The first week of the NFL season wrapped up on Monday night with the Jets beating the Bills in overtime. It was a wild game to finish off the first week that saw Aaron Rodgers leave with a leg injury and Josh Allen turning the ball over four times.
The first week was one that saw the AFC stumble and only a few teams rise to the top. The middle is jumbled in the conference after one week as we unveil our first set of AFC Power Rankings.
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1. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins came into the season with what looked like one of the best teams in the AFC and the offense didn’t disappoint. The defense still gave up way to many yards and points, but the offense looked as dynamic against the Chargers as many thought it would. Tyreek Hill is still a force, and if Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy this team could make a run at the Super Bowl. Next up is a trip to New England to take on the Patriots.
2. Cleveland Browns
The Browns picked up possibly the most shocking win of Week 1. They dominated their in-state rival Bengals in a 24-3 win. The offense still has to get it together, but the defense was fantastic in limiting Joe Burrow to just 82 yards passing. They will need to continue to prove it, but for one week they look ready to compete in the AFC. Next up is a Monday night date with the Steelers.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers may have lost, but in a week where a lot of AFC teams disappointed, the Chargers are up near the top. They went toe-to-toe with the Dolphins and led almost the whole fourth quarter before giving up a touchdown with just 1:45 left to the Dolphins. The Chargers will now hit the road to take on the Titans and Vikings the next two weeks.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars did what they needed to do on Sunday in going to Indianapolis and beating the Colts. They struggled at times, but found a way to win with two late touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence was good, going 24-32 for 241 and two touchdowns. Calvin Ridley was his favorite target in his first game with the Jags, as he caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars have a huge game next week as they host the defending champion Chiefs.
5. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens took a half to wake up in the season opener, but they scored 18 points in the second half to put away the Texans 25-9. Lamar Jackson didn’t have his best day, as he threw for just 169 yards and had an interception, but the defense stepped up and kept the Texans out of the end zone. The Ravens will head to Cincinnati this weekend to take on the Bengals.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
The scene was set for Patrick Mahomes to once again lead the Chiefs to a late comeback win, but the Lions thwarted those plans and the defending Super Bowl champs lost their opener 21-20. Travis Kelce was out with a knee injury and the offense didn’t look the same. Mahomes is still great, but he is going to need more help from his other receivers moving forward. The Chiefs travel to Jacksonville on Sunday to take on the Jaguars.
7. New York Jets
The good news is that the Jets picked up a huge Monday Night win against the Bills in overtime. The bad news is that Aaron Rodgers has a torn achilles tendon is done for the season. It is a huge blow for a Jets team that thought Rodgers was the missing piece. The offense might struggle under Zach Wilson, but the defense is very good and could lead this team to a bunch of wins. The Jets have a tough game next week, as they must travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.
8. New England Patriots
The Patriots played the defending NFC Champion Eagles tough, but came up just short in a 25-20 loss. Mac Jones played well in the loss, as he went 35-for-54 for 316 yards and three touchdowns. He tried to lead the comeback as they trailed 16-0 after the first quarter, but their late rally came up short. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Patriots as they get the Dolphins at home on Sunday before playing the Jets and Cowboys on the road.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills did not play well on offense in their Monday night loss to the Jets. Josh Allen had one of his worst games, as he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Even after all that they still took the game to overtime and had the ball in the extra frame. They couldn’t go anywhere though and lost on a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown. Sunday they will look to rebound when they take on the Raiders at home.
10. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders found a way to win on Sunday in Jimmy Garoppolo’s debut with the team. Garoppolo did just enough, as he went 20-for-28 for 200 yards and two touchdowns. The last touchdown throw came with 6:34 left to give the Raiders a 17-16 lead. That would be the last of the scoring in the victory for Las Vegas. They were good enough to win in Denver, but this Sunday it gets much tougher at Buffalo against the Bills.
11. Denver Broncos
The Broncos nearly got a win in Sean Payton’s debut as head coach, but the late touchdown doomed them against the Raiders. Russell Wilson did throw two touchdown passes, but only had 177 yards through the air. The defense is good once again, but the offense is going to have to be better if they want to compete in a tough AFC West. The Broncos get a second straight home game on Sunday when the Commanders come to town.
12. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts looked like they might get a win in quarterback Anthony Richardson’s debut, as they led the Jaguars 21-17 late into the fourth quarter, but two touchdowns in just over a minute doomed them. Richardson was solid, but an interception in between those two touchdowns put a damper on his first game. The Colts will head to Houston on Sunday looking to get their first win.
13. Tennessee Titans
The Titans looked bad against the Saints on Sunday, as they couldn’t get into the end zone and had to settle for five field goals in their 16-15 loss. The offense didn’t look great, as Ryan Tannehill went just 16-for-34 and threw three interceptions. Derrick Henry was also limited to just 63 yards on the ground. Next up is a home game against the Chargers on Sunday.
14. Cincinnati Bengals
This will most likely not be where the Bengals end up, but for one week they looked bad. Joe Burrow looked horrible, going 14-for-31 for just 82 yards. It was his worst game in the NFL and the Bengals couldn’t get anything going in a 24-3 loss to the Browns. They will probably be better, but they were one of the worst in the AFC after Week 1. They now get two straight home games starting on Sunday against the Ravens.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had no answers for the 49ers on Sunday. They were down 20-0 before they could score and they finished with just seven points. The 49ers defense proved to be too much, but they also only gave the ball to Najee Harris six times. He averaged just over five yards a carry, but didn’t get many touches. Next up is a Monday night date with the Browns at home.
16. Houston Texans
The Texans were one of the worst teams in the NFL last year and Sunday didn’t do much to change many minds. CJ Stroud went 28-for-44 for 242 yards in his debut, but couldn’t lead the Texans to the end zone, as they had to settle for three field goals in the 25-9 loss. The Texans welcome the Colts to town on Sunday as both teams look to get their first win.
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