NFL power rankings, Week 2: Cowboys rise, Saints fall
The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers both lost their quarterbacks, while the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens have found theirs in fine form.
Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 32. team. 59. . 0-2
The Dolphins are a hopeless train wreck of a franchise.
New York Giants. 31. team. 31. . 0-2. Previous:
It’s time to start Daniel Jones. Enough with Eli Manning already.
team. 30. . 0-2. Previous: . New York Jets. 30
With Sam Darnold sidelined, this team is going nowhere but down fast.
. 0-2. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 29. team. 56
Looked decent in Week 1, but got blown out in their home opener by the 49ers. Yikes.
28. team. 45. . 0-2. Previous: . Denver Broncos
Denver is terrible. No offensive punch at all. The roughing the penalty penalty was awful, but so were the Broncos for most of the game.
Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 27. team. 32. . 0-1-1
Arizona fought hard in Baltimore, so they don’t move down here. The Cardinals might have a real quarterback to build around.
Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 26. team. 52. . 0-2
Gardner Minshew is fun, but the Jaguars don’t have an offense that scares anybody.
The Redskins have scored some points and played tough against the Eagles and Cowboys, but the talent is clearly lacking.
28. . 1-1. Previous: . Oakland Raiders. 24. team
The Raiders looked like they were going to shock the Chiefs for 15 minutes. Then the second quarter happened.
. 0-2. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 23. team. 55
Ben Roethlisberger is done for the season. Goodnight.
22. team. 87. . 0-2. Previous: . Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton isn’t right. Until he is, the Panthers aren’t beating most teams.
team. 50. . 1-0-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 21
Detroit is undefeated, but not impressive. The Lions blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead in Arizona and took eight penalties in an ugly win. Still, undefeated.
. 1-1. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 20. team. 48
Tampa Bay is always a wild card because of Jameis Winston. The Bucs looked good Thursday, and now get the Giants at home. Time to make a move.
19. team. 15. . 1-1. Previous: . New Orleans Saints
Biggest fall of the week, and solely because of Drew Brees’ injury. Can Teddy Bridgewater somehow keep this team afloat?
team. 53. . 1-1. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 18
Beating the Jets is fine, but what do they do in Week 3 against the Rams?
. 1-1. Previous: . Tennessee Titans. 17. team. 35
Great win in Cleveland backed up by a divisional loss at home. Marcus Mariota needs to be so much better.
46. . 1-1. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 16. team
The Colts might be the AFC South’s best.
1-1. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 15. team. 44.
Atlanta got a huge win at home. With Drew Brees’ injury, the Falcons should win the NFC South.
10. . 1-1. Previous: . Houston Texans. 14. team
Another four sacks, and only won because of a questionable ruling at the end. Not inspiring confidence.
Los Angeles Chargers. 13. team. 13. . 1-1. Previous:
This ranking is partially injuries, and partially losing to the Lions due to mind-numbing errors. Brutal loss.
. 1-1. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 12. team. 57
If Mitchell Trubisky doesn’t get exponentially better, the Bears are in huge trouble.
11. team. 42. . 2-0. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers make the largest leap this week. Look, two road wins, big margins. San Francisco deserves respect.
16. . 2-0. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 10. team
Buffalo is showcasing a terrific defense. If the offense can play as it did on Sunday, the Bills could be a playoff contender.
1-1. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 9. team. 60.
Minnesota has a terrific roster, and it’s tough to ding the Vikings for losing at Lambeau. Still, Kirk Cousins must be much better.
2-0. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 8. team. 36.
Seattle remains a tough team, and one that should be fighting to make noise in January.
26. . 2-0. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 7. team
The Ravens have beaten the Dolphins and Cardinals. Now they play the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Huge test for a good team.
team. 54. . 1-1. Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles. 6
Philadelphia lost a good game to a tough team, but the injuries are very concerning.
team. 49. . 2-0. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 5
New offense, new defense, hew hope. The Packers appear to be a real threat.
Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 4. team. 51. . 2-0
The Rams were barely talked about all offseason. They look pretty damn good so far.
. 2-0. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 3. team. 123
Dak Prescott looks great, the defense is rolling and the skill position players are elite. This is the NFC’s best roster right now.
Kansas City Chiefs. 2. team. 124. . 2-0. Previous:
Will the AFC Championship Game be in Foxboro or Kansas City?
team. 47. . 2-0. Previous: . New England Patriots. 1
Beating the Dolphins is an easy task, but the Patriots look dominant.