Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: 49ers Lead, Rams and Chargers Fall
San Francisco jumps to the top after a dominant win over Los Angeles, while Chicago and New York move up and the Rams and Chargers drop in the latest power rankings.
Analysts Chad Graff and Josh Kendall released their Week 2 power rankings for the 2026 NFL season, moving the San Francisco 49ers to the No. 1 spot after a 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Brock Purdy threw three touchdowns and the defense performed strongly, giving the 49ers a convincing start.
The Chicago Bears rose to fourth after scoring 59 points against the Carolina Panthers, reflecting the high-scoring offense they aimed to build this offseason. New York Giants also climbed, entering the top ten following a 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Los Angeles fell to sixth after a 27-7 loss to the 49ers, with quarterback Matthew Stafford limited to 155 passing yards and no touchdowns, and defensive end Myles Garrett placed on injured reserve. The Los Angeles Chargers dropped to nineteenth after a 26-14 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals, as quarterback Justin Herbert and the running game struggled.
Other notable moves include Seattle advancing to second after a 13-10 win over New England, Buffalo moving to third with a 36-31 victory over Houston, and Kansas City holding seventh after a strong showing from rookie running back Kenneth Walker III. The rankings also highlighted early-season concerns for teams such as the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, all of which started 0-1.
The analysts noted that while Week 1 results provide useful insights, the season is long and rankings may shift as teams address injuries and refine strategies.