Most football coaches will tell you the most significant improvements are made between Week 1 and Week 2.
A big reason for that is because there’s finally some real tape from this year that can be studied, allowing significant adjustments to be made.
No doubt, Week 1 can be whacky and lead to overreactions. But in some cases, those overreactions might also have some validity to them — especially if they happen to be concerns that exist inside the team facilities too.
With that in mind, here are my ALLCITY NFL Power Rankings as we head into Week 2, complete with a fun wrinkle for each team: An overreaction that might also be true.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: 1) – The Eagles can’t afford to lose Jalen Carter. They got away with it against the Cowboys, but losing him for an extended period of time would send the defense spiraling.
- Buffalo Bills (3) – By pulling off that stunning comeback against the Ravens, the Bills will be hosting the AFC Championship Game in January.
- Kansas City Chiefs (2) – The Chiefs need to make significant additions at the trade deadline to get back to the Super Bowl.
- Baltimore Ravens (4) – If the Ravens can’t finish a game on the road in September, how will they finish one on the road in January?
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6) – Baker Mayfield has a legitimate chance to win MVP and Emeka Egbuka has a legitimate chance to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Cincinnati Bengals (7) – By winning in Week 1 for the first time since 2021, the Bengals can realistically challenge the Ravens for the AFC North title this season.
- Los Angeles Chargers (14) – Jim Harbaugh will do exactly what he did three times with the 49ers and take the Chargers straight to the AFC Championship Game.
- Minnesota Vikings (8) – It’s only a matter of time before Jordan Mason takes the bulk of the carries away from Aaron Jones.
- Los Angeles Rams (9) – Puka Nacua will have 100 catches before December.
- Green Bay Packers (11) – The Packers will have the best defense in the NFL once Micah Parsons is full-go.
- Detroit Lions (5) – The Lions’ use of motion ranked 30th in the league in Week 1 and their use of play-action ranked 28th. They already have an identity crisis under new OC John Morton.
- San Francisco 49ers (10) – Injuries will derail another promising season.
- Denver Broncos (12) – Back up the Bo Nix train. A sophomore slump was always inevitable.
- Arizona Cardinals (13) – Rookie cornerback Will Johnson never should have slipped to the second round and will be the steal of the draft.
- Houston Texans (15) – Did C.J. Stroud peak as a rookie?
- Washington Commanders (18) – It doesn’t matter that the Commanders have the oldest roster in the league because these veterans are still good and (most) will stay healthy.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (17) – Aaron Rodgers might not be able to move at all, but that rocket right arm is still golden.
- Las Vegas Raiders (20) – With Pete Caroll in charge and Tom Brady putting his fingerprints on the organization as a minority owner, the Raiders’ circus is over. They should be taken seriously.
- Chicago Bears (16) – Ben Johnson’s patience with Caleb Williams is going to be put to the test. And that test already started.
- Seattle Seahawks (19) – This offense will only go as far as Jaxon Smith-Njigba can carry it.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (23) – Cam Little might end up being the most important kicker in the league this season.
- Indianapolis Colts (30) – Tyler Warren never should have fallen to No. 14 overall in the NFL Draft.
- New York Jets (29) – Justin Fields is definitely a starter in this league.
- New England Patriots (21) – It appears everyone forgot this was one of the worst rosters in the league last year and a bunch of free agent money wasn’t going to fix it.
- Dallas Cowboys (25) – Dak Prescott was better than his numbers suggested and he’s going to keep this team relevant this season.
- Atlanta Falcons (26) – The Falcons will have some offensive line issues this season, especially when it comes to running the football.
- Tennessee Titans (28) – Cam Ward is good. Someone – anyone – please help him.
- New York Giants (22) – From one Badger to another: It’s been a great career, Russ. It’s OK to retire.
- Cleveland Browns (31) – Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger will play his way into the Defensive Rookie of the Year mix.
- Carolina Panthers (27) – Bryce Young. Uh. Oh.
- New Orleans Saints (32) – Spencer Rattler might hold onto the job for awhile? Maybe?
- Miami Dolphins (24) – The Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL and might start sending some extra scouts to Texas football games.
Adam Hoge is the ALLCITY NFL Analyst and covers the Chicago Bears for CHGO. You can email him at hoge@allchgo.com and follow him on X @adamhoge.
1 Comment
Bob A
You really don’t like Bo Nix for some reason. I said this before the 2024 draft and will stick to it, he will be the most productive of that QB class over the next 3-5 years. He was the most NFL ready of all of them plus, with Payton, he will be better. Not saying he will be the most exciting or the have the best stats, but he will be the QB who will have his team in position to win more than the others.