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Whatever happens in Week 1, stays in Week 1 in the NFL. However, Week 2 starts to create a sample size of how good or bad every team is, from pleasant surprises to failing to meet expectations.
For example, the Super Bowl champions are sitting pretty, undefeated and looking just as dominant at times. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl runners-up look hungover, thanks in half-part to those champions.
Although many contenders are flexing, some are stumbling. Some of the bad teams are even worse than one thought. The Sporting News ranks all 32 teams heading into Week 3:
MORE: Breaking down NFL contenders or pretenders among 0-2, 2-0 teams
NFL Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles 2-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Eagles have won a couple of tight games against the Chiefs and Cowboys without the usual offensive explosiveness but they have showed how much of a complete reigning Super Bowl champion they are out of the gate.
2. Green Bay Packers 2-0 (4)
The Packers defense has smashed two of the best offenses in the NFL in consecutive games at home, with Micah Parsons just getting warmed up. Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs team up to make the ideal balanced attack to boot.
MORE: Micah Parsons' intangibles just as important as his sacks
3. Buffalo Bills 2-0 (2)
The Bills continue to dominate with the Josh Allen and James Cook show on offense and when their defense plays up to its swarming capacity, they are almost impossible to beat. The big comeback vs. the Ravens in Week 1 was a nice early wakeup call.
MORE: Josh Allen shares how "Super-focused" he is
4. San Francisco 49ers 2-0 (3)
The 49ers don't get many style points for grinding out a victory with Mac Jones at QB, but he got the lift he needed from his healthy support system, including Christian McCaffrey and key backups. Every road win is big in the NFL, even aginst the Saints in New Orleans.
MORE: Revisiting why 49ers passed on Mac Jones in 2021 draft
5. Baltimore Ravens 1-1 (5)
The Ravens' offense had a few hiccups from the fourth-quarter mess in Buffalo before rolling in Cleveland, with help from their defense and their old friend Joe Flacco. This was a much-needed get-right game before they prepare to face the Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams over the next month.
6. Los Angeles Chargers 2-0 (6)
The Chargers has gone full Jim Harbaugh, unleashing Justin Herbert vs. Kansas City and Las Vegas and letting everyone know they have the potential to win the division and become conference champions. They are 2-0 in the division with Denver next.
7. Los Angeles Rams 2-0 (9)
The Rams are doing what they need to do, beating lesser AFC South opponents with their young defense. Few teams are as predictable and spectacular at the same time. Matthew Stafford's back seems fine, doesn't it?
8. Detroit Lions 1-1 (10)
The Lions let all their offensive frustration out on Ben Johnson and the Bears, back in the friendly confines of Ford Field. The running game was working again as the two lead backs helped unlock Jared Goff and the downfield passing game. The league's most symbiotic offense got back on track in Week 2 but have a tough draw against Baltimore in Week 3.
MORE: What Lions' stars said about former OC Ben Johnson
9. Washington Commanders 1-1 (7)
The Commanders have struggled to stretch the field early in the season with Jayden Daniels and they might need to get more aggressive spreading the ball around and throwing it downfield. The running game (outside of Daniels) also needs to be more consistent, and now will have to do so without Austin Ekeler.
MORE: Austin Ekeler's Achilles' tear a big blow to Commanders
10. Kansas City Chiefs 0-2 (8)
The Chiefs had the possibility of starting out the season 0-2 based on their early schedule. They draw the Ravens in Week 4 after short reprieve against the Giants in Week 3. This might be the most difficult regular season for Kansas City in the Mahomes era.
MORE: Chiefs off to worst start in Patrick Mahomes era
11. Cincinnati Bengals 2-0 (13)
The Bengals have changed their slow-starting narrative with a undefeated start and solid close wins over the Browns and Jaguars. However, they can't shake Joe Burrow's injuries and Jake Browning will need to stay strong in late-game mode as tough back-to-back road games against the Vikings and Broncos await ahead of Burrow's estimated 12-week absence.
MORE: How long is Burrow out? | Injury history | Replacement options
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-0 (14)
The Buccaneers will continue to have more defensive breakdowns as Todd Bowles' squad transitions, putting a lot of pressure on Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving and the offense to keep executing at a high level. But any defensive issues doesn't look like it will keep them from winning the NFC South for a fifth straight time.
13. Arizona Cardinals 2-0 (18)
The Cardinals got an early season break with the Saints and Panthers as the first two games on their schedule. Arizona can stay hot with the kind of defense they are playing against the Brock Purdy-less and George Kittle-less 49ers in Week 3.
14. Indianapolis Colts 2-0 (19)
The Colts have found some offensive stability with Daniel Jones, facilitating their top playmakers, Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren, to dominant for Shane Steichen. They're not the best defensively, but not beating themselves has led to a surprise hot start.
MORE: Explaining Broncos' game-losing penalty vs. Colts
15. Denver Broncos 1-1 (11)
The Broncos' defense is dominant at times against the pass but tend to break down against the run. That is what opened the door for the Colts' major upset in Week 2. Sean Payton's team might be a lot more inconsistent overall than it was last season.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-1 (12)
The Steelers had a special teams and turnover meltdown against the Seahawks, giving up a lot of free points and flipping a would-be win into a blowout loss, at home no less. Aaron Rodgers fell to earth, but the real concern now is whether the T.J. Watt-led defense that cannot stop the run can get lean on his pass-rush strengths.
MORE: Steelers rookie gives away game on kickoff return mistake
17. Minnesota Vikings 1-1 (15)
Perhaps the Vikings were worn down by the big comeback effort on the road in Week 1 and J.J. McCarthy figures to be a bit of a roller-coaster in his first season as the starting QB. Minnesota needs to take advantage of its defensive takeaways by not giving the ball away so much.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-1 (16)
The Jaguars found their offensive rhythm, balance, explosiveness and diversity against the Bengals' defense in Week 2, but then their promising defense let them down vs. a much more dangerous opponent, even when Burrow went down. This team looks like a week-to-week roller-coaster with Liam Coen.
MORE: Travis Hunter's latest snap count report in Week 2
19. Las Vegas Raiders 1-1 (17)
The Raiders were got a real offensive and defensive wakeup call at home after taking care of the Patriots in Week 1. They're just hoping the Chargers didn't just expose them again as the worst team in the tough AFC West.
20. Dallas Cowboys 1-1 (20)
The Cowboys kicked their offense into gear with Dak Prescott and Javonte Williams making up for a Micah Parsons-less defense that now doesn't have a healthy DaRon Bland. They will be challenged to win shootouts in overtime or in regulation against offensive teams that isn't the Giants.
MORE: Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey for the tie … and for the win
21. Atlanta Falcons 0-1 (25)
Do the Falcons finally have a pass-rushing defense? That's what was key to the win at Minnesota with the ideal complementary running game led by Bijan Robinson. Atlanta should stay rolling against the Panthers in Week 3.
22. Seattle Seahawks 1-1 (23)
The Seahawks look like a scrappy team that has a chance when their defense, running game and special teams are all rolling. But Sam Darnold's mistakes will hold them back from bigger things.
23. New England Patriots 1-1 (26)
The Patriots saw their full potential with Drake Maye at work with his arm, legs and leadership against the Dolphins. It helps Maye has settled on his best supporting offensive skill weapons.
MORE: How Maye, Patriots rallied to beat Dolphins in fourth quarter
24. Houston Texans 0-2 (22)
The Texans should be concerned with their offensive line's pass protection and limited running game, putting plenty of pressure on their defensive playmaking to win games. C.J. Stroud is doing his best to change things, but the support isn't there yet in a tougher division.
25. Chicago Bears 0-2 (21)
The Bears have lost two divisional games, one at home late and one on the road from wire-to-wire in a blowout. Ben Johnson is getting better play from Caleb Williams and the other offensive pieces, but the defensive mojo they had last season is out the window, giving Chicago a bleak playoff outlook and a let down from the super-high expectations entering this season.
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26. New York Jets 0-2 (24)
The Jets went from being world-beaters on offense against the Steelers to not being able to get out of their own way against the Bills. Both results were losses in which the defense took away only a few positives.
MORE: How long will Justin Fields be out for Jets?
27. New York Giants 0-2 (30)
The Giants saw Russell Wilson do his best to keep Jaxson Dart on the bench but then New York's defense fell further apart while trying to protect a lead. It's only a matter of time before the Brian Daboll era comes to an abrupt end.
28. New Orleans Saints 0-2 (32)
The Saints are getting some moxie from Spencer Rattler and leaning on versatile veterans such as Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson. Kellen Moore has the Saints playing hard with what they've got, even if it's not much.
29. Tennessee Titans 0-2 (27)
The Titans saw what Cam Ward can do as their long-term franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, they have too many issues on defense, with the running game and elsewhere to be competitive this season.
30. Carolina Panthers 0-2 (28)
The Panthers are also fighting in games and Bryce Young is trying to maximize the young offensive weapons around him. However, the Panthers defense has shown limited improvement from last season's debacle.
31. Cleveland Browns 0-2 (29)
The Browns have given plenty of reason to make Myles Garrett very angry. The defense can only hold up so much against better teams when the offense needs some youthful injection to score. Next up is the Packers, so have fun with that.
MORE: Myles Garrett has choice expletives for Browns' play
32. Miami Dolphins 0-2 (31)
The Dolphins showed a lot more life in Week 2 with Tua Tagovailoa. They even had a nice lead on the Patriots, but their defense still stinks as well as their overall vibe and energy under Mike McDaniel. A change might be coming sooner rather than later.
MORE: Dolphins' big play with Tyreek Hill not enough vs. Patriots
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