NFL Power Rankings – Week 1: Who starts out on top?

team. 28. The Oakland Raiders are a team on the rise. They have great players on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Derek Carr has emerged as one of the elite in the league. Khalil Mack is a fearsome pass rusher and the cornerstone of the Raiders defense. To help Carr the Raiders brought running back Marshawn Lynch out of retirement. He’s playing in his hometown and has fresh legs after sitting out last season. So the Raiders offense will be even more dangerous. But defense is where the Raiders need to improve most if they are to win the AFC West, particularly against the run. The talent is there and now the Raiders just need to put it all together.. . . Oakland Raiders. 2

New England Patriots. 1. team. 47. The Patriots were shocked at home by the Kansas City Chiefs 42-27. The passing offense was inconsistent and the Patriots defense was even worse. However, the NFL season is a marathon not a sprint and the Patriots are a team that understands it’s not how you start but how you finish. Tom Brady is still the quarterback and Bill Belichick is still the head coach. They still play in the AFC East, which is one of football’s weakest divisions. So the Patriots have time to get things on track. With everything that happened against the Chiefs, the Patriots could still finish on top by the time the season is over.. 42-27 L to Chiefs.