Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season is officially OVER.
We saw a lot of upsets here, and for every result that was expected, there was one that wasn’t.
Some things went according to plan: The Buccaneers began their title defense with a win over the Cowboys, the 49ers took care of the Lions, and the Rams easily took care of business against the Bears.
But the upsets: The Cardinals crushed the Titans and the Saints pulled off the shocker of the week with a blowout over the Packers.
Now, we go to the power rankings to see how every team did and what to expect from them entering Week 2.
#32: Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1 @ HOU: L, 21-37 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #30
Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer are not accustomed to losing. From what we saw in Houston, that is about to change. New coach, new QB, same old Jaguars: The 2021 Jags looked like the 2020 version of them that ended the season on a 15-game losing streak. Turnovers, penalties, mental lapses, all resulting in a 37-21 loss to a Texans team that looks to be one of the worst teams in all of football. The Jags were outclassed in every facet. Lawrence was shaky in his NFL debut, with three touchdowns and three picks. The Jags defense allowed a Texans offense that isn’t scaring anyone to convert 12 of 21 3rd downs and putting up 449 yards on offense. This was supposed to be an easily winnable game for the Jaguars. If that is the case, where does that leave the Jags after Week 1? The only way they can go is up. But if games like what they experienced against the Texans is going to look like for the Jags, then the Urban Meyer era is going to be short-lived. It doesn’t help that the Jags will face a seven-week stretch of games against teams that either won in Week 1, made the playoffs last season, or both. It’s hard to find a game over that span where the Jags are favorites.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Trevor Lawrence
RB: James Robinson
WR: Marvin Jones Jr., DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr.
TE: Chris Manhertz
OL: Cam Robinson (LT), Andrew Norwell (LG), Brandon Linder (C), AJ Cann (RG), Jawaan Taylor (RT)
DL: Malcom Brown (LDE), DaVon Hamilton (NT), Roy Robertson-Harris (RDE)
EDGE: Josh Allen (WLB), K’Lavon Chaisson (SLB)
ILB: Damien Wilson (LILB), Myles Jack (RILB)
CB: CJ Henderson (LCB), Shaquill Griffin (RCB)
S: Andrew Wingard (SS), Rayshawn Jenkins (FS)
ST: Josh Lambo (K), Logan Cooke (P), Ross Matiscik (LS)
RS: Jamal Agnew
#31: Detroit Lions
Week 1 vs. SF: L, 33-41 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #31
The fact that the Lions are a bad football team is not surprising. But give them credit for making a comeback attempt against a vastly superior 49ers team. This is no small feat considering the Lions trailed by as many as 28 points in the 2nd half. Jared Goff actually played well in his Lions debut, with 338 yards and three touchdowns. Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift had 100+ total yards with a touchdown. TJ Hockenson hauled in 8 passes for 97 yards and a score. The Lions need these weapons, as their defense gave up 442 yards and 41 points. They were also outmatched enough to fall behind by four touchdowns in their own home stadium, as sure a sign as any that this will be a developmental year in Detroit that we all anticipate. That trust-the-process outlook took an ugly hit in the 4th quarter when Jeff Okudah suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Okudah, the 3rd overall pick of the 2020 Draft, never really got his feet under him as a rookie, and now his sophomore season was basically wiped away before it even began. Trying times are in the Motor City.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Jared Goff
RB: D’Andre Swift
WR: Tyrell Williams, Kalif Raymond, Amon-Ra St. Brown
TE: TJ Hockenson
OL: Penei Sewell (LT), Jonah Jenkins (LG), Frank Ragnow (C), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG), Matt Nelson (RT)
DL: Michael Brockers (LDE), Alim McNeill (NT), Nick Williams (RDE)
EDGE: Romeo Okwara (WLB), Trey Flowers (SLB)
ILB: Alex Anzalone (LILB), Jamie Collins Sr. (RILB)
CB: Amani Oruwariye (LCB), Ifeatu Melifonwu (RCB)
S: Will Harris (SS), Tracy Walker III (FS)
ST: Austin Seibert (K), Jack Fox (P), Scott Daly (LS)
RS: Kalif Raymond
#30: Atlanta Falcons
Week 1 vs. PHI: L, 6-32 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #26
The Falcons entered Week 1 with high expectations for their offense. Julio Jones was gone, but the arrival of 4th overall pick Kyle Pitts and a gifted play-caller in new head coach Arthur Smith looked to be a recipe for a fireworks show. All that fired was a bunch of duds against the Eagles. They had just two field goals and didn’t have a play from scrimmage that went beyond 18 yards in the blowout loss. Struggles on defense are expected for the Falcons this season, but this putrid performance needs to be an aberration, or else. Because this is a dispiriting loss for them. While nobody expected the Falcons to be a playoff team in 2021, or even a good team, getting blown out in your own building is another story altogether. And their matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champions could get ugly quickly.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Mike Davis
WR: Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage
TE: Kyle Pitts, Hayden Hurst
OL: Jake Matthews (LT), Jalen Mayfield (LG), Matt Hennessy (C), Chris Lindstrom (RG), Kaleb McGary (RT)
DL: Jonathan Bullard (LDE), Tyeler Davison (NT), Grady Jarrett (RDT)
EDGE: Steven Means (WLB), Dante Fowler Jr. (SLB)
ILB: Deion Jones (LILB), Foyesade Oluokun (RILB)
CB: AJ Terrell (LCB), Fabian Moreau (RCB)
S: Duron Harmon (SS), Erik Harris (FS)
ST: Younghoe Koo (K), Cameron Nizialek (P), Josh Harris (LS)
RS: Cordarrelle Patterson (KR), Avery Williams (PR)
#29: New York Jets
Week 1 @ CAR: L, 14-19 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #29
The season opener against the Panthers looked very Jetsy of the Jets. That’s not a good sign. But to be fair, Zach Wilson had some nice throws in his NFL debut. He showed toughness, resiliency, and plenty of talent throughout the 2nd half. But he completed 20 of 37 passes with a pick. He didn’t really have a lot of help, and the O-line still has a lot of questions, struggling mightily against the Panthers, allowing 6 sacks and 10 hits on Wilson, who was running for his life for the majority of the game. If that isn’t bad enough, Mekhi Becton left in the 3rd quarter with a knee injury. He may have dodged a season-ending setback, but an already-beleaguered front five will be without their biggest piece for at least a month. Plus, the three-headed rushing “attack” of Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter had 17 rushes for a combined 45 yards. Defensively, the Jets had just one sack and gave up a big game to Christian McCaffrey. And with Becton out, this is only going to make Wilson’s adjustment to the NFL harder.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Zach Wilson
RB: Tevin Coleman
WR: Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole
TE: Ryan Griffin
OL: George Fant (LT), Alijah Vera-Tucker (LG), Connor McGovern (C), Greg Van Roten (RG), Morgan Moses (RT)
DE: John Franklin-Myers (LDE), Bryce Huff (RDE)
DT: Sheldon Rankins (LDT), Quinnen Williams (RDT)
LB: Hamsah Nasirildeen (WLB), CJ Mosley (MLB), Jamien Sherwood (SLB)
CB: Brandin Echols (LCB), Bryce Hall (RCB)
S: Sheldrick Redwine (SS), Marcus Maye (FS)
ST: Matt Ammendola (K), Braden Mann (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
RS: Michael Carter III (KR), Braxton Berrios (PR)
#28: Houston Texans
Week 1 vs. JAX: W, 37-21 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #32
The Texans were viewed by almost all of the league as the worst team in the NFL before Week 1. They certainly didn’t play like that against a Jaguars team that looked overmatched and unprepared. Tyrod Taylor had 331 total yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers. It’s a good start to the season and a welcome change of conversation after all the Deshaun Watson drama. Houston put up 160 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as well. The defense also forced three interceptions and held the Jags to just 3 of 11 on 3rd down. But don’t overreact to this win; the Texans are still a bad team.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Tyrod Taylor
RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Brandin Cooks, Chris Conley, Danny Amendola
TE: Pharaoh Brown
OL: Laremy Tunsil (LT), Tytus Howard (LG), Justin Britt (C), Justin McCray (RG), Marcus Cannon (RT)
DE: Whitney Mercilus (LDE), Jordan Jenkins (RDE)
DT: Vincent Taylor (LDT), Maliek Collins (RDT)
LB: Zach Cunningham (WLB), Christian Kirksey (MLB), Kevin Pierre-Louis (SLB)
CB: Desmond King II (LCB), Terrance Mitchell (RCB)
S: Eric Murray (SS), Justin Reid (FS)
ST: Ka’imi Fairbairn (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
RS: Andre Roberts
#27: New York Giants
Week 1 vs. DEN: L, 13-27 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #24
The Giants are a bad football team. Since 2017, the Giants have not had a winning record at any point in that span, and any optimism that the new-look Giants vanished. Playing at home against a Broncos team that nobody is penciling in for a Super Bowl trip, the Giants were a mess offensively and defensively. Offensively, Daniel Jones continues with the same, inaccurate, turnover-prone young quarterback. Under pressure behind a still-struggling O-line, Jones was 22 of 37 and committed a back-breaking fumble in the 2nd half. The Giants had just 60 rushing yards and three yards per carry. Defensively, they gave up 420 total yards on offense and 165 yards on the ground, letting the Broncos convert 7 of 15 3rd downs and all three 4th downs. At times Jones moved the ball well, connecting on a handful of downfield strikes against a Broncos secondary that is highly stingy when it comes to surrendering chunk plays. But Jones’s fumble short-circuited a promising drive and sealed Big Blue’s fate. Jones is good until he’s not, and that’s a huge problem.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Daniel Jones
RB: Saquon Barkley
WR: Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton
TE: Evan Engram
OL: Andrew Thomas (LT), Shane Lemieux (LG), Nick Gates (C), Will Hernandez (RG), Nate Solder (RT)
DL: Dexter Lawrence (LDE), Austin Johnson (NT), Leonard Williams (RDE)
EDGE: Lorenzo Carter (WLB), Oshane Ximines (SLB)
ILB: Tae Crowder (LILB), Blake Martinez (RILB)
CB: James Bradberry (LCB), Adoree’ Jackson (RCB)
S: Jabrill Peppers (SS), Logan Ryan (FS)
ST: Graham Gano (K), Riley Dixon (P), Casey Kreiter (LS)
RS: Jabrill Peppers
#26: Carolina Panthers
Week 1 vs. NYJ: W, 19-14 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #27
Sam Darnold got his revenge game, but the most enticing development to come out of their 19-14 win over the Jets was a defensive front seven that used speed and athleticism to completely outclass the Jets. Brian Burns and Shaq Thompson led the way in a Panthers defense that had Zach Wilson running for his life from the get-go. Darnold overcame some early miscues on delivering a strong performance in his Panthers debut, while Christian McCaffrey, who had 187 total yards, was back to being the best running back in the league. It was hardly a blowout, but he got a measure of payback against the team he spent the first three seasons with, throwing for 279 yards and a long score to fellow ex-Jet Robby Anderson. However, a much stiffer test awaits against a Saints team that smoked the Packers.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Sam Darnold
RB: Christian McCaffrey
WR: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Terrace Marshall Jr.
TE: Dan Arnold
OL: Cam Erving (LT), Pat Elflein (LG), Matt Paradis (C), John Miller (RG), Taylor Moton (RT)
DE: Brian Burns (LDE), Morgan Fox (RDE)
DT: Derrick Brown (LDT), DaQuan Jones (RDT)
LB: Shaq Thompson (WLB), Jermaine Carter Jr. (MLB), Haason Reddick (SLB)
CB: Donte Jackson (LCB), Jaycee Horn (RCB)
S: Jeremy Chinn (SS), Juston Burris (FS)
ST: Ryan Santoso (K), Joseph Charlton (P), JJ Jansen (LS)
RS: Chuba Hubbard (KR), Alex Erickson (PR)
#25: Chicago Bears
Week 1 @ LAR: L, 14-34 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #21
If you’re of the optimistic sort, there were bright spots during the Bears’ opener. David Montgomery did something that no running back in the NFL did against the Rams last season: Rush for over 100 yards and a touchdown. He got 108 yards and a score in just 16 carries. Justin Fields completed both of his pass attempts and ran for one of their touchdowns too. It’s the latter performance that Bears fans will mostly talk about around Chicago. Andy Dalton wasn’t all that terrible, but he wasn’t great. Bears head coach Matt Nagy, however, didn’t sound like someone prepared to make a switch at quarterback. All summer long, Bears fans and NFL fans were begging Nagy to start Fields in Week 1. Nagy didn’t listen, but it wasn’t Dalton’s fault that the Bears got blown out. Only one offense in the NFL ran fewer plays than the Rams in Week 1, but the Rams still put up 34 points and more than 350 yards against a backpedaling Bears D that has regressed considerably. The Bears need Fields to do more than just be an upgrade over Dalton. They need him to give something that they lost in recent years: an identity.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Andy Dalton
RB: David Montgomery
WR: Allen Robinson II, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin
TE: Cole Kmet
OL: Elijah Wilkinson (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), James Daniels (RG), Germain Ifedi (RT)
DL: Akiem Hicks (LDE), Eddie Goldman (NT), Bilal Nichols (RDE)
EDGE: Khalil Mack (WLB), Robert Quinn (SLB)
ILB: Roquan Smith (LILB), Alec Ogletree (RILB)
CB: Jaylon Johnson (LCB), Kindle Vildor (RCB)
S: Tashaun Gipson Sr. (SS), Eddie Jackson FS)
ST: Cairo Santos (K), Pat O’Donnell (P), Patrick Scales (LS)
RS: Khalil Herbert (KR), Damiere Byrd (PR)
#24: Minnesota Vikings
Week 1 @ CIN: L, 24-27 (OT) | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #18
That ruling on Dalvin Cook’s fumble that set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning kick was a confusing one. It was sure another one of those questionable calls that swung the outcome of the game. But the Vikings also put themselves in a vulnerable position with an afternoon of sloppy play against a supposedly inferior opponent. Four of the Vikings’ five offensive linemen were charged with holding penalties, and the one who wasn’t—Brian O’Neill—had a false start. The rebuilt secondary struggled to contain Joe Burrow, who averaged almost 10 yards per attempt. Head coach Mike Zimmer isn’t worried about talk that his job could be in jeopardy if the Vikings had another disappointing season, but he should possibly start worrying. It’s not just because the Vikings lost here. They were beaten by a Bengals team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2015. The defense allowed 366 yards of offense and 149 yards on the ground to an offense that finished 29th in the league last season. This is a bad sign for a Vikings team that is going towards a three-game stretch against the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Browns. Given how they played in this game, 0-4 is a real possibility. And by that point, Zimmer’s job could be looking shakier.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Kirk Cousins
RB: Dalvin Cook
WR: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, KJ Osborn
TE: Chris Herndon
OL: Rashod Hill (LT), Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Oli Udoh (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT)
DE: Danielle Hunter (LDE), Stephen Weatherly (RDE)
DT: Michael Pierce (LDT), Dalvin Tomlinson (RDT)
LB: Nick Vigil (WLB), Eric Kendricks (MLB), Anthony Barr (SLB)
CB: Bashaud Breeland (LCB), Patrick Peterson (RCB)
S: Harrison Smith (SS), Xavier Woods (FS)
ST: Greg Joseph (K), Jordan Berry (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
RS: Ihmir Smith-Marsette (KR), KJ Osborn (PR)
#23: Cincinnati Bengals
Week 1 vs. MIN: W, 27-24 (OT) | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #28
If the Bengals entered the 2021 season with optimism, it was of the guarded variety. How would Joe Burrow look in his return from an ACL tear? Could the revamped O-line give Burrow more protection? Could this defense get stops when it needed to do so? So far, so good. Burrow played very well in his first game back, completing 20 of 27 for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Mixon had a day, with 127 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Ja’Marr Chase took all that trash-talk from his drops personally, with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown on his professional debut. And then there’s head coach Zac Taylor, whose bold 4th & Inches call in overtime led to CJ Uzomah’s 32-yard reception that set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal. But it wasn’t all a paradise. Burrow was sacked five times and hit seven times. The Bengals also allowed over 400 yards of offense and blew a double-digit lead in the 2nd half. There is plenty to tighten up ahead of a two-game road trip to Chicago and Pittsburgh. But still, look out for the Bengals.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Joe Burrow
RB: Joe Mixon
WR: Tyler Boyd, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins
TE: CJ Uzomah
OL: Jonah Williams (LT), Quinton Spain (LG), Trey Hopkins (C), Xavier Su’a-Filo (RG), Riley Reiff (RT)
DE: Sam Hubbard (LDE), Trey Hendrickson (RDE)
DT: DJ Reader (LDT), Larry Ogunjobi (RDT)
LB: Logan Wilson (LILB), Germaine Pratt (RILB)
CB: Eli Apple (LCB), Chidobe Awuzie (RCB), Mike Hilton (NB)
S: Vonn Bell (SS), Jessie Bates III (FS)
ST: Evan McPherson (K), Kevin Huber (P), Clark Harris (LS)
RS: Brandon Wilson (KR), Darius Phillips (PR)
#22: Washington Football Team
Week 1 vs. LAC: L, 16-20 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #20
The news on Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a good sign for Washington. He was placed on the IR after suffering a hip subluxation in the loss to the Chargers, and the possibility of him missing the rest of the season is “on the table.” This is a crushing setback for both Fitzpatrick and Washington, where they cannot find stability under center. Taylor Heinicke showed flashes at times. He started in the team’s Wild Card Round loss to the Buccaneers last season. He also had his moments against the Chargers, also adding a dimension of mobility that Fitzpatrick doesn’t have. But there is a reason why Fitzpatrick won the starting job under center over Heinicke, and a prolonged absence from the longtime journeyman QB would be a blow to Washington’s chances of repeating. You also have to wonder if Ron Rivera is truly serious about not bringing in another veteran. The fact that Cam Newton isn’t on a plane to DC should raise questions on how Rivera really feels about his former MVP.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Taylor Heinicke
RB: Antonio Gibson
WR: Terry McLaurin, Dynami Brown, Adam Humphries
TE: Logan Thomas
OL: Charles Leno Jr. (LT), Wes Schweitzer (LG), Chase Roullier (C), Brandon Scherff (RG), Sam Cosmi (RT)
DE: Chase Young (LDE), Montez Sweat (RDE)
DT: Jonathan Allen (LDT), Da’Ron Payne (RDT)
LB: Cole Holcomb (WLB), Jamin Davis (MLB), Jon Bostic (SLB)
CB: Kendall Fuller (LCB), William Jackson III (RCB)
S: Landon Collins (SS), Kamren Curl (FS)
ST: Dustin Hopkins (K), Tress Way (P), Camaron Cheeseman (LS)
RS: DeAndre Carter
#21: Las Vegas Raiders
Week 1 vs. BAL: W, 33-27 (OT) | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #23
One game does not determine how good a team will be. There’s a long way for the Raiders to challenge the Chiefs in the AFC West. Or make a run at a wild card spot. But if the Raiders make noise in 2021, they will look back at this comeback win over the Ravens as what started everything. The whole night was so on brand for the Raiders, but those final moments in overtime were especially on point: Jon Gruden’s decision to let his kicker out for a ludicrously premature field goal attempt, only to be bailed out by a penalty when the field goal team couldn’t get set up in time, setting up the humiliation of having to send your offense back on the field, which led to—naturally—Derek Carr’s 31-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Zay Jones that had Raiders fans partying. Carr was phenomenal, with 435 passing yards and leading a game-tying drive at the end of regulation to tie it up; the Raiders defense made several big plays, sacking Lamar Jackson three times and forcing a pair of fumbles—including one that set up the game-winning touchdown. It’s nice to know the madness of Jon Gruden football is alive and well. The celebration is short-lived, however. This is just the first of four games against playoff-caliber teams or teams that made the playoffs this season, as their next three games has them playing against the Steelers, Chargers, or Bears. It seems that we may have underestimated the Raiders, but they need to prove that they are for real over the next several weeks. And more than once.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Derek Carr
RB: Kenyan Drake
WR: Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow
TE: Darren Waller
OL: Kolton Miller (LT), Richie Inognito (LG), Andre James (C), Jermaine Eluemunor (RG), Alex Leatherwood (RT)
DE: Maxx Crosby (LDE), Yannick Ngakoue (RDE)
DT: Johnathan Hankins (LDT), Quinton Jefferson (RDT)
LB: Cory Littleton (WLB), Denzel Perryman (MLB), KJ Wright (SLB)
CB: Trayvon Mullen Jr. (LCB), Casey Hayward Jr. (RCB)
S: Johnathan Abram (SS), Tre’von Moehrig (FS)
ST: Daniel Carlson (K), AJ Cole III (P), Trent Sieg (LS)
RS: Kenyan Drake (KR), Hunter Renfrow (PR)
#20: Philadelphia Eagles
Week 1 vs. ATL: W, 32-6 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #25
Have we been sleeping on the Eagles? Nick Sirianni’s head coaching debut was a great one, as Philly took it to the host Falcons on both sides of the ball in a 32-6 rout. The biggest question was “Could Jalen Hurts improve as a passer in his second season and take full control of the offense?” Although it’s just one game against a bad team, early signs are promising. Hurts tore apart the Falcons defense both on the ground and through the air to the tune of 326 total yards—264 through the air and 62 on the ground—and three touchdowns. After competing only 52% of his throws in his rookie season, he was efficient, to the tune of a completion percentage of 77.1 against the Falcons. DeVonta Smith caught a touchdown in his NFL debut, and the defense limited the Falcons to 4.1 yards per play. The Eagles defense stepped up as well. The Falcons managed just 260 yards on offense, converting only on 3 of 14 third downs and did not find paydirt. The 49ers are a bigger challenge that lies ahead, but the Eagles look like a confident team ready for a fight.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Jalen Hurts
RB: Miles Sanders
WR: DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward Jr.
TE: Dallas Goedert
OL: Jordan Mailata (LT), Isaac Seumalo (LG), Jason Kelce (C), Brandon Brooks (RG), Lane Johnson (RT)
DE: Brandon Graham (LDE), Derek Barnett (RDE)
DT: Javon Hargrave (LDT), Fletcher Cox (RDT)
LB: Alex Singleton (WLB), Eric Wilson (MLB), Genard Avery (SLB)
CB: Darius Slay Jr. (LCB), Steven Nelson (RCB)
S: K’Von Wallace (SS), Anthony Harris (FS)
ST: Jake Elliott (K), Arryn Siposs (P), Rick Lovato (FS)
RS: Quez Watkins (KR), Jalen Reagor (PR)
#19: Indianapolis Colts
Week 1 vs. SEA: L, 16-28 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #16
Week 1 was a big test for Carson Wentz and the new-look Colts. Win against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, and it would go a long way toward validating the Colts as a legitimate AFC contender. Lose, and the doubters will continue to question whether the Colts are a threat to the Chiefs and Bills. The latter happened. The Seahawks dictated the pace of the game, Wentz was okay but not great, and the Colts lost by 12. CBS analyst Jonathan Vilma summarized the loss, “If you’re a Colts fan, no need to worry, no need to fret, you’ll be fine.” Unfortunately, this is not true. The Colts defense allowed an average off 11 yards on 23 Russell Wilson attempts, and the O-line struggled mightily in both pass protection and short-yardage situations. Wentz was the biggest bright spot: Despite constant pressure, he moved well and avoided the killer mistakes that marked the end of his Eagles tenure. Still, he took too many hits in this game. And things are not going to get any easier next week. The Colts’ schedule to open the season is a meat grinder—the next four games are against the Rams, Titans, Dolphins, and Ravens. Catastrophe awaits if the Colts can’t make the adjustments up front.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Carson Wentz
RB: Jonathan Taylor
WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal
TE: Jack Doyle
OL: Eric Fisher (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Mark Glowinski (RG), Braden Smith (RT)
DE: Kwity Paye (LDE), Tyquan Lewis (RDE)
DT: DeForest Buckner (LDT), Grover Stewart (RDT)
LB: Darius Leonard (LILB), Bobby Okereke (RILB)
CB: Rock Ya-Sin (LCB), Xavier Rhodes (RCB), Kenny Moore II (NB)
S: Khari Willis (SS), Julian Blackmon (FS)
ST: Rodrigo Blankenship (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
RS: Isaiah Rodgers (KR), Nyheim Hines (PR)
#18: Denver Broncos
Week 1 vs. NYG: W, 27-13 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #22
In a way, it’s hard to read too much into the Broncos’ Week 1 win over the Giants. The Giants appear to be every bit as bad as they were last season. But still, the Broncos have a lot to be pleased about after beating them. The Teddy Bridgewater era is off to a good start, as he was sharp in his Broncos debut, completing 28 of 36 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 115.7. He also led them to four consecutive scoring drives across the 2nd and 3rd quarters, three of those possessions ending in touchdowns. It also featured a 101-yard game from Melvin Gordon III. Defensively, the return of Von Miller was a smash; he had three tackles for loss and sacked Daniel Jones twice. But it’s not all good news. Jerry Jeudy, who led the Broncos in catches and receiving yards, is looking at an absence of 4 to 6 weeks after he was carted off the field with a high-ankle sprain in the 3rd quarter. On the bright side, they might not need him for a bit. Their next two games are against two of the league’s worst teams in the Jaguars and Jets.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Melvin Gordon III
WR: Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler
TE: Noah Fant
OL: Garett Bolles (LT), Dalton Risner (LG), Lloyd Cushenberry III (C), Graham Glasgow (RG), Bobby Massie (RT)
DL: Dre'Mont Jones (LDE), Mike Purcell (NT), Shelby Harris (RDT)
EDGE: Bradley Chubb (WLB), Von Miller (SLB)
ILB: AJ Johnson (LILB), Josey Jewell (RILB)
CB: Kyle Fuller (LCB), Pat Surtain II (RCB)
S: Kareem Jackson (SS), Justin Simmons (FS)
ST: Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
RS: Diontae Spencer
#17: Tennessee Titans
Week 1 vs. ARZ: L, 13-38 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #10
The Titans are one of two teams that scared people the most by their Week 1 no-shows. They were smacked in their own building by the Cardinals, who dominated on both sides of the ball in a 38-13 blowout. The Titans, with their collection of playmakers, didn’t get a first down until well into the 2nd quarter. Midway in the 3rd, Derrick Henry had 10 yards on 9 carries and didn’t get past the 60-yard barrier after topping 2,000 last season. Ryan Tannehill was very much pedestrian, with only 212 passing yards and a touchdown. The defense wasn’t much better, as they were completely lost as Kyler Murray had five touchdowns (4 passing, one rushing) in addition for his 289 passing yards, as part of the team’s 416 total yards of offense and over half of their 3rd downs being converted. Five is the same number of sacks surrendered to Chandler Jones, which had Taylor Lewan spilling his feelings on Twitter. But you can’t overreact to the teams having one bad game, even if it is early in the season. So, you can’t fault the Titans if they were getting their heads handed to them by the Cardinals. It’s a miserable performance, but one that the Titans need to forget in a hurry. The next two games are against teams that made the playoffs last season—the Seahawks and the Colts.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: Derrick Henry
WR: Julio Jones, AJ Brown, Josh Reynolds
TE: Geoff Swaim
OL: Taylor Lewan (LT), Rodger Saffold III (LG), Ben Jones (C), Nate Davis (RG), David Quessenberry (RT)
DL: Jeffery Simmons (LDE), Teair Tart (NT), Denico Autry (RDE)
EDGE: Harold Landry (WLB), Bud Dupree (SLB)
ILB: Jayon Brown (LILB), Rashaan Evans (RILB)
CB: Janoris Jenkins (LCB), Kristian Fulton (RCB)
S: Bradley McDougald (SS), Kevin Byard (FS)
ST: Randy Bullock (K), Brett Kern (P), Morgan Cox (LS)
RS: Cameron Batson (KR), Chester Rogers (PR)
#16: New England Patriots
Week 1 vs. MIA: L, 16-17 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #17
There is no NFL head coach more open and honest than Bill Belichick. After his team lost at home by one point to the Dolphins, he said in detail what went wrong for them: “Obviously I’ve got to do a better job coaching the team so we can play better than we played [Sunday]. We just have to do a better job at everything. Too many penalties, too many balls out, not good enough on some of the little things, little fundamentals. They’re not little, they’re big … fundamentals on overall execution. We just have to be better against a good, sound team like Miami.” Well, it clears that up. Also, because he is notoriously fickle with his running backs, you can imagine the sleepless nights that Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson suffered after each of them lost fumbles in the loss. Harris’ fumble late in the 4th quarter with the Pats in field goal range is the type of miscue that could cost him his hard-earned bell-cow role. The biggest positive was at QB: Mac Jones looked fully capable of leading Josh McDaniels’ offense going forward. The 1st round pick settled into a nice groove as the game went on and showed off impressive touch and accuracy on several throws. It’s going to be a long week of practice for the Pats, but this team has significant potential for improvement.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Mac Jones
RB: Damien Harris
WR: Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne
TE: Jonnu Smith
OL: Isaiah Wynn (LT), Mike Onwenu (LG), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (RG), Trent Brown (RT)
DE: Matt Judon (LDE), Henry Anderson (RDE)
DT: Lawrence Guy (LDT), Davon Godchaux (RDT)
LB: J'Whaun Bentley (WLB), Dont'a Hightower (MLB), Kyle Van Noy (SLB)
CB: JC Jackson (LCB), Jalen Mills (RCB)
S: Adrian Phillips (SS), Devin McCourty (FS)
ST: Quinn Nordin (K), Jake Bailey (P), Joe Cardona (LS)
RS: Gunner Olszewski
#15: Miami Dolphins
Week 1 @ NE: W, 17-16 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #15
After barely missing the playoffs in 2020, the Dolphins needed to get off to a fast start, especially since their Week 1 matchup was on the road against their most hated rival. They didn’t pile up the style points doing it, but they gutted out a one-point win over the Patriots that put them in the driver’s seat in the AFC East. Tua Tagovailoa finished with a respectable 202 passing yards and a touchdown with another score on the ground. However, he still had his ups and downs throughout the game, and didn’t really silence any doubters. The defense allowed almost 400 yards of offense, but when it mattered, they stepped up and forced a pair of timely turnovers. Xavien Howard, in particular, proved once again why he may be the Fins’ MVP. He stripped Damien Harris of the ball late in the 4th quarter, the game-winning turnover in the narrow win. It wasn’t all that pretty, but a win at Foxborough is always a big deal. Even so, the Fins appeared to have found an identity under Brian Flores. The days where opponents would easily mark a W on the win column against the Fins are long gone now.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Tua Tagovailoa
RB: Myles Gaskin
WR: DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Jaylen Waddle
TE: Mike Gesicki
OL: Austin Jackson (LT), Liam Eichenberg (LG), Michael Dieter (C), Robert Hunt (RG), Jesse Davis (RT)
DL: Christian Wilkins (LDE), John Jenkins (NT), Emmanuel Ogbah (RDE)
EDGE: Andrew Van Ginkel (WLB), Brennan Scarlett (SLB)
ILB: Elandon Roberts (LILB), Jerome Baker (RILB)
CB: Xavien Howard (LCB), Byron Jones (RCB)
S: Eric Rowe (SS), Jason McCourty (FS)
ST: Jason Sanders (K), Michael Palardy (P), Blake Ferguson (LS)
RS: Jakeem Grant
#14: Dallas Cowboys
Week 1 @ TB: L, 29-31 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #14
Somebody needs to tell Skip Bayless that there are no moral victories in sports. But the guess is that the Cowboys feel good about themselves after nearly upsetting the defending champion Buccaneers in the NFL Kickoff Game. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have to feel at least some optimism about the season to come. He told reporters that he “will see [the Buccaneers] again,” confident that the Cowboys are a playoff team that will make a push this season. The defense generated four turnovers while the offense has a legit MVP contender leading the charge. Prescott was a machine in his first game back from a fractured ankle he suffered last October, throwing for 403 yards and three touchdowns on 58 attempts. He was sacked just once, and he carved up a Bucs defense with the help of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, who may arguably be looking like the best one-two wideout combo in the league by the end of the season, even if they will be without Michael Gallup for a few weeks. But if they want to be a real challenger, the defense has to do better than the 431 yards and 31 points surrendered. Plus, they will be without La’el Collins, who got suspended 5 games for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, and DeMarcus Lawrence, who is out indefinitely with a broken foot.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Ezekiel Elliott
WR: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb
TE: Blake Jarwin
OL: Tyron Smith (LT), Connor Williams (LG), Tyler Biadasz (C), Zack Martin (RG), Terence Steele (RT)
DE: Tarell Basham (LDE), Dorance Armstrong (RDE)
DT: Osa Odighizuwa (LDT), Carlos Watkins (RDT)
LB: Leighton Vander Esch (WLB), Jaylon Smith (MLB), Micah Parsons (SLB)
CB: Anthony Brown (LCB), Trevon Diggs (RCB)
S: Donovan Wilson (SS), Damontae Kazee (FS)
ST: Greg Zuerlein (K), Bryan Anger (P), Jake McQuaide (LS)
RS: Tony Pollard (KR), CeeDee Lamb (PR)
#13: Green Bay Packers
Week 1 @ NO: L, 3-38 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #4
Well... that was something. And not in a good way. Yes, the Packers endured a tumultuous offseason with the unhappiness of Aaron Rodgers. But that was supposed to be in the past. A Packers team that was a combined 26-6 in the last two seasons was going to shake that off and get back to business. Instead, they were demolished by the Saints. They were destroyed on both sides of the ball in the most lopsided loss of Aaron Rodgers’ career. The reigning MVP struggled to get anything going at the Saints’ temporary home in Jacksonville, with just 133 passing yards and two interceptions before being benched for Jordan Love in garbage time. The Packers defense made Jameis Winston look like, well, Aaron Rodgers, while Aaron Rodgers looked more like the “bad cop” side of Jameis Winston. The Packers couldn’t even get 230 total yards and turned the ball over three times. Winston had five touchdown passes in just 20 attempts. Alvin Kamar added 91 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. This is a disheartening performance by Green Bay. He posted the league’s worst completion percentage, at 53.6, and somehow finished with a better PFF grade than Ben Roethlisberger. The Packers may still have Super Bowl potential, but they better turn things around. And now.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Aaron Jones
WR: Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard
TE: Robert Tonyan
OL: Elgton Jenkins (LT), Lucas Patrick (LG), Josh Myers (C), Royce Newman (RG), Billy Turner (RT)
DL: Dean Lowry (LDE), Kenny Clark (NT), Kingsley Keke (RDE)
EDGE: Preston Smith (WLB), Za’Darius Smith (SLB)
ILB: Krys Barnes (LILB), De’Vondre Campbell (RILB)
CB: Jaire Alexander (LCB), Kevin King (RCB)
S: Darnell Savage Jr. (SS), Adrian Amos (FS)
ST: Mason Crosby (K), Corey Bojorquez (P), Hunter Bradley (LS)
RS: Kylin Hill (KR), Amari Rodgers (PR)
#12: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 1 @ WSH: W, 20-16 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #8
The Chargers are looking to build on Justin Herbert’s Rookie of the Year campaign and turn stats into wins. And they did that when the Chargers needed him the most. With the ground game struggling, and with Austin Ekeler playing through a hamstring injury, it fell to Herbert to carry the load on offense. He finished 31 of 47 for 331 yards and a touchdown. He also delivered pivotal 3rd down conversions of 17, 19, 20, and 9 yards to seal the win. He wasn’t all that perfect, committing two turnovers in scoring range, with one of them on a questionable fumble, but his arm talent, combined with a gutsy self-belief in the opportunities that golden right arm gives him, separates him from a lot of his peers. The Chargers played their part too, holding a shorthanded Washington team to 259 total yards and just one touchdown. Their next three games are against playoff-caliber teams in the Cowboys, Browns, and Chiefs. It's a tough stretch, but it will be their test to see if they are a true contender.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Justin Herbert
RB: Austin Ekeler
WR: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton
TE: Jared Cook
OL: Rashawn Slater (LT), Matt Feiler (LG), Corey Linsley (C), Oday Aboushi (RG), Bryan Bulaga (RT)
DL: Jerry Tillery (LDE), Linval Joseph (NT), Justin Jones (RDE)
EDGE: Joey Bosa (WLB), Uchenna Nwosu (SLB)
ILB: Kenneth Murray Jr. (LILB), Kyzir White (RILB)
CB: Chris Harris Jr. (LCB), Michael Davis (RCB)
S: Derwin James Jr. (SS), Nasir Adderley (FS)
ST: Tristan Vizcaino (K), Ty Long (P), Matt Overton (LS)
RS: Nasir Adderley (KR), KJ Hill (PR)
#11: New Orleans Saints
Week 1 vs. GB: W, 38-3 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #19
No playoff team from last season faced more questions entering the season than the Saints. They banked on Jameis Winston. Their top wide receiver, Michael Thomas, is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. Things were looking bleak heading into Week 1 against a Packers team that went 13-3 in each of their past two seasons. Winston has also had a strange NFL career, so it’s fitting that he had one of the strangest final stats in an NFL game: 14 of 20, 148 passing yards, five touchdowns. Yes, you read that right, five touchdowns. The Saints did anything they wanted to against the Packers, sending Aaron Rodgers to the bench for good with 11 minutes left to play in the 4th quarter. Defensively, the Saints held the Packers to 229 total yards and forced three turnovers. It’s the most surprising outcome of the season, but when you factor in the fact that Drew Brees was not the same player that he once was by the end of his career, with his team being surrounded by a lot of talent, it should be noted that this team is talented enough to compete with or without Brees. Look back to when they went 8-1 without him in 2019 and 2020. This outcome tells you a lot about the health of the organization: Playing at “home” in Jacksonville after Hurricane Ida struck, the Saints would have gotten a pass if the Packers played how they were supposed to play. Instead, the Packers got smacked, radically changing 2021 expectations.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Jameis Winston
RB: Alvin Kamara
WR: Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
TE: Adam Trautman
OL: Terron Armstead (LT), Andrus Peat (LG), Cesar Ruiz (C), Calvin Throckmorton (RG), Ryan Ramczyk (RT)
DE: Cameron Jordan (LDE), Marcus Davenport (RDE)
DT: Christian Ringo (LDT), Malcolm Roach (RDT)
LB: Kwon Alexander (WLB), Demario Davis (MLB), Kaden Elliss (SLB)
CB: Paulson Adebo (LCB), Bradley Roby (RCB)
S: Malcolm Jenkins (SS), Marcus Williams (FS)
ST: Wil Lutz (K), Blake Gillikin (P), Zach Wood (LS)
RS: Dwayne Washington (KR), Deonte Harris (PR)
#10: Baltimore Ravens
Week 1 @ LV: L, 27-33 (OT) | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #6
For the Ravens, Monday night was history. The bad kind of history. Ever since John Harbaugh’s first season with the Ravens in 2008, they were 81-0 in games where they led by at least 14 points. They were even coming into the game having won 98 straight games where they led by that same margin. But Harbaugh’s group couldn’t hold the lead against the Raiders on Monday Night Football which was marred by pass protection issues and Lamar Jackson’s inability to protect the football in key situations. Jackson’s fumble on a sack in overtime set up Derek Carr’s game-winning, 31-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones, in a game where the Ravens lost their first season-opener since 2015. To be fair, the Ravens have been ravaged by injuries, especially at running back. Those injuries are taking a toll. Granted, the lack of players like JK Dobbins and Marcus Peters wasn’t solely the reason the Ravens lost in overtime. The Ravens rushed for 189 yards, but 86 of them were from Jackson. Latavius Murray was held to a meager 2.8 yards per carry and almost half of Ty’Son Williams’s 65 rushing yards came on one play. This does not look like the Ravens we are used to seeing. The plane ride back to Baltimore could not be any easier knowing that they will face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: Ty’Son Williams
WR: Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, Devin Duvernay
TE: Mark Andrews
OL: Ronnie Stanley (LT), Ben Powers (LG), Bradley Bozeman (C), Kevin Zeitler (RG), Alejandro Villanueva (RT)
DL: Derek Wolfe (LDE), Brandon Williams (NT), Calais Campbell (RDE)
EDGE: Tyus Bowser (WLB), Justin Houston (SLB)
ILB: Malik Harrison (LILB), Patrick Queen (RILB)
CB: Anthony Averett (LCB), Marlon Humphrey (RCB)
S: Chuck Clark (SS), DeShon Elliott (FS)
ST: Justin Tucker (K), Sam Koch (P), Nick Moore (LS)
RS: Devin Duvernay
#9: San Francisco 49ers
Week 1 @ DET: W, 41-33 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #9
The 49ers had a 41-17 lead over the Lions when Jason Verrett limped to the sideline with what was later found out as a season-ending ACL injury. It’s not a coincidence that the Lions began to eat into that lead as soon as he exited the picture. The Niners survived the Lions’ comeback attempt, and now they will have to find a way to survive without an indispensable figure in their secondary. But for most of the game, the Niners outclassed the Lions in every possible way. Jimmy Garoppolo was sharp throwing the ball, with 300 passing yards. Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell went for 104 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in his first game. The defense also made a number of big plays, including a pick six from Dre Greenlaw. However, Greenlaw injured his groin on the pick six. Mitchell filled in because Raheem Mostert injured his knee after two carries. But those holes didn’t matter in Week 1. They may not against the Eagles in Week 2, but beginning in Week 3, the Niners play four games in five weeks against teams that made the playoffs in 2020. The only one that didn’t just smacked the Titans. The Niners are still capable of scoring points, but a healthy and effective defense will be necessary to fulfill those Super Bowl expectations. With Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray looming large on their schedule, the Niners must adapt quick.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB: Elijah Mitchell
WR: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Sherfield
TE: George Kittle
OL: Trent Williams (LT), Laken Tomlinson (LG), Alex Mack (C), Aaron Banks (RG), Mike McGlinchey (RT)
DE: Arik Armstead (LDE), Nick Bosa (RDE)
DT: Javon Kinlaw (LDT), DJ Jones (RDT)
LB: Fred Warner (LILB), Azeez Al-Shaair (RILB)
CB: Emmanuel Moseley (LCB), Deommodore Lenoir (RCB), K’Waun Williams (NB)
S: Jaquiski Tartt (SS), Jimmie Ward (FS)
ST: Robbie Gould (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
RS: JaMycal Hasty (KR), Brandon Aiyuk (PR)
#8: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 1 @ BUF: W, 23-16 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #12
There was a lot of doubt surrounding the Steelers heading into the season, particularly with the health and age of Ben Roethlisberger and an inexperienced O-line. They silenced most of the doubters with a road win over a Bills team that won 13 games and made it to the AFC Championship Game last season. This wasn’t a statement win by the Steelers; Mike Tomlin’s squad took care of business with them and delivered a team performance that debunked all the narratives about them for the last six months. The offense had all kinds of trouble early on, with fewer than 60 yards and zero points in the first half. The run game is still suspect, with just 75 yards on 21 carries. But the Steelers stayed on course. The defense remained in elite form, giving up only 16 points to the AFC’s highest-scoring offense in 2020. And Big Ben and the Steelers made plays when they had to in all three facets, including from TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and a blocked punt by Miles Killebrew. It was an ugly win, but it gives the Steelers the momentum in their favor heading into their home opener against the Raiders.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Najee Harris
WR: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster
TE: Eric Ebron
OL: Dan Moore Jr. (LT), Kevin Dotson (LG), Kendrick Green (C), Trai Turner (RG), Chukwuma Okorafor (RT)
DL: Tyson Alualu (LDL), Cameron Heyward (RDL)
EDGE: TJ Watt (WLB), Alex Highsmith (SLB)
ILB: Devin Bush Jr. (LILB), Joe Schobert (RILB)
CB: Joe Haden (LCB), Cam Sutton (RCB), Tre Norwood (NB)
S: Terrell Edmunds (SS), Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
ST: Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
RS: Ray-Ray McCloud
#7: Buffalo Bills
Week 1 vs. PIT: L, 16-23 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #3
The Bills’ gameplan last Sunday was to spread out their wide receivers and let Josh Allen pick apart a suspect Steelers secondary. The strategy made sense when Brian Daboll drew it up, but the execution was terrible. Plus, they made Zack Moss a surprise healthy scratch for that game. It wouldn’t be their last surprise of the game as, after taking control of the first half of their season opener, the Bills fell asleep after halftime, managing only six points in the final 30 minutes, being penalized eight times and converting just 8 of their 18 3rd down attempts. Josh Allen looked like the QB he was in his first two seasons, while Stefon Diggs and the rest of the Bills struggled to gain separation and deliver the plays that were a staple of the offense in 2020. It’s not all on the QB and the wideouts, however. The Steelers’ ferocious pass rush bullied the Bills’ O-line that was absolutely relentless sending four men after Allen. One game is usually not going to be a cause for panic, but things aren’t going to get any easier for the Bills, as two more tough defenses await them in the Dolphins in Week 2 and the Football Team in Week 3.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Josh Allen
RB: Devin Singletary
WR: Emmanuel Sanders, Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley
TE: Dawson Knox
OL: Dion Dawkins (LT), Jon Feliciano (LG), Mitch Morse (C), Cody Ford (RG), Daryl Williams (RT)
DE: Gregory Rousseau (LDE), Jerry Hughes (RDE)
DT: Star Lotulelei (LDT), Ed Oliver (RDT)
LB: Matt Milano (LILB), Tremaine Edmunds (RILB)
CB: Tre’Davious White (LCB), Levi Wallace (RCB), Taron Johnson (NB)
S: Jordan Poyer (SS), Micah Hyde (FS)
ST: Tyler Bass (K), Matt Haack (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
RS: Isaiah McKenzie
#6: Arizona Cardinals
Week 1 @ TEN: W, 38-13 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #13
The Cardinals didn’t just beat a Titans that made the playoffs in each of their past two seasons. They outright crushed them. They heard all the talk on how they were supposed to be the only NFC West team that wasn’t expected to make the playoffs. They came out and played like one of the best teams in the league, with a 38-13 road win that recalibrated the expectations on what the Cards were supposed to be. In the end, the Cardinals were one of the most slept on teams in the league entering the season, having the talent on both sides of the ball to get it done. Kyler Murray, who had five total touchdowns, was amazingly electrifying and looks like a QB who is ready for a serious run at MVP. Chandler Jones was a nightmare for Taylor Lewan to handle and made his early case for DPOY, with one of the best defensive performances in franchise history: Five sacks and two forced fumbles, both leading to Cardinals touchdowns. While one game does not determine how a season will go, and the Cardinals are playing in the toughest division in the league, this was a statement victory for them.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Kyler Murray
RB: Chase Edmonds
WR: DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, Christian Kirk
TE: Maxx Williams
OL: DJ Humphries (LT), Justin Pugh (LG), Rodney Hudson (C), Josh Jones (RG), Kelvin Beachum (RT)
DL: Zach Allen (LDE), Rashard Lawrence (NT), JJ Watt (RDE)
EDGE: Chandler Jones (WLB), Markus Golden (SLB)
ILB: Zaven Collins (LILB), Isaiah Simmons (RILB)
CB: Byron Murphy Jr. (LCB), Robert Alford (RCB)
S: Jalen Thompson (SS), Budda Baker (FS)
ST: Matt Prater (K), Andy Lee (P), Aaron Brewer (LS)
RS: Andy Isabella (KR), Christian Kirk (PR)
#5: Seattle Seahawks
Week 1 @ IND: W, 28-16 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #11
Russell Wilson didn’t throw the ball a lot against the Colts, but still left a huge mark on the 28-16 win. He threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns and no picks. His best moment came in the first half: Following a sack, the Seahawks faced 2nd & 20 with less than a minute to play. Wilson dropped back and hauled a deep ball right into the arms of Tyler Lockett, who would torch the Colts’ secondary. The 69-yard touchdown would nicely put the Seahawks in control of the game, and the Colts weren’t a serious threat after that. Lockett and DK Metcalf combined for 8 receptions, 160 yards, and three touchdowns. Chris Carson added offensive balance with his 16 carries for 91 yards, plus three receptions for 26 yards. The defense did its part as well. Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks combined for 24 total tackles, and the Seahawks held the Colts to 3.8 yards per carry and five 3rd down conversions on 13 tries. This game was a fever dream for Pete Carroll, whose team was able to run more than pass while the defense put their opponent on clamps. It felt like 2013 all over again, which is the start they needed given their early schedule. Their next six opponents all made the playoffs in the past two seasons.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Chris Carson
WR: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett
TE: Gerald Everett, Will Dissly
OL: Duane Brown (LT), Damien Lewis (LG), Kyle Fuller (C), Gabe Jackson (RG), Brandon Shell (RT)
DE: Rasheem Green (LDE), Carlos Dunlap (RDE)
DT: Poona Ford (LDT), Al Woods (RDT)
LB: Jordyn Brooks (WLB), Bobby Wagner (MLB), Darrell Taylor (SLB)
CB: Tre Flowers (LCB), DJ Reed (RCB)
S: Jamal Adams (SS), Quandre Diggs (FS)
ST: Jason Myers (K), Michael Dickson (P), Tyler Ott (LS)
RS: DJ Reed (KR), Freddie Swain (PR)
#4: Cleveland Browns
Week 1 @ KC: L, 29-33 | Record: 0-1
Previous Rank: #5
There is a version of hell where the Browns are forced to play the Chiefs at Arrowhead for eternity. That now marks two painful losses to the Chiefs in the span of nine months, both games filled with moments of great optimism but ending with said optimism getting blown away. For most of the game, it appeared as if they would get the monkey off their back when it comes to season openers. They have only one win in season openers since re-entering the league in 1999. They led 22-10 at halftime and by nine entering the 4th quarter, despite the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. But then came Jamie Gillan’s miscue on a punt that put the Chiefs in the red zone. That’s when Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs got rolling. The killer being Baker Mayfield throwing a pick to Mike Hughes. This game showed what the Browns are capable of and how much work remains to be done. They’re not intimidated by the defending AFC champions, and the next step is proving that they know how to close out the conference kings when they have the chance. Those turnovers by Mayfield and Nick Chubb can’t happen when Mahomes runs plays on his side of the ball. But fortunately, the Browns’ schedule softens up from here. Only one of their opponents made the playoffs last year, and it’s a Bears team that went 8-8 in the regular season.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Baker Mayfield
RB: Nick Chubb
WR: Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones
TE: Austin Hooper
OL: Jedrick Wills Jr. (LT), Joel Bitonio (LG), JC Tretter (C), Wyatt Teller (RG), Jack Conklin (RT)
DE: Myles Garrett (LDE), Jadeveon Clowney (RDE)
DT: Malik Jackson (LDT), Malik McDowell (RDT)
LB: Mack Wilson (WLB), Anthony Walker Jr. (MLB), Sione Takitaki (SLB)
CB: Denzel Ward (LCB), Greg Newsome II (RCB)
S: Ronnie Harrison Jr. (SS), John Johnson III (FS)
ST: Chase McLaughlin (K), Jamie Gillan (P), Charley Hughlett (LS)
RS: D’Ernest Johnson (KR), Donovan Peoples-Jones (PR)
#3: Los Angeles Rams
Week 1 vs. CHI: W, 34-14 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #7
This is a perfect opener for the Rams, who executed on both sides of the ball under the lights at SoFi Stadium. The offseason hype around the new Sean McVay-Matt Stafford duo counts as a summer narrative that was worth all the hype in the NFL world. He looked very comfortable running the Rams’ offense, throwing three touchdown passes while throwing deep balls that was nowhere in sight in the final years of the Jared Goff era. Stafford was lethally efficient, throwing for 321 yards in addition to the three touchdowns, posting a near-perfect passer rating of 156.1. Darrell Henderson Jr. got it going in the second half and the defense played very solidly. Late in the 4th quarter, NBC’s cameras caught Stafford smiling when he worked his way to the Rams’ sideline. He has finally landed with a true Super Bowl contender.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Matt Stafford
RB: Darrell Henderson Jr.
WR: Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Robert Woods
TE: Tyler Higbee
OL: Andrew Whitworth (LT), David Edwards (LG), Brian Allen (C), Austin Corbett (RG), Rob Havenstein (RT)
DL: A'Shawn Robinson (LDE), Sebastian Joseph-Day (NT), Aaron Donald (RDE)
EDGE: Justin Hollins (WLB), Leonard Floyd (SLB)
ILB: Kenny Young (LILB), Troy Reeder (RILB)
CB: Darious Williams (LCB), Jalen Ramsey (RCB)
S: Jordan Fuller (SS), Taylor Rapp (FS)
ST: Matt Gay (K), Johnny Hekker (P), Matt Orzech (LS)
ST: Tutu Atwell (KR), Cooper Kupp (PR)
#2: Kansas City Chiefs
Week 1 vs. CLE: W, 33-29 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #2
Chiefs gonna Chief. For the majority of the game, the Chiefs found themselves playing catch-up, having their hands full with the Browns’ offense and trailed by 9 early in the 4th. But they are not big on losing. So, Patrick Mahomes, as the football genius that he is, found Tyreek Hill on a 75-yard blast. Mahomes is relentless, and his greatness covered up for a subpar defense that couldn’t get the Browns’ offense off the field all day—the Browns punted once all game. The defense, however, found its groove in the 4th quarter and notched a pair of turnovers, ultimately escaping with a four-point win. As soon as the Browns made a mistake, Mahomes and co. were ready to strike. The Chiefs are only going upwards from here as the rebuilt O-line continues to look for blood and Tyrann Mathieu returns to the lineup. While the Ravens are another tough team, here’s a crazy stat: Mahomes is 11-0 in his career in September with 35 touchdowns and zero picks. Is he playing Madden in real life with the game set to “Rookie” mode?
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Patrick Mahomes II
RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
WR: Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle
TE: Travis Kelce
OL: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Joe Thuney (LG), Creed Humphrey (C), Trey Smith (RG), Lucas Niang (RT)
DE: Chris Jones (LDE), Frank Clark (RDE)
DT: Jarran Reed (LDT), Derrick Nnadi (RDT)
LB: Nick Bolton (LILB), Anthony Hitchens (RILB)
CB: Charvarius Ward (LCB), L’Jarius Sneed (RCB), Mike Hughes (NB)
S: Tyrann Mathieu (SS), Daniel Sorensen (FS)
ST: Harrison Butker (K), Tommy Townsend (P), James Winchester (LS)
RS: Mecole Hardman
#1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 vs. DAL: W, 31-29 | Record: 1-0
Previous Rank: #1
Tom Brady is a vampire. It’s the only way you can explain how a 44-year-old quarterback steps on a football field and plays like he is 24. That’s what happened during the Bucs’ season-opener against the Cowboys, throwing for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. The ageless GOAT picked apart a Cowboys defense with precision passes and got youth-level performances from Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski, who accounted for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. Brown looks to get back into All-Pro form, and Gronk was rampaging across the field like he is back in New England again. Throw in Chris Godwin in here, as he also had over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. The receiving core runs so deep that a perennial Pro Bowl talent like Mike Evans can disappear from the gameplan and everything would be just fine. It wasn’t perfect for the Bucs, though. They turned the ball over four times and committed a lot of penalties. The self-proclaimed “best defense in the league” also gave up 451 total yards. Had it not been for Greg Zuerlein’s missed kicks, this game could have had a very different outcome. But the Bucs did what winners do and found another way to steal a win. Now they get a tune-up against the Falcons (cue the 28-3 jokes) before a showdown against the Rams in LA.
Projected Week 2 Starters
QB: Tom Brady
RB: Leonard Fournette
WR: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown
TE: Rob Gronkowski
OL: Donovan Smith (LT), Ali Marpet (LG), Ryan Jensen (C), Alex Cappa (RG), Tristan Wirfs (RT)
DL: Ndamukong Suh (LDE), Vita Vea (NT), William Gholston (RDE)
EDGE: Jason Pierre-Paul (WLB), Shaquil Barrett (SLB)
ILB: Devin White (LILB), Lavonte David (RILB)
CB: Carlton Davis (LCB), Jamel Dean (RCB)
S: Antoine Winfield Jr. (SS), Jordan Whitehead (FS)
ST: Ryan Succop (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Zach Triner (LS)
RS: Jaydon Mickens
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