Saturday, September 18, 2021

Buffalo Bills Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Buffalo Bills rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 7.8 (9th)
  • Best ranking: 5th (ESPN)
  • Worst ranking: 10th (USA Today)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Bills in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 5

Top rookie: DE Greg Rousseau

Rousseau is really the only choice here with DE Boogie Basham inactive in Week 1 and OT Spencer Brown and S Damar Hamlin -- the only other active rookies on the game-day roster -- largely contributing to a mixed special teams performance. Rousseau, the 30th overall pick, played 52% of the defensive snaps -- behind only veteran Jerry Hughes for the most by a Bills DE -- and had two tackles in the loss. Despite not registering a sack, Rousseau made his presence felt, especially early in the game. The Bills' pass rush, one of the team's biggest issues last season, remains a work in progress. -- Alaina Getzenberg

NFL.com -- Rank: 6

The Bills had a defined game plan on Sunday: Spread out their wide receivers and let their superstar quarterback pick apart a suspect Pittsburgh secondary. The strategy made plenty of sense when Brian Daboll drew it up, but the execution was woeful in a disappointing 23-16 home loss to begin the season. Josh Allen looked much more like the QB he was in his first two seasons, while Stefon Diggs and the rest of the Buffalo playmakers struggled to gain separation and deliver the splash plays that were a signature in 2020. It's not all on the QB and wideouts, though: The Bills' offensive line was bullied by a Pittsburgh pass rush that got home repeatedly with four-man fronts. Another tough D awaits for Week 2's trip to the Dolphins.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

They can quiet the Super Bowl talk for a week after losing to the Steelers at home.

USA Today -- Rank: 10

The offensive line allowed QB Josh Allen to get hit eight times, sacked three and was flagged for six holding penalties against Pittsburgh. Otherwise, it was stellar.

The Athletic -- Rank: 9

Overreaction: The Bills, seen as a top AFC challenger to the Chiefs, blew a 10-0 halftime lead and lost to a Steelers team that mustered 252 yards of total offense. As good as Josh Allen can be, he had one pass longer than 16 yards. Lose at Miami on Sunday and they're 0-2 and without a quick turnaround; you won't have to worry about home playoff games. -- Auman

Reality check: I'm not ready to bail on Allen yet. It was a rough start, but that offensive roster is too loaded to be stagnant for long. -- Jones

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