NFL Power Rankings: Week One

The NFL looks as wide open as it has been in recent memory. Sure, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs cast a large shadow over the league as back-to-back Super Bowl Champs, but there are a bunch of worthy challengers knocking on the door. From Cincinnati and Baltimore in the AFC, to San Francisco and Detroit in the NFC, we are poised for an exciting and surprising season. Let’s dive in to my NFL Power Rankings: Week One!

1. Kansas City – Back-to-back Super Bowls, a Hall of Fame head coach, and the best quarterback in the NFL. That’s “top of the Power Rankings” type stuff. The offensive tackles are still a concern (especially with a rookie 2nd round pick starting at left tackle), but the wide receiver room should be much improved from last season.
2. San Francisco – Tons of quality veteran talent on both sides of the ball, and one of the better coaches/offensive systems in the NFL. QB Brock Purdy led them to a Super Bowl – can he close the deal with the window still wide open?
3. Detroit – Detroit suddenly has one of the better rosters in the league, and expectations to match. A favorable schedule helps (most of their games will be played indoors), but will a rebuilt defense help take this team to the next level? If Jameson Williams finally breaks out in his third season, the offense will be hard to stop.
4. N.Y. Jets – Gang Green appears to have one of the better defenses in the league, but this season will depend on the health of Aaron Rodgers. Behind a beefed up offensive line, all eyes will be on A-a-ron. Will all these players with notable injury histories (Rodgers, Vera-Tucker, Tyron Smith, Mike Williams, etc.) be able to stay on the field?
5. Baltimore – Lamar Jackson won another MVP, and people are still questioning if he belongs in the conversation of “elite” quarterbacks. The only way the questions stop is when he wins a Super Bowl. The Ravens once again have a stacked defense and elite coaching, but can they overcome Kansas City (1-3 vs Mahomes/KC)? Derrick Henry in Ravens purple just feels right.
6. Buffalo – A lot of roster turnover in Buffalo, but the one constant is Josh Allen. An overhauled wide receiver room will have its growing pains, and Dalton Kincaid is poised to take on a heavier load in the passing game. Will Allen be able to cut back on the silly turnovers and carry this team to the promised land?
7. Dallas – Jerry claimed the Cowboys were “all-in” this season, then proceeded to make no major changes to a roster that got eliminated in the Wild Card round for the second time in three seasons. Now head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott enter the season in the final year of their respective contracts; unless Dallas goes on a deep playoff run, both might be out of town this time next year…
8. Green Bay – Jordan Love had a hot finish to last season, and many think a division title is within reach. Love got a new contract, and now will have more pressure on him than he has had thus far in his career. Will defenses adjust to him in year two as a starter? The defense could be solid, and Josh Jacobs should be an upgrade over Aaron Jones.
9. Cincinnati – This team will go only as far as Joe Burrow will take them. Head coach Zac Taylor leaves a lot to be desired week to week, and losing key veterans like D.J. Reader, Chidobe Awuzie, Joe Mixon, and Tyler Boyd hurts. If Burrow is healthy, this team is a contender, and a beefed up (literally) offensive line will definitely help. Free agent tackle Trent Brown will hold down the right tackle spot until first rounder Amarius Mims is ready.
10. Philadelphia – The Eagles are capable of blowing out any team in the NFL, but also just as likely to disappoint – as they did in the playoff loss at Tampa Bay. Hurts must be better when it matters, and the pass defense can’t be as bad as it was last year. Losing Jason Kelce in the middle is a big loss, but the offensive line should remain a strength. How big of a difference maker will Saquon Barkley be?
11. Houston
12. Miami
13. L.A. Rams
14. L.A. Chargers
15. Cleveland
16. Pittsburgh
17. Indianapolis
18. Atlanta
19. Tampa Bay
20. Tennessee
21. Las Vegas
22. Denver
23. Chicago
24. Jacksonville
25. Seattle
26. Minnesota
27. New Orleans
28. Arizona
29. N.Y. Giants
30. Carolina
31. Washington
32. New England