NFL Power Rankings - Week 1: Cowboys, Vikings slide after QB injuries

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Mitch Sanderson, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.

1. Arizona Cardinals

Preseason Rank: 1st

The Cardinals' offense hasn't exactly lit it up during the preseason, but they will undoubtedly still be one of the most dominant units in the league. The return of firecracker Tyrann Mathieu in Week 1 should energize the other side of the ball. - Browne

2. Carolina Panthers

Preseason Rank: 2nd

Carolina will be bent on revenge in the season opener, after losing Super Bowl 50 to the Broncos. Devin Funchess impressed during the preseason and the league's highest-scoring offense may return more potent than ever. - Srinivasan

3. Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Rank: 5th

The Seahawks enter the season with noticeably little fanfare, but that's likely because they've been so dominant with this core of players for so long. There's no doubt they'll be among the best teams in the league once again, especially if Russell Wilson explodes in an offensive system that will be entirely catered toward him. - Browne

4. Denver Broncos

Preseason Rank: 4th

The AFC could be decided by the play of Trevor Siemian. Who would have believed that at the start of the offseason? The Broncos proved they can carry a subpar passer last season (sorry, Peyton), but don't be surprised if the Paxton Lynch era starts sooner rather than later. - Browne

5. New England Patriots

Preseason Rank: 3rd

This team is more than capable of staying afloat in Brady's absence. And nobody should be surprised when New England returns to dominance after his return. - Wilkins

6. Green Bay Packers

Preseason Rank: 6th

With Jordy Nelson back in the fold and a slimmer version of Eddie Lacy in the backfield, the Packers begin another season with Super Bowl hopes on their mind. Having Clay Matthews back as Julius Peppers' bookend should have opposing quarterbacks looking over their shoulders all season. - Sanderson

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Preseason Rank: 8th

Pittsburgh's offense isn't as complete as the team would like it to be at the moment, but Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are expected to form the NFL's most productive quarterback-receiver combo. Adding Le'Veon Bell in Week 4 will bring a new dimension that could result in the league's best offense. - Sanderson

8. Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason Rank: 9th

The Bengals may need A.J. Green to have his best season yet in order to keep up their previous offensive pace, so it could be the defense that leads the way towards the playoffs - which could be good news for Andy Dalton as he tries to get over his big-game flubs. - Sanderson

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Preseason Rank: 10th

Jamaal Charles' health is still a question mark with the season opener looming large, but the Chiefs can cope without him. The AFC's best teams all have question marks, and Kansas City are quietly positioned to take advantage early on. - Browne

10. Oakland Raiders

Preseason Rank: 13th

Oakland may not be as complete a team as many believe after a splurge in free agency, but the playoffs should still be a realistic outcome for this season, especially if Derek Carr plays like he did in the first half of 2015. - Browne

11. Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Rank: 7th

Whether Sam Bradford can pick up the offense fast enough to make a difference has yet to be seen, but regardless, the rest of the Vikings roster is Super Bowl ready with a run game and defense set to lead the charge. - Sanderson

12. Houston Texans

Preseason Rank: 12th

Jadeveon Clowney finally looks like he's ready to capitalize on his immense potential, a welcomed proposition if the Texans are to repeat as AFC South champions. - Srinivasan

13. Washington Redskins

Preseason Rank: 15th

Washington's ceiling for the upcoming season depends largely upon Kirk Cousins' progression. Was last year's impressive stat line a true indication of his ability? - Wilkins

14. New York Giants

Preseason Rank: 14th

New York backed up the Brinks truck this offseason in an effort to address its issues on the defensive side. That unit coming together as planned could soon make this team the favorite in the NFC East. - Wilkins

15. New York Jets

Preseason Rank: 16th

The Jets were a fringe playoff team for the majority of last season before coming up short in Week 17. Have they done anything to get better? - Wilkins

16. Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Rank: 11th

Dak Prescott was impressive in the preseason, but it remains to be seen how the rookie will fare against first-team defenses throwing everything they have his way. Tony Romo's absence is again a crushing blow for Dallas. - Wilkins

17. Indianapolis Colts

Preseason Rank: 20th

The Colts will begin the regular season without their top cornerback Vontae Davis, but it may not matter all too much against a Lions team that is reeling from Calvin Johnson's retirement. - Srinivasan

18. Chicago Bears

Preseason Rank: 18th

The Bears showed solid progress in their first year under John Fox last season and, despite saying goodbye to Matt Forte, several roster upgrades were made this offseason. But Jay Cutler is still their quarterback, making it tough to imagine an overly dominant season. - Sanderson

19. New Orleans Saints

Preseason Rank: 21st

Michael Thomas has impressed teammates, coaches, and scouts alike, and the Saints' high-octane passing game will need to be at their best if the team is to make the playoffs in 2016. - Srinivasan

20. Baltimore Ravens

Preseason Rank: 19th

Baltimore has extracted last season from its memory and look to get back to the team that made six playoff appearances in seven years under John Harbaugh. Giving veterans like Steve Smith, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil a proper send off if they choose to call it a career sometime soon will serve as further motivation. - Sanderson

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

Preseason Rank: 24th

Jacksonville certainly made the most of free agency. An opening-week victory over the Packers would go a long way to proving its legitimacy. - Srinivasan

22. Atlanta Falcons

Preseason Rank: 23rd

It's too early to panic just yet, but Matt Ryan looked decidedly awful during the preseason. Going against an improved Buccaneers team, the Falcons will need to be better than the sum of their top-heavy roster. - Srinivasan

23. Buffalo Bills

Preseason Rank: 17th

Rex Ryan, to the surprise of no one, declared Buffalo the winner of the offseason. As it turns out, the last few months couldn't have gone much worse for the Bills. This could be a rough year that results in wholesale changes. - Wilkins

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Preseason Rank: 26th

Jameis Winston continues to improve at an exponential rate and he'll get to display his full arsenal while trying to solve Falcons standout cornerback Desmond Trufant. - Srinivasan

25. San Diego Chargers

Preseason Rank: 27th

The return of Joey Bosa is a huge boost, but it remains to be seen how affected he'll be by missing so much preparation time. The Chargers, as always, need Rivers to sustain MVP-level play all season long to have a shot at the playoffs. - Browne

26. Philadelphia Eagles

Preseason Rank: 22nd

Carson Wentz is set to start as a rookie despite having played in just one preseason game. The rest of the offense had better take some pressure off his shoulders. - Wilkins

27. Tennessee Titans

Preseason Rank: 30th

Fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe could end up being one of the steals of the draft, but Tennessee is likely still another year or two away from its rebuild resulting in playoff contention. - Srinivasan

28. Los Angeles Rams

Preseason Rank: 25th

When it comes to Goff, we should remember an NFL career is a marathon, not a sprint. However, having your No. 1 overall pick third on the depth chart is never a good sign, especially when it's Case Keenum and Sean Mannion he's unable to beat out. - Browne

29. Detroit Lions

Preseason Rank: 29th

The lack of Calvin Johnson will dominate the Lions' storylines this season as Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and Anquan Boldin try to make up for the absence of Detroit's greatest receiver, while Jim Caldwell attempts to avoid another disastrous start. - Sanderson

30. Miami Dolphins

Preseason Rank: 28th

Can Adam Gase finally be the one to help Ryan Tannehill make the most of his talent? The young quarterback will need to take a massive step forward if Miami is to avoid another disappointing year. - Wilkins

31. Cleveland Browns

Preseason Rank: 32nd

Without many expectations from the outside this season, the Browns have nowhere to go but up. While the roster is largely unknown, names like Robert Griffin III, Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor could produce enough highlights to make this one of the more exciting (non-Johnny Manziel) seasons in recent memory. - Sanderson

32. San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Rank: 31st

The off-field drama caused by Colin Kaepernick's protests during national anthem has temporarily distracted from issues on the field for the 49ers, which are overwhelming. Just close your eyes, Niners fans, and think of better days. - Browne