A quick breakdown of my weekly power rankings for week 2 in the NFL and my reasoning for why I have them where I have them:
1.) San Fransisco 49ers (+2)- This team is scary. We all knew that their defense was the best in the NFL… But their offense went into Pittsburgh this past weekend and moved the ball with ease against a pretty good Steelers defense. If Brock Purdy stays healthy and can be that consistent game manager (as in, limit turnovers), this team may very well represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
2.) Philadelphia Eagles (-1) – Speaking of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl… Last year’s NFC team is off to a 1-0 start on the season. While it wasn’t pretty or dominating, they went into hostile territory, in terrible weather conditions and beat a team with a good defense.
3.) Miami Dolphins (+3) – The AFC East’s best team and they made that clear in Week 1. I thought that maybe LAC would give them fits, but Tua and the Phins just out dueled them pretty much. Assuming Tua can stay healthy for them this year, this very well may be the year the Dolphins win the East (unless Josh Allen remembers to play football again, then it could get interesting).
4.) Kansas City Chiefs (-2) – No Travis Kelce, no Chris Jones, no win. Pretty much that simple when it came to the Chiefs last Thursday. But they remain in my Top 5 since they have agreed to terms with Chris Jones on a new 1-year deal and Kelce is “projected” to return this week.
5.) Dallas Cowboys (+4) – Big time win on SNF for “The Boys” on the road, against a divisional opponent in bad weather (this will be a theme for other teams below). Their defense is very good and I’m not sure why, but this season I have faith in Dak Prescott. It just has this feel of “make or break” and who knows, maybe it is. But a 40-0 blowout is a heck of a way to start the season.
6.) Detroit Lions (NR) – What a big win for the Lions. Going into KC and knocking off the defending champs the same night they raised their banner. Dan Campbell’s bunch may very well be for real.
7.) Jacksonville Jaguars (+1) – Tough divisional road win to start the season. The offense definitely looked a little rusty at times, but Calvin Ridley made his presence know all game and was T-Law’s security blanket it seemed. Once the rest of the offense catches back up to last year’s form, watch out AFC.
8.) Baltimore Ravens (+2) – A sloppy win, plus teams above them last week losing, has the Ravens up 2 spots from last week. It wasn’t pretty, but they took care of business and got the dub. We’ll see going forward how they do with the loss of JK Dobbins.
9.) Los Angeles Rams (NR) – A team I totally overlooked coming into 2023, they took care of a Seahawks team that many of us here on the page (and in the national media) had as a playoff team once again this season. Putting up 30 points on offense WITHOUT Cooper Kupp.
10.) New York Jets (-3) – Yes, even without Aaron Rodgers I still think this is a Top 10 team just based on that defense alone. They have a 49ers feel to me in the sense that they have a great defense, play makers on offense and a QB that doesn’t need to do too much for them to score points and win games. Plus, having Rodgers as a second “QB coach” I think will really benefit Zach Wilson.