NFL Week 1 Power Rankings: 49ers or Chiefs for Top Spot?

32. Carolina Panthers

This offense should improve this year as we get deeper into the season. Bryce Young should continue to develop now that he has some decent weapons and Jonathon Brooks should be a nice addition once he's ready to go. Nevertheless, this is still a bad team. 

31. New York Giants

This is the last chance for Daniel Jones, who we just don't think has what it takes to be a successful starting NFL quarterback. 

30. Denver Broncos

The Broncos head into the season with a rookie quarterback surrounded by mediocre talent. That's not a great combination. 

29. Tennessee Titans

The Titans added some weapons for Will Levis this offseason, but they still have a bad line, bad defense and probably a bad quarterback. 

28. Minnesota Vikings

A lot of experts will tell you that there are many worse options than Sam Darnold. I'm not convinced they've watched much of Sam Darnold.

27. Las Vegas Raiders

The defense shouldn't be awful. They have a strong defensive line against both the run and rushing the passer. However, the offense should once again be among the worst in the league. 

26. Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels gives a team that would otherwise be down in the 30s some hope heading into the season. It will be an uphill battle regardless.

25. New England Patriots

The Pats will be bad, but not quite as bad as a lot of people are predicting. This team is going to play defense, run the ball and be competitive even if it doesn't result in a ton of wins. They aren't going to be getting steamrolled weekly like some of these teams. 

24. New Orleans Saints

If any of the teams we already mentioned surprise us and are better than expected, this is the team that will probably be dropping. 

23. Seattle Seahawks

This roster is not devoid of talent. Still, the new coaching staff will have to put it all together, and Geno Smith remains a concern. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers

The defense always has a lot of talent but is never good and the offense has little to no talent surrounding an underachieving quarterback. Jim Harbaugh has a lot of heavy lifting to do in LA.

21. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals could be a lot more improved than many are projecting. We don't expect them to be a playoff team or anything but we do think they'll be viewed as a team heading in the right direction heading into 2025. 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We can't just assume a team will fall off a cliff, but we won't be surprised if this team falls of a cliff this season. 

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags should be better than they are but can never seem to put it all together. We like the talent but lack confidence in this team. 

18. Chicago Bears

The Bears have done a great job rebuilding and loading their roster with talent. They are still a year away but will be much improved and fun to watch. Sneaking in as a wild card would be a great season for this team. 

17. Indianapolis Colts

This team's success will hinge on how good Anthony Richardson is. He's a bad passer but could be tough to stop as a playmaker. 

16. New York Jets

The fact that people fall for this nonsense team year after year is embarrassing. A 41-year-old quarterback coming off a major leg injury behind a still-bad offensive line isn't going to save this dumpster fire of a franchise. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will probably go 9-8 and fight for a bottom wild card spot. It's who they are and the defense is good enough to carry a subpar offense. 

14. Buffalo Bills

We dropped the Bills but aren't ready to count them out just yet despite them losing a lot of talent in the offseason. 

13. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have the weapons, the line and an improved defense. If Kirk Cousins can be solid they should be able to win a very bad division. 

12. Los Angeles Rams

We know the Rams' offense will be solid if they can stay healthy. If the defense can just be average they should compete for a wild card spot. 

11. Cleveland Browns

The Browns defense will be elite again in 2024. The issue is that Deshaun Watson may actually be a downgrade at quarterback. 

10. Green Bay Packers

The Packers looked great to end last season. If they can ride that momentum into 2024 then they could become a force to be reckoned with. 

9. Cincinnati Bengals

If Joe Burrow stays healthy this team is a threat to win the AFC. That is becoming a bigger if with each passing injury. 

8. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys didn't get better this offseason but already had a very good team. We don't expect them to take that big of a step back. 

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Philly is high in the rankings but still has a lot to prove after a disastrous collapse at the end of last year. 

6. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are ranked high and we have full confidence they will prove us right out of the gates. However, they will have to prove they can win when the weather gets cold if they want to finish this high at the end of the season. 

5. Houston Texans

Houston has a young superstar quarterback who they have surrounded with as much talent as any QB in the league has around them. They should be primed for a great season if they can build off last year's success. 

4. Baltimore Ravens

It's hard to find a weak spot on this team. They are strong just about everywhere on the field. The one area of concern could be the offensive line which lost some key pieces. 

3. Detroit Lions

The Lions are a team on the rise and a real threat to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. 

2. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have the most talented roster in the league and one of the best coaching staffs. They will be there again when we get deep into the playoffs. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid return to the Super Bowl champs who now have a much better set of weapons to play with. Good luck beating them in the playoffs.