NFL News and Updates 2016: Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots Top Week 2 Power Rankings
Week 1 of the 2016 NFL Season kicked off with a few surprises, but a lot of teams also proved that their place in analysts' eyes should be higher. With Week 2 starting Thursday, franchises and players could not be more competitive in their respective conference and division battles.
With that said, the ESPN Power Rankings have shuffled the top-tier teams, beginning with the surging Green Bay Packers. Here are the top five teams this week:
1. Green Bay Packers
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The Packers were in the Top 10 last week, albeit at the 6th spot. Now they lead the pack, so to speak, with a 27-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.
They almost gave the Jaguars a chance to get back at it with a passing blunder at the start of the fourth, but star quarterback Aaron Rodgers redeems it with a beautiful touchdown pass to Davante Adams in the second quarter. The game also featured the return of wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Their next opponent: a tough Minnesota Vikings team.
2. New England Patriots
With Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski out of the lineup, the Patriots seemed to have no offensive ammo left. Enter Jimmy Garoppolo, who proved that they do not need a Brady to win games in stellar fashion.
Garoppolo was 24-for-33 passing on 264 yards, recording a touchdown on his NFL debut. And what a first game it was, leading the upset vs. the Arizona Cardinals for a 23-21 win. Their next game is against the Dolphins at home, where they beat the latter 20-1 since 2009.
3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks got the win vs. the Miami Dolphins last game, but they still slipped from the top spot in the power rankings. This is largely because of the struggling offense that barely got them the victory with a game-winning touchdown by Doug Baldwin.
The pass was orchestrated by Russell Wilson whose return was a miracle after injuring his ankle in the third. It is uncertain if he will play against the Los Angeles Rams on Week 2.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Big Ben Roethlisberger-Antonio Brown connection led the offensive beasts with two touchdowns vs. the Washington Redskins, destroying their opponents 38-16. Brown would be asked to step up again next game as they go against the Cincinnati Bengals—who sidelined him with a head injury early last season.
5. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, formerly No. 4 on the Power Rankings, only gave the Patriots a slim two-point win. But losing to another marquee team does the team no favors. Coach Bruce Arians was criticized for not preparing his team enough, and even GM Steve Keim lashed out on the teams "disappointing" performance.
They will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Week 2.
