Who predicted that the Chiefs, Bengals and Bills – three of the most popular Super Bowl picks – all would open the NFL season with losses?
Week 1 lived up to its billing as unpredictable.
Six teams – only two of which were in the playoffs last season – posted fourth-quarter-comeback victories. In all, nine teams that missed the playoffs last season started 1-0. Nine road teams won, which only has been topped in Week 1 in two other seasons (1983 and 2006).
While the super-tight AFC was turned on its head by those three division favorites losing and Aaron Rodgers’ potentially season-ending injury, the projected NFC powers looked the part.
Here are The Post’s power rankings for Week 2:
1. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
The 49ers have a top-five player at his position at left tackle, running back, fullback, tight end, defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker. And Brock Purdy isn’t just along for the ride, picking up where he left off last season with a 111.3 quarterback rating in a 30-7 trouncing of the Steelers. Drake Jackson tallied three sacks.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Just like the Eagles beat Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, they spoiled his retirement homecoming with a 25-20 victory over the Patriots. Darius Slay’s 70-yard interception return for a touchdown helped build a 16-0 first-quarter lead. Three of Jake Elliott’s four field goals covered 48 yards or further. The offense struggled to finish after an offseason change at coordinator.
3. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
Strange but true: Dak Prescott threw for 143 yards and no touchdowns … and the Cowboys celebrated their biggest shutout victory in franchise history. The pass rush recorded seven sacks, and both the defense and the special teams scored touchdowns in a 40-0 rout of the Giants. Tony Pollard rushed for two touchdowns in life after Ezekiel Elliott.
4. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
Admit it: You forgot that Tua Tagovailoa was among the MVP frontrunners before a rough December and an injury-plagued January. A healthy Tagovailoa (466 passing yards and three touchdowns) was the difference in a 36-34 win against the Chargers that featured nine lead changes. Tyreek Hill (215 receiving yards) is well on his way to his goal of 2,000.
5. New York Jets (1-0)
The ultimate Pyrrhic victory at the cost of Rodgers, who was lost on the fourth offensive snap of a 22-16 win against the Bills. With Zach Wilson stepping in, the playoffs remain within reach because of dominant playmakers on both sides like Garrett Wilson and Quinnen Williams. Oh, and Xavier Gipson, who scored a walk-off punt return touchdown in overtime.
6. Detroit Lions (1-0)
What a statement. An audience of 26.8 million watched the upstart Lions upset the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. David Montgomery ran for the go-ahead touchdown late in a 21-20 victory. A smashmouth defense had a pick-six and held the Chiefs scoreless on two drives when only a field goal was needed.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
It’s not too soon to trade for a receiver. With tight end Travis Kelce injured, Patrick Mahomes was forced to rely on Kadarius Toney, whose three drops put an end to questions about why the Giants traded him for pennies on the dollar. Monday’s settling of a contract dispute with dominant defensive lineman Chris Jones was smart for both parties.
8. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
A 25-9 victory against the Texans came at a cost. Running back J.K. Dobbins (torn Achilles) is out for the season and safety Marcus Williams (shoulder) left with a foot injury, further weakening a secondary without cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot). Rookie Zay Flowers (nine catches for 78 yards) overshadowed Odell Beckham Jr.’s first game since Feb. 13, 2022.
9. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Josh Allen committed four turnovers and the Bills squandered a 10-point halftime lead by allowing 16 points in the final five minutes of regulation plus overtime against the Rodgers-less Jets. Stefon Diggs looked like a one-man offensive show (10 catches for 102 yards). Hurry back, Von Miller, so the defense can close games.
10. Cleveland Browns (1-0)
The Jim Schwartz Effect was real in a 24-3 win over the Bengals. The longtime defensive coordinator’s gameplan had Joe Burrow under constant pressure (10 quarterback hits) and held him to a career-low 82 passing yards. The Browns ran 40 times for 206 yards in the rain, and Deshaun Watson accounted for two touchdowns.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
13. Green Bay Packers (1-0)
14. San Diego Chargers (0-1)
15. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
16. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
17. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
19. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
20. Washington Commanders (1-0)
21. New England Patriots (0-1)
22. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
23. Denver Broncos (0-1)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
25. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
26. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
27. Chicago Bears (0-1)
28. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
29. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
30. New York Giants (0-1)
The Giants’ 12th loss in their last 13 meetings with the Cowboys was the worst of all. The offensive line, especially on the right side, sounded alarm bells by allowing 12 quarterback hits. The new offensive playmakers made no impact. Daniel Jones forced throws leading to turnovers. The pass rush was non-existent. Other than all that, how are things?
31. Houston Texans (0-1)
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
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