Hi everyone, what a crazy Week in the NFL Wasn’t it. The Packers and Bills bounced back. Lamar Jackson finally beat the Chiefs. The Bucs offense looks unstoppable. What more is in store moving forward? It’s going to be an exciting Season. Let’s dive into the Rankings Shall we?
32. Jaguars 0-2 LW: 32
The Jags look like a team that lacks elite talent and will struggle to win a lot of football games this season. Two big Questions need to arise from this season for the Jags. #1. Is Trevor Lawrence going to be the QB that everyone projected as the one of the greatest prospects ever and lead the Jags to relevance for the first time since the Mark Brunell-Tom Coughlin years. #2. Is Urban Meyer an NFL Head Coach? We might know some of the answers by Season’s end, time.
31. Lions 0-2 LW: 31
Two major focal points to tackle with the Lions. #1. They have arguably the Worst defense in all of football (especially since their best corner is now out for the year) and the worst receiving corps in football. Their best wide receiver was on the Broncos practice squad three years ago when the Broncos didn’t have any great wide outs. #2. Jared Goff is not a bad Quarterback. There is something to work with here but the Lions fans need to accept this year is going to be long.
30. Jets 0-2 LW: 29
Boy Zach Wilson looks like a puppy that lost his way. The concern is that he doesn’t seem to be progressing in this early season thus far. As the old cliché goes he’s trying to stick a square peg into a round hole. I am going to give the talented QB from BYU time. #1. He has about as much to work with as Tom Hanks on that island in Cast Away. #2. He was just playing against Bill Belichick last week, who confuses good quarterbacks often. Let’s just relax and give him time.
29. Falcons 0-2 LW: 30
Two serious concerns with the Falcons. #1. Matt Ryan looks like he’s aging rapidly. His arm strength just doesn’t look there at this point. He has never been very mobile and if he can’t do anything with pressure in his face he might be coming towards the 18th hole of a very underrated career. #2. The defense is just flat out bad. After seeing the Eagles struggle to move the ball this past week it made the Falcons defense look that much more egregious, this team may be bad
28. Texans 1-1 LW: 25
The Texans are not as bad as we expected. But they are far from a good football team. David Culley making the call to punt after declining an offside penalty was about as ridiculous a coaching decision as we have seen in a long time. Tyrod Taylor has worst luck then I do at a blackjack table. There are memes all over the internet that the Chargers team doctor came to Cleveland last week to finish the job, poor Tyrod, he was off to a fantastic start as well thus far.
27. Giants 0-2 LW: 28
More Questions than answers still arise in Northern New Jersey. First off is Daniel Jones a franchise Quarterback. As soon as we are thinking he’s hot garbage he’ll string together a drive of darts that very few signal callers in the game can pull off. The loss at Washington will haunt the Giants for a long time. That was a game that they outplayed the WFT throughout but between the combination of not finishing off drives and having costly penalties blew in the end.
26. Bears 1-1 LW: 27
I know the Bears won but how can I in my ring mind move them up in the Power Rankings. They needed Joe Burrow, who was about as good as any young QB ever at protecting the football to become more generous then Oprah at a book club meeting, and even then the Bears barely held on. Justin Fields looked very rusty in his first action after Andy Dalton left with a knee injury. A full week of practice should do Justin Fields well, this team needs to switch to the kid now.
25. Eagles 1-1 LW: 23
I feel vindicated a bit in not overreacting to the Eagles big victory in Week 1 over the possibly bad Falcons. This Eagles team is not as bad as I was pegging them but they are still far from a great football team. Jalen Hurts looked very human against the 49ers but he can be dynamic with his legs. The Eagles defense has also been very good thus far, giving up only 23 points in their first two games. They have a huge game at Dallas on Monday night, know more then.
24. Bengals 1-1 LW: 22
The Bengals are still in rebuilding mode. The defense and pass rush does look improved which is a positive sign for a team that hasn’t had even a competent defense since the Marvin Lewis-Andy Dalton playoff teams of the 2010s. Joe Burrow appears to be working himself back into shape and even though he had a bad stretch again the Bears, he was able to recover and still almost commit thievery of the highest degree in the Windy City, things are looking up in Cincy.
23. Dolphins 1-1 LW: 16
The 35-0 loss to the Bills was the most demoralizing loss that any team suffered in Week 2. The Phins defense did not play bad and was able to hold Josh Allen to a very pedestrian afternoon. However, Tua Tagovailoa injured his ribs and had to leave the game and the Dolphins offense was stuck in Quicksand all day with backup Jacoby Brissett behind center. The Dolphins are not a bad football team, but they tend to lack the juice to be among the elite in the AFC.
22. Colts 0-2 LW: 20
The Colts are still the favorites to win the AFC South in my opinion but that opinion is one loss in Nashville away from me changing that narrative. The Colts do have very few holes. However, one of the biggest holes is a hole that dooms you in the NFL, Quarterback. Carson Wentz was playing inconsistent (I’m being kind) before he injured both ankles in the 4th Quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Rams. The Schedule will lighten up but the Colts cannot dig themselves too deep.
21. Vikings 0-2 LW: 25
Only the Vikings can lose a game in which the kicker misses an extra point and an 37 yard field goal at the horn (meanwhile sandwiched in between nailing two 52 yarders). The positive sign for the Vikings is their offense is as good as I expected them to be. The Vikings are loaded with weapons and Dalvin Cook is still as explosive as any back in the game when having an opening. With home games coming up against the Hawks and Browns it’s do or die time for the horns.
20. WFT 1-1 LW: 19
Taylor Heinicke appears to be a solid placeholder Quarterback. He makes quick decisive decisions with the football and has a swagger that a huddle of grown men would gladly follow. However, Heinicke’s arm talent and mobility shows why he has been a journey men Quarterback throughout his career and the WFT might want to consider a backup option just in case. The biggest concern is the defense which has been abysmal on third down thus far, have to clean it up.
19. Saints 1-1 LW: 13
I did not overreact to the Saints beating the Packers in Week 1 for a reason. I was curious how an limited offense would perform when they were taken off script. We got our answer but I’m also giving the Saints a slight mulligan for having seven coaches miss the game due to being on the COVID list. The Saints are not world beater but they also aren’t 19 points worse than the Panthers. Put the Saints somewhere in between and you have you answer.
18. Steelers 1-1 LW: 11
I am tempted to put the Steelers lower but will leave them here for now. What was more real to you? The Week 1 upset at Buffalo or the Week 2 home dud to the Raiders. I believe that latter is more true. The biggest issue that will plague the Steelers this season is their offense. The receivers are dynamic but the offensive line is one of the worst in football, and behind center is a 39 year old QB with the mobility of a lawn chair. Steelers will be a tough watch this year.
17. Titans 1-1 LW: 24
The most impressive win of Week 2 has to go to the Titans who were down 24-9 at the half and looking to gravitate down towards the dregs of the league. However, the Titans did not abandon their gameplan and Derrick Henry showed why he is a nightmare for defenses to try to stop. The biggest positive was the Titans defense, which held Russell Wilson and company to only 6 points in the Second half/Overtime, maybe we should still remember the Titans!
16. Cowboys 1-1 LW: 18
Great win by the Cowboys in Los Angeles over a solid Chargers team. My biggest Question is how can a fan base trust a coach that thinks that settling for a 56 yard game winning field goal attempt is a good idea. Greg Zuerlin bailed head coach Mike McCarthy out but McCarthy’s casual nature at the end of the football game was the most alarming coaching decision of the weekend outside of David Culley’s punt gaffe. NFC East/AFC South are bad divisons.
15. Chargers 1-1 LW: 7
I am maybe being too harsh on the Chargers but over the first two weeks they still look way too much like the Chargers to me. They still have far too many penalties. They always tend to make the turnover. They often outplay their opponents on the field but always tend to make the wrong play at the wrong time to lose the game. These types of performances have to change before I can confidently place the Bolts into the upper echelon of teams in the NFL.
14. Patriots 1-1 LW: 14
The Pats stay put at 14 after a blowout yet uninspiring win of the Jets. The Pats are a very good defensive team. They can block and run the football with consistency, here is my problem with the Pats. They do not have many (if any) playmakers. They have to go on 12 play drives to score touchdowns. That is all good and gravy but against a team like the Chiefs or Bucs that could be a recipe for disaster if your 3’s rival their 7’s. Regardless a much improved team.
13. Seahawks LW: 4
My have the tables turned in Seattle. They usually are the team that will come from behind and break the other teams heart. Russell Wilson will usually be the Quarterback that will make the big play. However, in this game the Hawks had several chances to put the game away or win the game in overtime and not so Danger Russ was not up to the challenge. This team is still a force in the NFC West this season. But that loss was a bad loss that count come back to haunt.
12. 49ers 2-0 LW: 15
If the 49ers beat the Packers on Sunday night I will be willing the move the 49ers up higher. The defense still has a ferocious pass rush. But much like last season the injuries are starting to pile up to alarming numbers. Plus there is the Jimmy G factor where it appears he’s playing care taker and isn’t playing with an overwhelming amount of confidence. This is a team that is great with a lead but would concern me trying to come back from behind.
11. Panthers 2-0 LW: 21
The Panthers have earned my respect and thus is moving up the Rankings. They should be 3-0 after Thursday, unless you think the baby blue cats are going to get upset by the dynamic duo of David Culley-Davis Mills (yeah probably not mi amigos). The most pleasant surprise from Carolina thus far is their ability to pressure the passer. The Panthers lead the NFL with ten sacks and their pressure rate has been among the best in the league thus far, surprise team maybe?
10. Packers 1-1 LW: 12
The Packers bounced back in a big way on Monday night. As I mentioned in my Friday picks Column Aaron Rodgers is the best front runner in football. When he can use play action and has man coverage he is absolute surgeon. The defense is a little bit of a concern but played much better in the second half against the other blue cats. This team should likely win it’s division easily and be a 2 or 3 seed in the conference. As Aaron would say, everyone RELAX!!!
9. Cardinals 2-0 LW: 6
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good? The Cards and Vikings played a Kliff Kingsbury-Kyler Murray Big 12 shootout in the first half. The game settled down into more a traditional chess match in the second half. The Cards defense is better than advertised and have a dynamic pass rush. Kyler Murray has been spectacular but must clean up his turnovers to be among the small list of MVP candidates. The NFC West is crazy loaded, maybe the Cards can compete.
8. Browns 1-1 LW: 8
The Browns are a team that is going to play with a lot of leads this season. Their running game and ball control offense is going to dictate many games. The issue is the defense still appears to be mediocre. They let a team led by Davis Mills be competitive and even though the Browns were never in serious danger of losing that football game it did not appear that they have learned how to bury teams. The schedule is light early so the Browns should pile on the W’s early.
7. Broncos 2-0 LW: 9
This Broncos team is going to win a lot of football games this season. The defense is absolutely filthy, especially the secondary which is the deepest and most athletic back end in the game. The offense has a lot of playmakers and a Quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater that can play distributor. The defense did have a huge loss losing Bradley Chubb for half of the season due to an ankle injury. I guess Bradley Chubb and Von Miller together on Madden, sorry Donkey nation.
6. Ravens 1-1 LW: 10
A good friend of mine texted me about the onions John Harbaugh had going for it on 4th and 1 on their own 43 with 1 minute left and a one point lead on Sunday night over the Chiefs. Do you know that Patrick Mahomes is on the other side of the field and Harrison Butker can kick the ball through the uprights from the parking lot? It really was the only choice to make in that situation, the Ravens went back to their formula on Sunday night, still a good football team!
5. Raiders 2-0 LW: 17
How can I not move the Raiders up here. Derek Carr is the leading MVP candidate as he is absolutely killing the blitz this season. The biggest sign of positivity thus far isn’t even the elite ball slinging from the Fresno State Bulldog. The Raiders defense which has been offensive to the word defense over recent seasons has been dare I say good thus far. If they can continue to pressure the passer and play this aggressive style all season Chucky will be on the sidelines into Jan.
4. Bills 1-1 LW: 5
The Bills bounced back in a huge win a 35-0 drubbing of a team that the Bills have claimed ownership of in recent Seasons. The defense has been downright nasty so far this season recording 8 sacks and only allowing 234 yards per game with the only one offensive TD allowed in two games. Josh Allen has struggled with accuracy so far this season but after playing the WFT in Week 3 the defenses the Bills will play becomes more favorable, Allen and unit will be a okay.
3. Chiefs 1-1 LW: 1
Andy and Patrick will you tell Chiefs Kingdom to RELAX. This team has struggled to stop the run for five seasons now and yet the Chiefs since Week 7 of the 2015 Season are 71-21. The Chiefs have played the 2 best rushing attacks in the league to start the season and they were a phantom fumble away from being 2-0 in these games. The run defense could haunt them in the playoffs but this team is still winning 13-15 games by the end of the season.
2. Rams 2-0 LW: 3
This team is fun to watch. They have a new dynamic with Matthew Stafford behind center as the Rams may connect on a big play at any moment. The Rams however have a schedule that is flat out unrelenting moving forward. They host the Bucs and a likely 3-0 Cards team who will be hungry to finally beat Sean McVay. Then after those two the Rams go to Seattle on a short Week. It is man up time for the team from the City of Angels, will be fun.
1.Buccaneers 2-0 LW: 2
Many pundits are already pegging the Bucs to go 17-0. Let’s hold our horses on that until after Week 4 if they survive this grueling two game road trip. They play at L.A in a game that was meant for a Hollywood script. If Tommy boy and his rag tag Pirate gang get by that one they then will travel to New England to play against a hoodie wearing individual that knows Thomas Edward Brady pretty well. Get through that gauntlet and well talk ladies and gents. I must say that Tommy touchdowns has a beautiful head of hair, just quit with the creepy sandwich commercials there scarecrow!