The Los Angeles Rams are back, and quarterback injuries were just a couple of the storylines from an interesting Week 2 of the NFL.
Colin Cowherd revealed his Herd Hierarchy rankings, which featured a new team at No. 1 and five new teams in the rankings after their dominant wins last weekend.
Here are Cowherd’s Week 2 Herd Hierarchy rankings:Â
Cowherds thoughts: Im going to put the Lions at 10 because of their firepower. Theyve scored 30-plus in both games and allowed 30-plus in both games. Outside of Aidan Hutchinson, not sure who else I trust on the defensive side. But Jared Goff is the only quarterback this season with six touchdowns and no picks. They rank second offensively in big plays, but last in big plays allowed. I like the GM, I like the coach, I like the offensive firepower.Â
Once again, it feels like an annual thing; theyre banged up defensively. I dont trust them holding leads. But its an offensive league; theyve got a ton of firepower.
Cowherd’s thoughts: Is anybody paying attention to the Saints? They outscored the Ravens in Baltimore 15-0 in the fourth. Tyler Shough, they found their guy. Hes sneaky athletic. Hes got size. Hes throwing the ball to the right guy, Chris Olave. In the fourth quarter in overtime this year, two road games, 78% completion.Â
They have a real roster. We picked them to win their division. They looked very good in the second half of both Detroit and Baltimore. They dominated the Ravens like people dont do in Baltimore.
Cowherd’s thoughts: Drake Mayes been uneven. A.J. Brown is unavailable. But Ill put the Patriots, who are 14-2 in their last 16 games. They win, and when Christian Gonzalez is healthy, it is an excellent defense. Theyre one of seven teams to allow 300 or fewer yards in the first two weeks. They held the Steelers to three and a half yards per play.Â
I still think their O-line is mid. Well keep our fingers crossed on how A.J. Brown works, but coaching, culture, defensive front, elite secondary â I got the Patriots at eight.
Cowherd’s thoughts: We all know the Rams are better than seven, but they dont have Myles Garrett; they dont have Puka Nacua. Theyre not, I dont think, dialed in yet. [Matthew] Stafford got lucky a few times last night. Davante Adams made some insane catches, but its a little Noahs Ark.
Three tight ends I like, two defensive interior linemen, a couple of rush edges, two good running backs. Stafford is not going to give you a lot of wiggle. Theyre, right now, not entirely polished, not playing clean football. Theres fumbles. Theres interceptions. Theres penalties. Theyre better than seven, but thats where Ill put them now.
Cowherd’s thoughts: Ill say the same about the Eagles; theyre in a three-and-out factory. In September the last five years, theyre 14-2. Nobody wins ugly like Philadelphia. I will say, [Dontayvion] Wicks and DeVonta Smith are a real tandem. Makai Lemon hasnt done anything as a rookie wide receiver; they havent needed him.Â
The offense isnt clicking. Theyre 14th in scoring, 14th in yards per play. I can like Jalen Hurts simultaneously and think sometimes he holds them back.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: Keep your eye on Cincinnati. The Bengals spent money on defense. It was the worst run defense in the league. All I’m going to say is, it’s not anymore. They look different. They are forcing turnovers. They have a very physical defensive front. They didn’t even play well against the Texans, and dominated them. They held the running backs to 18 rush yards on 14 carries.Â
They have solved a big dilemma. I th
