The NFL season came back with an absolute bang this year. There were some instant classics such as the Chargers Dolphins and Jets Bills game, some extremely lopsided blowouts like the Cowboys Giants and Steelers 9ers games, and some big surprises like the Browns domination of Joe Burrow's Bengals. The Power Rankings are fluid and reflect whats happened in the past week. Looking ahead to the following week let's go over the biggest riser and biggest fallers, as well as some other notable teams:
Risers
Biggest Riser: Las Vegas Raiders (+9)
Many teams moved up plenty of spots in this weeks rankings, but the Raiders topped all of those rising 9 spots after beating Sean Payton's Denver Broncos in Denver. Jimmy G did what he did most of his career: win football games. It wasn't pretty and they benefited from some special teams miscues from Broncos kicker Will Lutz, but the Raiders limited mistakes and confused Russell Wilson and co. in the second half
Other Big Risers:
Browns (+8): The Browns looked like super bowl contenders in their lopsided victory against their in-state rivals. The Browns defense was on another level, keeping the Bengals to 6 first downs when Joe Burrow was on the field. Despite the terrible conditions, the Browns clearly looked like the superior team on Sunday as QB Deshaun Watson showed flashes of the QB the Browns thought they were getting when they traded multiple first round picks and dished out a record breaking amount of money.
Packers (+8): The Packers did what they've done over the past 14 years: dominate the Bears in Chicago. The Bears hosted the Packers with plenty of hype behind them including some people claiming Justin Fields would be an MVP candidate this year. The Packers had none of that comfortably winning this by multiple scores. Star corner held DJ Moore to two catches and Aaron Jones looked like the elite running back he is before his hamstring tightened up on him. The new starting QB had no issues in his first start of the season, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns without top wide receiver Christian Watson
Buccaneers (+8): The Buccaneers ruined many parlays this weekend with their upset victory of the reigning NFC North champion Vikings. The Vikings were careless with the ball, as QB Kirk Cousins had three turnovers but the Buccaneers got the first downs when they needed to and Baker's Buc protected the ball. Baker himself had 2 touchdowns on the day and potentially would've had a third if Mike Evan's didn't drop a slant route he could've taken to the house.
Fallers:
Biggest Fallers: New York Jets (-11)
The Jets won a football game in dramatic fashion. The defense looks to have taken another step forward, forcing Josh Allen to turn the ball over four times (3 interceptions, 1 fumble). However, the Jets walked away this gave with a massive dark cloud over the team, as future Hall of Famer and offseason star acquisition Aaron Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles on his fourth snap as a New York Jet ending his season. We saw last year how bad this offense was with Zach Wilson running it and unless he shows this year is different, the elite defense will not be able to push the Jets higher in the power rankings and they will remain a Fringe Playoff Team.
Other Big Fallers:
Bengals (-10): As mentioned above, the Bengals got destroyed in Cleveland on Sunday. The terrible conditions is no excuse for an offense employing Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon, and now the highest paid player in the NFL, Joe Burrow to have 6 first downs. Burrow was taken out for precautionary reasons in the fourth quarter and the Bengals performance made it hard to believe this team has been to back to back AFC championship games.
Giants (-6): Getting blown out at home is one thing. Being humiliated on national television at home vs a hated rival is another. The Giants lost 40-0 as the Cowboys pass rush was ripping through the Giants Offensive line all night. Add in a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown on the opening drive and another defensive score and this game was over by the second quarter. The Giants performance was completely unacceptable from a team that claimed to have gotten better this offseason.
Seahawks (-6): The Seahawks are coming off a season where they were a surprising postseason team and rewarded Quarterback Geno Smith with a contract extension. A team looking to return to the playoffs and build off a surprising 2022 should not lose by 17 points to the LA Rams where it seems like the HC and star player contemplate retirement every year. The Seahawks managed under 200 yards of total offense while allowing the Rams to pile up over 400 yards of total offense on route to being blown out in Seattle.
Rest of the Power Rankings
The Super Bowl Contenders (1-4)
1. San Fran 49ers (+4): The Niners, led by Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa, picked up right where they left off last regular season by dominating the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Brandon Aiyuk looks to have taken another step forward this year, hauling in two touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards and our pick for OPOY, CMC, rushed for over 100 yards in the dominating victory. Rookie Kicker Jake Moody looked automatic as well, converting all his field goal and extra point attempts
2. Dallas Cowboys (+5): The Cowboys went into a rivals home stadium on SNF, and made them look like a college football team. The Cowboys dominated the Giants and the pass rush somehow looks like it got better. They didn't have to show much offensively as the defense and special teams put the game out of reach early.
3. Miami Dolphins (+5): The Dolphins participated in an instant classic with the Chargers, escaping with the win in LA. Tua was efficient as ever throwing for over 450 yards and Tyreek Hill appears to have gotten better, hauling in 11 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The Offensive is even more explosive and the defense were able to get good pressure on Herbert. One thing to watch is that the Dolphins struggled stopping the Chargers rushing attack and struggled to run the ball themselves, but when you're able to put up 466 yards passing this can be figured out later in the season.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (-1): Despite losing to the Lions to kick off the season, the Chiefs only fall one spot due to the fact that the loss is solely on Kadarious Toney, who had a historically bad game who cost the Chiefs points twice (pick 6 and dropped past that would put them in field goal range), either of which would've won them the game. The Chiefs also are getting massive reinforcements this week, with Travis Kelce expected to return from injury and star defensive tackle Chris Jones agreeing to a contract and ending his hold out.
Fringe Super Bowl Contenders (5-7)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (-4): The Eagles barely beat the patriots this week but they needed miscues from the Patriots to do it. The Eagles survived due to a pick six return by star corner Darius Slay that only occurred because the pass bounced off a Patriots WR's hands. The Eagles also had help from Patriots rookie WR Kayshon Boutte seemingly forgetting that in the NFL you need to get two feet down as this happened twice including the Patriots last possession. Hurts also didn't look like himself fumbling the football at the end of the game and giving the Patriots a chance to win.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (+3): The Chargers lost a shootout to the Dolphins this weekend but the offense still scored a lot of points. They'll never be able to reach their full potential until the star players on defense, JC Jackson, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James are able to play to their full potential.
7. Cleveland Browns (+8): See above
Playoff Teams ( 8-11)
8. Buffalo Bills (-2): The Bills managed to lose a game to Zach Wilson in MetLife stadium for the second consecutive year. For all the "wow" plays Josh Allen made, 4 turnovers is unacceptable from a QB getting paid as much as he is and until he cleans that up and the Bills are able to consistently run the football, they will never reach the Super Bowl
9. Detroit Lions (+4): The Lions beat the reigning champs at Arrowhead, and established themselves as the favorite in the NFC North. Jameson Williams will be back in week 7 as well giving the Lions another potentially dangerous offensive weapon.
10. Baltimore Ravens (-): The Ravens beat the Texans but suffered some key injuries. Star TE Mark Andrews didn't play and starting RB J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles and is out for the season. Lamar Jackson fresh off his massive, self-negotiated contract extension, fumbled the ball twice with one being inexcusable as he held the ball out in one hand. Rookie Zay Flowers looked better than advertised as well.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (-): The Jaguars beat the Colts, but it was a lot closer of a game than it should've been given the states of these two teams. Calvin Ridley looked better than ever in the first half before disappearing in the second half of the game.
Fringe Playoff Team (12-17)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (-10): See Above
13. Green Bay Packers (+8): See Above
14. New England Patriots (+6): The Patriots offense looks completely different now that they have a legitimate offensive coordinator. The next step for them is to find some athletic WRs who know how to keep both feet in bounds when trying to toe tap.
15. New York Jets (-11): See Above
16. New Orleans Saints (+3): The Saints beat the Titans this weekend and the defense looked great. However, the offensive needs some consistency that may come once Alvin Kamara returns from suspension. Until then though they need to figure out a way to consistently move the ball.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (+9): See Above
Mid (18-22)
18. New York Giants (-6): See Above
19. Minnesota Vikings (-3): Three turnovers from Kirk Cousins and losing to a much less talented Bucs team is unacceptable for a team hoping to make a deep playoff run.
20. Seattle Seahawks (-6): See Above
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3): The Steelers had a rough showing vs teh 49ers, at one point being out gained 193 yards to 1. They came out flat but TJ Watt showed hes still the best pass rusher in football when healthy, having 3 sacks total, 2 of them being strip sacks.
22. Denver Broncos (-5): The Broncos started the game in electric fashion, trying an onside kick but fell short due to Kicker issues later in the game. Russell Wilson looked good in the first half but took a step back in the second half.
Lower Mid (23-27)
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8): See Above
24. Tennessee Titans (-1): The Titans roster has a lot of issues and if Tannehill plays like he did on Sunday the rest of the season, they'll have another issue to solve.
25. Los Angeles Rams (+5): The Rams were clearly the better team Sunday in Seattle, having more than double the Seahawks in total offense. Stafford looked great as well throwing for over 300 yards, and young WRs Tutu Atwell and Puka Nauca seem to be able to help hold down the passing game with Cooper Kupp out.
26. Atlanta Falcons (-1): The Falcons beat the Panthers handily but Ridder barely threw the ball past the LOS. Interestingly enough Bijan was out carried by Tyler Allgier as well. Jesse Bates had a strong debut picking off first overall pick Bryce Young twice, but the jury will remain out on how good this defense is until they play a team with more talent.
27. Chicago Bears (-5): The Bears were in a similar situation they've been in in previous years, getting beat by the Packers in Chicago. Justin Fields threw a touchdown and had two turnovers (1 interception + 1 Fumble) while receiving minimal help from their big offseason acquisition DJ Moore (2 catches 25 yards). Last year's trade deadline acquisition Chase Claypool seems to be regressing as the trade they made looks worse every week.
Rebuilding (28-30)
28. Indianapolis Colts (-): Anthony Richardson was as advertised, rushing for a touchdown and making some nice passes, while also struggling with accuracy at times. Unfortunately he left the game late in the 4th quarter after taking a big hit trying to rush for a touchdown.
29. Carolina Panthers (-5): Bryce Young struggled in his debut, throwing two picks and new starting running back, Miles Sanders lost a fumble. The defense also allowed five yards a carry and needs to stop the run.
30. Houston Texans (-1): The Texans lost to the Ravens, a vastly more talented team. CJ Strout looked good but the Texans really need to find a way to upgrade his skill positions and get him help.
Mess (31) and Bigger Mess (32)
31. Washington Commanders (-4): The Commanders barely beat the Cardinals, a team in full tank mode despite the Cardinals starting a QB who just joined the team two weeks ago and who lost two fumbles. The Commanders also turned the ball over three times to a defense that does not have much talent.
32. Arizona Cardinals (-): The worst thing the Cardinals can do this year is win a football game. They need new talent all over the roster and losing games to get the best draft picks possible is the way this team wins this season.'
ICYM:
Don't forget to check out our preseason major award predictions! Our OPOY, DPOY, and OROY all balled out this weekend.
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