NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Biggest Risers and Fallers Following Week 1

Alex KayJun 7, 2018

Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season has concluded, and a number of teams have been shuffled in the power rankings based on the results of their contests.

Let’s take a look at some of the teams that made the biggest jump up and suffered the hardest falls after the first 16 games.

Moving Up

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No. 1: San Francisco 49ers

While the Niners were near the top of the rankings, they have ascended to the peak after their victory over the Green Bay Packers.

The team was simply dominant for most of the contest, and their passing game—one of the weak spots last year—was rock solid.

Newcomer Randy Moss contributed four catches and a TD; Vernon Davis hauled in three passes for another TD, and Michael Crabtree kept the chains moving with seven receptions for 76 yards.

If the San Fran defense can keep the rest of the NFL’s offenses contained like they did the Green Bay attack, while putting up plenty of yards on that end of the ball when it’s in their possession, they will be the No. 1 team all season long.

No. 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This was a sleeper team going into the 2012 campaign, and they proved right out of the gate that they are a force to be reckoned with.

The Bucs, under new head coach Greg Schiano, absolutely shut down the Carolina Panthers rushing attack. This team held QB Cam Newton to just four total yards on the ground and starting RB DeAngelo Williams to minus-one yard on six attempts.

Their own running back, rookie Doug Martin, churned his way to 94 yards on 24 carries.

If Tampa can keep up that aggressiveness along the defensive line, they will have an extremely easy time winning a lot more this season.

Moving Down

No. 19: New Orleans Saints

The Saints lost an extremely winnable game at home to Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.

It’s become clear that the missing personnel and chaos from the bounty scandal in the offseason is going to make an impact on how the Saints perform on the field this season.

Unless Drew Brees can pick up his play and get his team rolling early, New Orleans is going to be hard-pressed to win games—especially when playing from behind. The defense just doesn’t have what it takes to contain explosive offenses.

No. 24: Buffalo Bills

The Bills were supposed to take a step forward this season, especially on the defensive end of the field.

However, the New York Jets embarrassed them 48-24, and most of the Buffalo points came in garbage time when the game was all but decided.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was turnover prone, and the injuries are already mounting (Fred Jackson and David Nelson both tweaked their knees during the contest), meaning Buffalo’s season outlook is already gloomy after one game.

NFL Power Rankings

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Houston Texans

3. New England Patriots

10. New York Giants