NFL Nation Sep 22, 2026, 06:20 AM ET Close NFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season. Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season marked a return to defensive dominance one week after record scoring numbers.

This season, NFL defenses have a 35% pressure percentage (the highest through two weeks since ESPN began tracking pressures in 2009) and a 25% pass rush win rate (highest since 2017). How is this impacting quarterbacks around the league? In our Power Rankings ahead of Week 3, we asked our NFL Nation reporters to name the one thing we've learned so far from each team's QB situation. Which quarterbacks are handling the pressure? How are teams such as the Giants, Bears, Commanders, Seahawks and Vikings dealing with early injuries to their QB1s? To form the list, our power panel of more than a dozen NFL analysts evaluates how all 32 teams stack up against one another, ranking them from No. 1 to 32.

And here are a few highlights from this week's rankings: The 49ers climbed into the top three, led by a near-perfect two weeks from quarterback Brock Purdy. He became the fifth QB in NFL history to record multiple games with 90% completion percentage, per ESPN Research. And San Francisco gets to stay at home for two more weeks, starting with the Cardinals this Sunday.

The Chargers are down to No. 22 after falling to 0-2. According to ESPN Research, they are the second team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to be favored by at least 6.5 points in each of their first two games and lose both. The Raiders, who most recently beat the Chargers, are at No. 20 and are 2-0 for the first time since 2021.

Meanwhile, the Falcons and Dolphins are squarely at the bottom of the rankings. The Dolphins are the only team to not lead at any point this season, and ESPN's Football Power Index already gives them a 43% chance at the No. 1 pick. Atlanta is hoping to rebound with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back in the fold from ACL surgery.

Let's get into the full list, starting with the same No. 1 team as last week. Jump to a team: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH1. Buffalo Bills (2-0)Week 2 result: Beat the Lions 41-31Week 2 ranking: 1One thing we know about the QB1: Josh Allen is going to make defenses pay either way.

Allen has kept his eyes downfield through two games, averaging a career-best 9.7 yards per attempt on his deepest average depth of target (10.5) since 2018, his rookie season. That has led to three touchdowns on throws of 20-plus air yards. But Allen is just as dangerous when defenses bail out to protect against the deep ball.

Of his 92 rushing yards on 20 carries this season, 70 have come on six scramble plays. -- Nick Suss2. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)Week 2 result: Beat the Cardinals 31-7Week 2 ranking: 2One thing we know about the QB1: Drew Lock is one of the NFL's best backup QBs. He's not the same player who turned the ball over 25 times in 24 games over his first three seasons in Denver.

Or the one who couldn't beat out Geno Smith after a trade to Seattle in 2022. Lock has gotten plenty of help from receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Seattle's defense, but he has also played like a starter. Since stepping in for an injured Sam Darnold one series into the season opener, Lock has completed almost 73% of his passes, with four touchdowns, zero turnovers and only two sacks.

His Total QBR of 86.4 ranks fourth. -- Brady Henderson3. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)Week 2 result: Beat the Dolphins 35-13Week 2 ranking: 5One thing we know about the QB1: Brock Purdy looks poised for his best season. Purdy has been one of the league's most productive quarterbacks since taking over the starting job in 2022.

Now in his fifth season, he's completely comfortable in coach Kyle ...