Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 2

It didn’t matter that it was QB Jameis Winston‘s debut with Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers were the only team in the NFC that were blown out in Week 1.  Tampa lost 42-14 at home to Marcus Mariota‘s Tennessee Titans in the Battle of The Heismans.

Tennessee put up 35 points in the first half on Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 Defense.  It makes one wonder if his defensive scheme is a bit antiquated in this era of the NFL, where teams go more spread than ever.  Though Winston threw for one more yard than Mariota, Jameis’ two picks hurts the Bucs’ chances as Marcus threw for 4 touchdowns on 13-16 passing.

Jameis’ first career pass attempt was a pick six.  The last NFL QB who could say that was Brett Favre, so maybe Famous Jameis is in good company.  But for now Tampa sits in the cellar of the NFC, still having not won in Raymond James Stadium since 2013.

The Kirk Cousins Era is officially underway in the Nation’s Capital.  Second year HC Jay Gruden has apparently had enough of the RGIII madness and has opted to go with their other 2012 quarterback draft pick.

In Week 1, Cousins went 21-31 for 196 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs.  Alfred Morris looks good again on the ground rushing for 121 yards on 25 carries.  The problem with the Redskins is that they couldn’t turn yards into points on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, losing 17-10, thanks to 69-yard punt return from Miami’s Jarvis Landry.

The ‘Skins could improve this season under Gruden, but the distractions that are backup QB Robert Griffin, III and Owner Daniel Snyder are still around the organization.  Washington may not be in last place in the NFC entering Week 2 in these rankings, but the Redskins are still the most dysfunctional organization in the NFL.

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The Chicago Bears held their own at home against their arch nemesis Green Bay Packers in Week 1, losing 31-23.  The John Fox Era in the Windy City is essentially a rebuild, but expect the Bears to hang tough this year in a strong NFC North Division.

It was more of the same in this rivalry as recent history repeated itself.  Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers improves to 13-3 over the Bears and Jay Cutler continues to shrink under pressure against the Pack, throwing a costly interception to Clay Matthews, III.

Chicago could do better in 2015 and win more than five games, but don’t expect the Bears to become a Playoff team overnight.  John Fox has a ton of work to do to get the Bears back to being a defense first football team.

On Monday Night Football, the Minnesota Vikings saved the worst for last and scored the fewest points of any team in Week 1: 3 against a San Francisco 49ers team many thought would finish last in football in 2015.

The run defense had absolutely no answer for 49ers RB Carlos Hyde.  For a team expected to contend in 2015 with its defense and running game, the Vikings allowed Hyde to rush for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns, while their dynamic tailback Adrian Peterson rushed for only 31 yards on 10 carries.

Of any team in the NFL in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings were by far the most disappointing.  In a tough division with a tough 2015 schedule, the Vikes needed to win this game and came up way short.  They plummet in this week’s power rankings because of their dismal rushing defense and ground game in Week 1.

Next: Tier III: NFC Playoff Pretenders