NFL Power Rankings - Week 1: Eagles crash top 10, Patriots rise to 2nd

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

1. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 1st

The Seahawks once again have one of the league's most talented rosters, and appropriately enter the season as a Super Bowl favorite. With the defense likely remaining the NFL's best, Russell Wilson finally having a proven No. 1 target should be a scary thought for opposing teams. - Dan Wilkins

2. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 3rd

The nullification of Tom Brady's suspension will see the Patriots open their title defense at full strength. Jerod Mayo's return from a torn patellar tendon provides the Patriots with the most dangerous linebacker trio in the NFL, a scary proposition for opposing clubs. - Arun Srinivasan

3. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Packers came really close to a Super Bowl appearance last season and, even without Jordy Nelson, they remain the team to beat in the NFC North. - Caitlyn Holroyd

4. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 4th

The Colts have a solid lock on the fourth spot in our rankings and therein lies the problem - they're better than most teams in the league, but not quite good enough to win a Super Bowl. Perhaps they'll prove us wrong in 2015. - Justin Boone

5. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 5th

The Broncos' chances of going on a Super Bowl run will depend on the play and health of Peyton Manning down the stretch. Don't sleep on this defense, though. The unit, now led by Wade Phillips, is more than capable of leading the way if Manning and the offense face some early struggles. - Dan Wilkins

6. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 7th

The sky is the limit for this team if Carson Palmer can stay healthy. Could Bruce Arians end up as Coach of the Year for the third time in four seasons? Don't bet against it. - Dan Wilkins

7. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 6th

The Ravens enter the season relatively inexperienced at wide receiver (save for veteran Steve Smith Sr.) and could be without first-round pick Breshad Perriman while he works his way back from a knee injury. There's a lot to like about their offensive line and linebacker corps, though. - Caitlyn Holroyd

8. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 9th

Dallas was already on the cusp of the NFC Championship Game, and will receive major contributions from its outstanding draft haul. Dez Bryant is at the peak of his powers and will lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns again after dominating a host of replacement-level cornerbacks in the NFC East. -Arun Srinivasan

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 8th

Week 1 could be tough for the Steelers. Not only will they face a fired-up Tom Brady following the nullification of his four-game suspension, but they'll also be without several key players, including suspended running back Le'Veon Bell, wide receiver Martavis Bryant, and injured center Maurkice Pouncey. - Caitlyn Holroyd

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 12th

Sam Bradford was flawless in his last preseason start, and appears to be fully recovered from an ACL injury. Chip Kelly's high-octane offense should be in full gear Monday night. - Arun Srinivasan

11. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 11th

Teddy Bridgewater appears poised to make a big leap in Year 2, especially with Adrian Peterson back for a full 16-game schedule. The Vikings could be a surprise playoff contender this season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

12. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 14th

Ryan Tannehill made significant improvements in all aspects of his game last year and is on the cusp of stardom. With Ndamukong Suh in tow, the Dolphins could surprise many by ending a six-year playoff drought. - Arun Srinivasan

13. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 10th

This could be a make-or-break year for Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton. The Bengals have the talent, they just have to figure out how to get over the playoff hump. - Caitlyn Holroyd

14. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 13th

With one of the league's best quarterbacks and a much-improved supporting cast, particularly on the offensive front, the Chargers could make some noise. Avoiding the potential distraction created by Los Angeles relocation talks will be imperative toward the end of the year. - Dan Wilkins

15. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 15th

The Lions' defense will look a lot different this season without Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, possibly for the worse. But with the additions of second-round pick Ameer Abdullah and preseason standout Zach Zenner, their running game should improve significantly from last season's 28th-place finish. - Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 16th

Kelvin Benjamin's injury is a serious problem for the Panthers' offense. Now there are concerns defensive tackle Star Lotulelei may not be ready early in the season. If Cam Newton is Superman, now would be the time to pull out the cape. - Justin Boone

17. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 17th

Tyrod Taylor was named the team's starting quarterback and his performance is of paramount importance. If Taylor can't elevate the offense, the Bills' ferocious front seven may not be enough to snap the NFL's longest playoff-less streak. - Arun Srinivasan

18. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 18th

Alex Smith may not be a quarterback that wins you games, but with a strong defense and a star running back, he only needs to be one who doesn't give them away. The play of the offensive line in the running game could very well decide where Kansas City ends up on this list by season's end. - Dan Wilkins

19. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 20th

The Texans' defense is going to be asked to carry the team early in the year while Arian Foster is sidelined. J.J. Watt has shown he can score all by himself, but reinforcements are on the way in the form of last year's first overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney, who will be back in the lineup for Week 1. - Justin Boone

20. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Saints' offense will continue to score even without Jimmy Graham. The problem remains their defense, which may rank near the bottom of the league once again. - Justin Boone

21. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 23rd

It will take a record-breaking season from Julio Jones to keep the Falcons in the hunt for a winning record. The amazing thing is, there's a slight chance he actually does it. - Justin Boone

22. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 19th

Head coach Todd Bowles' blitz-heavy philosophy needs to yield turnovers in droves if the Jets are to survive in a resurgent AFC East. The offense will take a while to gel with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. - Arun Srinivasan

23. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 21st

The good news is that Odell Beckham is slated to be the most-targeted receiver in the league. The bad news is that it will come as a result of a porous secondary that's likely to hemorrhage points. - Arun Srinivasan

24. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 24th

While the defense has the potential to be one of the NFL's best, the offense still appears dangerously close to the exact opposite. Getting an early impact from Todd Gurley may change things in that regard, as he could certainly establish himself as a top running back sooner than later. - Dan Wilkins

25. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 26th

The Raiders won't be in a position to contend, but six-to-eight wins suddenly appears within reach if second-year quarterback Derek Carr can continue to progress. That would be a significant step in the right direction for this team in its first season under Jack Del Rio. - Dan Wilkins

26. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 25th

San Francisco could be in for a rough year after losing an unprecedented amount of talent in a few short months. NaVorro Bowman already appears to be regaining his All-Pro form, but will that be enough to keep the front seven playing at the level it's grown accustomed to? - Dan Wilkins

27. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 31st

The biggest question facing the Browns heading into Week 1, as it was all offseason, is whether Josh McCown is capable of carrying the load at quarterback. The running game is also a concern, as the team still lacks a true starter. - Caitlyn Holroyd

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 28th

The pieces are in place for the Buccaneers to at least be respectable this season; however, we've been here before in recent years and we're still waiting for the team to take that step forward. - Justin Boone

29. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 29th

Preseason football doesn't count for much, but the fact that Jay Cutler made it through 33 pass attempts without throwing a single interception after tying for the NFL lead in 2014 is a good start. Losing first-round pick Kevin White for potentially the entire season is a tough blow, though. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 30th

Blake Bortles had another strong preseason, Allen Robinson is poised for a breakout campaign, and T.J. Yeldon is ready to deliver a shot in the arm to the run game. The sun might finally be starting to shine on the stadium pools in Jacksonville. - Justin Boone

31. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 27th

Robert Griffin III's tenure as the Washington Redskins' starting quarterback mercifully came to an end, with the team naming Kirk Cousins as the starter. This season ought to serve as the latest calamity in the nation's capital. - Arun Srinivasan

32. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 32nd

Marcus Mariota improved as the preseason went on and his development will give fans something to follow this year. As far as wins and losses go, it's going to be another long season in Tennessee. - Justin Boone