Power Rankings - 2026 Week 2

# Team Location Outlook
1Seahawks (SEA)SeattleConsensus average: 1.25. Defense gives Seattle a strong foundation despite quarterback uncertainty. Week 2 will test whether the offense can contribute without relying on another late rescue.
2Bills (BUF)BuffaloConsensus average: 4.00. Josh Allen keeps Buffalo dangerous against anyone. The next step is defensive consistency, so winning does not require another high-scoring finish.
3Rams (LA)Los AngelesConsensus average: 5.00. The Rams still have enough talent to rebound. Garrett's absence and a demanding early schedule make a sharper, more coordinated performance urgent.
4Ravens (BAL)BaltimoreConsensus average: 5.25. Baltimore's balanced attack looks comfortable under its new staff. Sustaining that efficiency while tightening run defense would strengthen the case for an extended winning start.
5Chiefs (KC)Kansas CityConsensus average: 6.25. A productive running game and strong defense give Kansas City more ways to win. Maintaining that support eases the burden on Patrick Mahomes.
6Jaguars (JAX)JacksonvilleConsensus average: 7.00. Jacksonville handled an overmatched opponent convincingly. The roster looks competitive, but stronger opposition will offer a better measure of its championship potential.
7Bears (CHI)ChicagoConsensus average: 7.00. Chicago's offense offers considerable scoring upside. A defense that allowed 37 points must improve before an explosive opener becomes convincing evidence of a complete contender.
8Bengals (CIN)CincinnatiConsensus average: 7.50. Defensive takeaways changed Cincinnati's opener. Week 2 should reveal whether the improvement extends to routine stops rather than depending on another turnover-heavy afternoon.
949ers (SF)San FranciscoConsensus average: 7.75. San Francisco made a convincing opening statement. Keeping its veteran defensive core healthy remains essential to turning that performance into sustained contention.
10Broncos (DEN)DenverConsensus average: 9.25. Denver retains considerable defensive upside despite a poor opener. Cleaner tackling and a more functional offense are immediate priorities before confidence returns.
11Eagles (PHI)PhiladelphiaConsensus average: 11.00. Philadelphia escaped its opener without resolving concerns about offensive rhythm. More consistent drives are needed before treating the Eagles as a convincing top-tier team.
12Texans (HOU)HoustonConsensus average: 11.75. Houston remains competitive, but quarterback ball security demands attention. Finishing possessions cleanly is the clearest route from a close loss to a Week 2 rebound.
13Lions (DET)DetroitConsensus average: 12.00. Detroit survived despite exposed pass-defense weaknesses. Better coverage and communication are essential while the secondary works through injuries; offensive production alone leaves little margin.
14Patriots (NE)New EnglandConsensus average: 14.00. New England's first priority is reducing costly quarterback mistakes. A steadier passing performance would make its narrow opening loss look more correctable than defining.
15Cowboys (DAL)DallasConsensus average: 15.00. Dallas has time to recover, but preseason optimism needs on-field evidence. Winning physical matchups and producing timely stops are central to the Week 2 response.
16Giants (NYG)New YorkConsensus average: 16.00. The Giants showed a more physical, controlled identity under John Harbaugh. Repeating that execution against another opponent matters more than one encouraging opening win.
17Vikings (MIN)MinnesotaConsensus average: 17.00. Minnesota's comeback and Jefferson's production offer encouragement. Quarterback uncertainty complicates the outlook, making stable offensive execution the next test rather than assuming another dramatic recovery.
18Buccaneers (TB)Tampa BayConsensus average: 18.25. Tampa Bay moved the ball but undermined itself with turnovers. Protecting possessions could produce a quick rebound, especially if the defense sustains its second-half improvement.
19Packers (GB)Green BayConsensus average: 19.00. Green Bay needs to finish games while navigating important absences. Cleaner late-game execution would help prevent another promising start from unraveling.
20Saints (NO)New OrleansConsensus average: 19.75. New Orleans showed enough offensive promise to remain encouraged. Starting faster is the immediate challenge; another late surge may not erase an early deficit.
21Steelers (PIT)PittsburghConsensus average: 19.75. Pittsburgh can lean on defensive playmakers, but offensive scoring remains a concern. More sustained drives would reduce dependence on game-changing plays from the defense.
22Chargers (LAC)Los AngelesConsensus average: 21.50. Protection concerns and defensive transition cloud the Chargers' outlook. Better passing timing is achievable, but the response must include improvements beyond Justin Herbert.
23Commanders (WAS)WashingtonConsensus average: 22.75. Washington's protection held up better than feared. Reducing mental errors and sustaining offensive execution could turn a competitive opening loss into a more encouraging start.
24Cardinals (ARI)ArizonaConsensus average: 23.75. Arizona's defense offered encouragement. Backing it up against Seattle would establish that the improved outlook extends beyond one upset.
25Panthers (CAR)CarolinaConsensus average: 25.25. Bryce Young gives Carolina something to build on. Defensive repairs are urgent; offensive progress cannot compensate for repeated breakdowns.
26Colts (IND)IndianapolisConsensus average: 25.50. Indianapolis needs improvement from its quarterback and overwhelmed defense. Week 2 tests whether both units can regain stability together.
27Jets (NYJ)New YorkConsensus average: 26.50. The Jets looked organized on both sides. Repeating that against stronger opposition is necessary before one win justifies a major reassessment.
28Raiders (LV)Las VegasConsensus average: 27.50. Las Vegas handled a favorable opening matchup. Sustaining progress without Brock Bowers is the next challenge, with stronger opponents providing a clearer test.
29Falcons (ATL)AtlantaConsensus average: 28.50. Bijan Robinson provides a dependable offensive focal point. Quarterback uncertainty limits Atlanta's outlook until the passing game can contribute enough to keep defenses honest.
30Titans (TEN)TennesseeConsensus average: 30.50. Tennessee needs basic offensive rhythm after a difficult opener. Longer possessions and more defensive resistance are necessary to make the next game genuinely competitive.
31Browns (CLE)ClevelandConsensus average: 31.25. Cleveland cannot count on its defense to cover offensive limitations yet. Both units need a substantial response before the outlook moves beyond early-season concern.
32Dolphins (MIA)MiamiConsensus average: 31.25. Miami's outlook remains developmental, with promising rookie contributions offering encouragement. Consistent improvement across a thin roster matters more than drawing sweeping conclusions from one loss.

MFT Offense and Defense Rankings

Entering Week 2: season totals through Week 1. Ranks use yards per game. No. 1 is best: most yards gained on offense, fewest allowed on defense. Passing yards are net of sacks. Ties share a rank.

Consider sample size, player usage, injuries and matchup context when using these ranks for Start/Sit decisions.

All 32 teams: six unit rankings
TeamOverall offenseRushing offensePassing offenseOverall defenseRushing defensePassing defense
ARI81669715
ATL3015318120
BAL2356135
BUF6254232025
CAR3122323226
CHI117302130
CIN15199121017
CLE232419192223
DAL282822262722
DEN323132243110
DET12515291132
GB53024154
HOU1013827829
IND272028313028
JAX14111010913
KC9223121
LAC242618251727
LAR181424222919
LV1810277613
MIA26271914236
MIN29182928330
NE221724131216
NO4221212718
NYG75115511
NYJ13712243
PHI1682116247
PIT2532133182
SEA20211711168
SF1141414198
TB212316181424
TEN312930202621
WAS17926172512

MFT unit calculations from retained nflverse game statistics and final scores, September 15, 2026.

Week 2 Power Ranking methodology: Equal-weight average of four independent lists published September 15, 2026: Nick Shook, NFL.com; Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports; Nate Davis, USA TODAY; Jason La Canfora, FanSided. Lower average is better. We sort unrounded averages; ties use median, then the previous MFT week rank, then team abbreviation. Outlooks are original MFT editorial assessments informed by this coverage, not quotations or guaranteed predictions. These editorial averages do not alter the six statistical unit rankings above.

2026 Power Rankings

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