NFL Power Rankings: Week 2

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after beating the Arizona Cardinals 23-21 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after beating the Arizona Cardinals 23-21 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1 of the NFL season brought a few upsets, some close calls, and a lot of excitement. Let’s take a look at our Power Rankings heading into Week 2.

The 2016 NFL season kicked off with a bang on Thursday night, as the Denver Broncos upset the Carolina Panthers. Playing with an inexperienced quarterback, the Broncos handled their business at home, taking down Cam Newton once again.

On Sunday, the games were filled with excitement, as four contests were decided by one point.

As the calendar turns to Week 2, we take a look at our Power Rankings in the early going. The New England Patriots take the top spot, after somehow beating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night despite not having Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski in the lineup. At the bottom are the hapless Cleveland Browns, who will be without Robert Griffin III for the foreseeable future.

Take a look at our rankings.

  1. New England Patriots
  2. Green Bay Packers
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers
  4. Denver Broncos
  5. Carolina Panthers
  6. Arizona Cardinals
  7. Seattle Seahawks
  8. Kansas City Chiefs
  9. Cincinnati Bengals
  10. Oakland Raiders
  11. New York Giants
  12. Houston Texans
  13. Jacksonville Jaguars
  14. Indianapolis Colts
  15. Dallas Cowboys
  16. Philadelphia Eagles
  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  18. Minnesota Vikings
  19. New York Jets
  20. Baltimore Ravens
  21. New Orleans Saints
  22. Miami Dolphins
  23. Washington Redskins
  24. Detroit Lions
  25. Buffalo Bills
  26. San Diego Chargers
  27. Atlanta Falcons
  28. San Francisco 49ers
  29. Chicago Bears
  30. Tennessee Titans
  31. Los Angeles Rams
  32. Cleveland Browns

It is only one week into the 2016 NFL season, but the usual suspects look to be good once again. The Steelers absolutely drubbed the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, despite being short-handed on offense.

The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs both pulled out improbable victories on Sunday, and could be headed for an AFC West showdown. Keep an eye on teams like the New York Giants and Houston Texans, who are two squads that could surprise people in 2016.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Epic season preview

There is nothing quite like the NFL regular season, and if Week 1 is any indication, it is going to be a wild ride.