NFL Power Rankings - Week 2: Early overreactions for every team
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
With the first week of the 2024 NFL season in the books, it's time to overreact about the state of each team.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Previous Rank: 1
No team will stand in the way of KC's three-peat. Patrick Mahomes remains an enigma that the league cannot solve. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and, eventually, Marquise Brown provide Mahomes with the best group of pass-catchers the two-time MVP has enjoyed since entering the league.
2. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Previous Rank: 3
The 49ers are going back to the Super Bowl. The 49ers didn't have Christian McCaffrey on Monday night and they hardly missed a beat. Instead, Jordan Mason rushed for 147 yards as San Francisco put up 32 points and ruined Aaron Rodgers' welcome back party. This team is seriously a cheat code.
3. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Previous Rank: 2
Jameson Williams is going to be a top-10 receiver in the NFC. The Lions wideout reminded the world why he was taken 12th overall a few years ago with a career-high 121 receiving yards and one touchdown in Week 1. That was no mirage. With Amon-Ra St. Brown also proven, Williams will be half of one of the best one-two punches in the NFL.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Previous Rank: 5
Saquon Barkley is the missing link the Eagles needed. The Eagles have too many weapons, which is going to play in Barkley's favor. A three-touchdown effort in Week 1 foreshadowed that the former New York Giants running back will win Offensive Player of the Year and make Philly's offense a true juggernaut.
5. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
Previous Rank: 4
The Ravens will lead the NFL in penalties. The Ravens came within a toe of forcing overtime against their nemesis in Kansas City. Baltimore was flagged an astounding five times for illegal formation that marred Lamar Jackson and the offense in last season's AFC Championship Game rematch.
6. Houston Texans (1-0)
Previous Rank: 6
Houston finally has a proper run game. The Texans may finally be building a strong rushing attack with Joe Mixon leading the way. The former Bengals halfback's 5.3 yards per carry and 159 total yards should prove to be the perfect complement to C.J. Stroud and a potent passing game.
7. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
Previous Rank: 9
The defense is even better with Mike Zimmer. Dan Quinn who? Dallas' defense still looks as dominant as ever despite getting a new defensive coordinator. The Cowboys put up six sacks and two takeaways and essentially allowed just 10 points - excluding a garbage time touchdown - in Week 1 against the Browns.
8. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
Previous Rank: 10
Tua is set to lead the league in passing yards again. Tua Tagovailoa isn't letting his big new contract slow him - or Miami's offense - down in terms of racking up yards. His 338 passing yards represented the most among any quarterback in Week 1, and the Hawaiian now aims to be the first consecutive passing leader since Drew Brees, who accomplished the feat from 2014-16.
9. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
Previous Rank: 11
Cooper Kupp will lead the league in receiving yards. Everything is lining up for another dominant season from Kupp. With Puka Nacua injured, Kupp already recorded a league-leading 14 receptions for 110 yards in Week 1.
10. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Previous Rank: 12
Josh Allen is the NFL's MVP. It doesn't matter who's sharing the huddle with No. 17 - Josh Allen is a one-man offense. The 28-year-old passed for two scores and ran in another pair to single-handedly elevate the Bills to victory.
11. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Previous Rank: 7
Jordan Love's injury dooms 2024 before it has a chance to start. Malik Willis has never shown signs of being a capable NFL quarterback. If the Packers have to start him for an extended period, or Love is rushed back from injury at less than 100%, this season could end up a major disappointment.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
Previous Rank: 16
Justin Fields should be the full-time starter. Fields had far from a perfect game in Week 1, but his upside gives the quarterback position a far bigger ceiling than what Russell Wilson provides. With another typical stout defense, the Steelers should gamble on Fields' potential rather than playing it safe - a tactic that hasn't translated to postseason success for them in recent years.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Joe Burrow's wrist injury might still be an issue. Despite facing little pressure, the Bengals QB could only muster 5.7 yards per attempt in a baffling outing. Being healthy to start a season hasn't been the MO for Burrow since his rookie year in 2020.
14. Chicago Bears (1-0)
Previous Rank: 17
Caleb Williams isn't as pro-ready as we thought. Is this another cautionary tale to not put much weight on preseason results? If it wasn't for special teams and Will Levis' comical pick-6, Williams and the Bears would be 0-1. With under 50% of his passes completed and 93 total passing yards in Week 1, the NFL is going to be a learning curve for Williams.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Previous Rank: 18
Baker Mayfield is going to have the best season of his career. It took just one game for Mayfield to quiet concerns that his career revival was solely the work of former offensive coordinator Dave Canales. After Week 1, Mayfield leads the league in touchdown passes (4) and passer rating (146.4).
16. New York Jets (0-1)
Previous Rank: 14
Even Aaron Rodgers can't save the Jets. The return of a future Hall of Famer wasn't enough to redeem a franchise mired in futility. The offense couldn't keep pace with Kyle Shanahan's version while a normally stout defense couldn't find its footing.
17. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Previous Rank: 13
The Achilles tear has left Kirk Cousins a shell of his former self. Cousins appeared uncomfortable and not like his usual self in the pocket against the Steelers. That may just be his new reality as a 36-year-old quarterback coming off a serious injury rather than just Week 1 rust.
18. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Previous Rank: 20
Mike Macdonald makes this defense a takeaway factory. The Seahawks were 22nd in takeaways in 2023 with only 19. After one game with Macdonald as head coach, Seattle's already at three. Look out, this defense is ready to feast.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Previous Rank: 19
Brian Thomas Jr. will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The LSU product held his own in a matchup against Jalen Ramsey. Thomas found the end zone on a 14-yard TD and drew a pass interference to set up another score in an impressive debut.
20. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Previous Rank: 22
Anthony Richardson is a future MVP. If a 60-yard TD heave to Alec Pierce wasn't enough to sway you about the future of the Colts franchise signal-caller, you might want to check your pulse. Producing three total TDs to go along with 200 passing yards and 50 yards on the ground, the Florida alum could be the next great quarterback with the horseshoe on his helmet.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Previous Rank: 21
Jim Harbaugh can lead L.A. to the AFC West title. Jim Harbaugh's first game in the NFL since 2014 went better than anyone could have imagined. J.K. Dobbins spearheaded the offense while Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa elevated the defense to a standout performance emblematic of their new coach.
22. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Previous Rank: 24
Klint Kubiak will turn back the clock on Derek Carr. The Saints racked up a whopping 47 points Sunday, scoring points on each of their first nine drives. Carr, who led the way with three touchdowns, hasn't appeared this at ease since the 2016 campaign when he finished third in MVP voting.
23. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Previous Rank: 15
The Browns are destined for last in the AFC North. Deshaun Watson was sacked six times and had two passes intercepted in his first game back since injuring his shoulder last November. It's becoming clear that Cleveland is on the losing end of the trade for what they thought was a franchise QB.
24. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
Previous Rank: 26
Sam Darnold is going to prove everyone wrong. Darnold proved there's nothing to worry about after a productive first start in Vikings purple. It took seven years, but it turns out all Darnold needed was a support system of weapons and an offensive-minded coach like Kevin O'Connell.
25. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
Previous Rank: 25
The Cardinals will never be consistent enough to realize their potential. Arizona jumped out to a 17-3 lead early against the Bills before being outscored 31-11 the rest of the way. The Cards' lone touchdown in that span also came courtesy of special teams and not Kyler Murray or the offense.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Previous Rank: 23
The defense is establishing a shutdown unit. It's clear which side of the ball is leading the way for new coach Brian Callahan. Limiting a potentially explosive Bears offense to 148 total yards and not allowing an offensive touchdown, the defense did their part to put their squad in a winning position Sunday.
27. New England Patriots (1-0)
Previous Rank: 32
Coaching changes are paying immediate dividends. No one can simply replace the legacy of Bill Belichick. But after back-to-back losing seasons with the legendary coach in charge, it was time for a change. Jerod Mayo earned his first career win in impressive fashion, ushering in a new era for New England.
28. Washington Commanders (0-1)
Previous Rank: 28
Jayden Daniels will break the QB record for rushing attempts. The record is 176 by Lamar Jackson in 2019. Daniels is on pace for 272 after a team-high 16 attempts in Week 1.
29. Denver Broncos (0-1)
Previous Rank: 27
Bo Nix might not have it. There were more facepalms than moments of brilliance in the rookie QB's first start. In the NFL's long history, there have been just two other passers who've thrown for 42 or more attempts and only accounted for 138 yards or fewer, which is what we saw in Nix's regular-season debut.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Previous Rank: 29
Las Vegas made the wrong call at head coach. Conservative play-calling doesn't look good in silver and black. Head coach Antonio Pierce's decision to punt with a fourth-and-1 from the Chargers' 43-yard line will be heavily scrutinized. The decision not to leave his offense on the field is a 180-degree turn from the outspoken nature that initially saw Pierce win fans over and had players smoking cigars after victories.
31. New York Giants (0-1)
Previous Rank: 30
Choosing Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley has set this franchise back years. Jones has thrown more pick-6s (three) than touchdown passes (two) since 2023. There's not much else that needs to be said. Sorry, Giants fans.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Previous Rank: 31
Somehow, the Panthers got even worse. Just when Carolina thought it hit rock bottom, the franchise discovered a new low. Bryce Young's first throw got intercepted in what would ultimately be a 47-10 loss Sunday. He also didn't complete a pass until the Panthers were already down 17-0.