2025 NFL Power Rankings: Kickoff Week Edition
The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The Cowboys and Eagles kick off the 2025 season on Thursday 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 2025 NFL power rankings here, but I’ll also list teams’ prior rankings below.
32. New Orleans Saints (Previous Ranking: 32)
I’ll be brutally honest: there’s very little in the way of nice things for me to say about the Saints. They have a rookie HC in Kellen Moore, Spencer Rattler just beat out old rookie 2nd-round pick Tyler Shough to be the starting QB, and their best players are aging. RB Alvin Kamara, assuming he stays healthy, can only do so much to overcome the dumpster fire around him. This season needs to be about building a new core, particularly in the trenches and the secondary. New Orleans’ cap is still in rough shape, so this rebuild could take a while. Their fans can only hope that an easy division doesn’t keep them from the #1 pick.
31. Carolina Panthers (Previous Ranking: 29)
They say the NFC South is the worst division in football, and two of its teams appear in the bottom two here. The Panthers’ preseason performance suggested that last season’s finish was a mirage. QB Bryce Young and the starting offense looked awful, and now WR Adam Thielen has been traded. Though the defense cannot possibly be worse than last year’s version, it is still pretty poor, particularly in the front seven. Considering this is likely Young’s last chance to show the team that he’s a franchise QB, the receivers this team drafted in the first round each of the past two years need to become his best friends in a hurry.
30. Tennessee Titans (Previous Ranking: 28)
My placement of the Titans at #30 is not an indictment of first overall pick Cam Ward. Ward looked average during the preseason but showed that he has plenty of physical talent to work with. Instead, I want to make a point: if you have the #1 pick, most of the time you’re missing far more than just a QB, even if that position gets all the attention. Tennessee’s defense has declined greatly since Mike Vrabel left, with only the front four posing a threat. The best-case scenario here is that the Titans develop Ward and see that he’s the guy, add another high pick next year to support him, and start truly competing in 2026.
29. New York Giants (Previous Ranking: 31)
Perhaps New York won’t be a complete train wreck. We know about their defensive front led by Dexter “Sexy Dexy” Lawrence. If you squint though, you can see some signs of hope on offense. The return of LT Andrew Thomas will be huge, and Russell Wilson is a quarterback upgrade over Daniel Jones. WR Malik Nabers is a star, so there are pieces here to work with. The hardest schedule in the league works against the Giants though, and that could lead to the team turning to rookie QB Jaxson Dart sooner than later. That would worsen New York’s immediate outlook but potentially provide hope for the future.
28. Indianapolis Colts (Previous Ranking: 24)
While the team above upgraded from Daniel Jones, the Colts are using Jones as their upgrade. Former #4 pick Anthony Richardson is quickly venturing into bust territory, but Jones doesn’t make Indy good. He merely boosts their floor for a regime that needs to win now. Unfortunately, I just don’t see much blue-chip talent anywhere on the roster. The offensive line took hits in free agency, and RB Jonathan Taylor isn’t the most durable guy. He needs to be a superstar for the Colts to have any chance. This team is more likely trending toward a full reset next offseason with a new coach and GM. Even the owner is brand-new!
27. Cleveland Browns (Previous Ranking: 27)
Poor, poor Browns. They desperately wanted one of their two rookie QBs to be a hidden gem, but neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders looks like a high-end starter. Instead, it’s 40-year-old Joe Flacco back in the saddle as the starting quarterback. Interestingly, that’s actually the reason the Browns aren’t any lower in these rankings. Flacco’s arm still looks good, and he got this team to the playoffs just two years ago. I believe last year’s defensive decline was a result of the team quitting on Deshaun Watson. That unit is still good, but a brutal AFC North might keep the Browns from truly stacking wins.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (Previous Ranking: 22)
Las Vegas made a concerted effort to improve this year, and I think they’ve done that. Unfortunately for them, the rest of their division had the same idea. All three other NFC West teams went to the playoffs a year ago, and the Raiders are still staring up at them. The reason for their drop in these rankings was what I saw from the first-string offense. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty had no room to run and may have more trouble than expected. He is supposed to be the engine that makes the whole operation go. If the offensive line, particularly the right side, doesn’t open any holes, then it doesn’t matter how good Jeanty is. The team will struggle.
25. New York Jets (Previous Ranking: 30)
Don’t let the 5-spot jump fool you. The Jets didn’t really rise in these rankings as much as other teams fell below them. With Aaron Glenn taking over as the coach, I think the defense can rebound to its 2023 level. Even the offense comes with some nice pieces, such as two highly drafted tackles and WR Garrett Wilson. I’m sorry though: I will never rank a Justin Fields-led team very high. He didn’t show me during the preseason that improved as a passer in any way. In this league, you can’t win without a quarterback. The Jets continue to fall short at the most important position in sports, which will doom them once more.
24. Arizona Cardinals (Previous Ranking: 26)
Two things keep Arizona in the 20s of my Power Rankings, and they’re the same two things that doomed them last year: QB Kyler Murray and the defense. Murray couldn’t form a connection with WR Marvin Harrison Jr in 2024, and given how amazing of a prospect Harrison was (and still is), I’m not pinning the problem on him. Defensively, bringing in Josh Sweat should help, but rookie DT Walter Nolen is already hurt, and that’s about it for improvements. I don’t think Arizona’s offense is built to win a bunch of shootouts, but that’s exactly what they may have to do based on their defensive personnel.
23. New England Patriots (Previous Ranking: 25)
The Patriots continue to creep up the rankings because they keep doing smart (if not flashy) things. Most of the time, teams with a ton of cap space blow it on average players. New England held onto a lot of the money to carry into next year instead of making that error. I don’t expect too much of an increase in wins, but the Pats are building something sustainable. Second-year QB Drake Maye will be the key to the entire operation, and 4th-overall LT Will Campbell will be vital to his success. There are still too few weapons and pass rushers for me to take this team seriously as a playoff contender, but I like where this is all headed.
22. Miami Dolphins (Previous Ranking: 18)
Buffalo is going to have an easy time winning the AFC East huh? Few teams got worse since the end of last season, as this roster suffered major attrition. We all know about the weakness in the secondary; the CB group is among the worst in football. A long-standing issue may be a problem again though: the offensive line. The first-string blockers struggled during the preseason against Jacksonville backups. QB Tua Tagovailoa was sacked twice and constantly under pressure. Those guys need to get better quickly because Miami will have to score a ton to keep up with what their defense allows. Color me skeptical.
21. Atlanta Falcons (Previous Ranking: 20)
Finally addressing their pass rush weakness with two first-round picks, Atlanta has a solid roster across the board. If you like QB Michael Penix Jr (I worry a bit about his accuracy), you can sell yourself on the Falcons as a playoff time. The thing is, I just don’t think they’re that well-coached. Raheem Morris failed in Tampa Bay and did what I consider one of the worst jobs in the league last season. He completely mismanaged the offense, and his game management left much to be desired. Few teams have such a disadvantage on the sidelines, and that could keep Atlanta from winning a very gettable NFC South.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (Previous Ranking: 16)
This drop is completely attributed to losing LT Rashawn Slater to a torn patellar tendon. That really hurts because although I believe in Joe Alt as his replacement, moving him to the left side creates a major liability at RT. I love bringing back WR Keenan Allen, and the defensive backs could take a small step forward. However, will Justin Herbert have any time to throw? This line does look like it could be better at run blocking, which will help with how the team remade their RB room. Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton will be very busy men. One more thing: I don’t know that the Bolts will have much of a pass rush.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous Ranking: 23)
Owner Shad Khan finally got it right with his coaching hire in my opinion. Liam Coen has done great work with QBs and should be the man to get Trevor Lawrence back on track. He has to, because the QB’s contract is going absolutely nowhere. I’m curious to see how two-way player Travis Hunter gets his start: on offense, on defense, or both. Anything they can get from him helps address an area of weakness. I’m concerned about the offensive line and defensive back seven, but the D-line should be fearsome. Due to the division they play in, the Jaguars should be able to challenge for a Wild Card berth.
18. Dallas Cowboys (Previous Ranking: 17)
Things were really starting to come together. CB Trevon Diggs was nearing a return, and of course QB Dak Prescott is back. Even OLB Micah Parsons was expected back week 1. So much for that. Parsons is now a Packer, and though I like this trade for Dallas in the long term, the team is undoubtedly worse off right now. Without Parsons, this pass rush is toothless, but new DT Kenny Clark may help solve their long-running run defense problem, so maybe that balances out. The offense will need to be the strength of this team, so it’s crucial that Prescott stays healthy. He and WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should be fun.
17. Chicago Bears (Previous Ranking: 21)
I’ve gushed about new HC Ben Johnson before, so forgive me for being a bit redundant here. He’s an offensive genius who can guide second-year QB Caleb Williams to make good on his #1-overall promise. I’m thrilled with what the team has done on the offensive line, with three new interior blockers who are all huge upgrades. Nobody seemed to notice that the defense was actually solid last year, although the edge rush needs something beyond DE Montez Sweat. I won’t be fooled twice by the hype after last year’s meltdown, but this time feels more real. The pieces are all there, and Johnson just has to make them work.
16. Seattle Seahawks (Previous Ranking: 19)
Maybe I have more faith in QB Sam Darnold than most, but I don’t see the Seahawks plummeting out of playoff contention. The receiving corps is a bit worse with an aging Cooper Kupp replacing DK Metcalf. I think first-round rookie Grey Zabel could help stabilize the offensive line though, bringing the running game back to life. Defensively, the young Seahawks are developing at a great pace. No, these aren’t the Legion of Boom days. But I like what coach Mike Macdonald is building, particularly in the secondary and on the defensive front. The Rams and 49ers may be ahead of them, but teams might not want to face Seattle.
15. Green Bay Packers (Previous Ranking: 15)
I admit to switching the Packers and Cowboys in the wake of the Micah Parsons trade. I’m already not the biggest fan of QB Jordan Love, but now he’s hurt. He needed surgery to repair his thumb on his throwing hand, causing him to miss almost all of the preseason. I don’t know if he’ll have great chemistry with his WRs, particularly rookie Matthew Golden. However, Parsons injects serious energy into the operation. With a stout running game and a suddenly scary defense, Green Bay can make some noise. I’ve moved them ahead of Chicago in the NFC North, but I’m not ready to call the Packers contenders just yet.
14. San Francisco 49ers (Previous Ranking: 14)
Early injury woes aren’t great news for a team that is notoriously snake-bitten, but the 49ers have so much working in their favor. QB Brock Purdy has a budding connection with last year’s first-round pick, WR Ricky Pearsall. Recent draft picks such as G Dominick Puni seem to be panning out. Most of all, the last-place schedule “earned” by SF last year makes the team’s road to the playoffs very manageable. Kyle Shanahan-coached teams don’t usually flounder two years in a row, and I’m not expecting the 2024-2025 cycle to be any different. I can see the 49ers earning a Wild Card or even challenging for the NFC West title.
13. Minnesota Vikings (Previous Ranking: 12)
Last year, people wanted Sam Darnold to prove himself before they believed in him. Now, I want JJ McCarthy to prove it. Everyone seems to think he’s the next great QB. Coach Kevin O’Connell is known as a QB whisperer and for good reason, but this is a guy who never threw for 200 yards a game at Michigan. Essentially, he got carried and has coasted on his “potential” ever since. Potential is no longer good enough. Minnesota’s roster is one of the very best in football if you take the QB out of it. This was a 14-3 team last year and can repeat that success with good QB play. My ranking here shows that I’m skeptical of McCarthy.
12. Washington Commanders (Previous Ranking: 9)
The more I think about it, the more I sour on Washington. What new coach Dan Quinn did to change the culture there and reach the NFC Championship game was fantastic and worthy of praise. Expecting a return or even a Super Bowl trip would be a mistake though. First and most importantly, other teams had the offseason to study QB Jayden Daniels. This reminds me when Colin Kaepernick had a great run and then got figured out. Second, an edge rush is nowhere to be found. The Commanders have a new baseline level of success, but a step back in 2025 feels like a logical projection. This still isn’t your old Washington team though.
11. Denver Broncos (Previous Ranking: 7)
Denver might possess the scariest defense in football. CB Pat Surtain is elite, and an already fantastic unit added plenty of talent. LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, and first-round CB Jahdae Barron will all fortify a defense that didn’t have a weakness to begin with. Offensively, we get to see how HC Sean Payton has worked his magic with QB Bo Nix. The first-team offense was not as crisp as I had hoped during the preseason, which led to this ranking drop. However, I know better than to doubt Payton when it comes to crafting offense. This is a team that could challenge KC in the AFC West for once.
10. Houston Texans (Previous Ranking: 10)
As you’ll soon see, the top 10 is very AFC-heavy. It has been considered the deeper conference for a few years now, and that includes the two-time AFC South champs. All eyes are on new Texans OC Nick Caley and how he’ll mesh with 3rd-year QB CJ Stroud. I’m more interested in seeing how the offensive line looks. Stroud’s numbers weren’t quite as good last year, but I don’t blame him for that. He ran for his life all season long, and the blocking could be this team’s Achilles heel once again. If they get that figured out, the defense is plenty good enough to make a deep playoff run and three-peat in the division.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Ranking: 8)
On paper, this is the best version of the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger retired. The headlines are all about Aaron Rodgers, who I believe has a bit left in the tank for what is likely his final season. Pittsburgh’s defense is getting up there in age, but I think they can give this team one more strong run. Coach Mike Tomlin is likely to post a winning season because that’s basically all he ever does. The fanbase wants more though: playoff wins are demanded. If this isn’t the squad to do it, it may be time to undertake a proper rebuild next offseason. Simply making the playoffs no longer appears to be good enough in the Steel City.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous Ranking: 11)
I know: it’s surprising to see an NFC South team all the way at #8. This is sneakily a very complete team though. The loss of OC Liam Coen to the Jaguars’ head coaching job certainly hurts, but QB Baker Mayfield has figured things out. Tampa’s WR room is the deepest in football, and RB Bucky Irving was a revelation in 2024. I see some improvements on defense, most notably health, that should make this team a tougher out. The Bucs have won the NFC South for 5 straight years, and I’m predicting them to make it 6. They simply don’t have serious threats in their division, so their real season starts in the playoffs.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous Ranking: 13)
Our biggest riser in these rankings, the Bengals vaulted up for one reason: DE Trey Hendrickson is back in the fold. The NFL’s reigning sack leader was Cincy’s only chance to provide a defense that’s not awful. As it is, the offense will have to carry the team yet again, but I think it can do so. QB Joe Burrow and the starters played in the preseason and looked sharp. Their goal was to avoid one of the Bengals’ trademark slow starts. If they’re successful, and if new DC Al Golden just improves the defense from 31st to somewhere around 20th, this is a surefire playoff team. And if they get in, they’re extremely dangerous.
6. Los Angeles Rams (Previous Ranking: 4)
Once again, I’ll reiterate the Rams were by far the closest to taking out the Eagles in last year’s playoffs. The young defense, which is loaded with talent up front, has a year of added experience. The oft-injured Cooper Kupp has been upgraded with Davante Adams, making the offense even more potent. There are worries here. The secondary is suspect, QB Matthew Stafford has a nagging back injury, and OT Alaric Jackson is recovering from blood clots. That all scares me a bit, but LA started slowly last 2 years and rebounded. I fully expect them to be on a hot streak when December rolls around, right back in the title chase.
5. Detroit Lions (Previous Ranking: 3)
I dropped Detroit a couple of spots after thinking about their loss of two coordinators. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were excellent at their jobs, which is of course why they got poached for HC positions. The last time a contender lost both primary coordinators was the Eagles in 2023. That led to a disappointing season, and the same could happen to Detroit. I just think that this team’s culture is far too strong to be disrupted now. There’s so much firepower on offense, and the defense can’t possibly have more injuries than last year. Don’t sleep on the return of DE Aidan Hutchinson; he might be Detroit’s most important player.
4. Baltimore Ravens (Previous Ranking: 6)
If we were ranking these teams strictly by the talent on their rosters, Baltimore would claim the top spot. I just marveled at their depth last week, and the starters are excellent. The only thing keeping the Ravens out of the top three is their own history. For some reason, when the playoffs come around, QB Lamar Jackson and the offense don’t show up like they do during the regular season. He’s a 2-time MVP, but he tries to be something different in the postseason. If Jackson stays himself, this team can go very far. All the components are here for a serious Super Bowl run. It’s time to start winning when it counts.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Ranking: 5)
A blowout Super Bowl loss overshadowed the fact that the Chiefs reached the big game for the third straight year despite not having their best roster of this dynastic run. The 2025 version of Kansas City look far better. Left tackle, the spot that has troubled them for years, may be solved with rookie Josh Simmons or free agent signing Jaylon Moore. TE Travis Kelce is slimmer…and engaged. KC’s WRs are much healthier this time around. Scariest of all, the Chiefs seem re-energized and more motivated than they were last year. Do you want to be the ones to count them out? I certainly don’t.
2. Buffalo Bills (Previous Ranking: 2)
No changes at the very top of these rankings. Buffalo came so very close to dethroning the Chiefs in the AFC, but the referees robbed them. Pretty much everyone is back to try again, along with some reinforcements on the defense. DE Joey Bosa could be the missing piece the Bills need if he stays healthy. However, everything starts and ends with the reigning MVP, QB Josh Allen. He is once again tasked with elevating a lackluster WR group, and he’s fully capable. It seems as though they can beat anyone, even in the playoffs, except the Chiefs. Residents of Western New York think this is their year. They might be right.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Ranking: 1)
Nothing has happened that would make me consider moving the Eagles out of the #1 spot. Yes, OC Kellen Moore left for the Saints’ HC job. But they stayed in-house with Kevin Patullo for his replacement, likely avoiding a repeat of 2023. Free agency did a bit of damage to the edge rush, but this roster is still overflowing with talent. The Eagles possess the league’s best offensive line, star receivers, a 2000-yard RB, young and ascending DBs, a fearsome group of DTs, and a QB who never stops working to improve his craft. As of right now, Philly is still your favorite to win it all. Someone else will have to take it from them by force.