-
NFL Nation, ESPN
Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season introduced many shock performances.
The New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings claimed victories over teams ranked in the prime 10 of our Week 2 Power Rankings. Meanwhile, three of our preseason top-15 teams, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, are 0-2 to begin the season.
With so many twists and turns after the second week of play, our Power Rankings have shuffled. So, let's look at how all 32 teams stack up.
In addition to our rankings, the NFL Nation reporters picked the most vital backup/function participant on every workforce. We took a look at the gamers who won't be thought-about the “go-to” guys however nonetheless contribute to the workforce's success.
Let's take a look at the new 1-32 rankings under, beginning with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Previous rankings: Preseason, Week 2
Jump to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 2 rating: 1
Most vital backup/function participant: LB Leo Chenal
Chenal has crammed loads of roles for the Chiefs. In Sunday's recreation in opposition to the Bengals, Chenal lined up as a defensive finish, defensive sort out, inside linebacker and out of doors linebacker. He additionally bought a pair of snaps on offense as a blocker in short-yardage conditions and was in for 17 particular teams performs. Chenal has been more and more used as a rusher in passing conditions and has the Chiefs' third-highest strain proportion (10.3%) amongst any of their gamers with 10 or extra cross rushes. — Adam Teicher
Week 2 rating: 8
Most vital backup/function participant: DB Cam Lewis
This may go to a spread of gamers with the Bills' protection off to such an injured begin. Lewis is one participant on this roster who's requested to step up in so some ways, at the moment as the beginning nickel whereas Taron Johnson offers with a forearm harm. The former undrafted free agent out of the University at Buffalo can be a backup at security and a particular teams participant. He tied for the workforce excessive in tackles (10) in opposition to the Dolphins and persevering with to play properly whereas Johnson misses time can be vital. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 2 rating: 2
Most vital backup/function participant: WR Jauan Jennings
As the No. 3 receiver, the Niners lean on Jennings to do the soiled work and ship when it issues most. He has earned the belief to deal with blocking duties from exterior receiver to de facto tight finish. Since the begin of final season, Jennings has a run block win fee of 84.8%, properly above the league common (79.2%) for receivers in that span. If that is not sufficient, he has additionally earned the nickname “Third and Jauan” for his capacity to maneuver the chains. Fifty-five of his 85 profession receptions have gone for first downs, with 34 of these approaching third or fourth down. — Nick Wagoner
Week 2 rating: 6
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Dameon Pierce
With operating again Joe Mixon's availability unknown as a result of of an ankle harm, Pierce is perhaps requested to step up and carry the speeding load. The Texans' passing assault is averaging 219 yards by way of two weeks, and the offense is at its finest when it will probably run the ball. Houston scored 29 factors with Mixon's 159 speeding yards in Week 1, however it was restricted to 19 factors in Week 2 as he posted simply 25 speeding yards. Pierce had 416 speeding yards and two touchdowns in 14 video games as the backup final season. — DJ Bien-Aime
2:02
McAfee and Schefter talk about the ongoing hip-drop sort out in the NFL
Pat McAfee and Adam Schefter talk about why the NFL has not known as penalties on hip-drop tackles this season.
Week 2 rating: 3
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Sione Vaki
Detroit's backfield is one of the finest in the league with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, however Vaki brings a singular talent set and provides worth on particular teams. Vaki performed security in school however was drafted as a operating again. He showcased his pass-catching capacity by being on the receiving finish of a faux punt in opposition to the Bucs. “We loved him for special teams based on his college tape, but he's been able to translate that physicality that he's shown on special teams to that position, so he's not afraid to come downhill on a linebacker,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson stated. — Eric Woodyard
Week 2 rating: 5
Most vital backup/function participant: DE Brandon Graham
The 36-year-old Graham has lengthy been a tone-setter in the Eagles' locker room, serving as a mentor for just a few youthful gamers. He continues to make an influence on the discipline as properly. In Week 1, he performed 32 snaps — greater than Nolan Smith Jr. (31) and Bryce Huff (30). Graham plans to retire after this season, however Philadelphia wants another productive marketing campaign out of him to bolster an edge rush group with some query marks. “I've told him several times, he's not on any ceremonial last-year retirement parade,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated. “He's going to play. He's still playing good.” — Tim McManus
Week 2 rating: 13
Most vital backup/function participant: DB Christian Izien
Izien was the Bucs' beginning nickelback final season, however he was bumped out of the spot by rookie third-round draft choose Tykee Smith and spent the summer time studying the security place. He stepped in as an outdoor nook in opposition to Washington after three cornerbacks have been misplaced to harm throughout the recreation. Then he began at free security in Week 2 for All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr., contributing a goal-line interception in the Bucs' victory over the Lions. — Jenna Laine
Week 2 rating: 17
Most vital backup/function participant: LB Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu had an impactful 2023 season, ending seventh amongst rookies in sacks (4.5). The second-round choose is behind one of the league's finest edge rusher pairings in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, however each gamers are growing older and Bosa hasn't performed a whole season since 2021. The Chargers already rotate Tuipulotu considerably; he had the third-most snaps at edge (27) in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He ensures there's little drop-off when Bosa or Mack aren't on the discipline, and he is important to a protection making an attempt to rebound from being amongst the worst in the NFL final season. — Kris Rhim
Week 2 rating: 23
Most vital backup/function participant: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry already needed to fill in by Week 2 when Marshon Lattimore was out in opposition to the Cowboys as a result of of a hamstring harm. McKinstry is vital as a result of the Saints can maintain Alontae Taylor in the slot and put McKinstry on the exterior, making certain some continuity for a unit that has already carried out very properly by way of two weeks. He'll additionally present some insurance coverage later in the season as a result of of the excessive fee of accidents at the place. — Katherine Terrell
Week 2 rating: 19
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Zach Charbonnet
The Seahawks' RB2 is their RB1 till Kenneth Walker III returns from the indirect harm he suffered in the fourth quarter of the season opener. Charbonnet dealt with the total workload for Seattle's backfield and delivered blended outcomes in opposition to New England. His 14 carries produced solely 38 yards as he regularly discovered no room to run. But he scored a speeding landing and added 31 receiving yards whereas catching all 5 of his targets. One was a third-and-6 dump-off that prolonged Seattle's profitable drive in additional time. Walker's timetable for a return is unclear, which suggests the Seahawks would possibly want to show to Charbonnet once more this week. — Brady Henderson
Week 2 rating: 22
Most vital backup/function participant: WR Jalen Nailor
Nailor entered the season as the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. While which means lots of enjoying time for a workforce that makes use of “11” personnel about 65% of the time, it does not essentially translate to targets. But Nailor has made the absolute most of the 5 passes thrown in his course this season. Two have gone for touchdowns, a 3rd went for 26 yards to transform a key third-and-8 in opposition to the 49ers and the fourth went for 18 yards. — Kevin Seifert
Week 2 rating: 11
Most vital backup/function participant: OL Spencer Anderson
Anderson has joked that he will get drained of listening to about his versatility, however it's what makes him most useful. With Isaac Seumalo battling a pec harm, Anderson's first two profession begins have come this season. The 2023 seventh-round choose can play guard, however he is additionally succesful of filling in at each place alongside the line. Anderson is probably going a do-it-all backup each time Seumalo is wholesome this season, however Anderson may ultimately earn a beginning job if the Steelers transfer on from proper guard James Daniels, who's a free agent after the season. — Brooke Pryor
Week 2 rating: 4
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Justice Hill
Hill entered the season as a change-of-pace backup to Derrick Henry however has performed 72 snaps by way of two video games, seven greater than Henry. In the operating recreation, Hill has averaged 5 yards per carry (25 yards on 5 rush makes an attempt). In the passing recreation, he has caught eight passes for 62 yards and gives sturdy cross safety for QB Lamar Jackson. Last season, workforce officers referred to Hill as the workforce's unsung hero. He has stored that title thus far this season. — Jamison Hensley
1:34
Stephen A. blames Lamar Jackson for loss to Raiders
Stephen A. Smith calls out Lamar Jackson on “First Take,” questioning his capacity to shut out video games and maintain on to fourth-quarter leads.
Week 2 rating: 7
Most vital backup/function participant: CB Jourdan Lewis
Lewis is sort of a starter as the nickel nook, contemplating how a lot the Cowboys play their sub packages defensively. He units the tone simply as a lot as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence together with his physicality. He is unafraid to set the edge in the operating recreation. He's succesful of working the slot in opposition to receivers, tight ends or operating backs. By the finish of final week's loss to New Orleans, he was engaged on the exterior, too. If the coaches do not like what rookie Caelen Carson is doing in place of an injured DaRon Bland, they can go to Lewis extra. — Todd Archer
Week 2 rating: 12
Most vital backup/function participant: LB Eric Wilson
Wilson performed solely eight snaps in Sunday's win over the Colts, however he made them rely. He picked off QB Anthony Richardson in the fourth quarter when the Colts have been in Packers territory, and earlier in the recreation, he compelled a fumble that Indianapolis recovered. Wilson is the third linebacker in the base 4-3 scheme, which suggests he is the first to come back off the discipline when the defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley employs his nickel bundle (a standard observe vs. Indy). Wilson, an eight-year veteran, additionally performs a big function on particular teams. — Rob Demovsky
Week 2 rating: 15
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Braelon Allen
After barely touching the discipline in Week 1, the rookie celebrated his breakout Sunday with a speeding and passing landing. Breece Hall will proceed to get the bulk of the reps, however Allen provides the Jets a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield. Both gamers can line up in the backfield at the identical time, as they did 4 instances in opposition to the Titans — one of which resulted in Allen's landing reception. Allen can scale back Hall's workload and supply insurance coverage if he will get harm. — Rich Cimini
Week 2 rating: 9
Most vital backup/function participant: QB Skylar Thompson
Thompson beat veteran Mike White for the backup quarterback job this offseason and can possible be thrust right into a beginning function in Week 3 in opposition to the Seahawks. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated Thompson received the job primarily based on the workforce's response to him in a preseason recreation, and that Miami has the “utmost confidence” in the third-year quarterback. Thompson began three video games as a rookie in 2022, together with a playoff-clinching win over the Jets and a playoff loss on the highway in Buffalo. It's unclear how many video games he can be wanted for this time round, however the Dolphins have an offense full of playmakers to help him. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 2 rating: 14
Most vital backup/function participant: TE Erick All Jr.
All has instantly skyrocketed in significance by way of his first two video games of the season. In the workforce's Week 2 loss to Kansas City, the rookie had as many snaps as beginning tight finish Drew Sample did. He additionally chipped in with 4 catches for 42 yards. The teaching workers has been very excessive on the fourth-round choose. If All continues to be this productive and efficient, he may have an enormous influence on Cincinnati's offensive scheme. — Ben Baby
Week 2 rating: 26
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Emari Demercado
Demercado has established himself as the Cardinals' vital third-down again, sitting behind James Conner and Trey Benson on the depth chart. He has performed on 16 of 24 third downs this season and had cross blocks on 4 of 10 passing third downs he has been on the discipline for. Of the 16 third downs Demercado has performed thus far, the Cardinals have moved the chains on 9 of them. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 2 rating: 10
Most vital backup/function participant: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The Rams made backup quarterback a precedence this offseason after struggling at the spot for the previous two years. In 2022, Los Angeles picked up Baker Mayfield off waivers in December after beginning quarterback Matthew Stafford was injured, and final season, the Rams signed Carson Wentz throughout their bye week after Brett Rypien struggled in his lone begin. If Stafford misses time as a result of of harm, the Rams consider they have a backup quarterback who can succeed on this offense. Los Angeles additionally has quarterback Stetson Bennett on the roster (he served as the backup quarterback whereas Garoppolo was suspended for the first two video games), however the veteran is the clear No. 2 QB. — Sarah Barshop
Week 2 rating: 28
Most vital backup/function participant: RB Alexander Mattison
While Mattison has solely 20 speeding yards on 9 carries, together with 1 yard on 4 makes an attempt at Baltimore, he already has two touchdowns in 13 touches — a 31-yard catch, hurdle and run at the Chargers and a 1-yard plunge at the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Raiders' rookie starter, Zamir White, has 68 speeding yards on 22 carries and 5 passing yards on six catches with out a rating. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 2 rating: 21
Most vital backup/function participant: QB Jameis Winston
In 2023, the Browns misplaced quarterback Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder harm and needed to rotate by way of 5 totally different starters earlier than Joe Flacco led an inconceivable run to the playoffs. Watson has typically been injured since arriving in Cleveland in 2022, lacking 11 video games final season as a result of of harm. He has additionally struggled too, posting the sixth-lowest QBR since his debut. In Winston, the Browns have one of the NFL's most skilled backups ought to Watson go down or get benched by the teaching workers. A 10-year veteran, Winston has began 80 video games and thrown 141 touchdowns in his profession. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 2 rating: 25
Most vital backup/function participant: TE Charlie Woerner
If QB Kirk Cousins remains to be shaking off rust, the Falcons will want their operating again duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to interrupt out. In order for them to do this, Woerner can be a key cog. He opened holes as a run-blocking specialist tight finish for Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco over the previous few years. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.5 run block grade final yr, higher than anybody on the Falcons' roster. Kyle Pitts will make the flashy performs at tight finish, however Woerner can open holes for others and assist this offense go. — Marc Raimondi
Week 2 rating: 16
Most vital backup/function participant: CB Montaric Brown
With Tyson Campbell on IR as a result of of a left hamstring harm, the Jaguars turned to Brown, who led the Jaguars with 11 tackles (together with two for loss) of their Week 2 loss to Cleveland. He can have that function for at least the subsequent three video games and perhaps longer as a result of the Jaguars do not have a transparent timetable on Campbell's return but. Brown earned the belief for this function final season by subbing for Campbell when he handled a proper hamstring harm. — Michael DiRocco
Week 2 rating: 24
Most vital backup/function participant: S Brenden Schooler
Schooler is listed on the depth chart as a security, however his most vital function is overlaying kicks and punts on particular teams. In Week 1, he had three solo tackles and reached a career-high prime velocity of 22.4 mph, in response to NFL Next Gen Stats. With the Patriots' offense missing high-end playmakers, game-changing performs on particular teams add much more significance. Schooler leads the cost in that space. — Mike Reiss
0:27
Tyler Fulghum's choose for Patriots-Jets in Week 3
Tyler Fulghum explains why he likes the below in the Patriots and Jets' Week 3 matchup.
Week 2 rating: 18
Most vital backup/function participant: DE Darrell Taylor
The Bears despatched a sixth-round choose to Seattle for Taylor at the finish of the preseason to assist fortify their cross rush rotation. Against the Titans, the defensive finish registered two sacks, two QB hits and 7 tackles. His run protection has been strong alongside together with his capacity to complete his pursuit. Against Houston, Taylor confirmed the method he can blow up a backfield when he chased C.J. Stroud to the sideline and completed off a sort out regardless of the consequence of that play being an 18-yard off-platform completion by the Texans QB. — Courtney Cronin
Week 2 rating: 29
Most vital backup/function participant: TE John Bates
Bates serves as the Commanders' No. 2 tight finish behind Zach Ertz in most settings, offering Washington with an alternative choice in the passing recreation alongside rookie TE Ben Sinnott. But Bates' significance stems extra from his blocking; he has caught one cross this yr and had solely 53 receptions in his first three seasons mixed. With Washington desirous to run the ball extra, it wants what Bates gives — he can block in house or at the line, making him a rarity. — John Keim
Week 2 rating: 20
Most vital backup/function participant: WR Alec Pierce
Pierce was anticipated to be the third receiver, at finest, for the Colts this season. But he has been a revelation with No. 2 wideout Josh Downs lacking each weeks as a result of of an ankle harm and the remaining receivers exhibiting inconsistency. Pierce leads the Colts with eight receptions and 181 yards. He has already tied a profession finest with two landing receptions, recording Indy's solely landing in opposition to the Packers on Sunday. — Stephen Holder
Week 2 rating: 27
Most vital backup/function participant: CB Roger McCreary
The Titans depend on McCreary to assist in each cross and run protection. Tennessee makes use of loads of sub packages with McCreary on the discipline as the nickel nook. He's requested to match up with slot receivers and at instances used on blitzes to strain quarterbacks. Despite being solely 5-foot-11 and 190 kilos, McCreary can be a key half of the Titans' run protection, forcing runs again inside from the edge. The third-year veteran is a positive tackler who makes performs behind the line of scrimmage, as proven by his 4 tackles for loss in two video games. — Turron Davenport
1:11
Schefter: Titans will proceed to trip with Will Levis
Adam Schefter joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and says that regardless of the Titans shedding their second recreation, they will proceed to trip with Will Levis.
Week 2 rating: 30
Most vital backup/function participant: LB Jonah Elliss
Elliss was the Broncos' third-round choose this yr and has already been one of the protection's most impactful gamers. And with exterior linebacker Baron Browning coping with a foot harm — Browning left Sunday's recreation and didn't return — Elliss' workload will possible improve. He had two sacks and a compelled fumble in the preseason, working properly inside a top quality rush plan, and he had two tackles for loss and a sack in 24 snaps Sunday. The Broncos will profit from the truth that he's additional alongside the studying curve than they might need anticipated. — Jeff Legwold
Week 2 rating: 31
Most vital backup/function participant: CB Dru Phillips
The rookie has thrived in the slot cornerback function. Phillips had 12 tackles (two for a loss) and a sack in Sunday's loss to the Commanders. The third-round choose's cease proportion of 12.8% is second amongst all slot corners by way of two weeks, in response to NFL Next Gen Stats. He has additionally allowed simply 5 receptions for 22 yards as the nearest defender in protection. He has made a powerful early impression for the Giants. — Jordan Raanan
Week 2 rating: 32
Most vital backup/function participant: OL Brady Christensen
Yes, the Panthers are a multitude throughout, notably at quarterback with Bryce Young's struggles by way of the first two weeks resulting in his benching. But if any member of the beginning offensive line goes down, it may get even worse. Christensen has proven he is succesful of being a starter at guard and sort out, and he is now the backup middle for Austin Corbett. Talk about multitasking. — David Newton
Related posts:
