NFL Power Rankings - Preseason Edition: Seahawks, Broncos battle for top spot once again

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd, and Gino Bottero.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Repeating as Super Bowl champions won't be easy, but it's not impossible. The Seahawks managed to keep the core of their team intact, and until they prove otherwise, they remain the biggest threat in the NFL. -Caitlyn Holroyd

2. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning only has so many good years left in him, so the Broncos loaded up in the offseason. They also get back some key players from injury, like Ryan Clady, Von Miller, and Chris Harris, which has the team in good position for a return trip to the Super Bowl. -Gino Bottero

3. San Francisco 49ers

With a healthy Michael Crabtree and another strong draft class, the 49ers' roster is so much deeper this year compared to last. They have advanced to the NFC Championship game in three consecutive seasons under Jim Harbaugh, and have the best chance to overtake the Seahawks for the NFC West crown. -Caitlyn Holroyd

4. New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski, Darrelle Revis, Jerod Mayo, Vince Wilfork - that's a serious injection of talent that wasn't there for (most of) last season. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are running out of time together. This could be their last, best shot. -David P. Woods

5. New Orleans Saints

The Saints have one of the NFL's best quarterback/head coach tandems in Drew Brees and Sean Payton, and are coming off a season in which their offense and defense both finished in the top five. Add a happy Jimmy Graham to the mix, and they become a strong contender to win the NFC. -Caitlyn Holroyd

6. Green Bay Packers

A healthy Aaron Rodgers and a favorable schedule should return the Pack to one of the league's elite teams. A conference first or second seed is not out of the question if the NFC West beats each other up. -Michael Amato

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Philly bolstered their defense through the draft and will pair that unit with an already powerful offense. The NFC East is theirs to lose until opponents figure out how to slow down Chip Kelly's dynamic attack. -Michael Amato

8. Indianapolis Colts

Would anyone be shocked if Andrew Luck is widely considered the best football player on the planet when the season ends? If so, it will mean he once again survived (and thrived) playing behind one of the league's worst offensive lines. -David P. Woods

9. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have to be tired of hearing they will only go as far as Andy Dalton will take them. After three seasons and three opening round playoff losses, the Bengals will likely take some control away from Dalton and lean more heavily on the ground game under new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. -Gino Bottero

10. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals made major strides under Bruce Arians in 2013, doubling their win total from the previous season. Their 10 wins weren't enough to advance to the playoffs, though, and they will have to be even better this season if they hope to finish atop the NFC West. -Caitlyn Holroyd

11. Chicago Bears

If the Bears' defense can rebound somewhat in 2014 to close the gap between their suddenly high-powered offense, Chicago will be playoff contenders. If Jay Cutler can stay healthy, he's in for a career year throwing to Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. -Michael Amato

12. Baltimore Ravens

A bounce back has to be expected from the Ravens. A good draft haul will help boost the defense, and Bernard Pierce appears poised for a breakout season on the other side of the ball. A healthy Dennis Pitta will do wonders for Joe Flacco. -Gino Bottero

13. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers knew that their defensive secondary was an issue last season, so the front office addressed that by drafting Jason Verrett out of TCU. They snuck into the playoffs last season and could be even better this year. -Gino Bottero

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger still has some good years left in him, and Le'Veon Bell appears poised for a Pro Bowl-caliber season, but the team's problems come on the other side of the ball, and they'll need significant contributions from rookies to turn that around. -Gino Bottero

15. Atlanta Falcons

Staying healthy will be key for the Falcons, who managed just four wins last season after earning 13 the previous year. The return of Julio Jones gives Matt Ryan one of his favorite receiving targets back, while the addition of first-round pick Jake Matthews should provide the quarterback with some much-needed blindside protection. -Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers' receiving corps took a big hit with the offseason departures of Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell, stripping Cam Newton of two of his favorite targets. Newton is more than capable of carrying the load, though, and has a strong supporting defensive cast. -Caitlyn Holroyd

17. Detroit Lions

Wins still won't be easy to come by, but with Golden Tate and Eric Ebron added to the offense, the Lions will be fun to watch. Matthew Stafford has a real chance to spread the ball around for the first time in his career. -Michael Amato

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers made a number of significant changes this offseason, from the hiring of head coach Lovie Smith to signing several impact players in free agency. They are a team on the rise, but they have a ways to go before they are true threat in the NFC South. -Caitlyn Holroyd

19. New York Giants

With a bevy of signings in the offseason, the Giants could be headed for a turnaround in 2014, but it's far too early to tell if this revamped roster will gel. After missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons following a Super Bowl win, this group better come together quickly if they want to avoid more shakeups at the end of the year. -Michael Amato

20. Kansas City Chiefs

The team's running game could take a step back as the offensive line appears to be an issue. We could see a greater emphasis on the passing attack, which makes sense for an Andy Reid-coached team, and could be necessitated by an inevitable regression from the defense. -Gino Bottero

21. St. Louis Rams

The Rams boast one of the league's best defensive fronts, but that alone won't be enough to propel them to the top of the NFC West. A healthy and productive Sam Bradford will go a long way toward determining where St. Louis finishes in the standings. -Caitlyn Holroyd

22. New York Jets

In what's become an annual tradition, the Jets have serious train wreck potential. Aside from a brick wall of a defensive line, where are the special talents on this team? -David P. Woods

23. Washington Redskins

DeSean Jackson will help the offense, but RG3 will need to miraculously return to his 2012 form for the Redskins to avoid the conference basement. New head coach Jay Gruden has a monumental task on his hands. -Michael Amato

24. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings will need to display more consistency on the offensive side of the ball, outside of Adrian Peterson, before they can make noise in the NFC North. Quarterback play is the big question mark, but with offensive coordinator Norv Turner now working with the personnel, Minnesota is on the right track. -Michael Amato

25. Dallas Cowboys

After losing DeMarcus Ware to the Broncos, and watching Sean Lee and DeMarcus Lawrence go down with injuries, it's hard to imagine how the league's 32nd-ranked defense from a year ago doesn't get worse. -Michael Amato

26. Buffalo Bills

The Sammy Watkins trade made it clear the Bills believe they are one piece away from the playoffs. If they're right, it means EJ Manuel is about to surprise a lot of people. -David P. Woods

27. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins want to be more dynamic on offense, but they aren't going anywhere if Ryan Tannehill can't take the next step. A more focused and productive Mike Wallace would certainly help. -David P. Woods

28. Houston Texans

Jadeveon Clowney was added to sack the quarterback, not play quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick has that job. Enough said. -David P. Woods

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars aren't in a hurry to contend; they're building slowly so they remain a contender for years once they make the leap. The plan for this year is to establish a winning attitude by punishing opponents in the run game. -David P. Woods

30. Tennessee Titans

Until Jake Locker stays healthy and productive for 16 games, no one will believe the Titans are a playoff contender. Even if he does, does this team have enough talent around him? -David P. Woods

31. Cleveland Browns

It would make for a good story if Johnny Manziel wrestled the starting quarterback job away from Brian Hoyer and led the Browns to the playoffs, but it's not going to happen. -Gino Bottero

32. Oakland Raiders

Some players on the team have talked about a potential trip to the Super Bowl from this group, but there's really nothing all that special about the additions to the team's offense. They'll be more competitive most weeks, but the playoffs are a long shot. -Gino Bottero