Was this the best Week 1 of an NFL season in recent memory?
Normally, the opening week brings sloppy play across the league, as many teams don’t play their starters in the preseason. We are used to seeing offenses struggle to get into sync, with defenses having the advantage early in the season. That wasn’t the case in this weekend’s slate of games.
Fantasy football managers rejoiced as we saw an offensive explosion across the league. Is this a sign of a historic offensive season upcoming, or will
defenses eventually catch up?
Some things looked different, but others stayed the same.
The NFC South is 0-4. The Cleveland Browns are still the Browns. And oh yeah, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is healthy, and the AFC West runs through Arrowhead.
Like the Chiefs’ running game, the Arrowhead Pride NFL Power Rankings are back this season.
This week, along with me, staff voters were Maurice Elston, Caleb James, Ron Kopp Jr., Rocky Magana, Jared Sapp, and Matt Stagner.
1. Seattle Seahawks
No Sam Darnold? No problem. The defending champs still looked like the champs in their Super Bowl rematch.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry defies all odds of a normal human being.
3. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has a way of putting his team on his back and playing like Superman. And if his defense keeps playing as they did in Week 1, he’ll have to be Superman every week.
4. San Francisco 49ers
This is why we play the games. Seemingly, not much went right for the 49ers this offseason. Written off as the “has-been” in the NFC West. Yet, they dominated in Melbourne. Their travel plan couldn’t have been better.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
I don’t know about you, but that was the most fun I’ve had watching the Chiefs since 2023. I wanted to reach through the television and give Kenneth Walker a hug.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
The new Bengals? Usually slow starters, they start 2026 with a victory. Their defense looked new and improved, but their franchise stars, Burrow and Chase, played a lackluster game.
7. Houston Texans
This Texans’ defense did not live up to their “historic” billing. Superman gave them two turnover opportunities in the second half, but they couldn’t capitalize. CJ Stroud looked like he’s playing for that new contract this season.
8. Chicago Bears
Head coach Ben Johnson said his goal for the Bears is to be the top-scoring offense in league history. He wants shutouts and blowouts. He got the blowout, and they’re on track for that scoring record. However, they’ve got some work to do on that defense if we’re going to see some shutouts in the Windy City.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Anyone else thrilled the Tush Push didn’t show up on Sunday?
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Such a sneaky team who could be a sleeper in the AFC. Is Trevor Lawrence a dark horse MVP candidate?
11. Los Angeles Rams
The NFL’s offseason darlings were flat-out embarrassed on Friday Thursday night in Australia. Hindsight is 20/20, but I guess it wasn’t a great idea to get off a 16-hour flight and play a football game.
12. Denver Broncos
Personally, I can’t wait for the Broncos to (over)pay Bo Nix.
13. Detroit Lions
About as disheartening an overtime victory as you can get. The Lions were a Saints’ failed two-point conversion in overtime away from letting a 21-0 lead slip through their fingers.
14. New England Patriots
Yikes. Not going to win many football games if your franchise quarterback throws three interceptions in the fourth quarter.
15. New York Giants
I’m just trying to imagine John Harbaugh and Cam Skattebo having a conversation. Regardless, this is an exciting young team to watch. They could make a run back to the postseason.
16. Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray’s Vikings debut didn’t last long. Wily vet Carson Wentz saved the day with a big comeback win over the Pack. QB controversy in Minnesota?
17. Green Bay Packers
Is the seat starting to get warm for Matt Lafleur in Green Bay?
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers is louder off the field than he is on it these days.
19. Dallas Cowboys
More of the same from them. This defense didn’t look any better.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
LOL. Chargers gonna Charger.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After dusting himself off from getting sacked four times, Baker’s first thought has to be his revenge game against the Cleveland Browns.
22. Arizona Cardinals
The team that knocked you out of your Survivor League before it got started.
23. New Orleans Saints
Is Shough enough? There will be highs and lows with him, but such a fun player to watch. He almost completed the remarkable comeback in the Motor City.
24. Indianapolis Colts
That’s an awful defensive performance for a team who has invested so heavily in that unit.
25. Washington Commanders
Stefon Diggs is continuing his antics in a new city.
26. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have quietly put up 37 and 31 points in their two most recent showings, dating back to the Wild Card Round of last year’s playoffs. Although both games were losses, is this a sign of things to come for the Panthers’ offense?
27. Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty is a scary running back. Reminder that the Raiders also started 1-0 last season. But they’ve got talent.
28. Atlanta Falcons
The NFC South is 0-4 to start the 2026 season. Perhaps no team exemplifies the South more than the Falcons. Some of the most elite offensive talent in the league—except at the most important position on the field.
29. New York Jets
The Jets got the win, but a single interception remains elusive.
30. Miami Dolphins
I challenge any NFL fan to name five players on this roster. They are in complete rebuild mode.
31. Tennessee Titans
Will the Titans have a new stadium and quarterback in 2027? Cam Ward didn’t look great in the season opener.
32. Cleveland Browns
Is there a fan base in the NFL you feel worse for? It would just feel impossible to be a Browns fan.
