Eight of the sixteen games Week 1 provided us with were won by four points or less. There were a lot of surprises and many disappointments. Where do the teams rank after Week 1? Let’s find out.
1. Denver Broncos
A lot was lost in defense in the offseason, but Von Miller and company stepped up to the plate with a bend but not break attitude. QB Trevor Siemian wasn’t to shabby either in his first career start.
2. New England Patriots
A win over a lot of people’s Super Bowl favorite, without the best QB and TE in the game? Yeah, New England did that.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 12: Running back DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a fourth quarter touchdown past strong safety DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 12, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
No Le’Veon Bell? No problem. DeAngelo Williams totaled for over 170 yards and two TDs. I would’ve harped over Antonio Brown but what’s the point? The performance he displayed Monday night has become expected. Anything less is considered a bad game.
4. Green Bay Packers
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 11: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers runs after catching a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their game at EverBank Field on September 11, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers and company got into a cat fight with the Jaguars. Having Jordy Nelson back has opened this offense back up. Nothing to panic about over here.
5. Arizona Cardinals
“This defense is going to be one of the best this year.” That wasn’t on display Sunday night. Arizona lost to a backup QB that was missing it’s best target.
6. Carolina Panthers
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
It’s nothing like ending your season last year and opening your season this year, in the same fashion. Losing to a great defense is acceptable, even though there were many missed helmet to helmet calls on Cam Newton. Carolina will bounce back, especially with a healthy Kelvin Benjamin.
7. Seattle Seahawks
Speaking of panic, if you would’ve told me the Seahawks were going to beat the Dolphins by two measly points in Seattle, I would’ve called the insane asylum. Seattle needs to get that offensive line straightened out ASAP.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton had a helluva game against the Jets completing 77% of his passes for over 350 yards. More performances like that could lead Cinncy into the top 5 of this list in the future.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown to win the game against the San Diego Chargers in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Many have this team as the AFC West favorite. If not for Chargers WR Keenan Allen going down with an ACL tear, Kansas City might’ve been booed out of Arrowhead Stadium.
10. Oakland Raiders
Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass over Delvin Breaux #40 of the New Orleans Saints completing a two-point conversion to take the lead late in the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Go for two when you can just kick the XP and force OT? Hell yeah! Jack Del Rio lives on the wild side. These are the games Oakland has to win to be considered a threat.
11. Minnesota Vikings
The offense played horrible, but the defense stepped up and held Tennessee under 17 points. They have to get AP going to be successful offensively this year.
12. New York Jets
Apparently A.J. Green has bought Revis Island because he absolutely owned DR Sunday afternoon. This secondary can’t have QBs like Andy Dalton slanging the ball wherever he wants if they want to compete this year, even if the front seven sacked Dalton seven times.
13. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore did a good job of containing Lesean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor. Mike Wallace is proving he can still take the top off of defenses as well that could lead to one on one matchups for other WRs.
14. New York Giants
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants Run Defense looked really good, being able to get off of blocks against the best OL in the league and make tackles. The Run Offense looked pretty good as well.
15. Houston Texans
Brock Osweilers first career throw as a Houston Texan resulted in an interception. He was able to settle in after that. How about that Lamar Miller guy? Over 110 yards in his Texan debut.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis “The Great” Winston is starting the season off with a bang. Four TDs against a “new and improved” Falcons defense. The Tampa Defense was good last year and will do the same this year. If this offense plays like that every week, watch out!
17. Dallas Cowboys
A tough divisional loss to start the season is pretty devastating, but with a rookie QB that showed poise and a backup RB that was very efficient, Dallas shouldn’t hang their heads to low. With a little more patience from Ezekiel Elliott behind that massive line, Dallas will win games this year.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Yeah, it may have been the Browns, but a very efficient first drive by rookie QB Carson Wentz that lead to his first career TD set the tone for the Philadelphia Eagles. That defense looked good with Jim Schwartz at the helm as Defensive Coordinator.
19. Buffalo Bills
Would’ve expected a better offensive showing from Tyrod Taylor and company. The defense played well, but the offense has to put up more than single digits to win these type of games.
20. Washington Redskins
This game had the feel of a playoff atmosphere. And by that I mean the Redskins start off well and have all the momentum against a good team, only to self-destruct and have the game out of reach. Kirk Cousins threw at least one TD in every game last year. He started this season off with a goose egg against an average, at best, defense.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Another game that came down to the final minutes, Jacksonville wasn’t able to complete the comeback against Green Bay. This team won’t be an easy out on the schedule.
22. New Orleans Saints
Up 14 in the fourth quarter just to give up 22 points and lose by a late two point conversion? Yeah, that’s the summary for the Saints last weekend. The offense is there, but the defense has to get better to at least competed for a Wild Card spot.
23. Detroit Lions
Theo Riddick came through for Detroit. Ameer Abdullah didn’t look bad either. Offensively this team doesn’t look like they miss Calvin Johnson. Shootouts will be the only way the win games this year.
24. Miami Dolphins
Many believed it would be a blow out , but Miami had other plans. Even though they didn’t win the game, this team showed a lot offbeat and played one of the NFC’s toughest teams right down to the end. This type of game can give a team a lot of confidence.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Sunday was filled with comebacks. That’s exactly what Indianapolis allowed Detroit to do to them. Like the Saints, the Colts offense is basically there, but the defense is a liability.
26. Atlanta Falcons
Julio Jones was kept in check for most of the game, and Devonta Freeman looks to have lost his hold as the number one back in this offense.
27. San Diego Chargers
Losing Keenan Allen for the season is a huge blow to this San Diego Offense. Before he went down, they were clicking on all cylinders being up 27-10. After though, KC went on to score 23 unanswered points.
28. San Francisco 49ers
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Shaun Draughn (24) rushes against Los Angeles Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) during the first half of an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Chip Kelly’s offense looked good Monday night against a decent Rams defense. The defense was what everybody was talking about though, as they pitched a shutout.
29. Chicago Bears
Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) grabs the leg of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Langford showed this team will be able to manage some without Matt Forte and Kevin White will help take pressure off of Alshon Jeffery . Outside of that, nothing has changed for Chicago
30. Tennessee Titans
This defense played well against Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Not one offensive TD was allowed and AP was bottled up. If this offense can match the effort put up by the defense, Tennessee can surprise many in the AFC South.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Zero points in offense and 28 points allowed on defense is a recipe for disaster. To make matters worse, the player that LA drafted number one overall, wasn’t even active. On the bright side, the Rams were able to showcase there punter many, many times…..It’s going to be a long season in LA.
32. Cleveland Browns
RGIII on I.R. after the first game of the season? Nothing will ever change. The end.
