NFL Power Rankings: Rams Surge After Week 1 Statement

After upsetting the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams have surged up NFL Power Rankings lists.

While the Dallas Cowboys' 40-0 win over the New York Giants made them the biggest winner of Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams were arguably the second most successful team in the season's opening weekend, upsetting the Seattle Seahawks 30-13 at Lumen Field. 

With receiver Cooper Kupp on injured reserve as he works through a hamstring injury, a Rams team already expected to be very top-heavy was ranked in the bottom 10 of most NFL Power Rankings coming into Week 1. And given that they'll face the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, it's entirely possible that the Rams are back near the bottom of most lists next cycle. 

But after quarterback Matthew Stafford looked reinvigorated with the help of rookie receiver Puka Nacua, the Rams saw a meteoric rise on some NFL Power Rankings in advance of the second week of the season. 

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: After upsetting the Seahawks in Week 1, the Rams climbed all the way from No. 29 to No. 17 on PFT's rankings. Florio added that "if Stafford can stay healthy, they could steal a Wild Card spot." 

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Week 1, per Iyer, was "a masterpiece by Sean McVay." It's hard to argue with that given that the Seahawks, a playoff team a season ago, were picked by just about everyone to defeat the Rams, only for Los Angeles to win in blowout fashion. 

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Los Angeles was the biggest riser from Week 1 to Week 2 on Prisco's list, jumping from No. 31 to No. 20. Prisco pointed out that he was impressed that the Rams defense was able to hold quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks -- a team with quite a few weapons -- to just 13 points. 

NFL Nation, ESPN: The Rams were movers and shakers on the four-letter network's list, finishing at No. 22 after opening the season in the 27th spot. The article pointed out that with Kupp out for at least three more games, the Rams will need continued production at receiver from Nacua and Tutu Atwell, among others. 

Eric Edholm, NFL Media: Here's a case where an outlet appears to still be skeptical of the Rams, even if they did increase their ranking. The Rams jumped four spots from Week 1 to Week 2, but that was only good enough for them to go from 30th to 26th. Still, Edholm noted that Nacua looked like "a doppelgänger" of Kupp in the season-opening win.