Here are my power rankings for Week 2 of the NFL season.
1. Buffalo Bills (1-0 record, No. 1 ranking last week)
I’m bringing back an old favorite for Week 2. I imagine there were a few players who as you were watching Week 1 games you found yourself saying “I had no idea _ played for now!” I’ll also try to update the local connections on each roster.
For example, I absolutely had no clue Jamison Crowder was in Buffalo and somehow less of a clue that the other half of the Minneapolis Miracle (Case Keenum) had rejoined Stefon Diggs as Josh Allen’s backup. I see that Dunbar legend Tavon Austin is on their practice squad, but I’m still not certain I believe it. Randallstown alum Christian Benford made his first career start in his NFL debut.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0, No. 3)
I vaguely remember former Ravens first-round pick Breshad Perriman re-signing in Tampa last year, but it boggles my mind that a roster with the likes of Mike Evans, Julio Jones, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage somehow had room for him to make the team again. I also know I can’t be the only one who was unaware that Carl Nassib is now there (which is great news because if you had made me bet I probably would have assumed he had been forced out of the league).
Baltimore native Shaq Barrett of course is still there, as is Calvert Hall’s Donovan Smith (who unfortunately got hurt this weekend).
3. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0, No. 4)
Yeah, I definitely did not know that Carlos Dunlap ended up in Kansas City and I feel a little silly about that. Baltimore native Joshua Kaindoh (who started at Mount Carmel before ending up at IMG Academy) is in his second season in KC. Baltimore native and former Raven Orlando Brown Jr. is also of course still there too.
4. Baltimore Ravens (1-0, No. 6)
I’m guessing there are more than a couple of NFL fans who were surprised to see that Kenyan Drake and Mike Davis and Demarcus Robinson are Ravens now. And I’m looking forward to finding out what a Del’Shawn Phillips is, myself!
5. Los Angeles Rams (0-1, No. 2)
While I recognized most of the roster, I apparently forgot that they signed Allen Robinson and also did not cut Cam Akers.
And after becoming Super Bowl champions, former Terp Jake Funk (Damascus) and Linganore’s Rob Havenstein are back, the latter with $34.5 million more in tow.
Oh and also there are two different T.J. Carters on the practice squad.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0, No. 9)
I absolutely did not know that Kyle Van Noy’s new home was with the Chargers. And while I did remember Sony Michel ended up here, I did not remember you could find Gerald Everett or DeAndre Carter now there either.
Former Terp J.C. Jackson got $82.5 million to join them this offseason, which isn’t bad for someone who went completely undrafted somehow. Former Navy safety Alohi Gilman returned, and they added in Bowie native Zion Johnson during the NFL Draft.
7. Minnesota Vikings (1-0, No. 15)
The first strange thing I saw on their roster is that apparently they have players on their roster aside from Justin Jefferson and that is a legitimate surprise. Among them are former Eagles receiver Jalen Reagor (maybe I remember that trade?) and former 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens. Hereford’s Andrew DePaola remains their long snapper.
8. Miami Dolphins (1-0, No. 12)
Before they face the Ravens this weekend, allow me to inform you that the following players are now Dolphins, according to the internet: former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead, former first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater, former Lions and Patriots EDGE Trey Flowers and veteran linebacker Melvin Ingram. I mean, maybe you knew that but also … why?
9. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0, No. 16)
One of you should have told me that Zach Pascal was in Philly now and that former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (whom I loved coming out of college) had joined him. Add veteran corner James Bradberry and former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book to that list as well. Baltimore native Zech McPhearson is in his second NFL season with the Eagles.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1, No. 5)
I’m going to guess there are at least a few who are unaware that this is the new professional home of former Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst. Also, former Maryland linebacker Keandre Jones is on their practice squad. No word on if either one is capable of long-snapping.
11. New Orleans Saints (1-0, No. 20)
I definitely missed them adding veteran safety Daniel Sorensen to the mix this offseason and I’m not sure how I show myself in public now.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0, No. 21)
Maybe you hadn’t forgotten, but I’m guessing you might be surprised to learn that not only did they claim former Ravens receiver Miles Boykin on waivers in April, he actually made the roster. (And yes, will probably catch a touchdown against the Ravens because that’s how these things usually work out.) Former Terp Anthony McFarland remains on their practice squad as well.
13. Green Bay Packers (0-1, No. 8)
I’m guessing at least a couple of you forgot that this was where Sammy Watkins ended up after leaving Baltimore, and I’m sure you were stunned just stunned to learn that he wasn’t ready to replace Davante Adams. Baltimore native AJ Dillon, former Terp Darnell Savage and Calvert Hall’s own Adrian Amos also remain on the roster.
14. Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1, No. 11)
I truly somehow missed that former Super Bowl champions Nick Foles and Stephon Gilmore are now in Indy. And I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Frank Reich has littered his roster with former Terps, signing Yannick Ngakoue and Byron Cowart this offseason and adding Nick Cross via the draft.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1, No. 13)
If you knew that their running back room now included veterans Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden, that makes one of us! Same for three-time Super Bowl champ Duron Harmon. And I can’t tell you I knew former Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett (albeit on IR) was there now either. You can find former Gilman linebacker Micah Kiser on IR as well. Former Maryland receiver DJ Turner is on the active roster.
16. San Francisco 49ers (0-1, No. 10)
I mentioned to my 5- and 7-year-old sons I wasn’t aware that veteran pass-catchers Tyler Kroft and Ray-Ray McCloud were now in San Fran and they said “how truly pathetic, father” and asked about changing their last names.
17. Denver Broncos (0-1, No. 7)
They traded for a quarterback in the offseason and I’m a little surprised no one bothered to tell their head coach. I’d tell you the coach’s name, but we don’t post these stories until a few hours after I write them and I’m genuinely not certain the man will still be allowed to make any decision of consequence ever again.
(I also admittedly didn’t know Randy Gregory was there now, and how did I possibly not know that Josh Johnson was one step closer to completing the set by being on their practice squad?)
18. New York Giants (1-0, No. 25)
You will be excused if you somehow missed that former Ravens Tony Jefferson, Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis all joined Wink Martindale in New York. I do assume you know that Tyrod Taylor is Daniel Jones’ backup. And New Town alum Quincy Roche is also now under the tutelage of the former Ravens defensive coordinator.
19. Cleveland Browns (1-0, No. 23)
Among the newcomers you might have missed are a pair of former Steelers (Jesse James and Joshua Dobbs) and former Patriots EDGE Chase Winovich. Former Terp Michael Dunn remains a part of their offensive line.
20. Tennessee Titans (0-1, No. 17)
Tight end Austin Hooper stands out as the most “oh, THAT’S where he ended up” player on the roster. Speaking of tight ends, former Terp Chig Okonkwo is there (although perhaps they haven’t figured out how to best use him) and former Archbishop Spalding running back Julius Chestnut made the team as an undrafted free agent. Calvert Hall alum Chance Campbell began his rookie season on IR, while fellow former Terp Sam Okuayinonu started on the practice squad.
21. Seattle Seahawks (1-0, No. 30)
It feels like Geno Smith SHOULD have been a player we talked about on this list, but he is now an undefeated starting quarterback. I also didn’t know Shelby Harris ended up in Seattle until he was facing his former team. Former Terp Quinton Jefferson is still there, and former Terp Tyler Mabry is still on the practice squad.
22. Chicago Bears (1-0, No. 28)
I really feel like it should have been a bigger story that the Bears landed LAMAR JACKSON this offseason.
(The former Nebraska cornerback.)
Most of the receivers (Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis) are players I had no idea were in Chicago … or in the league. Former Ravens cornerback Tavon Young is there and, you’ll never believe this, is on IR. Owings Mills native Sam Mustipher is now in his fourth season as a Bear.
23. New England Patriots (0-1, No. 18)
Did you know former Ravens running back and/or wide receiver Ty Montgomery was a Patriot? I did not! Nor did I know that this was where Jabrill Peppers’ career took him. And while Malcolm Perry retired, former Navy long snapper Joe Cardona remains with Annapolis’ own Bill Belichick.
24. Washington Commanders (1-0, No. 24)
The most surprising thing to learn about the Commanders is … maybe they got the new stadium deal they were looking for?
Baltimore native Kendall Fuller does remain in D.C. Pallotti alum Jaret Patterson stuck around on the practice squad.
25. Dallas Cowboys (0-1, No. 14)
I absolutely missed Dante Fowler and Anthony Barr ending up in Dallas and they absolutely missed having a viable backup quarterback.
26. Arizona Cardinals (0-1, No. 19)
Former Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen stands out among the players whose presence in Arizona surprised me. Boys’ Latin alum Victor Dimukeje remains a part of the Cardinals’ defense.
27. Carolina Panthers (0-1, No. 22)
Perhaps you weren’t aware that receivers Andre Roberts and Laviska Shenault were now Panthers. Perhaps you were. I don’t know you that well. You obviously know that former Terp DJ Moore is still there. Digital Harbor alum Ian Thomas signed a new three-year deal with Carolina this offseason.
28. Houston Texans (0-0-1, No. 29)
I did not realize O.J. Howard was a Texan until like five seconds ago. One of his new teammates is Gilman alum Thomas Booker and former Navy fullback Paul Quessenberry is on the practice squad.
29. Atlanta Falcons (0-1, No. 27)
Linebacker Rashaan Evans is at the top of the “guys I didn’t know were Atlanta Falcons” list. Although to be fair, I’m not sure how many guys I knew who are Atlanta Falcons in general. I definitely know that former Maryland lacrosse superstar Jared Bernhardt is a Falcon, though.
30. New York Jets (0-1, No. 26)
I was more than a little surprised when I learned that Greg “The (Used To Have A) Leg” Zuerlein was the Jets’ kicker. I also didn’t know Kwon Alexander was there until this week. I did know that former Terp Ty Johnson was still in the backfield and Calvert Hall alum Lawrence Cager had made the team after converting to tight end.
31. Detroit Lions (0-1, No. 31)
I for sure did not know that former Raven Chris Board had joined his former teammate DeShon Elliott in Detroit. You can also find former Terp Josh Woods (McDonogh) on that defense. Or “defense.”
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1, No. 32)
One-time former Raven Darious Williams is among the “wow, he’s there now?” guys who chose Jacksonville because … I guess they didn’t have an offer from purgatory?
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox