PFT’s Week Two power rankings

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1. Chiefs (previously No. 1; 1-0): The Texans looked like they were playing their first preseason game, and the Chiefs looked like they were playing their first regular-season game.

2. Ravens (No. 3; 1-0): Unless the Browns are really, really bad (which is entirely possible), the Ravens may once again be really, really good.

3. Patriots (No. 4; 1-0): If (and it may be a big if) they can keep Cam Newton healthy, New England could be the wrench in this year’s presumed Chiefs-Ravens AFC Championship.

4. Seahawks (No. 8; 1-0): Russ cooked up something not so tasty for the Dirty Birds.

5. Saints (No. 5; 1-0): They got the win, but there are reasons for the Saints to be concerned that there will be struggles this year — starting with a Michael Thomas high ankle sprain.

6. 49ers (No. 2; 0-1): The first game of what likely will be Jimmy Garoppolo‘s last year as the 49ers quarterback did nothing to change the likelihood that it’s Jimmy Garoppolo’s last year as the 49ers quarterback.

7. Bills (No. 9; 1-0): Josh Allen still needs to iron out some kinks from his game, but the Bills already are looking like a playoff team.

8. Titans (No. 8; 1-0): They had the Broncos on the ropes, and the Titans almost punched themselves through.

9. Packers (No. 14; 1-0): If the Packers drafted Jordan Love to motivate Aaron Rodgers, mission accomplished.

10. Buccaneers (No. 6; 0-1): The GOAT was a different kind of goat on Sunday.

11. Steelers (No. 11; 1-0): Their game was much closer than it should have been, which makes it hard based on that one game to get a feel for how good this team is.

12. Cardinals (No. 20; 1-0): At least no one will look stupid for passing on Kyler Murray (unlike Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson).

13. Rams (No. 23; 1-0): Sean McVay got in trouble for not wearing a mask during the game. Given the way his team secured a win over Dallas, he probably should have worn a ski mask.

14. Cowboys (No. 12; 0-1): Jason Garrett thinks Mike McCarthy made some questionable coaching decisions on Sunday.

15. Eagles (No. 10; 0-1): Before they can once again climb out of a hole, they first have to dig one. Congrats?

16. Broncos (No. 15; 0-1): Unfortunately for Vic Fangio, unused time outs have a cash value even lower than Schrutebucks.

17. Texans (No. 17; 0-1): They got the shortest possible straw to start their season, and they did the best they could with it.

18. Chargers (No. 21; 1-0): The 2020 Chargers need to win close games, like the 2018 Chargers did. So far, so good.

19. Falcons (No. 19; 0-1): Arthur Blank’s new book goes on sale today. The suggested retail price is not $28.03. (Yes, I’ve been sitting on that one for months.)

20. Raiders (No. 22; 1-0): They won and they covered, but it feels like they did neither.

21. Bears (No. 25; 1-0): Mitch Trubisky pulled a rabbit out of his hat and/or some other orifice, staving off at least until October a potential benching.

22. Vikings (No. 13; 0-1): With so many big-money extensions being paid out to members of an organization that won a playoff game in 2019 and the pandemic keeping the home stadium empty until further notice, it already feels like a scholarship year in Minnesota.

23. Colts (No. 16; 0-1): Philip Rivers of old yields to an old Philip Rivers.

24. Washington (No. 32; 1-0): The WFT has provoked the good kind of WTF?!? reaction.

25. Dolphins (No. 26; 0-1): They had to go to New England and play the Patriots at some point; may as well get it out of the way in Week One.

26. Jets (No. 24; 0-1): The sooner the Jets pull the plug on the Le'Veon Bell experiment, the better off they’ll be.

27. Lions (No. 27; 0-1): Lions still do Lion-y things.

28. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-0): Gardner Minshew is becoming exactly what we thought Baker Mayfield would be.

29. Bengals (No. 28; 0-1): Joe Burrow may have gotten a win, if his kicker had been a donkey. (Yes, Gus was a mule, but you get the point.)

30. Giants (No. 29; 0-1): A double-digit loss is still a double-digit loss, even if it felt much closer than that.

31. Panthers (No. 30; 0-1): Matt Rhule is ready for prime time, even if it make take a while for the results to get his team there.

32. Browns (No. 18; 0-1): The Browns lost their way when they traded for OBJ. Their best move at this point would be to trade him elsewhere.

90 responses to “PFT’s Week Two power rankings

  1. I totally agree about OBJ..they should get him OFF the team asap…get something for him before he trade value tanks even further.

  2. Let the crying begin…

    “But but but , my team beat that team”
    “My team won by more”.. “why are they higher” ?

  3. Can we try last to first? Reading a list from first to last has no suspense to it. Why make us scroll to the bottom of the page and work our way back up?

  4. SEATTLE at number 4, lmao I am a Pats fan and I cry foul on this one. Wilson will be in contention for this year’s MVP, watch it happen.

  5. Seriously, the Steelers should be ahead of the Buccaneers. The Lions, Jets, and Dolphins should all be behind the Jaguars.

  6. With all their injuries, I think the Eagles are ranked too high. And unfortunately, Carson Wentz is showing that he is not an elite QB. He doesn’t have much to work with admittedly, but the point is he doesn’t make anyone around him better like the Brees’, Brady’s, Rodgers, Mahomes, and other elite QB’s do.

  7. The Bills need to swap spots with the packers!!!

    the bills beat a pathetic Jets team while the PACKERS went into Minny and decimated a Mike Zimmer Defense…yet again

  8. I stopped reading after no. 3. To actually think the Pats are
    better than the Saints or even Seahawks is mind boggling.
    I bet Chris Simms had input in these comical rankings.

  9. Beckham, Landry, Hunt and Hooper have all had great success with other NFL teams, yet have failed to do anything with Baker and the Browns. Obviously its all Odell’s fault.

  10. The Raiders at 20 and the Panthers at 31? Come on, man. Gruden was very lucky to come away with a win over Carolina on Sunday. I think the Panthers are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

  11. Texans and Browns were 17-18 last week. Browns lose big to a Super Bowl contender with a recent MVP QB and they sink 14 spots all the way to the bottom. The Texans lose big to a Super Bowl contender with a a recent MVP QB and they … don’t even budge.

  12. Wentz used to have the escapability to extend plays and turn a sack into a long gain. Didn’t see any of that on Sunday. Wonder if the injuries have caught up.

  13. Too high: 49ers, Lions

    Too low: Steelers, Raiders

    The Niners lost at home to the Cardinals. Call it like it is. They wont be going back to the Super Bowl this year and with that division competitive as it is, they might have to scratch and claw just to make the playoffs

    The Steelers and Raiders are both making the playoffs this year. Both teams have good offense but PIT has a really good defense too.

    The Lione are in for a very, very long season. unable to beat Trubisky at home when literally any other team in the league could, even the Jets. The sooner Matt Patricia is gone, the better. He is an embarrassment to coaching

  14. You’re giving Brady and Arians WAY too much credit for being good when everything we saw Sunday says otherwise. The coaching was horrible and Brady looked pedestrian.

  15. Seattle has superstars on both O and D….they also have very average(Oline) and well below average(Dline) so it’s hard for me to judge them off a game in an empty dome.

  16. The Packers should be higher than the Bills, yes. That’s from a Bills die-hard. Aaron Rodgers just looked too good. But we’ll see what happens as the season wears on. It’s in its infancy yet

  17. Patriots at No. 3? Why? Miami is a likely 4-12 team and New England was up by a mere field goal in the fourth quarter before the clinching touchdown. And the Browns falling 14 spots to last is just stupid and begs the question: Do you take these rankings seriously or are you just seeking to provoke?

  18. 10. Buccaneers (No. 6; 0-1): The GOAT was a different kind of goat on Sunday.
    ___________________________________________

    He used to be a Billy Goat, but he dropped the Billy and just became a regular goat and it shows.

  19. 13. Rams (No. 23; 1-0): Sean McVay got in trouble for not wearing a mask during the game. Given the way his team secured a win over Dallas, he probably should have worn a ski mask.

    =========================================================

    hahaha. Love it!

  20. What are y’all doing???
    Washington is 9 spots less than the eagles???
    These kinds of rankings shouldn’t come out until mid-season

  21. martinungrammatical says:
    Texans and Browns were 17-18 last week. Browns lose big to a Super Bowl contender with a recent MVP QB and they sink 14 spots all the way to the bottom.
    ===

    A close loss to a tough Ravens team likely would have been forgiven. But the Browns didn’t merely “lose” to a Super Bowl contender, they played like cardboard cutouts while being annihilated — highlighted by the same old problems we’ve seen from them in the past.
    They fell to 32 only because that’s as low as they can go in a 32-team league.

  22. The nice thing about being a Viking fan is it can’t get any worse than what we saw Sunday.

  23. Patriots at 3 lol. Cam had a decent day but come on. He had 230 total yards and 2 total TDs against the Dolphins, a team that is still mid-rebuild and starting a journeyman. Yeah, super elite. I’m sure the Patriots somehow improved this year after losing Brady plus half their other starters to FA and Covid opt outs. Stidham is also the 2nd coming.

    The media just can’t get over its own narratives.

  24. See, this is what you get for doing something stupid one week like putting the Packers at #13. Now you can’t swallow your pride and get them up to the top 5 because it would make you look stupid. But now you look stupid anyway and for two weeks instead of one.

  25. Browns will be better this year than people think. The Birds of Baltimore ain’t gonna be stopped this year.

  26. The browns need to put the ball in their running backs hands. Gardner minshew has my respect. I hope the jaguars stick with him, he seems like the real deal. Johnathan Taylor is probably going to win OROTY now that Mack is out for the year.

  27. The Cardinals looked better on offense, defense and special teams than the 49ers in their house. I’m not saying cardinals should be higher, but 49ers should be lower.

  28. Florio bumps the Rams up 10 spots but still has to take a shot at them. So where would you have them if they played in the AFC South, Mikey?

  29. This was just week one in a season that had no preseason. The games mean nothing, other than the team record (obviously).

    It will be week 3 or even week 4 before we see which teams are the best.

    The chiefs and Ravens looked great, as expected, but they played the Texans and Browns, respectively, so the outcome was never in doubt.

    In the NFC West, Seattle looked great and the Forty Niners were plain flat. Garoppolo looked like his feet were set in cement. He never moved unless he was getting sacked.

    THe teams that looked good after week one are the Chiefs, Ravens, Packers, Seahawks.

  30. martinungrammatical says:
    September 15, 2020 at 11:28 am
    Wentz used to have the escapability to extend plays and turn a sack into a long gain. Didn’t see any of that on Sunday. Wonder if the injuries have caught up.
    __________

    Defenses have caught on to his “duck” move.

  31. mhouser1922 says:
    September 15, 2020 at 11:54 am
    Patriots at No. 3? Why? Miami is a likely 4-12 team and New England was up by a mere field goal in the fourth quarter before the clinching touchdown
    _________

    While I agree that the Dolphins are trash and the Patriots weren’t very impressive, a win is a win. The Pats play: Sea, KC, SF, Buf, Bal over their next 8 games. By week 10, their record will tell us if they are for real or not.

  32. Reclaiming My Time says:
    September 15, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    The nice thing about being a Viking fan is it can’t get any worse than what we saw Sunday.

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    31 NFL teams: “Hold my beer.”

  33. These power rankings mean nothing…. way too many variables at this stage & we truly won’t have an actual clue till weeks 5-6……
    Although KC, RAVENS, SAINTS should be in top 3 at this stage
    Go Pats!!!!

  34. The Pats are not the 3rd best team in the league. Not even close. Their ranking is just the benefit of doubt that they’ve enjoyed for years. At some point, they’ll have to start earning their ranking, just like the rest of the league has for years.

  35. So the Pats look average against the Fins and they’re at 3, meanwhile the Pack destroyed a much better team in MN and are 6 spots lower? They should definitely be in the top 5.

    And what’s with the 49ers? Looks like you’re letting last season influence your opinions.

  36. How are the Jets not 32? Seriously, what’s one aspect of that entire franchise right now that you like?

  37. Chargers go down to the Bengals, they’re the only team in the AFCW to lose, and they’re ranked ahead of the Raiders who hung 34 on CAR? Falcons, Donkeys, Eagles, Bucs – all HIGHLY suspect teams right now. But LVR with a juiced offense sits at #20. AND for good measure you bash them in your analysis and praise the team they beat.

    Riiiiightttt…

  38. If these rankings are accurate, then the Bengals should be getting a win in prime time Thursday night.

  39. ringheadcrusher says:
    September 15, 2020 at 1:14 pm
    Chargers go down to the Bengals, they’re the only team in the AFCW to lose,

    ——

    The Chargers won

  40. My definition of fantasy football: “This is the year the Vikings win the Super Bowl!”

    Green Bay put an end to all that nonsense Sunday.

    Power rankings make sense to me, for now.

  41. Letting RUSS cook is an awesome concept but the run game has to do a lots of baking to keep RUSS from getting burned from excessive heat from the pass rush. A balanced meal plan in Seattle is our recipe for success.

  42. “Given the way his team secured a win over Dallas, (McVay) probably should have worn a ski mask.”

    So why do the Rams get moved up ten spots then?

  43. It you beat cupcakes at home in non-dominating fashion, you move into the top 3. Surprised the Pats didn’t go straight to the top…

  44. Green bay is the only team to lose to everyone on the list the past few seasons….let that sink in!

  45. I don’t know what Florio’s issue is with the Rams, but he could try a little harder to disguise it. He started with them at #23 citing all the big names that left. He bumps them up 10 spots (because he has to) and mentions only a PI call. McVay and his new roster showed up Sunday night. Maybe a liiiittle credit?

  46. If you beat a team, they shouldn’t be ranked higher than you, regardless of previous week’s ranking.

  47. But, but I thought the Patriots were going to tank without Brady and a bunch of opt outs. LOL.

  48. In terms of offense and their weapons, after one week, the Chiefs, Ravens, Packers, and Seahawks look like they’ve got the right systems and players. Those four are going to be fun to watch all year.

  49. Can’t wait for this weeks prime time Sunday Night matchup Seahawks vs Patriots. The patriots are going to test Seattle’s run defense. Seattle is going to load the box with Jamal Adams and Bobby Wagner. Seattle has tamed Cam Newton in years past. If russ cools again early and the hawks jump out to a lead I don’t see Cam throwing their way back into the game. #3 vs #4 should be a fun one to watch.

    3. Patriots (No. 4; 1-0): If (and it may be a big if) they can keep Cam Newton healthy, New England could be the wrench in this year’s presumed Chiefs-Ravens AFC Championship.

    4. Seahawks (No. 8; 1-0): Russ cooked up something not so tasty for the Dirty Birds.

  50. SWFLPC.INC says:
    September 15, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    ringheadcrusher says:
    September 15, 2020 at 1:14 pm
    Chargers go down to the Bengals, they’re the only team in the AFCW to lose,

    ——

    The Chargers won
    ___

    Yeah I realized that after I posted. Apparently my brain was stuck on them losing, since they very well could have to a Bengals team that couldn’t move the ball to save their lives.

  51. ariani1985 says:
    September 15, 2020 at 1:53 pm
    Green bay is the only team to lose to everyone on the list the past few seasons….let that sink in!

    —–

    The beating the Packers gave the Viking on Sunday should count as two losses for the Vikings.

  52. mwcarolina says:
    September 15, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    So Washington is lower ranked than the Eagles who they just beat??

    ———————————-

    It’s not the weekly standings. It’s an intentionally suspect grouping of teams in 1-10 type order to drive interest in the site. At least the comments about the teams are funny.

  53. Good list overall. I agree with some others that Steelers, Jags, and Panthers should be higher. Jags may or may not stay there, but it was 100% a game they “should” have lost.

    Not sure I agree that the Texans “did their best” with their short straw. To my eyes, it looks like they took a step backward from how last season ended.

  54. Dropping the Saints down two spots because Michael Thomas has an ankle sprain is beyond ridiculous

  55. Josh went to junior college (where he grew like 5 inches) and then to Wyoming and was hurt at Wyoming and came out after his junior year. The kid had half the experience of other 1st rounders coming to the NFL. Factor that his college reps were against scrubs, and in many ways Josh Allen was a solid year or two behind the other 1st round QBs taken in 2018. JA is still a pup just now becoming a DOGG!

  56. Maybe its just me but rankings 1-16 should be teams that won Week 1, and conversely, 16-32 are teams that are 0-1.

    How the 49ers can lose to the Cardinals at home and come out #6 is comical. Somebody is drinking the Red Kool Aide

  57. doubleogator says:
    September 15, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    Dropping the Saints down two spots because Michael Thomas has an ankle sprain is beyond ridiculous
    ————————————–
    RIGHT?! He had his lowest catch total in a game ever in his career and the Saints still won. If he had mentioned the suspect-looking O-Line, I would more understand the drop. That group has GOT to get it together.

  58. Packers and Seattle should be higher. Their execution was flawless and looked unstoppable. Pats at 4 after beating the Fins? Bills should be lower but not by much, still Top 20. They did what they were supposed to do.

  59. 32. Browns (No. 18; 0-1): The Browns lost their way when they traded for OBJ. Their best move at this point would be to trade him elsewhere.

    LOL, They should move cities.

  60. “Florio…. you do realize that the 49ers and the Bucs both lost right?”

    You are confusing Power Rankings with records.

  61. You know you had a bad week when the Bears leap frog your team. Bears > Vikings.

    #chumpsofthenorth

  62. Not sure where the idea of “it felt a lot closer” comes from with Steelers-Giants. It was a 16 point game at the 2-minute mark in the 4th quarter.

  63. The Giants scored a TD off of a bogus pass interference foul that kept their drive alive and scored a second TD in garbage time. Let’s not pretend the game was ever actually close.

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