WEEK TWO

The Chiefs fall off the King of the Hill after the first week.

In a crazy week of football as the Chiefs, Bengals and the Bills take losses on the opening weekend, the cream of the crop of the AFC, Aaron Rodgers, is done for the season as he does not survive the first quarter. It was a bad weekend for New York teams that play their football in New Jersey. The Lions and the Jaguars are not kittening around. The Vikings, Chargers, and the Giants may be the teams that regress after making the playoffs last year. Let’s not panic – it’s only one week done in the NFL. Let’s sort this mess out as we roll another week of our power rankings right down the middle at you’ll be sure to swing and don’t miss.

WEEK TWO – 1 THROUGH 32 WE ARE A GO!!!

#1.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) Moving up two spots to the deluxe apartments in the sky.

The Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts, played his first ever game against a Bill Belichick Patriot defense on the road in New England. Over the years, Belichick’s defense has confused some of the best quarterbacks in the league. The way the Patriots disguise their blitz packages or drop extra guys back into coverage always has baffled guys in their first ever look at a Belichick defense. Hurts handled it and the Eagles get their first victory of the year avoiding that Superbowl loss hangover. The win was so good the prisoner Danelo Cavalcante from Pennsylvania that escaped prison while eluding the Police for over a week emerged out of the woods with an Eagles hoodie on. That’s diehard right there.

#2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) Moving up two spots on the power rankings totem pole

I thought the 49ers were going to have another opening day let down repeating last year’s performance losing to a very bad Bears team in Chicago. Flying across the country, the 49ers open up in Pittsburgh against an up and coming Steeler team. Many experts speculated the 49ers might struggle as Brock Purdy’s first start when he hurt his arm in the playoffs last season. Purdy’s arms looked pretty good as he completed 65% of his passes and threw 2 touchdown passes with 220 passing yards. Christian McCaffrey had a nice game running the ball while the 49ers defense put the Denver boot on the Steelers offense and opened up the season with a blow out win on the road.

#3.DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0) Moving up 5 spots from last week if it was bowling this would be the beer frame.

The Cowboys blew their division rival G-Men out of the waters on their team’s home field in a prime time game where everyone was witness. To rub even more salt in the wounds of New York fans, the Cowboys shut out the Giants on opening night 40-0. The Giants were a playoff team last season. The Cowboys defense was like a SWAT team, but instead of kicking doors down to enter, they booted the Giants O-linemen out of the way to crush their number one suspect Daniel Jones.

The Cowboys defense tallied up seven sacks on opening night.

#4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1) Dropped 3 spots from last week

We could make a case that the Chiefs lost last week because they were without their best pass rusher, Chris Jones, and Patrick Mahomes’ number one target in tight end Travis Kelce. Then add the multiple catches Kadarius Toney dropped, especially the one on 4th down and short that killed a Chiefs drive. The Chiefs lose games during regular season & then win like 6 straight after each loss it seems. The Chiefs have resolved the Jones contract situation so they will have their heart and soul back in the mix. Kelce is still a question mark dealing with an injury. I feel like this team will bounce back rather quickly.

#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0) Up one spot from last week

These days beating the Texans is not a trophy you want to hang up on your wall and be proud of the kill. The Ravens won the game and Lamar Jackson was back on the field,knocking off some rust from his injury last season. That is what’s important for this Baltimore team. Did the Ravens pay a steep price in this win losing their starting running back JK Dobbins who will now be out for the season with a torn achilles tendon? Running backs you can get for a dime a dozen and easily find a replacement.

#6.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) Dropped 4 spots

I don’t know who I’m happier seeing win the Battle of Ohio, the Browns or the Bengals? I hate the Bengals for some of their players that talk trash constantly. I hate the rapist Deshaun Watson for the Browns. It was the Browns defense that turned Joe Burrow into a pumpkin that was not that great. Joe Cool was 14-31 for 82 yards. Yikes!!! Tee Higgins targeted 8 times no catches. I give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt as they are prone to have early season clunkers like this and rebound.

#7.NEW YORK JETS (1-0) Same spot last week

I hate when bad things happen to good people. Looks like Aaron Rodgers is headed for another dark retreat as he is ruled out for the year. Rodgers will take the time to find his inner self during rehab. The Jets looked like a plane crash for most of the Monday night game versus the Bills. The Jets defense bailed them out or was it Josh Allen of the Bills gift wrapping the victory for New York. The Jets are back in the same familiar situation going with Zach Wilson as QB 1. Wilson looks more like a bust than a guy picked out of the first round. The good thing for Jets fans is we can see Zach Wilson’s hot mother when her boy plays.

#8.DETROIT LIONS (1-0) Moved up two spots from last week.

It would be typical Lions-like to win the NFL opener against last year’s Superbowl winner & then lay a clunker in week two. This seems like a different Lions team though. Jared Goff is a Kansas City Chief slayer as he now is 2-0 versus Patrick Mahomes. Goff won his first meeting versus Mahomes in a Rams uniform. Remember when the Lions did not win a road game for several years? This team feels different to me. No sudden retirements of any Lions legends in the forecast like Barry Sanders or Megatron Calvin Johnson. This team is young, gelling, and has a smart coach. This is not going to be a one and done Lions team in the playoffs with the boob, Wayne Fontes, running the show in the 1990’s. The Lions are young, hungry, and ready to growl on the prowl.

#9.MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) Same spot as last week

We all know the Miami Dolphins can win games in a shoot out. I give Miami kudos for flying across the country heading west to LA and escaping town with a victory. A nail biter. The two Chargers home fans completely bit their fingers off. It was TUA TIME!!! Tua Tagovailoa was putting up video game numbers as he had 466 passing yards. Tua targeted his favorite receiver Tyreek Hill 15 times & he grabbed 11 of those for 215 yards with two touchdowns.

Nice defense, Chargers. I also wonder what happened to the Dolphins defense? Did the Dolphins new defensive coordinator use a sick day?

#10.BUFFALO BILLS (0-1)

The picture above says 1,000 words. Josh Allen is going down a terrible road called Cutler Boulevard. Allen is starting to be a turn over machine like Jay Cutler did when he played. Cutler did not care he won the lotto with the Bears. Allen does care. The Bills had all the momentum versus the Jets as they knocked Aaron Rodgers out of the game. Then his replacement, Zach Wilson, was a deer in head lights. The Bills defense were sharks and smelled the blood in the waters. Allen’s turnovers kept the Jets in the game and eventually gave them the game. Sometimes teams have your number. If you beat yourself, teams will not always have your number. Only one game. The Bills could easily rebound as they have a ton of talent. Allen needs to take care of the football bottom line.

#11.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0) Moved up one spot

Welcome back to the NFL, Calvin Ridley!! The Jaguars were reaping the benefits in the very first game of the year with the Ridley trade made in the off-season with the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley missed an entire NFL season due to gambling on the NFL. Before that, the receiver had some personal issues as he was thinking of walking away from the game.

Ridley made his presence known catching 8 balls & 101 yards with a touchdown catch. The Jaguars had to battle the Colts but managed to pull away in the 4th quarter to get the victory.

#12.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-0) Drop one spot

The Commanders quarterback, Sam Howell, did not play like the millionaire, but more like Gilligan at times last Sunday on Cardinals island. The Cardinals team that found their starting quarterback right after pre-season by landing Joshua Dobbs from the Browns. Howell started off good and was able to help the Commanders pull out the victory at the end against probably the worst team in the NFL. Howell finished 19-31, 202 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Washington has a great defense as the Cardinals scored their only touchdown on defense. The Commanders D only gave up three field goals. They need better play behind center if they want to use this stud defense in the post-season.

#13.CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-0) Moved up 5 spots from last week

When it comes to helmet talk, you know Myles Garrett the heart of the Dawg Pounds defense is sensitive. Ask Mason Rudolf.

Seems Bengals wide receiver J’mar Chase called the Browns elves, referring to one of the logos the team uses.

The Browns defense reacted in a big way versus the Bengals offense. Joe Burrow was held under 100 yards through the air. Tee Higgins did not record a catch. The Bengals offense did not score a touchdown. The Bengals are a chirpy bunch and you think elves is something mild rather than what they usually gripe about on the opposing team. Garrett had a sack and Browns come out of the gates with a big division win to start the season.

#14.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) Moved up 3 spots

The Saints defense had three interceptions with 3 sacks versus Ryan Tannehill and the Titans, and held them to 15 points. Defensive lineman Carl Granderson registered 1.5 of the 3 team sacks. On the offense, Derek Carr had 305 passing yards in his Saints debut. Carr had a touchdown pass and 1 interception. Rashid Shaheen caught 5 balls for 89 yards and the wide receiver caught Carr’s first TD pass as a Saint. Only problem was Saints mustered up only 16 points. It’s a win. We knew the Saints defense was going to still be talented coming in. The Saints are hoping Carr could put more points on the score board.

#15.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-0) Moved up 5 spots

I know the Packers do not deserve to move up 5 spots beating the hapless Bears in week one. The middle of the pack is no-man’s land in the rankings teams that can go up or down. Did you meet the Chicago Bears’ new landlord?

In his second start of his career and first versus the Bears, Jordan Love took the torch from Aaron Rodgers who took it from Brett Farve in three generations of how to skin a Chicago Bear. Love went 15-27 for 245 yards with 3 touchdown passes & no mistakes. Love was throwing to guys like Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrove. Will Love be able to win a Superbowl like Rodgers and Farve? He certainly did his Rodgers and Farve imitation on how to beat the Bears. Only problem with this measuring stick is Love only beat the Bears. We find out soon enough with the rest of the league if he can walk the line of Frave and Rodgers.

#16.LA CHARGERS (0-1) Drop 2 spots

I thought the Chargers were at least the best team that plays in LA. They could still be as I’m not buying what the Rams are selling at this time. The Chargers offense put up over 30 points. Where’s the defense? The Chargers have studs like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on their defense and your team surrendered 36 points. The Chargers allowed 531 yards to the Dolphins which equals out to 8.2 yards per play. If you take the hot tub time machine back to the wild card round last season, you could see when the Chargers’ big lead evaporated in the second half by the Jaguars. The Chargers are post-season one and done. The Chargers are paying some big money to guys on that defense and they are not performing.

#17.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) Moved up 9 spots

I underestimated the Tampa Buccaneers as a whole. Todd Bowles’ coached teams always have good defensive units with which they caused havoc for the Vikings. The Buccaneers defense forced two fumbles and an interception on Captain Kirk Cousins. Then Baker Mayfield figuring out the Vikings signals on defense to his advantage was a savvy veteran move. Mayfield had a good start to his Buccaneer career with two touchdown passes and no mistakes. Mayfield after the game said figuring out the Viking signals was not the same as the Houston Astros stealing signs. Then Mayfeld made it clear his allegiance in the baseball world of Texas is the Rangers and never the Astros.

#18.LA RAMS (1-0) Moved up 11 spots

The Rams either got lucky versus Seattle or Sean McVay may be a really good coach in the NFL. Who the hell is Puka Nacua? Puka is a rookie who had a monster day replaying injured superstar receiver Cooper Kupp. Puka had 10 catches for 119 yards. Matthew Stafford returned and made his first start since the injury last season and he looked sharp throwing for over 300 yards with no blemishes. It was the Rams running game and their defense that did the damage to Seattle as they made Geno Smith look like the Jets version, not the guy we saw last year. Aaron Donald is another guy who returned from an injury last season that ended his year. Donald looked like his former self coming at Smith like a runaway choo choo train.

#19.ATLANTA FALCONS (1-0) Up 8 spots

If you like running the football you should watch the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie Bijan Robinson’s first game in the NFL ran the ball ten times for 56 yards on the ground. Robinson also had 6 catches and 1 of them was a touchdown. Then last year’s Falcon leading rusher Tyler Allgeier had 15 carries & 75 yards with two rushing touchdowns. Let’s not forget Swiss Army knife Cordarrelle Patterson who was out due to an injury. Wishbone offense coming soon. On defense, Jessie Bates looks like a nice pick up for this Falcon team former Bengal & had two interceptions.

#20.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1) Drop 4 spots

The Vikings the last two seasons lived and died in close ball games. Last year, the Vikings thrived in close games and won the NFC North. The Vikings offense will be better than their week one performance. Obviously Kirk Cousins has to reduce mistakes with two fumbles lost and an interception is not going to win many ball games. The Vikings have the best receiver in the NFC in Justin Jefferson. They may have the best tight end in the NFC as well with TJ Hockenson. The Vikings added rookie Jordan Addison who had his first touchdown of his NFL career in his very first game. Then last year K.J Osborn came on to the scene with some big games. Reduce turnovers and the Vikings need to stop telegraphing their defensive signals as Baker Mayfield took advantage of that which resulted in a Viking loss.

#21.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1) Drop six spots

Has Geno Smith turned into a one year wonder after an awesome season for the Seahawks? It took Smith most of his career to return behind center and be the starter of an NFL team. Smith was a starter for the Jets where his career started and he was horrible. By far, Smith’s best year was last season which got him a contract extension. Did Smith make a deal with the devil? Last Sunday, Smith looked dreadful only passing for over 100 yards as the Rams were in his grill the entire game. Since the head coach of Seattle, Pete Carol, is the devil, can’t Smith make another deal? Maybe Smith knows someone & he can borrow their soul for another good year behind center. Seattle fans are all about it.

#22.TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) Drop 1 spot

The Titans landed DeAndre Hopkins, one of the big sharks that swam the free agent pools. Not sure if I was the Titans why I’m going Ryan Tannehill for another season behind center. Last Sunday, Tannehill threw three interceptions as the Titans lose the game by 1 stinking point. I think the Titans should have went in another direction as they have two younger Quarterbacks on their roster, Malik Willis and Will Levis, who Tennessee drafted out of the second round. Levis was projected to be drafted in the first round.

The Titans did not have to give this group another chance to go one and done in the playoffs. Derrick Henry seems to be running out of steam. The Tannehill glory days are over. This team needs to find their future quarterback.

#23.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) Drop 1 spot

Why was Mac Jones chucking the ball 54 times last Sunday against the Eagles?

The Patriots running game had nothing to offer. New Patriot, former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliot, was full after 29 yards on the ground. The Patriots run the ball by committee & did not have success as a group. Jones threw for 305 yards with 3 touchdown passes. The Jones interception was the difference on the game, a pick six, as Patriots lost by 5 points to the NFC Champions Eagles. The Patriots without Brady still can be a nuisance to some teams. I don’t think Bill Belichick has enough horses to get back to the post-season.

#24.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-0) Moved up 6 spots

The Raiders beating the Broncos is nothing new. Josh McDaniels has a head coach & has done well against his former team he led years ago, now 3-0. It does not shock me Jimmy Garoppolo with another win as a starting QB. Jimmy G had a quiet but effective game in his first game wearing black and silver as he threw two touchdown passes for 200 passing yards and his usual interception. Former Patriot Jakobi Meyers is the new favorite target of Jimmy G as he hauled in both touchdowns. The defense only gave up 16 & Raiders scored 17, just enough to start season 1-0. We will see how long that will last. However in Jimmy’s career now he is 41-17 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Insane!!!

#25. DENVER BRONCOS (0-1) Drop 2 spots

The Broncos head coach Sean Payton is making his debut in Denver. The Broncos facing the Raiders at home where which last year they lost both games. Payton programmed his team to forget about last year and everyone has a clean slate. This includes Russell Wilson who showed he is not the same quarterback from last season as he went 24-34 for 177 yards with two touchdown passes. No mistakes. Wilson’s 2022 form may be in the rear view mirror but whether Payton can still find that Seattle version of Wilson is the million dollar question. Broncos only put 16 points on the board and lost by 1 point as the defense did well keeping the team in the game. Other good news is running back Javonte Williams had a nice return from an injury he suffered last year.

#26.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-1) Landslide dropping 13 spots

The Steelers superstar on the defense, T.J Watt, had a monster game in week one. Watt had three sacks, 2 forced fumbles, one recovery, 1 tackle for loss, and 5 quarterback hits. You would think with those kinds of numbers it was a great day at the office for the Steelers. It certainly was not. The Steelers lost 30-7 over the traveling 49ers. Kenny Pickett threw two interceptions. The Steelers running game was shut down. The Steelers lost one of their stallions on defense when Cam Heyward left the game with an injury. The bright side is Heyward’s replacement rookie, Keeanu Benton, had three tackles. I thought the Steelers would have a rebound season as the arrow was pointing up, but now they leave me with a cast of doubts.

#27.NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) The chutes and ladders drop of of 8 spots

Last year, new head coach of the Giants Brian Daboll had an easy button in his pocket. The Giants went to post-season and the city of New York was as happy as kids in a candy store. Opening night, Daboll and his G-Men get slaughtered by some Texans. Not the ones from Houston in something that takes you back to the Alamo in front of live studio audience and on prime time. Daboll better make a deal with the devil fast because his quarterback Daniel Jones was sacked 7 times. The Giants gave up 40 points to the Cowboys. The Giants were unable to register anything, not even a field goal. Jones had 104 yards passing and two turnovers. Daboll feels like he’s being buried alive.

#28.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1) Dropped 3 spots

Out of all the rookie quarterbacks, Bryce Young picked number one overall had the worst game out of all the newbies behind center. Young’s day behind center he went 20-28 for only 146 yards with 1 touchdown pass and two interceptions. The Panthers lost 24-10 to the Falcons. I still think the Panthers are better than teams like the Texans & Colts even though their rookies did better than Young. The Panthers have better options at the skill positions surrounding Young like veterans they brought in this season like running back Miles Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst who caught Bryce’s first TD pass, and then security blanket wide receiver Adam Thielan. Give new head coach Frank Reich some time to tap all the talent out of his young QB and have him showcase that on the field every Sunday.

#29.CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) Dropped 5 spots

Last Sunday, the Dennis Green rant came into mind from the game when he was head coach of the Cardinals in 2006 and did not believe in the hype of the Bears. The Packers knew who the Bears were last week as the fans thought they were something they were not. New coaching staff for the Bears play calling on both sides of the ball were not very good. Justin Fields only threw the ball over ten yards down field three times. All the free agents & the good draft – losing to rival Packers does not sit well with the fans and this could get uglier. Have you met the Bears’ new landlord since Aaron Rodgers moved to New York? Jordan Love plays the new vilian.

#30. HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1) Dropped two spots

The Texans were probably the best survivor pick in week one with a rookie quarterback facing a tough Baltimore Raven defense. CJ Stroud did get the green light to throw the football in week one as he made 44 throws completing 28 of them for 242 yards. No touchdown passes, no interceptions, and had 20 rushing yards as the Texans generated only 9 points which is three field goals. The Texans could not run the football and had to have their rookie throw that many times in his debut. Texans moved the ball through the air and drives stopped as they settle for field goals rather touchdowns.

#31.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) Same spot last week

Not too shabby is my grade for the rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in his first ever start, who was the 4th overall pick for the Colts in the NFL draft. Any quarterback would love the numbers Richardson put up as he completed 24-37 for 223 yards with a touchdown and one mistake, an interception. Led the team with 40 rushing yards. Richardson took a big hit versus the Jaguars in the last minute as the Colts battled the Jags all afternoon long. No Jonathan Taylor in the back field which would help any rookie quarterback in their first start and beyond.

#32. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1) Same spot last week

The Cardinals gave the Commanders a game. No offensive touchdowns. The Cards defense found the end zone. Matthew Prater, the kicker, out-scored everyone in red. The new guy behind center, Joshua Dobbs, fumbled twice. The Commanders sky net defense held James Conner to 62 yards on the ground.