Written by Ben Slavin
In typical NFL fashion, the week one slate of games was insane. We saw the season opener get delayed and then end almost identically as the recent playoff matchup between those teams, an expected bottomfeeder playing their backup quarterback knock off a Super Bowl contender in a game that totaled 88 points, and the first week 1 tie in the NFL in 47 years. So, yeah, the rankings changed. Last week’s rankings were more favored toward season-long projections, but now that we’re into the season, teams will move up or down a lot based on trades, injuries, or big wins or losses. Who the opponent was, how close of a game it was, and just in general how good the team looked will be considered more than just getting the victory.
32. Buffalo Bills (Same)
The Bills did absolutely nothing to prove they aren’t the worst team in the league and looked awful in every facet of the game. I wish I could drop them past number 32.
31. Arizona Cardinals (Down 1)
Lifeless against a mediocre Washington team, this is going to be a long season for Arizona. They couldn’t get anything going on offense for returning tailback David Johnson and the pass game while the defense looked terrible.
Lifeless against a mediocre Washington team, this is going to be a long season for Arizona. They couldn’t get anything going on offense for returning tailback David Johnson and the pass game while the defense looked terrible.
30. Indianapolis Colts (Down 2)
Andrew Luck is back, but nothing else is fear-inspiring about this team and the defense is still awful.
Andrew Luck is back, but nothing else is fear-inspiring about this team and the defense is still awful.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Up 2)
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the offense exploded against the Saints and looked a lot like the group many expected in picking the Bucs as a sleeper last year. Don’t get too carried away, though, with Fitzmagic and friends as the Saints have started slow in the past and the defense still allowed a ton of points even if it was to the Saints.
28. Detroit Lions (Down 6)
The Lions looked just about as bad as you can look on Monday night, with even the guy they can always count on, quarterback Matt Stafford, playing through injury and throwing five careless interceptions. Coming from New England, it appears new head coach Matt Patricia better be in for the long haul with rebuilding this team.
The Lions looked just about as bad as you can look on Monday night, with even the guy they can always count on, quarterback Matt Stafford, playing through injury and throwing five careless interceptions. Coming from New England, it appears new head coach Matt Patricia better be in for the long haul with rebuilding this team.
27. Oakland Raiders (Same)
Even though the entire city might hate him for his decisions in building a team, you have to give credit for the way Jon Gruden had his guys fighting in the first half against a far better team. Gruden haters got what they wanted in the second half, though.
Even though the entire city might hate him for his decisions in building a team, you have to give credit for the way Jon Gruden had his guys fighting in the first half against a far better team. Gruden haters got what they wanted in the second half, though.
26. Miami Dolphins (Up 3)
The Dolphins got a nice win in one of the most boring games of all-time -- poor play by both teams and the longest run-time of any game ever -- and are definitely heading in the right direction.
The Dolphins got a nice win in one of the most boring games of all-time -- poor play by both teams and the longest run-time of any game ever -- and are definitely heading in the right direction.
25. Cleveland Browns (Same)
First off, congratulations to the Browns and the entire city of Cleveland for not losing. In the game, the Browns pass defense looked great, while they need to tighten up the run defense and obviously get star wideout Josh Gordon more involved.
First off, congratulations to the Browns and the entire city of Cleveland for not losing. In the game, the Browns pass defense looked great, while they need to tighten up the run defense and obviously get star wideout Josh Gordon more involved.
24. Seattle Seahawks (Down 4)
It appears Russell Wilson is going to have to do it all again for Seattle to go anywhere with the way his offensive line held up and defense got shredded.
It appears Russell Wilson is going to have to do it all again for Seattle to go anywhere with the way his offensive line held up and defense got shredded.
23. Denver Broncos (Up 1)
The Broncos really should have beat the Seahawks by more and that worries me for the future. Are they a team that is going to ever be able to pull away from their opponent? If not, they could end up losing a couple games they were the better team in and sit on the outside of the playoff picture.
The Broncos really should have beat the Seahawks by more and that worries me for the future. Are they a team that is going to ever be able to pull away from their opponent? If not, they could end up losing a couple games they were the better team in and sit on the outside of the playoff picture.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (Up 1)
The Bengals defense showed up and the season is going to come down to whether or not the offense can do anything consistently against defenses that actually have NFL talent. If this team is going to struggle this bad to beat Indianapolis, they might as well just fire Marvin Lewis today.
The Bengals defense showed up and the season is going to come down to whether or not the offense can do anything consistently against defenses that actually have NFL talent. If this team is going to struggle this bad to beat Indianapolis, they might as well just fire Marvin Lewis today.
21. New York Jets (Up 5)
After the hilarious pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage, the Jets dominated the game en route to a blowout victory. Maybe they finally found the right quarterback and the rest of the team is just feeding off of his energy.
After the hilarious pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage, the Jets dominated the game en route to a blowout victory. Maybe they finally found the right quarterback and the rest of the team is just feeding off of his energy.
20. Tennessee Titans (Down 7)
The Titans might not have gotten blown out like the Bills or Lions, but their fans should be just as worried after week one. Marcus Mariota looked awful and came out of the game with his injury and then now we find out his most dependable target, tight end Delanie Walker, is out for the season. Plus they lost to the Dolphins.
The Titans might not have gotten blown out like the Bills or Lions, but their fans should be just as worried after week one. Marcus Mariota looked awful and came out of the game with his injury and then now we find out his most dependable target, tight end Delanie Walker, is out for the season. Plus they lost to the Dolphins.
19. Washington Redskins (Up 2)
The Redskins looked good in demolishing the Cardinals, but that’s not even really a fair fight. When they can beat a real team like that, some of the outlandish playoff claims will be validated.
The Redskins looked good in demolishing the Cardinals, but that’s not even really a fair fight. When they can beat a real team like that, some of the outlandish playoff claims will be validated.
18. Houston Texans (Down 1)
The Texans put up minimal fight against the Patriots and did not look good in the process. Deshaun Watson did not look anything like the quarterback who took the league by storm last year while the defense allowed the Patriots to control the game.
The Texans put up minimal fight against the Patriots and did not look good in the process. Deshaun Watson did not look anything like the quarterback who took the league by storm last year while the defense allowed the Patriots to control the game.
17. San Francisco 49ers (Up 1)
The 49ers offense was slightly underwhelming against the Vikings, but playing one of the best defenses in the league when you just lost your star running back a week ago and you lose your number one wideout in the game allows for some slack. The defense did an admirable job slowing down the talented Vikings offense.
The 49ers offense was slightly underwhelming against the Vikings, but playing one of the best defenses in the league when you just lost your star running back a week ago and you lose your number one wideout in the game allows for some slack. The defense did an admirable job slowing down the talented Vikings offense.
16. Kansas City Chiefs (Up 3)
The Chiefs are the exact team I expected, just to even greater degrees. The offense is unbelievable and Patrick Mahomes could be a superstar this year. The defense will be happy with holding the other team under 400 yards.
The Chiefs are the exact team I expected, just to even greater degrees. The offense is unbelievable and Patrick Mahomes could be a superstar this year. The defense will be happy with holding the other team under 400 yards.
15. New York Giants (Up 1)
The Giants hung in well against Jacksonville and once they aren’t playing the best defense in the league, the explosive weaponry they’ve assembled should start lighting up scoreboards so long as Eli Manning can get them the ball.
The Giants hung in well against Jacksonville and once they aren’t playing the best defense in the league, the explosive weaponry they’ve assembled should start lighting up scoreboards so long as Eli Manning can get them the ball.
14. Baltimore Ravens (Up 1)
Quality of opponent has to be factored in to considerations greatly when you beat the Bills or else a 44 point victory would definitely rocket them up the rankings. If they can get another big win next week against the Bengals, they’ll continue their climb.
Quality of opponent has to be factored in to considerations greatly when you beat the Bills or else a 44 point victory would definitely rocket them up the rankings. If they can get another big win next week against the Bengals, they’ll continue their climb.
13. Dallas Cowboys (Down 3)
That was an ugly game for the Cowboys, but I have not lost faith because the Panthers are a poor matchup for America’s former team and that defense looked fantastic. Until Travis Frederick returns, we won’t see Dallas at their true ground-and-pound best.
That was an ugly game for the Cowboys, but I have not lost faith because the Panthers are a poor matchup for America’s former team and that defense looked fantastic. Until Travis Frederick returns, we won’t see Dallas at their true ground-and-pound best.
12. Carolina Panthers (Up 1)
It wasn’t the coming out party for Christian McCaffrey or the Panthers offense I expected, but the defense played fantastic and they earned a quality win that could have tiebreaker implications come playoff time.
It wasn’t the coming out party for Christian McCaffrey or the Panthers offense I expected, but the defense played fantastic and they earned a quality win that could have tiebreaker implications come playoff time.
11. Chicago Bears (Up 1)
The Bears were by far the more talented team Sunday night and thus dominated the first half. Then, like the young team they are, the Bears quivered in fear and subsequently choked when their ruler Aaron Rodgers heroically returned to the game.
The Bears were by far the more talented team Sunday night and thus dominated the first half. Then, like the young team they are, the Bears quivered in fear and subsequently choked when their ruler Aaron Rodgers heroically returned to the game.
10. Green Bay Packers (Up 1)
Rodgers is truly unbelievable. That was one of the best comebacks over the last decade when you consider his injury, lack of team talent, and the monstrous defense he was playing.
Rodgers is truly unbelievable. That was one of the best comebacks over the last decade when you consider his injury, lack of team talent, and the monstrous defense he was playing.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (Same)
I’m not going to overreact to one loss when Joey Bosa doesn’t even play. Especially when the offense looked great and we’ve seen years of the Chargers losing big games and division games and just generally folding under any pressure then bouncing back.
I’m not going to overreact to one loss when Joey Bosa doesn’t even play. Especially when the offense looked great and we’ve seen years of the Chargers losing big games and division games and just generally folding under any pressure then bouncing back.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (Same)
While it’s quite fun to laugh at the Steelers for tying the Browns, Cleveland will be solid this year and the Steelers were obviously forced to change their gameplan last-minute with Le’Veon Bell going full supervillain.
While it’s quite fun to laugh at the Steelers for tying the Browns, Cleveland will be solid this year and the Steelers were obviously forced to change their gameplan last-minute with Le’Veon Bell going full supervillain.
7. Atlanta Falcons (Same)
Atlanta looks no different from last year, with a great ability to look better than their opponents for long stretches, but an inability to actually be better. The fact they can hang around with the top teams in the league with idiotic play-calling and pacifist instinct is still encouraging.
Atlanta looks no different from last year, with a great ability to look better than their opponents for long stretches, but an inability to actually be better. The fact they can hang around with the top teams in the league with idiotic play-calling and pacifist instinct is still encouraging.
6. New Orleans Saints (Same)
The Saints were the victims of the biggest upset of the week and would normally be punished with a drop in the rankings, but the next tier after New Orleans was similarly poor this week. Though the defense was certainly worrisome, we’ve seen the Saints get off to rough starts each of the past few years and recover.
The Saints were the victims of the biggest upset of the week and would normally be punished with a drop in the rankings, but the next tier after New Orleans was similarly poor this week. Though the defense was certainly worrisome, we’ve seen the Saints get off to rough starts each of the past few years and recover.
5. New England Patriots (Same)
Weaknesses at receiver and in the secondary won’t stop the Patriots from beating quality teams like the Texans. Nothing has changed in the world it appears.
Weaknesses at receiver and in the secondary won’t stop the Patriots from beating quality teams like the Texans. Nothing has changed in the world it appears.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (Same)
Some people might be expecting me to drop the Jaguars after a close game against an inferior opponent where Leonard Fournette got hurt. That’s not going to happen because the fact that Jacksonville can still beat a team as talented as the Giants while missing their best offensive player for a half reassures me that betting on the old adage ‘defense wins championships’ was the right move.
Some people might be expecting me to drop the Jaguars after a close game against an inferior opponent where Leonard Fournette got hurt. That’s not going to happen because the fact that Jacksonville can still beat a team as talented as the Giants while missing their best offensive player for a half reassures me that betting on the old adage ‘defense wins championships’ was the right move.
3. Minnesota Vikings (Same)
Minnesota seemed comfortable Sunday against the 49ers to just control the game on both sides of the ball, even if it wasn’t always pretty. When you can do that against a dangerous team like the Niners, you earn your spot.
Minnesota seemed comfortable Sunday against the 49ers to just control the game on both sides of the ball, even if it wasn’t always pretty. When you can do that against a dangerous team like the Niners, you earn your spot.
2. Los Angeles Rams (Same)
The Rams came out careless and slow in the first half -- unsurprising for a team that added so many stars and has received massive hype. In the second half, they turned it on and in absolutely dominating the Raiders, showed why they have the highest ceiling of any team in the league.
The Rams came out careless and slow in the first half -- unsurprising for a team that added so many stars and has received massive hype. In the second half, they turned it on and in absolutely dominating the Raiders, showed why they have the highest ceiling of any team in the league.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (Same)
The Eagles might not have looked very dominant in their first game, but they got the job done against a good team and no one immediately behind them had the type of game that makes them worthy of vaulting the birds.
Think your team is ranked too low? Or just in general think I know nothing about football? Go crazy in the comments.
Works Cited
Trister, Noah. “Sam Darnold Sharp, but Jets' Rout of Lions a Total Team Effort.” Boston Herald, Boston Herald, 11 Sept. 2018, www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/09/sam_darnold_sharp_but_jets_rout_of_lions_a_total_team_effort.
The Eagles might not have looked very dominant in their first game, but they got the job done against a good team and no one immediately behind them had the type of game that makes them worthy of vaulting the birds.
Think your team is ranked too low? Or just in general think I know nothing about football? Go crazy in the comments.
Works Cited
Trister, Noah. “Sam Darnold Sharp, but Jets' Rout of Lions a Total Team Effort.” Boston Herald, Boston Herald, 11 Sept. 2018, www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/09/sam_darnold_sharp_but_jets_rout_of_lions_a_total_team_effort.
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