With Week 1 done, there are 16 teams who started 0-1. Here are the Power Rankings for the winless ones.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers, who still may make the playoffs, lost to a Cardinals team by less than a touchdown. However, Coach Kyle Shanahan has much to work on. San Francisco was 2-11 on third down, and 0-2 on fourth down.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady looked somewhat rusty in his debut, throwing two picks while the defense gave up 34 points. Hopefully, Brady and Mike Evans can return to form and put the Buccaneers back on track to the playoffs.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings played a very good Packers team and still managed to score 34 points. That being said, giving up 43 points could be a problem.
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys lost 20-17 to a resurgent Rams team. While new coach Mike McCarthy made some questionable calls, it will take him a little while to get used to his new team.
5. Atlanta Falcons
Although the Falcons lost by nearly two scores, their offense put up a good show. Much like last year, their defense must improve if they want to make the playoffs in 2020.
6. Indianapolis Colts
While the Colts expected to contend for a playoff spot, a certain free-agent acquisition might hinder them. New QB Philip Rivers, who landed in Indianapolis after a 15-year stint with the Chargers, threw two picks which helped result in a 27-20 loss for the Colts.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
While they have a decent ranking, trouble could be on the horizon for Philadelphia. They led the Washington Football Team 17-0 before Washington scored 27 unanswered to win the game, 27-17. Possibly the biggest trouble is oft-injured Eagles QB Carson Wentz being sacked eight times.
8. Denver Broncos
In another close loss, the Broncos lost 16-14 on a game-winning field goal. However, the loss may have not been as close as meets the eye. Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed three field goals before hitting the game-winner, meaning the Broncos could have lost by more than 10 points.
9. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ two-year streak of winning the AFC South might be in jeopardy. On Thursday Night Football, they lost to the Chiefs in a mostly uninspiring 34-20 game that was never really close. It will be interesting to see how this team fares against another tough opponent in Baltimore on Sunday.
10. New York Giants
Daniel Jones threw 41 times as the Giants fell to the Steelers 26-16. While Jones’ 279 yards and two touchdowns were encouraging, his two interceptions were not. The Giants will look to right the ship on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
11. Detroit Lions
Ouch. The Lions lost to the Bears 27-23 in heartbreaking fashion. At the Chicago 16 with 11 seconds left, Lions QB Matthew Stafford aired one out to rookie RB D’Andre Swift, but he dropped it and the game ended on another Stafford incompletion. With a big season needed to save coach Matt Patricia’s job, the Lions will look to win in week two against the Green Bay Packers
12. Miami Dolphins
A sleeper pick to win the AFC East, the Dolphins fell flat on their faces against the Patriots, losing 21-11. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick finally began showing his age at 37, tossing three picks and only 191 yards. Fitzpatrick will remain the starter for week 2 against the Bills, but soon it may be Tua time.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
In another heartbreaking Week 1 game, the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 16-13 on a field goal. However, this was not a made field goal by the Chargers, but a missed one by the Bengals. On the last possession of the game, Bengals #1 overall pick Joe Burrow drove his team all the way down to the Chargers’ 13, but kicker Randy Bullock missed a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds left. Burrow showed signs of promise, however, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in Week 2 against the Browns on Thursday Night Football.
14. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were what most people expected in week one; good offense, bad defense. While Carolina was able to drop 30 on the Raiders’ defense, Las Vegas RB Josh Jacobs ran all over them, rushing for 93 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater threw for 270 yards and one TD in his Panthers debut, and he will look to quarterback the Panthers to a win against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
15. Cleveland Browns
In one of the most lopsided games in Week 1, the Browns were crushed 38-6 by the Ravens. QB Baker Mayfield went 21-39, and the Browns offense barely managed 300 yards of offense and was 3-12 on third down. While it was against a championship contender in Baltimore, a real test will be when Joe Burrow and the Bengals come to Cleveland for Thursday Night Football this week.
16. New York Jets
After just one week, the Jets have thrust themselves into contention for the worst team in the NFL. The offense could only muster 52 yards, the defense gave up 404 yards to the Bills offense, and the team punted the ball six times to Buffalo’s one. With RB Le’Veon Bell now on injured reserve, the Jets will struggle to beat the 49ers on Sunday.
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