The NFL season isn’t exactly playing out according to pre-season predictions thus far. Popular playoff picks Pittsburgh, Houston and Seattle are all without a win after two weeks. Meanwhile, written-off teams in Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and Miami are all 2-0.
But which of these early-season streaks will hold up, and which will eventually feel like a blip on the radar of a 16-game season?
Our expert panel’s power rankings will attempt to shed some light.
This week, the panel includes editors Geoff Lowe and Craig Battle, as well as staff writers Donnovan Bennett and Emily Sadler.
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1. Los Angeles Rams
2018 record: 2-0
Another week, another easy win for the Rams. Their offence is the main attraction — the only thing missing right now is a kicker — but it’s the defence that really caught everyone’s attention on Sunday as we saw Aaron Donald and Co. keep the Cardinals scoreless in their first divisional matchup. (ES)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
2018 record: 2-0
An 11-point victory at home against New England won’t completely erase the bad taste from last season’s playoff loss… but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Blake Bortles has been exceptional thus far for the Jaguars, and he’s gotten a ton of help from early-season surprise Keelan Cole. (CB)
3. Kansas City Chiefs
2018 record: 2-0
Patrick Mahomes kept the Chiefs’ high-powered offence rolling in a Sunday shootout against the Steelers, with Travis Kelce joining in the fun with two touchdown receptions. Mahomes threw more touchdown passes (six!) than incompletions (five) in Sunday’s win, establishing a new league record for most touchdown passes through the first two weeks of a season, with 10. And he hasn’t even played at home yet. (ES)
Week 1: 4 TDs
Week 2: 6 TDsAll 10 @PatrickMahomes5 TOUCHDOWNS! #ChiefsKIngdom pic.twitter.com/tV0ROR9QI6
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2018
4. Minnesota Vikings
2018 record: 1-0-1
Kirk Cousins is already in sync with his new toys. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs combined for 21 catches for 259 yards and three TDs on Sunday. (DB)
5. Philadelphia Eagles
2018 record: 1-1
Two things sunk the defending champions against Tampa Bay: a lack of pressure from the usually dominant defensive line, and a complete mismatch in the secondary that led to multiple big Bucs plays. Nick Foles’s tenure as the starter was historic, but Carson Wentz’s return couldn’t come at a better time. (GL)
6. New England Patriots
2018 record: 1-1
Immense pressure on Tom Brady from the Jags defence and a lack of offensive weapons outside of Rob Gronkowski — who was smothered by Jacksonville’s secondary — were the reason for the Patriots’ most lopsided loss in more than a year. Will Josh Gordon make a difference when it comes to the latter? I have my doubts. (GL)
7. Green Bay Packers
2018 record: 1-0-1
So much for the concern for Aaron Rodgers knee. If Clay Matthews hadn’t taken a bogus roughing-the-passer penalty, the Packers would be undefeated. (DB)
8. Atlanta Falcons
2018 record: 1-1
Matt Ryan outduelled Cam Newton in an NFC South grudge match to put last week’s struggles against the Eagles behind him. Matty Ice scored two touchdowns through the air and added two on the ground, the first time he has ever gotten two rushing scores in a game. In fact, Ryan hadn’t scored a rushing touchdown since the first week of 2012. (CB)
9. Denver Broncos
2018 record: 2-0
Denver is one of just seven undefeated teams through two weeks of play, but they haven’t exactly made it easy on their fans. Sunday brought another thrilling win on another down-to-the-wire drive, this time against the Raiders after being down 12 points at halftime. It also brought another strong game from an unlikely hometown hero in running back Phillip Lindsay, who is an early candidate for feel-good story of the season. (ES)
10. New Orleans Saints
2018 record: 1-1
A week after scoring 40 in a loss to the Buccaneers, the Saints managed just three points in the first quarters versus the Browns. If not for a furious fourth-quarter comeback and some serious help from Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez, New Orleans would be 0-2. (CB)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
2018 record: 0-1-1
Antonio Brown is responding to Twitter trolls by requesting trades. Le’Veon Bell is still holding out. The Steelers might have the worst secondary in the NFL and gave up six TD passes at home, the most in the history of their franchise. Things are not looking good in Steel town. (DB)
12. Carolina Panthers
2018 record: 1-1
A week after holding the Cowboys to eight, Carolina’s D gave up 31 in a loss to Atlanta Sunday. They get a home date versus the surprising Bengals this week, which should hopefully shed some light on what this team will be going forward. (CB)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2018 record: 2-0
Break up the Bucs! Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to dominate as the Bucs beat the defending-champion Eagles to stay undefeated. At this point, it would take a major collapse from Fitzpatrick versus Pittsburgh on Sunday to lose the starting QB job when Jameis Winston returns from suspension in Week 4. (CB)
14. Los Angeles Chargers
2018 record: 1-1
After a Week 1 loss, the sneaky Super Bowl picks rebounded against the Bills, as expected. If Philip Rivers can bring that kind of production — 23 of 27, 256 yards and three TDs — Sunday against the Rams in the Battle of L.A., we’ll have a game on our hands. The loss of Joey Bosa, still out with a foot injury, will be noticed. (ES)
15. Cincinnati Bengals
2018 record: 2-0
Who would have thought the Bengals would be leading the AFC North after two weeks? Cincinnati’s 2-0 start is in large part due to their five takeaways and plus-three turnover margin. Joe Mixon being out two to four weeks due to a knee injury is a tough blow. (DB)
16. Baltimore Ravens
2018 record: 1-1
The loss this week wasn’t just in the standings. C.J. Mosley was carted off during their defeat at the hands of the Bengals, which will hurt — he’s the most valuable player on the Ravens’ defence. (DB)
17. Miami Dolphins
2018 record: 2-0
The 2-0 Dolphins lead the AFC East after shutting down the hype surrounding Sam Darnold and the Jets. Is Miami for real? Underwhelming offensive numbers suggest not, but we’ll find out in two weeks against the Patriots in New England. (GL)
18. Tennessee Titans
2018 record: 1-1
Minus Marcus Mariota, the Titans eked out a three-point victory over the division-rival Texans. But it’s at least mildly concerning the team failed to score a touchdown after the first quarter, and will need to get healthy fast to keep the Jaguars from running away with the division. (CB)
19. Chicago Bears
2018 record: 1-1
The Bears sacked Russell Wilson six times. Khalil Mack alone has more forced fumbles (two), recovered more fumbles (one) and scored more touchdowns (one) than his old team, the Oakland Raiders. He’s also notched the same amount of sacks (one) and interceptions (one) as them. (DB)
20. Washington
2018 record: 1-1
What happened? After such an impressive win over the Cardinals in Week 1, Washington laid an egg at home against Indianapolis. (To be fair, Arizona may be worse than Buffalo.) A run game that racked up 182 yards in Week 1 managed just 62 against the Colts. (GL)
21. San Francisco 49ers
2018 record: 1-1
After dropping their season opener, the 49ers escaped Sunday’s game against the Lions with a win — and without their speediest receiver, Marquise Goodwin. It wasn’t pretty, and considering the poor play of San Francisco’s defence, their Week 3 matchup against the high-scoring Chiefs could be even uglier. (ES)
22. Seattle Seahawks
2018 record: 0-2
Don’t let the scoreboard deceive you — Monday’s 24-17 loss to the Bears wasn’t as close as it looks. By the time Russell Wilson was able to muster up a comeback rally against the Bears Monday night, he’d already been sacked six times — including five in the first half alone. (ES)
23. Indianapolis Colts
2018 record: 1-1
The Colts won a road game… thanks to their defence. Despite an up-and-down day from their franchise quarterback, the Colts’ D held Alex Smith and the Washington offence to nine points and no touchdowns. Rookie Darius Leonard currently leads the league in tackles with 27 through two weeks, and looks like a second-round steal so far. (CB)
24. New York Jets
2018 record: 1-1
The Jets came back down to earth in their home opener against Miami. Sam Darnold had an up-and-down game, and the offence was shutout in the first half. Things won’t get much easier for the rookie QB on Thursday night as he faces a suddenly formidable Browns defence. (GL)
25. Dallas Cowboys
2018 record: 1-1
What we saw from Dallas on Sunday night is this team’s formula for success: stifling defence led by an impressive front seven, a healthy dose of Ezekiel Elliott and a couple of big plays from Dak Prescott. Follow that model, and the Cowboys could push for a playoff spot. (GL)
26. Houston Texans
2018 record: 0-2
Houston showed poise in coming back from 14 down to take a lead in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t seal the deal late. As a team, the Texans have registered just three sacks so far. However, a home-opener matchup with Eli Manning and the Giants could be just what the doctor ordered. (CB)
27. New York Giants
2018 record: 0-2
The Giants were supposed to boast a “revamped” offensive line this season, but if that unit continues to play like it did Sunday night in Dallas, all of New York’s talent on offence will be wasted in 2018. (GL)
28. Oakland Raiders
2018 record: 0-2
The Raiders have had two decent showings under head coach Jon Gruden, but no wins to show for it yet as they squandered a 12-point lead to the Broncos on Sunday. Derek Carr rebounded after a troublesome Week 1, completing 29 of 32 passes and adding a touchdown. (ES)
29. Cleveland Browns
2018 record: 0-1-1
The Browns traded Josh Gordon, but will they even miss him? Since 2014, Gordon has played in only 11 games and they are 1-9-1 in those contests. This year they’ve found quintessentially Browns ways to not win games, but they should be encouraged — they’ve played two teams with Super Bowl aspirations. (DB)
30. Detroit Lions
2018 record: 0-2
Matt Patricia thus far continues the long line of Bill Belichick disciples who struggle on their own as head coaches. Why does he have a pencil in his ear while on the sidelines when his play sheet is laminated? (DB)
31. Arizona Cardinals
2018 record: 0-2
Anyone know what happened to Arizona’s offence? Two weeks into the season, and it’s still nowhere to be found. Cue the calls for Josh Rosen. (ES)
32. Buffalo Bills
2018 record: 0-2
Vontae Davis’s mid-game retirement might be the weirdest story of the season, but at the same time a microcosm of the Bills’ young season thus far. The good news is Josh Allen showed flashes against the Chargers. (GL)