What a weekend of craziness in football. The opening week slate featured the Super Bowl champion Rams getting embarrassed in their own backyard against the AFC and Super Bowl favorite, Buffalo Bills. Trey Lance and the San Francisco 49ers were washed in Chi-town. Tom Brady made the skeptics aware that taking a break from the game of football for a couple weeks didn’t deter his game.
Here are my Week 2 NFL power rankings…
1. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Josh Allen is that good. He’s one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the game today – throwing for 297 yards, adding 56 yards on the ground and accounting for four total touchdowns in Buffalo’s week one win. The Bills have unfinished business and newly acquired two-time Super Bowl Champ Von Miller looked like he was worth every penny of the multi-million dollar contract the Bills signed him to the past offseason. This is the team to beat in the NFL.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Pat Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t miss a beat – dropping 44 points on the Arizona Cardinals without speedster Tyreek Hill who took his talents to South Beach. The collection of five touchdowns and 360 yards through the air reminded everyone of how dynamic this offense is, regardless of who is lined up on the outside. Next up is a Thursday Night AFC West showdown against the L.A. Chargers.
3. Tampa Bay Buccanears (1-0)
Tom Brady’s presence alone makes the Bucs, not only the favorites in the NFC South division, but favorites to win the NFC. Julio Jones looked five years younger – running routes from the backfield and creating separation in the secondary. Despite Chris Godwin suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday night’s win, the Buccaneers are top dogs in the NFC.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
The addition of Khalil Mack to an already sound defense gives the City of Los Angeles two potential Super Bowl contenders. Justin Herbert completed passes to nine different receivers, for three touchdowns in the Chargers’ win over the Raiders. With Kenean Allen expected to miss Thursday night’s game against Kansas City, Justin Herbert gets a chance to increase his odds as favorite to win NFL MVP this season.
5. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
The championship hangover was in full effect Thursday night in Inglewood, with the Rams getting slapped around in their home building against the Bills. Los Angeles was without receivers Van Jefferson and OBJ, turned the ball over three times, gave up seven sacks and are below .500 for the first time under head coach Sean McVay. Everything that could go wrong went wrong, including Jalen Ramsey being burnt on several occasions. The bright spot for the Rams was triple crown winner Cooper Kupp going off for 128 yards on 13 receptions.
6. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Lamar Jackson declined the Ravens’ contract extension offer because it only included $130 million in guaranteed funds. He’s betting on himself, and rightfully so. Without LJax behind center the Ravens are an afterthought in the AFC and throwing for three touchdowns without a solidified number one receiver only raises his stock and cash value. Cornerback Kyle Fuller suffered a torn ACL while in pass coverage, which will hurt in the secondary. Even if it was the Jets, the Ravens with that stout defense will be a burden to game-plan for all season.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Newly aquired A.J. Brown having a career-high 155 receiving yards is just one of many good things to come for the Eagles. Quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for 333 total yards. The Eagles are the favorites in the NFC East when healthy, especially with Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott being sidelined for at least four weeks.
8. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
There is a viable argument that Justin Jefferson is a top-two receiver in the NFL right now…and he’s not two. Jefferson’s nine receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown speaks for itself. Kirk Cousins managed managed the game without turning over the rock. The defense had a blown coverage during the first pass attempt from Aaron Rodgers that should have cost them six points, but the Packers’ receivers couldn’t catch a cold Sunday.
9. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
To some, this game was closer than expected. The Saints gained their first division win of the season – overcoming a 16 point 4th quarter deficit against a Falcons’ team that’s used to choking off leads. Michael Thomas made an immediate impact with two touchdown catches in his first game back in nearly a year. Jarvis Landry added 114 receiving yards. Jamies Winston, in his first game back since knee injury, completed 23 of 34 passes with two touchdowns. More importantly, he had no interceptions.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Smokin’ Joe Burrow’s first pass attempt on the season went for 6…the other way. He was sacked seven times, threw three interceptions, lost a fumble and the Bengals still took the Steelers into sudden death overtime with a chance to win the game. Ja’Marr Chase had 10 receptions for 129 yards. Even with a retooled offensive line, Burrow was a piñata in the pocket – hurried and pressured all afternoon. Burrow was most sacked quarterback in the NFL a year ago. Those same problems still exist, which could doom the Bengals if not fixed sooner rather than later.
UNC Continues to Shine into the Final Stretch