Week 1 featured five games decided by the winning score in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime. Eleven of the 16 games were within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter. Four teams overcame deficits of 10 more points to win or tie. Who among us expected the Giants, Bears, Texans and Chiefs to all be undefeated after Week 1? Who among us had the Packers, Bengals, 49ers and Titans heading into Week 2? Almost nobody. Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 2:
1. Buffalo Bills 1-0 (Last week: 1)
What a statement. It felt almost impossible for the Bills to live up to the hype built up during the offseason – and in some ways they did even more so with the Rams 31-10. Josh Allen scored four touchdowns, but the defense showed the biggest improvement. Von Miller, 33, looked a decade younger with two sacks. The Bills looked very impressive in their win over the Rams on Thursday.Getty Images
2. Kansas City Chiefs 1-0 (2)
Patrick Mahomes didn’t seem to miss Tyreek Hill too much as he threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns, including three trips to the end zone on the first three drives. Travis Kelce broke 100 yards for the 30th time in his career and the Chiefs built a 30-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals.
3. Los Angeles Chargers 1-0 (3)
Spoiling Josh McDaniels’ first game as Raiders coach still doesn’t make up for losing that win-and-in matchup and missing the playoffs last season. Justin Herbert threw for three touchdowns — all to offseason additions — and the defense intercepted Derek Carr three times. However, there is concern about receiver Keenan Allen’s hamstring.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0 (4)
Making the first start by a 45-year-old quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady led five scoring drives, even if only one reached the end zone, in a second straight season-opening win against the Cowboys. The NFL’s No. 1 and No. 3 rushing defense over the past two seasons was strong again, allowing 3.9 yards per carry. Tom Brady passes during the Buccaneers’ win over the Cowboys. USA TODAY Sports
5. Baltimore Ravens 1-0 (9)
In the long run, it might hurt the Ravens not to have Lamar Jackson under contract. In the short term, it might help to land a highly motivated former NFL MVP. Cut off from running back by the Jets, he threw for three touchdowns, and a depleted offensive line held up against a good defensive front.
6. Los Angeles Rams 0-1 (6)
Only a defending Super Bowl champion has suffered a more lopsided season-opening loss than the Rams (21 points). They sorely missed the two mercenaries who helped them get over the top —- Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. – but the absence of retired left tackle Andrew Whitworth was more noticeable as Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions.
7. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 (10)
The bold trade and new contract for AJ Brown paid immediate dividends with a career-high 155 receiving yards. When he wasn’t completing passes to Brown, Jalen Hurts rushed 17 times for 90 yards, including a fourth-down conversion to seal a 38-35 victory over the Lions. James Bradbury’s pick six fueled a 24-point second quarter.
8. Minnesota Vikings 1-0 (19)
Justin Jefferson set a franchise record with 158 yards receiving and drew “MVP” chants in the first half of a 23-7 victory against the three-time defending NFC North champion Packers. None of the 10 new managers had a more impressive debut than Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings’ new look 3-4 defense produced four sacks.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 (21)
The Steelers beat the Bengals twice in their opener. First, intercepting Joe Burrow four times to build a 17-3 lead. Then, after giving up the tying touchdown with no time left, they blocked the PAT to force overtime and win on a field goal. TJ Watt’s torn pectoral muscle is a significant blow to an elite defense.
10. Green Bay Packers 0-1 (5)
Maybe Aaron Rodgers should wait until he has better chemistry with his new drop-prone receivers before mocking the other NFC North teams for always thinking it’s their year. Don’t write off the Packers just yet. They lost by 35 points in Week 1 last season and finished with 13 wins. Aaron Rodgers USA TODAY Sports
11. Cincinnati Bengals 0-1 (7)
12. Indianapolis Colts 0-0-1 (11)
13. Miami Dolphins 1-0 (17)
14. New Orleans Saints 1-0 (20)
15. Cleveland Browns 1-0 (22)
16. Las Vegas Raiders 0-1 (16)
17. San Francisco 49ers 0-1 (13)
18. Seattle Seahawks 1-0 (28)
19. Denver Broncos 0-1 (8)
20. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 (14)
21. Washington Commanders 1-0 (23)
22. Arizona Cardinals 0-1 (12)
23. New York Giants 1-0 (29)
The Saquon Barkley Show has been renewed. A finally-healthy Barkley totaled 194 yards short of the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion. The Giants didn’t just snap a five-game losing streak to open the season, they are .500 for the first time at any point in a season since late 2016 after a 21-20 win over the Titans.
24. Tennessee Titans 0-1 (15)
25. Chicago Bears 1-0 (31)
26. New England Patriots 0-1 (18)
27. Carolina Panthers 0-1 (25)
28. Houston Texans 0-0-1 (30)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-1 (26)
30. New York Jets 0-1 (24)
He threw passes. Lost blocks. Tampa. Blown covers. Name a fumble and the Jets had it during a 24-9 loss to the Ravens. Joe Flacco has missed his last seven starts, but will make at least two more with Zach Wilson out … unless head coach Robert Saleh gets suspicious of fans clamoring for third-string Mike White.
