Power Rankings after Week 1

NFL Week 1 power rankings

https://theathletic.com/2065281/2020/09/16/nfl-week-1-power-rankings-one-thing-we-learned-about-each-team/?source=dailyemail

1. Kansas City Chiefs
What we learned: Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a fun addition to an already loaded offense. While Damien Williams had some good moments last year, he produced a positive result (EPA) on just 36 percent of his runs, according to Sports Info Solutions. That ranked 44th among the 50 backs with at least 75 carries. While we can debate the wisdom of using a first-round pick on a running back, there’s no doubt that the Chiefs went into the offseason knowing they could benefit from a talent upgrade. And Edwards-Helaire gives them just that. He can make people miss, break tackles and produce positive gains even when the blocking is less than perfect. The defending champs didn’t play anywhere near their best and still beat the Texans by two touchdowns.

2. Baltimore Ravens
What we learned: Lamar Jackson is still getting better. It feels like any time we write about Jackson, we should mention that he’s only 23 years old. Statistically, it will be hard to replicate his MVP season from 2019, but in the offseason Jackson talked about wanting to improve his efficiency on deep throws. It looked like that focus paid off. Jackson delivered a dime in the first half, finding Marquise Brown for a 47-yard completion. He climbed the pocket and delivered darts all game long in the Ravens’ win over the Browns, finishing 20-for-25 for 275 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

3. Seattle Seahawks
What we learned: They’ll be creative in how they use Jamal Adams. Per Sportradar, Adams rushed the passer 10 times in the Seahawks’ win over the Falcons. That’s more pass-rush chances than a Seahawks defensive back has had in a single game since Sportradar started charting it in 2015. Adams was a game-wrecker in this one. He broke up a pass intended for Julio Jones. He blitzed and sacked Matt Ryan on a third down. And he had a big stop on a third-and-2. Between Adams’ performance and the Seahawks letting Russell Wilson cook, it’s hard to imagine that Week 1 could have gone any better for Seattle.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers
What we learned: Bud Dupree can be a game-wrecker. Dupree doesn’t get the same attention as T.J. Watt, but he showed Monday night that he can create havoc. Dupree had two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. His hustle in chasing down Daniel Jones led to a Steelers interception in the red zone. The Steelers’ defense was smothering all night, and while it took their offense a little bit of time to warm up, it eventually got going. It was only one game, but the Steelers have the look of a team that can win games in a bunch of different ways.

5. New Orleans Saints
What we learned: Their offensive struggles are concerning. The Saints beat the Buccaneers and are still a really good team. But in some ways, this felt like the stretch last season where they leaned on defense and special teams with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. The Saints ranked 23rd in EPA per snap on offense in Week 1. Sean Payton called it one of the worst days he’s ever had as a play-caller. Alvin Kamara had 16 yards on 12 carries, and Michael Thomas suffered an ankle injury. This Saints team is still among the best in the NFC, but its identity could be different than previous years.

6. San Francisco 49ers
What we learned: There’s only so much Kyle Shanahan can scheme up. When the 49ers are at their best, the offense is a combination of Shanahan giving them an edge with scheme/play-calling and players like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle winning with great individual efforts. But Samuel was out Sunday, and Kittle suffered a knee injury. That meant Jimmy Garoppolo’s margin for error was smaller than usual. The 49ers put together a 78-yard drive to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but after the Cardinals came back with a touchdown, they failed to respond, with Garoppolo delivering a late, off-target throw on the final offensive play. Garoppolo was also off on an earlier throw when he had Kendrick Bourne open in the end zone. Overall, the 49ers finished 21st in EPA per snap on offense in Week 1.

7. Green Bay Packers
What we learned: The best version of Aaron Rodgers is still breathtaking. I spent part of the previous six months convincing myself that the Packers botched their offseason and that they would move to a more run-heavy scheme in 2020 and suffer significant regression. Then with one beautiful Rodgers laser to Davante Adams for a 24-yard touchdown, I got sucked right back in. The Packers ranked first in EPA per play among all 32 offenses in Week 1. Despite using a second-round pick on a running back and not addressing the wide receiver position, Matt LaFleur still went with a pass-heavy script. The Packers failed to convert on a fourth-and-goal from the Minnesota 1, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped a perfectly-placed deep pass from Rodgers. They could have easily hung 50 on the Vikings in this one.

8. Buffalo Bills
What we learned: It didn’t take long to get Stefon Diggs going. Josh Allen was 8-for-9 for 86 yards when targeting Diggs. Diggs made some difficult catches in traffic, coming down with the ball despite taking a couple crushing blows. He showed good effort as a blocker on a touchdown to John Brown. This was not a perfect game for the Bills. Kicker Tyler Bass missed a pair of field goals, and Allen fumbled twice, but it was an encouraging start. All three starting wide receivers — Diggs, Brown and Cole Beasley — had at least one catch of 20-plus yards, and Allen ranked second to only Russell Wilson in passing EPA per snap.

9. New England Patriots
What we learned: Cam Newton is still really fun to watch. While some coaches will complain about being hampered by a shortened offseason or opt-outs or injuries, the Patriots completely rebuilt their offense around a quarterback they signed in late June. The Patriots used Newton on zone reads, quarterback sweeps, draws and power all game long in their win against the Dolphins. No team produced a better rushing EPA than the Patriots, per TruMedia. Newton attempted just one pass that traveled 15 yards or more from the line of scrimmage. Bill Belichick told us how he thinks this team can win in 2020: a QB-inclusive run game, a play-action pass game and stingy defense. It was a winning formula in Week 1.

10. Dallas Cowboys
What we learned: Replacing Jason Garrett didn’t solve all their problems. In some ways, their loss to the Rams felt a lot like their 2019 losses. They produced 422 yards. They didn’t turn the ball over. Dak Prescott passed it well. Ezekiel Elliott ran it well. Yet when all was said and done, it was another one-possession loss. Mike McCarthy’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-3 early in the fourth quarter was definitely different than what Garrett would have done. But that decision was fine. The Rams just made a great play and stopped CeeDee Lamb after a short completion. The questionable offensive pass interference penalty against Michael Gallup on the last drive was a killer. Overall, this was not a panic-worthy loss.

11. Tennessee Titans
What we learned: Their defense has a high ceiling. Jadeveon Clowney finished with three tackles and one quarterback hit. But it was easy to see the makings of what could be a really good defense. Jeffery Simmons showed signs of making the second-year leap. Harold Landry had a big QB hit on third down. And Kevin Byard’s forced fumble led to the Titans’ first touchdown. It wasn’t a shutdown performance, but the Titans’ defense kept them in the game, despite issues on special teams. And this was after Rashaan Evans was ejected. The offense is almost certainly going to get stung by regression this year, but the defense has a chance to be better than it was in 2019.

12. Los Angeles Rams
What we learned: Sean McVay put Jared Goff in position to succeed. The Rams’ offense focused on a short, quick passing game. Goff’s average pass traveled just 4.3 yards from the line of scrimmage — the shortest distance for any Week 1 starter. Goff found a nice rhythm, completing 20 of 31 passes and averaging 8.9 YPA. Offensive line issues were a big reason why the Rams didn’t make the playoffs last season. But Goff took just one sack and was hit three times on 32 pass plays versus Dallas. It was an encouraging start on both sides of the ball for the Rams.