Windy City Gridiron
There’s no better feeling in life than the start of a new NFL season, is there? Well, maybe there is, but the start of football signals new hope and a changing season. For NFL fans, the beginning of a new season sparks optimism and a renewed interest in their favorite teams. No matter how good or bad your favorite team is expected to be, the first few weeks of a new season are the most fun. In my opinion, the league didn’t let its fans down in Week 1, with plenty of close games, exciting plays, and even surprising results. It’s best to never overreact to the opening week of the season, but it’s part of a 17-game formula that crafts our Power Rankings, so let’s dive in!
1. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Was it perfect for the Eagles on Thursday night against the Cowboys? No. This team also lost several key players on both sides of the ball in free agency. The talent is there, and so is the coaching. Sometimes it takes teams some time to get going at the start of the season. The Chiefs have been a prime example of that lately, consistently making it to the Super Bowl. The biggest question moving forward will be getting the defense back on track, which they did in the second half.
Next up: At Chiefs
2. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Has there been a better Sunday Night Football opener than what we saw in Week 1? The Bills were down 15 points with under a half a quarter to go, and somehow came out on top against an elite Ravens team. Quarterback Josh Allen was outstanding when it mattered, and he received help from some unlikely friends, including fifth-round tight end Jackson Hawes. Sunday’s 15-point comeback was further validation that this could be the year the Bills finally get over the hump in the playoffs.
Next up: Vs the Jets
3. Green Bay Packers (1-0)
The Packers were a blocked field goal away from going 0-6 in the NFC North a year ago. Add in Micah Parsons, a struggling Lions team, and their first home season opener since 2018, and you get a dominating divisional win that made a statement to the entire league. The Packers offense is rarely a question, but if this defense can reach a Top 3-5 status, they might finish the year as the NFC favorite. Avoiding the Week 1 overreactions is key, but it’s hard to find a more impressive 60-minute performance from the season-opening.
Next up: At Commanders
4. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Speaking of statement wins, Jim Harbaugh continues to impress with a quick turnaround in Los Angeles. Quarterback Justin Herbert was slinging the ball around without a care in the world, and that defense is still excellent. With all of the talk about Denver challenging for the AFC West crown, did we overlook the Chargers? We’ll see soon, but Friday was a great start in the right direction.
Next up: Vs. Raiders...
