NFL Power Rankings - Week 1: Where does your team sit as season kicks off?
NFL Power Rankings takes stock of all 32 teams throughout the season.
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1. Philadelphia Eagles
Preseason rank: 1
The defending champs are the top dogs until proven otherwise. A challenging stretch to open the season will give us a great idea as to whether the Eagles will run into any sort of Super Bowl hangover.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Preseason rank: 2
Rashee Rice getting suspended for the first six games of the season is a big hit to the Chiefs' offense, but it's not enough to knock last year's runners-up out of the No. 2 spot. Their revenge tour starts Friday night against the Chargers in Brazil.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Preseason rank: 3
The Ravens might be the only team that gives the Eagles a run for their money in the talent department. Baltimore is the biggest threat to the top two, but can it finally overcome its postseason disappointments?
4. Buffalo Bills
Preseason rank: 4
Speaking of playoff letdowns, the Bills are hoping this is the year they finally get over the hump. This team will always be in the mix with Josh Allen leading the way, and reinforcements added on the defensive side could make the difference.
5. Green Bay Packers
Preseason rank: 7
Lingering questions about the defense previously seemed like the only thing that might stand in the way of the Packers contending for the Super Bowl. A blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons takes care of that nicely. Green Bay is Philly's top competition for the NFC crown.
6. Detroit Lions
Preseason rank: 5
What will this Lions offense look like without Ben Johnson? There's bound to be some sort of negative impact, but perhaps preseason standout Isaac TeSlaa is yet another weapon who can help offset the loss.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Preseason rank: 6
It would've been nice to see J.J. McCarthy play more than one drive in the preseason, but we can only assume that means the Vikings think he's ready to take over as the starter. This team has everything it needs to contend if the second-year quarterback hits the ground running.
8. Los Angeles Rams
Preseason rank: 8
Matthew Stafford is on track for Week 1 after missing a significant portion of training camp due to a back injury. Assuming he can manage it throughout the year, the Rams figure to be one of the best teams in football.
9. Washington Commanders
Preseason rank: 10
The Commanders' schedule is a lot tougher this year, so building on last season's Cinderella run to the NFC title game won't be an easy task. Jayden Daniels gives them a chance, though, and getting Terry McLaurin's contract situation sorted out should keep the offense rolling.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Preseason rank: 9
It's a good thing the Bucs took the best player available at their spot in the first round. Emeka Egbuka should have a major role from the jump alongside Mike Evans, as Chris Godwin still has no timeline to return and Jalen McMillan might not be back until the second half of the season.
11. Denver Broncos
Preseason rank: 12
The Broncos have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. Sean Payton's offense may be a sufficient complement anyway, but Bo Nix taking a step forward in Year 2 would put Denver in the mix sooner than anyone expected.
12. Houston Texans
Preseason rank: 13
The Texans' defense is one of the best in the game right now. If the change at offensive coordinator helps C.J. Stroud produce like he did as a rookie, Houston might have what it takes to challenge the top teams in the AFC.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Preseason rank: 11
Rashawn Slater going down with a season-ending knee injury really hurts the outlook for the Chargers' offense. They'll be fine at left tackle, with Joe Alt sliding over, but the right tackle spot is now a glaring weakness.
14. San Francisco 49ers
Preseason rank: 14
The 49ers won't have much trouble scoring. But can Robert Saleh pick up the pieces on defense? Having the NFL's easiest schedule provides a pretty smooth path to the playoffs regardless.
15. Chicago Bears
Preseason rank: 16
We can't get too carried away until we see it consistently in games that matter, but the preseason gave us an exciting look at Ben Johnson's offense. The turnaround in Chicago could happen quickly.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Preseason rank: 15
New defensive coordinator Al Golden will have to lead a major transformation if the Bengals are going to avoid wasting another elite offense. It was only preseason, but nothing that unit showed in August inspires much confidence.
17. Seattle Seahawks
Preseason rank: 18
If preseason reps are any indication, the Seahawks' run game should be a force under Klint Kubiak. And with Mike Macdonald having already built an upper-echelon defense, Seattle may surprise some people.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Preseason rank: 19
The Steelers' defense looks great as always. But does anyone really know what to expect from the Aaron Rodgers-led offense? Pittsburgh could still use another receiver opposite DK Metcalf.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Preseason rank: 17
Trading your best player a week before the opener is a mind-boggling move. It's tough to imagine this one working out well for Jerry Jones. The Cowboys' defense led the league in EPA/play when Micah Parsons was on the field over the last four years, according to TruMedia. In snaps without him, Dallas tumbled all the way to 32nd.
20. Miami Dolphins
Preseason rank: 20
The Dolphins still have plenty of question marks, but the emergence of sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon could go a long way toward solving their issues in short yardage.
21. Atlanta Falcons
Preseason rank: 21
Can the Falcons finally post a winning record for the first time since 2017? With Michael Penix Jr. taking over as the full-time starter and a pair of first-round rookies bolstering the pass rush, they have a real chance to make it happen.
22. Arizona Cardinals
Preseason rank: 22
The Cardinals are quietly pretty solid on both sides of the ball. If Marvin Harrison Jr. has the breakout season many are expecting, Arizona could sneak up on other contenders in a crowded NFC playoff picture.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Preseason rank: 23
The Raiders should put plenty of points on the board, with Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty, and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly each providing monumental upgrades at their respective positions. The defense is another story.
24. New England Patriots
Preseason rank: 24
After Mike Vrabel's first offseason in New England, the Patriots are quickly headed back in the right direction. It's probably not out of the question for them to make a playoff push, but next year seems more realistic.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
Preseason rank: 25
It's an exciting time in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence could be in for a bounce-back season working under Liam Coen, and Travis Hunter should immediately be one of the NFL's most exciting players. This rebuild may be a process, however, as the secondary is still in rough shape.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Preseason rank: 26
Daniel Jones seemingly won't have a short leash as the starting quarterback in Indy. Not trusting Anthony Richardson is one thing, but expecting Jones to provide stability feels deeply unserious. Is the low ceiling he provides really worth throwing in the towel on Richardson's development?
27. New York Giants
Preseason rank: 29
Jaxson Dart's preseason performance gives Giants fans some hope for the future. Even if Dart doesn't see the field much as a rookie, this team is trending toward fun territory for the first time in a while. New York's stacked defensive front, headlined by No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, looked unblockable in the preseason.
28. Carolina Panthers
Preseason rank: 27
The Panthers trading away Adam Thielen, only to lose Jalen Coker for the first month of the season days later, is a big hit to Bryce Young's receiving corps. First-round rookie Tetairoa McMillan will do a lot of the heavy lifting right away.
29. New York Jets
Preseason rank: 28
The Jets' run game should be interesting to watch, but the passing attack needs to be at least a serviceable complement for success to follow. Justin Fields' preseason was a reminder that there are no guarantees on that front.
30. Tennessee Titans
Preseason rank: 30
Cam Ward looked the part in his preseason action, and the No. 1 pick is clearly well on his way to developing a strong connection with Calvin Ridley. But questions elsewhere on the offense - and across the roster as a whole - could delay a major improvement in the win column.
31. New Orleans Saints
Preseason rank: 31
Although Spencer Rattler beat out second-round rookie Tyler Shough for the starting job, this quarterback battle is far from over. Both should see plenty of playing time for an offense that could be looking for a spark on a regular basis.
32. Cleveland Browns
Preseason rank: 32
It's probably going to be a long year in Cleveland, but the Browns have some really interesting rookies to keep an eye on. Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, and Harold Fannin Jr. all flashed in the preseason, and the Kenny Pickett trade leaves Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as the backups to Joe Flacco.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.