NFL Week 1 power rankings: Best, worst games
Which games are going to light up the televisions across the country on Sunday’s Week 1 of the NFL season, and which games are going to make us throw those sets out of the window in horror? Let’s rank the Sunday tilts from worst to best.
13. Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals
This game is going to be ugly. Neither team has much reason to believe it’s going to the playoffs, and for good reason. Best part of this? Seeing two veteran quarterbacks in new places.
12. Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck’s return is going to be very interesting. Beyond that? Not much enjoyment is coming out of this one for the casual fan.
11. Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
What are the Dolphins? Are they a passing team, are they a running team, are they a defensive team? Who the hell knows. The same can be said for the Titans.
10. Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are my surprise pick to win the AFC North. So why is this game so low on the list? Ain’t nobody wants to see Nathan Peterman.
9. Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos
This would have been an awesome game a few years ago. Now? The Seahawks are completely washed sand Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, and the Broncos have 7-9 written all over them.
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8. Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
The Cowboys have a defense that can actually play, but the offense is Ezekiel Elliott and a bunch of guys. The Panthers are consistently underrated, but they could make a run in the NFC.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
Without Jameis Winston, the Buccaneers might actually be better off. Nobody makes dumber decisions on a weekly basis. However, the Saints are loaded up for a title chase.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
The Browns are trying to win their first game since Dec. 2016, and they welcome in the hated Steelers. Pittsburgh, of course, has spent the week screaming about Le’Veon Bell. Should be highly intriguing.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
The Giants are going to much, much better than they were a year ago. Jacksonville has an incredible defense, but can that mask the stink of Blake Bortles again?
4. San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins, leading two of the most hyped teams of the NFL against each other. This should be a very telling game on both sides.
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3. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
The Packers and Bears are the league’s oldest rivalry, but it has most been a one-sided affair in recent decades. With the addition of Khalil Mack, just how real are these Monsters of the Midway?
2. Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are the annual trendy pick, but they haven’t won the AFC West since 2009 and haven’t beaten the Chiefs since 2013. Is today the day against Patrick Mahomes? Should be a thriller.
1. Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Tom Brady. Deshaun Watson. The old guard vs. the new guard. Get your popcorn ready.
