Niner Noise brings back NFL Power Rankings for Week 2, after a whirlwind first fortnight of surprises as well as a near perfect beginning to the season for the San Francisco 49ers.
We're a fortnight into the NFL season, and it's safe to say the second week was just as crazy and unpredictable as the first. We had quarterback injuries, big upsets and still confusion over what performances are indicative of a teams' ability and what are just a mirage.
You can view Week 1 at the link below, and let's get into it.
Read More: NFL power rankings carry plenty of surprises after Week 1 (including 49ers)
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0) - Last Week: 1
On the one hand, it's fair to wonder if the defense is good enough to take them to an elusive title, but it's also true the Buffalo offense looks unstoppable for the first fortnight after big wins over the Texans and Lions.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) - Last Week: 3
It's hard to judge much given how bad the Dolphins are, but the defense and offensive line are humming while Brock Purdy is playing like a MVP.
It's just a matter of health...
3. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) - Last Week: 10
The Bengals defense is not a fluke. It's hard to tell if the offensive line will be good enough to get them to the Super Bowl, but the signs are there for a title run.
4. Los Angeles Rams (1-1) - Last Week: 4
Granted, they feasted on a Giants team that lost its quarterback, but L.A.'s 28-6 drubbing is why you don't overreact to Week 1 results.
5. Seattle Seahawks (2-0) - Last Week: 5
The Seahawks lost pretty much zero offense with Drew Lock as quarterback, thanks to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Even I could look like a good quarterback if I could throw it to JSN.
That's not a shot at Lock, that's just how much JSN elevates an offense.
6. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - Last Week: 2
I'm not going to say the Ravens can't win the Super Bowl because of an upset loss. The problem is the Bills, Bengals and Chiefs all look legit. The AFC is scary once again.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) - Last Week: 8
They had to go to overtime to beat the Colts, but the Chiefs offense continues to chew up defenses, thanks to Kenneth Walker giving Patrick Mahomes the best rushing attack he's ever had. There's some questions at receiver, but it seems inevitable they'll add someone to bolster that.
8. Houston Texans (0-2) - Last Week: 7
Hear me out, a 0-2 start is scary but purchase your Houston stock now. The defense will be better, and the two losses were to teams I have Nos. 1 and 3 in my power rankings this week.
9. Chicago Bears (1-1) - Last Week: 6
So much for the best offense in the league. I'd knock them down further, but Caleb Williams didn't injure himself as much as first feared. They can still win the Super Bowl, but they weren't exactly playing well even before Williams went down against the Vikings.
10. New England Patriots (1-1) - Last Week: 11
Drake Maye just had to battle two tough defenses in Seattle and Pittsburgh, and he acquitted himself much better in the second game. He has easier defenses on the horizon, so I expect the Pats to back up their Week 2 win.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Last Week: 9
Jacksonville seems to always be better than all but the elite AFC teams, but it lacks the killer instinct to join them. Losing to Denver when the Jags had the game by the scruff of the neck for most of it shows they're not going past that level yet.
12. Minnesota Vikings (2-0) - Last Week: 17
I have no idea how to rank the Vikings. Their defense is holding up well, but I don't trust the quarterback situation.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) - Last Week :12
Even diehard Eagles aren't very happy with their start, despite the fact they're 2-0.
14. Denver Broncos (1-1) - Last Week: 14
I don't think the Broncos will make the AFC Championship again, but they once again did the "play bad for three quarters on offense and then win the game" shtick that made 2025 go so well for them.
15. New York Giants (1-1) - Last Week: 13
I'll give the Giants a pass, given how good the Rams are, but this ranking is in flux because, as of writing, we don't know how hurt Jaxson Dart is. If it's a longer-term injury, they'll be down further next week.
16. Detroit Lions (1-1) - Last Week: 15
It's hard to know what the Lions loss means. They weren't really in it, but the Bills are the best team in the rankings, and it was a short week.
Losing three offensive linemen before the game didn't exact help matters.
17. Carolina Panthers (1-1) - Last Week: 20
Say it with me everyone: "Bryce Young is actually a franchise quarterback." I love a redemption story, and Young has improved every year in the NFL.
18. Green Bay Packers (1-1) - Last Week: 18
On the one hand, I don't like they needed overtime to beat the Jets. But then again, I do think the Jets are an improving team. I can't have it both ways, but their gain up the rankings is still a marginal one.
19. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) - Last Week: 21
Beating the Commanders (who lost Jayden Daniels) isn't in of itself a big win or anything, in terms of a scalp, but you can only beat the team on the schedule, and the Cowboys played very well. The Ravens will be a good test.
20. New Orleans Saints (1-1) - Last Week: 25
Holding the Lions to overtime is one thing, beating the Ravens is another entirely. I think New Orleans is destined to be a Jekyll and Hyde team every week, but I think their floor isn't to be one of the worst teams in the NFC anymore.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) - Last Week: 27
The Raiders have a surprisingly difficult schedule, but they have the Saints next week and could easily be 3-0. I don't know if Vegas is good exactly, but it's better than anyone expected to be.
22. New York Jets (1-1) - Last Week: 22
The Jets will be kicking themselves that they aren't 2-0, but like the Raiders, they've made enough improvements and are headed in the right direction.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) - Last Week: 16
Losing to the Bengals is fine, losing to the Browns is not. Baker Mayfield is a quarterback who plays best with a chip on his shoulder, but he couldn't play well in a revenge game against his old squad.
Meanwhile, the Bucs defense just made Deshaun Watson look competent.
24. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) - Last Week: 23
The Cardinals were admittedly toothless against the Seahawks, but to be fair, Arizona is nowhere at their level either. The NFC West meat grinder will chew them up and spit them out, but they will be a challenge against average NFL teams.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) - Last Week: 20
They inched past the Falcons and then got blown out against the Patriots, thanks to an abysmal offense. The Steelers defense is sound, but it's hard to trust this team to have a good ceiling, given the laminations on offense.
26. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) - Last Week: 19
I'll just leave this here and move on:
Teams to lose back-to-back home games by double digits against teams with a sub-.200 win % the previous season:
— QBgami (@QBgami) September 21, 2026
2026 Los Angeles Chargers
1926 Racine Tornadoes
The Tornadoes dissolved the very next game. (h/t @OptaSTATS) pic.twitter.com/fOeNkBihhh
27. Cleveland Browns (1-1) - Last Week: 31
You have to wonder if the Browns will regret their win over the Buccaneers, given the Dolphins are so bad that even one win may eliminate them from the Arch Manning sweepstakes.
28. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) - Last Week: 28
To be totally fair to the Colts, opening the season against the Ravens and Chiefs is a tough fortnight. They actually had a chance to beat the Chiefs, though their defensive injuries may sap any momentum they could get next week against the Texans.
29. Tennessee Titans (0-2) - Last Week: 30
The Titans were competitive, unlike the three teams below them, so they get a bit of a bump.
30. Washington Commanders (0-2) - Last Week: 26
Jayden Daniels suffered a bad elbow injury again, and there are real concerns if he's going to be another Robert Griffin III story for the Commanders.
The Commanders also have the Seahawks next week; this could be ugly.
31. Atlanta Falcons (0-2) - Last Week: 29
Falcons fans are praying Michael Penix Jr. can come back and give them a quarterback of at least mediocre ability. Otherwise they'll have four quarterbacks who are either not NFL caliber or one concussion away from ending his career. What a disaster.
32. Miami Dolphins - Last Week: 32
In all fairness to the Dolphins, they were at least somewhat competitive against the 49ers and were able to chew up the clock.
The good news is that Caleb Douglas looks like a legitimate No. 1 receiver for Arch Manning when they draft him in April.
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