We’re off and running for the 2024 NFL season and while this should be a time for tremendous overreactions – good and bad – there is little movement at the top when comparing the Power Rankings I unveiled during the preseason. That said, there are a couple big risers and fallers a little further down. Let’s get into it then…
- San Francisco 49ers --
Kyle Shanahan would have preferred more than two touchdowns and six field goals, but he won’t turn his nose up at a 32-19 win against the Jets. The Niners showed their depth as Jordan Mason rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in place of Christian McCaffrey.
- Kansas City Chiefs --
There has been a lot of conversation about the skill position talent around Patrick Mahomes in KC and the addition of rookie receiver Xavier Worthy seems to be an exciting one. But we should all be talking a lot more about a defense firmly established as one of the NFL’s best.
- Detroit Lions +1
The Lions are going to take everyone’s best punch in 2024 and then strike right back. Their Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams was physical and Detroit shone in that arena. The Lions can play pretty, but this time around they rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
- Baltimore Ravens -1
The Ravens were Week 1 losers in Kansas City, but only by one inch. That could very easily have been a victory, especially if Lamar Jackson had seen a wide-open Zay Flowers on the final drive of the game. Baltimore will be just fine and will reside among the league’s elite in 2024.
- Houston Texans --
The Texans have added a new consideration for opposing defenses focused on slowing down C.J. Stroud and his wide receivers. Houston unveiled a powerful running game in Week 1 as Joe Mixon carried 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. This team is going to be scary.
- Philadelphia Eagles +2
The Eagles will have some concerns coming out of their Brazil win over Green Bay – Jalen Hurts turned the ball over three times and the defense conceded some big plays. But the arrival of Saquon Barkley – who scored three times – should offset some of those worries.
- Dallas Cowboys +4
The Cowboys never needed to get out of second gear on the offensive side of the ball, gaining just 265 yards in a one-sided win over Cleveland. A lot of that was on the Browns, but Dallas also dominated on defense, recording six sacks and two interceptions.
- Miami Dolphins +2
It was a very different kind of September performance from the Dolphins as they came from behind to record a 20-17 win over Jacksonville. The offensive flash didn’t come until the second half and there was a real need to lean on a defense that capably took centre stage.
- Buffalo Bills -1
The Bills were in a world of trouble at home against Arizona, trailing 17-3 in the first half. Enter Josh Allen, who did what he has done so often during his career and rode to Buffalo’s rescue. Allen accounted for four touchdowns – two through the air and two on the ground.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +10
Baker Mayfield looked outstanding as he threw four touchdown passes in Tampa Bay’s 37-20 win over Washington. Mayfield’s ongoing redemption story is certainly a feel-good tale and it’s impressive to see how veteran receiver Mike Evans continues to play at a high level.
- Los Angeles Rams --
Injuries to wide receiver Puka Nacua and along the offensive line hurt coming out of Sunday’s loss in Detroit, but the Rams showed they are going to be players in the NFC postseason picture. This team has enough talent and spirit to stick around deep into the 2024 campaign.
- Cincinnati Bengals -6
The Bengals should propose a league-wide vote on beginning the regular season in October because they are now notorious slow starters. Joe Burrow is now 1-4 as a Week 1 NFL starter. The offense was poor but the defense – which had tackling issues – was not much better.
- Pittsburgh Steelers +3
Sunday’s win over Atlanta – which came with no touchdowns and six Chris Boswell field goals – epitomised just why Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 17 years. This team just finds a way to get the job done and it’s easier when the demonic T.J. Watt is rushing the passer.
- Green Bay Packers -7
The Packers displayed their offensive firepower in Brazil as Jordan Love threw touchdown passes to Jayden Reed and Christian Watson. But the major problem is that Love is sidelined with a knee injury and the Packers will now need to lean on Malik Willis for a few weeks.
- Los Angeles Chargers +7
Sunday’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders played out exactly how new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh would have imagined. The Chargers unveiled a physical plan, stuck to the run and gained 176 yards on the ground. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s all about racking up the wins.
- New York Jets -1
The Jets showed some flashes on Monday Night Football and even scored more touchdowns than San Francisco. There were some bright moments from Aaron Rodgers, but team-wide consistency was lacking. There is no shame in losing on the road to the 49ers, however.
- Jacksonville Jaguars --
The Jaguars could not finish during the 2023 season, losing five of their last six. And when they had Miami on the ropes in Week 1, the Jaguars failed to score a single point in the second half and let their opponent off the hook. That ruthless streak must be found… and in a hurry!
- Chicago Bears -4
Caleb Williams throwing for just 93 yards and no touchdowns was not in Chicago’s Week 1 script. And neither was falling behind 17-0 at home to Tennessee. Fortunately, quarterback and team were bailed out by a defense and special teams that accounted for all 24 points.
- Indianapolis Colts --
Anthony Richardson only completed nine passes in a narrow loss to Houston, but they produced 212 yards and two scores. The 60-yard touchdown strike to Alec Pierce was a thing of beauty. Now, if the Colts can fix their run defense; they can still be a playoff contender.
- Minnesota Vikings +1
It could turn out to be the case that the New York Giants are one of the worst teams in the league, but it was still a nice Week 1 for the Vikings. Sam Darnold looked comfortable and efficient at quarterback and the defense (five sacks and two interceptions) looked formidable.
- Seattle Seahawks +2
It was a sloppy start for a Seahawks team that gave up two safeties and two turnovers at home. Luckily, Seattle hosted a rookie QB with struggles of his own in Denver’s Bo Nix. Mike Macdonald got his head coaching career off to a winning start, but Seattle must be better.
- New Orleans Saints +2
The Saints will be pleased with their offensive output during Sunday’s 47-10 win, but it did come against the worst team in the NFL in the Carolina Panthers. Derek Carr looked extremely comfortable while throwing three touchdown passes. Tougher tests lie ahead, for sure.
- Atlanta Falcons -5
Kirk Cousins looked tentative and rattled by pressure, his offensive line could not handle the Steelers’ pass rush and Atlanta could only muster one offensive touchdown. They will be better, of course, and the big positive is that the defense kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone.
- Cleveland Browns -12
Could the Deshaun Watson era be coming to an end in Cleveland? If that is to happen, the Browns are going to need to eat a ton of money in the coming seasons. The struggling quarterback appears to be in decline and I wonder if he has much left to offer in the future.
- New England Patriots +6
The Patriots are not exactly flushed with passing game talent, so new head coach Jerod Mayo adjusted and produced a surprise 16-10 win at Cincinnati. New England rushed for 170 yards and a score, while holding Joe Burrow without a touchdown pass in a strong defensive display.
- Arizona Cardinals -1
The Cardinals made a strong start in Buffalo and Kyler Murray made some impressive plays at quarterback, offering some real hope. But then the offense lost its way, failing to score a touchdown in the second half as Buffalo stole the game away. This team is a work in progress.
- Tennessee Titans +1
It was a similar story for the Titans, who blew a 17-0 lead to lose in Chicago. The painful winning points came on a horror play from quarterback Will Levis, who must be better in such spots. Levis was being sacked and flipped the ball aimlessly downfield. Pick six, Bears!
- Las Vegas Raiders -2
The Raiders lacked offensive juice throughout their game with the Los Angeles Chargers and that saw head coach Antonio Pierce lose faith in that group. Facing a fourth and one at the Chargers’ 43 with the game on the line, Pierce punted and never had a chance to win it again.
- Washington Commanders -2
Jayden Daniels joined top pick Caleb Williams as another rookie passer not to throw for a touchdown in Week 1. But at least Daniels offered something on the ground, rushing for 88 yards and two scores. Washington never really contended in Week 1 at Tampa Bay.
- Denver Broncos --
Sean Payton insists that rookie quarterback Bo Nix was not out of his depth in Week 1. Okay, can we at least accept that he was far from comfortable? It’s going to be a rough ride for Nix as next up he will face the Steelers and a pass rush led by T.J. Watt. Welcome to the NFL!
- New York Giants -2
It feels like the end of days when talking about Daniel Jones’ career as QB 1 with the New York Giants. He has been given enough time and simply doesn’t get the job done. He was not alone in struggling against Minnesota. New York’s once-feared pass rush was virtually non-existent.
- Carolina Panthers --
Could the Panthers end up being worse in 2024 than they were in 2023? Major moves were made to spruce up the offense during the offseason, but that unit scored just one touchdown. And the defense may have taken a backward step, shipping 379 yards and 47 points.