Take a deep breath. The NFL’s opening week was just one of many in the 2025 season, but there’s some shuffling in the Week 2 power rankings.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) | Last week: 1
The season opening win against the Cowboys was odd for the Eagles, starting with Jalen Carter’s ejection for spitting on Dak Prescott. But Jalen Hurts made plays despite quiet nights from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley looked like Saquon Barkley. Defensively, they added Za’Darius Smith for a pass rush boost but need someone to seize a starting cornerback role.
2. Buffalo Bills (1-0) | Last week: 5 (+3)
My concern with the Bills—and why I ultimately didn’t pick them to win Super Bowl LX despite leaning that way most of the offseason—is the defense. Basically, they really struggle against top offenses and need a ball or two to bounce their way in addition to Josh Allen putting the team on his back. That happened on Sunday night with Ed Oliver’s forced fumble on Derrick Henry—with the reigning MVP being the first player in NFL history with 250+ yards and two rushing touchdowns in a quarter leading the comeback. With respect to Lamar Jackson and others, Allen continues to look like the best player in the league, all things being equal.
3. Green Bay Packers (1-0) | Last week: 7 (+4)
The first game for the Packers couldn’t have gone much better, getting off to a red-hot start and dominating the entire game versus the Lions. Micah Parsons played the run well and notched a late sack for Green Bay, and I’m anxious to see how the defense—which flew around all afternoon—looks hosting Washington for Thursday Night Football.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) | Last week: 13 (+9)
The Chargers make a big leap in the power rankings, with the Brazil win over the Chiefs coming with the offensive line performing well even without left tackle Rashawn Slater. Los Angeles looks poised to open things up with Justin Herbert this season after a run-heavy 2024, and Herbert’s confidence appears to be at an all-time high throwing to Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston.
5. Baltimore Ravens (0-1) | Last week: 3 (-2)
We’ve seen the Ravens have too many defensive lapses and massive offensive outings allowed in recent years, but keep in mind that it was just one game on a whole new season—and it was against Josh Allen throwing dots all over the place. Offensively, Baltimore is set to be nearly unstoppable all year behind Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
6. Denver Broncos (1-0) | Last week: 6
The Broncos stick at No. 6 after a tighter-than-expected win against the Titans where quarterback Bo Nix shockingly struggled with a couple of interceptions. I expect Nix to get on track soon, and the Denver defense did more than enough with six sacks.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) | Last week: 2 (-5)
Patrick Mahomes worked some magic, but the Chiefs offense felt a little bit out-of-sync in Week 1—perhaps due to receiver Xavier Worthy leaving with a shoulder injury that has him uncertain for a Super Bowl rematch this Sunday. The defense struggled to make stops, and we’ll see how they fare versus Philly in the rematch.
8. Detroit Lions (0-1) | Last week: 4 (-4)
My preseason concern for the Lions—my Super Bowl pick—was evident in the loss to the Packers: the offensive line, re-tooled in the interior, will take some time to gel. Perhaps a bigger concern is the defense not getting a ton of pressure on Jordan Love and company. The home opener this week is a good opportunity to get going.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) | Last week: 8 (-1)
The Bucs only drop because of the Chargers rising, but it was massive to get a win at Atlanta after getting swept last year. There might not have been a player receiving more hype than rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka this offseason, and he came through with two touchdowns including the game-winner.
10. Los Angeles Rams (1-0) | Last week: 10
The Rams defense started very strong, the connection between Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua looks locked in, and Davante Adams appears to fit in the LA offense like a glove. Sean McVay’s squad is in good position to start 2-0 with a trip to the Titans this weekend.
11. Washington Commanders (1-0) | Last week: 12 (+1)
Kliff Kingsbury was immediately cooking for the Commanders, picking up where he left off last season with Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Though Daniels missed some throws, he’ll have plenty of opportunities operating an attack which added what looks like a re-energized Deebo Samuel.
12. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) | Last week: 11 (-1)
The 49ers escaped Seattle with a key divisional victory, but it was costly. All-Pro tight end George Kittle (hamstring) will miss at least four games while on injured reserve, and quarterback Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) looks iffy for this week. The Niners defense under Robert Saleh is looking for another positive outing at New Orleans.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) | Last week: 14 (+1)
The overall performance of the Bengals offense—which was unable to move the ball much at all—was disappointing, but they’ll certainly take a 1-0 start after struggles to begin recent seasons. Defensively, the two interceptions were massive in a one-point win.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) | Last week: 15 (+1)
The Pittsburgh defense was lit up in Week 1, but Jalen Ramsey’s hit and breakup on wide receiver Garrett Wilson sealed the very hard-fought victory which Aaron Rodgers was obviously thrilled with. The movement isn’t close to where it once was, but there’s no question Rodgers can throw the ball and had four touchdowns against his former club.
15. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) | Last week: 16 (+1)
Things looked shaky for most of the game, but J.J. McCarthy’s pick-six throw to Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright appeared to wake him up—and Minnesota caught fire in their fourth-quarter comeback. It’s only Week 1, but that already might have been a pivotal game for McCarthy and the Vikings to give him extreme confidence moving forward.
16. Houston Texans (0-1) | Last week: 9 (-7)
Remember, the Texans have a new offense, so there might be some growing pains. But it looked a lot like it did for much of last season. They’ll look to get right against a Bucs team C.J. Stroud torched as a rookie a couple of seasons ago.
17. Indianapolis Colts (1-0) | Last week: 21 (+4)
Daniel Jones was throwing dimes all afternoon in the win over the Dolphins. Jonathan Taylor looks good running the ball, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren is already a dangerous weapon. And the Indy defense, now coordinated by Lou Anarumo, was a headache for Miami to deal with.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0) | Last week: 19 (+1)
Kyler Murray was sacked five times, but he and the Cardinals took care of the ball and held on defensively for a 20-13 road win at a difficult place to play a season opener at in New Orleans. It was encouraging to see second-year players Marvin Harrison Jr. (five receptions, 71 yards, one touchdown—and nearly another long touchdown where he was missed) and Trey Benson (eight carries for 69 yards) step up.
19. Seattle Seahawks (0-1) | Last week: 17 (-2)
It was a low-scoring, tight game in the NFC West to kick things off for the Seahawks, and losing in the end at home could be something that comes back to haunt them at the end of the season. The running back rotation for the Seahawks is something to watch, with Zach Charbonnet leading the way in Week 1—though both he and Kenneth Walker III are very talented.
20. Atlanta Falcons (0-1) | Last week: 18 (-2)
Similarly, the Falcons are no-doubt kicking themselves a bit after allowing a lead to slip late in a home divisional matchup—and they are also looking to get the ground game going a bit more. I like the pace they played at on both sides of the ball, though, with the rookie class on defense adding some juice.
21. Dallas Cowboys (0-1) | Last week: 20 (-1)
The Cowboys are another squad to be encouraged about after Week 1. It starts with Dak Prescott, who (as just about everyone for NBC noted) looks almost jarringly slimmer. Dak was throwing precise passes to all areas of the field and can help Dallas be dangerous every week. The defense did a nice job of staying in the game, too.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) | Last week: 23 (+1)
Geno Smith was throwing it around with 362 passing yards in his first game for Vegas, doing most of the heavy lifting with not much room for Ashton Jeanty (19 carries, 38 yards, one touchdowns) on the ground. The Raiders defense gave up some yardage but made enough plays to get off the field.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) | Last week: 24 (+1)
Travis Etienne Jr. was one of the top performers of the opening week, with 143 rushing yards while showcasing the talent which made him a first-round pick a few years ago. This Sunday at Cincy will be an interesting test for two squads looking to be in the AFC playoff mix.
24. Chicago Bears (0-1) | Last week: 22 (-2)
Things looked to be going fantastic for the Bears on both sides of the ball, but the offense totally stalled after the positive start—particularly in the second half. It’ll be a process for Chicago, and more work is needed on the roster.
25. Cleveland Browns (0-1) | Last week: 30 (+5)
Yet another squad that’s going to feel like they let a home divisional game slip away, a couple of turnovers for the Browns were costly in a game they outgained the Bengals by nearly 200 yards. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is a real bright spot, with seven receptions in his debut.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-1) | Last week: 31 (+5)
The Titans climb a handful of spots after the way the defense played in the loss to Denver—and quarterback Cameron Ward made plenty of gutsy throws his receivers couldn’t come down with, including late.
27. New York Jets (0-1) | Last week: 29 (+2)
Again, it was just one game, but if Justin Fields and the Jets offense looks anything like that all year, they can be a bigger threat than anticipated in 2025. Breece Hall looked better than he has for a couple of years, and Braelon Allen is a top-tier complement in the backfield.
28. New England Patriots (0-1) | Last week: 25 (-3)
The just-one-game caveat stands for every team, and that includes the struggles of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who almost looks like he might be figuring out Josh McDaniels’ offense. New England must do a better job of running the ball to put less pressure on Maye.
29. Carolina Panthers (0-1) | Last week: 26 (-3)
The Panthers had one of the most disappointing performances of Week 1, with the defense getting gashed and the offense not finding the end zone until Bryce Young hit Chuba Hubbard late with the game in hand. Carolina remains on the road this Sunday at Arizona.
30. Miami Dolphins (0-1) | Last week: 27 (-3)
Sure, there’s plenty of speed on offense, but the Dolphins have felt like a team with no identity both from a roster construction standpoint and on gameday—but I’d say it definitely starts with how the roster was built. Miami must defend homefield versus New England in Week 2.
31. New Orleans Saints (0-1) | Last week: 32 (+1)
Overall, Kellen Moore did a good job of calling the game and bringing the Cardinals down to the wire—and Spencer Rattler looked comfortable running the show. The next few weeks against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Bills is an immense challenge, though.
32. New York Giants (0-1) | Last week: 28 (-4)
I’ll once more state that it was only one week, but the Giants looked a lot like they did last season in their loss to the Commanders. While the athleticism of Jaxson Dart (with Russell Wilson not quite as explosive as he was earlier in his career) can probably help if the offensive line continues to struggle, it’s fair to say you can’t pin the issues in New York on the quarterback.