1-32 poll, plus one thing we got wrong about every team

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Just like most of the populace, the NFL Power Rankings don’t like to admit when we’re wrong. So this week’s topic was a bit tough to bring up, as we asked our NFL Nation writers to pick the one thought they had about their team this preseason that hasn’t played out the way they expected.

These missed predictions run the gamut, from positive to negative to inaccurate thoughts about players, position groups and schemes. Some players have exceeded expectations (how about wide receiver Christian Kirk and, for that matter, the undefeated Arizona Cardinals?) and some have not (will Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. ever get right?). We didn’t think the Buffalo Bills’ defense would be as good as it has been, we thought the Washington Football Team’s defense would be much better than it has performed, and yes, we thought the Detroit Lions would have a win by now (though to be fair, they’ve been very close multiple times). We’re usually right, but sometimes, you have to admit to some wrong.

How we rank our Power Rankings: Our power panel — a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities — evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.

Previous rankings: 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Preseason

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Previous ranking: 1

Prediction we missed: WR Christian Kirk’s production.

It’s no secret that DeAndre Hopkins was going to be the focal point of the Cardinals’ offense and that A.J. Green would be the second option, but I didn’t expect Kirk to have the type of season he’s having. He is second on the team in receiving yards with 408 — just two ahead of Green — and second in receptions. — Josh Weinfuss