Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season has come and gone and plenty of teams are either feeling great at 2-0, or are facing the dreaded 0-2 start that no one wants to experience, including the Chicago Bears. Just a few weeks ago everyone was on a level playing field, but now, we’re already seeing the separation between the contenders and the pretenders.
When it comes to power rankings, many of the top teams remain in their same spots. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles all continued their hot starts. But what about the rest of the league?
Buy Bears TicketsEach week of the season, Bears Wire will unveil power rankings of all 32 NFL teams. Here are the rankings entering Week 3.
1. Dallas Cowboys (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 30-10 win vs. New York Jets
- Last week’s ranking: No. 2
The Cowboys are an absolute juggernaut after two weeks of the season and arguably don’t have a true test until Week 5 against San Francisco. Dallas fans could not have asked for a better start to the year.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 30-23 win at Los Angeles Rams
- Last week’s ranking: No. 1
San Francisco didn’t have as easy of a time with the Rams as they did the Steelers a week before and needed some late magic from their defense to hold onto the victory. Now they have a quick turnaround as they’re set to play on Thursday Night Football.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 34-28 win vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Eagles fans booing Jalen Hurts and the offense after a couple series last Thursday? Never change, Philadelphia. The fans may boo but others around the league won’t. This team was able to make key adjustments on both sides of the ball to stay undefeated.
4. Miami Dolphins (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 24-17 win at New England Patriots
- Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Tua Tagovailoa didn’t have the aerial assault he did in Week 1, but made timely throws when it mattered most to get the Dolphins in the end zone. Raheem Mostert did the rest and helped Miami cruise to an undefeated start.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 17-9 win at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Last week’s ranking: No. 5
The Chiefs have yet to score more than 20 points in a game to start the season. Is there reason to panic? Not with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid running the show. Now with their stars back together, things should turn around in a hurry.
6. Buffalo Bills (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 38-10 win vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Last weeks’ ranking: No. 8
The Bills needed a bounce-back victory in the worst way and got it against the Raiders. Josh Allen threw three touchdowns, James Cook ran for 123 yards, and the Bills didn’t turn the ball over once. All is well again in Buffalo, for now.
7. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 27-24 win at Cincinnati Bengals
- Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Lamar Jackson looks like his old self after throwing for two touchdowns and picking up first downs with his legs. The Ravens have found an offense that works and their defense is keeping opponents at bay. They’re playing sound football early on.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 9-17 loss vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Last week’s ranking: No. 6
This game was there for the taking for the Jaguars, who couldn’t capitalize with multiple red zone opportunities. Trevor Lawrence will have better days, but this was the game to send a clear message and start the year 2-0.
9. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 37-31 win at Detroit Lions
- Last week’s ranking: No. 16
Seattle at a tough task coming into Detroit at 0-1, but rallied to win in overtime. Geno Smith was sensational, throwing for 328 yards and two scores and their pick-six was the difference in the game. They have their mojo back.
10. Washington Commanders (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 35-33 win at Denver Broncos
- Last week’s ranking: No. 21
It’s not easy to win in Denver early in the season and the Commanders did just that thanks to a furious comeback. Washington was resilient thanks to the play of Sam Howell and Brian Robinson Jr., as well as Benjamin St-Juste who broke up the potential tying two-point conversion to end the game. It’s a new era in Washington and the Commanders are 2-0 for the first time in over a decade.
11. New Orleans Saints (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 20-17 win at Carolina Panthers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 15
It’s not pretty, but the Saints are stacking wins early in the season. Chris Olave continues to take the next step, Michael Thomas looks like his old self, and Taysom Hill is being used effectively. We’ll see how long it lasts but New Orleans hasn’t started a season 2-0 in 10 years.
12. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 25-24 win vs. Green Bay Packers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 19
The Falcons are winning with a power running game and a defense that is good enough to get a stop when it matters most. If Desmond Ridder can become a quality quarterback, this team will be competitive for most of the season.
13. Detroit Lions (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 31-37 loss vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Last week’s ranking: No. 9
The Lions could have taken advantage of the entire NFC North losing this weekend, but allowed the Seahawks back in the game. Jared Goff’s first interception in 383 attempts was costly as the pick-six was the difference in the game.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
- Week 2 result: 27-17 win vs. Chicago Bears
- Last week’s ranking: No. 26
Who would have thought three teams from the NFC South would be undefeated after two weeks? The Buccaneers have found a nice rhythm with Baker Mayfield at quarterback and their defense is still formidable with tons of talent at all levels.
15. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 24-25 loss at Atlanta Falcons
- Last week’s ranking: No. 14
The Packers bungled their game against the Falcons, but Jordan Love looks like a solid quarterback through two weeks. They just need to get healthy on the offensive side of the ball.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 24-27 loss vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Last week’s ranking: No. 10
0-2 starts are nothing new for this Bengals team, but Joe Burrow’s health is concerning. If his leg injury continues to persist throughout the season, they might not be able to dig themselves out of this hole like in years past.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 26-22 vs. Cleveland Browns
- Last week’s ranking: No. 17
If this team just had a consistent quarterback and innovative offense to go with their stifling defense, they would be a powerhouse in the AFC North.
18. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 22-26 at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 12
If this team just had a consistent quarterback and innovative offense to go with their stifling defense, they would be a powerhouse in the AFC North. Wait, where have we heard that before? The loss of Nick Chubb severely hurts the Browns, though.
19. New York Giants (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 31-28 win at Arizona Cardinals
- Last week’s ranking: No. 23
Through six quarters of the NFL season, the Giants looked like the worst team in football. Then they captured the magic that propelled them to a playoff berth last year and orchestrated an insane comeback. Their Week 3 matchup against the 49ers (potentially without Saquon Barkley) will be telling.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 24-27 loss at Tennessee Titans
- Last week’s ranking: No. 11
Brandon Staley’s seat is hotter than the California sun given his team’s record and recent coaching miscues. This group has too much talent to be this bad to start the season.
21. Los Angeles Rams (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 23-30 loss vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 18
The Rams may have lost but they’re playing better than most would have thought to begin the year. If the offense can find some balance, they might stay in the hunt for a playoff spot for the majority of the season.
22. New York Jets (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 10-30 loss at Dallas Cowboys
- Last week’s ranking: No. 13
It turns out the Jets do need a better starting quarterback after all. The worrisome part of their loss, though, was the defense looked average at best after a strong Week 1 showing.
23. Tennessee Titans (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 27-24 win vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 24
The Titans were able to get their first victory since last November thanks to an efficient performance from Ryan Tannehill, and a gritty effort from the entire team. In other words, it was a classic Titans win.
24. Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 28-34 loss at Philadelphia Eagles
- Last week’s ranking: No. 22
The Vikings are a disaster up front and even when Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are locked in, it’s not enough to get a win. They’re one-score luck has officially run out.
25. New England Patriots (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 17-24 loss vs. Miami Dolphins
- Last week’s ranking: No. 20
Don’t let some fun field goal defense distract you from the fact that Bill Belichick is 0-2 for the first time in over 20 years. The Patriots are stuck as an average team at best.
26. Denver Broncos (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 33-35 loss vs. Washington Commanders
- Last week’s ranking: No. 27
The good news for the Broncos is their offense finally came to life. The bad news is it only lasted for a little over a quarter before Washington came back. The Broncos are close, but just like their failed two-point conversion, they just can’t come down with a win.
27. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 38-20 win at Houston Texans
- Last week’s ranking: No. 30
It didn’t matter who was playing quarterback last weekend, the Colts offense was rolling. The hope is that Anthony Richardson returns sooner rather than later, but there’s hope for this team under Shane Steichen.
28. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 17-20 loss vs. New Orleans Saints
- Last week’s ranking: No. 29
The Panthers might have a legit defense on their hands. Too bad the same can’t be said for the offense. They will only go as far as Bryce Young takes them and right now, that’s not as far they would have hoped.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
- Week 2 result: 10-38 loss at Buffalo Bills
- Last week’s ranking: No. 25
The Raiders may have stolen one game on the road to start the season, but that wasn’t going to happen a second time. They were outplayed after the first drive against Buffalo and didn’t stand a chance for the rest of the game.
30. Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 28-31 loss vs. New York Giants
- Last week’s ranking: No. 32
Perhaps there is more heart and talent on this Cardinals team than we initially thought. The defense plays hard for Jonathan Gannon and though they choked away a massive lead, they’re going to give you a fight from start to finish.
31. Houston Texans (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 20-31 loss vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Last week’s ranking: No. 31
C.J. Stroud looks impressive early on, but it might be all for not if he can’t stay off the ground. The Texans need to get healthy and protect this kid.
32. Chicago Bears (0-2)
- Week 2 result: 17-27 loss at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Last week’s ranking: No. 28
The Bears have no redeeming qualities through two games of the season. This has been a disastrous start for a team who should have been improved after last year.
