NFL Power Rankings: Week 2
Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books; some teams started their 2023 campaigns strong, and some had weeks they'd like to forget. Follow all the NFL's trends throughout the season with us here at A to Z Sports. Each week, we will release an updated NFL power rankings based on the most […]
Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books; some teams started their 2023 campaigns strong, and some had weeks they'd like to forget.
Follow all the NFL's trends throughout the season with us here at A to Z Sports. Each week, we will release an updated NFL power rankings based on the most recent performances by each NFL team. If you missed Week 1's power rankings, click here.
NFL Power Rankings: Week 2
1. San Francisco 49ers 📈 3
Week 2, and we already have a new team at the top of the power rankings. Brock Purdy and the 49ers were out to prove they were the real deal in Week 1, and they succeeded. The 49ers went into Pittsburgh and embarrassed the Steelers 30-7. The 49ers were coming off a loss in the NFC Championship to the Philadelphia Eagles, where many of their players believe the injuries at QB cost them their chance at a Super Bowl. That, paired with the extra motivation Patrick Peterson decided to give Brock Purdy, led to a long day for the Steelers.
2. Kansas City Chiefs 📉 1
The Kansas City Chiefs season debut didn't go as planned, as their Super Bowl celebration game would be spoiled by the visiting Detroit Lions 21-20. Patrick Mahomes missed Travis Kelce tremendously all evening as his WR core continuously let down the All-Pro QB throughout the game. The fall for the Chiefs from the top power rankings spot was only one spot this week because of the absence of both Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. Hopefully, both return to the field this week for the Chiefs so we can see the reigning Super Bowl champions at full strength.
3. Dallas Cowboys 📈 6
The Dallas Cowboys made quite the statement in Week 1, with the largest blowout of the week over the New York Giants 40-0. The Cowboys made multiple moves this offseason to push their chips in on a Super Bowl run this year, such as trading for WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore showed in Week 1 that he still is a problem for NFL offenses at age 32. The CB hauled in his first interception of the year and only allowed a 12.5 passer rating when targeted.
4. Philadelphia Eagles 📉 2
The defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles were able to walk out of Week 1 with the victory but certainly struggled against the New England Patriots on their way to a 25-20 win. The Eagles have a new offensive and defensive coordinator this year after both were hired as head coaches elsewhere this offseason (Shane Steichen, Jonathan Gannon), and they did look sluggish as a result. There will likely be some growing pains with the Eagles early on, but the talent on this roster is tremendous, and I expect they will figure it out and get back to looking like the dominant force we saw last season.
5. Miami Dolphins 📈 5
The most exciting game of the week was the shootout between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Dolphins would finish the day victorious, 36-34. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill's connection on the day was fantastic as they connected 11 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Tua would end the day with 466 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Dolphins offense certainly appeared to be a unit that will be one of the best in the entire league throughout this year. And if their defense can clean things up in the future, this is a legit Super Bowl contender in the AFC.
6. Cincinnati Bengals 📉 3
7. Jacksonville Jaguars ↔️
8. Detroit Lions 📈 5
The Detroit Lions may have shocked the world, but their Week 1 win over the Kansas City Chiefs didn't shock a single person in the Lions locker room. Head coach Dan Campbell has his entire team bought into his philosophy, and this team completely believes in their abilities. The team's offense didn't perform at the elite level we saw from them near the end of last season, which makes this win even more impressive. Their defense looked tremendously improved from last year. If they can get both units playing at their best simultaneously, watch out because that Detroit Lions team can compete with any team in the NFL.
9. Buffalo Bills 📉 3
10. Los Angeles Chargers 📉 2
11. Cleveland Browns 📈 8
The Cleveland Browns contained their recent success over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 with a dominating win of 24-3. The Browns defense was all over the high-powered Bengals offense from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Only allowing Joe Burrow to complete 14 of 31 passes for 82 yards. Deshaun Watson and the Browns offense still stalled out quite a few times on the day, but their defense should have in them in most games. And if Watson can return to the elite level of play we saw from him with the Houston Texans, the Browns will be legit contenders in the AFC North and beyond.
12. Baltimore Ravens 📈 3
13. Green Bay Packers 📈 5
14. New Orleans Saints 📈 2
15. Los Angeles Rams 📈 8
16. Minnesota Vikings 📉 5
17. Pittsburgh Steelers 📉 5
18. New York Jets 📉 13
The biggest drop in this week's power rankings comes from the New York Jets, who actually won their season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, it came with the cost of Aaron Rodgers, who has now been confirmed to have sustained a torn achilies, and his season is over. The Jets defense is fantastic and powered them to a win yesterday. But their overall season outlook falls on the shoulders of former number 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who will again be the team's starter.
19. New England Patriots📈 2
20. Seattle Seahawks 📉 3
21. New York Giants 📉 7
22. Atlanta Falcons 📈 2
23. Las Vegas Raiders📈 6
The Jimmy Garrapolo era in Las Vegas began with a win over the Denver Broncos 17-16. The biggest debut for the Raiders came from WR Jakobi Meyers, who had a big day against the Broncos. Meyers ended the day with nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. This connection will be one to watch the rest of the season to see if this was a one-week wonder for Meyers or the start of a promising tenure as a Raider.
24. Washington Commanders 📈 1
25. Denver Broncos 📉 3
26. Tennesee Titans 📉 6
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 📈4
Quite possibly, the most shocking result from Week 1 was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upsetting the Minnesota Vikings 20-17. The Buccaneers defense showed themselves to still be a force to be reckoned with, and Baker Mayfield was able to do enough in his debut to get the win. It is hard to envision this Buccaneers roster doing this consistently, but they do not care what I have to say about them. Their defense will do their best to keep them in most games, but it'll be up to Mayfield and the offense to see how successful their 2023 season will be.
28. Indianapolis Colts ↔️
29. Carolina Panthers 📉 3
30. Houston Texans ↔️
31. Chicago Bears 📉 4
For a team to ever come out unprepared in the NFL, it always raises red flags. But it is beyond troublesome for a team like the Chicago Bears to look so lackluster against their longtime rival, the Green Bay Packers. After multiple moves to improve the unit over the offseason, the offense still looked very lackluster. Head coach Matt Eberflus' defense had no answer for new Packers starting QB Jordan Love, who continued the Packers recent dominance over the Bears, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Hopefully, this was just a Week 1 fluke for the Bears, but this type of performance against a rival is never acceptable.
32. Arizona Cardinals ↔️
Cowboys’ Micah Parsons: ‘Everyone is locked in’ after 40-0 win vs. Giants
They really proved it.
Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa outplays Justin Herbert in third meeting
Round three between the 2020 first-round picks went in favor of Miami’s QB
Featured Image By: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
