NFL Power Rankings and MVP Chase after Week 2

Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I, James Leroy Wilson, rank players and teams using objective data.

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten

Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books. Today we'll discuss NFL rankings followed by the MVP Chase.

NFL Power Rankings

I'm ranking teams based on two factors:

• Track record of dominating teams

• Track record of not being dominated

Some teams that are 1-1 rank ahead of some 2-0 teams. That's because those 2-0 teams are closer to being 0-2 than the 1-1 teams are. Likewise, some winless teams are closer to being 2-0 than some of the other 1-1 teams.

I haven't considered things like injuries (e.g., Nick Chubb of the Browns) to project who will be better going forward. Only how the teams have performed so far. 

1. Cowboys (2-0)

2. 49ers (2-0)

3. Bills (1-1)

4. Ravens (2-0)

5. Browns (1-1)

6. Packers (1-1)

7. Falcons (2-0)

8. Buccaneers (2-0)

9. Rams (1-1)

10. Dolphins (2-0)

11. Eagles (2-0)

12. Commanders (2-0)

13. Saints (1-1)

14. Jaguars (1-1)

15. Chiefs (1-1)

16. Titans (1-1)

17. Colts (1-1)

18. Detroit (1-1

19. Cardinals (0-2)

20. Broncos (0-2)

21. Chargers (0-2)

22. Minnesota (0-2)

23. Seahawks (1-1)

24. New England (0-2)

25. Jets (1-1)

26. Steelers (1-1)

27. Raiders (1-1)

28. Giants (1-1)

29. Bengals (0-2)

30. Panthers (0-2)

31. Texans (0-2)

32. Bears (0-2)

MVP Chase (Methodology is described after About the Author)

Nine teams are 2-0 and the season's MVP Chase leaders inevitably come from just those nine. All nine starting quarterbacks are on the 22-member "Top 20" along with six running backs, five wide receivers, and two kickers. Every undefeated team is represented at least twice except for the Ravens (Lamar Jackson).

1st Place

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers 15 MVP Points

Sam Howell, QB, Commanders 15

Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers 15

Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers 15

Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders 15

6th Place

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins 14

Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles 14

Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons 14

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins 14

10th Place

Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys 13

Derek Carr. QB. Saints 13

Jake Elliot, K, Eagles 13

Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins 13

Desmond Ridder, QB, Falcons 13

15th Place

Blake Grupe, K, Saints 12

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens 12

Chris Olave, WR, Saints 12

Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers 12

19th Place

Nelson Allegeier, RB, Falcons 11

Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys 11

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys 11

DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles 11

About the Author

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe) and JL Cells (subscribe) and is a monthly columnist at Meer. Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

MVP Chase Methodology

For each game, I will look at the winning team. Then I will rank its top eight statistical performers using fantasypros scoring. I'll give 8 points to the team's top performer, 7 to the next-best, and so on. Then their points are added to their previous points in victories to give the current-week total.

Week 1 totals.