NFL: Chiefs Rise & Cowboys Fall
The second full weekend of the NFL season just wrapped up, and a pair of our writers, Charles Post and Caleb Henderson, have come together to rank the top-10 teams in the league prior to Week 3. While the Kansas City Chiefs looked good against against the Philadelphia Eagles, the former No. 1 Dallas Cowboys were blown out by the Denver Broncos.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) (+4): RB Kareem Hunt had another huge day, getting into the end zone twice and recording 81 yards. TE Travis Kelce also looked like his normal self after struggling in Week 1, catching for 103 yards. The Chiefs didn't blow out the Philadelphia Eagles (27-20), but it was good enough to stay unbeaten. In Week 3, they have their second road game of the year, against division foe, the Los Angeles Chargers (0-2). If all goes well, the Chiefs should stay atop these rankings next week.
Team MVP: Kareem Hunt (RB) - 229 Yards & 3 TDs.
2. Oakland Raiders (2-0) (+2): QB Derek Carr kept up his MVP-level performance that he showed us last season prior to his injury, and throwing for 230 yards is only going to boost his confidence even more. And it helps that he has workhorse RB Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, dancing and all. Yeah, it was just the New York Jets (0-2), but still, a 45-20 victory is impressive at any rate. The Oakland Raiders will also be on the road, at the Washington Redskins (1-1) on Sunday Night Football.
Team MVP: Derek Carr (QB) - 492 Yards & 5 TDs.
3. Denver Broncos (2-0) (+8): Did anything think the Denver Broncos would beat the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) 42-17? I definitely didn't. RB C.J. Anderson dropped 118 yards on the 'Boys, and the Broncos' defense allowed minimal breathing room, only allowing RB Ezekiel Elliott to gain eight (!) yards on nine carries. Denver, who is No. 3 in our rankings, but the top-2 are in their division, much match whatever the other teams do, so a Week 3 matchup with the Buffalo Bills (1-1) is important.
Team MVP: C.J. Anderson (RB) - 199 Yards & 2 TDs.
4. Atlanta Falcons (2-0) (-1): Well, the Atlanta Falcons dropped a spot to No. 4 but it wasn't because of anything they did. QB Matt Ryan and Co. dominated the Green Bay Packers (1-1) for the second straight game. WR Julio Jones totaled 108 receiving yards, and the defense turned QB Aaron Rodgers over twice, once for a score. Atlanta heads to Michigan to face the Detroit Lions (2-0) in a top-10 matchup that will keep one team undefeated.
Team MVP: Matt Ryan (QB) - 573 Yards & 2 TDs.
5. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) (+7): After not appearing in our rankings last week, slotted just outside of the top-10, the Baltimore Ravens beat down the Cleveland Browns, 24-10, behind yet another strong performance from the defense. QB Joe Flacco also threw for 217 yards. The Ravens should be able to move to 3-0, facing the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) in London on Sunday morning.
Team MVP: Javorious Allen (RB) - 137 Yards & 0 TDs.
6. Detroit Lions (2-0) (+4): The Detroit Lions aren't the most talented team in the league, but when Matthew Stafford plays up to his potential, the offensive line is disciplined, and the defense creates pressure, they can beat anyone, as they proved on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants (0-2), who are widely considered as one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. RB Ameer Abdullah had 86 yards against the Giants, and that's a big key to winning for this team. We'll see where this team really stands after a bout with the Atlanta Falcons (2-0) on Sunday afternoon.
Team MVP: Matthew Stafford (QB) - 414 Yards & 6 TDs.
7. New England Patriots (1-1) (+0): QB Tom Brady returned to his normal self with a 447-yard performance against the New Orleans Saints (0-2), but injuries are beginning to mount for the defending champions. If this team has Super Bowl aspirations, as they always do, they'll need to stay healthy for a majority of the season. The Patriots return home for a battle with the Houston Texans (1-1) and rookie QB Deshaun Watson.
Team MVP: Tom Brady (QB) - 714 Yards & 3 TDs.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) (+0): RB Le'Veon Bell still isn't back to his normal production, rushing for 83 yards, but he's getting closer, in a Week 2 win, 26-9, over the Minnesota Vikings (1-1). The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but it's not translating to the field as much as I thought it would. There's still a lot of time to go, though, and Week 3's matchup with the lowly Chicago Bears (0-2) should help.
Team MVP: Ben Roethlisberger (QB) - 506 Yards & 4 TDs.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) (+4): After not playing in Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma, the Fighting Jameis Winston's started their season against the Bears in Week 2. WR Mike Evans had 93 receiving yards in the 29-7 win. Things get a little tougher in Week 3, though, as the Bucs head to Minnesota. I think Tampa Bay should move to 2-0, but it remains to be seen if they will.
Team MVP: Jameis Winston (QB) - 204 Yards & 1 TD.
10. Carolina Panthers (2-0) ) (+4): The Carolina Panthers only scored nine points against the Buffalo Bills. It wasn't a good day for QB Cam Newton, even though he did toss for 228 yards, 77 of which to were WR Kelvin Benjamin. Carolina must figure out their offense if they want to return to the playoffs. We'll see if Newton can keep up with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints (0-2) on Sunday.
Team MVP: Cam Newton (QB) - 399 Yards & 2 TDs.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated & Sporting News.
