2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 02

1. Buffalo Bills (1-0): The Bills easily defeated the Super Bowl champion Rams and let the NFL world know that they are the team to beat in 2022. Quarterback Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth touchdown in the rout of the Rams. They also have quarterback Josh Allen. Next: -10 vs Tennesse Titans - Mon, Sep. 19 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0): Tyreek Hill who? Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was selected the AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 1, completing 30 of 39 passes for 360 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Next: -4 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Thu, Sep. 14 – O/U 54 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 1-0)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0): The Buccaneers easily dominated the Cowboys in Sunday Night Football, winning 19-3 in Jerry's House. Running back Leonard Fournette led the Bucs with 127 yards rushing in a game that was a yawner. Next: -2.5 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

4. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0): Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack showed the Raiders that he can still be a dominant force on defense, with three sacks and six tackles in an impressive opening day performance for the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The Chargers never trailed in the 24-19 win. Next: +4 at Kansas City Chiefs, Mon, Sep. 14 – O/U 54 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

5. Minnesota Vikings (1-0): The Vikings were never threatened in their easy 23-7 win over the Packers, as wide receiver Justin Jefferson was frequently wide open, catching 9 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Next: +2 at Philadelphia Eagles – Mon, Sep. 19 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1

6. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): Quarterback Lamar Jackson is betting on himself this season, as the Ravens and Jackson failed to come to an agreement on a long-term contract. Jackson will make $23 million this season, the last year of his rookie contract. Jackson threw for three touchdowns in the Ravens easy 24-9 win over the Jets this past weekend. Next: -3.5 vs Miami Dolphins – Sun, Sep. 11 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

7. Los Angeles Rams (0-1): The Rams looked one dimensional on offense in their loss to the Bills, with everything centered around All-pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was targeted 15 times and had 13 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Allen Robinson was targeted twice and running back Cam Akers had 3 carries for zero yards. That needs to change this week. Next: -10 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

8. New Orleans Saints (1-0): The Saints pulled out an opening day victory over the Falcons in Atlanta, overcoming a 16-point 4th quarter deficit to win, 27-26. They were not impressive defensively, giving up 416 yards in offense, and will certainly need to improve for this week's opponent. Next: +2.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 1-0)

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0): Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after he had 14 tackles, returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown and blocked a point-after attempt to send the game into OT. The Steelers beat the Bengals in OT, 23-20. Next: -2 vs New England Patriots – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

10. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): The Eagles look like a strong favorite to win the weak NFC East. The Eagles led the NFL in rushing yardage per game in 2021 at 159.7 and started off strongly in this game, running for 216 yards in the 38-35 win over the Lions in Detroit. Next: -2 vs Minnesota Vikings – Mon, Sep. 19 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 1-0)

11. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1): The Raiders kept six running backs on their 53-man roster, but you would never know it from their play on Sunday. The Raiders had 56 offensive plays in the game and 43 were pass plays in the 24-19 loss to the Chargers. Six running backs and 13 running plays? Next: -5.5 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

12. Green Bay Packers (0-1): Former Packer wide receiver Devante Adams had 141 yards in receiving for the Raiders this past weekend, which was more than the entire Packers wide receiver group had against the Vikings in the 23-7 loss. This could be a challenging season for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Next: -10 vs Chicago Bears - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

13. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1): Whatever the Bengals plans were to improve their offensive line protection for quarterback Joe Burrow did not show up this past weekend. Burrow was sacked seven times, threw four interceptions, and lost a fumble in the loss to the Steelers. This could be a long Super Bowl hangover this season for the Bengals. Next: -7.5 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

14. Miami Dolphins (1-0): Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a nice game in the Dolphins home opener, completing 23 of 33 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown in the 20-7 win over the Patriots. Next: +3.5 at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

15. Chicago Bears (1-0): The Bears had 204 yards in total offense, quarterback Justin Fields completed only 8 of 17 passes for 121 yards, yet somehow the Bears managed to defeat the 49ers, 19-10, giving a win for Matt Eberflus in his head coaching debut. Next: +10 at Green Bay Packers - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

16. Washington Commanders (1-0): Quarterback Carson Wentz threw two late fourth quarter touchdowns to lead the Commanders to a come-from-behind 28-22 win over the Jaguars. Wentz completed 27 of 41 passes for 313 yards and threw four touchdown passes in the win. Next: +1.5 at Detroit Lions – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 1-0)

17. Cleveland Browns (1-0): Browns rookie kicker Cade York earned the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1, nailing a 58-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the game to give the Browns a 26-24 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Panthers. York was a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals and 2-of-2 on extra points. Next: -6.5 vs New York Jets – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 1-0)

18. Tennessee Titans (0-1): The Titans managed to lose their opening day game to the New York Giants, 22-21. The bad news is that the loss was at home, a place they will not see much in the next seven weeks. The Titans will play five of their next seven games on the road. Next: +10 at Buffalo Bills - Mon, Sep. 19 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

19. New York Giants (1-0): Running back Saquon Barkley was selected NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his stunning performance in leading the Giants to an opening day victory over the Titans, 21-20. Barkley rushed for 164 yards and one touchdown, adding six receptions and a huge two-point conversion in the win. Next: -2 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Sep. 18 - O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1): The Jaguars played well against the Commanders on Sunday and led 22-14 in the fourth quarter but collapsed in the fourth quarter to fall to the Commanders, 28-22. The loss was the 18th consecutive on the road for the Jaguars. Next: +4 vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 45 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 1-0)

21. Arizona Cardinals (0-1): The Cardinals were embarrassed in their loss to the Chiefs, 44-21. They trailed 37-7 after three quarters and for a team that ended the 2021 season badly, losing four of their final five regular season games, they did not seem much better in this opening day blowout loss. Oh well, there is always next week. Next: +5.5 at Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 1-0)

22. Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1): The Colts trailed the Texans by 14 points in the 4th quarter, but somehow managed to come out of Houston with a 20-20 tie. The Colts dominated the offensive statistics, with 517 yards in total offense to 299 yards for the Texans. Turnovers, penalties, and a missed field goal cost the Colts an opportunity for a win on the road. Next: +4 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 45 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

23. San Francisco 49ers (0-1): The 49ers may have a problem at quarterback after scoring just ten points in a loss to the Bears in Chicago. The 49ers were hurt by 12 penalties for 99 yards, an interception and were just 1 for 3 in the red zone. Quarterback Trey Lance completed just 13 of 28 passes for 154 yards. Next: -8.5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

24. Seattle Seahawks (1-0): Former Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble late in the third quarter on the Seahawks' 1-yard line in the Seahawks 17-16 win over the Broncos. The Seahawks are alone in first place in the NFC West after Week 1. Next: +8.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

25. Denver Broncos (0-1): Quarterback Russell Wilson returned home to Seattle for his debut in a Broncos uniform and while he did throw for 340 yards and one touchdown, the Broncos were anemic in the red zone and that cost them, losing to the Seahawks 17-16. This was not an impressive opening day performance for new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Next: -10 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 45 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

26. Houston Texans (0-0-1): The Texans competed under new head coach Lovie Smith, which is a good sign for Texan fans. Former Stanford quarterback Davis Mills completed 23 of 37 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the tie with the Colts. Next: +10 at Denver Broncos – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 45 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 0-1)

27. Atlanta Falcons (0-1): The bad news for the Falcons is that they blew a 16-point fourth quarter lead to lose to the Saints. The good news is that the offense played well, gaining 416 yards. The Falcons had 201 rushing yards in the game, led by running back Cordarrelle Patterson with 120 yards and one rushing touchdown, while quarterback Marcus Mariota added 72 yards rushing. Next: +10 at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 1-0)

28. Detroit Lions (0-1): The Lions may not win a lot of games, but unlike the Cowboys, they will not put you to sleep with their offensive performance. In the loss to the Eagles, they scored 35 points and had 386 yards in total offense. At least they competed in their 38-35 loss. Next: -1.5 vs Washington Commanders – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-0 – O/U: 1-0)

29. New England Patriots (0-1): The Patriots managed to score just seven points in their loss to the Dolphins in Miami. The Pats have made the playoffs in 17 of the past 19 seasons, but this season does not look good for another playoff appearance. Next: +2 at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

30. Carolina Panthers (0-1): The Panthers were dominated on the ground in their loss to the Browns, giving up 217 yards rushing and getting dominated in time of possession, 38:26 to 21:34. The Browns ran 74 offensive plays to 50 for the Panthers. Yet the Panthers barely lost this game, 26-24, on a last second 58-yard field goal. Go figure. Next: +2 at New York Giants - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 1-0)

31. New York Jets (0-1): The Jets had 79 offensive plays in their 24-9 loss to the Ravens and just 17 were running plays. The Jets quarterback on Sunday was 37-year-old Joe Flacco. When Flacco needs to throw 59 passes in a game, you have no chance to win. Next: +6.5 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)

32. Dallas Cowboys (0-1): The Cowboys fell on opening day at home to the Bucs, 19-3. They struggled to move the ball on offense and failed to score a touchdown. To make matters worse, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a broken right thumb, which will likely keep him out for the next four weeks. The Cowboys are in last place in the NFC East after Week 1 and being in last place in the worst division in football is a very bad sign for the Cowboys. Next: +vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 0-1 – O/U: 0-1)