NFL Power Rankings, Week 2: The top 15 teams
15) Indianapolis Colts
The top 15 teams in my Week 2 NFL Power Rankings begins with the Indianapolis Colts. Philip Rivers is new to the Colts. But Rivers making poor decisions with the football at crucial times has been a trend with him for some time now. Considering the way Indianapolis is constructed, the Colts need their veteran signal-caller to be a true game manager.
14) Philadelphia Eagles
Unfortunately, injuries are nothing new to the Eagles. All the offensive line shuffling and running back injuries are not the only reason why Washington won this game…but it can’t be ignored either.
13) New England Patriots
Tom Brady is out, and Cam Newton is in as New England’s starting quarterback. That is a massive change, and unsurprisingly, the Patriots have changed how they play offense. Newton had to do a lot of the lifting on his own, as New England handled the Dolphins at home.
12) Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen didn’t play as well as his 33 of 46 for 312 yards mixed in with 57 rushing yards box score line indicates, but the impact of new addition Stefon Diggs and his eight catches for 86 yards wasn’t at all misleading.
11) Tennessee Titans
Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Titans eight days before their Monday night game and in the altitude of Denver, conditioning appeared to be an issue for Clowney. Something that isn’t new for Tennessee? Missed field goals. Stephen Gostkowski missed four kicks in Denver, including an extra point. But Gostkowski did hit the game-winner and the Titans left town with a win.
10) Green Bay Packers
What an impressive opening performance for the Packers as they dismantled Minnesota. The combination of Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams isn’t new at all, but it looked better than ever (if that’s even possible) in Week 1 as Adams caught 14 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
9) Los Angeles Rams
The Rams defense looked like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and a lot of question marks after it got hit so hard this offseason with defections. But new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley did a terrific job with this group against the high-powered Cowboys offense with a great mix of coverage disguises after the snap. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys had no answer and scored just three points in the second half.
8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The highest of profile new additions, Tom Brady, didn’t play very well in New Orleans. It is too early to question this all-time great, but it was disconcerting, nonetheless. Also, Rob Gronkowski barely contributed as well.
7) Dallas Cowboys
What’s new for the Dallas Cowboys? How about Aldon Smith, the seventh overall pick by the 49ers back in 2011, and Ceedee Lamb, Dallas’ first-round pick this year. Before Sunday night, the last time Smith had seen a football field was 2015. But he might have double-digit sacks this year. As for Lamb, he caught five passes for 59 yards, but certainly looked the part of a premier prospect as Dallas fell to the Rams.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers
Something that isn’t new for the Pittsburgh Steelers is James Conner getting injured. He left the game early with a stat line of nine rushing yards on six carries. But Benny Snell picked up the slack and ended the night in New York with 113 yards on the ground. The Steelers offensive line also now looks incredibly thin.
The top 5 NFL teams
5) San Francisco 49ers
The top 5 teams in my Week 2 NFL Power Rankings begin with the San Francisco 49ers. Things didn’t go as planned for the 49ers against Arizona in Week 1, but there was a little silver lining in Jerrick McKinnon. McKinnon isn’t exactly new to the team after being signed two years ago. But he is new to getting on the field and looks like yet another running back that can do well in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
4) Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks went across the country and made a statement in Atlanta, beating the Falcons 38-25. Russell Wilson was awesome as always, but how about new addition Jamal Adams’ dozen tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack? Adams made an immediate impact.
3) New Orleans Saints
In what may have significant playoff implications, the Saints got a huge opening week win over Tampa Bay. There isn’t much new here, and that is just fine with New Orleans, who could have the NFL’s most complete team.
2) Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens getting up on their opponents very quickly and then smothering them out isn’t new since Lamar Jackson took over. This is a powerhouse franchise that might have a fun new running back in JK Dobbins, who might grab the starting job before you know it.
1) Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are once again number one in my Week 2 NFL Power Rankings. The Champs took control of their season opener against Houston and then never looked back. Their shiny new object, Clyde Edwards Helaire, has the NFL and fantasy community buzzing after his 138 rushing yards.
But don’t forget that the rookie was given six carries inside the five-yard line and failed to score. Another potentially excellent addition for the Chiefs? Kelechi Osemele.
Matt Williamson is a Senior NFL Analyst for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter: @WilliamsonNFL.