Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Newcomer Stars & Team Shifts

Updated on: October 10, 2024 12:19 am GMT

Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

The NFL landscape is constantly shifting, and after an exciting Week 1, the rankings reflect several surprising performances and notable shifts across the league. This week, we delve into the top 32 NFL teams following their Week 1 outings and assess which newcomers stood out for each team.

Top Performers by Team

Kansas City Chiefs

• Xavier Worthy impressed with a brilliant debut, bringing excitement back to the Chiefs’ offense.
• Rashee Rice also shined, further contributing to the team’s success.

San Francisco 49ers

• Jordan Mason stepped up in place of Christian McCaffrey, showcasing a career-high 147 rushing yards.
• Kyle Shanahan executed a masterful offensive strategy against the Jets, scoring on eight consecutive drives.

Detroit Lions

• The Lions demonstrated resilience in a tough matchup against the Rams, edging them out with a solid performance.
• Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contributions were crucial, even without explosive offensive stats.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Saquon Barkley made a fantastic debut, highlighted by a spectacular touchdown grab.
• Zach Baun showcased a strong performance with 15 tackles and two sacks, adapting well to a new linebacker role.

Notable Trends and Changes

Teams on the Rise

• The Cowboys, following a major contract extension for Dak Prescott, dismantled the Browns, showing promising potential.
• The Dolphins made a crucial win against the Jaguars, with Tyreek Hill’s explosive plays making the difference.

Teams Facing Challenges

• The Bengals suffered a shocking loss to the Patriots, raising concerns for their offensive capabilities.
• The Ravens displayed inconsistencies in gameplay, despite Lamar Jackson’s brilliance.

Rookie Performances

Key Standouts

• C.J. Stroud faced difficulties but made key plays with Nico Collins, showing potential for improvement.
• Justin Fields filled in admirably, leading the Steelers to victory with effective game management.

Areas for Improvement

• Many rookie quarterbacks displayed signs of struggle, indicating room for growth as the season progresses.
• Offensive lines for some teams, such as the Bears and Bengals, need to bolster protection for their quarterbacks.

Final Thoughts

The NFL Power Rankings after Week 2 show a mix of expected results and some surprising performances. As teams keep changing and improving, their rankings will show how well they handle the challenges of the early season.