NFL football is finally back! Niner Noise begins a new weekly tradition with its own Power Rankings, as we look at all 32 teams and where they rate in the NFL landscape.
One week into the NFL season, and it's safe to say the sheer chaos we've seen already has been something else. We've had a game in Melbourne, injuries, upsets and a team almost put up 60 points in one week alone.
Read More: Cardinals' Week 1 win throws significant monkey wrench into 49ers' NFC West plans
Niner Noise looks at all 32 teams and where they currently rank. These rankings are subjective, of course, so just have fun with it!
1. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
It's a sense of now or never almost with Buffalo. All the pieces are there, and there's a new coach at the helm.
So far, so good with an impressive win over a fellow playoff contender in Houston.
2. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Baltimore demolished the Colts, and like Buffalo, it's now or never time for the Ravens. I put them below Buffalo, however, due to injuries to receivers Zay Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane. So we'll see how that goes.
3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
The travel plans alone don't explain how thoroughly San Francisco demolished a much-fancied divisional opponent in the Rams. "Can the Niners stay healthy?" is the real question, because the sky is the limit.
4. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
Let's not overreact with a premature burial of the Rams, however. Myles Garrett out for a month hurts, but L.A. is playing the Giants, Broncos, Eagles and Bills in that fortnight. If the Rams go 2-2, they'll rebound.
5. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Seattle defeated its Super Bowl foes again, and Sam Darnold's injury isn't expected to be long term. The Hawks would be favorite in all of their next three games vs. the Commanders, Cardinals and Chargers even with Drew Lock under center.
6. Chicago Bears (1-0)
Chicago may have the best offense in the league, and it definitely has the highest ceiling. If the defense is even merely average, it can win the Super Bowl.
7. Houston Texans (0-1)
The Texans lost, but they had nothing to be ashamed about against the Bills. The defense is still elite, and C.J. Stroud shows big signs of life in an encouraging display.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
The defense forced multiple turnovers, while the offense put up over 30 points on an elite defense in the Broncos.
Never count out the Chiefs.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
The Jaguars finished last season hot, and that followed through to the beginning of this year, albeit against a horrible Browns outfit.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
The Bengals needs a little help with the Buccaneers repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with multiple fumbles. But I do think the defense is better this season, and Joe Burrow can go toe to toe with anyone with their weapons.
They're the AFC version of the Bears: a Super Bowl threat if their defense can approach even just decent football.
11. New England Patriots (0-1)
This was a black eye for the Patriots. Drake Maye did his "the schedule" detractors no harm with an insipid display, and the Pats wasted a golden chance. But this is still a talented outfit, and I expect them to bounce back.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Maybe everyone underestimated the Commanders in a divisional game, but the Eagles were almost taken to overtime in a tilt they were expected to win easier. They stood up when it counted, however.
13. New York Giants (1-0)
This one may raise eyebrows, but hear me out: The Jaxson Dart-Cam Skattebo-Malik Nabers trio can be lethal if healthy, Isaiah Likely looks right at home, and the defense has many skilled pass-rushers.
They're my early favorite for most-improved team.
14. Denver Broncos (0-1)
Denver had an absolute nightmare against its main rivals for the AFC West. The offense was bad, the defense was bad, the coaching was insipid. They're officially on pumpkin watch.
15. Detroit Lions (1-0)
I was surprised how hard it was for Detroit to put away the Saints. Maybe they were looking ahead to the Bills, but the Lions just seem to be a step behind consistently since their NFC Championship appearance.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
The Buccaneers are a team I feel is constantly overrated by the media in terms of attempts to paint them as an elite NFC team. They are not, but what they are is a scrappy unit that'll give anyone problems. They should have beaten the Bengals.
17. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
I really don't know how to explain the Vikings' performance versus Green Bay. Carson Wentz wasn't amazing, but he's a good enough veteran that he can play these sorts of games once in a while.
I don't know if they can sustain this, or if Green Bay was just having a bad day.
18. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
I think the Packers are better than this, but this rankings is reflective of what they are until Micah Parsons comes back. I expect them to bounce back when he does.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (0-1)
What an insipid performance. I get genuinely so angry when people try to paint Justin Herbert as a better quarterback than Brock Purdy. He's bigger and with a stronger arm, but man, he has these disappointing games so often.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
Before the season, I thought the Steelers had the ceiling of a 9-8 team that may sneak into the Wild Card.
That opinion has not changed.
21. Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
What was most troubling for Dallas was how bad the defense looked despite all the supposed upgrades. The Cowboys had no answer, especially on third down.
22. New York Jets (1-0)
I don't think the Jets will be good or anything like that. But they do seem to actually have an OK roster compared to other teams below them.
23. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
Worst team in the NFC? Not so fast. Their win over the Chargers didn't feel like a fluke either, and maybe being stuck in the meat grinder in the NFC West gave Arizona a sort of toughness that could upset more teams in the future.
24. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Pros: Bryce Young played well and does seem to get better every year. Cons: Everything else.
Granted, not every offense they play will be Chicago, but this was still an eye opener on how far the Panthers had to go.
25. New Orleans Saints (0-1)
The Saints did well to hold Detroit to OT, but the fans must be very frustrated with the fact NOLA can't put together a four-quarter performance when they're in such a weak division for the taking. We'll see if they can be more consistent in future weeks.
26. Washington Commanders (0-1)
Similarly to the Saints, they did well to hold a better opponent to OT, and similarly to the Saints, we will see if they can build on that.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
The Raiders won, but it's difficult to read much given they're playing the worst team in the NFL (spoiler alert!) in the Dolphins. The Chargers are vulnerable, however, and the Raiders can boost themselves in these rankings if they have a strong showing.
28. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Daniel Jones did not look good in his return from a torn Achilles, and the game wasn't competitive at all. But I have a little optimism for the Colts than the teams below them, given Jones should be able to shake off the rust, and they have more talent.
29. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Cooper Rush was an abomination, unfortunately. Tua Tagovailoa would be an upgrade, which is not something we can say of most quarterback situations in the league. But we can for this one.
30. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
The Titans are just an abysmal football team. There's a lack of talent on the roster, and even Robert Saleh can't do much with their defensive pieces.
At least we can squint at them and imagine it's the Houston Oilers again.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Deshaun Watson did nothing to make anyone think he was worthy of the starting job, and it's the most Browns thing imaginable to have him start over the young quarterback (who may be horrible but may also have a nugget of potential) whom they need to evaluate before the 2027 NFL Draft.
But at least they aren't the Dolphins.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
As bad as advertised, it's going to be a long season.
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