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Dallas Cowboys lead winners and newcomers

Madoc Meredith September 9, 2024

The NFL teams have only played one game in the 2024 season.

But some teams definitely made a big impression in the first week of NFL play and made strong opening statements.

Among them? The Dallas Cowboys impressed with their Week 1 win at the Cleveland Browns, which led to a big jump in this ranking. The New England Patriots also shocked the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. The Minnesota Vikings also completely dominated the New York Giants on the road.

Will these teams continue to shine in the second week of the NFL season?

Here’s how we rank all 32 NFL teams entering Week 2 of the 2024-25 season, with some adjustments based on the results of Week 1 NFL games. Are we overreacting with some of the changes in the rankings?

Previous placement in brackets.

Tips and predictions for the 2nd week of the NFL: Who will pass the tests in the second week of the season?

32. Carolina Panthers (32)

Last week: Lost to New Orleans Saints, 47-10

This week: Sunday against Los Angeles Chargers

The Panthers went 2-15 last season, and given their disastrous Week 1 finish, they are unlikely to fare any better this season.

31. New York Giants (27)

Last week: Lost to Minnesota Vikings, 28-6

This week: Sunday against Washington Commanders

Daniel Jones completed just 52.4% of his passes for 186 yards and threw two interceptions on Sunday, and his contract extension was a disaster for New York.

30. Tennessee Titans (30)

Last week: Lost to Chicago Bears, 24-17

This week: Sunday against New York Jets

The Titans were ahead 17-3 at halftime on Sunday, but then lost 21-0 in the second half.

29. Denver Broncos (29)

Last week: Lost to Seattle Seahawks, 26-20

This week: Sunday against Pittsburgh Steelers

Welcome to the NFL, Bo Nix. The rookie QB completed 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards and 2 interceptions on Sunday.

28. Washington Commanders (28)

Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 37-20

This week: Sunday against New York Giants

Jayden Daniels was Washington’s best runner in Week 1, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

27. New England Patriots (31)

Last week: Beat the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10

This week: Sunday against Seattle Seahawks

We didn’t expect this result. Could the Patriots not be that bad this season?

26. Las Vegas Raiders (23)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 22-10

This week: Sunday against Baltimore Ravens

Las Vegas managed just 71 yards in their loss to the Chargers. That needs to change quickly if the Raiders want to fight for a playoff spot.

Odds for Week 2 of the NFL: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for betting on games

25. Arizona Cardinals (22)

Last week: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 34-28

This week: Sunday against Los Angeles Rams

Arizona’s offense could keep the Cardinals in the game in many games this season. However, the defense could hurt Arizona’s chances of winning.

24. New Orleans Saints (26)

Last week: Defeated the Carolina Panthers 47-10

This week: Sunday against Dallas Cowboys

Perhaps the Saints should be higher up this list after their 37-point victory, but the win actually came against the Panthers.

23. Seattle Seahawks (25)

Last week: Defeat the Denver Broncos 26-20

This week: Sunday against New England Patriots

Seattle rushed for 146 yards against the Broncos, led by Kenneth Walker III with 103 yards on 20 attempts.

22. Chicago Bears (21)

Last week: Defeated the Tennessee Titans 24:17

This week: Sunday Night Football vs. Houston Texans

The Bears came to life in the second half against the Titans, but Caleb Williams was only able to complete 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards.

21. Minnesota Vikings (24)

Last week: Defeated the New York Giants 28-6

This week: Sunday against San Francisco 49ers

Maybe Sam Darnold can be a starting quarterback in this league? In this game he was 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception.

NFL Week 2 Schedule: TV channels, how to watch and stream games

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (20)

Last week: Lost to Miami Dolphins, 20-17

This week: Sunday against Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville ran for 128 yards in Week 1, while Trevor Lawrence completed just 12 of 21 passes for 162 yards.

19. Atlanta Falcons (18)

Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 18-10

This week: Monday Night Football vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Drake London had just two catches for 15 yards in Kirk Cousins’ debut for the Falcons. Not ideal.

18. Cleveland Browns (10)

Last week: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 33-17

This week: Sunday against Jacksonville Jaguars

That’s a big drop for Cleveland, but the Browns were playing at home. Deshaun Watson was 24 of 45 passing with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19)

Last week: Defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20

This week: Sunday against Detroit Lions

Baker Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and had four touchdown passes. Maybe we were too weak against Tampa Bay at the beginning of the season.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (16)

Last week: Beat the Las Vegas Raiders 22-10

This week: Sunday against Carolina Panthers

Jim Harbaugh’s debut with the Chargers was a success, spurred by JK Dobbins’ 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Super Bowl odds 2025: Chiefs, 49ers Super Bowl 59 favorites

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (14)

Last week: Defeated the Atlanta Falcons 18-10

This week: Sunday against Denver Broncos

Russell Wilson earned a starting spot in training camp, but was unable to play in this game. Could Justin Fields’ performance spark controversy surrounding the Steelers’ quarterback?

14. Los Angeles Rams (11)

Last week: Lost to Detroit Lions in overtime with 26:20

This week: Sunday against Arizona Cardinals

Cooper Kupp was targeted 21 times against the Lions. He caught 14 balls for 110 yards and scored one touchdown.

13. New York Jets (13)

Last week: against San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football

This week: Sunday against Tennessee Titans

12. Miami Dolphins (15)

Last week: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20:17

This week: Thursday Night Football vs. Buffalo Bills

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle give the Dolphins one of the best one-two pass receivers in the NFL.

11. Indianapolis Colts (12)

Last week: Lost to Houston Texans, 29-27

This week: Sunday against Green Bay Packers

The Colts only had the ball for 20 minutes in this game, ran only 43 plays, and somehow only lost by two points.

NFL MVP odds 2024-2025: Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are the favorites according to betting forecasts

10. Cincinnati Bengals (9)

Last week: Lost to the New England Patriots, 16-10

This week: Sunday against Kansas City Chiefs

The biggest disappointment of the week? Many people lost their survival pools with this shocking result in Week 1.

9. Green Bay Packers (7)

Last week: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 34-29

This week: Sunday against Indianapolis Colts

With Jordan Love, this team has the potential to compete in the NFC. Without him? We’ll soon find out what kind of team the Packers are.

8. Houston Texans (8)

Last week: Beat the Indianapolis Colts 29-27

This week: Sunday Night Football vs. Chicago Bears

Houston’s signing of Joe Mixon is looking really good at the moment. He managed 159 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts.

7. Dallas Cowboys (17)

Last week: Beat the Cleveland Browns 33-17

This week: Sunday against New Orleans Saints

An overreaction in our rankings? Probably. But you have to reward Dallas for dominating the Browns in Cleveland.

6. Buffalo Bills (6)

Last week: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-28

This week: Thursday Night Football vs. Miami Dolphins

The Bills could have easily lost Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. But they didn’t. Good teams find ways to win. How good is Buffalo?

What has changed? NFL Power Rankings Week 1

5. Baltimore Ravens (4)

Last week: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20

This week: Sunday against Las Vegas Raiders

The Ravens were evenly matched with the Chiefs in this game. Isaiah Likely’s emergence could really help Baltimore, especially if Mark Andrews gets going as well.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5)

Last week: Defeated the Green Bay Packers 34:29

This week: Monday Night Football vs. Atlanta Falcons

Saquon Barkley shone in his Eagles debut (24 carries, 109 yards, two TDs). That must really hurt the Giants fans.

3. Detroit Lions (3)

Last week: Defeated the Los Angeles Rams in overtime 26-20

This week: Sunday against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We believe the Lions can compete in the NFC and that didn’t change on Sunday night, although Amon-Ra St. Brown will have to get more than 13 yards receiving.

2. San Francisco 49ers (2)

Last week: against New York Jets on Monday Night Football

This week: Sunday against Minnesota Vikings

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)

Last week: Beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-20

This week: Sunday against Cincinnati Bengals

We’ve already written that the Chiefs will stay at No. 1 in this ranking until they lose. Winning two Super Bowls in a row gives them that honor. How long will they stay at the top?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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