The NFL schedule-makers delivered a treat in Week 1.
Three statement-making games between teams with big postseason aspirations suggested that the path to Super Bowl 60 in the AFC might run through Buffalo, and the defending champion Eagles’ biggest NFC challenger might be the Packers instead of the Lions.
It was a great weekend to be Jim Harbaugh, whose Chargers look like a real threat to end the Chiefs’ run of nine straight AFC West titles.
It was a terrible weekend to be John Harbaugh, whose Ravens gagged on a chance to exact a small measure of revenge for a couple recent playoff exits and prove that they actually can beat the Bills on the road.
How can this weekend possibly top what just happened?
Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 2:
The magic of reigning MVP Josh Allen erased a 15-point deficit with three scores in the final four minutes of a 41-40 victory against the Ravens.
Matt Prater drilled a fire-drill 32-yard field goal as time expired.
Allen was sensational in accounting for four touchdowns and 424 yards from scrimmage.
Ed Oliver’s forced fumble was the fourth-quarter turning point.
The NFC’s No. 1-ranked rushing attack last season picked up where it left off with 38 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns (two by Jalen Hurts and one by Saquon Barkley) in a 24-20 win against the Cowboys.
Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense pitched a second-half shutout, including a red-zone fumble recovery.
A statement was made in the NFC North as Jordan Love threw two first-half touchdown passes and newly acquired Micah Parsons had a sack in a 27-13 win over the two-time defending division champion Lions.
The Packers, who have won 13 consecutive home openers, kept the Lions out of the end zone until the final minute.
Because he has his own killer in those situations, John Harbaugh should’ve known better than to punt to Allen’s Bills on fourth-and-3 from the Ravens’ 38-yard line and clinging to a two-point lead with 93 seconds remaining.
Lamar Jackson’s three-touchdown game (two passing, one running) went for naught when Henry (169 rushing yards and two touchdowns) lost a fumble.
Justin Herbert played maybe his best big-spot game ever, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-21 win against the Chiefs in Brazil.
For icing on the cake, he ran for the victory-sealing first down on third-and-14.
Quentin Johnston caught two touchdown passes, and Keenan Allen grabbed the other in his return to the Chargers.
Cue the overreactions.
Don’t forget that the Chiefs lost Week 1 to a then-unproven Lions team in 2023 and still went on to win the Super Bowl.
Still, the shoulder injury to Xavier Worthy is troublesome.
Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco combined for 41 rushing yards against the Chargers.
The Chiefs also missed a PAT and a two-point conversion.
This didn’t look like the explosive offense of the last three seasons against the Packers.
Jared Goff threw for 225 yards and the Jahmyr Gibbs-David Montgomery combination totaled 20 carries for 44 yards.
The departures of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow (retirement) and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (Bears head coach) were felt.
Trade acquisition Deebo Samuel looked like the perfect complement to Terry McLaurin with his 77 receiving yards and 19-yard rushing touchdown in a 21-6 win against the Giants.
Jayden Daniels threw for 233 yards and a touchdown and gained 68 on the ground.
The defense allowed just three points out of two Giants possessions inside the 5-yard line.
The NFL’s best defense answered the bell with three stops in the final five minutes to help overcome three turnovers by Bo Nix and two special-teams miscues in a 20-12 win against the Titans.
JK Dobbins’ 19-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter extended a one-point lead.
The Titans managed a paltry 134 yards on 55 offensive plays.
Emeka Egbuka caught two touchdown passes, including the game-winner in the final minute, in his NFL debut.
It still took a missed 44-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to finish off a 23-20 victory against the Falcons.
Baker Mayfield only threw for 167 yards, but he made his completions count with three touchdowns.
Was it Opposites Day?
Head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense wilted but Justin Fields looked like a star quarterback.
Everything was a surprise except the outcome — Aaron Rodgers slinging four touchdown passes and getting the last laugh against his former team in his Steelers’ debut by sending the Jets to a 34-32 loss on Chris Boswell’s late 60-yard field goal.
All the money spent in free agency, all the hype about acing the draft, and nothing looked different from last season’s three-win debacle during a loss to the Commanders.
The Giants are the first team since the 1940-42 Lions to go touchdown-less in three straight season openers.