Bring Me The Sports' Week 2 NFL power rankings: Vikings in tough position
Week 1 of the NFL season is over and it was filled with upsets and injuries, all of which play big roles in setting the order for our weekly power rankings. Here we go...
1. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
A dominant display on the road against a division foe was the ultimate start to the 2023-24 season. There's no question that Dan Quinn's defense is going to be problematic for every team it faces.
2. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Explosive on offense and dynamite on defense. Brock Purdy picked up where he left off before his arm injury and is continuing to build a case that he is for real despite being the last pick in the draft.
3. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson might be in a race to become the first wide receiver in NFL history with 2,000 yards in a season. Is it the modern day football version of McGwire vs. Sosa?
4. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Yeah, they went into Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs. There is no asterisk because Travis Kelce and Chris Jones didn't play for Kansas City. The Lions proved they were for real during the second half of last season and now they're legit dangerous.
5. New York Jets (1-0)
They might drop like a rock if Zach Wilson can't at least be a game manager, but the Jets have all the makings of a contender so long as Wilson doesn't screw it up. The defense is high-end and they have enough weapons on offense to help Wilson succeed.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
A nice win despite some bumps and bruises at New England to start the season and now they have a chance to beat the Vikings on Thursday night for a 2-0 start. Jalen Carter looks like a superstar and Philly's front might be the best in the NFL.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
Patrick Mahomes will get Travis Kelce back but they still have serious questions about who besides him can catch the ball. The defense played well against Detroit and now they get their best defender, Chris Jones, back on the field.
8. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Lamar Jackson was sharp but the Ravens lacked explosiveness in their win over Houston. Zay Flowers looked awesome in his debut and the guess here is that they'll gain explosiveness on offense as the season goes.
9. Cleveland Browns (1-0)
The Bengals didn't show up for the opener and Cleveland embarrassed them despite Deshaun Watson throwing some of the ugliest passes you'll ever see. But it certainly looks like the Browns have a very strong defense.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
It could've been a more convincing victory over the Colts but it was the opener and teams around the league were struggling and inconsistent in the first week of the season. Still love the potential these Jags have.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Every team has a brutal game at some point in the season. The Bengals are still among the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They'll be fine.
12. Green Bay Packers (1-0)
They feel a little bit overrated this high in the rankings but Jordan Love got off to a great start despite wide receiver Christian Watson missing the game. The bigger story from their game in Chicago is that the Bears are still awful.
13. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
One of our favorites entering the season, the Vikings showed how it's possible to look explosive on offense and still lose because of dumb turnovers. Three of them in the first half killed them against Tampa Bay and then the defense couldn't get third-down stops in the second half and that was all she wrote. Disaster awaits if they don't play a complete game, but big-time potential exists with this team.
14. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
How it's possible to lose after Aaron Rodgers tears his Achilles on the fourth play of the game is a mystery until you realize Josh Allen was as careless as ever with his three interceptions and a lost fumble. The Bills are good across the board but that was an uninspiring effort in Week 1. How long will Stefon Diggs remain calm?
15. Los Angeles Chargers (0-1)
The Chargers proved they are good on offense and not so good on defense. Either that or they just became the first to learn how macho the Dolphins offense is. Looking forward to how they play at Minnesota in Week 3.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
What if Baker Mayfield is actually good now that he's not stuck in Cleveland? He look poised and talented against the Vikings. Was he just in need of legit receivers like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans? Tampa's defense is pretty stout and since they're in a weak division this could be a playoff team.
17. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Squeaking out a 16-15 victory at home against the Titans is closer than most expected, but Tennessee has a good defense. The story here though is that the Saints defense was outstanding. Saints and Tampa Bay look like the cream of the crop in the South.
18. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
A 30-13 stomping over Seattle, in Seattle, deserves a higher ranking but it's almost too impressive to believe. If the Rams can duplicate this type of performance they'll suddenly be considered a formidable opponent in the NFC West.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
Always tough to win at altitude in Denver and the Raiders did just enough. Not pretty, but Jimmy Garoppolo likes throwing to Davante Adams and Jokobi Meyers.
20. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
Hard to buy into a team led by Desmond Ridder, but the running game was strong even without Cordarrelle Patterson in Week 1.
21. New England Patriots (0-1)
They fell behind 16-0 and found a way to make the Eagles really work to leave New England with the win in Week 1. Mac Jones had some late-game moxie, too.
22. Washington Commanders (1-0)
Thought they should've dunked on Arizona a lot harder, but Sam Howell and the Commanders did enough to win. Now they go to Denver with hopes of starting 2-0.
23. New York Giants (0-1)
Getting obliterated by the Cowboys is one thing, but being outscored 78-7 in their last two games (lost 38-7 to Philly in the playoffs last season) suggests they aren't as good as Minnesota's lousy 2022 defense made them look.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Defense is strong but Ryan Tannehill threw three interceptions and Derek Henry is getting older. If Mike Vrabel can keep this team in the mix it'll be some of his best work as a coach.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
The 49ers are awesome so their blowout loss wasn't the most surprising thing in the world, but losing Cam Heyward and Dionte Johnson to injuries was worst-case scenario for the Steelers.
26. Denver Broncos (0-1)
The Sean Payton and Russell Wilson era is off to an 0-1 start. This team feels like it will bounce up and down all season. Nothing threatening about them.
27. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
Generating 180 yards of offense at home against a Rams team that is supposed to be rebuilding is embarrassing. Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker have some explaining to do.
28. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Anthony Richardson is worth the price of admission. He and Michael Pittman could put up big numbers this season, but the rest of the team needs a lot of work.
29. Houston Texans (0-1)
C.J. Stroud wasn't too bad in his NFL debut. But it's going to be a long season in Houston.
30. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Bryce Young took his lumps in his debut and it looks like that will be what he does all season as the Panthers fight for position near the top of the 2024 NFL Draft.
31. Chicago Bears (0-1)
Getting stomped at home by the Packers was the worst possible start to the season the Bears could've imagined. Justin Fields doesn't look like a pure passer and Chase Claypool looks like he wants nothing to do with playing football. Yikes.
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
They started Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. If you think the Cardinals sights are set on anything other than getting the top pick in the draft, you're crazy.
