2026 NFL Power Rankings: Kickoff Week Edition
The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The Patriots and Seahawks kick off the 2026 season on Wednesday in a much-anticipated matchup, but first, I thought I’d look at where the various teams stand on opening week. After all, we’ve now seen these teams in the preseason. Please don’t be mad if your favorite team is lower than you think they should be. Surprises happen every year, and nobody knows exactly what will occur. That’s what makes this all so fun! With that in mind, here are my kickoff week power rankings. You can find my post-draft 2026 NFL power rankings here, but I’ll also list teams’ prior rankings below.
32. Miami Dolphins (Previous Ranking: 32)
Since the last time I did these rankings, the Dolphins look just as poor. On the bright side, their rookie receivers provide some real hope! The starters played just one preseason series against Washington’s backups, and they looked good there. However, this team has no depth whatsoever. In terms of talent, there’s a big gap between Miami and the 31 other teams. It would be hard to argue with the notion that this team is tanking based on the talent that they shed. The latest release was LB Tyrel Dodson, one of the 5 best players on the entire roster. Clearly, Miami isn’t in the business of winning this season (or maybe next).
31. Cleveland Browns (Previous Ranking: 30)
Did the Browns really make another bad QB decision? Oh right. It’s the Browns, so of course they did. Cleveland named Deshaun Watson their starter for some reason (in my opinion, it was the sunk cost fallacy), so we can expect a lousy offense yet again. Except this time, the defense won’t be able to bail out the team. Myles Garrett is gone, and perhaps as importantly, so is former DC Jim Schwartz. That great unit will take a step back this season, and remember: this team won just 5 games with it. I’d say that Watson’s contract comes off the books after this year, but thanks to dumb restructures, it actually doesn’t.
30. Arizona Cardinals (Previous Ranking: 31)
I’ve actually liked Arizona’s offense since the middle of last year, i.e., when Jacoby Brissett took over as the starting QB. This preseason, the Cardinals’ attack looked good regardless of who was at QB, albeit against backups. The same glaring problem remains though: the defense. They can’t seem to stop anyone, including Green Bay’s third stringers. Making matters worse is their division. The NFC West is the NFL’s best, and the Cardinals went 0-6 in divisional play last year. That’s why I currently have Arizona picking first in next year’s draft, but if it’s any consolation, they’re not the worst team in the league.
29. Tennessee Titans (Previous Ranking: 28)
At what point do we start to worry about QB Cam Ward? Last year’s #1 pick has not impressed this preseason, but I still think it’s far too early to write him off. I’d rather ask whether #4 pick Carnell Tate will ever catch a pass. However, my bigger questions concern the defense. New coach Robert Saleh is an excellent defensive mind who improves nearly every defense he touches. I say “nearly” because the Titans look atrocious on that side of the ball. Nobody played their starters more during the preseason than Tennessee, so we got a decent look at them. Even against other team’s backups, they struggled. That’s a bad sign.
28. Washington Commanders (Previous Ranking: 27)
It appears that I’m still far apart from other analysts in terms of how I view the Commanders. People are really underrating how much the injury to LT Laremy Tunsil will affect them. Washington already has an injury-prone QB, so a compromised line can’t possibly help. Their defense is also a major work in progress. I feel as though Washington is closer to their 2025 disaster than their 2024 NFC darling selves. As much as people want to anoint Jayden Daniels, I fear that he already peaked as a rookie. His career arc is reminding me more of RGIII by the day, and that’s not a good sign. Hopefully I’m wrong about that.
27. New York Giants (Previous Ranking: 25)
Two NFC East teams in a row, and I disagree with the consensus about both of them. Most people are excited about the HC-QB pairing of John Harbaugh and Jaxson Dart. I believe in Harbaugh, but I’m not yet sold on Dart. Before he can develop as a player, he’ll have to stay out of the blue medical tent. In one preseason series, he already landed there. WR Malik Nabers is starting to worry me with his ACL recovery, and the run defense was bad BEFORE the Giants traded Dexter Lawrence away. I don’t even have the G-Men as the best squad in New Jersey. The playoffs are still at least a year from becoming a reality.
26. Indianapolis Colts (Previous Ranking: 26)
Changing the Colts’ ranking was nearly impossible. We haven’t seen any of their best players in action. QB Daniel Jones is somehow expected to be ready for week 1, but WR Alec Pierce is questionable. Even if they’re at full strength, the Colts exposed themselves last season. After feasting on an easy schedule, the slate toughened in the second half, and they fell apart. Watching Jonathan Taylor run is always a treat, but he’s once again have to shoulder a very heavy load. I am curious to see how a healthy Sauce Gardner impacts the defense. The star CB picked off a preseason pass, letting fans dream about what’s to come.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (Previous Ranking: 24)
Kirk Cousins was always starting week 1, despite HC Klint Kubiak idiotically refusing to say so until now. The way he has managed that announcement makes me sour greatly on his prospects, but the team is no longer terrible. A healthy Brock Bowers at TE will make a world of difference, and the offensive line is far better than the league-worst unit it was a year ago. Some defensive reinforcements from free agency should help as well. The Raiders are still the worst team in the AFC West, but that’s a tough division. Their rebuild seems headed in the right direction…as long as Fernando Mendoza is a hit.
24. New York Jets (Previous Ranking: 29)
We saw the Jets’ starting offense for a single drive this preseason, and it was the best possible result. QB Geno Smith looked excellent, as he sometimes does when adequately protected. New York’s offensive line is the team’s biggest selling point, and I don’t believe the offense will be a train wreck. Defensively, they can’t possibly do worse than ZERO INTs (their total last season). Still, that side of the ball needs a lot more talent before the Jets can be competitive again. In short, this will be the most competitive version of NYJ in years, which is undeniably progress. Their eyes remain on 2027 though.
23. Atlanta Falcons (Previous Ranking: 16)
Contrary to how it appears, this drop isn’t a reaction to the lackluster preseason performance of QB Tua Tagovailoa. He’s still learning the offense, so I’m not giving up on him. However, this ranking will be extra appropriate if Michael Penix Jr gets the job. This is instead a reflection of Atlanta’s edge rushers. James Pearce Jr got suspended as expected, but an ACL tear for fellow 2nd-year rusher Jalon Walker was not anticipated. A problem that the Falcons thought they fixed is unfortunately back at the forefront. How much of the career of RB Bijan Robinson can they waste? Apparently at least one more season.
22. New Orleans Saints (Previous Ranking: 23)
New Orleans did absolutely nothing of note during the preseason, so we have to rely on camp reports. One bad piece of news: first-round WR Jordyn Tyson will be out a while with a hamstring injury. The big knock on him coming out of college was his durability, and that’s sadly proving true thus far. Otherwise, NO is mostly running things back. That team showed real signs of life late in the 2025 season, so the hope is that they can take another step forward. I think they will, so much so that they could be a dark horse contender in the woeful NFC South. Being able to declare Tyler Shough a franchise QB would be an even bigger victory.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Ranking: 19)
Last year’s Steelers sort of limped their way to the AFC North crown. Their competition is much better this year, and Pittsburgh is arguably worse. QB Aaron Rodgers is another year older, and the offensive line looks like a mess. I have a ton of respect for new coach Mike McCarthy, but replacing Mike Tomlin is going to be HARD. His non-losing season streak is unmatched, but he’ll be glad he’s not here to witness its likely end. Pittsburgh’s highly-paid defense is likely the bigger issue than the offense, which should be functional if not flashy. If CB Joey Porter Jr holds out, things might get even worse for a beleaguered secondary.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous Ranking: 20)
Do you ever feel like a team is just going through the motions until an inevitable shakeup? That’s how Tampa appears to me. Their QB is unhappy with his contract, two franchise legends (WR Mike Evans and LB Lavonte David) are gone, and yet somehow HC Todd Bowles returns. His tenure is grinding its way to the finish line. As a defensive coach, Bowles simply can’t continue to produce bad results on that side of the ball. A return to the top of the NFC South might keep the wolves at bay for a little longer, but even that isn’t a guarantee. Bowles and Baker Mayfield both have much to prove in this pivotal campaign.
19. Minnesota Vikings (Previous Ranking: 21)
On the one hand, Kyler Murray winning the Vikings’ QB job improves their QB situation. On the other hand, his play thus far doesn’t give me confidence. Two people pushed the Vikings up in these rankings: WR Justin Jefferson and DC Brian Flores. Jefferson can make nearly any non-JJ McCarthy QB situation right, while Flores’ scheme applies endless pressure even if the talent isn’t up to snuff. Keep an eye on third-year edge rusher Dallas Turner. The former first-round pick is replacing Jonathan Greenard and is said to have figured things out. His star could really blossom for a team that badly needs it.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous Ranking: 17)
We spent the last Bengals entry talking about the state of the defense. This one will be devoted to the offensive line. That unit has been a trouble spot for years, and it got QB Joe Burrow sacked on his very first preseason series. Having done so against the Lions’ second-string defense only adds to the alarm. It’s no secret that Burrow has dealt with injuries, in large part because of poor protection. I’m just confused because the players on the line, such as tackles Orlando Brown Jr and Amarius Mims, should result in a much better unit. OL coach Scott Peters, a relatively unknown name, could dictate how this season goes.
17. Green Bay Packers (Previous Ranking: 18)
First-round playoff exits aren’t good enough for the Packers anymore, but they might not even get that far this year. In terms of positives, QB Jordan Love has taken another step forward regarding his understanding of the game, and TE Tucker Kraft could return sooner than later. The negatives are significant, however. RB Josh Jacobs could end up in jail, while OLB Micah Parsons is not yet close to returning from his torn ACL. I don’t see how the Packers manifest a pass rush in his absence. This should still be a pretty good team, but the rugged NFC, particularly the strong NFC North, will require a great team to make a run.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (Previous Ranking: 10)
Regarding my last rankings, I admit that I got overexcited about the team’s offensive line health. The unit looked fine in pass protection this preseason, but they could not run block with the starters in the game. Hopefully that’s a product of adjusting to new OC Mike McDaniel and his new scheme. There’s always a part of me that says “they’re still the Chargers”. I like QB Justin Herbert, but he has 0 playoff wins despite playing on a good team. Simply put, I’m not sold on this team. They could easily exceed my expectations or fall below them, making the midpoint of these rankings the ideal spot for them.
15. Carolina Panthers (Previous Ranking: 22)
Nineteen people on NFL.com predicted this year’s division champions. Not one chose Carolina, the team that won the NFC South last season. I’m not sure they’ll win it either; the NFC South is poor enough that wild things can happen. However, these Panthers are objectively better than the 2025 edition. QB Bryce Young has improved chemistry with rising star WR Tetairoa McMillan. LB Devin Lloyd and DE Jaelan Phillips are aboard to help boost the defense. As long as Young continues on his upward trajectory and doesn’t plateau, Carolina will be in decent shape. 8-9 probably won’t get the job done again, but maybe 9-8 will?
14. Chicago Bears (Previous Ranking: 13)
The more I watch the Bears’ offense, the more I think that they’ll be special in year 2 under HC Ben Johnson. However, the more I watch the Bears’ defense, the more concerned I get. That secondary is an injury-riddled mess, and even their free agent replacements, like S Coby Bryant, are out for extended periods. We knew Chicago’s pass rush was also poor, but they deliberately chose to make it worse by trading DT Gervon Dexter. Poor Montez Sweat won’t have any help on the line yet again. Fortunately, Chicago can score a lot of points. They’ll need to do just that so they can outscore what their defense gives up.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Ranking: 12)
At this point, Patrick Mahomes seems like a safe bet to start week 1. Avoiding any starts from Justin Fields is a huge win for KC, but I still have some concerns. Most of them relate to the defense, which hasn’t shown that it can overcome all the lost players that it incurred this offseason. Truth be told, my respect for Mahomes may be lifting the Chiefs too high in these rankings. Kansas City’s roster is just not all that impressive. Mahomes has carried this team before, so maybe he can do it again. It’ll probably be in pursuit of a Wild Card though, as he’ll need time to ramp up as he returns from his torn ACL.
12. New England Patriots (Previous Ranking: 15)
In the NFL, parity often equates to mediocrity, and this has allowed New England to rise in the rankings. Among the teams jumbled in the middle here, the Patriots have at least made a deep run lately. I still consider it fraudulent due to their easy road, but this year’s team is much better even if it doesn’t go quite as far. The offensive line should be much more fortified now, and the defense got some more talent to go with their good scheme. Additionally, QB Drake Maye has another year of experience plus a new toy in WR AJ Brown. Don’t mistake a lesser result in 2026 for a lack of progress. The Pats are on the rise.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous Ranking: 11)
Year 2 for HC Liam Coen will be harder than the first. The Jags aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore, and every opponent will be targeting them. I haven’t forgotten all of the talent they let walk during free agency. However, I’m also aware of their potential for organic growth. This ranking involves putting a lot of trust in DC Anthony Campanile to continue getting the most out of his players. Specifically, I mean edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who will likely determine how effective this defense can be. As long as QB Trevor Lawrence continues to excel in Coen’s scheme, the offense should be just fine.
10. Baltimore Ravens (Previous Ranking: 14)
One thing we can learn about teams during the preseason is their depth. Baltimore may be unmatched in that regard. While I still have questions about whether the top of this roster can go all the way, few teams can withstand injuries at numerous positions quite like the Ravens can. They once again finished the preseason undefeated, and the reserves that did so could be called upon given the injury histories of some of Baltimore’s players. One of those guys is QB Lamar Jackson, who ran much less last year while playing hurt. He’ll need to get back on the move if the Ravens are to reach their full potential this season.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Ranking: 9)
The Eagles are doing everything they can to avoid reliving their last two seasons with new OCs. Both the 2023 and 2025 seasons ended with flameouts, and they each came as a result of whiffs on the team’s offensive hires. Sean Mannion doesn’t seem like he would be the guy to break that trend, especially with WR AJ Brown gone, but he’ll have to be the one. QB Jalen Hurts has to run more and buy into the scheme, which he was hesitant to do last year. Philly has a very high floor due to their Vic Fangio-led defense, which is loaded with talent. I fully expect that unit to be swarming while the offense attempts to fly.
8. San Francisco 49ers (Previous Ranking: 5)
Amazingly, injuries are already damaging San Francisco. WR Ricky Pearsall is done for the year without playing a snap, and DE Mykel Williams will start the season on the PUP list. That’s two recent first-round picks who are unavailable. Reinforcements could be on the way though. LB Fred Warner seems fine after his season-ending injury in 2025. Both DE Nick Bosa (ACL) and TE George Kittle (Achilles), whose recoveries looked like they needed more time, made the trip to Australia. We’ve seen SF overcome major injury woes before, so despite their brutal division, I have faith in this crew to reach the postseason once more.
7. Dallas Cowboys (Previous Ranking: 8)
Here’s something we all knew: rookie S Caleb Downs is good. I bring that up because he’s drawing rave reviews from team sources, and he could be the piece that makes Dallas’ new defense coalesce.
6. Detroit Lions (Previous Ranking: 7)
I’m bullish on the Lions’ offensive potential. That’s important, as I think they’ll need to win a lot of shootouts. They’re fully capable of doing so. Detroit’s offensive line is in a much better place than it was last year. Jahmyr Gibbs, the league’s new highest-paid RB, should benefit greatly from that development. The Lions are also loaded at the skill positions in general. Their Achilles heel could be the defense, mainly due to injury. Specifically, safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both dealing with lingering injuries and reside on the PUP list. Detroit can overcome their damaged secondary, but it’ll be tough.
5. Houston Texans (Previous Ranking: 6)
They say that defense wins championships. If that’s true (and it often is), the Texans should be loving their chances. I consider Houston the league’s best defense. It’s strong at all 3 levels. No defensive line is better, with edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr providing a wicked tandem. Stars litter the unit. The questions lie on offense, where QB CJ Stroud needs to return to his rookie heights. To do so, he’ll need his line to be much better and provide him with a semblance of a running game. I like the moves they made in that regard. With that in mind, I’m expecting big things from the Texans this season.
4. Buffalo Bills (Previous Ranking: 3)
QB Josh Allen is the current MVP favorite, and he looked to be in midseason form during his one preseason outing. I’ll be interested to see how new coach Joe Brady does as a replacement for Sean McDermott, his former boss. His DC, Jim Leonhard, is supposed to fix a disappointing defense, but his scheme is a 3-4, and the Bills’ roster was built around a 4-3 alignment. How the players adjust will be critical. I have no concerns about the offense, especially with WR DJ Moore now in tow. Similar to Detroit above but with a bit more balance, Buffalo should be able to outscore most of their opponents if necessary.
3. Denver Broncos (Previous Ranking: 4)
Denver is moving up a spot here because their QB cleared a major benchmark. Healed from his broken ankle suffered in the playoffs last year, Bo Nix is back and seemingly better than ever. He looked good in his lone bit of preseason action, showing that he’s continuing along his development path. The defense is second only to Houston’s among AFC teams, but with a stronger offense, Denver is the favorite to emerge from conference. In fact, the Broncos would’ve reached the Super Bowl last year if not for Nix’s injury. Assuming that new OC Davis Webb is an adept play caller, Denver can contend for the title once again.
2. Seattle Seahawks (Previous Ranking: 1)
At long last, a reigning champion fell from the top spot without yet playing a game. I apologize to Seahawks fans: it wasn’t your team’s fault. A certain event by another team (see below) changed the order. That’s no slight to Seattle. Yes, they lost some important pieces in free agency, but they’re still very good. I’m not even biased by their feel-good Hard Knocks appearance. Seattle is fully capable of repeating because their best players are all firmly in their primes. That includes QB Sam Darnold, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and CB Devon Witherspoon. These Seahawks are here to stay despite their absolutely brutal division.
1. Los Angeles Rams (Previous Ranking: 2)
The only way to usurp the reigning champs before the regular season is to have a seismic shift. Trading for CB Trent McDuffie and DE Myles Garrett AND having DT Aaron Donald unretire to rejoin the Rams is such a set of occurrences. Super teams haven’t historically made good on their promise, but LA seems like it’s a special squad. The biggest threat to their rise is the prospect of an injury to a key player, but that’s true of every team. As long as the Rams are healthy, they have absolutely no weaknesses on paper. With the reigning MVP and 5 DPOY awards on their roster, LA is elite and deep. They’re correctly listed as heavy favorites.