Post by NFL on Sept 17, 2020 11:40:14 GMT -5
1 New England Patriots (Preseason: 1)
Record: 1-1
A tough loss to GB but the Patriots still finished top 10 in points scored in week one. Not ready to write off New England as the top team just yet and matchups with the Colts and Lions should keep them there for another week.
2 New Orleans Saints (Preseason: 2)
Record: 2-0
The Saints handled business in week one in matchups they were expected to win and head into week two as the top team in the NFC. Washington is right on their heels though in points scored.
3 Tennessee Titans (Preseason: 4)
Record: 2-0
The Titans had a huge week one and move up a spot from their preseason ranking. With Jacksonville matching up with easier opponents this week, Tennessee will need to be able to knock off the defending champion Jets in order to hold the top spot in the AFC South.
4 Pittsburgh Steelers (Preseason: 5)
Record: 2-0
It may have been wasted on matchups that weren't very competitive, but the Steelers absolutely smashed in week one and were easily the top team in points scored. They matchup against a pair of winless teams this week in the Panthers and Chargers.
5 Los Angeles Rams (Preseason: 3)
Record: 2-0
The Rams do start undefeated but their wins were not nearly as impressive as the 4 teams ranked above them. They will have an opportunity to bounce back and try and contain the red hot Packers this week.
6 Buffalo Bills (Preseason: 6)
Record: 2-0
Buffalo also had a great week, knocking off the Super Bowl champ Jets on their way to a top 5 scoring week. The Bills will also matchup with a surprisingly competitive Packers team in week two.
7 Jacksonville Jaguars (Preseason: 7)
Record: 2-0
The Jaguars finally end their losing streak against the Colts and get their first regular season win against Indy since 2018. The Jaguars dealt with injuries but still came away 2-0 on the week and should be on their way to 2 more wins in week two.
8 Washington Football Team (Preseason: 16)
Record: 2-0
It isn't a surprise that this team was competitive, but it was impressive to see just how good their week one was. A top 5 scoring week and a win over division opponent Dallas bodes well for the Washington Football Team heading into week two.
9 Baltimore Ravens (Preseason: 13)
Record: 2-0
The Ravens finished 6th in points during week one, just enough to squeeze by the Bengals and finish undefeated through the first matchups of the season. A date with the Saints in week two will test just how good this roster really is.
10 Cincinnati Bengals (Preseason: 9)
Record: 1-1
The Bengals had some tough injury luck but still managed a top 10 scoring week in week one. They should be able to bounce back in week two with matchups against Denver and Atlanta.
11 New York Jets (Preseason: 12)
Record: 1-1
The defending champs were on both the winning and losing end of close matchups in week one. Their schedule doesn't get any easier with week two featuring matchups with undefeated Tennessee and their Super Bowl II opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.
12 Chicago Bears (Preseason: 11)
Record: 1-1
The Bears fell to the Jets but were able to knock off the Lions to finish .500 after week one. It shouldn't come as a surprise that they are trailing in such a close division but it is a surprise that they are trailing the...
13 Green Bay Packers (Preseason: 22)
Record: 2-0
What a week for the Packers. Not only did they blow up with a top 7 week in points, they rolled over both the defending NFC champ Vikings and the preseason favorite Patriots. Green Bay will have to go through the Rams and Bills this week to continue their impressive season.
14 Kansas City Chiefs (Preseason: 14)
Record: 2-0
The Chiefs took care of business in week one and sit alone atop the AFC West already. It will be a surprise if they don't finish there come playoff time.
15 Philadelphia Eagles (Preseason: 8)
Record: 2-0
An undefeated, but underwhelming week for the Eagles. They finished in the bottom half of the league in points scored but had the luxury of playing a pair of bottom five teams in week one. They'll need to turn it around to compete with Washington come playoff time, but 5 of Philly's next 6 opponents appear to be just as easy to beat.
16 Minnesota Vikings (Preseason: 10)
Record: 1-1
On the topic of disappointing weeks, the Vikings fall in that category as well. The rise of Green Bay wasn't expected to be this quick but the Vikings didn't put up much of a fight anyway. They'll look to bounce back in a Super Bowl rematch with the Jets.
17 Houston Texans (Preseason: 18)
Record: 1-1
Houston didn't have a bad week by any means but drew Tennesee in their season opener and will have to make up ground in a tough AFC South. They will have an opportunity to knock off a couple of undefeated teams this week against the Rams and Bills.
18 Dallas Cowboys (Preseason: 17)
Record: 1-1
Dallas was unlucky enough to get Washington in their blow up week one and sit in 3rd place in the NFC East after just one week. They will have easier matchups with the Panthers and Chargers in hopes of making up some ground in week two.
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Preseason: 19)
Record: 1-1
Wildcard spots are going to be up for grabs in the NFC and Tampa should be in the mix for one of them. After starting 1-1 it's important for them to not fall behind Cleveland and Washington this week or they'll really be trailing after just two weeks.
20 San Francisco 49ers (Preseason: 23)
Record: 1-1
The 49ers continue to exceed expectations and if they can knock off Detroit and Indy this week then they'll really be in a great position to compete for a wildcard spot once again.
21 Detroit Lions (Preseason:20)
Record: 0-2
Detroit is the first winless team ranked here, but in all fairness they drew tough matchups in week one. A Super Bowl I rematch with New England doesn't bode well for their ability to bounce back from their 0-2 start but they should able to compete with the 49ers in week two.
22 Cleveland Browns (Preseason: 21)
Record: 0-2
The Browns could not have faced a tougher week one, as they matched up with Pittsburgh and New Orleans. They don't get any cakewalk opponents in week two but they should absolutely be competitive with Tampa Bay and Kansas City.
23 Indianapolis Colts (Preseason: 24)
Record: 0-2
The Colts are in trouble. Matchups with the Rams and Jaguars are tough but Indy didn't make either matchup very competitive at all. They should be huge underdogs against New England in week two and if the Colts fall to 0-4 it's hard to see them digging themselves out of this hole for a playoff spot.
24 Carolina Panthers (Preseason: 25)
Record: 0-2
Carolina wasn't expected to be all that competitive to start the season so this start isn't a surprise. Matchups with both Dallas and Pittsburgh should put this team at 0-4 after two weeks.
25 Arizona Cardinals (Preseason: 26)
Record: 0-2
A similar boat with Carolina, the Cardinals shouldn't be expected to make much noise in 2020. Unless they can upset one of Jacksonville or Chicago in week two then they will remain winless through 4 matchups.
26 Las Vegas Raiders (Preseason: 16)
Record: 0-2
A late bloomer for the tank race, Las Vegas has decided to be as bad as possible in their first year in a new city. It will be interesting to see how their matchup with the Giants unfolds in week two.
27 Seattle Seahawks (Preseason: 32)
Record: 0-2
Seattle had a surprisingly good week one and should absolutely be in the mix to win a couple games in 2020. It's hard to see them knocking off Tennesee in week two, but after week one, a win against Minnesota is certainly in the range of outcomes.
28 Denver Broncos (Preseason: 28)
Record: 1-1
Denver is the product of being bad, but not nearly as bad as their opponent. Lucky for them, they get Philly and Cincy in week two and should fall to 1-3.
29 New York Giants (Preseason: 30)
Record: 0-2
New York was bad, but it's hard to tell just how bad they really are. They have an opportunity to beat the Raiders in week two but without a full lineup they will likely lose again.
30 Los Angeles Chargers (Preseason: 31)
Record: 0-2
Hard to expect the Chargers to do much this season, even in a terrible AFC West. It would be surprising to see Los Angeles come out of week two with anything more than 4 losses.
31 Miami Dolphins (Preseason: 27)
Miami is without any wins, and it seems that is the goal. Going without a full lineup could be problematic for them, especially when it's not even necessary for them to lose the matchups.
32 Atlanta Falcons (Preseason: 29)
Record: 0-2
No one was nearly as bad as Atlanta in week one. They wouldn't have beaten either New Orleans or Pittsburgh anyway, but it would help if they set a full lineup. Maybe we a see a new team in week two with lineups set, or maybe this is the same Falcons team as 2019.
Record: 1-1
A tough loss to GB but the Patriots still finished top 10 in points scored in week one. Not ready to write off New England as the top team just yet and matchups with the Colts and Lions should keep them there for another week.
2 New Orleans Saints (Preseason: 2)
Record: 2-0
The Saints handled business in week one in matchups they were expected to win and head into week two as the top team in the NFC. Washington is right on their heels though in points scored.
3 Tennessee Titans (Preseason: 4)
Record: 2-0
The Titans had a huge week one and move up a spot from their preseason ranking. With Jacksonville matching up with easier opponents this week, Tennessee will need to be able to knock off the defending champion Jets in order to hold the top spot in the AFC South.
4 Pittsburgh Steelers (Preseason: 5)
Record: 2-0
It may have been wasted on matchups that weren't very competitive, but the Steelers absolutely smashed in week one and were easily the top team in points scored. They matchup against a pair of winless teams this week in the Panthers and Chargers.
5 Los Angeles Rams (Preseason: 3)
Record: 2-0
The Rams do start undefeated but their wins were not nearly as impressive as the 4 teams ranked above them. They will have an opportunity to bounce back and try and contain the red hot Packers this week.
6 Buffalo Bills (Preseason: 6)
Record: 2-0
Buffalo also had a great week, knocking off the Super Bowl champ Jets on their way to a top 5 scoring week. The Bills will also matchup with a surprisingly competitive Packers team in week two.
7 Jacksonville Jaguars (Preseason: 7)
Record: 2-0
The Jaguars finally end their losing streak against the Colts and get their first regular season win against Indy since 2018. The Jaguars dealt with injuries but still came away 2-0 on the week and should be on their way to 2 more wins in week two.
8 Washington Football Team (Preseason: 16)
Record: 2-0
It isn't a surprise that this team was competitive, but it was impressive to see just how good their week one was. A top 5 scoring week and a win over division opponent Dallas bodes well for the Washington Football Team heading into week two.
9 Baltimore Ravens (Preseason: 13)
Record: 2-0
The Ravens finished 6th in points during week one, just enough to squeeze by the Bengals and finish undefeated through the first matchups of the season. A date with the Saints in week two will test just how good this roster really is.
10 Cincinnati Bengals (Preseason: 9)
Record: 1-1
The Bengals had some tough injury luck but still managed a top 10 scoring week in week one. They should be able to bounce back in week two with matchups against Denver and Atlanta.
11 New York Jets (Preseason: 12)
Record: 1-1
The defending champs were on both the winning and losing end of close matchups in week one. Their schedule doesn't get any easier with week two featuring matchups with undefeated Tennessee and their Super Bowl II opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.
12 Chicago Bears (Preseason: 11)
Record: 1-1
The Bears fell to the Jets but were able to knock off the Lions to finish .500 after week one. It shouldn't come as a surprise that they are trailing in such a close division but it is a surprise that they are trailing the...
13 Green Bay Packers (Preseason: 22)
Record: 2-0
What a week for the Packers. Not only did they blow up with a top 7 week in points, they rolled over both the defending NFC champ Vikings and the preseason favorite Patriots. Green Bay will have to go through the Rams and Bills this week to continue their impressive season.
14 Kansas City Chiefs (Preseason: 14)
Record: 2-0
The Chiefs took care of business in week one and sit alone atop the AFC West already. It will be a surprise if they don't finish there come playoff time.
15 Philadelphia Eagles (Preseason: 8)
Record: 2-0
An undefeated, but underwhelming week for the Eagles. They finished in the bottom half of the league in points scored but had the luxury of playing a pair of bottom five teams in week one. They'll need to turn it around to compete with Washington come playoff time, but 5 of Philly's next 6 opponents appear to be just as easy to beat.
16 Minnesota Vikings (Preseason: 10)
Record: 1-1
On the topic of disappointing weeks, the Vikings fall in that category as well. The rise of Green Bay wasn't expected to be this quick but the Vikings didn't put up much of a fight anyway. They'll look to bounce back in a Super Bowl rematch with the Jets.
17 Houston Texans (Preseason: 18)
Record: 1-1
Houston didn't have a bad week by any means but drew Tennesee in their season opener and will have to make up ground in a tough AFC South. They will have an opportunity to knock off a couple of undefeated teams this week against the Rams and Bills.
18 Dallas Cowboys (Preseason: 17)
Record: 1-1
Dallas was unlucky enough to get Washington in their blow up week one and sit in 3rd place in the NFC East after just one week. They will have easier matchups with the Panthers and Chargers in hopes of making up some ground in week two.
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Preseason: 19)
Record: 1-1
Wildcard spots are going to be up for grabs in the NFC and Tampa should be in the mix for one of them. After starting 1-1 it's important for them to not fall behind Cleveland and Washington this week or they'll really be trailing after just two weeks.
20 San Francisco 49ers (Preseason: 23)
Record: 1-1
The 49ers continue to exceed expectations and if they can knock off Detroit and Indy this week then they'll really be in a great position to compete for a wildcard spot once again.
21 Detroit Lions (Preseason:20)
Record: 0-2
Detroit is the first winless team ranked here, but in all fairness they drew tough matchups in week one. A Super Bowl I rematch with New England doesn't bode well for their ability to bounce back from their 0-2 start but they should able to compete with the 49ers in week two.
22 Cleveland Browns (Preseason: 21)
Record: 0-2
The Browns could not have faced a tougher week one, as they matched up with Pittsburgh and New Orleans. They don't get any cakewalk opponents in week two but they should absolutely be competitive with Tampa Bay and Kansas City.
23 Indianapolis Colts (Preseason: 24)
Record: 0-2
The Colts are in trouble. Matchups with the Rams and Jaguars are tough but Indy didn't make either matchup very competitive at all. They should be huge underdogs against New England in week two and if the Colts fall to 0-4 it's hard to see them digging themselves out of this hole for a playoff spot.
24 Carolina Panthers (Preseason: 25)
Record: 0-2
Carolina wasn't expected to be all that competitive to start the season so this start isn't a surprise. Matchups with both Dallas and Pittsburgh should put this team at 0-4 after two weeks.
25 Arizona Cardinals (Preseason: 26)
Record: 0-2
A similar boat with Carolina, the Cardinals shouldn't be expected to make much noise in 2020. Unless they can upset one of Jacksonville or Chicago in week two then they will remain winless through 4 matchups.
26 Las Vegas Raiders (Preseason: 16)
Record: 0-2
A late bloomer for the tank race, Las Vegas has decided to be as bad as possible in their first year in a new city. It will be interesting to see how their matchup with the Giants unfolds in week two.
27 Seattle Seahawks (Preseason: 32)
Record: 0-2
Seattle had a surprisingly good week one and should absolutely be in the mix to win a couple games in 2020. It's hard to see them knocking off Tennesee in week two, but after week one, a win against Minnesota is certainly in the range of outcomes.
28 Denver Broncos (Preseason: 28)
Record: 1-1
Denver is the product of being bad, but not nearly as bad as their opponent. Lucky for them, they get Philly and Cincy in week two and should fall to 1-3.
29 New York Giants (Preseason: 30)
Record: 0-2
New York was bad, but it's hard to tell just how bad they really are. They have an opportunity to beat the Raiders in week two but without a full lineup they will likely lose again.
30 Los Angeles Chargers (Preseason: 31)
Record: 0-2
Hard to expect the Chargers to do much this season, even in a terrible AFC West. It would be surprising to see Los Angeles come out of week two with anything more than 4 losses.
31 Miami Dolphins (Preseason: 27)
Miami is without any wins, and it seems that is the goal. Going without a full lineup could be problematic for them, especially when it's not even necessary for them to lose the matchups.
32 Atlanta Falcons (Preseason: 29)
Record: 0-2
No one was nearly as bad as Atlanta in week one. They wouldn't have beaten either New Orleans or Pittsburgh anyway, but it would help if they set a full lineup. Maybe we a see a new team in week two with lineups set, or maybe this is the same Falcons team as 2019.