2. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals didn't play all that well in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, but a win is a win. Joe Burrow struggled to throw the ball, and Cincy's defense allowed neatly 300 passing yards.
This was actually their first Week 1 win since the 2021 NFL Season, and the team even started 0-3 in 2024. Cincy at one point found themselves in a 4-8 hole late in the 2024 NFL Season and needed to win five games in a row to only miss the playoffs by a game.
The Bengals have to figure out how to shed these slow starts and keep their foot on the gas. If so, this team could win 10 or 11 games and slide into a top Wild Card spot in the AFC playoffs. Shockingly, though, Cincinnati has not made the playoffs since 2022.
As of now, they are second in our AFC North power rankings as Week 2 approaches.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
How about Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers? Rodgers threw four touchdown passes in a revenge win over the New York Jets. Folks, Rodgers still might have it. He's actually now thrown 32 touchdown passes since the start of the 2024 NFL Season.
There has been a lot of change hitting the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise this offseason, and I was honestly shocked this team came out with a Week 1 victory. If nothing else, this team has a high floor given Mike Tomlin is still present on the sidelines.
He's never finished with a losing record, an if this is the kind of offense we see for most of the season, Pittsburgh could absolutely compete for the division crown. I'll admit I've been low on this team all offseason, but Week 1 could have just proved me wrong.
Heading into Week 2, the Steelers are first in our AFC North power rankings.