What did we learn this NFL preseason? Well, aside from the typical hype cycle — veteran X has never felt better! Rookie Y looks like a true contributor! — and some mostly meaningless preseason snaps, not too much.
That's why our Week 0 NFL power rankings lean heavily on past performances and offseason additions and subtractions. We've had more than six months to overanalyze each team's moves, all leading to this subjective ranking that will look mostly foolish when Week 18 comes to a close. But even though predicting a league ruled by parity is one hell of a moving target to hit, we're gonna try anyway.
Here are FTW's power rankings heading into Week 1.
32. New York Jets
Geno Smith has a better receiving corps than he did in 2025, but his average target distance
dropped last fall while his bad throw rate rose, suggesting the immaculate downfield touch that sparked his late-career renaissance may be fading. He'll have to jump-start an offense that's gotten modest returns from its first round playmakers (Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr.) but should be significantly better on defense. -- Christian D'Andrea
31. Cleveland Browns
The Browns had a front-row seat to the quarterback competition no one who was serious cared about this summer. Deshaun Watson, who once faced more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct in what the NFL would later characterize as "predatory behavior," got named the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders. Which, duh? Watson isn't very good, but neither is Sanders. Moving on. Oh, well, as bleak as it looks in Cleveland, at least Myles Garrett is still around to make watching the Browns defense somewhat enjoyable. (Holds hand to earpiece.) Friends, readers, I have news. -- Robert Zeglinski
30. Arizona Cardinals
Even if Marvin Harrison Jr. gets over his evident confidence problems and starts living up to his potential, there's not much to write home about from a Cardinals perspective. The quarterback of the future probably isn't on the roster, and the defense still needs a lot of basic maintenance work. At least Jerimiyah Love and Trey McBride together could be fun! But that duo together could resemble the "sports car parked in front of a shoddy house" meme we all know and love. -- RZ
29. Miami Dolphins
Malik Washington is (blinks) the No. 1 receiver on this team. Malik Willis, a career backup, is the starting quarterback. Miami's entire offensive and defensive fronts are also in flux. Godspeed to Jeff Hafley because you just inherited one of the toughest rebuild jobs in pro football, my man. This team stinks more than garlic and onions left out in 95-degree sun. -- RZ
28. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee made a point to upgrade Cam Ward's receiving corps after struggling through his rookie season with Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor as his top two wideouts. Wan'Dale Robinson proved he could be more than just a screen play stud and Carnell Tate looks like the next lock-solid link in a chain of great Ohio State receivers. A bottom-five defense has been largely overhauled, and while a playoff berth is still a long shot this Titans team should be the best we've seen since at least 2023. -- CD
27. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons' grand defensive overhaul took a hit when Jalon Walker suffered a season-ending knee injury and James Pearce Jr. earned a suspension for having an alleged domestic dispute with Rickea Jackson. This would be less of a problem if the team's quarterback battle wasn't a battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. — a battle Penix appears to have the inside track on simply by… not being Tua Tagovailoa. -- CD
26. New York Giants
John Harbaugh's new team has the capacity to far outplay this ranking, thanks to an explosive pass rush and offense loaded with young potential. But the receiving depth is limited, Jaxson Dart proved to be an injury risk in his rookie season and the secondary leaves questions to be answered. Does Harbaugh still have his fastball? Or will he prove Baltimore right for parting ways with him? -- CD
25. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders will begin the season with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback. This doesn't mean much. Anyone privy to the recent Kirk Cousins Experience, plus the general reality of stopgaps holding down the fort for hopeful top-pick franchise quarterbacks, understands that Cousins likely has a short leash before he inevitably makes way for Fernando Mendoza. From there, the former Indiana Hoosier has a lot of catching up to do before he even thinks of becoming great. But providing some measure of hope for the future in the meantime would go a long way in Las Vegas. -- RZ
24. Washington Commanders
The Commanders were having a much-needed quiet summer. Then, they lost starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil for the season and Jayden Daniels started a petty tiff with his alma mater over a jersey number. On the bright side, Stefon Diggs could be a really good No. 2 option to Terry McLaurin, Daniels should be healthier this year, and there's no way the barely addressed, abysmal Washington defense can get worse … right? Right??? -- RZ
23. New Orleans Saints
Football gods help them, the Saints seem to actually believe in Tyler Shough. I suppose that's better than the plan centered around treading water in the half-decade since Drew Brees' fateful retirement, but it doesn't inspire much confidence anyway. The Saints remain a bad team that doesn't have many legit field-tilters outside of, I don't know, Chris Olave. Though, a season hovering around .500 would probably feel like a godsend to New Orleans, so it's all about managing your expectations. -- RZ
22. Carolina Panthers
This is the make-or-break year for Dave Canales and Bryce Young — even after last year's 8-9 campaign ended in an NFC South title and competitive Wild Card loss to the Rams. Carolina was proactive to bolster an offensive line struck down by injury and a linebacker corps at the heart of an underwhelming defense. Will that be enough to unlock a version of Young worthy of a big, franchise cornerstone contract extension? -- CD
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
What can we really expect from a (soon-to-be) 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers — the same guy who saw his time to throw and average target distance drop to career lows as the scrambling ability that allowed him to extend plays slowed to a trickle? Michael Pittman Jr's arrival brings a much-needed possession presence and Rico Dowdle should keep a steady tailback platoon rolling. But the defense looks like a diminished version of the unit that carried this team in years past, and trusting Mike McCarthy to fix it feels... flawed. -- CD
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's a season of transition for the Buccaneers. For the first time in almost half a decade, they do not enter a new campaign as the reigning NFC South champion. Also, franchise legend Mike Evans now plays in San Francisco. If that weren't enough, Baker Mayfield has a chip on his shoulder for not being paid like a truly elite quarterback in contract talks (I got news for you, buddy). The Buccaneers may well regain their supremacy over the NFC South. Seeing them accomplish anything more is way too optimistic wish-casting. -- RZ
19. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Flores' defense will play like a shaken wasp nest. The 1-2-3 punch of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings at wide receiver is the best in the league. But the starting quarterback is Kyler Murray, who badly needed to get out of Arizona but still needs to prove he can be the difference between some nice fantasy stats and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. -- CD
18. Indianapolis Colts
How healthy is Daniel Jones, really? Because running a Colts team supposedly trying to win through a healthy Danny Dimes already felt precarious enough. Now, how about Jones coming off an Achilles tear? Yikes. Of course, Jonathan Taylor remains incredible, and Indy does have a solid-enough competitive nucleus to make the occasional noise. But it's otherwise challenging to see this group challenging Houston or Jacksonville in the AFC South in a meaningful way. -- RZ
17. Dallas Cowboys
Things are looking up for the Cowboys this year. Dak Prescott might really be in the best shape of his life (how much of his new look is functional is TBD). The Dallas offense gets another year of continuity in Brian Schottenheimer's scheme. Most importantly, the overmatched Matt Eberflus no longer coordinates pro football's formerly most broken and most disorganized defense. So, the question remains. How will Dallas blow a golden opportunity for playoff contention and finish 8-9 or 9-8 anyway? I'm putting my money on a late-season, brutal choke to the rival Giants, among other things. I'm open to hearing more cases. -- RZ
16. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense will be better than last year's 29th-ranked unit after some important upgrades. The passing offense should remain one of the league's best. But Zac Taylor has yet to prove he's a high level coach and not just the product of Joe Burrow's aptitude. Joe Burrow, healthy again, has to prove he's capable of being a three-time Comeback Player of the Year honoree to get this team off the ground. -- CD
15. Kansas City Chiefs
It feels strange to rank the Chiefs, a team that still has Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid, this low. But let's face the facts. Mahomes, a quarterback known for his off-script playmaking, is coming off an ACL tear. Kelce, by his standards, is coming off two straight down years and certainly isn't getting any younger, as he'll turn 37 this October. And the Chiefs, in general, seem to be in a holding pattern with a roster in transition as some of its biggest stars start to fade. With Mahomes, the Chiefs will likely always be relevant. But they need more time, like another full offseason's worth, before they can open a Super Bowl window again. -- RZ
14. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a very talented roster destined to be struck down by the injury gods for reasons mere mortals could not possibly understand. Justin Herbert continues to play better than his stats suggest, but he's also six years into his NFL career without a postseason victory to his name. The grind in the AFC West is brutal, and this could be another "good, but not great" campaign in LA. -- CD
13. Green Bay Packers
What will Green Bay's restructured receiving corps do for Jordan Love? What will the pass rush look like while Micah Parsons recovers from a torn ACL? How will a revamped secondary cover if that pass rush struggles early? And will the late-season collapse that doomed the Packers last season carry over? Until we see concrete answers to these questions, a spot at the very end of the playoff field seems about right for this team. -- CD
12. San Francisco 49ers
2026 could be the season the wheels fall off for the Niners — and it's already been a weird one for the team's owner and head coach. An aging corps of skill players could force Brock Purdy to level up or lay his limitations bare.
The defense will rely heavily on younger prospects, especially if Nick Bosa struggles in his return from the injury that limited him to three games last season. The weirdest people you know will blame any backslide on the nearby electrical substation. The much more reasonable take is simply that San Francisco's stars are getting old. -- CD
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are almost underrated entering a new season. Which is a weird thing to say for a team that has played in two of the last four Super Bowls and won 50 total regular-season games over the last four years. I guess that's the effect of A.J. Brown leaving. It's probably also due to the feeling that head coach Nick Sirianni could be a lame duck unless he gets his coaching staff in order. Another "Kevin Patullo" caliber disaster would mean nothing good for the Eagles. Or for Sirianni's job security. -- RZ
10. Houston Texans
Rather predictably, in a news environment where everyone wants to look smart and ahead of the curve (I get it), the Texans have become one of NFL media's chic picks for a Super Bowl run. I guess I see it? The defense could be special, and DeMeco Ryans is a damned good coach. But until we see the goods with C.J. Stroud again, who has an offensive skill group best described as, "Look, this is the best we can do, grow up," I don't see this purported Lombardi Trophy ceiling some seem to believe in. Ranking the Texans in this "divisional round" sector feels right until we know for sure that they have a quarterback and weapons capable of making a deep January run. -- RZ
9. Buffalo Bills
The year is 2026. The Bills are an amalgamation of NFL role players buoyed by pro football's preeminent Terminator, Josh Allen. The year is 2025. The Bills are an amalgamation of NFL role players buoyed by pro football's preeminent Terminator, Josh Allen. The year is 2024. The Bills are an amalgamation of NFL role players buoyed by pro football's preeminent Terminator, Josh Allen. The year is … oh, you get the idea. Don't worry, D.J. Moore. True ball-knowers won't blame you for the Bills' inevitable playoff flameout to a deeper, more complete opponent. -- RZ
8. Chicago Bears
The Bears offense is a problem for the rest of the NFC North. The Bears defense is a problem for the Bears. Chicago's pass rush ranked 12th in blitz rate but only 27th in pressure rate last season. The secondary has been beset by injuries. This may be the league's most exciting team to watch, but there could be a handful of 35-31 heartbreakers in store for Caleb Williams and company. -- CD
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Is the Jaguars' rise real? Jacksonville finished 2025 on an eight-game regular season winning streak. They were undone in the Wild Card round by a late Josh Allen touchdown run, but the fact remains 2025 was a massive success for Rhode Island High School Football Legend (tm) Liam Coen's head coaching debut. Now he has to prove that the dynamic offense that emerged after trading for Jakobi Meyers can thrive for 17 games — and that Travis Hunter can be a dynamo in coverage and the occasional gadget play. -- CD
6. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has plenty to prove under new head coach Jesse Minter. The Ravens will be a legit contender if he snaps back to (MVP-adjacent) form and Derrick Henry continues to bulldoze linebackers and/or run away from them at a speed that makes no sense by the laws of physics. Otherwise, 2026 will be a test of Minter's ability to revive a defense that slipped to 18th in expected points added (EPA) last season. -- CD
5. Detroit Lions
After a season marked by myriad disappointments, the Lions reek of redemption. Detroit still has one of the NFL's best rosters, one of its best coaches in Dan Campbell, and a hungry group eager to prove that 2025 was a fluke. The Lions, as long as they stay healthy this time around, will probably be a wagon in the thick of the NFC conference race. Don't be surprised if and when they win some individual awards, too. Such as, say, respective Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year honors for Aidan Hutchinson and Jahmyr Gibbs? Hey, it could happen! -- RZ
4. Denver Broncos
The Patriots got the benefit of the doubt by virtue of knocking off Jarrett Stidham in last year's AFC title game. Still, the Broncos may be the class of the AFC if Bo Nix can take another leap forward with Jaylen Waddle now among his targets. And, if he's merely above average, Denver can still rely on a swarming defense to carve a path to the Super Bowl. -- CD
3. New England Patriots
The reigning AFC champions are ready to put their Super Bowl disappointment in the rearview mirror. Out is an overmatched, talent-bereft receiving corps elevated by Drake Maye's brilliance. In are A.J Brown and Romeo Doubs, legit weapons who can do the lion's share of the work from time to time for their MVP-caliber quarterback. Veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses should give a shaky OL more seriousness, and Kevin Byard's instinctive playmaking on the back-end could make an already impactful defense even better. The top of the AFC remains an intimidating gauntlet, but there's nothing that says the Patriots, who are another year wiser with key depth additions, can't run the table again. -- RZ
2. Los Angeles Rams
Try and find fault in the Rams' super-team and you'll sound like you're nitpicking. A loaded set of weapons with the reigning league MVP, Matthew Stafford, as the conductor? Check. A star-studded (and purchased) defense with the monumental additions of Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and AARON DONALD? Check. A championship coach in Sean McVay who remains at the top of his game? Check. It's Super Bowl-or-bust for a few teams in the NFL this season, but falling short of winning the Lombardi Trophy would surely hit the all-in Rams the hardest. -- RZ
1. Seattle Seahawks
The king stays the king, especially after committing more than half a billion dollars in contract value to retain more returning talent than all but one Super Bowl winner in the last decade (behind only the 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The question is whether there's enough depth among the skill players to keep this offense flying — but if not, hoooo buddy, that defense looks terrifying. -- CD
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL Power Rankings Week 0: Everyone's chasing Seahawks. Rams might catch them.
