Week 1 offered everything from dominant statements to narrow escapes, and one game was enough to shake up almost the entire board. Here is where all 32 teams stand entering Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last: 14 Change: 🟢 +13
Kansas City announced its return to contention by dismantling Denver 31-10, with a refreshed offense controlling the game instead of asking Patrick Mahomes to manufacture every answer. The Chiefs now host Indianapolis on Sunday night with a chance to turn an impressive opener into early momentum.
I previously stated that the Seattle Seahawks would remain number one until they lost a game, but I guess I’m not a man of my word. The impressive statement win, buoyed by Kenneth Walker III, over Denver sends Kansas City skyrocketing up to the top spot, a 13-spot rise and the biggest rise in this week’s rankings.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Last: 7 Change: 🟢 +5
Baltimore overwhelmed Indianapolis 41-23 in Jesse Minter’s head-coaching debut, while Derrick Henry powered the offense with 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns. A home date with New Orleans gives the Ravens an opportunity to show that their explosive opener was more than a favorable matchup.
Baltimore climbs five places after producing one of Week 1’s most complete wins, but an injury to Zay Flowers risks a great start to the season. If Lamar Jackson is able to overcome his main weapon’s injury during the rest of September, he should be the front-runner for MVP going into October.
3. Buffalo Bills
Last: 5 Change: 🟢 +2
Buffalo survived a serious challenge from Houston and opened the Joe Brady era with a 36-31 victory. The Bills immediately face another dangerous offense when Detroit visits for the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium on Thursday night. Buffalo moves up two spots because its offense already looks capable of carrying championship expectations.
Josh Allen, channeled Steve Young’s iconic monkey off the back celebration, by beating Houston for the first time in Texas. Josh Allen is a one-man offense that has started the season in 5th gear.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Last: 8 Change: 🟢 +4
San Francisco made the long trip to Melbourne worthwhile by crushing the Rams 27-7 and holding the reigning MVP’s offense to a single touchdown. The 49ers return home to face a rebuilding Miami team that managed only 13 points in its opener.
San Francisco rises four spots after delivering the NFC’s clearest Week 1 statement and has the inside track at winning the division with the victory over the Rams and with Sam Darnold set to miss a month of action.
5. Chicago Bears
Last: 10 Change: 🟢 +5
Chicago’s much-hyped offense exploded in a 59-37 win over Carolina, with the ground game repeatedly creating chunk plays and easy scoring chances. The defense still has plenty to clean up before a home divisional test against Minnesota, which scored 39 points in its own opener.
The Bears jump five places because their offensive ceiling suddenly looks very real. Are they going to set the NFL scoring record in 2026? I doubt it for the simple reason that once it gets cold, playing in Chicago and Green Bay will freeze any team’s hopes of setting the scoring record, and they have two games against Minnesota’s great defense.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last: 6 Change: Unchanged
Jacksonville carried last season’s late momentum into a 34-10 rout of Cleveland, as Trevor Lawrence and the defense both looked ready from the opening week. A trip to Denver should reveal more against a talented Broncos roster that was humbled in Kansas City.
The Jaguars remain at No. 6 because their emphatic victory confirmed their preseason position and beating the Cleveland Browns doesn’t impress anyone with eyesight and a brain.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Last: 13 Change: 🟢 +6
Philadelphia escaped its opener with a 24-22 win over Washington, and the defense limited the Commanders to fewer than 300 total yards. The Eagles travel to Tennessee in Week 2 for a game they should control if the offense becomes more consistent.
Philadelphia rises six spots after taking care of a division opponent without playing its best football. Jalen Hurts will look to avenge his playoff loss in January at the hands of Robert Saleh by torching his defense and putting Saleh on the hotseat.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Last: 9 Change: 🟢 +1
Cincinnati opened with a 33-27 win over Tampa Bay, scoring enough to overcome a performance that was not always clean from Joe Burrow and the offense. The Bengals visit Houston next, where the Texans just demonstrated that they can trade scores with an elite opponent.
Cincinnati edges up one spot after starting 1-0 while leaving room for significant improvement. The Bengals defense recorded 4 turnovers while Burrow made rookie Josiah Trotter into an IDP and NFL star by throwing him a pick-six, Maye Ball Sub!
9. Seattle Seahawks
Last: 1 Change: 🔴 -8
Seattle’s defense forced three Drake Maye interceptions and preserved a 13-10 victory over New England, but the defending champions produced little offensive rhythm. A road game against an energized Arizona team will require more scoring than the Seahawks managed in the opener. Seattle falls eight spots because a narrow defensive escape did not resemble the league’s best team.
10. Los Angeles Rams
Last: 3 Change: 🔴 -7
The Rams looked sluggish after their unusual travel schedule and were soundly beaten 27-7 by San Francisco in Melbourne. They return to SoFi Stadium for a Monday night meeting with a Giants team that just upset Dallas and will arrive with confidence.
Los Angeles drops seven places after one of Week 1’s most disappointing performances. If the Rams lose to the upstart Giants on Monday Night Football because of another poor performance by Matthew Stafford, it may be possible that Ty Simpson gets a shot at saving the season.
11. New York Giants
Last: 24 Change: 🟢 +13
Jaxson Dart and John Harbaugh began their new era by leading the Giants past Dallas 28-20 in prime time. Monday’s trip to face the Rams gives New York an immediate chance to prove that the opener was the beginning of something sustainable.
The Giants rocket up 13 spots after turning preseason intrigue into a convincing divisional win. If the Giants can pull off a Monday Night win vs the Rams, John Harbaugh can starts clearing room for the 2026 Coach of the Year Award in his trophy case. The Giants would also be knocking on the door of the top-5!
12. Denver Broncos
Last: 2 Change: 🔴 -10
Denver’s offense never found its footing in a 31-10 loss at Kansas City, a jarring opener for a team carrying Super Bowl expectations. The Broncos return home against Jacksonville, but the Jaguars will arrive after dominating Cleveland on both sides of the ball.
Denver tumbles 10 positions because its highly regarded roster was thoroughly outplayed. This is one of the worst games I’ve ever seen by ‘supposedly’ the most complete team in the NFL. Can’t move the ball or tackle anyone. There is a chance Denver could start the season at 0-6 and be in the bottom-5 of the league.
13. New England Patriots
Last: 4 Change: 🔴 -9
New England’s defense kept the champions within reach, but three Drake Maye interceptions proved too costly in a 13-10 loss at Seattle. The Patriots now host Pittsburgh and need better ball security against a defense that created game-changing plays in Atlanta.
New England falls nine spots, not because its offense failed to support a winning defensive effort, but they fell nine spots because of an injury to A.J. Brown, combined with Romeo Doubs MIA performance, and Drake Maye displaying poor judgement on his weak throws.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Last: 18 Change: 🟢 +4
Minnesota erased a 12-point second-half deficit and overwhelmed Green Bay with a 22-point fourth quarter in a 39-22 win. The Vikings visit Chicago next for a matchup between two NFC North offenses that combined for 98 points in Week 1.
Minnesota climbs four spots after pairing patience with a devastating late-game surge. Carson ‘Frickin’ Wentz lit up Green Bay and found Justin Jefferson twice in the endzone, and got to watch the GB offense self-destruct in the 4th quarter.
15. Detroit Lions
Last: 16 Change: 🟢 +1
Detroit built a large lead, lost it and still found a way to beat New Orleans 31-30 in overtime. The Lions have a short turnaround before visiting Buffalo on Thursday night in one of Week 2’s best matchups. Detroit moves up one place for surviving a chaotic opener, though its inability to finish comfortably remains a concern.
16. Houston Texans
Last: 15 Change: 🔴 -1
Houston scored 31 points and pushed Buffalo to the final minutes, but its excellent defense could not produce enough stops in a 36-31 loss. The Texans host Cincinnati this week in another matchup likely to test whether their offense can keep pace in a shootout.
Houston slips one spot because the strong performance still ended without a win. This was an encouraging loss because the Texans scored more than 14 points in an NFL game.
17. Green Bay Packers
Last: 11 Change: 🔴 -6
Green Bay led Minnesota by 12 in the third quarter before being outscored 29-0 the rest of the way in a 39-22 collapse. The Packers travel to face a Jets team that controlled its opener and will try to expose the same late-game weaknesses.
Green Bay drops six spots because a promising start disintegrated when the pressure increased. Just in case you forgot how Green Bay choked in the playoffs, they gave you a crash course in September.
18. Dallas Cowboys
Last: 12 Change: 🔴 -6
Dallas opened with a 28-20 loss to the Giants, and its rebuilt defense did not make the immediate impact the team expected. The Cowboys stay home for another NFC East game against Washington, making Week 2 an early opportunity to prevent a divisional hole.
Dallas falls six spots after losing decisively to the lowest-ranked team in its division from a week ago. This week we will find out if the Cowboys are a team to respect, or a team to mock for the next 3 months.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last: 20 Change: 🟢 +1
Pittsburgh’s defense supplied the defining moments in a 20-13 win over Atlanta, including a remarkable T.J. Watt pick-six. The Steelers visit New England this week, where their offense will need to do more against a defense that held Seattle to 13 points.
Pittsburgh rises one place because its familiar defensive formula produced another win. Beating an injured 3rd string, Cooper Rush doesn’t move the needle and Pittsburgh is lucky they moved at all.
20. New Orleans Saints
Last: 21 Change: 🟢 +1
New Orleans rallied from a 21-point deficit behind Tyler Shough’s 410 passing yards before falling 31-30 to Detroit in overtime. The Saints now visit Baltimore, whose pass rush and explosive offense will pose an even more demanding test.
New Orleans moves up one spot because its comeback showed far more promise than the final result suggests. Can New Orleans get back to .500 or will they just have another loss that makes them sleep well at night?
21. Arizona Cardinals
Last: 31 Change: 🟢 +10
Arizona delivered one of Week 1’s biggest surprises by beating the Chargers 26-14 on the road and shutting them out in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals host Seattle next, giving them a chance to validate that performance against the defending champions.
Arizona surges 10 spots after immediately looking much more competitive than its preseason projection. Jacoby Brissett was the highest rated QB by PFF in week one, but he’s still not being respected and is considered a bottom 5 QB!
22. Indianapolis Colts
Last: 19 Change: 🔴 -3
Indianapolis could not contain Baltimore’s explosive running game and surrendered 41 points in a discouraging home loss. A Sunday night trip to Kansas City gives the Colts almost no margin for another slow defensive start.
Indianapolis drops three places after its defense was overwhelmed by the first contender it faced. Indianapolis started off the season very much like they finished last season -> god-awful!
23. Carolina Panthers
Last: 22 Change: 🔴 -1
Carolina scored 37 points and uncovered encouraging offensive answers, but none of that mattered after its injury-hit defense allowed Chicago to score 59. The Panthers visit Atlanta for a divisional game that already feels important for two teams trying to avoid 0-2.
Carolina falls one spot because no offensive progress can excuse that defensive performance. Carolina went punch-for-punch with Chicago until the game was 31-31, then they were outscored 28-6 to finish the game. Bryce Young needs to keep his foot on the pedal if he wants to be successful in 2026.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last: 23 Change: 🔴 -1
Tampa Bay remained within striking distance of Cincinnati, but three lost fumbles helped turn a winnable game into a 33-27 defeat. The Buccaneers host Cleveland in Week 2 and should have an opportunity to settle down against an offense that scored only 10 points.
Tampa Bay slips one spot because its aggressive style produced too many self-inflicted mistakes. Maybe Baker Mayfield should celebrate his extension by not fumbling the ball 3 times in a 6-point loss.
25. Las Vegas Raiders
Last: 27 Change: 🟢 +2
Las Vegas received contributions from its offense, defense and special teams in a comfortable 27-13 win over Miami. The Raiders travel to face the Chargers in Week 2, where a divisional victory would quickly make their rebuilding roster more interesting.
Las Vegas climbs two spots after handling an inferior opponent exactly as it should. Is Kirk Cousins the best QB in the AFC? After week one, YES!
26. New York Jets
Last: 28 Change: 🟢 +2
The Jets controlled the ball for nearly 39 minutes and used a balanced attack to beat Tennessee 23-10. Green Bay visits this week looking to recover from a fourth-quarter collapse, so New York will need the same patience and discipline it showed in the opener.
The Jets rise two positions after looking organized, physical and competent from start to finish. That is a sentence that hasn’t been written in over 15 years.
27. Los Angeles Chargers
Last: 17 Change: 🔴 -10
The Chargers produced only 14 points and were shut out in the fourth quarter of a 26-14 home loss to Arizona. They remain at home for an AFC West meeting with Las Vegas, turning Week 2 into an early test of Jim Harbaugh’s ability to produce a response.
Los Angeles plunges 10 spots after being decisively beaten by the previous No. 31 team. The Chargers are in big trouble if they lose to Las Vegas this weekend, and I will be rooting for the chaos!
28. Washington Commanders
Last: 26 Change: 🔴 -2
Washington stayed close in Philadelphia but finished with only 295 yards and lost 24-22. The Commanders travel to Dallas for a matchup between winless division rivals, and the loser will face immediate pressure in the NFC East race.
Washington drops two spots because competitiveness alone was not enough to overcome another limited offensive day. Washington held the Eagles to only 10 first downs all game, the lowest mark in Week 1, but CB Mike Sainristil played like someone dropped the Xbox controller and kept stepping on the spin button.
29. Atlanta Falcons
Last: 25 Change: 🔴 -4
Bijan Robinson generated 173 yards from scrimmage, but Atlanta received too little from the rest of its offense in a 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh. The Falcons host Carolina this week in a favorable matchup that should allow them to build more of the game plan around their best player.
Atlanta falls four spots because even Robinson’s brilliance could not lift an otherwise stagnant attack. How much money must Atlanta pay for someone to start a game at QB for them healthy?
30. Miami Dolphins
Last: 30 Change: Unchanged
Miami’s rebuilding offense struggled to create anything beyond its opening work and lost 27-13 in Las Vegas. The Dolphins now face a brutal road assignment against a San Francisco defense that just held the Rams to seven points.
Miami remains at No. 30 because Week 1 reinforced every concern surrounding its stripped-down roster. In a game that no one watched, they will now get destroyed in a game that some people will watch.
31. Cleveland Browns
Last: 32 Change: 🟢 +1
Cleveland’s quarterback problems followed it into the regular season, and the Browns were routed 34-10 by Jacksonville. A trip to Tampa Bay offers another chance to establish an offensive identity, but the Buccaneers will be motivated after giving away their opener.
Cleveland moves up one spot only because Tennessee’s performance was even less encouraging. While Browns’ fans clamor for Shadeur Sanders to start over Deshaun Watson, the Browns front office was too busy watching Archie Manning’s comeback over Ohio State to care.
32. Tennessee Titans
Last: 29 Change: 🔴 -3
Tennessee missed tackles, struggled to sustain offense and spent most of the afternoon chasing the Jets in a 23-10 loss. The Titans host Philadelphia this week, an unforgiving matchup for a team that already looked overmatched against a projected bottom-tier opponent.
Tennessee falls three spots and lands last because Week 1 offered almost nothing to build upon. The combination of Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll may be the worst coaching combination in the history of the NFL.
