NFL Power Rankings: Week 1

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 11: Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks raises the Lombardi Trophy during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on February 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The hardest part about doing NFL power rankings for Week 1 is that no one really has any freaking clue where these teams should be. We're just projecting based on last season's performance and the changes made over the offseason, but reality will be a completely new outcome.

I decided to give the Super Bowl champions a break. They are the best until they prove otherwise. However, I did not give the benefit of doubt to some teams. I'm not a believer in the New England Patriots at all and totally believe last season was a fluke. We'll see how that plays out for me. I actually believe any team in the Top 21 here are potential playoff contenders. That is how tight I think the 11-21 spots are.

Week 1 NFL Power Rankings

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Denver Broncos
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Houston Texans
8. Los Angeles Chargers
9. Green Bay Packers
10. San Francisco 49ers
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
12. Chicago Bears
13. New England Patriots
14. Cincinnati Bengals
15. Detroit Lions
16. Kansas City Chiefs
17. Cincinnati Bengals
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. New York Giants
22. Indianapolis Colts
23. Washington Commanders
24. Minnesota Vikings
25. New Orleans Saints
26. Arizona Cardinals
27. Tennessee Titans
28. New York Jets
29. Las Vegas Raiders
30. Miami Dolphins
31. Cleveland Browns
32. Atlanta Falcons