By David Helman
FOX Sports activities Dallas Cowboys Author
Let's get offended.
The primary 16 video games are within the books, and we are able to lastly begin evaluating this 2022 season. What else is there to do bounce to conclusions about who's good and who's unhealthy based mostly off one sport?
There is not any one method to do energy rankings, however for the aim of this text, we'll base the rating as a lot off Week 1 as doable, with out worrying an excessive amount of about preseason expectations.
Let's get to it:
1. Buffalo Payments
The Payments entered the season because the Tremendous Bowl favourite, they usually delivered on that hype by boat-racing the defending champs in their very own stadium on Banner Evening. You'll be able to't open a season stronger than that.
Payments expose Matthew Stafford's Rams in 31-10 Week 1 win
The Buffalo Payments spoiled the Los Angeles Rams' Tremendous Bowl banner reveal get together with a dominating 31-10 win, one thing many followers didn't count on. Josh Allen dominated regardless of throwing two interceptions, ending with 353 whole yards and 4 touchdowns.
2. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
To not be outdone by the Payments, the Chiefs beat down a 2021 playoff group in a 44-21 drubbing of Arizona. Patrick Mahomes seems to be like he'll be simply high quality with out Tyreek Hill, judging by his 5 landing passes towards the Cardinals.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
That is flawed logic, nevertheless it's arduous to disregard the opposition once you're evaluating Week 1. We cannot really know what any of those groups are for a number of extra weeks, however we do know that Justin Herbert and the Chargers confronted off towards one in all final 12 months's playoff groups — a group that added Davante Adams within the offseason — and got here out on high. We'll see how properly it ages, nevertheless it's a nice-looking win right here in mid-September.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not the prettiest effort from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense, nevertheless it would not matter when your protection so completely dominates a sport. The Cowboys did not precisely appear to be a juggernaut, nevertheless it's nonetheless spectacular that Todd Bowles and his Buccaneers protection had been capable of maintain them with no landing.
5. Minnesota Vikings
At this actual second in time, we do not know the way good the 2022 Packers are. However we do know the Vikings completely dominated the reigning NFL MVP in one of the crucial spectacular wins of the week. Justin Jefferson seems to be like he is able to take over the league.
Justin Jefferson goes for 184 receiving yards, two TDs within the Vikings' victory towards the Packers
Justin Jefferson could not be stopped towards the Packers, as he went for 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns to assist the Minnesota Vikings seize a 23-7 victory.
6. Baltimore Ravens
It was a little bit of a ho-hum day on the workplace for Baltimore, they usually nonetheless managed to get a 15-point street win. It might be an enormous improvement for Lamar Jackson if younger receivers Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay can construct off Sunday's scorching begin.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Beating Detroit is not going to boost a ton of eyebrows, however the Eagles had been in management for the overwhelming majority of Sunday's win. Extra importantly, Jalen Hurts bought out to a strong begin.
Associated: The A.J. Brown-Jalen Hurts pairing seems to be very promising
8. Los Angeles Rams
I am prepared to offer the defending champs the good thing about the doubt, given the quantity of expertise getting back from final 12 months. However man, everybody on that offense not named Cooper Kupp has some work to do.
9. Miami Dolphins
Nothing about Mike McDaniel's debut was significantly noteworthy, however the Dolphins had been in management all through towards a divisional rival, and Tua Tagovailoa appeared first rate sufficient.
Associated: Dolphins construct identification with Tua, Tyreek and gutsy playcalling
10. Inexperienced Bay Packers
It is manner too early to press the panic button on the Packers — we have realized that lesson by now. Nonetheless, it is truthful to say that this offense was banged up and ineffective in Minnesota, and it will take fast improvement from some younger gamers if that is going to alter.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Not the prettiest effort, particularly on offense. However you do not apologize for a street win towards the defending AFC champions. If the Steelers' protection can proceed to get takeaways the best way it did towards Joe Burrow, it could possibly preserve their offense in numerous video games.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
We're not massive on penalizing groups for powerful losses. The Raiders opened their season by occurring the street to face one of many league's most gifted rosters. They performed it shut, getting the ball near midfield with an opportunity to win the sport earlier than Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack did their factor. There is not any disgrace in that.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals should really feel like they aged 5 years in a single afternoon. Props to Joe Burrow and Co. for clawing again out of a 17-3 deficit, however 5 turnovers ain't going to get it executed. It'd most likely be sensible to scrub up these particular groups points, too.
14. New Orleans Saints
Credit score to the Saints for rallying from a 16-point deficit in simply 12:41 of sport time to offer Dennis Allen a debut win. However that does not fully absolve them of how lifeless they appeared by three quarters.
15. Cleveland Browns
Jacoby Brissett's efficiency will not go down as very memorable, however he did maneuver the Browns into place for Cade York's game-winning discipline purpose with 1:13 to play and no timeouts.
16. Washington Commanders
It took only one week for Carson Wentz to offer his new fanbase the total spectrum of Carson Wentz Moments. He threw jaw-dropping touchdowns in addition to mind-numbing interceptions, although he did finally rally Washington for a win towards Jacksonville. Buckle up for a wild journey, Commanders followers.
Carson Wentz throws 4 touchdowns, leads Commanders to 28-22 victory in Washington debut
Carson Wentz had himself a debut for the Washington Commanders, throwing for 313 yards and 4 TD within the 28-22 victory.
17. Chicago Bears
It is arduous to know what to make of a sport that happened in two toes of standing water, however the Bears had been projected to lose by a landing and got here away with a two-possession win. It undoubtedly wasn't fairly, and an undermanned offense has a ton of labor to do. However in Week 1, simply take the win and preserve pushing.
18. San Francisco 49ers
By any logical metric, the 49ers appear to be a greater group than the Chicago Bears — however they did not show it at Soldier Discipline on Sunday. As time goes on, we'll have far more knowledge to precisely slot groups within the energy rankings. However going off one sport, we're not going to rank them above a group that simply beat them by 9 factors.
Associated: Bears stun 49ers behind Justin Fields, improved protection
19. New York Giants
The New York Giants appeared … enjoyable? Time will inform how good they're, however Saquon Barkley appeared like his outdated self and new head coach Brian Daboll bought gutsy with the late choice to go for 2 and the win. It has been a very long time for the reason that Giants had been a enjoyable watch, so that is definitely a step in the precise path.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Give it up for the one 1-0 group within the NFC West – similar to all of us predicted. In all honesty, Monday evening's win towards Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos was an unsightly fumble-fest, however it's best to by no means apologize for an NFL win. Kudos to Geno Smith particularly for a rock-solid begin that helped the Seahawks upset their former franchise QB.
21. Indianapolis Colts
That is Frank Reich's fifth 12 months in Indianapolis. Throughout that point, he's now 0-4-1 in Week 1. The earlier 4 losses got here towards groups that completed with dropping information, and Houston is broadly anticipated to be one in all this 12 months's worst groups. Tying the Texans is not a season ender, however the constant early struggles are a head scratcher.
22. Tennessee Titans
Most individuals thought the Titans may take a step again in a crowded AFC, nevertheless it nonetheless stings for final 12 months's No. 1 seed to catch a house loss to one of many worst franchises over the past 5 years. It is arduous to think about Tennessee operating the offense it will desire with out higher outcomes from the run sport.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
This was a sport that unhealthy groups lose. The Jags dedicated foolish errors and had missed alternatives, and Washington made them pay. There have been vivid spots, although. Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd appear to be dudes.
24. Detroit Lions
The Lions gave it their all in a scrappy, one-possession loss — which is a story that ought to sound acquainted by now. It is nonetheless a good guess that this Detroit group goes to take its share of lumps, however the Lions proceed to offer the impression that they don't seem to be going to lie down for anybody.
25. Arizona Cardinals
Burn the tape and take a look at once more. The Cardinals bought run off their very own discipline, however at the least they will take solace in figuring out the Chiefs are one of many NFL's most constant groups. Week 1 is not an indictment of a complete season, however what a disgusting begin.
26. Denver Broncos
So many questions. Why did Denver give Russell Wilson all that cash, solely to accept a 64-yard discipline purpose? Why did Nathaniel Hackett save all of his timeouts till it was too late? How did the Broncos make 4 journeys to the purple zone and are available away with simply six factors? Gross, all the best way round.
27. New England Patriots
It by no means actually felt just like the Patriots had been on this loss to the Dolphins previous the halfway level of the second quarter. A blah effort from the offense, which must hope Mac Jones is wholesome for Week 2.
28. Dallas Cowboys
It might be arduous to attract up a worse begin to a season. The Cowboys had been the one group within the league that failed to attain a landing, they usually misplaced Dak Prescott to a damaged thumb for good measure. Even when Prescott was wholesome, his offense appeared abysmal. Now, Dallas must flip issues round with out him for the foreseeable future.
Who deserves extra blame: Dak Prescott or Jerry Jones?
Emmanuel Acho, Pleasure Taylor, LeSean McCoy and David Helman determine who's at fault for the Dallas Cowboys' abysmal loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers finally bought their act collectively, piecing collectively three second half scoring drives. However woof, that first half was brutal and helped set the stage for a heartbreaking loss.
30. Houston Texans
Credit score the Texans for astonishing the league with a hard-fought tie towards a group that was closely favored to beat them. Penalize the Texans for taking part in so conservatively in extra time, guaranteeing that we might all be irritated by their report for the remainder of the 12 months.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Simply once you assume the Falcons have run out of how to drag a Falcons, they do it once more. Atlanta was en path to one of the crucial shocking and spectacular outcomes of Week 1, they usually choked it away in a span of 10 minutes.
32. New York Jets
Hardly ever do NFL video games go precisely in line with script, however this was an exception. The Jets did not rating to chop the deficit to 24-9 till the ultimate minute of regulation.
David Helman covers the Dallas Cowboys for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent 9 seasons overlaying the Cowboys for the group’s official web site. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his position in producing "Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion" concerning the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Observe him on Twitter @davidhelman_.
