On any given Sunday these Top 10 teams can change with a fumble, interception or the blow of a whistle.
Week 1 of the NFL season is often not indicative of how the full season will play out. We’ve seen this over the years, we know it to be true.
We’ve got to get some takes off about what we watched — the good, the bad, the surprising, the expected. After an action-packed Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, we’ve seen our first glimpse of all 32 teams in meaningful competition.
While it’s important to remember that one game doesn’t define a season, these early performances offer a starting point for assessing the league’s hierarchy. As always, these Top 10 rankings are fluid and subject to change as the season progresses, but they represent our current assessment of where each team stands after the first week of NFL action.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Winning is winning — it doesn’t matter if it’s by an inch or a mile. Dom Toretto’s immortal words rang in my ears as I watched the defending champs hold off the Ravens by a literal toenail. Rookie Xavier Worthy made an immediate impact, showcasing the speed and playmaking ability the Chiefs were hoping for when they drafted him. Rashee Rice kept up his strong finish to last season despite his tumultuous offseason. Dramatic as the opener might have been, the Chiefs revamped offense looks just as explosive as we thought it might. That’s a scary thought. The team will need to continue developing chemistry with new receivers to fully maximize the offensive potential.
2. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Christian McCaffrey didn’t play. Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk didn’t have a training camp. There were so many reasons why the 49ers might get out to a sluggish start, and instead they rolled over the Jets as if they were a speedbump. Even without Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers easily moved the ball against a good defense and snuffed out the Jets on Monday night. They need some of Monday night’s field goals to turn into touchdowns moving forward, and McCaffrey’s injury is a major area of concern. Still, this was a dominant start for the co-favorites in the NFC. Surprise, surprise, the 49ers are still a machine.
3. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
That looked eerily familiar. The Cowboys’ defense and special teams were dominant in Cleveland, and Dak Prescott made exactly the plays he needed to for a dominant win. The Cowboys sacked Deshaun Watson 6 times and intercepted him twice. This aggressive performance sets a tone for what could be a formidable defensive unit throughout the season. The defense was the star, despite Dak Prescott entering the game fresh off signing a new four-year, $240 million contract. The passing game could be more explosive, but the offense showed balance. Hard to draw up a better opener. Congrats on their D.
4. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Meanwhile, I don’t know if there was a cooler moment in Week 1 than Detroit marching down the field for a walk-off winner in overtime against the Rams. The overtime victory against the Rams keeps the Lions in the conversation of Super Bowl contenders. The emergence of Jameson Williams as a deep threat adds a new dimension to the offense, while the defense showed significant improvement from last season, particularly in the red zone, holding the Rams to just two touchdowns on five red zone possessions. This is such a complete team, and the receiving of Jameson Williams could open a whole new world of possibilities.
5. Houston Texans (1-0)
Starting with a divisional win on the road is significant. The running game, led by Joe Mixon, provided balance to the offense, rushing for 82 yards on 18 carries. The defense gave up some big plays, but they effectively shut down Jonathan Taylor and did well against Indy’s attack. For all the hype and expectations placed on this team, it’s impressive the Texans managed to roll the ball out and look the part from Day 1. More importantly, Houston just might be able to run the ball this season, if Joe Mixon’s big debut was any indicator.
6. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
The Bills showed resilience in their 34-28 victory over the Cardinals, overcoming an early 17-3 deficit. The “everyone eats” offensive philosophy seemed effective, with targets spread among multiple receivers. Rookie Keon Coleman led the team in targets with 4 catches while players like Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel also contributed. The defense had a tale of two halves. They struggled in the first half, allowing the Cardinals to control time of possession and move the ball effectively. The second half saw significant improvement, with the defense holding Arizona to just 3 offensive points.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Sluggish start for Jalen Hurts and the guys, but we saw so many reasons to be excited about how this offense can come together under Kellen Moore. You’d have liked to see a better effort on defense, but to be fair, the field conditions in São Paulo didn’t do anyone any favors.
Saquon Barkley made an immediate impact in his Eagles debut. The defense, while allowing 24 points, made key stops when needed. There’s room for improvement, but the unit showed promise under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
8. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
Lamar Jackson showed his dynamic playmaking ability, but the offensive line struggled at times, forcing Jackson to scramble frequently. This raises concerns about pass protection and the sustainability of relying heavily on Jackson’s running ability. Isaiah Likely emerged as a significant threat at tight end, recording 9 catches for 111 yards and nearly scoring a game-tying touchdown. His performance may lead to an increased role in the offense. For the most part, losing game one at Kansas City is of little concern.
9. Miami Dolphins
Winning a home game against a competitive AFC opponent sets a good tone for the season. The combination of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle continued to be a formidable duo in the receiving corps. The run game struggled, but Jeff Wilson Jr. got 11 snaps late in the game and averaged an impressive 5.2 yards on his five carries. The Dolphins had the most penalty yards after Week 1, an area for improvement.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
We have to allow for the possibility that Washington is terrible, but it was still fun to watch Baker Mayfield & Co. score points on seven of eight possessions. And the Bucs weren’t just explosive, they were balanced, thanks to an impressive debut from rookie running back Bucky Irving. The Buccaneers’ passing game was highly effective, with Chris Godwin having a particularly strong game. Overall, the Buccaneers showed significant strengths in their passing game and quarterback play. I can only imagine how upset the Browns are not having Mayfield. Tampa's Week 2 trip to Detroit will be a fun measuring-stick game.