The Big Jab

Week 1 treated us to some spectacular games and some surprising results. Here’s my top 10 heading into Week 2.

1. San Francisco 49ers

Well, that looked too easy for the 49ers Sunday in Pittsburgh. Against what is supposed to be a top defense in the league, Brock Purdy put up a 111.3 rating and Christian McCaffrey looked like an Offensive Player of the Year candidate. The defense was suffering Kenny Pickett and company all day, and in my opinion, easily looked like the most complete team in Week 1. Next up, what should be a fairly easy victory in Los Angeles against the Rams.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

A win is a win in the NFL, but man that was an ugly one in Foxboro on Sunday for the Eagles. The defense was subpar, especially after the first quarter, and the offense was non-existent, but the Eagles’ ability to win football games was on display on Sunday. The offense will need to be a lot better if this Eagles team is going to contend for a Lombardi, but like I said at the beginning of this paragraph, a win is a win. Philly hosts Minnesota on Thursday night. 

3. Dallas Cowboys

I don’t think you realize how much it pains me to put the Cowboys this high, and they could arguably be even higher. That was utter domination on Sunday night in what turned out to be a horrible weekend for New York football. The defense was the best unit of any unit in the league this week. The offense will be tested later on in the season but wasn’t needed to dismantle the Giants on the road. Dallas gets what could be a deflated New York Jets team at home on Sunday.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

I know, I know, the Chiefs are 0-1, but let’s not act like this team is in any sort of trouble. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones were out, Kansas City’s second and third-best players, and should be back this week. Mahomes did everything he could but Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore among other things are the reason Kansas City is 0-1 for the first time in almost a decade. This team will be fine, and the offense will be humming next week against Jacksonville with Travis Kelce likely to play.

5. Miami Dolphins

Death, taxes, and Tua Tagovailoa dealing in September. This offense was on fire on Sunday in Los Angeles, and Tyreek Hill’s 2,000-receiving-yard season aspirations got off to a tremendous start. The run game and pass rush are still a cause for concern, but when your QB throws for 466 yards and 3 touchdowns you’re going to win more often than not. Let’s see what this team looks like later on, but for the second straight year, Miami is off to an awesome start. They get New England next Sunday night in Foxboro.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

On a day when their offense was subpar, Trevor Lawrence led his team to 31 points, albeit against a subpar defense. Josh Allen looked great, something that this team needs if they want to play meaningful football into late January. I expect this offense to be one of the best in the league, and if the defense can hold up their end of the bargain, this Jags team will be in the top 5-7 range all season long. Next up, a date with a hungry Chiefs team that should be getting Travis Kelce and Chris Jones back.

7. Detroit Lions

Well, well, well, this is not your father’s Detroit Lions. Lost in the shuffle of the Sunday slate, the Lions put together one of the best wins in Week 1. The defense was dramatically improved and the offense picked up late. The Lions hype might be real, and we’ll see them face another playoff team from last season in Week 2 when the Seahawks come to town.

8. New York Jets

Yes, this team lost Aaron Rodgers and will have Zach Wilson under center for the foreseeable future, but this defense is the best in the league. Josh Allen looked like a bad quarterback on Monday at Metlife Stadium, and the Jets still have the pieces to be competitive this season, especially if Zach Wilson improves from being the worst QB in the league. Monday was a depressing night to be a Jets fan, but I still believe this team is more than capable of contending for a playoff spot. A trip to Dallas is next.

9. Cleveland Browns

Woah, I did not expect that result in Week 1. Cleveland’s defense was the second-best defensive group in Week 1 only behind the Jets in my eyes, and Nick Chubb ran for 100 yards like he always does. If Deshaun Watson can get back to form, this offensive line stays healthy, and the defense continues to play like this under Jim Schwartz, maybe this is finally the year Cleveland can be consistent throughout a 17-week season. Cleveland hosts Pittsburgh on Monday night.

10. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s defense did good things on Monday, but the same cannot be said for Josh Allen. For a team that refuses to run the ball, Allen is going to need to be a lot better if this team wants to accomplish its goal of winning a Super Bowl. It was only Week 1 and was against what I think is the best defense in the league, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. With Vegas looming at home in Week 2, this Bills team better be 1-1 when I’m doing my Week 3 power rankings, or else they won’t even be considered.