NFL Power Rankings Week One – A Matter Of If

Opening week in the NFL has become a sort of unofficial holiday. It’s a time when every team’s record is even and all the hopes of the fans are still at their highest. Although it will take several weeks to sort everything out, these first few weeks will definitely be exciting across the board.

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Any time Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce hits the field, other teams should be considered concerned. Will the Chiefs’ defense do enough to make sure every game is not a shootout? The Chris Jones situation should be a bit concerning.

 

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles look to finish what they started in 2022. They’ve replaced every thing they’ve lost in the offseason and they’ve upgraded at a few positions.

 

3. San Francisco 49ers

Is Brock Purdy the real deal, or did he just have a great run at the end of the 2022 season? Kyle Shanahan has put all his faith in the sophomore quarterback.

 

4. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC the last few years. Are they still in that role, or has the rest of the conference gotten too good?

 

5. Baltimore Ravens

With a new arsenal of weapons on offense is Lamar Jackson primed to win his second MVP award? Better yet, will he finally win some playoff games with these upgrades?

 

6. Buffalo Bills

Has the rest of the division caught up to Buffalo? Is Stefon Diggs really happy? Will the defense be as effective without Von Miller for a portion of the season?

 

7. New York Jets

A new All-Pro quarterback and running back to go with an already massive defense. The Jets might very well be en route to their first title since Super Bowl three.

 

8. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are once again the center of attention in the NFL. A trade for Trey Lance has the world buzzing about a potential change at quarterback (which is ridiculous). Whether or not it’s going to happen, it definitely has Dak Prescott looking over his shoulder.

 

9. Miami Dolphins

A healthy Dolphins team would be legitimate Super Bowl contenders. There’s definitely one position they need to keep healthy if they wish to achieve that.

 

10. Detroit Lions

The Lions are high flying and ready to take over in the NFC North. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has future All-Pro written all over him.

 

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

I don’t think Jacksonville is getting enough credit as a team that can do some major damage this season. I think Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley is the new, dangerous quarterback – wide receiver combination in the NFL.

 

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert just got paid like he’s a Super Bowl winning quarterback. He’s going to need to win a playoff game first.

 

13. New York Giants

Daniel Jones and the offense are poised for a breakout season. The addition of Isaiah Simmons could be a huge pickup for the defense.

 

14. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks probably have the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL with the addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Could Geno Smith contend for an MVP vote or two?

 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

A solid team on both sides of the football and a sophomore quarterback in Kenny Pickett that’s ready to have a breakout season.

 

16. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is going to miss Dalvin Cook in their backfield unless they can find someone to split time with Alexander Mattison. They still have plenty of targets for Kirk Cousins to throw to.

 

17. New Orleans Saints

The Saints might have the most similar starting and backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Other than that they’re pretty solid from top to bottom.

 

18. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons should be able to run the football and then run it some more. Will the defense be able to stop any of their opponents?

 

19. Denver Broncos

Can Sean Payton turn Russell Wilson back into a MVP candidate? If he cant, then Denver is in for a long season.

 

20. Cleveland Browns

The Browns could be one of the best teams in the NFL or one of the worst. Will Deshaun Watson bounce back after a sub par 2022 season?

 

21. Chicago Bears

Quarterback Justin Fields made plays with his legs last season and this year he’s expected to be more of a dual threat. The addition of D.J. Moore is expected to make his life easier in the passing game.

 

22. Green Bay Packers

The Jordan Love era begins in Green Bay and he has plenty of tools to succeed. The defense should be solid and they are in a very winnable division.

 

23. Tennessee Titans

Have the Titans upgraded enough on both sides of the ball to be contenders? An offense featuring Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins should be considered dangerous, but are they limited by the inconsistencies (or health) of Ryan Tannehill?

 

24. New England Patriots

For a team that was supposed to be finished  last year, the Patriots finished a game out of the playoffs. Even in a tough division, can you really count out a team led by Bill Belichick?

 

25. Washington Commanders

Washington will lean on a top notch defense to carry them through the season. Their offense is still a work in progress.

 

26. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are gonna have more growing pains than the Seaver family did in the 80s. The development of Bryce Young should be their main concern this season.

 

27. Las Vegas Raiders

I wonder how long it will take Davante Adams to ask for (demand) a trade? If this team starts off bad, they could they go into tank mode.

 

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I feel bad for head coach Todd Bowles in this situation. He went from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield at quarterback. That could be the biggest downgrade in the NFL since Brady left New England.

 

29. Los Angeles Rams

Have the Rams made enough upgrades to be in contention? Maybe a bigger question is will they trade Matthew Stafford before the trade deadline?

 

30. Indianapolis Colts

All this drama surrounding Jonathan Taylor can’t be helpful to rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. It doesn’t seem like the Colts’ defense will be much helpful to him either.

 

31. Houston Texans

By the end of the season, the Texans could be much higher on this list. Their defense should make some noise and the offense could get it together after some growing pains at the quarterback position.

 

32. Arizona Cardinals

The tank job for projected number one pick Caleb Williams has already started in the preseason. They’re doing a marvelous job so far.