NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl Odds Ahead of Week 2 (Dallas in Big Trouble, Chiefs Dominate)
By Peter Dewey
What an absolutely wild Week 1 we had in the NFL!
The end of the first wave of games on Sunday was absolutely nuts, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts missing kicks, the New Orleans Saints coming from behind to win, and of course... the Detroit Lions grabbing a backdoor cover!
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers got off to another slow start in 2022, while Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs looked as dynamic as ever even with Tyreek Hill no longer in Kansas City.
With all the good we saw in Week 1, there was also some bad, as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott injured his throwing hand and will miss six-to-eight weeks. Not only that, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may have lost star pass rusher T.J. Watt to a torn pec in their win over the Bengals.
Steelers believe TJ Watt tore his pec and he is scheduled to undergo scans Monday to confirm diagnosis, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2022
How do these injuries change the outlook in this week's NFL Power Rankings? Well, using the odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, we're going to continue to rank each of these teams each week in the 2022 season. Here's how things look after Week 1:
1. Buffalo Bills (+500) Last Week: No. 1
Josh Allen and the Bills dominated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, showing they are the rightful Super Bowl favorites early in the season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (+750) LW: No. 4
So, why did we doubt the Chiefs this offseason? Patrick Mahomes and company cruised to an easy win over the Cardinals, and he threw for 360 yards and five scores. He's going to be just fine without Tyreek Hill.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+750) LW: No. 3
The Bucs didn't look great on offense on Sunday Night Football, but their defense was dominant, holding Dallas to just three points. Also, Julio Jones might be back for real...
4. Los Angeles Chargers (+1300) LW: No. 6
Justin Herbert and the Chargers picked up a big division win on Sunday over the Las Vegas Raiders. The defense picked off Derek Carr three times, and Herbert was great even though Keenan Allen missed the second half with an injury. A tough test with Kansas City awaits.
5. Baltimore Ravens (+1600) LW: No. 7
Contract extension or not, Lamar Jackson easily handled the New York Jets in Week 1. The Ravens also benefitted from Cincy's blown performance against the Steelers.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (+1300) LW: No. 12
Philly's offense, led by Jalen Hurts, ran all over the Detroit Lions in Week 1. With Dak Prescott out for Dallas, Philly is a huge favorite to win the NFC East.
7. Los Angeles Rams (+1400) LW: No. 2
Was Matt Stafford bad in Week 1? Yes. That doesn't change that the Rams are still contenders, and they'll eventually find their flow on offense.
8. Minnesota Vikings (+2400) LW: No. 18
The Minnesota Vikings dominated the Green Bay Packers in Kevin O'Connell's debut, and Justin Jefferson looks primed for a massive season after a nine-catch, 184-yard performance in the opener.
9. Green Bay Packers (+1300) LW: No. 5
Is this an overreaction to Week 1? Maybe. However, this Packers offense looked awful, and there is no Davante Adams for Aaron Rodgers to fall back on. Until the offensive line is healthy, it's going to be a tough go for Green Bay.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (+2600)
Somehow, the Bengals were still in Sunday's game with Pittsburgh despite five Joe Burrow turnovers. It can't get much worst from here, even though Cincy ended up with a crushing OT loss.
11. Denver Broncos (+1900) LW: No. 9
Nathaniel Hackett opted for a 64-yard field goal over letting Russell Wilson try a fourth-and-5 with the game on the line. Oh, and the Broncos committing over a dozen penalties and fumbled twice on the goal line. Things are just fine.
12. Miami Dolphins (+2800) LW: No. 17
Tua Time is off to a great start, as the Dolphins quarterback was sharp in an easy 20-7 win over the Patriots.
13. Indianapolis Colts (+2400) LW: No. 13
The Colts tied the Texans in Week 1, but they did erase a 17-point deficit in one quarter to do so. Still, this is a game they should have and could have won.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (+4400) LW: No. 15
The Derek Carr-Davante Adams connection is strong, but unfortunately so was Carr's connection with the Chargers' defensive backs, as he threw three picks in the loss.
15. San Francisco 49ers (+2200) LW: No. 11
The conditions in Chicago were terrible, but Trey Lance and the 49ers did not look good, and running back Elijah Mitchell suffered a knee injury. When does Jimmy G's music start to play for San Fran?
16. New Orleans Saints (+3200) LW: No. 19
It was against the Falcons, but Jameis Winston led the Saints back to a win, and Michael Thomas looked like his old self, catching two scores.
17. Arizona Cardinals (+4100) LW: No. 14
Arizona looked outmatched in Week 1, and it's hard to see this offense succeeding until DeAndre Hopkins comes back from his suspension.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (+5500) LW: No. 22
Even though the Steelers grabbed a win in Week 1, losing T.J. Watt would be a brutal blow to their vaunted defense.
19. Cleveland Browns (+3400) LW: No. 20
Jacoby Brissett showed a lot in Week 1, leading a game-winning drive. Plus, the Browns rode Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to massive games on the ground, which should be their game plan all season.
20. Dallas Cowboys (+4500) LW: No. 8
Prescott's injury absolutely crushes the Cowboys' playoff hopes in 2022. Mike McCarthy's seat just got a whole lot warmer, too.
21. Washington Commanders (+5000) LW: No. 23
Carson Wentz led a Washington comeback on Sunday, and the Commanders have life in the division with Dak Prescott injured.
22. New England Patriots (+6000) LW: No. 16
The Patriots' offense scored just seven points in Week 1, and Mac Jones suffered a back injury. Things are not looking good to start this season.
23. Chicago Bears (+13000)
A lot of good things happened on Monday for the Justin Fields hive, as he outdueled Trey Lance in the rain to give the Bears a win in Week 1.
24. New York Giants (+7000)
What a debut for Brian Daboll! His gutsy decision to go for two down 20-19 worked out and the Giants are now 1-0.
25. Tennessee Titans (+4600) LW: No. 21
A home loss to the New York Giants after holding a 13-point lead? Yeah, the Titans are far from contenders in my eyes right now.
26. Seattle Seahawks (+40000) LW: No. 28
Geno Smith looked very solid and the Seahawks took advantage of an undisciplined Denver team to win in Week 1.
27. Carolina Panthers (+15000) LW: No. 24
Baker Mayfield nearly upset his former team, but a long field goal by Cade York gave the Browns the win. The jury is still out on this Carolina squad.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (+18000) LW: No. 26
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars couldn't hang on to upset the Commanders, and what may be more concerning is how poorly Travis Etienne played. They'll need him to bounce back in this offense.
29. Houston Texans (+41000) LW: No. 32
The Texans did tie the Colts in Week 1, but when you realize that they blew a 20-3 lead in the fourth quarter, it doesn't look nearly as impressive.
30. Detroit Lions (+18000) LW: No. 30
Another year of the Lions playing hard, picking up back door covers and not winning many games? It certainly looks possible after their Week 1 performance.
31. Atlanta Falcons (+41000) LW: No. 31
The Falcons are going to... Falcon. Atlanta blew a 26-10 lead to the Saints, but at least Marcus Mariota looked solid in his debut for the franchise.
32. New York Jets (+41000) LW: No. 29
Zach Wilson needs to come back soon, because 59 Joe Flacco pass attempts in 2022 simply isn't going to ever get it done.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.