Buffalo Bills top Sporting News NFL power rankings after Week 1
The Bills move to No. 1 after beating Houston, while San Francisco rises to fifth and the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers fall sharply.
The Buffalo Bills have moved to the top of Sporting News’ NFL power rankings after Week 1, replacing the team’s previous position at No. 2.
The ranking cited Josh Allen’s downfield passing against Houston and an aggressive defensive performance in Joe Brady’s debut as head coach. Sporting News described Buffalo as a more complete and explosive team.
Chicago climbed from third to second after scoring 59 points against Carolina. Baltimore moved from fourth to third, while Seattle rose from fifth to fourth.
San Francisco made the largest confirmed move among the teams listed, rising from ninth to fifth after defeating the Los Angeles Rams. Sporting News pointed to the 49ers’ receiving changes, protection for Brock Purdy and the defensive influence of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
Philadelphia remained sixth and Kansas City seventh. The supplied ranking digest also identifies Pittsburgh as a riser, while the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are described as falling sharply; their exact positions and movements are not provided.
The hierarchy is an editorial assessment of all 32 teams after the opening week, rather than an official NFL standings table or a prediction of the final season. Sporting News noted that a 1–0 or 0–1 record does not determine a team’s full-season outcome.
