Power Rankings
Rankingologist: Z
Analysis: Arod, Z, Fallen
1. Los Angeles Rams (2-0) (LW: 2): With the KMFO out of the picture, one would think the chances of a Rams three or even four-peat have grown substantially. Could it happen? Why not? They’ve represented the NFC in all three Super Bowls so far, so it is their spot to lose. They made lightwork of a very dangerous Chargers team in week 2, and to be quite honest, based on their schedule, I see 2, maybe 3 losses if that sprinkled in. Cook will certainly make a play for the prestigious first round bye this season.
2. New England Patriots (2-0) (LW: 4): The Patriots were up by a lot and the game didn’t count versus the Dolphins this week. Through two weeks, rookie quarterback Wimsatt has proven that he has what it takes to lead the team. He will be tested next week against a Jets defense that is still feeling themselves after upsetting the Packers. The Jets have proven to give the Patriots a tough time this cycle and rookie quarterbacks are prone to making mistakes, can Wimsatt avoid the early season upset in week 3?
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) (LW:5): Matigy guaranteed a victory this week, stating that there’s no way that Que and his Cardinals could beat him. He proved that by putting up 43 points. One of the biggest questions heading into the season was going to be how well Kansas City defended the pass after trading Sneed away to the Lions. The Chiefs are ranked 30th against the pass, but threw two weeks, it hasn’t stopped them from getting the job done and coming away victorious. However, this is something to watch as their young corners will be tested every week.
4. Houston Texans (2-0) (LW:6): On paper, the Texans have one of the easiest schedules in the first five weeks of the season facing teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season. They will face the Chargers in week 6, but until then, expect to see C.J. Stroud light up the field, targeting Brock Bowers and shifty Malik Benson.
5. Detroit Lions (2-0) (LW:8): The Lions continue to roll as they pick up another win against Beast and the Bills. While rookie QB Nico Iamaleava threw his first NFL interception, he still was efficient on the day, completing over 65% of his passes and throwing for two touchdowns. The Lions defense also forced three Josh Allen interceptions while sacking him 4 times. They look to continue their hot streak against a familiar foe next week, the Chicago Bears.
6. Atlanta Falcons (2-0): The Falcons sitting at 2-0 the early has to have injected all the confidence in the world into Nef, especially as they head into a week 3 ‘Battle of the Birds’ showdown with a Ravens team who has started out 0-2. After showing off his legs last week, Daniels proved he could be a dangerous passer as well as he had possibly the best passing game of his career going for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. What a time to be a Falcons fan.
7. Cleveland Browns (1-0) (LW:1) Bandit is ready to take over a loaded Browns squad, but there are questions surrounding the quarterback position after Cam Jenkins was caught shaving points and penalized into oblivion. I am excited to see the approach that Bandit takes with this team because they are coming off a SuperBowl victory, it’d be difficult to mess them up.
8. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) (LW: 3): Not many expected the Seahawks to go down week 2 to the newly appointed Cowboys coach, Bubba, who’s only had one game played with his roster. Bo Nix and the offense played well in the loss, as it was actually the defense who gave up 48 points. Most notably, the Seahawks had zero answer for the Cowboys standout rookie C.J. Baxter, who went for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns on 33 carries. Yes, you read that correctly. Still in shock? Well Tony Pollard also added 70 yards and 2 touchdowns to the already crazy rushing day for the Cowboys. Have we identified a hole in the Seahawks once stout defense?
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) (LW:7) Trevor Lawrence has thrown 809 passing yards and is second in the league in passing yards. Jacksonville has the offense to let the ball fly, but their defense is what is keeping them from being able to win against the better teams in the league, as seen from their week 1 win against the Giants and their week 2 loss against the Vikings.
10. Green Bay Packers (1-1): A week after their surprise win against the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers drop a tough one on the road at Metlife stadium. A field goal attempt that doinked off the goalpost was the difference between 2–0 and 1-1 for the Packers, keeping the recurring NFC North theme of special teams mattering rolling. The Packers will look to bounce back next week as they take on JT and the Carolina Panthers
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1): Cammy and the Buccaneers just seem to have no answer for the Falcons this cycle. As both teams enter a season-long battle for 2nd place and a shot at the wildcard, this loss could come back and haunt them later down the line. With such a dangerous backfield, why are the carries so minimal?
12. Carolina Panthers (1-1) (LW:12): The Panthers were essentially upset by rookie user Caspter and the 49ers this past week. Many expected the Panthers to roll to 2-0 heading into their week 2 matchup with the Packers, but instead they’re looking in the eyes of 1-2 after this week when their NFC North gauntlet begins. Are we raising concern over the play of Bryce Young yet? Entering his 4th year, he still hasn’t had that high caliber season many were expecting of him to have by now. It is clear, the focus on the Panthers offensive attack is the ground game and the stock of Braelon Allen.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) (LW:13): A week after puffing their chest and celebrating a victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles suffer a loss to the Washington Commanders. While Jalen Hurts did get injured, that did not cause 5 Michael Penix interceptions. The Eagles will have to be better moving forward if they hope to secure their first divisional title of the cycle. They travel to Jacksonville next week for a tough matchup with the Jags.
14. Tennessee Titans (1-1) (LW:14): One division win.. And one division loss. The Titans have proven that they can hang with lower tier teams in the league, but when matched up against playoff caliber teams, they fold entirely. Will Levis went from a 133 QBR in week 1 to a 45 QBR in this week’s game, that’s not a very efficient stat line and it won’t help Tennessee move the needle this season.
15. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) (LW:15): I don’t think it will be premature to say, Que will end this cycle without a playoff appearance as he will more than likely duke it out with Casper and the 49ers for 3rd place, rather than battling Z and Cook for the divisional crown. One of the more underachieving teams and users this season after a season 1 that showed a glimpse of potential for the rest of the cycle.
16. New Orleans Saints (1-1) (LW:18): Saints take a big week 2 victory over the Chicago Bears, on what was essentially a prayer answered when the Bears fumbled on the Saints 4 yard line in the closing minutes of the game. A win is a win, and JC and the Saints continue to pile them on over the course of the cycle. Consistency personified, but can they finally carry it over into the postseason and get the monkey off their back?
17. Buffalo Bills (1-1) (LW:16): Josh Allen has already thrown 5 interceptions this season. When watching a Bills game, there’s one thing that’s guaranteed.. Josh Allen will turn the ball over, at least once. Too bad there’s no prop betting for games, cause that one is a lock. Allen led the Bills in rushing yards this week as he scrambled for most of those yards. Allen’s durability cannot be questioned, but keep an eye on his snap count, because as the weeks progress, Allen could become more and more fatigued.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) (LW:21): The Steelers are rising high this week. You have to believe that they are the favorites to win the division, very similar to how they did in the first season of the cycle. Pittsburgh puts up 50 points this week against the Ravens despite Zach Wilson throwing three interceptions. Curt is going to be looking to assert his dominance next week against a winless Colts team that is very desperate right now.
19. Minnesota Vikings (1-1) (LW:22): The Vikings get back in the win column with a dominating win over the Jaguars 49-27. Tua was magnificent on the day, throwing for over 340 yards and 4 touchdowns. Bucky Irving also had a great day on the ground, rushing 18 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. Justin Jefferson also had a big day with 5 catches for 199 yards. The Vikings host the Dolphins next week.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) (LW:23): The Bengals played the computer Browns this week, and they were able to take down the dreaded All-Madden CPU. However, you have to wonder if Cincinnati could have come away with the division this season had they kept their team intact. With KMFO out of the league, the AFC North is wide open for the taking. It’s still possible for them to make a run, but they traded away more than they brought in and that’s usually not a winning formula.
21. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) (LW:25): The Cowboys upset the Seahawks 48-42 in week 2. The story of the day, and perhaps around the league was rookie running back CJ Baxter. He carried the ball 33 times for 290 yards and four touchdowns, something that’s unheard of in a league like ours. The Cowboys had 6 rushing touchdowns on the day and did whatever they wanted on the ground. They’ll look to continue their strong ground attack in week 3 as they host Miles and the Commanders.
22. New York Jets (1-1) (LW:26): Caleb Williams played a solid managing role this week and it paid off for the Jets as they upset the Green Bay Packers by two points. New York played ball control rushing 30 times this week. They only accumulated 150 yards on the ground, but it was enough to keep the high flying Green Bay offense off the field.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) (LW:29): Arch Manning and the Raiders get their first win of the season over the CPU Broncos. While Arch didn’t have the most prolific day, he did throw for 250 yards and a touchdown while rookie Dylan Edwards added 83 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders will look to get revenge on their divisional rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, in week 3.
24. New York Giants (1-1) (LW:29): The Giants get their first win of the season, defeating CB and the Colts in week 2. Deandre Swift got his legs under him in a big way rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown and adding 144 yards (on 14 catches) through the air. If the Giants get this kind of production out of their back, they have a shot to win the division this year. We’ll see if they can keep it going as they have a tough matchup with the Texans in week 3.
25. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) (LW:30): Congratulations are in order for Casper as he officially has earned his first PML win of his career. The 49ers looked flat out dominant against the Carolina Panthers as the defense held Byrce Young and company to 10 points. Casper is adjusting to the speed, or lack of, of a PML game, and could make a huge statement with an underdog victory over Z and the Seahawks.
26. Washington Commanders (1-1) (LW:31): The Commanders got their first win of the season, defeating their divisional rival the Philadelphia Eagles 41-38. The usually porous Commanders run defense held Saquon Barkley to 52 yards on the ground and 3.3 yards per carry. Even though Drake Maye threw two interceptions, the Commanders defense forced interceptions of their own. The Commanders face another tall task on the ground as the Cowboys and CJ Baxter come to town in week 3.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) (LW:17): Do I believe the Chargers are the 27th best team in the league? Absolutely not. But out of fairness of how I rank teams, winless teams will be below teams with wins. The Chargers had a rough start to their schedule with both Spdot and Cook being their opening matchups. I fully believe Codes will turn this 0-2 start around, and he has just the matchup to do so as the Chargers take on Tbandit and the Browns in week 3
28. Chicago Bears (0-2) (LW:20): The Bears drop another close game, this time against JC and the Saints. Ball security (or lack thereof) has been a consistent plague to the Bears in their losses. It was a punt return fumble in week 1, and in week 2 Breece Hall lost a fumble within the 10 yard line of the Saints, prematurely ending a promising drive for the Bears. Sitting at 0-2, the Bears find themselves last in the NFC North divisional race. However, they have little time to figure things out as they’ll once again play Fallen and the Detroit Lions, who defeated them in their week 1 matchup, in week 3.
29. Denver Broncos (0-2) (LW:19): The Broncos CPU took a loss to the King Mike and the Raiders this week. This loss moves the Broncos to 0-2, and last in the highly competitive AFC West. The good news? The team did not suffer any injuries. Coach DK and the team will look to bounce back next week as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
30. Baltimore Ravens (0-2) (LW:24): After a promising game against the Texans which should have resulted in a win, the Ravens were soaring on a moral victory heading into this week’s game against their division rival. However, they were manhandled by the Steelers and Lamar Jackson reverted back to his turnover turmoil throwing 4 interceptions this week.
31. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) (LW:27): Wumbo said that CB cannot be on the prediction show until he gets a victory, how will CB combat that comment? Regardless, Indy is the most penalized team through two weeks with 6 penalties for 61 yards. The Colts need to regulate some discipline in their players or it’s going to be a very long season for them.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-2) (LW:32): Deebo is BACK! Despite taking a loss to the Patriots this week, it’s great news for the Dolphins that their coach is back from his hiatus and ready to compete for the division.
