The San Francisco 49ers concluded an eventful opening weekend for the 2024 NFL season with a victory over the New York Jets in “Monday Night Football.” Other key outcomes included a narrow defeat for the Baltimore Ravens against the Kansas City Chiefs, who secured a 27-20 win, while teams like the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys celebrated significant wins.
With many surprising performances in Week 1, it’s time to reassess our Power Rankings for all 32 NFL teams ahead of Week 2. NFL Nation reporters identified standout newcomers – including rookies, new coaches, and offseason acquisitions – who made an impactful impression. From Jerod Mayo and Mike Macdonald earning their first wins as head coaches to rookie sensation performances, a total of 32 players and coaches stood out in their initial games.
Highlighting the top-ranked team, our team of more than 80 analysts has conducted an evaluation of team standings.
The rankings featured notable newcomer performances that caught attention. WR Xavier Worthy of the Kansas City Chiefs, drafted in the first round, made an explosive debut with two significant plays including a touchdown. San Francisco’s Leonard Floyd also shined, contributing to the defense with one sack and solid performance against the Jets.
Rookie DB Terrion Arnold excelled during his debut with the Detroit Lions, making eight tackles in an overtime victory, while RB Derrick Henry showcased his skills for the Ravens, scoring early in the game, though team strategy pulled away from the run.
Saquon Barkley dazzled with three touchdowns in Brazil, while Joe Mixon was instrumental for the Bengals with a total of 159 rushing yards. Other newcomers like Dallas’ DeMarvion Overshown and the Bills’ Bobby Babich and Anthony Weaver also received commendations for their impressive first outings.
Players like Jared Verse from the Rams, DeShon Elliott from the Steelers, and several others contributed to their teams’ successes in various ways, indicating a promising start for numerous new faces across the league.
The analyses also included important performances from newcomers like QB Tyrod Taylor for the Jets, WR Brian Thomas Jr. for the Jaguars, and RB J.K. Dobbins for the Chargers, all of whom showed potential for the season ahead.
The rankings will continue to evolve as Week 2 approaches, with teams looking to build on their early momentum or recover from disappointing starts in this competitive season.