NFL power rankings: Chiefs soar, Texans fall
After an impressive victory over the defending champs, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up, while the Houston Texans moved down after a tough defeat.
Week 1 always brings us surprises, ans this year was no different. The biggest upset may have been opening night, with the Chiefs becoming the first AFC team since 2006 to beat the Patriots in Foxborough when Tom Brady plays the entire game.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans were an utter disgrace, losing by 22 points and blowing through two quarterbacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. If that performance was any indication of how Houston is going to look moving forward, look out.
32
New York Jets 0-1
Last week: L, 21-12 at BUF
Last rank: 32nd
In the words of the late, great Dennis Green … The Jets are who we thought they were.
31
Indianapolis Colts 0-1
Last week: L, 46-9 at LAR
Last rank: 25th
if the Colts don’t have Andrew Luck, they will go 0-16. What a pathetic effort. Maybe it was a mistake not firing Chuck Pagano.
30
San Francisco 49ers 0-1
Last week: L, 23-3 vs. CAR
Last rank: 29th
The 49ers were dominated at home by the Panthers. It wasn’t encouraging, especially for a team that has defensive talent.
29
Chicago Bears 0-1
Last week: L, 23-17 vs. ATL
Last rank: 31st
Chicago hung in and played the Falcons tough, but it’s another loss and another lost season for Kevin White. Love that Tarik Cohen, though.
28
Cleveland Browns 0-1
Last week: L, 21-18 vs. PIT
Last rank: 30th
Cleveland should be excited about a young defense and the right arm of DeShone Kizer. Still, don’t expect many wins in 2017.
27
Houston Texans 0-1
Last week: L, 29-7 vs. JAX
Last rank: 19th
The Texans will get better defensively, but that offense is rancid. Deshaun Watson isn’t ready, Tom Savage will never be ready, and Houston will have to win 7-6.
26
Buffalo Bills 1-0
Last week: W, 21-12 vs. NYJ
Last rank: 28th
Buffalo wasn’t overly impressive, but the Bills won and that’s good enough for first place in the AFC East.
25
Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0
Last week: W, 29-7
Last rank: 27th
Jacksonville shocked everybody with a 29-7 win. Blake Bortles wasn’t good, but the defense racked up a franchise-best 10 sacks. It was a terrific start to the Doug Marrone era.
24
Washington Redskins 0-0
Last week: L, 30-17 vs. PHI
Last rank: 23rd
Washington turned the ball over four times in the loss to Philadelphia. The Redskins need to improve in all phases, and fast.
23
New Orleans Saints 0-1
Last week: L, 29-19 at MIN
Last rank: 22nd
New Orleans looks like the same time we’ve seen over the past three years. Potentially explosive on offense, absolutely no defense.
22
Los Angeles Rams 1-0
Last week: W, 46-9 vs. IND
Last rank: 26th
if the Rams play like this every week, they’ll be in the Super Bowl. Jared Goff looked the part of a top-overall pick, and the defense was awesome. Keep an eye on this group.
21
Cincinnati Bengals 0-1
Last week: L, 20-0 vs. BAL
Last rank: 15th
Whenever you get shutout, it’s bad. When you get shutout at home against a division rival while your starting quarterback tosses four picks, well, yikes.
20
Los Angeles Chargers 0-1
Last week: L, 24-21 at DEN
Last rank: 17th
The Chargers looked lost on both sides of the ball. Philip Rivers was ineffective, the offensive line couldn’t get push, and the defense was soft up the middle. A late rally doesn’t change any of that.
19
Miami Dolphins 0-0
Last week: Canceled vs. TB
Last rank: 18th
The Dolphins will open up in their season against the Chargers in their home debut at the StubHub Center. Can they pull off a road win?
18
Arizona Cardinals 0-1
Last week: L, 35-23
Last rank: 8th
If Carson Palmer doesn’t get better, this team is going nowhere fast. The defense was average, the quarterback was terrible, and David Johnson is hurt. Good luck.
17
New York Giants 0-1
Last week: L, 19-3 at DAL
Last rank: 16th
If the Giants can’t protect better than they did in the opener, Eli Manning’s consecutive games streak will come to an end, but not before he throws 30 interceptions. Hideous effort.
16
Denver Broncos 1-0
Last week: W, 24-21 vs. LAC
Last rank: 24th
Denver looked good before having to escape in the end. The Broncos have to tighten up a bit, although the defense has the look of a good unit again.
15
Baltimore Ravens 1-0
Last week: W, 20-0
Last rank: 21st
Baltimore fans should be pumped about the defense. The Ravens have a wicked front and can play in the back end. If Joe Flacco could do anything, this would be a dangerous team in January.
14
Detroit Lions 1-0
Last week: W, 35-23 vs. AZ
Last rank: 20th
Give the Lions credit. Everybodyw rote this team off as a one-year wonder who sneaked into the playoffs. Matt Stafford can ball, and the defense forced a trio of Carson Palmer interceptions.
13
Tennessee Titans 0-1
Last week: L, 26-16 vs. OAK
Last rank: 9th
Tennessee was projected as the winner in the AFC South by most, and it may end up being that way, but there are corrections to be made. Marcus Mariota must be better, and the secondary has to step up.
12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-0
Last week: Canceled at MIA
Last rank: 12th
After having their game canceled because of Hurricane Irma, the Buccaneers start the campaigna t home against the Bears. This should help them get rolling.
11
Minnesota Vikings 1-0
Last week: W, 29-19 vs. NO
Last rank: 14th
The Vikings were dominant defensively while Sam Bradford threw for 346 yards. Regardless of the defense across the field, Bradford looked fantastic.
10
Philadelphia Eagles 1-0
Last week: W, 30-17 at WSH
Last rank: 13th
The Eagles are going to be a problem for teams that struggle up front. Washington was overwhelmed, an it turned into four turnovers. Philadelphia now faces its former coach in Andy Reid this weekend.
9
Carolina Panthers 1-0
Last week: W, 23-3 at SF
Last rank: 11th
Carolina played like a team looking to erase the memory of a 6-10 start. Cam Newton was uneven, but the defense was great and the result was a dominating win.
8
Oakland Raiders 1-0
Last week: W, 26-16 at TEN
Last rank: 10th
Give the Raiders credit. A year after winning so many games in wild shootouts, they allowed only 16 points in a 10-point win on the road. Nice job by Jack Del Rio and Co.
7
Seattle Seahawks 0-0
Last week: L, 17-9 at GB
Last rank: 5th
No reason to panic here, except for the offensive line. That group could torpedo an otherwise excellent roster.
6
Dallas Cowboys 1-0
Last week: W, 19-3 vs. NYG
Last rank: 7th
The Cowboys picked up right where they left off with an impressive win over the Giants. Dallas controlled the ball, won matchups on the outside and overachieved on defense. Great win to start the season.
5
New England Patriots 0-1
Last week: L, 42-27 vs. KC
Last rank: 1st
The Patriots will recover, but that was a beating unlike any we’ve seen them take at Gillette Stadium in recent memory. Only concern moving forward is a slow front seven.
4
Green Bay Packers 0-0
Last week: W, 17-9 vs. SEA
Last rank: 4th
The Packers played one of the best teams in the NFL and looked in control as the game wore on. very good sign, especially from the defense.
3
Kansas City Chiefs 1-0
Last week: W, 42-27 at NE
Last rank: 6th
Kansas City announced itself as a true contender. With Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and a terrific offensive line, this could be a different team.
2
Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0
Last week: W, 21-18 at CLE
Last rank: 3rd
The Steelers have to tighten up, but they got great performances out of T.J. Watt and Antonio Brown. Ultimately, they get a road divisional win.
1
Atlanta Falcons 0-0
Last week: W, 23-17 at CHI
Last rank: 2nd
It wasn’t pretty, but the Falcons took care of business and notched their first win. Matt Ryan looked like Matt Ryan, even without Kyle Shanahan, which is the real takeaway here.