Don’t look now, but the NFL season is already 6% of the way over. After months of anticipation, the first week is in the books. There were many surprising results in week 1 and a lot of big reactions to on-field performances. What is important and what is just a blip on the radar? Only time will tell, but for now, it is time to update our power rankings! NFL Power Ranking Week 1.
NFL Power Ranking Week 1
1. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
The Bills opened the season on the road with an impressive win over the defending Super Bowl Champion L.A. Rams. The Bills controlled the game from start to finish. Although there were some turnovers that need to be cleaned up, you couldn’t really ask for a better performance in a week 1 road game. Von Miller was a game wrecker in this one, notching 2 sacks and 3 hurries in 25 pass-rushing snaps. If the Bills looked this good without Tre’davious White, how good will they be once he is back in the lineup?
Last Week’s Rank: #1
Up Next: vs. TEN (0-1)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
The Chiefs boat raced the Arizona Cardinals on the road, putting up 44 points in the game. The absence of Tyreek Hill may become an issue later, but it certainly wasn’t in week 1. The Cardinals blitzed Patrick Mahomes relentlessly, and while it was somewhat effective, reducing his completion percentage from 87.5% to 69.6%, it simply didn’t matter. Mahomes ended the day with 360 passing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Last Week’s Rank: #3
Up Next: vs. LAC (1-0)
3. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
The Chargers picked up a key divisional win against the Raiders in week 1. The offense wasn’t always pretty, but Justin Herbert was able to overcome the schematic deficiencies throwing for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns while connecting with 9 different pass catchers. Khalil Mack showed he has plenty left in the tank in this game, combining with Joey Bosa for 16 pressures, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced turnovers. The Chargers have a huge matchup this week on Thursday Night Football with the Kansas City Chiefs. J.C. Jackson was unable to play in the opener, but his return for Thursday night would be a huge boost to the defense.
Last Week’s Rank: #2
Up Next: @ KC (1-0)
4. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
The Ravens went on the road in week 1, and Lamar Jackson was electric. The Ravens were missing their top 2 running backs and only managed to put up 8 rushing yards in the entire first half against the Jets’ defense, but it didn’t matter. Lamar made up for it through the air despite some shoddy wide receiver play. He ended the day with 213 yards passing and 3 touchdowns while throwing 1 interception. His adjusted completion percentage was 76% on the day. Despite trading Hollywood Brown, the Raven’s downfield passing attack seemed to be in even better shape than it was a year ago, with all 3 of Lamar’s touchdown passes coming on deep passes (he only threw 4 deep touchdown passes in all of 2021 combined).
Last Week’s Rank: #5
Up Next: vs. MIA (1-0)
5. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-0)
Tom Brady was not the highlight for the Bucs in their week 1 performance. That honor would go to the defense, who stifled the Cowboys’ offense from the opening kickoff until the final whistle. The Cowboys were only able to put up 244 yards of total offense and converted on just 3 of their 15 3rd down attempts. Leonard Fournette had a great game on the ground, rushing for 127 yards and 2 TDs. The Bucs have a tough test next week, going on the road to face a Saints defense that has given Tom Brady fits in recent years.
Last Week’s Rank: #6
Up Next: @ NO (1-0)
6. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
The Vikings dismantled the Packers in week 1 with a 23-7 victory. Justin Jefferson went off with 6 catches for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns… In the first half. His first-half numbers alone would make him the league leader for week 1. This was a statement win for the Vikings as they look to unseat the Packers, who have won the division 3 years in a row and 8 of the last 11 seasons.
Last Week’s Rank: #12
Up Next: @ PHI (1-0)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
The Eagles’ offense put up big numbers on the road against the Lions, and it almost wasn’t enough. The Lions came roaring back in the 4th quarter, but the Eagles held on to win the game 38-35. AJ Brown looked worth every penny of the trade and subsequent extension, recording 155 yards on 10 receptions. The Eagles’ defense struggled against the Lions’ rushing attack, which doesn’t bode well for a week 2 matchup with Dalvin Cook.
Last Week’s Rank: #9
Up Next: vs MIN (1-0)
8. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
The Rams got embarrassed in front of a hometown crowd (if you can call playing in your home stadium that is packed with Bills fans a home game). The defense simply had no answers for a Bills offense that never punted the ball. Aaron Donald was getting instant pressure, but Josh Allen was always able to find an open man. Offensively the Rams were a mess. Allen Robinson was largely invisible all night, the offensive line couldn’t keep Stafford upright, and there was no running game to be found. It’s too early to hit the panic button in L.A., but Rams fans must be feeling a little nervous after that one.
Last Week’s Rank: #4
Up Next: vs ATL (0-1)
9. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
The Packers dropped their week 1 game in embarrassing fashion in what is becoming an annual tradition. Rodgers started the game 1-5 passing on the first 2 drives of the game, and rookie WR Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 75-yard touchdown pass. The offense was missing both offensive tackles (David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins), but the bigger missing piece was Davante Adams. Rodgers looked out of sync and frustrated during the game, which would probably be a bigger concern if the exact same thing didn’t happen in week 1 of the 2021 season.
Last Week’s Rank: #7
Up Next: vs CHI (1-0)
10. San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
Yes, the 49ers lost to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. No, I don’t really care too much. What can you really take away from a game played in a monsoon? This feels like a game that we will look back on in 2 months and wonder how that outcome ever happened. Would I have liked Trey Lance to put on a better performance? Certainly. Do I think the 49ers are sitting on a powder keg by keeping Jimmy Garoppolo in the building? Absolutely. But for now, they stay on the fringes of the top 10, pending a normal football game to judge them by.
Last Week’s Rank: #10
Up Next: vs. SEA (1-0)
NFL Power Ranking: Week 1 is in the books. Stop by next week for all the drama with Edge of Philly Sports and the Painted Lines.
Full Rankings
Shane is a teacher who specializes in financial literacy and history. He brings that mentality to every post he writes and video he records, breaking down the x’s and o’s of the NFL for fans. Shane is married and has 3 children (1 biological and 2 adopted) who are all the same age. He is a longtime Eagles fan and one of the few who didn’t throw a snowball at Santa Claus.
