After a somewhat sluggish opening weekend in terms of scoring, there were plenty of points to go around in the second week of NFL 2023. The surprises also continued around the league, both positive and negative.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers, all playoff teams a year ago, haven't won a game in the early stages of this season. Meanwhile, the NFC South didn't produce a team with a winning record in 2022. Yet, the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all off to 2-0 starts.
Welcome to the latest edition of the NFL Power Rankings.
DeMeco Ryans' head coaching debut last Sunday saw the Texans settle for three field goals at Baltimore. They hosted the rival Colts on Sunday. Houston's biggest problem in recent years has been its inability to stop the run. It was somewhat of an issue in the loss to the Ravens and a bit of a problem once again on Sunday afternoon.
The Texans gave up 126 yards rushing. The Colts ran for three scores, two of those by starting quarterback Anthony Richardson. Houston's pass rush failed to generate a sack and the defense had zero takeaways.
The Cardinals hung tough at Washington last week but their offense failed to score a touchdown in a four-point loss. They hosted a Giants team that was shut out last Sunday night at home. Arizona opened up a 20-0 halftime lead and owned a 28-7 advantage midway through the third quarter.
Jonathan Gannon's defense had no answers for the Giants' attack the remainder of the game. Big Blue scored 24 unanswered points and handed the Cardinals their ninth consecutive loss dating back to 2022.
A year ago, the Broncos were the lowest-scoring team in the league and in this season's Week 1 loss to the Raiders, they managed only 16 points. Sean Payton's club hosted the Commanders on Sunday. Russell Wilson and company got off to a great start and owned a 21-3 second-quarter lead, the Broncos' quarterback throwing two TD passes.
However, Denver was outscored 32-12 the rest of the way. Payton's team had a chance as Wilson's "Hail Mary" found Brandon Johnson for a 50-yard score on the game's final play. Denver failed on the two-point conversion try.
For the second straight week, Frank Reich's club faced a divisional foe as the Panthers hosted the Saints on Monday night. Carolina grabbed an early 3-0 lead but after 30 minutes of play, New Orleans actually owned a 6-3 edge. Reich's team totaled just 88 yards of offense in the first half.
The Panthers' defense sacked Derek Carr four times and safety Vonn Bell picked off the veteran signal-caller. Still, this unit also gave up 134 yards rushing. Carolina is the only NFC South team that hasn't won a game in 2023.
Matt Eberflus' squad took an 11-game losing streak into Raymond James Stadium to take on the Buccaneers. The Bears actually owned a 7-3 first-quarter lead thanks to a one-yard TD run by Justin Fields. The young quarterback also threw a TD pass but was sacked six times and served up two interceptions, the second returned for a score.
The bad numbers just keep adding up. During their current 12-game losing streak, Chicago has given up 396 points (33.0 points per game) and 44 offensive touchdowns. The Bears' defense gave up 437 total yards in the loss.
The Raiders made their way to Orchard Park for the first time since 2017. Things looked promising when Josh McDaniels' club took a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game via a Jimmy Garoppolo 16-yard TD pass to Davante Adams. Unfortunately for the Silver and Black, it was downhill for the club from there.
Garoppolo would also throw a pair of interceptions and lose a fumble. Meanwhile, Las Vegas failed to come up with a takeaway and gave up a whopping 450 total yards, including 183 yards on the ground in the lopsided loss.
The Vikings made their way to Philadelphia for the second consecutive year looking to avenge last season's loss. Once again, Minnesota's defense did not have a lot of answers for the Eagles' attack. Coordinator Brian Flores' unit allowed 430 total yards on 75 plays, including 259 yards on the ground.
While quarterback Kirk Cousins connected on 31-of-44 throws for 364 yards and four scores, two of those TD strikes to tight end T.J. Hockenson, he was one of four Vikings' players to lose a fumble in the six-point setback.
Zac Taylor's team managed only a field goal at Cleveland last week and now faced a second straight AFC North rival as they hosted the Ravens. The Bengals defeated Baltimore twice last season, including a playoff win at Cincinnati. However, Taylor's defense didn't have a lot of answers for a Ravens team that amassed 415 total yards on the day.
Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 222 yards and two scores but threw a crucial red zone interception in the third quarter. The Bengals are 0-2 for the second straight year, but this time both losses are within the division.
The Patriots were looking to avoid the team's first 0-2 start since 2001 They faced their division rivals from South Florida hoping to have some answers for Miami's explosive offense. New England's defensive unit wound up giving up too many big plays and wound up surrendering 389 total yards to the Dolphins, including 145 yards rushing.
It was a second straight week of too little, too late for the Pats. In their first two games, they have been outscored a combined 36-17 in the first three quarters, and have outscored the opposition 20-13 in the final 15 minutes.
Mike Tomlin's team had an extra day to prepare for the Browns. The Steelers owned a 7-0 lead nine seconds into the game as Alex Highsmith returned a deflected pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson 30 yards for a score
Pittsburgh gained only 255 yards (55 rushing), 71 of those on a Kenny Pickett to George Pickens TD pass. The Steelers defense allowed 408 total yards but forced a total of four turnovers, with T.J. Watt retuning a Watson fumble 16 yards for a touchdown with 6:58 to play in what proved for the deciding points in this physical clash.
Brandon Staley's team had no answers for Miami's passing attack last Sunday. On Sunday, the Chargers would be without running back Austin Eckler as they took on the Titans at Nashville. The Bolts still managed to get off to a strong 11-0 start as the Tennessee defense had no answers for Justin Herbert and the Chargers' passing attack.
The fourth-year quarterback threw for 305 yards and both of his touchdown passes were to veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Staley's defensive unit would surrender 141 yards on the ground in the tough overtime setback.
Mike Vrabel's team played host to the Chargers on Sunday and quarterback Ryan Tannehill was looking to bounce back from a miserable performance at New Orleans. Tennessee rallied from an early 11-0 deficit and eventually wore down a suspect Los Angeles defense. Tannehill hit on 20-of-24 passes for 246 yards and one score.
The Titans would take a three-point lead with 2:22 but couldn't stop the Chargers from marching 60 yards and sending the game into overtime. In the extra session, veteran Nick Folk hit the game-winning 41-yard field goal.
Pete Carroll's team made its way to the Motor City for the second consecutive year looking to bounce back from a surprising home loss to the Rams. A season ago, the Seahawks and Lions combined for 93 points as Pete Carroll's team survived for a three-point. On Sunday, it took overtime but Seattle came out on top once again.
Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 328 yards and both of his touchdown passes were to wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The second was a six-yard toss in overtime. Seattle gave up 418 total yards but forced three turnovers.
Brian Daboll's team was embarrassed last Sunday night at home by the divisional rival Cowboys. Now the Giants made their way to Arizona looking for their first points of 2023. Big Blue played bad football and was down 20-0 at intermission and actually trailed by 21 points (28-7) with less than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley led a furious rally with 24 straight points. Jones would throw for 321 yards and two TDs. Graham Gano's 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds left capped off the comeback.
The Colts have traditionally had their way with the rival Texans, but a year ago failed to win a game (0-1-1) against their AFC South rival. That was not the case on Sunday and head coach Shane Steichen got his first NFL win despite the fact that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson (concussion) left the game in the first half.
Before he exited, the fourth overall pick in April had touchdown runs of 18 and 15 yards, respectively, in the first quarter. The Colts did total six sacks of Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw for 384 yards and two scores.
The Jets made their way south to Dallas to take on the talented Cowboys. Robert Saleh's team hung in there for one half against their hosts. Garrett Wilson's 68-yard touchdown reception via quarterback Zach Wilson was easily the biggest play for an offense that finished the afternoon with only 215 total yards.
The Jets self-destructed in the final two quarters, committing a total of four turnovers, three interceptions by Wilson. Despite the 20-point loss on Sunday, the Jets managed a split with a pair of playoff teams from a year ago.
The Packers made their first appearance in Atlanta since 2017. Matt LaFleur's club held the upper hand for most of the game. Quarterback Jordan Love threw for only 151 yards (14-of-25), but struck for three touchdowns. Two of those scores went to rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed. However, Green Bay finished with only 224 total yards.
Joe Barry's defensive unit struggled to get off the field. Atlanta gained 446 total yards and owned the football for 36:15. The Packers owned a 24-12 fourth-quarter lead but gave up 13 points and 166 yards in the final 15 minutes.
Last week, the Rams won at Seattle. Sean McVay's club looked to open 2-0 within the division when they hosted the 49ers. Entering the game, the Rams had dropped eight straight regular-season outings in this NFC West rivalry.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford would attempt 55 passes, hitting on 34 of those throws for 307 yards. His lone score came on a six-yard pass to running back Kyren Williams, who also ran for a touchdown. However, Stafford was also picked off twice. The Rams' defense had no answer for a Niners' running game that gained 159 yards.
The Browns had a golden opportunity to get off to a 2-0 start within the division if they could beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Monday night. In the first half, Kevin Stefanski's team saw star running back Nick Chubb carted off with a knee injury. Second-year running back Jerome Ford totaled 106 of the team's 198 yards on the ground.
Deshaun Watson threw for 235 yards and one score. However, he was also sacked six times and turned over the ball three times. He had two of those miscues (1 interception, 1 lost fumble) returned for touchdowns.
A year ago, the Lions fell short at home to Pete Carroll's club, 48-45, in Week 4. Dan Campbell's team had some extra time to prepare for the Seahawks this time around. Unfortunately for Campbell, his defense resembled the unit that was a problem area throughout the first half of 2022.
Detroit gained 418 total yards but shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers. The costliest gaff was a Jared Goff interception that was returned 40 yards for a score by Seahawks' cornerback Tre Brown in the fourth quarter.
The Saints' defense came up big last week at home against Tennessee. Dennis Allen's club was hoping to do the same to Panthers' rookie quarterback Bryce Young on Monday night at Charlotte. New Orleans sacked the first overall pick in April's draft four times and forced him into one turnover. Carolina was limited to 239 total yards.
Quarterback Derek Carr was also sacked four times, threw one interception and didn't throw a touchdown pass. Versatile Taysom Hill had 75 of the club's 134 rushing yards and Tony Jones Jr. ran for a pair of scores.
For the third time in less than a calendar year, the Jaguars would battle the Chiefs as the teams squared off at Jacksonville. Doug Pederson's defending AFC South champions had an opportunity to avenge a pair of losses to Andy Reid's team in 2022, including a 27-20 setback in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Jaguars had their hands full with Kansas City's improved defensive unit. All told, Pederson's club forced three turnovers in the first half but finished the game with 271 total yards and three field goals in a frustrating setback.
Ron Rivera's club made its way to Denver looking for the franchise's first 2-0 start since 2011. The Commanders fell behind 21-3 in the second quarter but were down by just seven points at intermission. Rivera's team dominated the second half. Brian Robinson Jr. finished the game with 87 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns.
Sam Howell overcame four sacks and threw for 299 yards and two scores. Washington came up with seven sacks of Russell Wilson. Finally, Washington thwarted Denver's game-tying two-point conversion attempt with no time left.
It was supposed to be a rough year for Todd Bowles' team, but 2023 got off to an interesting start as the team won at Minnesota. The Buccaneers hosted the struggling Bears on Sunday. For the second consecutive Sunday, the Bucs defeated an NFC North team and did it with an opportunistic defense and a potent pass rush.
Tampa's pass rush sacked Justin Fields six times and intercepted him twice, the second pick returned four yards for a score by Shaq Barrett. Baker Mayfield threw for 317 yards and a score and the Bucs' offense gained 437 yards.
It was a short week for a Buffalo team that comes off a Monday night overtime loss to the Jets. Quarterback Josh Allen hoped to make amends for a four-turnover outing in the Week 1 prime-time setback.
Sean McDermott's club spotted the visiting Raiders an early 7-0 and outscored their guests 38-3 the rest of the way. The Bills' offense ran 74 plays, gained 450 total yards, including 183 on the ground (123 by James Cook), and held the ball for 40:04. Allen threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Buffalo played turnover-free football
Arthur Smith's team was home for the second straight Sunday looking for the team's 2-0 start since 2017. The Falcons got off to a quick 3-0 lead but spent most of the afternoon trailing the visiting Packers.
Atlanta trailed 24-12 in the fourth quarter and scored 13 unanswered points. Led by rookie running back Bijan Robinson (124 yards), Smith's team rolled up 211 yards on the ground. The Falcons (446) nearly doubled Green Bay (224) in total yards. The Falcons are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2017, their last playoff season.
The reigning NFC champions weren't particularly sharp last week at Foxborough but got the win. It was a short week and the Eagles hoped to play better against the visiting Vikings on Thursday night. Philadelphia dominated the Minnesota defense, running for 259 yards. D'Andre Swift led the way with 175 yards rushing and one score.
Quarterback Jalen Hurt had his ups and downs. He was sacked four times and threw an interception, but he threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Devonta Smith in the third quarter and finished the night with two rushing TDs.
The Ravens headed to the Queen City for the third time in their last four games (including playoffs) looking to open the season 2-0 for the third time in five years. John Harbaugh's team drove 75 yards on 13 plays on the opening possession of the game and took a 7-0 lead. Baltimore would never trail in this divisional showdown.
Gus Edwards (62 yards), who scored the first TD of the game, was the leading rusher for a club that totaled 178 yards on the ground. Lamar Jackson threw for 237 yards and scores to Nelson Agholor and Mark Andrews.
The Chiefs traveled south to face the Jaguars as these 2022 playoff foes clashed again, this time at Jacksonville. Andy Reid's team turned over the football three times in the first half but still owned a 7-3 lead at intermission.
The story here was Kansas City's defense. In his first game of the season, defensive tackle Chris Jones certainly made his presence felt. He finished with two stops and 1.5 sacks while batting down a pass. The Chiefs limited Jacksonville to 74 yards rushing, sacked Trevor Lawrence four times and kept the Jaguars out of the end zone.
The Dolphins have fared well against the Patriots recently. However, the team fell to Bill Belichick's team at Foxborough in 2022. It was a Sunday night affair in New England and the Miami offense was almost perfectly balanced. The 'Fins totaled 389 yards on 61 plays, running 30 times for 145 yards and totaling 31 pass plays.
Raheem Mostert ran 18 times for 121 yards and a pair of scores. The defense made amends by limiting the Pats to 88 yards rushing. The Dolphins have opened their season with two wins within the conference, both on the road.
The Cowboys humbled the rival Giants last week at MetLife Stadium. Dallas hosted the Jets on Sunday afternoon and their defense made another statement. Dallas sacked Jets' quarterback Zach Wilson three times and picked him off three times, part of four takeaways on the afternoon. The Cowboys limited New York to 215 total yards.
On the other side of the ball, Mike McCarthy's team did not commit a turnover for the second time in as many games. Dak Prescott threw for 255 yards and two scores while the Cowboys' ground attack rolled up 134 yards.
The 49ers were very impressive last Sunday at Pittsburgh. Kyle Shanahan's club hit the road again, this time making a much shorter trip to SoFi Stadium. San Francisco entered the game having defeated the rival Rams in the clubs' last eight regular-season encounters. The streak would continue but the Niners had to rally to get the victory.
Shanahan's team trailed 17-10 in the second quarter. However, running back Christian McCaffrey had another big game, finishing with 116 yards and a TD on 20 carries. The Niners scored 30 points for the second straight week.
