Redskins, Chiefs rise after Week 1, while Titans, Lions tumble
The NFL is back in full force. Finally. Here are how we evaluate where all 32 teams stand after an action-packed Week 1:
1. Philadelphia Eagles: Wasn’t a pretty opener, but respect factor – and, yes, dominant defense – keeps reigning champs in pole position.
2. New England Patriots: They let Houston hang around late during workmanlike victory. Nice ball distribution by Tom Brady, who targeted nine different receivers.
3. Los Angeles Rams: Took a while for LA to find groove after key starters coasted for much of August. But the Rams found gear and already have first place to themselves.
4. Minnesota Vikings: Defense appeared as rugged as ever. But watch that suspect O-line, which allowed three sacks and was part of run game averaging 3.6 yards per catch.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: They can get lost in defensive picture, but Myles Jack and Telvin Smith seem ready to make argument they’re league’s top linebacking duo.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Still essentially remain one play inferior to Philadelphia, so matters could be worse. But Atlanta’s uneven offense needs more diversity.
7. Green Bay Packers: Inspiring effort by Aaron Rodgers on a bum knee. Question now is, how well can he replicate that down road without adrenaline rush?
8. Washington Redskins: Newbies Adrian Peterson, Alex Smith getting lots of pub. But don’t sleep on ascendant defense that took jackhammer to Arizona’s offense.
9. New Orleans Saints: A team that didn’t allow more than 38 points last year (and surrendered an average of 20.4) gets scorched for 48 by the Bucs? Inexplicable.
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes’ debut as anointed triggerman couldn’t have gone much better. Lost in shuffle? D ripped for leagueworst 541 yards Sunday.
11. Los Angeles Chargers: Whether it was (another) key field-goal miss or giving up 91-yard punt return, Bolts’ special teams remain especially abysmal.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Plenty to unpack here. But shout-out to this defense, which produced seven sacks and held up well in light of offense’s six turnovers.
13. Carolina Panthers: Wouldn’t have guessed Cam Newton would lead team in carries (13) and rush yards (58) in new OC Norv Turner’s first game under headset.
14. Houston Texans: Opening against New England not easy way to knock off rust for Watt and Watson. Silver lining – Houston churned out 167 yards on ground.
15. Baltimore Ravens: They own No. 1 scoring D and No. 3 scoring offense. But effort came vs Buffalo – the same team that took Baltimore’s 2017 playoff spot.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Mixon already showing what he can do behind revamped O-line. He only bested Sunday’s 149 total yards and 5.6 yards per catch once as a rookie.
17. Denver Broncos: Nice to see Emmanuel Sanders (10 grabs, 135 yards) return to pre-2017 form. Worrisome to see Case Keenum (3 INTs) revert to pre-2017 form.
18. Chicago Bears: Offense showed intriguing signs of life, but it still accounted for same number of TDs Sunday night (1) as new OLB Khalil Mack.
19. New York Giants: On one hand, Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham combined for 238 yards... on other hand, rest of offense combined for a mere 86 more.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This team has never scored 48 points or racked up 529 yards with Jameis Winston at the helm. Ever. And maybe never ever.
21. San Francisco 49ers: Three INTs, sub-50% completion rate... a LOSS. This is how the other half lives, Jimmy Garoppolo – not that we expect you to get used to it.
22. New York Jets: Deep breath, J-ET-S fans. Past first-round QBs Richard Todd and Mark Sanchez won their first starts, too... but Sam Darnold sure did look sweet Monday night.
23. Miami Dolphins: As implausible as it seems, apparently ageless Frank Gore is just 15 yards shy of becoming the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history.
24. Cleveland Browns: With two strips and two sacks – and four sacks in his last three games – Myles Garrett is quickly blossoming into an unblockable force.
25. Dallas Cowboys: As Dallas fans pore over this dreadful offensive showing, here’s perhaps most troubling stat of all – 2-for-11 third-down conversion rate.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Unfair as it is, Seattle evidently needs Russell Wilson to do even more – if that’s actually possible – for this club to remain relevant.
27. Tennessee Titans: From putrid offense to putrid uniforms to Delanie Walker’s gruesome ankle injury, Sunday truly a day to forget for Mike Vrabel and Co.
28. Arizona Cardinals: Preseason feeling like fool’s gold as Arizona lost turnover battle and surrendered 429 yards (more than double what offense generated).
29. Oakland Raiders: By end of Jon Gruden’s re-debut, Derek Carr was making shaky decisions while Mackless defense was left looking worn and beaten.
30. Indianapolis Colts: Resuscitated Andrew Luck nearly willed Indy to Week 1 victory... and, as it pretty much always was, that may be case every week.
31. Detroit Lions: Welp. Detroit was thoroughly embarrassed in every phase of game Monday night. At least Matt Patricia is quickly establishing consistency.
32. Buffalo Bills: Be nice to drop this scalding mess further, but apparently we’re not allowed to elevate Alabama or Clemson ahead of Buffalo. Yet.
(USA Today/TNS)