Week two of the NFL season is in the books, and surprises were all over the league. From top teams losing to surprising teams with backup quarterbacks rising, here are the rankings.
32. Carolina Panthers
Last week's ranking: 32
Week two result: 26-3 loss vs Chargers
Week three opponent: At Raiders
It was another blowout for the Panthers, and their number one overall quarterback was benched for Andy Dalton. Bryce Young has played 18 games in his NFL career, his record is 2-16. Dave Canales realizes he has to worry about his own job now, and the Panthers will roll with the veteran Andy Dalton to try and look for a spark offensively. Carolina has only scored 13 points through two games. This is a bad football team.
31. Denver Broncos
Last week's ranking: 30
Week two result: 13-6 loss vs Steelers
Week three opponent: At Tampa Bay
Bo Nix looked clueless out there on Sunday vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rookie quarterback has struggled thus far this year and does not look comfortable in the pocket. We knew it would take time with Bo Nix. The Steelers defense is as good as anybody in the league, and despite the tremendous effort by the Broncos defense to try and keep them in the game, the offense didn't have any answers.
30. New York Giants
Last week's ranking: 31
Week two result: 21-18 loss vs Washington
Week three opponent: At Cleveland
You must think the clock is ticking for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. The Giants doubled down on Daniel Jones this offseason and have committed to a large contract with them. With the team on the field, they are not performing, which will end up costing someone their job. Malik Nabers showed flashes and was a big playmaker for New York offensively, but he was one of the lone bright spots for the Giants this week. The Giants have only scored 24 points this season.
29. Tennessee Titans
Last week's ranking: 25
Week two result: 24-17 loss vs Jets
Week three opponent: Home vs Green Bay
The Tennessee Titans continue to have self wounds that cause them to lose football games. For the second week in a row, mistakes from second-year quarterback Will Levis cost Tennessee. The change of personnel and scheme will take some time to get going with new head coach Brian Callahan. Calvin Ridley made his presence known by catching a touchdown pass, but it was too little too late.
28. New England Patriots
Last week's ranking: 28
Week two result: 23-20 loss vs Seahawks
Week three opponent: At Jets
The identity of the 2024 New England Patriots is very simple. They will run the ball, play defense, and see how far it will take them. New England didn't ask Jacoby Brissett to do much in this game, and Seattle's defense was worn down offensively. The Patriots will be limited in the passing game this year, as they don't have enough weapons to try and attack downfield. Sooner or later, teams will figure out this offense is one dimensional and adjust accordingly.
27. Washington Commanders
Last week's ranking: 29
Week two result: 21-18 win vs Giants
Week three opponent: At Bengals
While they didn't score a touchdown, I am impressed with how Jayden Daniels has handled the pressure and how he is doing offensively in Washington. The Commanders relied heavily on the rushing attack, rushing for 215 yards over the Giants. With the style and type of game Dan Quinn wants to play, this style could work for the Commanders. Run the football, rely on a few explosive plays from Jayden Daniels, and play good defense.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Last week's ranking: 17
Week two result: 16-10 loss vs Packers
Week three opponent: Home vs Bears
The Colts are 0-2 to start the season for two big reasons. Their rush defense ranks as one of the worst in football, and inconsistent quarterback play from Anthony Richardson. They gave up 213 yards on the ground to Houston in week one, followed by 263 yards to the Packers this week. You won't win many games with that style of play. Richardson is an inconsistent thrower, only having 26 completions through two games. Indianapolis needs to run their young quarterback, as he has only had 10 rushing attempts this season.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week's ranking: 21
Week two result: 18-13 loss vs Browns
Week three opponent: At Bills
While a late rally from Jacksonville to make the game interesting, it was too little too late for the Jaguars as they fell to 0-2 on the young season. Trevor Lawrence made some big plays with his big arm but was shaky in this game. The offense is struggling, and I don't know what the answer might be. They invested so much money in Trevor Lawrence in the offseason and have to make it work with him. Returning to last season, Jacksonville has lost seven of its last eight games. The seat is getting warm for Doug Pederson.
24. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week's ranking: 27
Week two result: 26-23 win vs Baltimore
Week three opponent: Home vs Panthers
The Raiders are one scrappy group and play very hard for Antonio Pierce. A big comeback win was made in the fourth quarter, and Gardner Minshew came alive in the fourth quarter to win the game. The Raiders will be one of these scrappy teams that will hang around in many games and give them a chance to win many of them. With the Panthers coming to Las Vegas, the Raiders have a good opportunity to become 2-1 to start the Antonio Pierce era.
23. Chicago Bears
Last week's ranking: 20
Week two result: 19-13 loss vs Texans
Week three opponent: At Colts
I am worried about the health of first-overall pick Caleb Williams. He was under pressure all game, and the offensive line did not do him any favors. The run game is nowhere to be found, which can be a big favor for such a young quarterback. The defense is playing at a championship level and kept the Bears in the game, but if the offensive line cannot give Caleb Williams time, the Bears will continue to struggle.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 26
Week two result: 23-20 win vs Patriots
Week three opponent: Home vs Dolphins
The Seahawks made just enough plays to sneak out of New England with a win. Seattle and first year head coach Mike Macdonald are 2-0, and the defense is flying around while the offense is still a work in progress. Two fairly easy opponents, but Seattle won't apologize for being 2-0.
21. Los Angeles Rams
Last week's ranking: 12
Week two result: 41-10 loss vs Arizona
Week three opponent: Home vs Niners
Like in 2022, the LA Rams are dealing with a flurry of injuries. Cooper Kupp is expected to join Puka Nacua on IR after injuring his ankle. While production on offense is going to be a big question mark, the absence of Aaron Donald has really hurt the Rams this season. They look like an entirely different defense without Donald, as they were torched by Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. Can Sean McVay pull another rabbit out of his hat amid a slow start?
20. Arizona Cardinals
Last week's ranking: 23
Week two result: 41-10 win vs Rams
Week three opponent: Home vs Lions
The Arizona offense has been prolific to begin the 2024 season. Kyler Murray is playing at an MVP level, and they were finally able to utilize Marvin Harrison Jr. on offense. With the defense being a work in progress with Jonathan Gannon leading the charge, the Cardinals could be a frisky team and may be able to compete for the playoffs.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Last week's ranking: 19
Week two result: 22-21 win vs Eagles
Week three opponent: Home vs Chiefs
Well, that was impressive. On Monday night, an impressive road victory for Atlanta and Kirk Cousins from behind in a hostile environment. Kirk Cousins looked much more comfortable in the pocket, and the run game for Atlanta with Bijan Robinson played a significant factor. The defense just did enough, and with Jessie Bates III interception to win it at the end, the Falcons got a huge road victory to go to 1-1 on the season. This is why they went out and got Kirk Cousins. To win these types of games.
18. Cleveland Browns
Last week's ranking: 18
Week two result: 18-13 win vs Jaguars
Week three opponent: Home vs Giants
The Brown's recipe for winning football has become very clear. They have to run the football and try to take pressure off Deshaun Watson. After a poor performance in week one, Watson bounced back with a solid performance in week two and was just good enough behind a great defensive performance for the Browns to pick up their first win of the season. With the Giants, Commanders, and Raiders coming up, Cleveland is in good shape to go on a run here early in the season.
17. Miami Dolphins
Last week's ranking: 11
Week two result: 31-10 loss vs Bills
Week three opponent: At Seattle
The Miami Dolphins are facing more uncertainty at the quarterback position with Tua Tagovailoa's latest concussion and his future in doubt. Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson can come in and string together a few wins, but the question comes back to Tua. In his football career, Tua has suffered four concussions. The question is whether it is healthy enough for him to play football or if he should
16. Minnesota Vikings
Last week's ranking: 24
Week two result: 23-17 vs Niners
Week three opponent: Home vs Texans
The Minnesota Vikings must be the surprise of the NFL season so far. The new quarterback, Sam Darnold, has played well for Minnesota, but the key has been the Vikings' defense. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has an attack style playmaking defense, leaving offenses shaking their head. This defense will be able to keep them in a lot of games. With a transition quarterback and injuries to the wide receiver core, the Vikings will have to rely heavily on the defense.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's ranking: 13
Week two result: 25-23 loss to Chiefs
Week three opponent: Home vs Commanders
While 15 may seem high for a team of 0-2, the Bengals are much better than their record shows. After a stinker week one against the Patriots, the Bengals went into Kansas City week two and were a few plays away from winning the game. The Bengals have started slow the last couple of years and have turned out to be fine. I think this is one of those cases. You will always have a chance if you have Joe Burrow on your team.
14. New York Jets
Last week's ranking: 10
Week two result: 24-17 win vs Titans
Week three opponent: Home vs Patriots
The Jets got a much-needed bounce-back week, with the defense returning to form, and Aaron Rodgers is looking good against the Titans. With how we used to see the Jets' defense play in the past, New York won't have to ask Aaron Rodgers to be a hero. They didn't today, and they relied on their star-studded defense, and it helped them to a big road win to get back to 1-1.
13. Baltimore Ravens
Last week's ranking: 5
Week two result: 26-23 loss vs Raiders
Week three opponent: At Cowboys
What in the world was that? The Ravens were in complete control of the game and then put up a stinker of a fourth quarter. Baltimore is now 0-2 for the first time since 2015, and the schedule doesn't get much easier with the Cowboys next week. The running attack with Derrick Henry has yet to go, and Lamar Jackson looks iffy. The big question comes at the hands of the defense. Defensively, Baltimore had way too many penalties and third-down conversions, and it ended up costing them the game.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's ranking: 15
Week two result: 13-6 win vs Broncos
Week three opponent: Home vs Chargers
This is exactly the team Mike Tomlin wants the Pittsburgh Steelers to be. Play good defense, rely on his offense to run the football, not turn the ball over, and give them a few spark plays here and there. It has worked so far. The Steelers have the highest-paid defense in the NFL and the lowest-paid offense in the NFL, so the style of play should not come as a surprise. Justin Fields looked good for the second week, as Russell Wilson is still returning from a calf injury. The question now for Pittsburgh becomes if the Steelers will ride the hot hand with Justin Fields when Wilson is healthy enough to return.
11. Green Bay Packers
Last week's ranking: 9
Week two result: 16-10 win vs Colts
Week three opponent: Away vs Titans
You must give credit to Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers. They knew what they had going into this game. Jordan Love was sidelined with an injury, and backup Malik Willis was forced into action. So what did the Packers do? They ran the ball. Green Bay ran for 261 yards offensively, with Josh Jacobs accounting for 151 of them. This is the style the Packers will have to play with Jordan Love absent. Rely on the defense and run the football, a perfect game plan by Matt LaFleur going in.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 6
Week two result: 44-19 loss vs Saints
Week three opponent: Home vs Ravens
Well, that was a stinker for the Cowboys. Everything for the Cowboys looked terrible on Sunday, and the team took a big step backward. The defense couldn't stop anyone on the Saints, and the offense got off to a sluggish start. This Dallas team is meant to play from ahead. When they play from behind, they struggle. It reminded me a lot of the playoff loss last year to Green Bay. Just a beatdown in all facets of the game.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's ranking: 22
Week two result: 26-3 win vs Panthers
Week three opponent: At Steelers
The Chargers already look like a team led by Jim Harbaugh. Stop the run, run the ball, and control the line of scrimmage. They have done that through the first two games of the season. You can see the influence Jim Harbaugh is having on this team, and it is going with the players and the style of play they are playing with. The Chargers have had 395 yards rushing through two games. There isn't a big transition for Jim Harbaugh back into the NFL.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week's ranking: 4
Week two result: 22-21 loss to Falcons
Week three opponent: At Saints
The Eagles had the game in the bag but blew it in the last minute, allowing Kirk Cousins and the Falcons to go down the field and score a touchdown. Defensively, Philadelphia is still getting accustomed to Vic Fangio, and the offense will miss the Absence of A.J. Brown. Philadelphia's problems are evident: the struggles on the defensive side of the ball and the inconsistency of the offense.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week's ranking: 14
Week two result: 20-16 win vs Lions
Week three opponent: Home vs Broncos
This was as impressive of a win that I have seen from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a long team. Something feels different about this team. The offense is playing high, Baker Mayfield is looking sharp, and the defense is flying around. With the loss of offensive coordinator Dave Canales, Tampa Bay hasn't skipped a beat and looks just as explosive as last year. That was an impressive win.
6. New Orleans Saints
Last week's ranking: 16
Week two result: 44-19 win vs Cowboys
Week three opponent: Home vs Eagles
And probably the most impressive win of the weekend will go to the New Orleans Saints. They went into Dallas and beat up the Dallas Cowboys. Derek Carr looks like an MVP candidate, and the Saints' offense looks like a totally different attack with Klint Kubiak as the offensive coordinator. With how the offense is playing, the defense isn't asked to do as much as in years past, and they are playing at a high level. The NFC South looks much better than we thought it would look before the season.
5. Detroit Lions
Last week's ranking: 3
Week two result: 20-16 loss vs Tampa Bay
Week three opponent: At Arizona
Jared Goff and the Lions offense have gotten off to a shaky start to begin things in 2024. We haven't seen the explosiveness like we saw last year from the Lions so far. The defense has been surprisingly good this season, with Aidan Hutchinson recording 4.5 sacks on Sunday against Tampa Bay. The big reason the Lions lost this game is the red zone offense. They were one for seven inside the red zone, forcing them to settle for field goals.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Last week's ranking: 2
Week two result: 23-17 loss vs Vikings
Week three opponent: At Rams
The 49ers have struggled with Brian Flores's defenses in Minnesota. The loss of Christian McCaffrey has had a significant impact on San Francisco, as the offense struggled to get anything going vs Minnesota. Some injuries to wide receivers will test the depth of the 49ers, with Deebo Samuel expected to be out a couple of weeks with a calf strain.
3. Houston Texans
Last week's ranking: 8
Week two result: 19-13 win vs Bears
Week three opponent: At Vikings
With how we know how CJ Stroud can play offensively, the Texans might be one of the more complete teams in the league. The offense is still a work in progress, but expect it to get going in a few weeks. On the other hand, the defense has been outstanding under Demeco Ryans' leadership. The time for Houston to win is now.
2. Buffalo Bills
Last week's ranking: 7
Week two result: 31-10 win vs Dolphins
Week three opponent: Home vs Jaguars
What impressed me about Buffalo in the first two weeks of the season was the style of play they were winning. They aren't asking Josh Allen to be Superman, and they are providing him with one of the best running games in the league. That is the kind of identity that new offensive coordinator Joe Brady wants to have. On the defensive side, the Bills are still dealing with some injuries, but they are still one of the league's top defenses, and the team is showing they don't really have a weakness.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 1
Week two result: 26-25 win vs Bengals
Week three opponent: At Falcons
Say what you want about the Chiefs, but they always make the big-time plays that shift the momentum, and they always have a chance to win with Mahomes in the quarterback position. Mahomes wasn't necessarily sharp against Cincinnati, but he made the big-time plays toward the end, giving his team a chance to win. Until they lose, this spot will continue to go to the Chiefs.
