The New York Giants were ranked 22nd in the power rankings prior to Week 1. How high have they moved up? It was an exciting — high-scoring — first week of the 2026 season. Nine of sixteen games hit the over and there were 791 total points, an average of 49.4 points per game scored, which tied the post-merger record for Week 1 scoring. There were surprises, upsets, and plenty of action, as well as injuries, unfortunately. Here are my power rankings heading into Week 2.
No. 1 — Baltimore Ravens (last week No. 8) 📈 7 spots
The Ravens start the Jesse Minter
era with a 40-burger against the Indianapolis Colts. Declan Doyle’s offense had over 500 yards, 200 of which came on the ground. The Ravens did this on the road. It appears that Zay Flowers — who had five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown — avoided major injury after leaving the game with a hamstring strain. Derrick Henry might still be running — he averaged six yards per carry. It was an old-fashioned Ravens kind of win that showcased the potential of John Harbaugh’s former squad, and they vaunted themselves to number one in my rankings ahead of their home matchup against the Saints.
No. 2 — Buffalo Bills (last week No. 5 ) 📈 3 spots
The Bills went into Houston and defeated the Texans, 36-31. Josh Allen put the team on his back and willed them to victory — as he is one to do. He threw for 334 yards and rushed for two touchdowns, while connecting with new weapon DJ Moore for 100 yards and a score through the air. It’s even more impressive that the Bills did this with a short week ahead, as they host Detroit on Thursday Night Football.
No. 3 — Seattle Seahawks (last week No. 1) 📉 2 spots
I hate dropping Seattle after a 13-10 win against the Patriots on Wednesday, but losing Sam Darnold and starting Drew Lock for the foreseeable future had an effect. Of course, though, the Seattle Seahawks remain a top-notch team due to their defense and the overall operation of Mike MacDonald.
No. 4 — Los Angeles Rams (last week No. 2) 📉 2 spots
The Rams are looking to put the 27-7 beatdown by the 49ers behind them — Australia did not treat Sean McVay’s team well. They also lost Myles Garrett to a knee injury, and kind of just looked old. They host the Giants — a team with a ton of energy who is, in fact, no old at all — on Monday Night Football. They have extended rest and I expect them to be ready for the Giants, who aren’t an easy win anymore.
No. 5 — Cincinnati Bengals (last week No. 10) 📈 5 spots
The Bengals defense forced four turnovers and harrassed Baker Mayfield all game. If the defense is improved and can remain opportunistic, look out for Cincinnati and the Joe Burrow led Bengals. Dexter Lawrence had three pressures in the game.
No. 6 — Chicago Bears (last week No. 11) 📈 5 spots
The Bears scored 59 points against the Carolina Panthers and probably could have scored more. Now I am worried about the defense — they did surrender 37 points to Bryce Young — but Ben Johnson has Caleb Williams playing at a high level. Chicago is one of the most exciting teams in the sport, and they move up five spots in the rankings.
No. 7 — Kansas City Chiefs (last week No. 18) 📈 11 spots
Yeah, I was too low on the Chiefs. I bought into the Kenneth Walker addition, but I didn’t see them commanding the trenches as well as they did in their 31-10 slaughter of Denver. Steve Spagnuolo is still excellent, and his defense made Davis Webb’s offense look inept. A team with a run first/defensive mentality with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback is incredibly scary.
No. 8 — San Francisco 49ers (last week No. 16) 📈 8 spots
The 49ers punched their divisional rival in the mouth — looks like the extended week in Australia may have helped. Nevertheless, Raheem Morris has the now-healthy 49ers defense looking like a top-five unit, while the offense continues to thrive despite injuries. Brock Purdy is an underrated quarterback, and I expect to see another beatdown this week against Miami.
No. 9 — Jacksonville Jaguars (last week No. 15) 📈 6 spots
Jacksonville easily handled the Cleveland Browns, beating them 34-10 as Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdowns. Liam Coen’s unit cruised to victory and will now face a tougher task in Denver, against a team that slid far down the rankings after their abysmal performance.
No. 10 — Houston Texans (last week No. 7) 📉 3 spots
Houston faced Josh Allen and failed to contain the star quarterback in a back-and-forth battle. DeMeco Ryans still has a top-three defense in the league, despite allowing 36 points. I expect the Texans to bounce back, but the Bengals pose a tough test; at least Houston is home again.
No. 11 — New England Patriots (last week No. 3) 📉 8 spots
The Patriots had one of the worst — most anticlimactic — opening games against a team that beat them in the Super Bowl. A.J. Brown was injured, Romeo Doubs disappeared, and Drake Maye played one of his career worst games. New England hosts Pittsburgh.
No. 12 — Philadelphia Eagles (last week No. 6) 📉 6 spots
The Eagles won, but slid six spots down the rankings — my bias against Philadelphia or objective analysis of an offense that looks concerning? The latter! Sean Mannion struggled against the revamped Washington defense, and the offensive line did not look great. The Eagles won, 24-22, but it was in a very unconvincing fashion.
No. 13 — Detroit Lions (last week No. 13) SAME
A failed two-point conversion by Tyler Shough and the Saints’ offense spared the Lions from a brutal overtime collapse. Shough, who was contained through the first three quarters, threw for over 400 yards, and the Lions could not cover Chris Olave through the game, who went for 182 yards. They’re ranked in the exact same spot as last week.
No. 14 — Denver Broncos (last week No. 4) 📉 10 spots
Denver was dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs and now faces a hot Jacksonville team. The playcalling of Davis Webb is already in question, and the defense was gut-punched by Kenneth Walker. They dropped ten spots with that performance, but I expect them to stabilize.
No. 15 — Minnesota Vikings (last week No. 17) 📈 2 spots
The Vikings continue to be a resilient team under Kevin O’Connell. Kyler Murray was injured in the first half, and Carson Wentz finished the game with an epic come-from-behind victory against Green Bay. The final score was 39-22, and Brian Flores’ defense turned it on in the second half, forcing a pair of turnovers and sacking Jordon Love four times. The Vikings will likely start Carson Wentz on Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.
No. 16 — New York Giants (last week No. 22) 📈 6 spots
We heard all off-season about the run-first mentaltity centrailized around heavier personnel packages and under-cneter looks, and WOW was it effecitve against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants ran the ball at will agaisnt Dallas, and limited Dak Prescott to just two possessions in the second half. Multiple 10+ play drives with four touchdowns, including three Jaxson Dart touchdowns through the air. The chapter of medocrity might be over. It’s a new and exciting time in New York for Big Blue.
No. 17 — Dallas Cowboys (last week No. 9) 📉 8 spots
Dallas’ offense was sloppy against the Giants and their defense had several miscommunications. Still, it was the Giants commanding the trenches on offense that led to the poor defensive mishaps, for Christian Parker could not get his guys off the field. Sure, Dallas was a mess, but that doesn’t take anything away from the Giants. I expect that Dallas will see better days this season. Their defense has talent, but they’re not quite playing in unison yet.
No. 18 — Green Bay Packers (last week No. 14) 📉 4 spots
The Packers were up 22-10 in the third quarter but Minnesota forced a fumble, interception, and a pair of turnover on downs in the fourth quarter that ended the game with a 39-22 Vikings’ win. The Packers will look to get right in their second consecutive road game against the Jets.
No. 19 — Los Angeles Chargers (last week No. 12) 📉 7 spots
The Chargers did one of the most Charger things ever — lose as a massive home-favorite. Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals defeated Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers, start-to-finish. The Chargers have two new coordinators, and it may take some time to gel, but — soon enough — Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert will be dropping points on the NFL.
No. 20 — Pittsburgh Steelers (last week No. 19) 📉 1 spot
The Steelers offense didn’t do much against the Cooper Rush led Atlanta Falcons, but T.J. Watt’s pick six helped Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers earn a home win. They didn’t do much to move the needle, but they got the win.
No. 21 — Indianapolis Colts (last week No. 20) 📉 1 spot
Daniel Jones returned healthy for the Colts, but the Ravens absoultely dominated the matchup. Indianpolis’ defense surrendered four rushing touchdowns and Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards. Jonathan Taylor was able to establish the run and went for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the Colts were out-possessed, out-gained, and averaged just 4.7 yards per play to the Ravens’ 7.9. The Colts travel to Kansas City for Sunday Night Football in Week 2.
No. 22 — New Orleans Saints (last week No. 23) 📈 1 spot
The Saints pushed the Lions to overtime with an impressive second half performance by Tyler Shough. Kellen Moore opted for a two-point conversaion that failed, and the Lions came away with the home victory. New Orleans goes to Baltimore in Week 2.
No. 23 — Washington Commanders (last week No. 25) 📈 2 spots
Washington pushed the Eagles and did an excellent job pressuring Jalen Hurts and clogging up Saquon Barkley’s rushing lanes. Barkley sprang a 42-yard run and Hurts used his legs well to help move the offense, but it was Dallas Goedert’s two touchdowns that proved to be the difference. Washington’s defense could be a problem for teams in the NFC East this season.
No. 24 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week No. 22) 📉 2 spots
The Buccaneers turned the football over four times. The Bengals seized upon the sloppy nature and earned a 33-27 home victory over Todd Bowles’ squad. Mayfield was 23/28 for 193 passing yards and he was sacekd four times in the game. They moved down two spots, but I believe they’ll get back on track soon.
No. 25 — New York Jets (last week No. 28) 📈 3 spots
Good for the Jets. Sure, they easily handled business against one of the worst teams in the NFL — the Tennessee Titans — but they did so by controlling the lines of scrimmages, and harrassing Brian Daboll’s offense. The Jets earned a commanding 23-10 win on the road — there’s something to be said about that, even if it was against the Titans.
No. 26 — Las Vegas Raiders (last week No. 27) 📈 1 spot
The Raiders were down Brock Bowers and starting Kirk Cousins, but they easily took care of the Miami Dolphins. Similar to the Jets, they beat on an inferior team, but remain a bottom-third team in the NFL. Ashton Jeanty was dialed in, though, with 23 carries for 102 yards and six grabs for 45 yards with two receiving touchdowns. Klint Kubiak has good offensive weapons that will improve once Bowers returns.
No. 27— Carolina Panthers (last week No. 24) 📉 3 spots
The Panthers had almost 60 points dropped on them, and they only slide three spots in the rankings. They did, however, drop 37 points and made the game fun. Huge shout out to former UDFA stud Jalen Coker who continues to develop into a quality receiving asset. He caught eight for 138-yards with two touchdowns. The Panthers got to Atlanta to face the divisional rival Falcons in Week 2.
No. 28 — Arizona Cardinals (last week No. 31) 📈 3 spots
Arizona pulled off a massive upset by easily defeating the Chargers 26-14. Brissett is a good bridge quarterback, but the Cardinals are a team with a dearth of overall talent. Still, the Mike Lafleur expereince will be fun to monitor through the season.
No. 29 — Atlanta Falcons (last week No. 28) 📉 1 spot
Cooper Rush started against a very good Steelers defense and it did not go well for Atlanta. Their quarterback situation remains uncertain, and the team — overall — is not in the best state. With defensive players injured and suspended, it’s not promoising, but they still have one of the most exciting players in the NFL, Bijan Robinson, toting the rock a bunch.
No. 30 — Tennessee Titans (last week No. 29) 📉 1 spot
The Robert Saleh/Brian Daboll combination failed at home against the Jets, as Tennessee lost 23-10. Cam Ward didn’t get much going on offense, and the Jets were efficient and effective, while also establishing the run and winning with quality defense. The Titans are in for a rough season and Daboll fails to unlock Ward.
No. 31 — Miami Dolphins (last week No. 32) 📈 1 spot
Miami is in a tough place; much of their money is tied up in dead cap and their roster is one of the weaker ones in the NFL. They travel to California to play the 49ers, and Malik Willis should have his work cut out for him, along with his receiving corps that consists of a couple rookie receivers.
No. 32 — Cleveland Browns (last week No. 30) 📉 2 spots
The Jacksonville Jaguars did whatever they wanted against Cleveland and the Jaguars defense took advantage of DeShaun Watson. It may not be much longer until we see Sheduer Sanders starting for the Browns, but their situation is — yet another — one that should lead to plenty of 2026 losses.
