NFL Power Rankings: Week 1

With the NFL season opener slated for tomorrow night when the Ravens travel to take on the Chiefs, it’s time to debut a new regular segment on NFLTR: power rankings.

These rankings will be updated every week and are fluid, meaning I am willing to make dramatic changes as more and more games are played — although I’m not one to overreact. Comment below with your own takes and opinions, and let’s get ready to kick off another exciting football season!

1 — Kansas City Chiefs

The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champs kick off our list at the top. The Chiefs were the best team in football the last two seasons and they seem to have gotten even better this time around. Rashee Rice should take a step forward in year two as QB Patrick Mahomes’ WR1, and they added Xavier Worthy in the draft and Marquise Brown in free agency to add considerable speed to Mahomes’ receiving core. This Kansas City offense should be as fast as it’s been since Tyreek Hill was in town.

2 — Cincinnati Bengals

People seem to be sleeping on the Bengals, and I get why. QB Joe Burrow is coming back from a significant wrist injury, WR Ja’Marr Chase is holding in over a contract dispute, and the defense will have some new faces at key positions. But this is an incredibly talented team with the second-best quarterback in football. If Burrow stays healthy, he’ll have this team in the hunt for a Super Bowl.

3 — San Francisco 49ers

Much has been said about the rapidly closing Super Bowl window the 49ers are working out of right now, but for one more year at least, that window remains open. Re-signing WR Brandon Aiyuk was a major victory, and it came just in time for Week 1. The 49ers have been dubbed, “the most talented roster in football,” by many analysts, and they remain the favorites in the NFC.

4 — Baltimore Ravens

While I have questions in the trenches on both sides of the ball with this team, QB Lamar Jackson alone can keep this team in serious contention. Second-year WR Zay Flowers stepped up down the stretch last season, and TE Mark Andrews is back at full strength. Despite losing DC Mike Macdonald this offseason, the Ravens are still loaded on defense, and they have one of the deepest secondaries in the league.

5 — Detroit Lions

Starting QB Jared Goff will likely be a hotly debated figure once again this season, but the Lions are poised to stay atop the NFC for years to come. The young talent they’ve drafted over the past few seasons is getting older and more experienced, and Goff has played in a Super Bowl before. He can get there again, and this roster is seriously stacked. The Lions revamped their secondary this offseason, and how those moves pay off could be the difference between a good year and a great one.

6 — New York Jets

Déjà vu. Once again QB Aaron Rodgers is set to debut in his first full game as a New York Jet on the first Monday Night Football of the new season. Last season his campaign ended after four snaps and an Achilles tear. This time the Jets hope he can carry them to a Lombardi trophy. That won’t be easy in a stacked AFC, but the Jets have the best defense in the NFL, a rebuilt offensive line, and several stars in RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson who are explosive playmakers. This team will go as far as Rodgers takes them, and their playoff fate might rest on whether he can regain his MVP form from a few years ago.

7 — Philadelphia Eagles

The vibes out of Philadelphia aren’t great, but this roster is too good to ignore. Last season’s coordinator issues are seemingly behind this team, with OC Kellen Moore and DC Vic Fangio set to stabilize their respective units. Star QB Jalen Hurts has an elite group of pass-catchers at his disposal, and despite the retirement of All-Pro C Jason Kelce, the offensive line should be excellent once again. Questions remain on defense, especially at linebacker and in the secondary, and the ceiling of this team could be determined by how well young players step up in those key roles.

8 — Los Angeles Rams

I’m a believer in the Rams this year. Star WR Cooper Kupp is back healthy and joins an offense now brimming with young talent, and the defense should be better as well despite the retirement of DT Aaron Donald. WR Puka Nacua enjoyed a breakout rookie year, and the offensive line has some injuries to sift through but is pulling from a deeper talent pool than in recent years. Head coach Sean McVay is determined to squeeze one last serious run out of an aging core, and this could be the year for it.

9 — Houston Texans

Though I am lower on the Texans than many, this is undeniably a top-10 NFL team. C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie quarterback seasons of all time, and he doesn’t need to do much growing to cement his name among the league’s best at the position. A bolstered defensive secondary and receiving core can take this team even further than a year ago when they made the divisional round. The offensive line is the one potential weakness on paper. Some unproven players will need to step up on the interior.

10 — Buffalo Bills

It’s been a tough offseason for the Bills, losing a number of starters this offseason, including their top receiver and cornerback. And yet there’s only so low you can rank QB Josh Allen. The offensive line can take a step forward this year and Allen isn’t lacking potential targets in this offense. An aging defense took some hits and has some question marks, but HC Sean McDermott always keeps those guys sharp. Buffalo’s division winning streak is in jeopardy, but they’re still a very good football team.

11 — Green Bay Packers

Tough to rank the Packers this low. QB Jordan Love was sensational down the stretch of last season, and as he enters year two as the starter, he should only improve. This is still the youngest team in the NFL, and Green Bay can absolutely challenge for the division crown. After sneaking into the playoffs last year and pulling off a dominating upset win in Dallas, these young players now have real playoff experience, and the rest of the NFC should be on notice.

12 — Miami Dolphins

I have some questions with Miami. That offensive line could be a real problem, and while HC Mike McDaniel can scheme around that to a point, it’s always a worrying sign for a team. The defense also needs to bounce back in a major way. They have a lot of talent, but two of their defensive stars are working back from injury and may not be available to start the year. Regardless, this offense remains electric. Receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combine with RBs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert to form the speediest collection of weapons ever assembled, and these four will still run roughshod over every defense they face.

13 — Dallas Cowboys

It’s hard not to be disappointed with the Cowboys’ offseason. They didn’t sign any notable free agents, are retooling their offensive line, and still have question marks across the roster. That’s a tough combination, especially for a team with so much pressure to win this season. 2023 MVP runner up QB Dak Prescott still doesn’t have a deal, and it sounds like that won’t be addressed until after the season. While there are reasons for concern in Dallas, this is still a supremely talented team coming off three straight 12-win seasons. They can compete with the best, but it’ll take some breakout players to get where they want to go.

14 — Indianapolis Colts

A team that was 10 yards from the playoffs and a division title a year ago gets their quarterback back. Anthony Richardson returns from the shoulder injury that cost him most of his rookie year. Surrounding him is a surprisingly deep group of pass-catchers and Jonathan Taylor, one of the best backs in the league. The Colts have some uncertainty in the secondary, but they boast one of the NFL’s deepest on both offensive and defensive lines. Colts HC Shane Steichen is one of the smartest offensive minds in the game today and should have this team competing for a playoff spot once again.

15 — Atlanta Falcons

After struggling through years of quarterback purgatory, the Falcons went out and got two new ones. Kirk Cousins comes over from Minnesota to take the reigns of this offense, and 2024 No. 8 pick Michael Penix Jr. is ready just in case. The defense is still young, but all this offense has needed the past few seasons is a competent quarterback. Cousins can be a top-10 quarterback at his best, and the Falcons believe they can not only win their division with him but challenge the top teams in the NFC.

16 — Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are too under-the-radar for my liking this offseason. They’re coming off a disappointing year, but this defense looks sneaky good, and they have a deep group of offensive playmakers. The main questions for Seattle revolve around their offensive line and QB Geno Smith. Can the offensive line play better than they did in 2023? And can Smith elevate this team when they need him to? If the answer to both questions is yes, Seattle will climb these rankings quickly.

17 — Cleveland Browns

It all comes down to QB Deshaun Watson. This is a strong roster, especially on defense, and the offense has a bevy of potential playmakers. Injuries are taking a toll on the offensive line, but when healthy, that’s a good group. Watson has been awful since he was acquired in a massive trade two years ago, but a step forward for him that’s more akin to how he played in Houston will have Cleveland in contention.

18 — Chicago Bears

Welcome to Chicago, Caleb Williams! The No. 1 pick in the most recent draft takes over at quarterback for the Bears, breathing new life into the franchise. The front office in Chicago has done a good job by surrounding him with a deep rotation of weapons — but the offense will be on his shoulders. His development will be key, but Chicago can compete for the playoffs. There are questions along both lines, and rookie quarterbacks can be unpredictable, but this is a team on the rise.

19 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have won their division more straight years than anyone outside of the Chiefs and Bills. They’ll look to keep that streak going, though their competition has stepped up a bit from last year. Starting QB Baker Mayfield was better than most expected him to be, and he returns behind a reinforced offensive line to keep the ball rolling. It’s hard to see this team as an elite contender, but a step forward that has this team winning the division and a couple of playoff games seems eminently reasonable.

20 — Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Jaguars are the 20th-best team in football this year, HC Doug Pederson may be out of a job sooner rather than later. But QB Trevor Lawrence hasn’t taken that next step into the elite quarterbacks, and this roster has concerns at several key positions. Jacksonville needs 2024 first-rounder WR Brian Thomas Jr. to be a stud right away, or else this offense could be lacking a punch. There are stars on this roster, but the depth surrounding them is a major concern for me.

21 — Tennessee Titans

This might be the highest you see the Titans ranked preseason, but this roster is far more talented than most people seem to be suggesting. Tennessee brought in established veterans at multiple important spots, including CB L’Jarius Sneed and WR Calvin Ridley. Acquiring LB Ernest Jones from the Rams during roster cuts was a steal. Pass rushing could be hard to come by for this team, and the offensive line still isn’t a strength. How second-year QB Will Levis plays will be the key, as a strong season from Levis could see this team in the wild card hunt.

22 — Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in Pittsburgh, and though I’m not betting against him as he’s reached .500 with worse teams, it’ll be a tall task this year. Faced with an unappealing starter at quarterback, the Steelers shipped Kenny Pickett off to Philadelphia and brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson won the starting job, but the problem is both potential answers might be worse than the guy they traded away. The defense should remain an elite unit, but it could be a long season on offense for the Steelers.

23 — Las Vegas Raiders

Gardner Minshew defeated Aidan O’Connell in the battle of stopgap solutions in Las Vegas, though something tells me we’ll see both this season. It’s a stronger roster than you might expect, with some real talent along both lines and at wide receiver. Quarterback play is likely to hold this team back all year, although improvement in the defensive secondary would offset that to a point.

24 — New Orleans Saints

The ultimate purgatory team, the Saints are in danger of watching it all fall apart. Since Drew Brees retired, they’ve managed to snag somewhere between seven and nine wins each year but have failed to win their division or make the playoffs. Now, this year’s version of the Saints is even worse than before. The offensive line is a red flag, and QB Derek Carr may be forced to elevate an uninspiring group of pass catchers outside of WR Chris Olave. The defense should keep them in games, however.

25 — Los Angeles Chargers

I’m seeing too much Chargers optimism this offseason. This is a worse version of last year’s team right now, though they are definitely looking at a positive trajectory long-term. New HC Jim Harbaugh brings hope and a good track record to southern California. Right now, though? QB Justin Herbert has a weak group of weapons, and this defense doesn’t look like a quick fix for Harbaugh. There are still a lot of big names on this team, but their performances haven’t lived up to their reputation in recent years. I see this team as being a year or two away from contention.

26 — Minnesota Vikings

Losing rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury in the preseason is a tough break. This is a talented offense that will now rely on journeyman QB Sam Darnold as the starter for the whole season. The defense is mid-rebuild and has serious questions at almost every position. A solid performance by Darnold will make them competitive, but they might be playing for 2025 pretty quickly in Minnesota.

27 — Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is another year removed from his torn ACL , and No. 4 pick Marvin Harrison Jr. gives him an elite No. 1 option on the outside. That duo will be exciting to watch as the Cardinals begin the “building” part of their rebuild. Young players will get a chance to shine and develop. The defense still needs a year or two, and the offensive line will be interesting to monitor throughout the season. But the Cardinals are a young, fun team, and the future is looking up.

28 — Denver Broncos

Broncos HC Sean Payton is beginning to mold this roster to fit his system. First-round QB Bo Nix looked impressive in the preseason, and this is his team. He’s a good fit for Payton’s offense, but the infrastructure around him still needs work. The Broncos brought in a lot of young players this offseason, and they’ll have to grow with Nix. The defense should be better than a year ago, but Denver is another offseason away from that upward trajectory.

29 — Washington Commanders

Trading WR Jahan Dotson shows where this team is right now. Washington just drafted QB Jayden Daniels, and he’ll start right away. Around him, a new ownership group, front office, and coaching staff are beginning the process of turning over the roster. This is a multiyear rebuild that’s only just starting, so Washington is likely to move down these rankings before moving up. This season is all about Daniels’ development and will be deemed a success if he shows growth over the next four months.

30 — Carolina Panthers

That’s right, I don’t think the Panthers will be the worst team in football this year. Much as I might question some of the moves this front office made this offseason, there’s no denying the roster is significantly better than it was a year ago. The offensive line should be better, and QB Bryce Young has an okay looking group of receivers to throw to. The defense is still rough, and this is a team that will need another few offseasons before they can become true contenders. But after a rough rookie season, there’s hope Young can turn things around with the improved infrastructure around him, and that’s the goal for this season.

31 — New York Giants

I’m worried about the Giants. It’s hard to see how this team got better after finishing with the sixth-worst record in the league last season. QB Daniel Jones returns from injury, but the Giants played better with backup QB Tyrod Taylor — and even undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito — than they did with Jones under center. The offensive line is still a worry, as is this defensive secondary. Drafting first-round WR Malik Nabers and trading for OLB  Brian Burns added talent, I’m just not sure how much it matters given New York’s other deficiencies.

32 — New England Patriots

The Patriots are beginning the first year in a long-term rebuild, so being the worst team in the league actually works to their benefit. No. 3 pick Drake Maye will have to wait, as QB Jacoby Brissett is slated to start to open the season. But Maye’s development, along with some of their other young pieces across the roster, is the most important thing for New England this season. While the offensive line and receiving core are a way away from being ready, the Patriots do have a good defense. Maye’s growth is imperative, even if that starts from the bench.