I stopped writing NFL Power Rankings a couple of seasons ago ’cause nobody was reading ’em. You know – every sports media website in the world has some form of these power rankings up, so there’s a lot of competition, and the little guys like us lose out in those scenarios. It makes it somewhat pointless to do stuff like this, but whatever happened with Google’s core web vitals update back in May seems to have kicked our traffic into another gear. I guess they like us? Anyway, it made me think that maybe it was worth giving these bad boys another try. So, like I said before I stopped writing these, my NFL Power Rankings are based solely on what has happened on the field so far. I’m not taking preseason expectations or projections into consideration. These rankings are based strictly on what I’ve seen so far this season. Let’s get to it.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 2, 2021
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) – What can we even say about Tom Brady at this point that isn’t comically overstated? He’s old and yet he’s still murdering defenses in the NFL – we get it. You guys get it. You don’t even need me to really justify this ranking right now. You’re just reading this, nodding, like, “yeah – makes sense” even if you don’t agree with the ranking. I don’t have to type another word.
2. Los Angeles Rams (2-0) – It wasn’t pretty, but I loved the way this Rams team battled with a gritty Colts team that was desperate to avoid an 0-2 start. Ultimately, it was Matthew Stafford, with a sore thumb, driving the Rams on two late scoring drives that was the difference.
3. Arizona Cardinals (2-0) – A missed field goal as time expired kept the Cardinals perfect season intact, but I’m maintaining what I said about this team a week ago: it has the pieces for a complete team, and they can compete with anybody. Not to mention, a healthy Kyler Murray makes this offense dangerous – another four total touchdown performance has him squarely in the MVP race.
4. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) – I’m still not sure what to make of the 49ers quite yet. They’ve allowed two teams that appear to be obviously inferior to them back into each game late. But, you can’t argue with the results – a 2-0 record and a deeply talented defense.
5. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) – Are….are we here? Are we going to call the Raiders the best team in the AFC through two weeks? I mean, their record is unblemished, Derek Carr is playing the best football of his career, and they have two quality wins against the Ravens and now the Steelers, too. We’ve bought in on the Raiders too soon before. Maybe we’re doing it again – but just based on what has happened on the field so far and not projecting how this team will finish the season, I think it’s reasonable to put ’em here.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) – The Chiefs let one slip away on the road against a Baltimore Ravens team that I don’t think is necessarily better than they are. This team has an embarrassment of riches on offense, Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league, and they still have that quality win over the Browns on their resumé. The Chiefs will be just fine.
7. Denver Broncos (2-0) – Like the 49ers, I’m still not quite sure what to make of the Broncos. There is a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. In fact, the Broncos may have a top five caliber overall roster. But, they’ve beaten up on the lowly Giants and the Jags so far. We won’t find out if this team is for real or not until October though, as the Broncos host the Jets this Sunday.
8. Cleveland Browns (1-1) – The Browns were able to right the ship against the Texans as Baker Mayfield popped his shoulder back into place and kept the Browns offense going. The Texans have proven to be scrappier than expected, and they were in this one up until Tyrod Taylor went down with an injury. So, it’s a quality win for the Browns as they get back on track after a close loss to the Chiefs in Week 1.
9. Carolina Panthers (2-0) – What a defensive performance against the team that I had at #1 on these very NFL Power Rankings a week ago. Beating the Jets is one thing. But, beating this loaded Saints team is another. Props to the Panthers for showing up big time and getting to 2-0. They could be the surprise of the season.
10. Buffalo Bills (1-1) – The Bills came out and dominated the Dolphins a week after the offense sputtered against the Steelers to start the season. That performance against the Dolphins is more of what we expected this Bills team to be, and it launches ’em right back up to the upper echelon of the AFC and the front runners in the AFC East.
PREDICTIONS
- Top 5 NFL Draft order: 1. Jaguars, 2. Giants, 3. Jets, 4. Falcons, 5. Lions
- AFC Championship: Browns @ Raiders
- NFC Championship: Rams @ Buccaneers
- Super Bowl: Browns vs. Rams
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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