power rankings
1. New England (1-0)
- After watching the Patriots destroy the Steelers Monday night, the sound you heard was white towels being tossed from 31 other NFL teams.
2. Kansas City (1-0)
- Patrick Mahomes looked every bit the league MVP he was last season. Actually, he was even better.
3. New Orleans (1-0)
Is there such a thing as a perfect 37-second drive? The game-winner was a clinic by Drew Brees.
4. L.A. Rams (1-0)
Don’t think the Super Bowl hangover is going to be an issue.
5. Philadelphia (1-0)
- Carson Wentz looked more like the 2017 version of Wentz. Not what NFC contenders were looking for.
6. Dallas (1-0)
-IfDak Prescott keeps tossing up games with a perfect passer rating, the supposed $40 million a year the quarterback asked for will seem like a bargain.
7. Minnesota (1-0)
Kirk Cousins threw just 10 passes in the Falcons rout. They might be onto something.
8. Baltimore (1-0)
- Lamar Jackson looked like a Hall of Famer throwing the football. But then again, he was playing the Dolphins.
9. L.A. Chargers (1-0)
- Melvin Gordon plans to report to the Bolts in 6 to 8 weeks. No need to rush. Austin Ekeler (154 rushing yards, 3 TDS) is handling the load, thank you very much.
10. Green Bay (1-0)
- Pack’s defense outshines Aaron Rodgers. Heck, it outshined the Bears defense. Didn’t see that coming.
11. Seattle (1-0)
- A one-point win over the Bengals at home doesn’t exactly inspire thoughts of another championship run.
12. Tennessee (1-0)
- Loved how they completely silenced the hype around the Browns. This wasn’t just a sneak-away win in Cleveland. It was a thorough beat-down.
13. Chicago (0-1)
Great defenses can’t always bail out quarterbacks who play poorly.
14. Pittsburgh (0-1)
From top to bottom, they weren’t very good in the season opener. But, to borrow a line from Ben Roethlisberger: “Whatever.”
15. Houston (0-1)
- Playing soft coverage on defense with the Saints just needing a field goal to win? Employing the prevent defense? Inexcusable.
16. Indianapolis (0-1)
- Adam Vinatieri missed two field goals and an extra point in an OT loss. Say it ain’t so.
17. Cleveland (0-1)
Before they get to the playoffs, and Super Bowl, let’s try winning a game. The Titans served up a delicious dose of humble pie.
18. Atlanta (0-1)
- Was that just a one-time stinker, or are they really that bad?
19. Carolina (0-1)
- Cam Newton’s shoulder seems fine. More important, Christian McCaffrey seems unstoppable.
20. San Francisco (1-0)
- Not often you get to pad your pick-six stats, but Jameis Winston was in the giving mood.
21. Buffalo (1-0)
-It wasn’t pretty. Bills still deserve props for coming back from a 0-16 third quarter hole to beat the Jets.
22. Oakland (1-0)
Guess all that was needed, was to have the circus leave town.
23. Jacksonville (0-1)
- All the hype about them being a sleeper team in the AFC South? Never mind. With all do respect to Gardner Minshew, Nick Foles injury is a killer.
24. Denver (0-1)
- The Broncos hyped-up defense, a supposed force and difference-maker, was invisible. Vic Fangio’s unit disappeared in the Black Hole.
25. N.Y. Jets (0-1)
Kaare Vedik missed an extra point, shanked a 45-yard field goal attempt. They blew a 16-point lead. Can’t beat N.Y. Post headline: “Same Fold Jets!”
26. Detroit (0-0-1)
- Blowing a big lead with a bunch of coaching blunders to settle for a tie isn’t going to help Matt Patricia’s cause.
27. Cincinnati (0-1)
- They dominated the Seahawks. Outgained them by a wide margin on the ground. Dominated time of possession. But still found ways to lose. Same old Bengals.
28. Washington (0-1)
- The Skins had no idea what to do after taking a 17-0 lead. Jay Gruden leading list of coaches on hot seat.
29. Arizona (0-0-1)
- Kyler Murray struggled mightily for three quarters. The good news? His lone good quarter produced a tie.
30. Tampa Bay (0-1)
- If Bruce Arians can’t fix what ails Jameis Winston, and make him a more consistent quarterback, no one can.
31. N.Y. Giants (0-1)
- One minute Eli Manning looks like an NFL quarterback, the next, he looks like he’s ready for the old age home.
32. Miami (0-1)
Didn’t think they could be worse than everyone imagined.