NFL Power Rankings 2026: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings – 49ers Vault Over the Rams

My current NFL Power Rankings for the 2026 NFL season. Week 2 NFL Power Rankings. 49ers Vault Over the Rams

I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.

NFL Power Rankings updated Sept. 14, 2026

Group A:


San Francisco 49ers (12-5)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
Can the 49ers finally avoid injuries this year? If so, then they can clearly win the Super Bowl, given the immense potential they displayed in the Australia game against the Rams.

If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.

Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $8.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!


Baltimore Ravens (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
We'll see what happens with Zay Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane because both left the game with injuries, but Baltimore looked like one of the best teams in the league against the Colts. The Ravens completely dismantled Indianapolis on both sides of the ball, and it doesn't look like Tyler Linderbaum's departure is any sort of factor.


Buffalo Bills (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
So much for Houston being Josh Allen's house of horrors. Allen was incredible against the Texans, so perhaps this is a sign that the Bills will finally be able to get over the hump in the playoffs.


Los Angeles Rams (12-5)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
This is the best team in football?! Yeah, sure. The "best team in football" was destroyed in Australia, 27-7.

That said, the Rams are very likely to rebound and still contend for the Super Bowl. They screwed themselves with weird travel ahead of this game, and they'll get Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett on the field in a couple of weeks.



Group B:


Houston Texans (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Texans lost their opener, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. They went toe to toe with the Bills, who might be the best team in the conference. C.J. Stroud played much better than he did last year against a very good pass defense.


Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
For the second year in a row, the Bengals got lucky in Week 1. Last season, they were able to benefit from many Cleveland mistakes. This time, they won because the Buccaneers lost four fumbles.


Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
"The Jaguars finished hot, so perhaps that'll carry over into 2026."

I'd say it did. Jacksonville's offense was electric against the Browns, albeit without Myles Garrett. Still, the Jaguars had an easy time in the opener in a dominant performance.


Chicago Bears (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
If the Bears had at least an average defense, you could make the case that they're the best team in the NFL. They were so explosive offensively, but their defense allowed 37 points to Bryce Young, which simply can't happen.


Seattle Seahawks (14-3)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
The Seahawks suffered a major scare when Sam Darnold suffered an injury on the opening drive of the season. They still won over the Patriots, but their Super Bowl chances would have been over had Drew Lock been forced into action the rest of the year. Fortunately for the Seahawks, Darnold only suffered a muscle strain, and injured reserve isn't even being considered at the moment. This ranking reflects Lock at quarterback instead of Darnold.


New England Patriots (14-3)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
The Patriots blew it against the Seahawks and their backup quarterback. If Drake Maye doesn't throw that stupid interception, or if Romeo Doubs makes one of the easiest catches of his life, New England likely prevails, albeit against Drew Lock. Still, consider that the Patriots lost to the Raiders in Week 1 last year, so I'm not concerned.


Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Eagles hit some big plays in the opener, but weren't exactly dominant against a team that many projected to be one of the worst in the NFL. They were a missed two-point conversion away from having to deal with the Redskins in overtime. That's not a good sign, and neither was Jalen Hurts' leaky pass protection.


Detroit Lions (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
One of the biggest surprises of Week 1 was Detroit's inability to score on the Saints. Granted, the Lions had a game coming up in four days against the Bills, but still, they should have been able to score more than they did. Ultimately, they won, so it won't matter in the long run unless they don't get their act together offensively.


San Angeles Chargers (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
What a disgraceful performance by the Chargers. Their offense sucked against Arizona's supposedly terrible stop unit, while their defense couldn't stop anything Jacoby Brissett was doing. They were even beaten on special teams.

This is the first time Jim Harbaugh didn't even cover the spread, let alone win, in Week 1. I don't understand why he was so unprepared.



Group C:


Denver Broncos (14-3)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
Everything is pretty much status quo for the Broncos compared to last year, save for the Jaylen Waddle trade. The Broncos were praised for this move, but Waddle has underwhelmed the past few seasons, even when Tyreek Hill was injured. I'm not a believer in this Denver team, but another playoff appearance is certainly possible.


Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
The Chiefs have a dreadful roster. They don't have much of a pass rush, and they lost their entire secondary from a year ago. They don't have any pass-catchers for Patrick Mahomes, and Mahomes may not even be ready for Week 1.


Green Bay Packers (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
I wouldn't be too concerned about Jordan Love having a shaky game. Granted, he threw for nearly 400 yards, but he constantly threw off his back foot in the second half. This is pretty common against Brian Flores, as Love has had a poor history against him. The Packers will bounce back eventually, but they'll need Micah Parsons to help their defense.


New York Giants (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
Jaxson Dart had an incredible performance against the Cowboys. Granted, it was just Dallas, but the Cowboys were supposed to have a better defense this year. Dart was precise with all his throws and came up big in some clutch moments. If Dart can stay out of the blue tent, he could lead the Giants to a divisional title this year.


Dallas Cowboys (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Cowboys threw away their first game with so many mistakes. They committed six penalties in the first 20 minutes, and then Dak Prescott heaved a reckless interception right before halftime to set up a Giants touchdown. What was most troubling was how bad the Dallas defense looked after all of the supposed upgrades it made this offseason.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
It would have been nice if the Buccaneers gave themselves a chance to win their first game. However, they just gave it away with four stupid fumbles. I'm sure they'll play better in the coming weeks, but giving the ball away four times on the ground is inexcusable.


New York Jets (3-14)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
From my previous entry: "The Jets actually have a semi-decent roster, so perhaps their fans shouldn't expect Arch Manning to fall into their laps next April."

I will never understand why the public believed the Jets were one of the worst teams in the NFL. They have too much talent on both sides of the ball to be compared with the Titans and Browns.



Group D:


Minnesota Vikings (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
I watched it live, and yet I still don't know how the Vikings beat the Packers, let alone by 19. They were bailed out by so many Green Bay penalties on one drive, and then Green Bay's offensive line collapsed late in the afternoon. Kyler Murray will be out for a game or two, but I don't know how much of a downgrade Carson Wentz is.


Arizona Cardinals (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
So much for the Cardinals being the worst team in the NFC. They thoroughly outplayed the Chargers. They did not have a lucky victory. They were the better team on both sides of the ball.


New Orleans Saints (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
Saints fans had to be unbelievably frustrated with Tyler Shough for most of the game against Detroit. Shough struggled despite a positive matchup but caught fire at the end, so maybe that should give the team some optimism. They were just a two-point conversion away from winning in Detroit.


Carolina Panthers (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
So much for Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd strengthening the defense. The Panthers allowed 59 points to the Bears, who probably could have scored 70 had they tried in the fourth quarter. At least Bryce Young played well.


Washington Redskins (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
The Redskins were a dumpster fire in training camp and the preseason. However, they held their own in Philadelphia and were a two-point conversion away from going to overtime. Despite the loss, that result should be seen as a positive going forward.


Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
The Steelers won as projected, but it was not an impressive victory. They had issues distancing themselves from the Falcons, who are one of the worst teams in the league, despite playing at home. I don't have high hopes for this Pittsburgh team.


Indianapolis Colts (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
If you're wondering how Daniel Jones performed coming off the torn Achilles, he didn't run a single time in the first half, and he failed to reach 100 passing yards by the time the game was 38-16. Not good.


Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
The Raiders are 1-0, but it's difficult to evaluate their victory over the Dolphins, given that Miami could be the worst team in the NFL by far this season. The Raiders have a much bigger test against the Chargers next week.



Group F:


Atlanta Falcons (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
Week 1 is not a good look for the Falcons. I know they were playing an injured third quarterback, but it's not like the other quarterbacks on the roster are any good. Perhaps Michael Penix Jr. would be an upgrade, but Tua Tagovailoa would have played just as poorly as Rush did.


Tennessee Titans (3-14)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
The Titans look as dreadful as they did in the preseason when they struggled to score against third-string defenses. It's clear that they're one of the worst teams in the NFL, but I believed that to be true prior to Week 1.


Cleveland Browns (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
It's safe to say that the Browns responded the exact way we all thought they would after naming Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback after he stunk it up versus third-stringers and then criticized the fans for booing him. And that defense isn't nearly the same without Myles Garrett.


Miami Dolphins (0-1)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
The good news is that Caleb Douglas looks like a legitimate receiver. The bad news is that the Dolphins stink in every other regard. They were blown out by the Raiders, which is a sad outcome for this team. Then again, it's exactly what they want because they'll be able to get Arch Manning next April.

2026 NFL MVP Projection:

1. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears
2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
4. Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants
5. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals


Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft

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NFL Picks - Sept. 14


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2027 NFL Mock Draft - Sept. 7


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2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |

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