Cowboys and 49ers on the rise, Packers in decline

NFL power rankings entering the second week of the 2024 season (previous ranking in parentheses):

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1): If you think it's totally unfair that a two-time defending champion, led by three-time Super Bowl MVP QB Patrick Mahomes, gets WR Xavier Worthy, who scored two touchdowns in his NFL debut, in the first round of the draft…then blame the Bills. Buffalo gave KC the first-round pick that was used on both Mahomes in 2017 and Worthy.

2. Detroit Lions (2): Did we mention that this club may be unstoppable if WR Jameson Williams (5 catches for 121 yards and a TD in Sunday night's win) consistently plays to his full potential? (Hint: We did.)

3. San Francisco 49ers (5): Contract issues, injuries, and that recent Super Bowl setback aren't quite over yet, but regardless of the various offseason issues, you can bring in RB Jordan Mason and reap the rewards (152 yards from the offensive zone and a TD) of a blowout win in Week 1 that promises another deep playoff run.

4. Baltimore Ravens (4): RB Derrick Henry's former teammate, retired OT Taylor Lewan, says the Ravens are creating an “identity crisis” by bringing in the two-time rushing king. And the expected offensive line problems did indeed materialize. Despite all that, last year's top-ranked AFC playoff team brought the Chiefs within a yard of overtime on the road in the regular-season kickoff game last Thursday.

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5. Philadelphia Eagles (8): As good as RB Saquon Barkley (132 total yards, 3 TDs) was in his Philly debut, QB Jalen Hurts and the defense still have significant room for improvement as they adjust to the team's third set of coordinators in the last three seasons.

6. Houston Texans (7): It's hard to say if it's sustainable to have new running back Joe Mixon run a career-best 30 times a week and dominate the ball for 40 minutes… but so far, it's working out well.

7. Dallas Cowboys (18): Let's give them their flowers after they made a last-minute deal to sign QB Dak Prescott. But the real story Sunday was the defense, a unit now led by Mike Zimmer that generated 25 pressures on Cleveland's 56 dropbacks.

8. Buffalo Bills (13): A little inconsistent defensively…as expected. A little inconsistent passing…as expected. QB Josh Allen can still take over a game…as expected.

9. Indianapolis Colts (11): QB Anthony Richardson averaged more than 23 yards per pass and more than 9 yards per run on Sunday. But playing only 43 games will likely extend his league-worst Week 1 winless streak to 11 seasons.

10. Los Angeles Rams (10): WR Puka Nacua's knee injury, which will keep him out of action for at least a month, is just the most notable test for a team already under serious pressure.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20): With four more touchdown passes in Sunday's win over Washington, it's just unbelievable that the Browns even let QB Baker Mayfield out of their building.

12. New York Jets (6): A rocky start left them the only winless team in the AFC East. But QB Aaron Rodgers survived the night, the schedule seems to be loosening up considerably, and – who knows? – maybe LB Haason Reddick will even show up instead of continuing to miss play checks. Panic would be premature.

13. Miami Dolphins (16): They were lucky to beat the self-destructive Jags. But the Finns certainly weren't lucky to have to deal with the off-field circumstances surrounding All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill and others before kickoff. It's understandable why they looked so weak given the disturbing details that continue to emerge about Hill's treatment by local police on Sunday morning.

14.Cincinnati Bengals (9): Sunday's two fumbles equaled their total for the 2023 season. But more importantly, this team needs to sort out WR Ja'Marr Chase's contract situation – especially with an upcoming visit from the rested Chiefs.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (14): RB Travis Etienne's disastrous fumble on Sunday surpassed his total for the 2023 season. But more importantly, this team needs to figure out how to finish – and that probably includes a review of HC Doug Pederson's game management techniques.

16. Green Bay Packers (3): New QB2 Malik Willis' short track record in the league isn't particularly encouraging as he prepares to fill in for the injured Jordan Love (MCL), but at least Willis has had a few extra days to prepare for a Colts team he already knows.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (21): OC Arthur Smith got his revenge on Sunday in Atlanta. Will QB Russell Wilson get his pound of flesh this weekend in Denver? Should he even be given a chance?

18. Los Angeles Chargers (19): Suffocating defense, relentless running game, physical fronts. HC Jim Harbaugh's new team debuted as advertised. (And just wait until QB Justin Herbert can play a bigger role in the offense after a meager 144 yards on Sunday.)

19. Atlanta Falcons (12): And it felt like Smith was never gone. RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts combined for 152 yards in Sunday's loss, which was nowhere near enough.

20. Chicago Bears (17): Their 148 yards of offense were the fewest by a winning team in the league in the last four years. The glass seems half full.

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21. Arizona Cardinals (22): They nearly stole from the Mafia – in Buffalo – even though rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride combined for 34 yards. This seems like a glass half full situation.

22. Cleveland Browns (15): Bad day without both offensive tackles, not to mention the continued absence of RB Nick Chubb. But that hardly explains another bad day from QB Deshaun Watson.

23. Minnesota Vikings (24): At MetLife Stadium, quarterback Sam Darnold completed his first 12 passes in Sunday's win over the Giants, and it's safe to say New Yorkers didn't recognize the former Jets first-round draft pick.

24. New Orleans Saints (27): Guess who's the NFL's best Week 1 player over the past six seasons, 6-0? The same team that scored on its first nine drives on Sunday.

25. Seattle Seahawks (25): At age 33, quarterback Geno Smith set a personal record with a 34-yard touchdown run, which was also Seattle's longest play in Sunday's win.

26. Washington Commanders (23): What is more concerning – that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is already taking way too many hits or that Dan Quinn's defense is already taking way too many hits?

27. New England Patriots (30): You have to give them credit for the win, especially DE Keion White and RB Rhamondre Stevenson, but they also got a good team that was dealing with a ton of problems.

28. Denver Broncos (26): If you thought quarterback Bo Nix's age (24) would prevent him from playing like a rookie in his debut… well, yeah.

29. Tennessee Titans (28): Given the lack of spice in the passing game on Sunday (104 net yards, 2 INTs), maybe QB Will Levis should switch from mayo to Sriracha?

30. Las Vegas Raiders (29): After getting beaten up by the Bolts, they traveled cross country to visit the tired but rested Ravens. Can you say silver and black and blue?

31. Carolina Panthers (31): To make matters worse, Pro Bowl DE Derrick Brown – arguably Carolina's most valuable player – could now miss the entire season with a knee injury.

32. New York Giants (32): On Friday night, they got to watch Barkley and S. Xavier McKinney shine in their new uniforms. On Sunday afternoon, they got to watch QB Daniel Jones bobble around in a new uniform—the Giants' hideous alternate uniforms were unveiled to celebrate their 100th season…and that celebration may already be over, as HC Brian Daboll is already being asked about Jones' status as QB1.

Cowboys and 49ers on the rise, Packers in decline

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