Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books. And it’s a good thing I waited until the Monday night game to finalize my NFL Power Rankings. An MRI has confirmed that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles and is done for the season. The Chiefs, Bills, and Vikings were all playoff teams that started 2023 with a loss. Possibly the most depressing result (on the field) was the performance by the Giants on a national platform. Here’s a little teaser- the Giants fall big time in my rankings this week. The Bengals and Bears lost divisional home games against teams that have owned them in recent history. Bengals fans are fine. The same can not be said for Bears fans. Rodgers is gone, then Jordan Love goes out and does that. All of these teams take a step back in this week’s NFL Power Rankings.
But for all of the bad, there was plenty of good. Starting with the Florida teams. Tampa Bay’s win at the Vikings might have been the upset of the weekend. Baker looks serviceable, and the defense is still good. The Jaguars won for the first time in Indianapolis since 2017. Even though the Colts hung around, the Jags separated late. And the Miami Dolphins look like the best team in the league offensively coming out of their road win against the Chargers. The Cowboys, 49ers, and Rams all have impressive wins on their resume after week 1. How far will they rise in this week’s NFL Power Rankings.
32. Arizona Cardinals
(Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Offensively the Cardinals left a lot to be desired. Defensively the Cards showed some fight. Sometimes that crossed the line, but you love to see a team that is clearly tanking show some heart on the field.
31. Chicago Bears
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
That’s a tough result against the Packers. Not only are the Packers still significantly better than the Bears, but Justin Fields and the offense looked awful. They can not beat the Packers no matter who the quarterback is.
30. Indianapolis Colts
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
I thought Anthony Richardson looked good in his first start. But just because he can run doesn’t mean that he should run. Or at least not as much as on Sunday. It’s too bad the rest of the roster stinks around him.
29. Houston Texans
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
A pretty solid first game for CJ Stroud with the Texans at Baltimore. Baltimore is a difficult place to play for opposing quarterbacks. Things will get easier for Stroud this weekend at home against the Colts.
28. Carolina Panthers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s always difficult to open up on the road, et alone a road divisional game. Bryce threw 2 picks in the loss, but was without his top receiving option. The country will get to see Bryce Young this week as they are on Monday Night Football hosting the Saints.
27. Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons are my lowest ranked team to win this week. The rushing attack looked great with rookie Bijan Robinson and second year back Tyler Allgeier rushing for 129 combined yards, 26 receiving yards, and 3 total touchdowns. Still want to see more from the passing game.
26. Tennessee Titans
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Ryan Tannehill with 3 interceptions in the loss to New Orleans. The offense couldn’t muster any touchdowns in the game and had to settle for 5 field goals. Tennessee host the high-flying Chargers this week.
25. Washington Commanders
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I think Ron Rivera put it perfectly after their win over Arizona saying he was happy to get the win, but we have to play better. It was a win, and that’s all a team can do in week 1. But moving forward the offense will need to be better. Starting this week at Denver.
24. New York Giants
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
That was the worst performance of week 1. The Giants are still waiting to put their first points of the season on the score board. But at least they got Daniel Jones’ deal done…
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
I was never buying into the Kenny Pickett hype. You should sell you stock if you did buy. The offense could only gain 239 yards on the day, and Pickett threw 2 picks. The Steelers now have a huge divisional game at home on Monday night against the Browns.
22. New Orleans Saints
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The Saints did what the Saints do- win at home. It was not the prettiest offensive performance, but they got the win. Next up is a divisional road game at Carolina on Monday night.
21. Seattle Seahawks
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
I am shocked this team didn’t play better against the Rams. Seattle ran just 13 plays in the second half for -7 yards and only possessed the ball for 5:04 in the half while being outscored 16-0.
20. Baltimore Ravens
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Ravens got the win over Houston in their first game, but didn’t look spectacular in the process. Four starters left the game with injuries including running back JK Dobbins who tore his Achilles. Baltimore travels to face a Bengals team coming off an embarrassing loss.
19. Denver Broncos
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
So Sean Payton isn’t the savior for the Broncos offense. Or at least not yet. Losing to the Raiders is not great. They’ll look to bounce back against Washington at home this weekend.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Maybe it shouldn’t be, but the Raiders surprised the hell out of me with a 1-point road victory. 1-0 in the division with a trip to Buffalo on deck.
17. New England Patriots
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
They fought back against a good Eagles team, but some questionable coaching decisions in the 4th quarter cost them ultimately. Mac Jones was the 3rd best QB in the building behind Jalen Hurts and Tom Brady.
16. Green Bay Packers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jordan Love looked good in their win at Chicago. But what Packers QB hasn’t looked great against the Bears in the last 30 years? Another road test for Love and the Packers this week at Atlanta.
15. Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
What the hell was that Minnesota? After winning all those close games last year it makes sense losing a close one to start 2023. Tough spot this week for the Vikings on the road in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Really nice win for the Bucs and Baker in his first game with the team. The expectations in Tampa preseason might have been selling this team short. They get the Bears at home this weekend as they try to start 2-0.
13. New York Jets
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The Aaron Rodgers injury changes the trajectory of the season for the Jets. But credit to the team for sticking together and fighting back for a big divisional home win against the Buffalo Bills. Let’s see what they do a quarterback for the rest of the season.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
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Another team with a “what the hell was that” performance. I guess it should be expected at this point as the Browns own the Bengals. The Bengals have the home opener this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
11. Cleveland Browns
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Browns always look good on paper. On Sunday they looked great on the field. With 1 divisional win under their belts, they look to make it 2 on Monday night at Pittsburgh.
10. Los Angeles Rams
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
This was one of the bigger surprises of the weekend. Going into Seattle is not an easy thing to do. Most people wrote the Rams off at the beginning of the year. But maybe Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay can find a little more magic.
9. Buffalo Bills
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This team has felt on the edge of greatness for the last few seasons, but when will they break through? Losing to Zach Wilson and the jets is not a great start for the Bills. They’ll look to bounce back at home against the Raiders this weekend.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Jags got their first win in Indy since 2017. Calvin Ridley is going to unlick this offense and make it elite. Get on the Jags bandwagon before it’s too late.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
This team did not look the same without Travis Kelce. They will once again look elite on offense once he returns. And Chris Jones coming back will improve the defense, that looked fine against the Lions.
6. Detroit Lions
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
It was such a crazy weekend that it’s easy to forget the Lions went into Arrowhead and walked out with a win against Patrick Mahomes. Rebuilding? Not in Detroit! This team is for real.
5. Dallas Cowboys
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
40-0!!! How bout them Cowboys?!?!?! Dallas dominated all 3 phases of the game against the Giants on Sunday night. They’re at home this week against Zach Wilson (presumably) and the Jets.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Tough loss for the Chargers against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. But the offense looked great against a talented Dolphins defense. This is a loaded roster and will be in the mix all season with the best AFC teams.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jalen Hurts looked rusty in the Eagles won at New England. But it doesn’t change my opinion that the roster is loaded and will be a threat to return to the Super Bowl at the end of the year.
2. Miami Dolphins
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Tua… WOW! Tyreek… WOW! Defense… EW! The Dolphins looked great on offense against the Chargers. Tua and Tyreek are on pace to rewrite the record book. The defense needs to improve, and fast. Tough spot this week at New England on Sunday Night Football.
1. San Francisco 49ers
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
San Francisco dominated all three phases of the game in Pittsburgh. It does scare me how much they are using Christian McCaffrey. But as long as he’s playing like he is at the moment, this is the best team in the National Football League.
