NFL power rankings Week 1 divided on Rams or Seahawks at No. 1

Should the Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams be No. 1 in NFL Week 1 power rankings? The answer is dividing NFL writers. The majority of NFL Week 1 power rankings list Matthew Stafford and the Rams at the top spot ahead of the 2026 season, but several still put Sam Darnold and the defending champi

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What is the story about?

Should the Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams be No. 1 in NFL Week 1 power rankings?

The answer is dividing NFL writers.

The majority of NFL Week 1 power rankings list Matthew Stafford and the Rams at the top spot ahead of the 2026 season, but several still put Sam Darnold and the defending champion Seahawks at No. 1.

Here's what some writers are saying about the top team in their 2026 NFL power rankings ahead of Week 1.

We don't have to wait long to see both the Seahawks and Rams in action, with Seattle hosting the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 and Los Angeles taking on the San Francisco 49ers in Australia on Sept. 10.

Watch Seahawks vs Patriots game on Peacock

USA TODAY Sports: Rams receive top ranking in NFL power rankings for Week 1

Nate Davis writes:

"Can you name their No. 3 wideout? Perhaps the only apparent Achilles of this star-studded lineup is the seeming lack of quality and experience that resides directly behind the big names on the depth chart."

CBS Sports: Seahawks start season No. 1 in NFL power rankings

Pete Prisco writes: "The champs are getting disrespected in a lot of ways heading into the season. That's a mistake. They will again be a deep playoff team — bare minimum."

Bleacher Report: Rams get No. 1 spot in first NFL power rankings for 2026

Brent Sobleski writes: "Anything short of a Super Bowl victory will be viewed as a disappointment for the Los Angeles Rams. The addition of Myles Garrett, who is the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and Aaron Donald coming out of retirement only made last season's NFC Championship Game participant even more dangerous."

Pro Football Talk: Seahawks land No. 1 spot in NFL Week 1 power rankings

Mike Florio writes: "Is rookie Jadarian Price ready to carry the load in the running game?"

Sports Illustrated: Rams ranked No. 1 in NFL Week 1 power rankings

Conor Orr writes: "The great Tony Kornheiser of Pardon the Interruption correctly noted that not a single team reaching +500 Super Bowl odds preseason has gone on to win the game. As Aaron Donald’s return catapults Rams hype to another level, this turns into a case of both load management and the management of expectations just as much as it is another slate of 17-plus games where Sean McVay must be a brilliant play-caller and level-headed game manager. Who said pressure was a privilege?"

Jaguars.com: Seahawks open 2026 season ranked first in NFL power rankings

John Oehser writes: "Champs the champs until they’re not."

NFL.com: Rams commence 2026 season at No. 1 in NFL power rankings

Nick Shook writes: "Am I worried about the statuses of Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua? Mildly, although Garrett practiced Sunday, and Nacua appears to be on track to play against San Francisco in the opener in Australia. Oh, and Aaron Donald is back on the team now. No movement for the Rams here, but a big test awaits them Down Under."

SB Nation: Seahawks take top spot in Week 1 NFL power rankings

Tim Lynch writes: "I decided to give the Super Bowl champions a break. They are the best until they prove otherwise."

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) makes a catch against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) in the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Top 5 teams in NFL power rankings for NFL Week 1

As for the Top 5 teams in NFL Week 1 power rankings, here's how The Arizona Republic ranks them, according to Super Bowl odds before the start of the season.

1. Los Angeles Rams
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Baltimore Ravens
3. Seattle Seahawks
5. Kansas City Chiefs

To see where every NFL team is ranked in 2026 Week 1 NFL power rankings, click or tap here.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL power rankings Week 1 divided on Rams or Seahawks at No. 1

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