Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week Two

Another week in the books! Let’s look at my Week Two power rankings: 

1. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 1)

Josh Allen continues his dominance in the air and ground and they are circling the wagons up in Buffalo! The Bills delivered a dominant performance Monday night against the Titans. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs (Las week: 2)

We are on the inevitable march towards a Bills and Chiefs rematch. Patrick Mahomes continues to make things look easy and the Chiefs offense hasn’t been humming like this since his first full year as a starter. (His last MVP season)  

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Las week: 3)

No matter how many smashed surface tablets that pile up on the sidelines, the Bucs continue to deliver. Toppling the Saints for the first time in the regular season was a solid yet gritty victory.

4. Miami Dolphins (Las week: 10)

There is speed. And then there is the Dolphins speed. Wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill combined for over 20 catches, 4 touchdowns and over 300 yards in Week Two. The NFL is on notice. 

5. Philadelphia Eagles (Las week: 9)

Jalen Hurts is the future at QB for the Eagles. He can deliver with his arm or with his feet. He is much more than just a fantasy football star.

6. New York Giants (Las week: 16)

Brian Daboll has brought the fire back to the meadowlands. It’s all down to an aggressive playbook, a dominant defense and a healthy Saquan Barkley. The Giants are 2-0 for the first time since the Manning era. 

7. Los Angeles Chargers (Las week: 3)

Every interdivisional matchup in the AFC West is going to be a bona fide cage match. The Chargers may not have won on Thursday night, but Herbert continues to shine as a top five QB in the league.

8. Los Angeles Rams (Las week: 8)

The reigning Super Bowl champs did everything in their power to lose to the falcons, and still got the win. It’s been a rough start for the team. But a win is a win.

9. Green Bay Packers (Las week: 21)

Aaron Rodgers caused an uproar last season when he proclaimed to Bears fans “I own you!”. It’s a new year and nothing has changed. Rodgers has reupped his lease of ownership over the Bears for another season. 

10. Baltimore Ravens (Las week: 5)

The Ravens gave up a historic comeback against the Dolphins. But in the first three quarters of loss, they looked like one of the most dynamic teams in the NFL. As long as Lamar is fit, the Ravens will continue to put up big numbers. 

11. San Francisco 49ers (Las week: 20)

It is not often that a team can lose its starting QB and have their outlook look even better when the backup comes in. Jimmy Garoppolo may not have the ceiling of Trey Lance. But he is a stabilizing force and the 49ers should be able raise their floor significantly.  

12. New Orleans Saints (Las week: 7)

One thing is clear, the Saints and Bucs do NOT like each other. This was a slug fest, and QB Jameis Winston ended the day with 4 fractured vertebrae in his back. 

13. Denver Broncos (Las week: 23)

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett will spend another few days fielding questions about his poor clock management decisions. But at least this week, he didn’t cost his team a win. 

14. Minnesota Vikings (Las week: 6)

Monday night we saw flashes of prime-time Kirk Cousins, who, in classic fashion threw back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter to ensure the L. Unfortunately, All-Pro Justin Jefferson can’t throw the ball to himself. 

15. Arizona Cardinals (Las week: 26)

When all else fails, the “Kyler, you got this right!?” plan on offense seems to produce the best results for the Cardinals. 

16. Washington Commanders (Las week: 14)

Two weeks in and Carson Wentz is proving to be an above average QB for the Commanders. (shocking, I know.) Through his first two games, Wentz has set an Commanders record with 7 touchdowns. 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (Las week: 25)

Is this our worst to first team this season? The Jaguars dominated the Colts in every facet of the game, pitching the first shutout for the season. 

18. Detroit Lions (Las week: 28)

The Lions are full of rising stars on both sides of the ball. Rookie Aiden Hutchinson delivered three sacks on Sunday. And on the offensive side of the ball, Amon-Ra St. Brown is emerging as a top receiver in the league.

19. New England Patriots (Las week: 27)

So that’s what a Patriots offense looks like when they throw the ball. This week, QB Mac Jones was more than a game manager, connecting on deep routes down the field. The game is opening for him. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (Las week: 29)

Let’s be clear, this isn’t 2016. And the backup QB for the Cowboys is not going to shock the world and supplant the entrenched starter due to injury. But for one week, backup QB Cooper Rush did just enough to knock off the Bengals. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (Las week: 11)

Mike Tomlin does wonders with this roster, the Steelers were a stunning Nelson Agholor touchdown away from back to back victories. But a loss is a loss. Mitch Trubisky may be starting to feel the pressure.

22. New York Jets (Las week: 32)

For the first time since 2009, the Giants, Jets, Mets, and Yankees all got the win on the same day. The Jets may not have a lot of highlights this season, but on Sunday they delivered a stunning comeback against the Browns and look to carry this momentum forward.  

23. Cleveland Browns (Las week: 15)

This isn’t very scientific, but I am convinced the Browns lost the game because of that awful midfield decal. Brownie the elf is terrifying. Not a great week in Cleveland.

24. Chicago Bears (Las week: 12)

You know what a football team needs to do well to win games? Throw the ball. Do you know who has the least number of passes attempted (and its not even close) through two games? Daaa Bears. 

25. Seattle Seahawks (Las week: 13)

The Hawks spent all week preparing for the dual threat QB of the 49ers, Trey Lance. Two plays into the game, an injured Lance was replaced by Jimmy G, and the Seahawks were woefully under prepared for the dinks and dunks. 

26. Las Vegas Raiders (Las week: 22)

Is it coaching, play calling, bad QB play? Some combination of the three? The Raiders gave away the win against the Cardinals, and in their division, starting 0-2 may put them out of playoff contention already.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (Las week: 19)

97 percent. That’s how many teams don’t make the playoffs after dropping their first two games of the season. It is not looking good for the Bengals. 

28. Houston Texans (Las week: 18)

The best thing I can say about the Texans 2022 season is that they are not 0-2.

29. Carolina Panthers (Las week: 31)

Two weeks in and the Panthers have to bad losses to teams they should have beat on paper. Their defense looks strong, but I am sensing a theme for the Panthers this season on offense. 

30. Tennessee Titans (Las week: 24)

Maybe giving away your top pass catcher is not the best move for a team. QB Ryan Tannehill is struggling, and not even Derrick Henry can keep this team afloat. 

31. Atlanta Falcons (Las week: 30)

Despite their drop in the rankings, and the 0-2 record, I was impressed by how much the Falcons fought and clawed their way back into the game against the Rams. Moral victories may be the only type of victories the Falcons this season. 

32. Indianapolis Colts (Las week: 17)

No team looked more apathetic in week 2. From Zak Keefer at the Athletic “Carson Wentz is just a symptom; the Colts are the disease.”