Zak Drapeau's NFL Power Rankings Post-Week 2

Zak Drapeau
2 minutes ago
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by Zak Drapeau 9/16/2025 Sportz Nation

32. New Orleans Saints --

0-2

Last Week: 26-21 Loss vs SF

Spencer Rattler is starting to prove his doubters wrong but that's not enough to keep the Saints from being the absolute bottom of this list for the second week in a row. Their defense gave up an almost perfect game to Mac Jones this week and they still may have my pick for the worst roster in the league.

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31. Carolina Panthers \/1

0-2

Last Week: 27-22 Loss at ARI

Bryce Young may have looked sharp in the second half but that was too little, too late. Starting off slow was their downfall and losses to Arizona and Jacksonville will probably age poorly as the year goes on.

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30. Cleveland Browns \/1

0-2

Last Week: 41-17 Loss at BAL

After keeping this game close in the first half, the Browns defense collapsed and let Lamar Jackson do whatever he wanted to them. For the second straight week they would also score less than 20 points and even though losing in Baltimore is as good of a loss as you can get, this team still has maybe the worst potential in the league.

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29. New York Giants /\2

0-2

Last Week: 40-37 Loss at Dallas

The Giants were so close to winning in Dallas last week and would have shot up the rankings if they did. Unfortunately for them, they can't rely on Russ to throw for 450 every week and their defense which was supposed to be very good this year, looked pitiful.

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Photo Credits to Miami Dolphins on Youtube

28. Miami Dolphins --

0-2

Last Week: 33-27 Loss vs NE

Mike McDaniel should probably be fired in the next few weeks but some good news for the Dolphins is that their passing game finally got off the ground in the second half last week. Their defense is wildly inconsistent and after their players-only meeting after their first game, it's clear this team is in shambles.

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27. Tennessee Titans --

0-2

Last Week: 33-19 Loss vs LAR

Cam Ward has looked good not great but the rest of this team hasn't done much of anything. A home loss to the Rams is somewhat respectable but the Titans have scored only 1 touchdown in 2 games. Hopefully Cam Ward will continue to get better and rally yhe team around himself.

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26. New York Jets \/4

0-2

Last Week: 30-10 Loss vs BUF

Death, Taxes and the Jets being underwhelming. Justin Fields had to exit their game with a concussion and is now doubtful for Week 3 but at this point it looks like his Week 1 performance was more of a fluke anyway. The Jets need to prepare for a new Quarterback but more than that, Aaron Glenn needs to get this defense back on track.

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25. Las Vegas Raiders --

1-1

Last Week: 20-9 Loss vs LAC

The Raiders seem to live or die by Geno Smith after getting almost nothing out of Ashton Jeanty through two weeks. On the bright side, the Raiders defense looks kind of solid so far this season but nowhere near good enough.

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24. Chicago Bears \/4

0-2

Last Week: 52-21 Loss at DET

Boy that was hard to watch. Ben Johnson returns to Detroit and gets ripped apart. Caleb Williams continues to look solid but the defense in Chicago has a lot of problems especially with Jaylon Johnson re-aggravating his groin injury and is expected to miss a lot of time.

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Photo by Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

23. Cincinnati Bengals \/4

2-0

Last Week: 31-27 Win vs JAX

Aw man I feel for Joe Burrow so much. The Bengals somehow still won the game but with Jake Browning at the helm this team has to be looked at as one of the worst in the league for the 3 months Burrow will be out for.

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22. New England Patriots /\4

1-1

Last Week: 33-27 Win at MIA

The Patriots had their first win in 6 years down in Miami but also gave up a lot of passes in the 2nd half. With their CB1 still out of a restructured secondary from this offseason, the Patriots look like they will get even better on offense and will need to to outscore their opponents.

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21. Minnesota Vikings \/5

1-1

Last Week: 22-6 Loss vs ATL

I have never been a big J.J. McCarthy guy and aside from his huge 4th Quarter in Week 1 he has been underwhelming. Now out for 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury, it will be up to their defense and Carson Wentz to try and save the season.

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20. Jacksonville Jaguars \/3

1-1

Last Week: 31-27 Loss at CIN

Losing to the Bengals without Joe Burrow is.... bad. The Jaguars now only hold a win against the Panthers and their defense hasn't gotten going like most of us thought it would. To make matters worse Trevor Lawrence now has 3 picks in 2 games and looks no better with Liam Coen so far this season.

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19. Houston Texans /\5

0-2

Last Week: 20-19 Loss vs TB

The most any team rises up my rankings for a loss, the Texans may be 0-2 but they are a really good 0-2. Their defense seems legit and the team has only lost to the Buccs and Rams who are both 2-0. The offense definitely could be better but once the team gets rolling I can see them rising up the rankings soon.

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18. Pittsburgh Steelers \/9

1-1

Last Week: 31-17 Loss vs SEA

Steelers fans are hoping last week was just a one off after an embarrassing loss at home. Aaron Rodgers also came crashing back to Earth after his Week 1 performance and the defense let up 30 points again. The Steelers need to figure things out quickly.

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Photo by Raymond Carlin III/Getty Images

17. Dallas Cowboys \/2

1-1

Last Week: 40-37 Win vs NYG

The Cowboys drop 2 spots on this list thanks to giving Russell Wilson his best game of his career. The Cowboys defense couldn't stop a nose bleed last week but thanks to their Kicker they won the game in Overtime and saved themselves from one of the biggest embarrassments of the season.

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16. Arizona Cardinals /\2

2-0

Last Week: 27-22 Win vs CAR

The Cardinals are 2-0 but have wins against my #32 and #31 ranked teams and neither were impressive. Everything about the Cardinals seems average and dare I say overrated which is why they are smack in the middle of my list. A divisional game in San Francisco will be a true test to see how they do against a good team.

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15. Seattle Seahawks /\6

1-1

Last Week: 31-17 Win at PIT

Walking into Pittsburgh and slapping them around is NEVER easy and it may have been a bit sloppy but boy were the Seahawks effective. Once Sam Darnold strings a few good games together this team could really start rolling.

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14. Atlanta Falcons /\9

1-1

Last Week: 22-6 Win at MIN

The Falcons walked into Minnesota last week and had their way with the Vikings. Their Week 1's loss to the Buccaneers in heartbreaking fashion should be a really good loss and now their defense looks like it took a major step forward this season.

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13. Washington Commanders \/1

1-1

Last Week: 27-18 Loss at GB

Jayden Daniels knee injury could push the Commanders farther down the list but for now their game against the Packers in Green Bay was actually a good showing. Losing Ekeler for the year is a serious blow though and if Daniels' injury is worse than we think I can see the Commanders lose their ranking quickly.

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12. San Francisco 49ers /\1

2-0

Last Week: 26-21 Win at NO

Mac Jones came in for an injured Brock Purdy and balled out in New Orleans. Their ranking went down last week because of Purdy's injury but now they don't make my top-10 for their defense. Spencer Rattler had another great day and maybe he is a blossoming QB in the league but it's more likely that the 49ers defense is still inconsistent.

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11. Denver Broncos \/4

1-1

Last Week: 29-28 Loss at IND

The Broncos should have won last week in Indianapolis if not for a brutal penalty right at the end. The biggest positive was the turn around performance we saw from Bo Nix and whether the defense had an off day or the Colts offense is actually legit, once the Broncos are able to play to their potential on both sides of the ball they'll be right back to the Top-10 in the league.

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10. Indianapolis Colts /\4

2-0

Last Week: 29-28 Win vs DEN

2009 was the last time the Colts started 2-0 and it took Daniel Jones to do it. Last week wasn't a perfect game and they may have only won because of a dumb penalty by the Broncos but this team has proved they belong in the top end of the league after what they did to the Denver defense.

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9. Detroit Lions /\2

1-1

Last Week: 52-21 Win vs CHI

Boy the Lions welcomed Ben Johnson back to Detroit didn't they? The most impressive offensive performance of the week came at a great time after everyone was ready to give up on the Lions after Week 1.

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8. Los Angeles Rams /\2

2-0

Last Week: 33-19 Win at TEN

The Rams have now beaten two 0-2 teams so far but they look good doing it. Puka Nacua is starting to have a career year and seamlessly took over from Cooper Kupp while the reigning DROY Jared Verse is continuing to be a problem. A Week 3 matchup in Philadelphia will be the real test to see how good this team is.

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7. Kansas City Chiefs /\1

0-2

Last Week: 20-17 Loss vs PHI

The first time the Chiefs have started 0-2 since 2014, the Chiefs are like Notre Dame right now; the best 0-2 team we've seen in a long time. Mahomes has looked incredible even with a "lack" of weapons and injuries through the team and if Kelce would have held on to a red zone catch instead of tipping it up for an interception, the Chiefs could have won their Super Bowl rematch this week.

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6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers \/1

2-0

Last Week: 20-19 Win at HOU

Baker Mayfield was my surprise pick for MVP before the season started and it's looking better and better with every week. It's hard to say whether the Texans are a good team or not this season but Baker's 2nd game-winning drive of the season showed how dangerous this team is.

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5. Los Angeles Chargers /\1

2-0

Last Week: 20-9 Win at LV

In my opinion, the clear pick for most improved team this year is the Chargers. Switching from run-dominant to pass-dominant seemingly out of nowhere, Justin Herbert has looked immaculate and is making stars out of his receivers. On defense, they may have lost Khalil Mack but will still be rolling especially against the run.

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4. Baltimore Ravens --

1-1

Last Week: 41-17 Win vs CLE

After a slow start vs the Browns, Lamar Jackson did Lamar Jackson things and lit the division rivals up. The Browns have a good defense but Lamar didn't care and reminded us just who he and the Ravens are. The only team to score 40 points in both Week 1 and 2, the Ravens did this without needing Derrick Henry to do much of anything.

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3. Green Bay Packers --

2-0

Last Week: 27-18 Win vs WAS

The Packers are once again my #3 win and after their spectacular showing on TNF are right there with these two teams above them. Jordan Love is making all of his "B" receivers look like "A"s and the Green Bay defensive front may be the best in the sport with Micah Parsons.

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2. Philadelphia Eagles --

2-0

Last Week: 20-17 Win at KC

The most impressive win of the week as far as where they won, the Eagles went into Kansas City and won a dogfight. Both teams showed impressive defenses but the Eagles were slightly better in this Super Bowl rematch. Still not quite good enough to knock my #1 team off of it's ranking, the Eagles are still my clear pick for the team that will come out of the NFC... again.

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1. Buffalo Bills --

2-0

Last Week: 30-10 Win at NYJ

At this point, the Top-3 are razor close and could be interchangeable but for my money, the Bills are still the best team in the league. After their Week 1 "Game of the Year", the Bills went to the Meadowlands and made their division rival look like a Pop-Warner team. James Cook was the star in this one and made it clear that even if Josh Allen doesn't go off the Bills can still win against anybody.

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