NFL Analysis
9/10/24
16 min read
2024 NFL Week 2 Power Rankings: Lions Solidify Top 3 Spot, Packers Tumble
Week 1 was a wild week of action across the NFL, and we saw multiple big upsets and a few shocking performances. But how did those results impact our latest power rankings?
Here is our full set of rankings coming out of the first week of action:
>> READ MORE: Recapping Week 1's Biggest Stories
NFL Week 2 Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs 
Previous Ranking: 1 
It wasn’t pretty, but the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business in Week 1 against the Ravens. The real story coming out of that contest was the play of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, who have revamped this passing attack.
Once Hollywood Brown returns to the lineup, watch out.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Bengals
2. San Francisco 49ers
Previous Ranking: 2
The San Francisco 49ers could not have looked better in Week 1. Even without Christian McCaffrey, they made easy work of the Jets and scored 32 points.
Brock Purdy didn't have a huge day, but they didn't need him to, with Jordan Mason taking over. Their defense was fantastic and created multiple takeaways. You can make a strong case the 49ers were the most impressive team coming out of Week 1.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Vikings
3. Detroit Lions
Previous Ranking: 3
The Detroit Lions got a gritty, tough win against the Rams on Sunday Night Football.
They held a 17-3 lead in the second half but needed overtime to take down Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. Detroit is loaded with talent, and now it is finding ways to close out games they usually lose. That is a sign of a real contender.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Buccaneers
4. Houston Texans
Previous Ranking: 5 
Week 1 divisional games on the road are tough for any team. While it got a little tight late, the Houston Texans won against the Colts in a hard-fought contest.
The offense was up-and-down at times, but C.J. Stroud made the plays that he needed to, including a beautiful throw to Nico Collins on the sideline to seal the game. Houston looks like a legit contender in the AFC this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Bears
5. Baltimore Ravens
Previous Ranking: 4 
The Baltimore Ravens went toe-to-toe (bad pun) against the Chiefs in Week 1 but walked away with a loss.
Baltimore has a difficult schedule coming up, but it should be just fine if it can figure out the offensive line. The Ravens have to start limiting the number of hits Lamar Jackson takes or he won’t make it through the season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Raiders
>> READ MORE: Time to Panic About Ravens Offense?
6. Buffalo Bills
Previous Ranking: 7 
Things got a little scary for the Buffalo Bills early against the Cardinals as they trailed 17-3 at home. But Josh Allen turned things around in the second half, and the Bills outlasted the Cardinals in one of the week's most fun games.
Buffalo’s offense looked fantastic, but the defense was the biggest area of concern. That’ll need to be cleaned up quickly, given their upcoming schedule.
Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 12 vs. Dolphins
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Previous Ranking: 8
The first game for Saquon Barkley with the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t have gone any better.
He looked like his college self, and he is a perfect fit for Kellen Moore’s offense. Philadelphia’s defense still leaves a lot to be desired, but you can’t complain too much after a win against another NFC contender.
Next Game: Monday, Sept. 16 vs. Falcons
8. Dallas Cowboys
Previous Ranking: 9
The Dallas Cowboys might have had the most impressive Week 1 victory, dominating the Browns in Cleveland. Mike Zimmer’s defense was flying around, giving up just 12.8 yards per drive on the first 13 drives of the game.
The offense was much more inconsistent, but they are one of the league's most well-rounded teams. Dallas should feel good about its performance in the season's opening game.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Saints
9. Green Bay Packers
Previous Ranking: 6
Jordan Love’s injury knocks down the Green Bay Packers a few spots, as he is expected to miss the next few games with a sprained MCL. However, the Packers were already losing to the Eagles before the injury.
The offense sputtered in the second half and the defense couldn’t get off the field. The Packers should be fine in the long run, but this was a disappointing start to the season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Colts
>> READ MORE: Packers Options to Replace Love
10. Miami Dolphins
Previous Ranking: 13
The Miami Dolphins usually have a big advantage in Week 1 playing in Miami, but they got a tough draw with the Jaguars in what turned out to be a fantastic game.
Miami’s offensive line continues to be an issue, but it hit enough big plays to eventually put the Jaguars away. Miami has always been a good September team under Mike McDaniel, and that continued last weekend.
Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 12 vs. Bills
11. Los Angeles Rams
Previous Ranking: 12
The Los Angeles Rams couldn’t been more shorthanded in Week 1, especially once Puka Nacua left the game early with a knee injury. Yet, they took the Lions to overtime in arguably the best game of the week.
Los Angeles suffered a tough loss, but Matthew Stafford played lights out, and the Rams were impressive. Despite the close loss, they don’t move down in our rankings.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Cardinals
12. New York Jets
Previous Ranking: 14
It's hard not to be disappointed by the New York Jets, as they weren't competitive against the 49ers. Aaron Rodgers made some nice throws, but the defense was the most disappointing.
They couldn't get off the field and created next to no pressure on Purdy. The Jets should be fine in the long run, assuming Rodgers can stay healthy. But this was far from an ideal performance.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Titans
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Previous Ranking: 15
The good news for the Jacksonville Jaguars is that Trevor Lawrence looked fantastic on Sunday. He was throwing dimes all over the field, and the addition of Brian Thomas Jr. looks like a home run.
However, they have to find ways to finish games better. There is no reason why they shouldn’t have beaten the Dolphins, and their late-game play remains a disaster.
The Jaguars will face the Browns in Week 2, and that will be a game in which both teams will desperately want to win to avoid going 0-2. But don’t be too discouraged by the Jaguars quite yet.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Browns
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Previous Ranking: 16
The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of two teams (Bears) to win on Sunday without scoring a touchdown. In typical Mike Tomlin fashion, they ran the ball and played incredible defense to pull off the 18-10 upset against the Falcons.
Pittsburgh was +3 in the turnover differential, and that almost always equates to wins. It will be hard for Pittsburgh to replicate that success moving forward, but somehow, it's managed to do it for years under Tomlin.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Broncos
15. Cleveland Browns
Previous Ranking: 10 
That couldn’t have been a worse start for the Cleveland Browns. The offense was a disaster, and Deshaun Watson might have played his worst game since joining Cleveland in 2022. But it wasn’t just him.
Amari Cooper dropped a touchdown. The offensive line had a terrible outing, and the special teams unit gave up a punt return touchdown. It’s easy to blame all of the struggles on Watson, but the Browns as a team laid an egg in Week 1.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Jaguars
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Previous Ranking: 18
How about Baker Mayfield? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback lit up the Commanders, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a decisive Week 1 matchup.
Tampa Bay looked fantastic on offense, and the unit didn’t skip a beat with new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. The Buccaneers have won the NFC South in three straight seasons, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did it again this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Lions
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Previous Ranking: 11
No team in the NFL had a more disappointing loss than the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Cincinnati was an 8.5-point favorite at home against the Patriots and scored just 10 points. The Bengals were sloppy all game long with turnovers, dropped passes, miscommunications, and poor tackling.
Unfortunately, this has become a trend under Zac Taylor, whose teams always struggle out of the gate. But with a matchup against the Chiefs in Week 2 looming, things are already getting scary for the Bengals.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Chiefs
18. Indianapolis Colts
Previous Ranking: 19
The Indianapolis Colts lost yet another Week 1 game, but Anthony Richardson's performance was pretty encouraging. He made some incredible throws, and his rushing ability near the goal line makes him difficult to defend.
However, he only completed nine passes but did average a whopping 11.2 yards per attempt. The biggest concern is the Colts' defense, as it allowed 213 yards on the ground. That won't cut it if the Colts have any playoff aspirations this season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Packers
>> READ MORE: Richardson Is Special But Needs More Polish
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous Ranking: 25
It was far from perfect, but Jim Harbaugh’s first game with the Los Angeles Chargers was a success. They rushed for 176 yards against the Raiders, but Justin Herbert didn't turn the ball over and was sacked just once.
The defense was flying all over the field, and Khalil Mack dominated once again. The Chargers are still a year away from being a legit contender in the AFC, but they have the look of a potential wild-card team right away.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Panthers
20. Chicago Bears
Previous Ranking: 20 
Caleb Williams threw for just 93 yards in his NFL debut, but the Chicago Bears still found a way to win. That’s a great sign for Chicago’s long-term outlook, as they have a much more complete team than in previous seasons.
The Bears will need Williams to be a lot better moving forward, but it’s always good to get that first win out of the way with a rookie quarterback.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Texans
21. Atlanta Falcons
Previous Ranking: 17
Yikes. Kirk Cousins’ first game with the Atlanta Falcons couldn’t have been worse. He turned the ball over multiple times and looked afraid to get hit.
He showed zero mobility and was a sitting duck in the pocket. Atlanta’s offense scored just 10 points, and its three turnovers cost them the game. The only good news is that the defense did not allow a touchdown, but the offense’s lackluster performance is highly concerning.
With games against the Eagles and the Chiefs on deck, Atlanta could be in a tough spot already in the season.
Next Game: Monday, Sept. 16 vs. Eagles
22. New Orleans Saints
Previous Ranking: 27
No team looked more dominant than the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. They jumped out to a massive lead on the Panthers and never looked back.
Derek Carr had arguably the best performance by any quarterback of the weekend, and the offensive line held up well. They’ll face a much stiffer challenge in Week 2 when they travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. But this was a fantastic start to the year for the Saints.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Cowboys
23. Minnesota Vikings
Previous Ranking: 22
Maybe the most surprising performance of the day goes to Sam Darnold, who did not throw an incomplete pass for several hours in their matchup against the Giants. Darnold was fantastic at making plays down the field.
It was easily the best game he’s had as a pro and has given the Minnesota Vikings some life after the J.J. McCarthy injury. We’ll have to see how much longer it can hold up, especially once the Vikings play some better opponents. Still, it was cool to see Darnold thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s offense on Sunday.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. 49ers
24. Seattle Seahawks
Previous Ranking: 21
The Seattle Seahawks got an ugly win against the Broncos in Week 1, but it wasn’t the most encouraging performance from the offense. Seattle had just 158 passing yards, with D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba combining for six targets.
The good news for Seattle is that Kenneth Walker looked fantastic, and he could be the engine of the offense moving forward. However, Seattle will have to find a way to generate more in the passing game if it wants to be a threat to the NFC.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Patriots
25. Arizona Cardinals
Previous Ranking: 23
The Arizona Cardinals held a 17-3 lead against the Bills at one point on Sunday, and it appeared they would pull off the upset. Arizona’s defense had a hard time stopping Josh Allen, ultimately surrendering 34 points.
The Cardinals had a chance to win it at the end, but Kyler Murray didn’t see a wide-open Marvin Harrison Jr. streaking down the sideline. The good news is Murray looks fully healthy, and the offense ran the ball extremely well. Cardinals fans should be encouraged coming out of Week 1.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Rams
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Previous Ranking: 24
The Las Vegas Raiders had a good chance to upset the Chargers in Week 1, but turnovers and sloppy play led to their defeat. The most puzzling decision of the day was Antonio Pierce punting late in the fourth quarter from the Chargers' 43-yard line on 4th and 1.
The Raiders were down six points with just 7:15 left on the clock, and they wouldn’t see the ball again until 3:40 when they were down 12. Pierce's decision was rough, as he clearly trusted his defense more than his offense. That can’t happen again if the Raiders want to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Ravens
27. Tennessee Titans
Previous Ranking: 26
This is a game the Tennessee Titans will want back. They outplayed the Bears on both sides of the ball, but the special teams unit cost them a victory. They allowed a punt to be blocked and returned for a touchdown.
They also had too many mistakes on offense, including a pick-six. Tennessee moved the ball well against Chicago but couldn't close out a game it should have won. That’s something Brian Callahan’s team will need to do better before it can climb up the rankings.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Jets
28. New England Patriots
Previous Ranking: 32
How about Jerod Mayo and the New England Patriots?
They leaned on their defense and rushing attack, which resulted in a big road victory against the Bengals in Week 1. New England might not be a playoff team in 2024, but given their defense, they will be a tough out for most teams.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Seahawks
28. Washington Commanders
Previous Ranking: 28
If you thought Dan Quinn would magically fix the Washington Commanders defense overnight, think again. The Buccaneers racked up nearly 400 yards of offense and scored 37 points, with the Commanders offering little resistance.
The good news is Jayden Daniels looked explosive, and the offense should keep them in contention for most weeks. But make no mistake about it: the Commanders are still a long way from competing with the Cowboys and the Eagles atop the NFC East.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Giants
30. Denver Broncos
Previous Ranking: 29
The Denver Broncos defense did a fantastic job against the Seahawks in Week 1, recording two safeties early in the game. However, the offense just couldn’t sustain drives or put up points, and that’s ultimately why they didn’t pull off the upset.
Bo Nix made a few nice plays, but his accuracy was all over the place, and he struggled to read the defense. It doesn’t get any easier for Denver with the Steelers coming to town in Week 2.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Steelers
31. New York Giants
Previous Ranking: 31
The New York Giants have a major problem at quarterback. Daniel Jones is coming off a torn ACL, and it’s fair to expect some rust, but he didn’t look like a starting quarterback on Sunday.
The Giants had no chance against Brian Flores and the Vikings, and New York's schedule only gets harder. It feels like it’s only a matter of when, not if, Drew Lock will take over for Jones under center.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Commanders
32. Carolina Panthers
Previous Ranking: 30
There is no arguing who is No. 32 on this list. The Carolina Panthers were the league's worst team, and somehow, they look worse this season.
Bryce Young was awful in Week 1, and it’s fair to wonder if he’ll even be the starting quarterback by 2025. The Panthers are a distant fourth in the NFC South, and you have to wonder how long it will be before they are competitive again.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Chargers
