Take everything we thought we knew from week 1 and throw it out the window. It’s a week to week league, and boy oh boy have the first two weeks of the season demonstrated that. I expect plenty more turbulence in the weeks to come, but for now, let’s take a look at where we’re at right now.
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Won 41-7 vs Titans
Last Week: 1
Coming soon to Theaters near you: Dismember the Titans, starring Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Do you realize how dominant a team has to be to pull the starters in the THIRD QUARTER??? They’re the best team in football right now, plain and simple. They lead the league in most points scored and fewest points allowed, after playing *checks notes* last year’s Super Bowl Champions and last year’s #1 seed in the AFC… Neither team could put up much of a fight, and there aren’t many better teams in the league. Their last 20 wins have all been by double digits, which ties the NFL record set by the 1941-42 Chicago Bears. If good teams win and great teams cover, what about teams that cover the spread 3x over?
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Won 27-24 vs Chargers
Last Week: 2
Step 1 of the AFC North gauntlet is complete. A win over the toughest division rival is always good, no matter how close it is. Pat Mahomes had an off game, but it’s very encouraging to see the rest of the team able to step up and compensate.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Lost 27-24 vs Chiefs
Last Week: 3
A razor thin loss is exactly what would be expected from the #3 team against the #2 team. The health of Justin Herbert is a major factor to monitor, although backup QB Chase Daniels stepped in for Kansas City and won a playoff game not too long ago. The lack of production from Austin Ekeler is starting to become a concern, but it’s not time to panic yet.
4. Miami Dolphins (2-0)
Won 42-38 vs Ravens
Last Week: 6
I liked Miami coming into the season, but I had my reservations about putting them at 6 last week. I’m much more confident this week, as I slide them up another 2 spots. Tua had a monumental game, proving that he can be a franchise QB, that he can handle the combined horsepower of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, and that he could rally back from a deficit. Now the real test comes. They’ve got Buffalo week 3.
5. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
Lost 42-38 vs Dolphins
Last Week: 5
What a show that was… Win or lose, the Ravens showed they could hold their own in a firefight, without their top 2 RBs. If the Ravens don’t pay Lamar Jackson soon, someone else will. Games like this are only driving up the price tag.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Won 20-10 vs Saints
Last Week: 9
Tom Brady finally beat the regular season Saints, and he did it without Chris Godwin and Julio Jones. Even Mike Evans got himself tossed and suspended. On the other side of the ball, the defense recorded 6 sacks and forced 5 turnovers. That’s exactly what the team needed with the offense below 100%. This team is starting to gel.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Won 24-7 vs Vikings
Last Week:18
I’ve been calling the Eagles overrated for a while now, but I have to give credit where it’s due. They took on a top tier NFC team and crushed them. They didn’t just blow out the Vikings, they outscored them every quarter. Go ahead, Minnesota can have Justin Jefferson AND Jalen Reagor. Philadelphia just wants the dub. I didn’t give them much praise for beating the Lions last week, but the Lions look better than anticipated 2 weeks in, and Philadelphia looks every bit the part of a 2-0 football team.
8. Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Lost 24-7 vs Eagles
Last Week: 4
Maybe the Eagles are for real. That can excuse the loss, but not the absence of offense. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen COMBINED for 10 catches and 100 receiving yards. Kirk Cousins was the team’s leading rusher with 20 yards… Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison combined for 25 yards on the ground. It’s kind of amazing the defense managed to keep the score from being much worse. This team had a big win last week though, so I’m waiting for week 3 before I drop them too far.
9. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
Won 27-10 vs Bears
Last Week: 13
After a rough division loss to the Vikings last week, the Packers responded by doing what they do best: smoking the Bears. They’re still waiting for a true WR1 to emerge, but they look like they could still become the best team in the division.
10. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Won 29-23 vs Raiders
Last Week: 19
What a great comeback effort to steal a win in OT. The division is wide open, and the Cardinals have as good a chance as anyone to take it. Kyler Murray looked much better than last week, despite the offense putting up a similar point total. It’s still very early in the season, and Cards might just be slow out of the gates.
11. Las Vegas Raiders (0-2)
Lost 23-29 vs Cardinals
Last Week: 8
I couldn’t bring myself to put an 0-2 team in the top 10, but the Raiders look exactly like I expected. They’re losing very close, competitive games to good teams, and as a result, their record may well keep them out of the playoffs.
12. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
Won 27-7 vs Seahawks
Last Week: 12
Most of the time, when a team loses the starting QB, the rest of the season is in jeopardy. Considering that Trey Lance struggled this year, and Jimmy G took the team to the NFC title game last year, the Niners may have actually upgraded. The relationship between Garappolo and the team brass has to be strained by this point, but there’s talent all over this roster if they can keep it together.
13. Los Angeles Rams (1-1)
Won 31-27 vs Falcons
Last Week: 7
Yeah, I don’t like the idea of moving a team down 6 places after a win, but let’s take a closer look here. Atlanta was among the league’s worst teams last season, and the Rams very nearly out-Falconed the Falcons by choking a big lead. The team had a week and a half to respond to the home beatdown they suffered against Buffalo last week, and this was the best they could come up with. They’re not a bad team, but they haven’t shown themselves to be a particularly good one yet either.
14. New York Giants (2-0)
Won 19-16 vs Panthers
Last Week: 14
They haven’t had a tough schedule, nor have they had a big win, but 2-0 is 2-0. It’s a different regime than it was a year ago, and Big Blue looks better for it. The passing game is starting to show potential and Brian Daboll certainly has experience with explosive offenses.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Won 24-0 vs Colts
Last Week: 30
So, the 0-1-1 Colts may not be as good as we expected them to be at the start of the season, but a 24-0 shutout over ANY NFL team is always impressive. So is holding Jonathan Taylor’s team to 54 TOTAL rushing yards. Trevor Lawrence was terrific, going 25-30 for 235 and a pair of scores. Many of us (myself included) laughed at the massive Christian Kirk contract, but the Jaguars are getting their money’s worth. The guy caught both of Trevor Lawrence’s touchdowns. Almost no price is too high for a franchise QB’s go-to guy. The Jags are on the come-up and are my new favorites to take the division.
16. New England Patriots (1-1)
Won 17-14 vs Steelers
Last Week: 29
Maybe I was too hard on them after last week’s loss to Miami. After all, the Dolphins did mount an epic shootout with the Ravens. 13 spaces is a lot to move up a team after just a 17-14 win over a mediocre opponent, but looking over the rest of the teams left, I’m having a hard time finding someone clearly better than New England. Don’t get it twisted, they have a long road to make the playoffs, but having to play Buffalo and Miami twice? Not to mention the Jets actually look competent. Their division is a lot tougher than most people acknowledge.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Lost 17-14 vs Patriots
Last Week: 11
Yeah, last week’s win over the defending AFC champs looks a lot less impressive now that the Bengals are 0-2. A healthy Najee Harris is huge for a team that had to be fearing the worst last week. They’re clearly rebuilding, which could be challenging because Mike Tomlin is probably too good of a coach to let this team get bad enough to secure high draft picks. With both games decided by 3 points against mid-tier opponents, they’re probably the most average team in the league right now.
18. Detroit Lions (1-1)
Won 36-27 vs Commanders
Last Week: 28
I wanted to move them higher, I really did. I almost put them above the Patriots. It actually took me hours to talk myself off the ledge, because I’m that fired up for this team. This is the kind of team Disney makes movies about. Dan Campbell is so beloved by his players, it feels like every one of them would take a bullet for him. How can you not love the guy? A former player came into the league’s worst organization with all the humility of a blocking tight end and immediately saw the humanity in everyone. There’s the quarterback who had it all: High draft pick, huge contract in the big city, leads the team to the Super Bowl, smokeshow gf, the works. And then he lost it, got shipped off to the city that held back Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. The guy his old team got back? Immediately won the chip. Now? Jared Goff is leading this offense to 35+ points in both weeks. They hung with the Eagles way better than Minnesota, who already crushed the vulnerable Packers last week, and the Bears are a mess. Call me crazy, but the Lions could actually take the division this year. If the defense continues to improve??? PHEW!! Don’t get me started…
19. Washington Commanders (1-1)
Lost 36-27 vs Lions
Last Week: 16
Wentz managed to salvage a poor first half with a solid second half and the Curtis Samuel comeback tour continues. The Lions may actually be a lot better than anyone wants to give them credit for, and while the Eagles look good, this is still a very winnable division. Their ceiling is limited, but they’re at least fun to watch.
20. Denver Broncos (1-1)
Won 16-9 vs Texans
Last Week: 25
I’m concerned. 2 weeks into the season and the offense built around Russell Wilson, Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy has yet to put up 20 points in a game. It’s not like they’re playing elite teams either. They played Geno Smith’s Seahawks and Davis Mills’s Texans. Denver is firmly cementing itself as the 4th best team in the division. It’s only week 2, but they already feel like they’re sliding out of the playoff picture.
21. New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Lost 20-10 vs Buccaneers
Last Week: 20
Let’s be clear. The Bucs are a good team. They’re not nearly as good of a team without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones though, which is exactly where they were by the end of the game. The regular season Saints have always seemed to have Tampa Tom’s number, but he pulled through this time. He only threw 190 yards and 1 TD, but Jameis Winston threw 3 picks. Some dip was to be expected with the absence of Alvin Kamara, but with Mark Ingram rushing at 6 yards per carry, this offense should have been able to do more.
22. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Won 20-17 vs Bengals
Last Week: 26
Remarkably, this team was FAR better with Cooper Rush than they were with Dak Prescott. It’s tough to gauge the Bengals, who won the AFC last year, but are now 0-3 since, including the Super Bowl. Still, a win is a win, and it gets the ‘Boys back in the race for the division.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Lost 20-17 vs Cowboys
Last Week: 10
Now it’s time to worry. This offensive line provides about as much protection as a referee in a hockey fight. They’re treating Joe Burrow like a blunt: Everybody gets a hit. The Dallas pass rushers left the game like trick or treaters on Halloween: They all had a sack. Good offensive linemen in Cincinnati are appropriately named Bengals, because they’re an endangered species. They’re about as effective as a yellow light in rush hour, a mall cop on Black Friday, and traffic signs in a Fast and Furious movie.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Lost 41-7 vs Bills
Last Week: 23
To be fair, after Buffalo scored on the opening drive, the Titans answered right back to tie the game at 7. Then franchise LT Taylor Lewan went down and all hell broke loose. In all fairness to the Titans though, the LA Lamb chops got cooked by the Bills last week. The Titans lost by 1 point when they played a normal team last week.
25. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Lost 31-30 vs Jets
Last Week: 17
It’s never good to choke away a lead. It’s even worse to do it against one of the worst teams in the league. Jacoby Brissett went 22/27 for 229 yards with a pick and a TD. In other words, about as much as can reasonably be expected from a backup QB. How about Nick Chubb with 3 TDs, while averaging 5.1 ypc? This division is surprisingly worse than expected, so the Browns actually have a legit shot this year, even with their “Not Guilty” starting QB missing most of the year.
26. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Lost 19-16 vs Giants
Last Week: 21
They’ve lost 2 games by a combined 5 points. Let’s not panic here. There’s plenty to like here. For starters, CMC reminded us who he is, putting up 102 yards on just 15 carries, for a nice 6.8 ypc average. Baker Mayfield underwhelmed, but what more can you ask from a guy who only cost a 5th rounder to acquire?
27. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Lost 27-7 vs 49ers
Last Week: 22
It was nice to beat their old quarterback last week, but 7 points doesn’t win many football games. This one happened to be a divisional game. Not only that, but the opposing QB had to leave the game due to injury. This had to be a winnable game, and the Seahawks weren’t even in it. A 20 point loss to an 0-1 divisional opponent that lost their starting QB when the score was 3-0 in the first quarter. Yikes.
28. New York Jets (1-1)
Won 31-30 vs Browns
Last Week: 32
The Jets haven’t had many dramatic wins to be proud of recently, so this is a big deal. They’d still like to get more from rookie Breece Hall, but the trade off is second year RB Michael Carter is off to a great start this season. They’ve got receivers too, and pretty soon QB Zach Wilson is expected to return. It’s a tough division, but no one expected the Jets to have a shot anyway. Why not celebrate the little wins?
29. Chicago Bears (1-1)
Lost 27-10 vs Packers
Last Week: 15
I could excuse the poor offensive performance last week because of the monsoon level rain. This week though, they just got slapped around by the Packers, like they always do. Except unlike most years, the Packers aren’t even that good. They have no receivers. BUSTin Fields still can’t find Darnell Mooney, and David Montgomery, while a competent starting RB, is simply no Walter Payton. He can’t single-handedly save an otherwise incompetent offense.
30. Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)
Lost 24-0 vs Jaguars
Last Week: 24
I understand that the Colts were without WRs Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, but still. 24-0 to the Jaguars??? They still had Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor. That should been enough to at least avoid a donut. Instead, they’re now at the bottom of the worst division in football.
31. Atlanta Falcons (0-2)
Lost 31-27 vs Rams
Last Week: 31
Is there a more frustrating team in pro sports to be a fan of than the Atlanta Falcons? This team has about as much clutch as an automatic transmission. They can hang with good teams, they just finish worse than Game of Thrones. I’d like to move them up but I just can’t. They’re good at playing, but bad at winning.
32. Houston Texans (0-1-1)
Lost 16-9 vs Broncos
Last Week: 32
Even though it’s a loss, this game looks much worse for the Broncos, who are supposed to be a top contender in the AFC than the Texans, who are expected to be among the league’s worst. That tie with the Colts looks much less impressive after the ponies got blanked by the Jaguars, but 0-1-1 with a -7 point differential through 2 weeks is a better start to the season than I was anticipating from this squad.