Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

By Peter Panacy

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills breaks a tackle by Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills breaks a tackle by Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

team. 16. . L, 47-3 @ Ravens. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 32

There were plenty of reasons to think the Bills were going to be bad in 2018. With quarterback A.J. McCarron now dished off to the Oakland Raiders, you’re going to see a lot of Nathan Peterman and the rookie, Josh Allen, under center.

Peterman started, eventually giving way to Allen, although it didn’t exactly matter either way. The Baltimore Ravens’ aging-but-effective defense made the Bills look about as terrible as any team could in Week 1.

The Bills’ No. 1 offensive weapon, running back LeSean McCoy, was bottled up to the tune of 22 yards on seven carries. And no receiver had more than 26 yards through the air.

Ouch.

It’s one thing to criticize the offensive challenges Buffalo had. But there were points head coach Sean McDermott’s defense actually made Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco look elite during the game.

Double ouch.

Things won’t get easier for the Bills either, facing the Chargers, the Vikings and the Packers the next three weeks.

Triple ouch.