LC's NFL Power Rankings
​2021- Week 2

​By: Larry Causion Jr.    
​CausionsCreations.com           
Published: Wednesday September 15, 2021

Welcome back to CausionsCreations weekly NFL Power Rankings. Each week we examine each teams performance from the previous week and rank them 1-32, according to how great the team is and the likelihood that they will end the season winning the Lombardi trophy. A teams ranking will not always be based solely off their win loss record, as there could be circumstances that impact a teams current record, but their ability to improve is taken into account when considering their placement in the power rankings. This week we rank each team and give some thoughts on their placement after week 1.

#32

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are even worst than I thought, as they made the Houston Texans look like a good team. Don't be fooled, the Jags are just that bad. Even Trevor Lawrence couldn't shine this dull penny.

​- Last week #​29

#31

New York Jets

The Jets got beat by their old QB Sam Darnold, but Zach Wilson got better as the game went along. The team is not very good and I don't expect much of anything from them.

​​- Last week #​30

#30

New York Giants

I just don't think Daniel Jones gets it. In this league, you must protect the football. The Broncos made the Giants look terrible and it did make me wonder if this was more about the Giants or the Broncos? Time will tell.

​​- Last week #​27

#29

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons let the Eagles come into their house and straight up punk them. This was embarrassing for new head coach Arthur Smith, as the offense couldn't get anything going. Kyle Pitts was a non factor, and he will need to be much more involved for this team to be any good. The defense still sucks.

- Last week #​23

#28

Detroit Lions

The Lions fought hard and never quit against the 49ers, and to me this speaks to the new head coach Dan Campbell, who took a lot of heat for his "rah rah" mentality when he was hired. I think the team needs that kind of leadership and he may turn out pretty good. Jared Goff looked great to be honest and if they had any semblance of a defense, they would be much higher on this ranking. But they don't. 

​- Last week #​31

#27

Houston Texans

I was happy for ​David Culley, who was with the Ravens under John Harbaugh, and who got a lot of doubt and flack when he was hired. Tyrod Taylor looked inspired, albeit against the Jags, but a win is a win. We'll see if they can string some win together because the roster is not that bad.

​- Last week #​32

#26

Denver Broncos

Teddy Bridgewater's short passing and Melvin Gordon's great running led the Broncos to a dominant win over the Giants. We'll see just how good the Broncos are soon enough, but it was great seeing Von Miller and Bradley Chubb hunt down the QB for what felt like the first time in forever.

- Last week #​28

#25

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers started out pretty good early in the game with Sam Darnold facing his former team, but the defense gave up too many yards and big chunk plays in the second half. It was good to see Christian McCaffrey back on the field healthy. We shall see how this team gels.

​​- Last week #​25

#24

Chicago Bears

​The Bears ran into a blood saw with the Rams, and they simply could not stop the big plays. Andy Dalton wasn't terrible, but he wasn't good either, throwing a terrible pick in the end zone that stunted any momentum. Justin Fields should be starting sooner rather than later.

​- Last week #​22

#23

Minnesota Vikings

New year, same problem. As good as the offense plays at times, that defense just keeps giving up big plays. Kirk Cousins has too much talent on that offense for this team to not to be much better than this.

​- Last week #​20

#22

Indianapolis Colts

​The Colts defense got shredded by Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz looked lost back there at times. The guy just takes to many big hits. Its like he can't help himself. I do think this team has the potential to be much better but they need to get healthy and they have to play more disciplined on offense. 

​- Last week #​11

#21

Washington Football Team

​WFT's defense delivered as expected to contain the Chargers, but Ryan Fizpatrick showed why it is always hard to depend on him when there are expectations. The hip injury has landed him on IR, and the team will now turn to Taylor Heineken to come in and lead them. Tough way to start the year, but I won't count this team out.

​- Last week #​9

#20

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals may be a true problem in the AFC North. To be honest, that is one of the toughest divisions in football, and its largely because Joe Burrow has supreme arm talent and will be a true force. That offense is loaded. But the defense has work to do.

​- Last week #​26

#19

New England Patriots

Run the ball, make safe passes with rookie Mac Jones, and play hard nosed defense. Sounds like a Pats team that used to dominate the league. Turnovers cost the Pats in week one, but this will be a good football team.

​- Last week #​17

#18

Tennessee Titans

Maybe the biggest flop of the weekend, outside of the Packers, was the Tennessee Titans, who got absolutely bludgeoned by the Cardinals. The Titans came into the season as a top favorite of many to do some damage in the AFC, especially with the addition of Julio Jones to the passing game. But the problem was, Derrick Henry was completely taken out of the game, and Ryan Tannehill was forced to drop back and pass, and simply was dropped time after time. Chandler Jones wrecked the game plan. For the Titans to be who they want to be, they have to be balanced on offense. First game without Author Smith calling plays was not good.

​​​- Last week #6

#17

Baltimore Ravens

Heading into Monday night, the Ravens were down two starting corners and all three running backs, but they were still favored to go on the road and win in Vegas. And they should have. The team had a 14 point lead in the first half, that they blew, largely because they chose to forgo a field goal before the half and couldn't pick up a 4th and short, and because Lamar Jackson fumbled the ball twice, which led to two touchdown by the Raiders. Even with the mistakes, the Ravens had a three point lead with under a minute to go and allowed Derek Carr to march down the field and Vegas kicked a game tying field goal to send the game to overtime. The Ravens blew the game. There is no other way to put it. The team should have been good enough to beat the Raiders and because of costly mistakes, and the dumb decision to constantly leave receivers one on one and blitz repeatedly with backups in the secondary, the Ravens suffered a bad OT defeat. Things will not get easier as KC is coming to Baltimore on Sunday night. That offensive line of the Ravens needs to improve quickly!

​- Last week #8

#16

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders defense gave Lamar Jackson fits all night long on Monday, and they completely embarrassed both offensive tackles, Alejandro Villanueva and Ronnie Stanley. Maxx Crosby was so dominant, he earned AFC defensive player of the week and the team forced Jackson to fumble both times. Derek Carr shredded the depleted Ravens secondary, and picked up on the zero coverage blitzes the Ravens stubbornly deployed time after time. This could have easily been a loss for the Raiders but they battled and refused to lose their home opener. I have to give them some credit for beating the Ravens, so I put them just ahead in the rankings.

​​- Last week #19

#15

Dallas Cowboys

There are no moral victories in sports, but I couldn't help but be impressed by Dak Prescott on opening night. Returning from a season ending leg injury and after missing training camp with an arm injury, there were many questions about how Dak would look against that vaunted Tampa Bay defense. Well, he looked sensational. We know Dallas has an abundance of offensive talent, so putting up big numbers should not be a shock, but with Dak missing all that time, this was a highly impressive showing. I still want to see more from the defense. While they did force turnovers, they gave up a lot of big plays that will continue to be a problem and limit how good they can be. Because the offense is loaded, and you don't want to waste the opportunity.

- Last week #21

#14

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts looked great in the Eagles win over the Falcons. The QB did a great job , especially early, distributing the ball and making big plays. It was great to see Heisman trophy winner Devonte Smith get in the end zone for his first NFL touchdown, and these two could be extremely special together. A lot of hope in Philly.

​- Last week #24

#13

Los Angeles Chargers

The Charger came across country and pulled out a big win on the road against the Washington Football team. Joey Bosa came out smoking and he applied pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick. So much so that the QB was knocked out the game and is now on IR. Taylor Heineken came in and gave Washington a spark in the second half, but the offensive rookie from last season Justin Herbert was efficient with the football and made all the plays that needed to be made. I think the Chargers have a chance to really be a good football team and they will give KC a battle in the AFC West. Not saying they'll take the division, but they will get a game from KC. 

​- Last week #16

#12

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins defense has been good for some time now and nothing I saw on Sunday changed my thought process on that. Tua was efficient, not spectacular, but he played to his strengths and picked up a big win on the road in New England. All the hype has been about Mack Jones, but Tua outplayed him, and his team won. I think this team will continue to get better as Tua and Jaylen Waddle continue to mesh. The offense has a chance to be really special and I think many people are sleeping on this team.

- Last week #14

#11

Green Bay Packers

Let me be clear, the Packers were utterly destroyed and embarrassed by the Saints on opening day in Jacksonville, and while many may rush to drop them further down the rankings, I won't. The Saints defense dominated the game and the Packers had no answer for the pass rush, nor could they stop the Saints onslaught. But I had the Packers pretty highly ranked last week for a reason, and while I do have them outside of the top ten, I have faith that Aaron Rodgers will rebound and the Packers will win the NFC North and be a top contender once again this year. Not having ​David Bakhtiari clearly was once again a problem.

​​- Last week #4

#10

San Francisco 49ers

Yes, your math is correct, I have all four NFC West teams in the top ten this week. I honestly think that outside of these teams having to lose to one another, there is a very good chance they could make up three of the four wild card spots. The 49ers looked great in the first half on Sunday, and were well on their way to blowing out the Lions. But give Detroit credit for fighting back late and making the game competitive. I just think Kyle Shannon has so many weapons at his disposal that this team will be tough week in and week out, pus that defense has real fire power with the return of Nick Bosa. The loss of Mostert will hurt, but they seem to find backs that can come in and keep the ball moving. I also liked how Trey Lance was sprinkled in the offense. Great start.​ 
​
​- Last week #13

#9

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson started another season off hot, as he was completely in his bag on Sunday. Wilson was dropping moonballs and shredded a very good Colts defense to bits, earning the Seahawks an impressive road win to start the season. I still have questions about Seattle's defense long-term, but they made Carson Wentz look just like he did for the Eagles, inconsistent. We'll track them closely as that NFC West is stacked.
​
​- Last week #18

#8

Buffalo Bills

The Bills got smacked in the mouth by the Steelers on Sunday at home, which is a pretty bad loss for a team that many have high hopes for. The offense just couldn't do anything in the second half and they were completely one dimensional, abandoning the run completely. I didn't like the game plan and thought the loss did bring the team back down to earth after all the hype. But I still think this team should not drop[ too far in the rankings, as its a long season and they will make adjustments that will keep them a real contender. They will need to find a running game if they ultimately want to be successful, as dropping back Josh Allen that many times works the first year, but now that teams have a year of film to game plan, the offense has to be balanced.
​
​- Last week #3

#7

Cleveland Browns

Though they lost a tough game to the Chiefs in Arrow Head on Sunday, I still place the Browns high on the Power Rankings, as they could have easily won this game, if not for a few bone headed mistakes. Baker Mayfield did almost everything he could to outduel Patrick Mahomes, but Mahomes is the highest paid player in league history for a reason, and Kansas City is a tough place to go in and win. I thought Cleveland dominated this game for the majority and looked good on both sides of the ball. If not for the fumble by Chubb and the botched punt in the 4th quarter, the Browns would have won and they'd be higher. But I still see them as a real contender.
​
​- Last week #5

#6

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray looked like a real MVP candidate, taking the Cardinals into Tennessee and giving the Titans something to remember them by. This was utter destruction, and the defensive player of the week can only be Chandler Jones, who dominated Ryan Tannehill all day, recording five sacks. On both side of the ball the Cardinals were so damn dominate. I really struggled with my placement of the Cardinals on the Power Rankings, because if we are just looking at who had the most impressive victory in week one, they would be neck and neck with the Saints for one and two. But because this very team started hot last season and nosedived, I want to pump the breaks a bit and see if they can string some performances together in the extremely tough NFC West.
​
 - Last week #​15

#5

New Orleans Saints

You can't be anything but impressed by what Jameis Winston and the Saints did to the Green Bay Packers. It was a total destruction in all fazes of the game, and Sean Peyton has found his deep threat QB. Winston didn't throw for a ton of yards but he scored points, and Alvin Kamara was featured in a way that we have not seen enough the last few years, which will make he a completely lethal weapon this year. The defense was absolutely sensational, forcing Aaron Rodgers out of the pocket all day, and picking him off twice. In many ways this win was bigger than football, as the team was forced to play the game on a neutral field in Jacksonville, which makes the dominance even more impressive. Great start and we'll track them closely.
​
- Last week #12

#4

Pittsburgh Steelers

For a Steelers team with some many questions to go into Buffalo and pull out a win like that, was nothing short of amazing. Big Ben got better, not worst as the game went along and the defense was absolutely sensational, shutting down the Bills offense, making them simply pedestrian. TJ Watt earned every dollar he received in his new deal, and he wrecked havoc on Josh Allen all day long. That type of defensive performance is something a team can hang their hat on on, and the Steelers will give teams hell all year.
​
​- Last week #10

#3

Los Angeles Rams

The LA Rams look like a real Super bowl contender, on both sides of the ball. I know it's only one game, but Mathew Stafford is going to have a field day in Sean McVay's offense, as the west coast system will allow him to complete much easier throws, but also with his arm talent he's going to stretch the field like we all know he loves to do. The connection between Stafford and Cooper Kupp will be one to watch, as they looked like they were clicking already. And the defense is still star studded at all three levels. Because I expect this team to be consistent all year, number three seems like a perfect place for them, as I have more faith in their offense sustaining over a few teams who were impressive in week one.
​
​- Last week #7

#2

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs pulled off another comeback victory over an extremely motivated Browns team. Down 12 points, Patrick Mahomes showed once again why he's undefeated in September and the favorite to make the Super bowl for the third year in a row. The offense is just so explosive, and Travis Kelce is such an X-factor against man or zone defense, that it's just hard to keep them down for four quarters. The throw Mahomes made to Hill was just like the bomb he threw in the Super Bowl versus the 49ers a few years ago, and it was a game changer. I see no reason why the Chiefs will not remain atop the rankings for the foreseeable future. Big game with the Ravens this Sunday night in Baltimore, but after seeing that Ravens secondary, Mahomes is licking his chops.
​
​- Last week #2

#1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The defending champions looked vulnerable against the Cowboys in week one, but they are still the champs and until someone proves they can beat Tom Brady in winning time, they will remain at number one. Brady has so many weapons at his disposal and he featured Gronk in a big way in week one. That bomb he threw to Antonio Brown was one of the highlights of the week, and you had to be impressed by the poise to close the game, and set up for the game winning field goal. The defense wasn't at its best and they gave up some big plays to Dak Prescott. But I have no doubt those issues will be ironed out and they will be ready for the Falcons in week 2.
​
- Last week #​1