Week two of the NFL season has quickly come and gone. While gauging teams after just one week of football without any training camp is tough, with one-eighth of the season now gone, clarity has begun on which teams are going to be contenders this season and what teams will remain pretenders. After the upset of the season in Dallas, including a 20-point Cowboys comeback and the seventh recovered onside kick over the last two seasons, and a Patriots loss in Seattle after being stopped with a goal-to-go on the final play of the game, here are my NFL power rankings following week 2.
32. New York Jets (0-2)
Adam Gase and the Jets have looked awful through two games. After being dismantled by the Bills in week one, the Jets bounced back with a 31-6 loss to the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Decimated by injuries during the game, the 49ers still had enough in the tank to beat a New York team that once again looks like they will be headed to a top five pick in next year’s NFL draft.
31. Detroit Lions (0-2)
After jumping out to a hot start on Sunday on the road at Lambeau field, the Lions failed to muster anything up after jumping out to a 14-3 lead. Finishing the game being outscored 39-8 by the Packers, Matt Patricia’s team is beginning to crumble through two weeks of the season. Still without star receiver Kenny Golladay, the Lions have blown leads in their last four contests en route to nine straight losses.
30. New York Giants (0-2)
With back to back losses to start the season, the Giants luck went from bad to worse on Sunday as they lost star running back Saquon Barkley to what is expected to be a season ending knee injury. Competitive in both games, the Giants still lack the talent to close out games and without Barkley, 2020 looks like a lost season for G-Men once again.
29. Cincinatti Bengals (0-2)
The good news for Bengals fans is that rookie quarterback Joe Burrow has looked good through two games. The bad news is that the rest of the Bengals team minus Joe Mixon is not very good. With concerns still remaing along the offensive line, the Bengals surrendered three sacks on Thursday night against the Browns and after a strong defensive performance against the Chargers in week one, Cincinatti surrendered 35 points to Baker Mayfield and company.
28. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Tua time in Miami should be in the near future as Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to be on his last legs. A much improved team from last season, the Dolphins have been competitive in both games this season and look to be trending in the right direction. Led by head coach Brian Flores, the team has the pieces in place to become a contender in the near future, but as they sit and wait for Tua this season, they remain a bottom four team in the league.
27. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
One week removed from a hard fought loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in their season opener, the Panthers were unable to muster anything up against Tom Brady and company in week two. To make matters worse, the teams defense has given up 30 points in back to back games to start the season and look to be one of the worst units in the league. With star running back Christian McCaffrey expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury, the offensively challenged Panthers will be in tough.
26. Washington Football Team (1-1)
After upsetting their divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles in week 1, Washington was in a tough one on Sunday against the Cardinals. Finishing the game with just 15 points scored, the team was unable to get anything going offensively. Still home to one of the best defensive lines in football, Jack Del Rio‘s group was able to rack up three more sacks after getting to Carson Wentz eight times in week 1. With question marks surrounding Haskins and the offense once again, look for them to be in the basement of the NFC East and the market for a quarterback once again following the season.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
The odds on favourite to be the worst team in football in 2020, the Jaguars have turned heads through two games. Led by second year quarterback Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville nearly upset their divisional rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday, after pulling off the upset of the week against Indianapolis a week ago. While they will most likely not remain on this pace throughout the season, this team looks far from a squad that was expected to tank this season, and through two weeks we give them credit.
24. Denver Broncos (0-2)
Decimated by injuries on Sunday, the Broncos lost quarterback Drew Lock, reciever Cortland Sutton, and running back Phillip Lindsay to various injuries. Still, Denver hung around against the Steelers but were unable to make key plays late against a stellar defense. Expected to be without Lock for the next few weeks, the team will turn to longtime veteran Jeff Driskel to try and keep them afloat in the ultra competitive AFC West. However, their schedule gives them no favours, starting with a road trip to Tampa Bay in week 3.
23. Atlanta Falcons (0-2)
Life as a Falcons fan offers no favours. After jumping out to a 20-0 lead on the road against the Cowboys on Sunday, the Falcons allowed Dallas to come crawling back into the game. Still with a chance to seal the victory late, Atlanta was unable to recover an onside kick by kicker Greg Zuerlein, allowing Dak Prescott to march the field for the game winning field goal. One of the most talented teams in football, head coach Dan Quinn remains on the hot seat through two weeks as his team is already falling behind in the competitive NFC South.
22. Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Arguably the biggest disappointment league wide through two weeks of the season, the Vikings were beaten down by the Colts on Sunday. Led by three interceptions by quarterback Kirk Cousins, Minnesota was held out of the end zone for the majority of the game until a late rushing touchdown by running back Dalvin Cook. After losing eight defensive players from a season ago, Mike Zimmer’s group has been in tough through two weeks, surrendering 71 points, while giving up over 800 yards against. Desperate for a win in week 3, the Vikings play host to the 2-0 Tenesee Titans.
21. Houston Texans (0-2)
Victims to one of the hardest schedules league wide, the Texans have played the class of the AFC in the Ravens and Chiefs. Still, led by star quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Houston offense looks far from the group from a season ago following the offseason trade of star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Featuring one of the worst offensive line groups in football, the team has surrendered eight sacks through two games while giving up over 30 points against in both contests. Struggling to find an identity on offense, head coach Bill O’Brien could be on his way out before the team’s bye week in week 8.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2)
A team dealing with a boatload on injuries, the Eagles look far from the team that many expected to be one of the favourites in the NFC. With 64 points given up over the first two games, Philadelphia’s defense looks far from the group it once was, despite still featuring a lot of the core names. To make matters worse, star quarterback Carson Wentz has not played well through two games, as he failed to eclipse 300 yards passing in either game, while tossing multiple interceptions in both games. A team that can turn it around quickly, the Eagles need to get rolling to keep pace with the divisional leading Cowboys in the NFC East.
19. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
After a poor showing in their opening contest against the powerhouse Baltimore Ravens, the Browns bounced back nicely in their win over their divisional rival Cincinatti Bengals. More importantly for Cleveland fans, the duo of Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham finally got a rhythm going together, with Beckham grabbing four balls for 74 yards and a touchdown. One of the most talented rosters in the league, they will have their hands full over the next few weeks, with games against Washington, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh looming.
18. Chicago Bears (2-0)
Maybe the surprise of the NFL season so far, the Bears remain unbeaten through two weeks. After trailing in week one at Detroit, Mitchell Trubisky and the offense rattled off 21 fourth quarter points to stun their divisional rival. Following up that performance in week 2, this time it was the Chicago defense that stood strong to pull out a victory against the stingy New York Giants. With a lot of season remaining, time will tell if this Bears team is for real, but for now Matt Nagy’s crew deserves credit for their performance through two weeks.
17. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
Bouncing back in impressive fashion in week 2, the Colts defense smothered Kirk Cousins and company, leading to three interceptions. Following up a rough week one performance, Phillip Rivers and the offense looked better, with rookie Jonathan Taylor rushing for over 100 yards in just his second game in the league. With one of the best rosters in the NFL, if Rivers can manage the football and cut down the costly turnovers, this team will be just fine competing in the AFC.
16. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
In one of the worst Sunday’s in recent memory, the 49ers were decimated by injuries, losing defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas to season ending knee injuries and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to an ankle injury. With the injuries beginning to pile up for this team, repeating as division champs will be tough with both the Rams and Seahawks unbeaten through two weeks.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Tom Telesco and the Chargers front office may have found something in Justin Herbert. After Tyrod Taylor was unable to go with a chest injury on Sunday, Los Angeles turned to their rookie signal caller against the divisional rival Kansas City Chiefs. In an impressive performance, Herbert threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown in a heartbreaking overtime loss. With Herbert expected to start next Sunday in an intriguing matchup on the road at Carolina, the future is beginning to look bright in LA.
14. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Down 20-0 in the first half on Sunday to the visiting Atlanta Falcons, doubts began to swirl around the Cowboys. With 17 straight points scored in the last five minutes of the game, the team was able to pull off one of the wildest comebacks in NFL history after they recovered Greg Zurlein’s onside kick to set up a game winning drive by Dak Prescott. Atop the NFC East thanks to 0-2 starts by the Eagles and Giants and a loss by Washington to the Cardinals in the desert, the Cowboys check in at number 14.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
A team that still looks like its trying to find its stride early on in the season, the Buccaneers were able to knock off the Panthers to notch their first win in the Tom Brady era. Still not executing at a high level on offense, Brady fell victim to drops by his recievers on Sunday, as seven balls fell to the ground. A bright side for Tampa fans is that Todd Bowles defense is beginning to click as the unit recorded five sacks an an interception in their week two victory.
12. New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Hardly looking like the super bowl contender that many had them pegged at before the season through two weeks, the Saints struggled mightily in their loss to the Raiders on Monday night. Allowing over 350 yards against, the unit struggled to get Las Vegas off the field at key points in the game, leading them to trail by 13 minutes in the time of possession battle. Scarier for New Orleans fans is that Drew Brees has looked like father time is beginning to catch up to him as Sean Payton‘s offense looked out of sync without Michael Thomas on the field.
11. New England Patriots (1-1)
General managers around the league must be questioning how they let Cam Newton fall into Bill Belichiks lap. An MVP candidate through two weeks of the season, Newton looks healthy and like his former self. However, after giving up five touchdown passes to Russell Wilson and company on Sunday night, the Patriots failed to generate any pass rush over 60 minutes, which is a major concern if they plan on contending against the powerhouses of the AFC.
10. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Jon Gruden’s team is playing really good football through two weeks of the season. After scoring 34 points at Carolina in their season opener, the Raiders handled the powerhouse Saints on Momday night, proving to the world that they are a contender in the AFC. After rumours surrounding the futute of Derek Carr in the offseason, the 29 year old has looked calm and poised at the helm of the offense, throwing for over 500 yards and four touchdowns through the first two games.
9. Tennessee Titans (2-0)
Once again a 2-0 team that has not played great football through two weeks of the season, the Titans held on Sunday against their divisional rival Jaguars. The best red zone offense in the league through two weeks of the season, Ryan Tannehill has thrown six touchdowns with a 130 passer rating when inside the 20 yard line this season.
8. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
Bouncing back after a rough season in 2019, Sean McVay’s crew is back to being one of the most formidable offenses in the league. With back to back games with over 400 yards of total offense, Jared Goff is off to a terrific start, throwing for 508 yards and three touchdowns. Along with this, the Rams defense has provided a solid showing through two games, recording 18 points per game against, making them top three in the league.
7. Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
A sneaky good pick for MVP this season, Kyler Murray is a human highlight reel every time he touches the football. Having his way with a good Washington defense on Sunday, the second year passer threw for 286 yards and a score in a blowout victory for the Cardinals. Playing much improved football from a year ago, Arizona’s defense is top three in the league in points per game, and leads the league in third down percentage, making them very formidable to make a run in the loaded NFC West.
6. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Russell Wilson may very well be the best player in football. Through two weeks, the Seahawks quarterback has almost thrown as many touchdown passes as incompletions in one of the most dominant starts to a season in recent memory. However, the Seahawks defense has not showed well through two weeks, with the team failing to generate any pass rush on opposing quarterbacks, allowing Cam Newton and company to come roaring back on Sunday. Appearing as if they will need to win shootouts to have success this season, Seattle looks well equipped.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
A team that was once led by one of the most dominant offenses in the NFL, the Steelers have completely flipped the script as their defense has been the story of the team through two weeks. Top five in the league in every major statistical category, Keith Butler‘s crew will be in contender for the best in the league all season long. Beginning to emerge on offense, Roethlisberger has now tossed multiple touchdowns in back to back weeks. However, they still need more from their young recievers on the outside if they plan on being a contender this season.
4. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
After an enormous leap by Josh Allen in his third season in the league, the Bills have built one of the most dominant offensive groups in the NFL. Silencing all the doubters, Allen has thrown for over 700 yards and six touchdowns in victories over the divisional rival Jets and Dolphins. In his first two games with the team, former Minnesota Vikings wide reciver Stefon Diggs has delivered, hauling in 16 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown.
3. Green Bay Packers (2-0)
One of the most talked about team’s during the offseason, the Packers have silenced the haters through two games. With back to back 40 point performances, Aaron Rodgers looks to be in vintage form in his second year in Matt Lafleur’s system. Reminded of how good Aaron Jones is on Sunday, the former fifth round pick exploded for 168 yards and two scores on the ground. With questions still surrounding the team’s defense, Mike Pettine’s crew will need to play better with games against Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Deshaun Watson, and Tom Brady in the near future.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Feeling the lingering effects of a Super Bowl hangover through two weeks of the season, the Chiefs have slept walk to a 2-0 start. After a slow game by Mahomes and company on Sunday, the team was able to make plays in crunch time, with Steve Spagnolou’s group forcing a punt to allow Mahomes to march down the field to set up a game winning field goal. Perhaps home to the best quarterback and the best kicker in the league now, Harrison Butker was dynamite on Sunday, drilling three straight field goals of 50 yards plus to win the game.
1. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
The most dominant rushing attack in the league returned on Sunday, as the Ravens rushed for 230 yards in their victory. Looking set up on both sides of the football, Baltimore’s defense smothered Deshaun Watson racking up four sacks and an interception. Looking like the most complete team in the league after two games, the Ravens and Chiefs will battle for the top spot in the league all season long, beginning with a week 3 battle on Monday Night Football.
