NEW YORK – (Wire Service Report) – The first off day of the NFL regular season arrived Tuesday and a collective deep breath could be in order. Some teams can rest assured they are and undefeated 1-0 but others can stop to breathe deep. They need a win.
A loss by the three-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens’ lateral of a sure victory into the hands of the Buffalo Bills are no cause for immediate panic.
10. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
Last Week: W, 27-24 at Chicago Bears
Up Next: at Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Scintillating comeback by J.J. McCarthy allows for a mulligan on the forgettable first half by the Vikings in Chicago.
9. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
Last Week: W, 14-9 vs. Houston Texans
Up Next: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Losing their first three games on the road last season might imply Week 2 a risky trap at Nashville for the Rams. But this defense will travel, and rookies rarely thrive under the type of duress the Rams’ front can pile on a QB.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Last Week: W, 23-20 at Atlanta Falcons
Up Next: at Houston Texans, 7 p.m. ET (Monday)
Rookie Emeka Egbuka caught two TDs last week. His matchup with the stellar secondary of the Texans should be worth the price of admission.
7. Washington Commanders (1-0)
Last Week: W, 21-6 vs. New York Giants
Up Next: at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Picked up where they left off last season with 432 yards and a strong defensive effort.
6. Detroit Lions (0-1)
Last Week: L, 27-13 at Green Bay Packers
Up Next: vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Are the Lions lost without Ben Johnson calling plays for Jared Goff? We’ll wait for this week, against Johnson and the Bears, to decide.
5. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
Last Week: L, 41-40 at Buffalo Bills
Up Next: vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
Fourth-quarter breakdowns led to 22 points for the Bills and a horrific loss in the opener. How do the Ravens respond?
4. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
Last Week: L, 27-21 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Brazil)
Up Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET
In last place in the AFC West for the first time in four years, maybe the last defense Patrick Mahomes wanted to see coming is at Arrowhead on Sunday.
3. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Last Week: W, 41-40 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Up Next: at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Busted up by big plays, the Bills have serious concerns on defense. They also have Josh Allen. Allen had four TD passes and two rushing touchdowns in a pair of wins over the AFC East rival Jets last season.
2. Green Bay Packers (1-0)
Last Week: W, 27-13 vs. Detroit Lions
Up Next: vs. Washington Commanders, 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Micah Parsons is the ship raising all boats on a dynamic Green Bay defense. Jordan Love being overlooked among top quarterbacks in the league.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Last Week: W, 24-20 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Up Next: at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
To paraphrase Jalen Hurts, the Eagles don’t care about style points, only wins. The secondary and pass rush left plenty to be desired in the opener and Hurts didn’t connect with his top receivers. But the Super Bowl champions still beat the Dallas Cowboys.
In regard to the local team, the New England Patroits and their Week 2 opponent, the Miami Dolphins, are about even. The Patriots come in at No. 26 while the Fins are one slot behind at No. 27.
26. New England Patriots (0-1)
Last Week: L, 20-13 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Up Next: at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
One of these teams exhales on Sunday night. The other starts hearing NFL draft talk. Drake Maye should be smiling after the Dolphins made Daniel Jones look the part of Unitas last week.
–Field Level Media