Los Angeles Rams

2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Los Angeles Rams Edition

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:10 p.m. ET

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Where do the Los Angeles Rams currently sit in the 2016 NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 2?

Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first inning at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

With the first set of Sunday games in the books, here’s a look where the Los Angeles Rams and the rest of the teams stand in the 2016 NFL Power Rankings for Week 2.

After finishing the preseason with a 2-2 record, the Rams enter the regular season with plenty of areas in need of improvement–especially when it comes to offense. Todd Gurley is obviously the exception to this statement as the running back emerged as one of the best in the league as a rookie in 2015, but Los Angeles knows their weak receiving corps is the main thing holding this team back from reaching a higher level on offense.

Hopefully, an improvement at the quarterback position will help fix the issues in the passing game starting on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s a look at where the Rams currently stand compared to the rest of the teams in the 2016 NFL Power Rankings for Week 2.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

32. Chicago Bears (32)

For a team nobody was really giving a shot to win in Week 1, the Chicago Bears deserve a little credit for their performance against the Houston Texans.

Nobody could have predicted the Bears would find themselves up 14-10 at halftime against the Texans, but the offense failed to put up any points in the second half before going on to lose the game 23-14. As frustrating as this loss was, Chicago has to feel somewhat better with their performance against one of the league’s early favorites to reach the Super Bowl.

If this team is going to have any chance of competing in the NFC, the Bears are going to need a big season from Alshon Jeffery. After catching four passes for 105 yards against the Texans, it’s safe to say the wide receiver is off to a solid start.

Next on the agenda, find a way to get Jeremy Langford (57 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries) going in the ground game.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin (98) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

31. Cleveland Browns (31)

To say Robert Griffin III‘s regular-season debut with the Cleveland Browns was a rough one would be a huge understatement when looking at how many times he was hit by the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The former first-round pick completed 12 of 26 passes for 190 yards with one interception against the Eagles, but failed to find the end zone in his debut. Griffin received all sorts of pressure from Philadelphia’s defense throughout the game, and even appeared to hurt his shoulder in the second half after taking a brutal hit while trying to get out of bounds.

Cleveland fans shouldn’t feel too down about this loss when considering there was signs of life on offense thanks to Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman. Both wide receivers came down with miraculous catches against the Eagles, but Griffin just needs to work on connecting with Pryor and Coleman more as the two combined for just five catches on 12 targets.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on from the sidelines during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

30. San Francisco 49ers (30) (Play Monday Night)

It’s amazing to think how far the San Francisco 49ers have fallen since reaching the NFC Championship in 2014, and a new era officially gets underway Monday night now that Chip Kelly is head coach.

Kelly was let go by the Philadelphia before the regular-season finale last year, and as bad as it sounds, the head coach has quite the amount of work cut out during his first season with the 49ers. Not only is San Francisco coming off a disappointing 5-11 season, but the team will be starting the season off with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback over Colin Kaepernick.

This move comes as a surprise when considering all the times it was discussed that Kaepernick seemed to be a perfect fit for Kelly’s offense when the head coach was still in Philadelphia. Gabbert may be the starter as of now, but he faces a tough opening matchup against the defense of the Los Angeles Rams that ranked in the top 10 last year.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

29. New Orleans Saints (29)

How on earth did the New Orleans Saints go on to lose Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders when they were up 11 points heading into the fourth quarter?

Allowing the Raiders to score three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone shows just how bad this Saints’ defense is, the loss is going to take some time to get over. The Saints’ offense has to be absolutely frustrated over the fact they put up 34 points, and the defense appears to be heading towards another season at the bottom of the league.

It’s not even funny how many weapons New Orleans is loaded with on offense between Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks, but it’s going to be difficult for this team to be serious contenders in the NFC if the defense is going to play this bad. Not to mention losing the way they did on a gutsy two-point conversion makes this loss even tougher to swallow.

Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

28. Los Angeles Rams (26) (Play Monday Night)

Now that their time on Hard Knocks has officially come to an end, the Rams will continue being in the national spotlight for at least one more week as they open the season on the road against the 49ers.

After finishing 7-9 last year, Los Angeles seems capable of being contenders in the NFC, and they certainly have the defense to do so. However, the only way they’re going to reach the next level is if they figure out a way to take the offense to a whole new level.

The Rams ranked near the bottom of the league in 2015 when it came to offense, and they’re certainly making the right decision by going with Case Keenum at quarterback over Jared Goff at the moment. Goff’s time will eventually come when considering what Los Angeles gave up to acquire the quarterback in May’s draft, but Keenum gives this team the best shot at winning now.

Division games will be key for the Rams when considering how tough the NFC West is, and Monday’s game against the 49ers is no different.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (27)

Whoever drew up the final play on offense for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Green Bay Packers should be banned from calling plays for the remainder of the season. The Jaguars were in the perfect position to pull off a huge win against the Packers on opening day before giving it away on that crucial fourth-and-1 play.

Everybody knew the Jaguars were one of a few teams to keep an eye on in Week 1 when it came to the possibility of an upset thanks to their high-powered offense. With Blake Bortles (24 of 39 for 320 yards with a touchdown and an interception) playing in his third season along with a passing game consisting of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Julius Thomas, the sky seems to be the limit for this offense in 2016.

Jacksonville can say whatever they want about this being one game, but this would have been a huge statement win against one of the best teams the league has to offer in the Packers.

Sep 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during a NFL game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

26. Miami Dolphins (25)

There’s always that one game teams look back on at the end of season knowing they should have came up on the winning side. For the Miami Dolphins, that game could turn out to be the opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Adam Gase couldn’t have asked for a better performance from his defense against the Seahawks as the Dolphins kept Russell Wilson and company out of the end zone until the final minute of the fourth quarter. Seattle has established a reputation for being one of the most difficult places for opponents to play thanks to the fans creating a hostile environment, and Miami has to be kicking themselves for letting this game slip away.

On another note, the Dolphins have to feel confident about what this season has in store for Arian Foster–who made an impact in his first game with Miami by recording three catches for 62 yards.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) pressured by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

25. Buffalo Bills (22)

In a game that turned out to be quite the defensive battle, the Buffalo Bills ended up on the losing side against the Baltimore Ravens after scoring just seven points in the 13-7 loss.

What’s even more frustrating for the Bills is their only touchdown allowed came on a 66-yard catch by wide receiver Mike Wallace in the second quarter on a beautiful pass thrown by Joe Flacco. If the Bills are going to have any chance at competing in the AFC East with the New England Patriots this year, the defense is going to play at a high level like they did against the Ravens.

As for the offense, Buffalo is going to need more help in the ground game. While LeSean McCoy recorded just 58 rushing yards with a touchdown on 16 carries, Reggie Bush was a big disappointing in his regular-season debut by finishing with negative rushing yards.

If Bush has any intention of playing a key role in the Bills’ offense, these kind of performances can’t happen again.

Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) talks with head coach Mike McCoy during a time out against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 33-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

24. San Diego Chargers (24)

After jumping out to a 21-3 lead in the first half, the San Diego Chargers appeared to be on their way to a big opening weekend win against the Kansas City Chiefs, which would have been huge when considering this was a division game. Instead, the Chargers arguably suffered the most frustrating loss of Week 1 by allowing the Chiefs to make a second-half comeback before winning the game in overtime.

To make things worse, the passing game could suffer a major setback as early signs point to Keenan Allen suffering a torn ACL. Injuries was one of the main reasons behind San Diego winning just four games in 2015, and if Allen’s injury turns out being this serious, Philip Rivers faces another tough challenge on offense.

San Diego knows this was a game they should have never let slip away, and could possibly come back to haunt them in the AFC West standings down the road. But hey, at least Melvin Gordon–one of the biggest disappointments from last year–managed to score two touchdowns against a tough Chiefs’ defense.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is congratulated by teammates after rushing for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

23. Tennessee Titans (21)

The Tennessee Titans entered Week 1 as one of those teams to keep an eye on in the AFC after an impressive preseason, but two key mistakes on offense prevented the team from pulling off what would have been a key victory on opening weekend.

Thanks to an interception and fumble returned for touchdowns by the Minnesota Vikings, the Titans collapsed in the second half before going on to lose 25-16. For most of the game, Tennessee seemed to keep Adrian Peterson (31 rushing yards) and Minnesota’s in offense in check, but those two defensive touchdowns ended up being the difference maker in this one.

The good news for the Titans is DeMarco Murray (two receiving touchdowns) seems to be enjoying his new home after the running back’s disastrous year with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. With an improved ground game along with Marcus Mariota feeling more comfortable running the offense, expect Tennessee to bounce back after this loss.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

22. Detroit Lions (28)

If anyone was worried about Matthew Stafford this season now that Calvin Johnson is officially retired, there’s no reason to worry anymore when looking how well he performed in the regular-season opener.

The former No. 1 overall pick was simply phenomenal against the Indianapolis Colts after completing 31 of 39 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Stafford failed to record a turnover while finding a way to use just about every wide receiver in Detroit’s passing game.

Assuming the Lions can find a way to play at this level on a weekly basis, this team may turn out to be a surprise contender in the NFC North. Stafford has always been considered one of the league’s top quarterbacks throughout his career, despite Detroit’s overall struggles as a team, and Lions fans should be excited about what the 2016 season has in store for the eighth-year quarterback.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) carries the ball to score a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

21. Atlanta Falcons (17)

As much as they don’t want to hear it, the Atlanta Falcons seem to have picked up right where they left off last year from a disappointment level.

The Falcons’ defense looked absolutely horrendous at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after allowing second-year quarterback Jameis Winston to throw for four touchdowns–all of which went to different wide receivers. Many expected Atlanta to be the team to cause problems for the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, but this team just couldn’t seem to do anything right on the defensive side of the ball.

There’s only so much Matt Ryan can do for the Falcons on offense after the quarterback threw for 334 yards with two touchdowns against the Buccaneers on 27 of 39 passing. If Atlanta’s defense is going to be this bad in 2016, Ryan could be in for a record season himself when it comes to passing attempts.

Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) falls short of the end zone in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Jets 23-22. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

20. New York Jets (16)

One would think a team that records seven sacks against their opponent would end up winning the game, right? Not if that team happens to be the New York Jets after they came up short in the 23-22 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

At the end of the day, A.J. Green was just too much for Darrelle Revis and the Jet’s defense to handle as the wide receiver had a field day on offense after catching 12 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. As for the quarterback who was sacked seven times, Andy Dalton had an impressive game of his own by throwing for 366 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 23 of 30 passing.

Despite the loss, there’s no reason for New York to hit the panic button yet as they entered the game knowing Cincinnati would be a tough AFC battle. Plus, it was good to see Matt Forte (155 yards from the line of scrimmage) waste no time with getting involved on offense.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) reacts with quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23)

All of that work done by Winston in the offseason in which he shed nearly 20 pounds, and worked out with Michael Jordan‘s trainer, appears to be paying off for the second-year quarterback.

Winston’s performance against the Falcons was easily one of the best from opening weekend after he completed 23 of 33 passes for 281 yards with four touchdowns. The fact that Winston brushed off a disappointing first quarter only to finish with these type of numbers shows how much improvement he’s already made since his rookie season.

Tampa Bay was considered one of the sleeper teams to keep an eye on in the NFC when it comes to making a surprise playoff run, and even though it’s only one game, it’s easy to see why. This looks like a completely different team from one year ago, and the Buccaneers are off to the hot start fans were hoping to see.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks on in the first half against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

18. Indianapolis Colts (15)

Even with a healthy Andrew Luck, this seems like the same frustrating Indianapolis Colts from one year ago, and the defense is to blame.

Don’t be fooled by Luck’s numbers (31 of 47 for 385 yards with four touchdowns) as the quarterback was forced to rally this team from a 21-3 deficit to the Lions. With all due respect to Detroit, Indianapolis should never have allowed the game to get to this point as the defensive issues from preseason are still present.

There’s been numerous instances from the last few seasons where Luck has put up monster numbers after helping his team overcome a big deficit, and just like on Sunday, it usually ends in disappointment. With all of the competitive teams in the AFC South, the Colts are going to need all of the wins they can get throughout the season.

Otherwise, this team is going to miss out on the playoffs for the second-straight season.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

17. New York Giants (19)

Don’t look now, but Victor Cruz is healthy for the New York Giants, and the wide receiver seems determined to do as much salsa dancing as possible during the 2016 season.

One of the biggest issues for the Giants last year was finishing out close games, and Ben McAdoo‘s squad is already showing improvement following Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys. For a team entering the season with back-to-back 6-10 finishes, maybe there is hope for New York when it comes to the NFC East.

Of course, this team still has a long way to go when it comes to proving themselves as contenders in the division. However, it was good to see Cruz find the end zone during his first game back in two years, and let’s hope this is an early sign of a bounce-back year from the wideout who has always been fun to watch on the field.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills strong safety Duke Williams (27) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

16. Baltimore Ravens (18)

Who would have thought Mike Wallace would end up playing a key role on opening weekend for the Baltimore Ravens during their win over the Bills?

This matchup turned out to be one of the best defensive battles of Week 1 as the Ravens held on for the 13-7 win, but it was the key 66-yard touchdown catch by Wallace that had Baltimore fans fired up. Wallace turned out to be a major bust during his only season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, but the Ravens hope he turns out to be a reliable weapon in the passing game for Joe Flacco.

Even if this was only one game, this game could turn out to be the perfect confidence boost for Wallace moving forward. The Ravens know a thing or two when it comes to wide receivers finding ways to still make an impact–just look at Steve Smith.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) celebrates after New Orleans Saints kicker Will Lutz (3) misses a 61 yard field goal attempt as time expires during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

15. Oakland Raiders (20)

With all of the one-point games from opening weekend, there’s no question the last-minute win by the Oakland Raiders over the Saints was the best one.

Jack Del Rio has serious guts for deciding to go for the two-point conversion when considering it could have easily gone the other way. Of course, it doesn’t even matter since Oakland managed to pull it off and escape New Orleans with a win in dramatic fashion.

Whether it was his lack of confidence in the defense or simply the fact that he just wanted to win, it was good to see the Raiders start off the year on a positive note now that there’s finally some excitement surrounding this team. Derek Carr and the offense showed how much potential this team has when looking at all of the weapons.

Now, the only concern is whether Oakland can play at this level on a consistent basis.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Washington Redskins huddle against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

14. Washington Redskins (14) (Play Monday Night)

The NFC East was considered one of the biggest jokes in the NFL last year, and even though the Washington Redskins ended up winning the division, it appears they may be more challenged for the title this time around.

Not only are the Redskins looking to make a statement to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, but Kirk Cousins also wants to make a case for a long-term deal from the organization. Cousins didn’t hide his frustrations with the team during the offseason when a deal was never made, and the quarterback is eager to pickup where he left off last year by posting big numbers on offense.

Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has the potential to turn into a shootout, and whether Washington can pull off the win may come down to Cousins. With a speedy duo at wide receiver in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon along with having one of the league’s top pass-catching tight ends in Jordan Reed, expect Cousins to start 2016 off on a high note.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

13. Dallas Cowboys (11)

Dak Prescott did just about everything right during his regular-season debut for the Dallas Cowboys against the Giants. The only problem for the rookie was the offense failed to find the end zone as much as they should have while settling for field goals instead.

The only touchdown scored by Dallas came on an eight-yard run by rookie Ezekiel Elliott–who struggled in his debut–in the third quarter, as the team relied on Dan Bailey‘s four field goals in this one. With an opportunity to get into field goal range at the end of the game, Terrance Williams made a terrible mistake by failing to get out of bounds, which resulted in the clock eventually running out since the Cowboys were out of timeouts.

After blowing by opponents in the preseason, Prescott’s numbers against the Giants may not have been that impressive, but it should also be noted didn’t record any turnovers, and avoided all sacks.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) picks up a Tennessee Titans fumble and runs for a touchdown during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Minnesota won 25-16. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

12. Minnesota Vikings (13)

With the way things were going in the first half against the Titans, all signs pointed to the Minnesota Vikings losing in Week 1 before the defense picked up the slack in the second half.

First off, the Vikings made the right move by giving Shaun Hill the start at quarterback since Sam Bradford is still learning the playbook. After rallying against Tennessee for the win, it’s safe to say Minnesota feels much better about their quarterback decision.

It was a bold move to give up a first-round pick to acquire Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was a move that needed to be made in order to remain contenders in the NFC. The Vikings already knew they have one of the league’s top defenses, and the two turnovers returned for touchdowns against the Titans is the perfect example of why they rank near the top of the league.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor (not pictured) in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia defeated Cleveland 29-10. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

11. Philadelphia Eagles (12)

The fact that Carson Wentz was limited to appearing in just one game during the preseason and displayed that kind of performance against the Browns is nothing short of amazing.

Not only did Wentz lead the Eagles to an opening-drive touchdown against Cleveland, but the No. 2 overall pick looked like a veteran under center after completing 22 of 37 passes for 278 yards to go along with two touchdowns. While this was only one game, the performance by Wentz was enough to make Doug Pederson and company feel better about their decision to move on from Bradford after the preseason.

The original plan was for Wentz to redshirt his rookie season, but that plan changed fast once the Vikings made the Eagles an offer for Bradford they couldn’t refuse. While Wentz will most likely still deal with the typical growing pains most rookies go through, his first performance was certainly a nice surprise.

Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is congratulated after scoring the winning touchdown in overtime against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

10. Kansas City Chiefs (10)

Instead of dealing with one of the biggest upsets from Week 1, the Kansas City Chiefs rallied by overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat the Chargers in overtime.

After finishing 2015 on a 10-game winning streak along with advancing to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Chiefs enter the regular season as one of the teams to beat in the AFC. So when they came out and struggled early on against the Chargers, it was easy to see why there was a reason for concern.

Nothing against San Diego, but between playing at home and the defensive presence on Kansas City, there’s no reason why this game should have been what it was in the first half. Hopefully, the Chiefs learned their lesson moving forward, and find ways to start off games on a hot note instead of making things difficult by playing catch up in the second half.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates after scoring his 100th NFL touchdown during the second half against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

9. Arizona Cardinals (8)

Even without two key stars playing for the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals still couldn’t find a way to win playing at home in the national spotlight Sunday night.

For a team that struggled for most of the preseason, Bruce Arians has every reason in the world to be frustrated over his team’s performance against the Patriots to kickoff the season. What makes this loss even more frustrating is Arizona found themselves in the perfect situation to kick the game-winning field goal at the end of the game–only to see Chandler Catanzaro miss due to a poor snap.

On paper, the Cardinals have one of the league’s top offenses in the league, and Larry Fitzgerald proved he still has what it takes to be effective in the passing game after catching eight passes for 81 yards with two touchdowns. This may only be one game, but this was supposed to be a game Arizona was going to take advantage of on the schedule due to New England playing without Tom Brady.

Instead, the frustrations from preseason appear to have carried over to the regular season, as this team still has plenty of issues to work on.

Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals kicker Mike Nugent (2) celebrates with tight end Ryan Hewitt (89) and holder Kevin Huber (10) after kicking the game winning field goal against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

8. Cincinnati Bengals (9)

Once again, A.J. Green showed just how dangerous the Cincinnati Bengals can be on offense when he’s playing some of his best football.

Green was simply unstoppable against the Jets on Sunday after hauling in 12 catches on 13 targets for 180 yards to go along with a touchdown in the team’s 23-22 win. Defense has always been a key factor in Cincinnati’s success over the last couple of years, but the argument can be made this team wouldn’t see as much success if it wasn’t for Green in the passing game.

If Green finds this type of success against one of the league’s top defenses, just imagine what could be in store for the remainder of the season. Assuming he stays healthy, Green could be in for his best year yet with the Bengals, and he will leave plenty of smiles on the faces of fantasy football owners.

Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers win 18-6. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (7) (Play Monday Night)

In their first game of the season, the Steelers travel to the nation’s capital in what should be a fun matchup to watch against the Redskins. While there’s no reason to make early assumptions, the bar is set high for Pittsburgh, as many believe this team has what it takes to set all sorts of records when looking at the kind of weapons they have on offense.

Antonio Brown has established himself as one of the league’s top wide receivers after catching 265 passes over the last two seasons. As long as Brown continues this type of success, there’s every reason to believe the Steelers will live up to the hype of breaking numerous records on offense, but they still have a long way to go.

For starters, the AFC North has always been one of the toughest divisions in football, and if Sunday with the Bengals and Ravens both winning on Sunday, this will most likely be the case once again in 2016.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrate a sack during the second half against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

6. Houston Texans (6)

It sounds bad, but the Houston Texans should consider themselves lucky for their close call against the Bears in the opener.

Expectations are high for the Texans this year after winning the AFC South one year ago thanks to a stellar defense. While the defense will be one of the deciding factors behind the team’s success, the real reason why expectations are higher is due to the upgrade at quarterback with Brock Osweiler.

The quarterback joined Houston in the offseason after winning the Super Bowl last year with the Denver Broncos, and even though he’s not the most experienced quarterback, he’s already shown plenty of potential when it comes to making this team one of the best in the AFC.

Sunday’s performance against Chicago may not have been the best one, but a positive takeaway would certainly be the performance of Lamar Miller–who rushed for 106 yards on 28 carries.

Sep 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) pump fakes on a scramble against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Seattle Seahawks (3)

Even though they pulled off the win in Week 1 against the Dolphins, the Seattle Seahawks fell two spots in this week’s rankings for how close they came to starting the year off with a loss.

After struggling to get going on offense, Russell Wilson did what he does best by leading the team on a fourth-quarter comeback by finding Doug Baldwin on a two-yard score with less than a minute left to win the game. This was nowhere close to being the type of performance the Seahawks expect from Wilson, but the quarterback came up big when his team needed him the most, and apparently did it with a sore ankle.

Luckily for Seattle, the defense also did what they do best by limiting Miami to scoring just 10 points. But if this team is going to emerge as one of the top teams in the NFC once again, the offense is going to need to play much better than they did on Sunday.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts following the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Carolina Panthers (2)

For starters, let’s give Cam Newton the credit he deserves for the way he handled his frustration over non-calls from Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos as the quarterback was most likely feeling sore all over the following day.

Newton has taken plenty of hits throughout his career as a running quarterback, but the argument can be made the opener against the Broncos was one of the most painful games he’s ever played in. Last year’s MVP was constantly taking shots throughout the game, and a few replays indicate there were even a few cheap ones that should have resulted in penalties.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing Newton or Carolina can do now other than focus on earning the extra rest for next weekend’s game. Despite coming up on the losing end, the Panthers still showed the NFL why they should be considered one of the top teams in the NFC for the second-straight season.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks on in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

3. Green Bay Packers (4)

The Green Bay Packers should count their blessings when looking at how close they were to losing to the Jaguars in Week 1 thanks to terrible play calling on a key fourth-down play.

Still, the Packers knew this was going to be a tough matchup when looking at all of the hype surrounding the Jaguars, and it was good to see Aaron Rodgers settle down after a shaky start. Rodgers may have only thrown for 199 yards with two touchdowns against Jacksonville, but the veteran made numerous key plays on offense to help Green Bay start the year off with a 1-0 record.

When looking at all of the weapons on offense, the Packers have the potential to put up monster numbers during the 2016 season, and this team becomes even more dangerous with the return of Jordy Nelson–who caught six passes for 32 yards with a touchdown in his first game back. If all goes well, Rodgers should have no problem with keeping this team in the hunt for the NFC North title.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) calls out from the goal line in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Denver Broncos (5)

It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but give the Denver Broncos credit for rallying in the second half by overcoming a 17-7 deficit against the Panthers to win on opening night.

Without a strong performance by the defense, there’s no way the Broncos would have come away with a win in this one, and the argument can even be made they should have ended up losing after a missed field goal by the Panthers in the final seconds was caused by a bad snap. Still, a win is a win no matter how it comes, and this win shows Denver is ready to make their case for being one of the top defenses once again in 2016.

While Trevor Siemian clearly needs more experience as the starter, one of the main concerns for the Broncos moving forward will be Demaryius Thomas. The wide receiver suffered a hip injury against the Panthers, and unfortunately, the seriousness of the injury is still unknown at this point.

Hopefully, the injury is only minor for Thomas as Denver could use all of the help they can get on offense with Siemian adjusting to being the starter.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots (1)

Sunday’s game against the Cardinals was supposed to be one of the games the New England Patriots were going to lose with Tom Brady out due to suspension. After the Patriots pulled off the impressive win on the road without Brady or Rob Gronkowski in the lineup, it’s scary to think just how dangerous this team really is.

The fact that New England’s defense kept Arizona’s offense in check while finding success on offense with Jimmy Garoppolo shows this team will find ways to win, no matter how difficult the situation. When looking at the schedule for the Patriots at the beginning of the season, it was the two games against the Cardinals and Texans that stood out the most.

With the way they played in the national spotlight against a very tough Arizona team, it’s safe to say New England may actually go 4-0 without Brady. At this point, the Patriots seem like the team to beat, and just imagine what’s going to happen when Gronk and Brady return to the field.