown on a sack-fumble by the defensive tackle. The offense loss Dalvin Cook in the 3rd quarter possibly for the year, but the offense didn’t miss much of a beat without him. The running game continued to be consistent and the play-action game benefitted. As long as they stick to their formula this team has a chance to make a good run into the playoffs. 

9. Bills ↑ 1

The defense has continued to show everyone just how serious they are. They slowed down Lamar Jackson and then went and completely stopped the Steelers offense. It might not but a great or even good offense, but it made big plays when needed week after week. Last week, Devlin Hodges looked like the fourth-string quarterback he was entering the year when he threw four interceptions. The Bills defense never really allowed the Steelers offense to do much of anything. As well as the Bills offense finally making enough plays against a stout defense to win and help the defense out.

10. Texans ↑ 1

Another impressive performance by the Texans. They have been a bit inconsistent this season, but that has to do more with the injuries than with the game plan or scheme. They are a force on offense with all three starting receivers available and a dynamic 1-2 punch I the backfield. Yet, the availability of the players has been to up and down all season. As well as too few available players, the defense has been up and down with the loss of key players over and over this year. No Clowney, no Watt, and a suspect secondary has led to a team close to title contender to being only a playoff player at best.   

-By: Darren Braxton

Writer/Interviewer