Invite to The MMQBs Week 2 power rankings! Were doing things a little differently this year. For several years weve had the MMQB Power Rankings Poll, in which a panel of our editors and authors rank each team 1 through 32 and we tally up the points. (See our preseason poll here.) This year well be taking turns with the power rankings most weeks and breaking the poll back out at a couple of bottom lines in the season. My number showed up initially, so here I am with Week 2.
Of course, what do you care? I know no one reads the intro to a power rankings post. I might inform you that I invested my Sunday aboard an alien spaceship or that I have the latitude and longitude coordinates for a treasure chest full of gold and gems buried in the Montana wilderness and you would scroll right on past to see where Ive ranked your favorite team.
So lets get right to it. Join me as I strive to choose which Week 1 video games I should overreact to and which ones I ought to disregard due to the fact that it was a strange offseason and groups are still finding their footing. Confirmation bias is a lovely thing.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0).
Recently: Win vs. Houston 34-20Next week: at Los Angeles Chargers.
Honestly, I might have kept the Chiefs in the No. 1 spot even if they d lost to Houston. They are that excellent. Naturally, they didnt put me in a position to need to do that– reminding everyone precisely how great they are with a win on the seasons opening night.
2. New Orleans Saints (1-0).
Last week: Win vs. Tampa Bay 34-23Next week: at Las Vegas (Monday).
This was one of my toughest choices to make, choosing in between New Orleans and Baltimore for the No. 2 spot. In the end, I opted for the Saints. Partly due to the fact that I had them 2nd entering into the season, and they didnt do anything to be worthy of being bumped. They likewise beat a better challenger in Tampa Bay than Baltimore did in Cleveland.
3. Baltimore Ravens (1-0).
Last week: Win vs. Cleveland 38-6Next week: at Houston.
The Ravens went 14-2 last season, but invested this offseason answering concerns about their second straight frustrating playoff loss. They remain in the unenviable position of having to go through the entire routine season without having the ability to show their skeptics wrong up until the playoffs begin, but it was motivating to see them get where they left off last regular season when they were surging teams.
4. Seattle Seahawks (1-0).
Recently: Win at Atlanta 38-25Next week: vs. New England.
I was extremely high on Seattle entering into the year, selecting Russell Wilson to win MVP and providing them the honor of losing to the unstoppable Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Then I was mildly dissatisfied to see how popular they remained in the main MMQB personnel forecasts. Turns out some of my [smart] colleagues agree with me, and we ought to all feel excellent after Wilsons huge Week 1.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0).
Recently: Win at New York Giants 26-16Next week: vs. Denver.
This is such an enjoyable defense to see. They gave up a couple long drives versus the Giants, but every few snaps there would be a handful of protectors in the backfield at the same time or 3 guys waiting in the area of a designated pass. Ben Roethlisbergers return considerably raises the groups flooring, however the defense is what provides them a high ceiling.
6. Green Bay Packers (1-0).
Recently: Win at Minnesota 43-34Next week: vs. Detroit.
All of us understand the story surrounding Green Bay entering into this season. They were not offered the respect a 13-3 group with a Hall of Fame quarterback would normally earn, however they clearly looked like a group of that quality when they entered into Minnesota this weekend. Some of the other teams in the NFCs 2nd tier had a hard time in their openers and I have Green Bay as one of the weeks big winners.
7. New England Patriots (1-0).
Recently: Win vs. Miami 21-11Next week: at Seattle.
That was a really motivating debut for Cam Newton in New England. Weve questioned forever what it would appear like when they turned the page on the Tom Brady age, and its no surprise that coaching personnel is capable of constructing a plan around their new stars special ability. I cant overcome the reality that the Patriots are fun and Im enjoying this. How did this take place?
8. Buffalo Bills (1-0).
Recently: Win vs. New York Jets 27-17Next week: at Miami.
The weekly horse race between the Bills and Patriots in the AFC East has the potential to be a highlight of the season. The Bills functioned versus a listless Jets group, with the complete Josh Allen experience on screen. Ill provide the Patriots the edge for this week, but they are tied at the hip for now.
9. Los Angeles Rams (1-0).
Recently: Win vs. Dallas 20-17Next week: at Philadelphia.
I liked what I saw from the Rams offense Sunday night, even though they only came away with 20 points. While we all truly focus on department video games, the NFC has a deep swimming pool of groups combating for those 7 playoff spots, and the Rams win over Dallas could show to be really crucial come the end of the season.
10. Arizona Cardinals (1-0).
Recently: Win at San Francisco 24-20Next week: vs. Washington.
The Cardinals were such a popular sleeper team last spring and over the summer that I believe they were nearly post-hype when everyone made their real forecasts prior to the season. Everybody is going to hop back on the bandwagon now, as they should after one of the more excellent wins of Week 1. You cant overreact too much to Week 1, however take a look at the NFC: The 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings and Bucs all lost. With excellent vibes in Arizona this week, Im sliding them into the top 10!.
11. Dallas Cowboys (0-1).
Recently: Loss at Los Angeles Rams 20-17Next week: vs. Atlanta.
Everyone came out of Sunday nights video game speaking about Michael Gallups OPI, but even before that play I believed it was significant how often Dak Prescott wanted to Amari Cooper, throughout the game and on their crucial drive that fell short. He got more than double the variety of targets of anyone else on the group, when I would have anticipated a bit more balance. We all understand this group has plenty of talent, but the injuries in Week 1 are a real issue.
12. Tennessee Titans (1-0).
Last week: Win at Denver 16-14Next week: vs. Jacksonville.
If Stephen Gostkowski hadnt missed out on four kicks, its difficult to know what precisely to make of a game that certainly wouldve had more breathing room. Often you simply take the W and move on. The Titans can be happier Tuesday morning than the seven teams right listed below them on this list, which all began their seasons off in the loss column.
13. San Francisco 49ers (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Arizona 24-20Next week: at New York Jets.
Losing a home department video game is never ever an excellent way to begin the season, but especially in a truly competitive NFC West that any of the four teams might win. To mention the obvious, the George Kittle injury is potentially really disconcerting. The receiver group is already banged up, and hes an excellent blocker in the run game, which is what the Niners would rather do anyway.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (0-1).
Recently: Loss at Washington 27-17Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams.
The Eagles suffered among Week 1s most frustrating losses, given the combination of their preseason expectations (especially at this really website), their opponent and the size of the lead they blew. With 4 of their next five video games versus the Rams, 49ers, Steelers and Ravens, theyll need to get healthy and/or figure things out with a patchwork offending line or else they may discover themselves trying to dig out of a hole like they did down the stretch last season.
15. Minnesota Vikings (0-1).
Recently: Loss vs. Green Bay 43-34Next week: at Indianapolis.
That loss was much even worse than the final score programs. Aaron Rodgers has actually torched plenty of teams over the years, but I had higher hopes for the Vikings defense. Minnesota did make history Sunday, as Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen ended up being the first teammates to both have an octopus in the same game. (Listen, if you put me in charge of the power rankings, this is the analysis youre going to get.).
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1).
Recently: Loss at New Orleans 34-23Next week: vs. Carolina.
The Bucs went all-in to win this season with Tom Brady, and right now Ive got them completely middle of the pack. Obviously you can downplay the loss because they played the Saints. And you d believe Bradys offense ought to improve as he and his colleagues get more familiar with each other.
17. Houston Texans (0-1).
Recently: Loss at Kansas City 34-20Next week: vs. Baltimore.
I still believe the Texans can having an actually excellent season. It may not have seemed like it on Thursday night, but I wish to judge them versus teams that arent the Chiefs. Kansas City is going to make a great deal of groups look overmatched this year. Still, I moved Houston down a few spots accordingly.
18. Atlanta Falcons (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Seattle 38-25Next week: at Dallas.
I feel about Atlanta a lot like I feel about Houston. I think they faced a Russell Wilson buzzsaw, and they must look much better against a lot of other teams. Next week will certainly be another test for a team that kept fighting after a harsh start last year.
19. Indianapolis Colts (0-1).
Last week: Loss at Jacksonville 27-20Next week: vs. Minnesota.
I was not as positive as a few of my coworkers about the Philip Rivers experiment in Indy, but I was ready to keep an open mind. A frustrating loss to Jacksonville is not a promising start for a group I currently had outside the playoff photo.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0).
Last week: Win at Cincinnati 16-13Next week: vs. Kansas City.
Wait, wait, wait, youre telling me the Chargers won a video game on a blown basket at the end of the game? The Chargers got away Cincinnati with a win, and now well see if they spent the entire summertime cooking up anything unique for Kansas City.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0).
Last week: Win at Carolina 34-30Next week: vs. New Orleans (Monday).
The Raiders hung on for a win in Carolina, but today seems like it will be the main start of the Las Vegas period– christening the new arena versus the Saints on Monday night. Of all the video games that would be enhanced by the NFLs normal sellout crowds, this one would be high on the list. (That said, we pour one out for the fans in Oakland whose group moved away.).
22. Denver Broncos (0-1).
Las week: Loss vs. Tennessee 16-14Next week: at Pittsburgh.
I have the Chargers, Raiders and Broncos as overall toss-ups to come in second location in the AFC West. However for one week, a minimum of, Ill put the 2 teams that squeaked out wins against bottom-tier groups ahead of the team that (thanks to 3 missed field objectives) took a playoff contender down to the wire.
23. Chicago Bears (1-0).
Last week: Win at Detroit 27-23Next week: vs. New York Giants.
The story of Nick Foles looking over Mitchell Trubiskys shoulder is not even week-to-week, but half-to-half. But if Trubisky strings together a few more like the second half against Detroit, he can quiet the doubters for a minimum of a little while.
24. Detroit Lions (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Chicago 27-23Next week: at Green Bay.
That cant be how anyone images their very first NFL video game going. Some individuals are bullish on a Matthew Stafford– led turnaround under Matt Patricia, however they arent excellent enough to give away games.
25. New York City Giants (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Pittsburgh 26-16Next week: at Chicago.
The Giants were overwhelmed by the Steelers for much of Monday night (Saquon Barkley rushing 15 times for 6 yards offers you some concept) but I believed Daniel Jones revealed some appealing indications. Theres truly a great deal of talent in the league today. I take a look at plenty of groups in the twenties and teens and think theyll be greater till I really take a seat and rank them. The very same goes for private gamers, actually:.
26. Miami Dolphins (0-1).
Last week: Loss at New England 21-11Next week: vs. Buffalo.
There is some issue that the Dolphins all of a sudden winning five games last year might have recalibrated expectations for 2020 unrealistically. Lets remember they are still going through a significant restoring task. Tua Tagovailoa is merely the very first of a number of prizes they want to land in the draft, and they should not need to hurry him onto the field just because some people think they can challenge for a 7-seed.
27. Washington (1-0).
Recently: Win vs. Philadelphia 27-17Next week: at Arizona.
The NFLs most inefficient franchise stumbled through a memorably humiliating offseason, but a Week 1 win was a surprising twist. The most important thing for the group this season is learning what they have in Dwayne Haskins, and it appears like that pass rush will provide him a possibility to win some video games.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0).
Last week: Win vs. Indianapolis 27-20Next week: at Tennessee.
Think of not rooting for the 2020 Jaguars. Could not be me.
29. Cleveland Browns (0-1).
Last week: Loss at Baltimore 38-6Next week: vs. Cincinnati (Thursday).
That was such a catastrophe versus Baltimore, that now you have to wonder if its a good idea or a bad thing that the Browns solve back on the field Thursday night. Now theyll deal with a rookie quarterback in his very first roadway video game (does that matter this year?) and first short-week game (that appears like it would). Theyll need to score more than six points however.
30. New York City Jets (0-1).
Recently: Loss at Buffalo 27-17Next week: vs. San Francisco.
Adam Gase is on the hottest seat of any coach in the league, and this appears to be deciphering faster by the day. When a season begins with this much negativeness, how frequently does it ever turn around?
31. Carolina Panthers (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Las Vegas 34-30Next week: at Tampa Bay.
The Teddy Bridgewater Era is off and running, with 30 points in Week 1. But do him a favor and give the ball to Christian McCaffrey on fourth-and-1 with the video game on the line.
32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1).
Last week: Loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers 16-13Next week: at Cleveland (Thursday).
Joe Burrow was dropped in a difficult spot, beginning Week 1 having actually not gotten a snap in a preseason game (no matter just how much his team attempted to prepare him). However Bengals fans needed to feel excellent about what they saw from him leading the team down the field on what was almost a game-winning (and ought to have been a game-tying) drive. This year is merely about showing guarantee. I felt bad putting them last, but with Washington and Jacksonville making wins, someone needed to fall.
My number came up first, so here I am with Week 2.
Ill provide the Patriots the edge for this week, but they are connected at the hip for now.
You cant overreact too much to Week 1, however look at the NFC: The 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings and Bucs all lost. Next week will obviously be another test for a team that kept fighting after a ruthless start last year.
The Raiders hung on for a win in Carolina, but this week feels like it will be the official start of the Las Vegas period– christening the brand-new stadium against the Saints on Monday night.
