NFL power rankings, Week 2: There are worse teams than the Giants

Yes, dear New York Giants fan, there are NFL teams worse than the one you root for. The Week 2 NFL Power Rankings say so. This week, we aggregated the results from nine Week 2 rankings, and the Giants end up No. 29.

Let’s take a look.

NFL.com — No. 27

Sunday’s game might end up being a snapshot of the Giants’ 2019 season in miniature. Saquon Barkley wins fantasy matchups with monster production. The talent-deficient defense gets carved up by good offenses. Evan Engram produces like an All-Pro tight end. Eli Manning looks perfectly competent on one series and like he’s one step from the retirement home in the next. And, yes, Daniel Jones looms over everything, the kid waiting for his turn to try to put a proud franchise back on track. Jones got a little bit of PT late in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, and the calls for his ascension to the starting lineup will only get louder if the Giants keep losing. Next up for Eli: a tough Week 2 matchup against a fierce Bills defense. Danny Dimes watch is on.

Yahoo Sports — No. 29

Evan Engram had a monster 11-catch, 116-yard game. Saquon Barkley is still great. The Giants have offensive talent and moved the ball. They won’t be great, but perhaps more competitive this season than they were in Week 1.

New York Post — No. 30

The sixth Week 1 meeting against Dallas in eight years headed straight downhill after Big Blue grabbed an early 7-0 lead. Pat Shurmur needs to get Saquon Barkley more than 15 touches, and James Bettcher’s defense can’t have a repeat of its no-sacks, no-turnovers showing this week against Buffalo.

NJ Advance Media — No. 28

The only question that matters for the Giants this year: When will Daniel Jones take over for Eli Manning?

Touchdown Wire — No. 28

For the moment, at least, Eli Manning may have beaten back those who wanted him benched in favor of Daniel Jones after the rookie’s torrid preseason. Manning completed 30 of 44 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown to Evan Engram, who joined Saquon Barkley in looking explosive in Big Blue’s offense. The problem for the Giants in their 35-17 loss to the Cowboys was a defense that let Dak Prescott do whatever he wanted on the way to a four-touchdown day and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

Walter Football — No. 29

Despite the Cowboys leading just 21-7 at intermission, Saquon Barkley had FIVE carries compared to 19 pass attempts by Eli Manning. Barkley finished with 11 carries and 15 total touches. Unbelievable.

Question: Do you think the Giants are limiting Barkley’s touches because they know they’re going to be terrible this season, and they want to preserve him for future years? That’s the best explanation I can think of.

Sporting News — No. 30

Eli Manning or Daniel Jones? The answer is still Eli, who actually played well while leaning heavily on Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram in Dallas. Jones’ sad mop-up duty was unnecessary. Unfortunately, neither QB is a solution to putrid defense on every level.

ESPN — No. 31

Bleacher Report — 31