NFL Power Rankings - Preseason Edition: Seahawks edge Packers for top spot

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Justin Boone, Caitlyn Holroyd, David P. Woods, and Dan Wilkins.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Can the Seahawks make it three straight trips to the Super Bowl? It certainly wouldn't be wise to bet against them. With young talent now locked up long-term, this team will be among the NFL's elite for many years to come. - Dan Wilkins

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers didn't do a whole lot in free agency, but then again, they never do. As long as Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, they're a Super Bowl contender. - Caitlyn Holroyd

3. New England Patriots

The Patriots went 11-5 with Matt Cassel at quarterback in 2008. Have no doubt: They'll weather the storm if Tom Brady's suspension is upheld. - David P. Woods

4. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will always be contenders with Andrew Luck at the helm, but their defense has to prove they can stop the run when it matters in order for Indianapolis to actually reach a Super Bowl. - Justin Boone

5. Denver Broncos

Last season's disappointing finish has the Broncos flying somewhat under the radar heading into 2015. If Peyton Manning can stay healthy, this team still has more than enough talent to get him one more ring before he calls it a career. - Dan Wilkins

6. Baltimore Ravens

Despite losing some key players, there's a lot to like about the Ravens heading into this season. Rookies Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams both have the potential to be immediate contributors on offense, and their secondary appears primed for a resurgence after being decimated by injuries in 2014. - Caitlyn Holroyd

7. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals would have challenged for the NFC title were it not for Carson Palmer's season-ending knee injury last year. With the veteran signal caller now healthy, Arizona is in the conversation as one of the league's top overall teams. - Dan Wilkins

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have long been known for their defense, but now, it's all about the offense. Ben Roethlisberger is coming off a career year and has two of the NFL's best offensive weapons at his disposal in Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Pittsburgh's in a good position to reclaim the AFC North. - Caitlyn Holroyd

9. Dallas Cowboys

Vice president Stephen Jones says the Cowboys failed in their Super Bowl quest last season because they lacked pass rushers. He's absolutely right. Well, now they have Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory in the mix. If the Cowboys hadn't subtracted the NFL's leading rusher, they would be a complete team. - David P. Woods

10. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals aren't a bad team; they wouldn't have advanced to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons if they were. That said, the fact that they haven't been able to win a postseason game under Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton is concerning. - Caitlyn Holroyd

11. Minnesota Vikings

The return of Adrian Peterson makes the Vikings a team to watch in the NFC North this season. Factor in Teddy Bridgewater and Mike Wallace, and Minnesota could end up finishing with a top-10 offense. - Caitlyn Holroyd

12. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are reportedly discussing a short-term contract extension with Sam Bradford, suggesting they like what they've seen from him at training camp so far. Nick Foles' stats were impressive, but his play was frequently subpar. It can't be overstated what a boost in quarterback efficiency could mean for Chip Kelly's offense. - David P. Woods

13. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have quietly built one of the league's most well-rounded teams, and they'll be in position to take control of the AFC West if Denver falters. The revamped offensive line is easily the most important upgrade San Diego made this offseason, finally taking some pressure off Philip Rivers. - Dan Wilkins

14. Miami Dolphins

Ndamukong Suh will make a difference, but the Dolphins will only go as far as Ryan Tannehill - and the offensive line in front of him - takes them. - David P. Woods

15. Detroit Lions

Suh and Nick Fairley departing in free agency definitely hurts the Lions. As talented as Haloti Ngata is, he doesn't completely make up for those losses. - Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton will need to overcome a worrisome offensive line if the Panthers are going to finish first in the NFC South for the third straight season. Hopefully they can do it with a winning record this year. - Justin Boone

17. Buffalo Bills

There is no team in football for which the preseason is more vital. If a bonafide starting quarterback doesn't emerge, all the Bills' efforts at fortifying their coaching staff and roster may go to waste for another year. - David P. Woods

18. Kansas City Chiefs

A strong defense and superstar running back will again carry the Chiefs throughout the year, but questions at the quarterback position and across the offensive front will likely prevent the team from taking the next step. - Dan Wilkins

19. New York Jets

Same old story for the Jets. The defense has the chance to be truly special, but it won't matter unless Geno Smith finally grows into the player the Jets believed he would be when they drafted him. - David P. Woods

20. Houston Texans

With Arian Foster requiring surgery on his groin, the Texans' offense needs to figure out how they will move the ball early in the season without their best offensive weapon. The short answer: They won't. - Justin Boone

21. New York Giants

If Odell Beckham Jr. picks up where he left off and Victor Cruz returns to something resembling his pre-injury form, it might not matter that the Giants' defense has all the makings of a disaster. Get ready for 45-44 final scores. - David P. Woods

22. New Orleans Saints

Cap issues forced the Saints to make some surprising moves in the offseason. The team appears to be rebuilding on the fly, as they try to avoid their third losing season in the last four years. - Justin Boone

23. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are much closer to competing for the first overall pick than they are to competing for a Super Bowl. An injury to Julio Jones could be disastrous for this team in 2015. - Justin Boone

24. St. Louis Rams

Unless Nick Foles can prove himself as the team's long-term answer at quarterback, the presence of a potential franchise running back and the NFL's most talented defensive line won't be enough for the Rams to contend in the difficult NFC West. - Dan Wilkins

25. San Francisco 49ers

The odds are very much stacked against the 49ers after a disastrous offseason, but don't count them out just yet. If there was one NFL roster capable of withstanding such substantial losses, it was likely the one put together in San Francisco over the past several years. - Dan Wilkins

26. Oakland Raiders

Slowly but surely, the Raiders are headed in the right direction. Significant progress being made in the win column may still be another year away, but this team should be far more competitive than its been in seasons past. - Dan Wilkins

27. Washington Redskins

There continue to be whispers that Jay Gruden and Robert Griffin III aren't on the same page despite the official word coming out of camp as being the opposite. It's more likely both men will be with new teams in 2016 rather than either remaining with the Redskins. - David P. Woods

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While their defense might continue to hold them back, the Buccaneers should be exciting on offense with Jameis Winston pushing the ball downfield to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. - Justin Boone

29. Chicago Bears

The hirings of John Fox and Vic Fangio brings a sense of optimism to Chicago, but as long as Jay Cutler is the team's quarterback, there are going to be question marks on offense. They also have the Packers and the Adrian Peterson-led Vikings to contend with in the NFC North. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Will this be the year the Jaguars take a step forward? After spending aggressively in free agency, especially on offense, Jacksonville now needs Blake Bortles to show signs of being the franchise quarterback they hoped they were drafting a year ago. - Justin Boone

31. Cleveland Browns

Josh McCown may be a better option than Johnny Manziel at this point, but he's also 36 years old and coming off a disastrous 1-10 campaign. - Caitlyn Holroyd

32. Tennessee Titans

It's lonely at the bottom, but Marcus Mariota gives this team hope moving forward. - Justin Boone