NFL Power Rankings 2019, Week 2: The Redskins stay near the bottom after loss to Eagles

The Redskins opened up the season looking like they should be going to the playoffs and were a top 10 team. Then halftime hit, and Washington looked like the team that many people think they will be this year. A 17-0 lead, turned into a 32-27 loss to the Eagles.

Their standing in the power rankings hasn’t changed this week. They continue to be placed in the 21-31 range, or the bottom of the NFL. Until the Redskins get a win, or three, that’s not going to change. Washington hosts the Dallas Cowboys this week.

Highest Ranking: 21

Lowest Ranking: 31

Average Ranking: 27

21. The Big Lead

Ultimately it was a disappointing loss, but Washington looked better than expected while gaining an early lead against the Eagles. But Philly doesn’t have the most intimidating secondary, and there remain major questions about who will be effective for Washington at wideout. Last Week: 29

21. Business Insider

The Washington Redskins blew a 17-0 lead to the Philadelphia Eagles to lose their season opener. While it’s a tough way to lose a game, on the bright side, the Washington offense looked far more competent than many expected heading into the year.

23. Washington Post

The NFC East could be shaping up to be the haves (Eagles, Cowboys) and the have-nots (Redskins, Giants). If the Redskins want to disrupt that, they’d better beat the Cowboys at FedEx Field on Sunday. Last Week: 25

23. Houston Chronicle(McClain)

Case Keenum had a tremendous starting debut at Philadelphia, but the defense cratered. They go for their first victory against the Cowboys. Last Week: 23

23. Pro Football Focus

Redskins lost a close game on the road against a tough opponent, but our grades give them less credit than you’d think. Case Keenum’s traditional passing stats look great (408 yards, three TDs), but he only had the 25th-best passing grade of the week (58.3, min. 10 attempts). The defense didn’t perform much better with the 27th-best grade(49.5). Last Week: 22

23. The Athletic

We watched 35-year-old Vernon Davis’ hurdle (on his way to scoring a 48-yard touchdown) approximately 25 times Sunday, and our hamstrings are sore just thinking about the athleticism it took to pull off that move. (And if you caught Davis crying on the sideline after, Rhiannon Walker explained why he was so emotional.) We were pleasantly surprised by Case Keenum (380 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 picks), but we’re not sold on the Redskins defense, which looked inept at slowing the Eagles in the second half. Last Week: 26

23. Scout

While not completely impossible, their chances of winning the Super Bowl is under 0.1 percent. Current Odds are 500/1, 0.2%. They are projected to win 6 games and live up to their pre-season futures line of 6. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #12 in the NFC. The Redskins were underdogs in their first game and they lost as expected. Their 7-9 record last season was ahead of what was expected of them. Their game-by-game odds gave them a projected record of 6.3-9.7. Week: 29

23. New York Post

26. Vegas Insider

Last Week: 26

26. Associated Press

Last Week: 27

27. Bleeding Green Nation

Washington was up 20-7 at halftime before giving up 25 unanswered points to Philly. This team has some pieces but not nearly enough to complete the entire puzzle. Last Week: 27

28. Bleacher Report

For a time Sunday, it looked like the Washington Redskins were going to pull off Week 1’s biggest upset. They raced out to a 17-0 lead over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field and led 20-7 at halftime.

During intermission, though, Washington apparently remembered it isn’t a good team, because the Redskins were outscored 25-7 in the second half and fell to 0-1.

Case Keenum’s debut with the team went about as well as Washington could dare hope, as he recorded 380 passing yards, three scores and no interceptions. Rookie receiver Terry McLaurin shone as well, hauling in five throws for 125 yards and a score.

The NFL debut of second-year tailback Derrius Guice was, um, less auspicious. The 22-year-old, who missed last year with a torn ACL, carried the ball 10 times—and gained 18 yards. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Guice hurt his non-ACL-injured knee and will miss some time, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Maybe making Adrian Peterson a healthy scratch wasn’t the wisest of decisions. Last Week: 29

28. NFL.com(Hanzus)

Things started extremely promising for the Redskins on Sunday. Case Keenum was locked in, and Washington built a 17-point cushion against the hated Eagles. But Carson Wentz and Co. woke up, and the Redskins’ defense was unable to stop the bleeding in an eventual 32-27 loss. Washington’s D is supposed to be the strength of this team, but we saw too many missed tackles and blown coverage assignments during the second half, when the Eagles ripped off 300 yards of total offense and 25 points. The Redskins could not do anything on the ground -- Derrius Guice managed just 18 yards on 10 carries, and Monday brought word he’ll miss more time with another knee injury. This should lead to Adrian Peterson rejoining the fray after a surprise scratch in Week 1, though coach Jay Gruden doesn’t seem to have much time in the day for All Day. Last Week: 28

28. USA Today

Hope Dwayne Haskins was watching closely as QB Case Keenum made lemonade from lemons in impressive Week 1 showing — just not quite enough. Last Week: 30

28. ESPN

Rookie who flashed: Terry McLaurin, WR

How the newcomer starred: The Redskins were comfortable releasing Josh Doctson because of what they had in McLaurin and he responded well, catching five passes for 125 yards and a 69-yard touchdown. He was in position for another long touchdown, but was overthrown. McLaurin’s speed makes a big difference in the offense, and the play design helped create open areas for him down the field. In three seasons with Washington, Doctson never cracked 100 yards receiving in a game. -- John Keim

Last Week: 29

28. Sporting News

The Redskins showed gumption in jumping out to an early lead in Philadelphia, with Case Keenum flinging the ball around like he has nothing (including his job to rookie Dwayne Haskins) to lose. Their defensive crumbling and lack of a running game, however, are not inspiring developments. Last Week: 29

28. The Score

The Redskins came out on fire against the Eagles in Week 1. Then reality set in and Washington fell 32-27. This week, Washington is a 4.5-point home underdog to the Cowboys and 110-1 to win the Super Bowl, so nothing has changed, even with the team’s better-than-expected effort in the opener. Last Week: 26

29. Blogging the Boys

How do you blow a 17-point lead??? Last Week: 26

29. NumberFire

Last Week: 28

30. CBS Sports (Prisco)

They showed some impressive offense in the first half against the Eagles, which is a good sign. Case Keenum had his moments, but losing Derrius Guice for a bit will hurt. Last Week: 28

30. The MMQB

Adrian Peterson will suit up, but can he add any juice to a tepid ground game? Last Week: 31

30. Detroit Free Press

Derrius Guice showed so much promise at LSU, just can’t stay healthy in the NFL. Last Week: 28

30. PressBox

Maybe every American city should set up like a support shelter for Browns and Jets and Redskins fans who convince themselves something is going to be different every year.

31. Chicago Tribune

Washington’s patchwork offensive line held up relatively well on the road at Philadelphia, but the Redskins were killed by big plays, particularly in third-and-long situations as the Eagles stormed back to win. The Redskins touted their defense as a strength coming into the season and blamed communication breakdowns in the secondary, the kind of stuff that will have to be cleaned up quickly with Dallas coming to FedEx Field this week. Last Week: 28

31. Yahoo(Schwab)

Do you get the feeling the first 20 minutes of Sunday’s opener, when the Redskins led the Eagles 17-0, might be the high point of this Washington season? Now the Redskins move forward without injured running back Derrius Guice, who was a potential bright spot this season. It’s not going to get much better. Last Week: 29

31. Walter Football

The Redskins led 17-0 against the Eagles, which might make people think they’re better than they are. However, they had about 30 net yards of offense in the second half before a garbage-time drive at the end. Unless Trent Williams returns soon, I’m expecting more offensive ineptitude from Washington. Last Week: 31

31. NJ.com

A joke of an organization from top to bottom, as usual. This is going to be a long year in Washington, and nobody is feeling sorry for Daniel Snyder.

31. OddsShark

Last Week: 28