Lots of movement from my last check on the NFL power rankings two weeks ago, although that's not necessarily good news.
Once you get past the obvious No. 1 team, things get murky, probably because so many of the teams nipping at Kansas City's heels have shown they're not infallible. In fact, they're extremely fallible.
Anyway, here's how they fall, Nos. 1-32, for now. At this rate, you can bet when we reconvene in two weeks, the list looks nothing like this (previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Kansas City (1): Two good tests, two wins. Can anyone stop these guys? (Although injuries to Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown are troublesome.)
2. Vacant. After so many teams we had ranked just behind K.C. faltered, no one deserves this slot.
2a. Cincinnati (6): Gave Chiefs a good run. Would make us believers if/when they get over the hump against such teams.
3. San Francisco (2): You lose to Sam Darnold, you pay the price. Those are the rules. Also, Fred Warner is a stud.
4. Houston (7): Looked sluggish against the Bears but at least Texans are taking care of business, which is more than we can say for teams such as the Ravens.
5. Buffalo (9): After quality rout in Miami, Bills again control AFC East.
More: Miami Dolphins await tests on Tua Tagovailoa, with injured reserve possible
6. Philadelphia (4). Was all set to slot them second. Then they looked inept against an ordinary Falcons team in Philly, no less. Vic Fangio’s defense during Falcons’ two-minute drill apparently was inspired by his D against Will Levis and the Titans last year in those closing minutes.
7. Detroit (2): Can we have a little consistency out of these guys? They could be No. 2 in our next rankings but are one more outrageous gamble by Dan Campbell away from being No. 32 next go-round. (Also, we’ll have the boneless wings.)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (11): Speaking of gambles, Justin Herbert might want to consider not taking so many, for the benefit of his team and his own health.
9. Green Bay (10): We’re not sure if the Packers really are the best of a huge group of 1-1 teams, but they get the benefit of the doubt because of Malik Willis’ efficiency, including shrewdly not trying to throw a pass after his center puked on the ball. This is how a quarterback earns huge points with his receivers.
10. Miami (8). It’s now up to Skylar Thompson to maintain the Dolphins ’ slim grip on the NFL’s top 10. A trip across the country to Seattle, a tough place to play, won’t help.
11. Tampa Bay (22): Bucs get revenge with quality win in Motown, even though Aidan Hutchinson left tire tracks on Baker Mayfield.
12. Minnesota (23): Sam Darnold for MVP! (Right. Check back with us in October on that one.)
13. Pittsburgh (17): Moved up only a few slots despite 2-0 start after barely escaping Denver via stout D.
14. Baltimore (5): Ravens should be glad they’re this high, and that’s only because they are the Ravens. The 0-2 start is only their second under John Harbaugh. Would be nice if Baltimore could figure out how to close out games after taking double-digit leads in the fourth quarter — collapses that date back to Miami’s huge comeback at M&T Bank in 2022.
15. New York Jets (14): Seems like a good time to settle the Haason Reddick situation now that Jermaine Johnson is out.
16. New Orleans (27): Did someone tell Alvin Kamara this is 2021? If he can continue to support Derek Carr like this, nobody’s going to want to play the Saints. Fast risers!
17. Arizona (29): Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is just what Kyler Murray needed.
18. Las Vegas (30): When Davante Adams speaks, Raiders listen. First they have to wake up, but they do listen.
19. Seattle (20): Can thank schedule maker for being 2-0.
20. Atlanta (18): Respectable effort by Kirk Cousins in two-minute drill to punish Philly.
21. Los Angeles Rams (12): No crime in losing to Detroit, but that blowout loss to ‘Zona is not acceptable. Now everybody's injured. Grim way to start the season.
22. Dallas (13): Didn’t take long for them to come after Mike McCarthy’s scalp, did it?
23. Cleveland (15): Yes, they beat the Jaguars. But this kind of sloppy football won’t be overlooked against better competition.
24. Chicago (16): Caleb Williams will face a ton of blitzes until he can prove he can burn them.
25. New England (32): Only ‘cause they beat Cincy.
26. Jacksonville (19): Trevor Lawrence says the Jaguars “suck.” No. 26 confirms that.
27. Washington (24): They just renamed their stadium Northwest Stadium, which is a fitting name for the worst stadium in the league and one that’s on the East Coast. At least Jayden Daniels is fun to watch.
28. Indianapolis (21): Defense is walking wounded. Maybe third-string NT Raekwon Davis, the ex-Dolphin coming off illness, can help.
29. Tennessee (25): Just a guess, but it would appear Brian Callahan is losing patience with Will Levis.
30. New York Giants (26): They’re 1-5 in their past six games dating back to last season.
31. Denver (28): Bo Nix’s next touchdown pass will be his first. This offense needs it.
32. Carolina (31): Bryce Young, we hardly knew ye.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com . Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NFL power rankings: How do Miami Dolphins stack up among all 32 teams? | Habib
Local News
Comments / 0