USA TODAY International Edition
Redskins, Chiefs rise, while Lions tumble
NFL power rankings, post-Week 1 edition (previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Eagles (1): Wasn’t a pretty opener, but respect factor — and, yes, dominant defense — keeps reigning champs in pole position until further notice.
2. Patriots (2): They let Houston hang around late during workmanlike victory. Nice ball distribution by Tom Brady, who targeted nine different receivers.
3. Rams (4): Took a while for Los Angeles to find groove after key starters coasted for much of August. But Rams found gear and already have first place to themselves. 4. Vikings (7): 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 carry. 5. Jaguars (8): 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. Falcons (3): Still essentially remain one play inferior to Philadelphia, so matters could be worse. But Atlanta’s uneven offense needs more diversity.
7. Packers (6): Inspiring effort by Aaron Rodgers on a bum knee. Question now is, how well can he replicate that down road without adrenaline rush?
8. Redskins (12): Newbies Adrian Peterson, Alex Smith getting lots of pub. But don’t sleep on ascendant defense that took jackhammer to Arizona’s offense. 9. Saints (5): 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. Chiefs (21): Patrick Mahomes’ debut as anointed triggerman couldn’t have gone much better. Lost in shuffle? D ripped for league-worst 541 yards Sunday.
11. Chargers (9): Whether it was (another) key field goal miss or giving up 91yard punt return, Bolts’ special teams remain especially abysmal.
12. Steelers (10): 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. Panthers (13): Wouldn’t have guessed Cam Newton would lead team in carries (13) and rush yards (58) in new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s first game under headset.
14. Texans (11): Opening against New England not easy way to knock off rust for J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson. Silver lining — Houston churned out 167 yards on ground.
15. Ravens (17): 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. Bengals (16): 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 carry once as a rookie.
17. Broncos (15): Nice to see Emmanuel Sanders (10 grabs, 135 yards) return to pre-2017 form. Worrisome to see Case Keenum (3 interceptions) revert to pre-2017 form. 18. Bears (19): Offense showed intriguing signs of life, but it still accounted for same number of TDs Sunday night (1) as new OLB Khalil Mack.
19. Giants (20): 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. Buccaneers (29): This team has never scored 48 points or racked up 529 yards with Jameis Winston at the helm. Ever. And maybe never ever.
21. 49ers (23): Three interceptions, 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. Jets (29): Deep breath, J-E-T-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. Dolphins (26): As implausible as it seems, apparently ageless Frank Gore is 15 yards shy of becoming the fourthleading rusher in NFL history.
24. Browns (25): With two strips and two sacks — and four sacks in his last three games — Myles Garrett is quickly blossoming into an unblockable force.
25. Cowboys (22): 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. Seahawks (27): 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. Titans (14): From putrid offense to putrid uniforms to Delanie Walker’s gruesome ankle injury, Sunday truly a day to forget for Mike Vrabel and Company.
28. Cardinals (18): Preseason feeling like fool’s gold as Arizona lost turnover battle and surrendered 429 yards (more than double what offense generated).
29. Raiders (28): By end of Jon Gruden’s re-debut, Derek Carr was making shaky decisions while Mack-less defense was left looking worn and beaten.
30. Colts (31): Resuscitated Andrew Luck nearly willed Indy to Week 1 victory ... and, as it pretty much always was, that might be case every week.
31. Lions (24): Welp. Detroit was thoroughly embarrassed in every phase of game Monday night. At least Matt Patricia is quickly establishing consistency. 32. Bills (32): Be nice to drop this scalding mess further, but apparently we’re not allowed to elevate Alabama or Clemson ahead of Buffalo. Yet.