The Buffalo Bills were a popular “fade” this offseason, with many pundits assuming an offseason veteran purge that included jettisoning stalwarts such as Stefon Diggs, Mitch Morse, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White would lead to a step back for the four-time defending AFC East Division champs. The early returns suggest that those thoughts about Buffalo’s prospects this year weren’t accurate.

After two big wins — a 34-28 victory at home over a potent Arizona Cardinals team and a 31-10 road drubbing of the Miami Dolphins — the Bills look just as potent as they ever have. Those pundits tasked with compiling power rankings have taken note this week, as the Bills are near the top of nearly all major rankings.

We start with the panel at ESPN, which has Buffalo ranked No. 2 behind only the Kansas City Chiefs. Alaina Getzenberg was tasked with writing about Buffalo’s most important backup or role player, and she chose defensive back Cam Lewis. The 27-year-old UB grad has filled in for slot corner Taron Johnson since the first possession of the season, and the Bills’ defense hasn’t missed a beat. Lewis has been great in run support and in coverage, and Getzenberg writes that he’s her pick because he contributes as a slot corner, as a safety, and on special teams.

Pete Prisco at CBS Sports also has the Bills at No. 2, and he also has the Chiefs at No. 1 this week. He notes that Buffalo’s win was “impressive” last Thursday, praising running back James Cook for his three-touchdown performance. He also wrote that the defense came up “big” in the game.

Yahoo! Sports senior writer Frank Schwab has the Bills ranked No. 2, as well. He writes that, after what the Cardinals did to the Los Angeles Rams this week, Buffalo’s first-half struggles with the Birds looks much more understandable. He also thinks that, given the competition, “it’s arguable that no one has looked better than the Bills.”

Nate Davis at USA Today has Buffalo at No. 3 this week, trailing only the Chiefs and the Houston Texans. Davis writes that Buffalo should be encouraged by the early success of edge rusher Von Miller, who has already surpassed last year’s production in just two games. He has a sack in each of Buffalo’s wins to go with nine pressures. Last year, he had five pressures and no sacks.

Eric Edholm at NFL Network has the Bills ranked No. 4 this week, behind the Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Texans. He writes that Buffalo’s offensive line has been the unsung heroic unit so far, as he notes that the defense has received proper credit for its part in Buffalo’s hot start, but the offensive line has quietly been elite. Edholm praised right tackle Spencer Brown in particular for “stonewalling” Dolphins pass-rush specialist Jaelan Phillips.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk has the Bills ranked No. 2, trailing only the Chiefs. In his brief, he writes that quarterback Josh Allen “is the early-season MVP.” It would be the irony of ironies if Allen continued to produce statistically at as slow a pace as he has only to win the MVP after a four-year stretch of absurd play.

Matt Johnson at Sportsnaut has Buffalo ranked No. 3 this week, trailing the Chiefs and the Texans. Johnson writes that “most great teams find different ways to win,” and so far, Buffalo has done just that. They won with defense and the pass game against Arizona after trailing by two scores in the second half, and then won with defense and the running game in a dominant showing against Miami. Johnson notes that the Bills have some challenging road contests ahead over the next month.

Vinnie Iyer at Sporting News has the Bills at No. 3 this week, trailing Kansas City and Houston. He notes that the Bills have “imposed their will” on their opponents, and it hasn’t been all on Josh Allen to do so. He writes that offensive coordinator Joe Brady and head coach San McDermott can conjure all sorts of ways to beat a team. While I agree, let’s not forget about first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, who has called two phenomenal games with a banged-up Bills defense.

Finally, Marcus Mosher at The 33rd Team has Buffalo ranked No. 4 overall, behind the Chiefs, the 49ers, and Texans. He writes that Buffalo was “dominant” once again in winning its 13th game in the last 14 tries against Miami. He thinks that the team is a “juggernaut” with Josh Allen under center, and he also speculates that the team will win the AFC East once again if the defense continues to improve over the course of the year.