NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Initial Standings Post-Thursday Night Football
Let's be honest—until we have a bigger sample size of games, the NFL power rankings are going to be fairly volatile.
For example, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like Super Bowl contenders in the first half of Week 1 when they took a 27-3 lead against the Cleveland Browns, but they have looked like a contender for the top pick in the draft ever since.
With the Baltimore Ravens' destruction of Pittsburgh in the rearview mirror, let's take a look at some updated power rankings. Of course, these are bound to change yet again once the weekend's games are over.
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32. St. Louis Rams
The defensive line was supposed to be the bright spot, but it simply won’t be enough to keep the St. Louis Rams afloat this year.
The Rams looked terrible in their 34-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and lost quarterback Shaun Hill in the process. The offense failed to get anything going all game, and Zac Stacy only tallied 43 rushing yards in the ground game.
It was not the ideal way to start the season, especially with NFC West games on the horizon.
31. Washington Redskins
If the Rams looked like the worst team in the league in Week 1, the Washington Redskins weren’t far behind.
J.J. Watt and company destroyed the offensive line all game, and Washington totaled six points. Robert Griffin III will have trouble getting through the season healthy if he doesn’t get more protection, and the defense simply isn’t talented enough to overcome these type of offensive struggles.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
When the best offensive strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs may be to give the ball to Jamaal Charles as much as possible, they aren’t going to win many games when he struggles.
He only tallied 19 rushing yards in the opener, and this playoff team from a year ago lost to the Tennessee Titans at home. To make matters worse, Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito are out for the season on the defensive side.
A return trip to the playoffs doesn’t appear to be in the cards in Kansas City this year.
29. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders aren’t going to win anything in 2014, but the future looks brighter with Derek Carr.
The rookie quarterback threw for two touchdowns against the New York Jets and appeared rather comfortable running the offense. However, these power rankings are for this season, and the defense gave up far too many big plays against a Jets offense that isn’t exactly dynamic.
There will be some growing pains in Oakland this year.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Perhaps the most concerning fact about the season-opening loss for the Dallas Cowboys is that the defense wasn’t even that bad and they still never had a chance.
Sure, the San Francisco 49ers found the end zone, but much of that was set up by Dallas turnovers. Tony Romo threw three picks, DeMarco Murray fumbled and the rest was history.
If the offense struggles to gain traction this season with Romo, Murray, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, it’s going to be a long season for America’s Team.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy owners that took a chance with Toby Gerhart weren’t pleased when he only tallied 42 rushing yards on 18 carries, but the Jacksonville Jaguars still demonstrated some competency against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, Jacksonville blew a 17-0 lead, but Chad Henne and Allen Hurns developed a connection that could help the offense all year. The secondary collapsed down the stretch, though, which is cause for concern going forward.
26. Cleveland Browns
It’s come to this for the Cleveland Browns—a loss to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers is seen as not that bad.
Sure, Cleveland almost came back from a 27-3 deficit, but it was still a loss. If the secondary doesn’t find a way to improve going forward, there will be plenty more of those this season.
The good news is that running backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West looked impressive in place of Ben Tate, and Brian Hoyer gradually improved as the game progressed.
25. Houston Texans
The good news is J.J. Watt looked dominant in the season opener, and Arian Foster seemed to hold up with an extended workload. Still, we are not sure that we can trust Ryan Fitzpatrick in the long term when Houston plays a better opponent than the Redskins.
The offense didn’t do much outside of Foster’s productive day, which puts more pressure on Watt and company to produce.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a popular playoff pick before the season started, but they did not look the part in the opener. Josh McCown struggled on his new team, and the Bucs lost to the Carolina Panthers without Cam Newton.
What’s more, injury concerns are rearing their ugly head already. Doug Martin was banged up in the loss, and Adam Schefter of ESPN noted the secondary won’t be as deep moving ahead:
It was not a great start to the season for Tampa Bay.
23. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills’ season-opening win against the Chicago Bears may have been the biggest upset of Week 1, and the defense deserves much of the credit.
The Bills contained an explosive group and picked off Jay Cutler multiple times. Injuries to Chicago helped Buffalo stay in the game early, but the Bills get the recognition for taking advantage.
We are cautious on the Bills for now because the offense has to prove it can put forth impressive performances against teams other than the Bears. After all, Chicago ranked dead last against the run in 2013 and didn’t look much better in the opener.
22. New York Giants
Those two Super Bowls seem like a thing of the distant past for the New York Giants.
Eli Manning threw two interceptions and was pressured all game against the Detroit Lions, the defense didn’t have a prayer against Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson and the Lions completely dominated the proceedings.
The Giants looked utterly hopeless in Week 1. If they don’t turn it around in Week 2, they will plummet in these rankings.
21. New York Jets
The New York Jets ran for a league-best 212 yards in the opener, but the thought here is that the game said more about the Raiders. However, the Green Bay Packers are up next, and they aren’t exactly bringing a stout defensive front to the table either.
Perhaps the Jets can build on their rushing totals from Sunday.
Despite that performance, New York barely beat the Raiders and their rookie quarterback. The secondary could have issues against Aaron Rodgers and company and throughout the year, which will quickly eliminate the Jets from any serious playoff contention.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
As we mentioned in the opener, the Steelers looked great in the first half against Cleveland but certainly have not since.
In fact, we hesitate to give Pittsburgh much credit at all for that victory over the Browns because it almost gave up a 27-3 lead at the hands of Brian Hoyer and backup running backs. Yes, the Steelers have Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, but the defense has struggled during the first two weeks.
With three road games in the next four contests on the horizon, it may be time to panic a bit in Pittsburgh.
19. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings completely controlled their opener against the Rams and could challenge the New England Patriots in Week 2.
Adrian Peterson has established himself as one of the best running backs in the league, but the emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson makes this offense two-dimensional again. Patterson can stretch the defense laterally with reverses or beat defenders over the top.
A victory over New England would move the Vikings and their new-look attack up this list.
18. Tennessee Titans
Jake Locker directed an impressive road victory in Kansas City in the opener and has a chance to move the Tennessee Titans to 2-0 if he beats the vulnerable Cowboys defense.
However, it was Tennessee’s defense that should give fans hope moving forward. It shut down Charles and controlled the entire game up front. If that becomes a pattern, the Titans could become one of the surprise teams in the entire league this season.
17. Chicago Bears
There is serious trouble in the Windy City, and it’s not just because the Bears lost to the Bills.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune filled fans in on the walking-wounded list:
This team is completely reliant on its offense to win, but if Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery miss time along with multiple offensive line starters, it could spell doom. The 49ers may run all over the defense, which would lead to an 0-2 start for the Bears.
James Neveau of NBC Chicago pointed out just how unfortunate the injuries are to both the wide receiver and offensive line position groups:
"By the same token, even if Jeffery and Marshall play Sunday, they will both be hobbled by injuries that are often stubborn and take time to heal. The Bears don’t have a bye week until Week 9, so when you factor that into the mix, as well as the fact that Marquess Wilson isn’t available to shoulder the load until Week 10, then you can see that the Bears are in a pickle at receiver as well.
When push comes to shove, it’s the offensive line that’s the bigger concern for the Bears. The group already has enough of a challenge on its hands as Jordan Mills continues to try to round into form after offseason foot surgery, and losing two of the five starters to injuries is not a good way to improve chemistry. De la Puente and Ola were both solid in Sunday’s game, but to just assume that they’ll each perform at that level again against San Francisco is a bit of a stretch.
"
An 0-2 start and injuries will be difficult to overcome.
16. San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers choked away an opening-week win against the Arizona Cardinals.
That will sting even more if Philip Rivers and company lose in Week 2 against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Both sides of the ball failed to win the opener for the Chargers, as Rivers couldn’t direct a game-winning drive and the defense allowed a 91-yard drive to lose the game.
Both sides have to improve if the Chargers want to reach the postseason.
15. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens may be better than many expected before the season.
They nearly overcame a two-score deficit against a talented Cincinnati Bengals squad in the first week and completely controlled Thursday's contest against the archrival Steelers. Joe Flacco has looked comfortable in the pocket, and the defense has only allowed one touchdown in those first two games.
If the defense continues to play like that, Baltimore could gradually climb these rankings.
14. Detroit Lions
We have said it before, but the Detroit Lions are the team that is best set up to skyrocket in these power rankings if the secondary proves it can handle stiffer opposition than the New York Giants.
The offensive weapons are in place to challenge for an NFC North crown with Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, the trio of tight ends and Golden Tate, so expect plenty of points. If the defense is even average, the Lions could be playing into January.
13. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins turned in one of the more impressive wins of Week 1 with the upset of the Patriots.
The most encouraging aspect of the victory was that both sides of the ball played well. The defense made life difficult on Tom Brady and forced him to fumble twice with a solid pass rush. Offensively, Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller had holes to run through, which was great because the offensive line was a trouble spot last year.
If the offensive line continues to push people around, the Dolphins will be a real threat in the AFC East.
12. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals could be 2-0 if they handle a matchup with the New York Giants. All of a sudden, the NFC West would be a three-team race.
The defense was strong last year and looked the part down the stretch against the Chargers. What’s more, Carson Palmer actually threw for more than 300 yards, and rookie John Brown could give him another target outside of Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.
We don’t want to grant too much credit to one victory, but the Cardinals should contend for the postseason once again.
11. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers won without Cam Newton against a division opponent, which is good enough news on its own.
Throw in the fact that Kelvin Benjamin looked like a possible No. 1 receiver in the opener with 92 yards and a touchdown and the defense looks stout as ever, and there is reason for optimism in Carolina. This will be one of the best defenses in the entire league with Luke Kuechly, so if Benjamin, Newton and company score points, the Panthers will be dangerous.
10. New England Patriots
One game is one game, but there is reason for concern for New England if it defends the run like it did against the Dolphins.
The Patriots were dominated on the line on both ends of the ball. That is a recipe for disaster regardless of who the quarterback is under center. Brady and company still have to be seen as the favorites in a mediocre AFC East, but the grip on the division feels a bit more tenuous after the Week 1 loss.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have the potential to be one of the best offenses in the league with another year in Chip Kelly’s system, especially if Nick Foles grows more comfortable.
Of course, having LeSean McCoy, Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin never hurts either.
The 17-0 hole against Jacksonville was a bit disconcerting, but the reality is the Eagles won a game going away against an NFL team. If the secondary shores up going forward, there will still be plenty of wins this season for Foles and company.
8. Green Bay Packers
If there was any loss in the first week to not overreact to, it was the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Seahawks.
Seattle just doesn’t lose at home, especially when the defense plays like it did in that contest. The Packers are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL, and Aaron Rodgers will find a way to score plenty of points.
Eddie Lacy’s health is a concern, but Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb will be a nightmare for opposing defenses this year.
7. Indianapolis Colts
No lead is safe against Andrew Luck.
The Indianapolis Colts nearly came back in the second half in Denver, which is encouraging moving forward. Throw in the elite receiver combination of Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, and the Indianapolis offense will be fine.
However, the defense has to find a way to overcome the loss of Robert Mathis if the Colts are going to be a serious threat to the Broncos in the AFC. Whether it can remains to be seen.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to be an elite team, but they have a couple of issues to iron out from the opener.
The offense needs to finish drives since it settled for six early field-goal attempts instead of touchdowns, and the secondary gave up 345 passing yards to Joe Flacco, which could spell trouble against better quarterbacks (like Matt Ryan in Week 2).
Still, the Bengals deserve credit for coming back, and A.J. Green came through in clutch. There is tons of talent here, and Cincinnati has to be considered the favorite in the AFC North at this point.
5. Atlanta Falcons
We are higher on the Atlanta Falcons than some, but this offense looks downright explosive. In fact, it put up a franchise-record 568 total net yards in the opener behind Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White.
What’s more, the emergence of the speedster Devin Hester makes this offense even more dynamic because it is nearly impossible to focus in on one option.
The defense is a work in progress, but it fortunately doesn’t have to face Drew Brees every week. The Falcons may end the season as the most improved squad in the entire league this year.
4. New Orleans Saints
Let’s not make too much of the New Orleans Saints’ opening loss to a dangerous Atlanta team. After all, it was on the road and in overtime, and the offense looked the part of a contender.
As long as Brees, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks stay healthy, New Orleans may be the biggest threat to the stiff Seattle defense in the NFC. However, there is still a large gap between the Saints and the top three for now because the defense looked very vulnerable in the opener.
Perhaps that was a testament to Atlanta’s offense, but the Saints have to prove they are capable of stopping elite teams to be considered a Super Bowl contender.
3. San Francisco 49ers
This San Francisco 49ers team missed a Super Bowl appearance by the narrowest of margins last year and brought back an offense with Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.
What’s more, they added rookie running back Carlos Hyde as another dangerous option. Gore commented on Hyde, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News: "He’s a big guy that can hit the hole. He’s got a bright future in front of him.”
This offense is going to score plenty of points, and the defense looked dominant against Dallas despite some missing personnel. Look for San Francisco to challenge the Seahawks all season with so much talent on both sides of the ball.
2. Denver Broncos
The AFC may be a notch below the NFC, but the Denver Broncos look like Super Bowl contenders yet again.
They held off a late charge from the Colts Sunday night and looked fine on offense even without Wes Welker. Peyton Manning was brilliant as always, and Montee Ball will improve as the season progresses in his expanded role, but it was Julius Thomas who was most impressive, as the team pointed out on Twitter:
If the defense with new guys like DeMarcus Ware and returning leaders like Von Miller is even average with this offense, an appearance in the Super Bowl would almost be a foregone conclusion.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are the defending champs, and they completely dominated a playoff contender in Green Bay in the opener. Nobody else came close to the top spot.
The defense’s brilliance has been well-documented, and it shut down Rodgers, Lacy and the rest of the Packers behind a raucous crowd. What’s more, the offense was hitting on all cylinders with Marshawn Lynch rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Russell Wilson directing the passing attack and Percy Harvin making plays in space.
This team just doesn’t have a weakness right now.
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