There were no let downs in week 1 with some upsets and underdogs making statements early – putting everyone on notice that championships are not won on paper. Yes it will take some time for teams to build chemistry and gel together, but if opening weekend is any indication of how the season will go we are in for a treat.
Here is my week 2 NFL Power rankings with some major shakeups 5-10:
1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0 (Last Week 1)
Another year in Bruce Arians’ system and a full offseason gives Brady yet another chance at repeating for a Lombardi. Showing little rust on Thursday night against the Cowboys, with a resurgent Antonio Brown who looked like he hasn’t lost a step, the Bucs will have a walk in the park in the NFC South division.
2: Kansas City Chiefs 1-0 (Last Week 2)
What we saw first hand is that, even down double digits to Cleveland through vast majority of the game and “Flash” at slot receiver, no lead is safe versus Pat Mahomes. Missing Tyrann Mathieu was evident against a shorthanded Browns team awaiting OBJ to make his season debut after nursing a knee injury that sidelined him a year ago.
3: Seattle Seahawks 1-0 (Last Week 5)
One of the most underrated four touchdown performances in recent memory has Wilson and the Seahawks looking more lethal than ever. The wild card here is the run game and durability.
4: Los Angeles Rams 1-0 (Last Week 8)
Matthew Stafford has never looked so good at quarterback and neither have the Rams with consistency at the position. Stafford had two touchdown passes for over 50 yards. We know what challenges the defense presents, in arguably the toughest division in football, but Stafford behind center may just be the missing link for the Rams contending for a Super bowl. All the pieces are here.
5: Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 (Last Week 9)
Yes the Steelers defense showed once again they’re legit. No doubt about it. Special teams solidifying a “W” at Buffalo week one is no easy task. T.J. Watt showed why he’s worth every penny. Once the run game gets going, the sky is the limit for the black and yellow.
6: Cleveland Browns 0-1 (Last Week 6)
Having a 10-plus lead on the defending AFC champions at Arrowhead is a big deal. It’s an even a bigger deal to do so without one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers in Odell Beckham. We may have learned more about the Browns in a loss, than the Chiefs in a win.
7: Arizona Cardinals 1-0 (Last Week Unranked)
Kyler Murray is making a case for MVP one game into the season. Chandler Jones had five sacks in the game against a high-octane offense in the Titans that will get better as the season progresses. Every team in the NFC West started the season 1-0, so getting wins early on will be pivotal.
8: New Orleans Saints 1-0 (Last Week Unranked)
If I told you a quarterback in the Saints vs Packers game threw for five touchdowns you would have automatically said Aaron Rodgers, but this wasn’t the case at all. The Saints handed Aaron Rodgers the worst week-one loss in his playing career – defeating him 38-3, which is just ridiculous. Drew Brees stated during the post game that “I see what the Saints were missing” in regards to having someone with the ability to throw the deep ball.
9: Buffalo Bills 1-0 (Last Week 3)
On paper the Bills looked like the favorites to challenge Kansas City in the AFC, but Super Bowls aren’t won on paper. Josh Allen attempting 51 passes against a top tier Steelers’ defense, not only made the Bills one-dimensional, but asked the question – where is the run game that features Devin Singletary and Zach Moss? The Bills controlled the entire game up til until nine minutes were left in the fourth.
10: San Francisco 49ers 1-0 (Last Week Unranked)
The 49ers are holding on to the final spot, like they held on against the Detroit Lions. Having a double digit lead in the 4th, San Francisco just seemed to completely lose interest in the contest – nearly costing them the game. Losing Raheem Mostert will hurt at times, but Elijah Morris rushing for 104 yards Sunday will help fill the void.
