NFL Power Rankings: Pats are kings, Titans sleeper contenders ahead of preseason

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. New England Patriots

For New England, it's really the pre-preseason. The regular season should be a formality for the Patriots, who are a lock for at least 12 wins and their ninth straight playoff appearance. - Browne

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Le'Veon Bell will be playing with a vengeance after failing to receive a long-term contract while the rest of the team is reeling from last year's AFC Championship Game loss. Loaded with arguably the most offensive talent in the NFL, the Steelers will be on the warpath trying to take down the Patriots and the rest of the AFC's elite. - Srinivasan

3. Dallas Cowboys

The Ezekiel Elliott investigation, which is reportedly nearing its conclusion, hangs over the Cowboys' preparations for the season. Dallas is talented, for sure, but they could be exposed if Elliott is hit with a significant suspension. - Browne

4. Atlanta Falcons

The potential for a Super Bowl hangover is real. The main concern for the Falcons' is their offensive coordinator making the leap from the college ranks. Aside from that, Atlanta's loaded. - McClymont

5. Oakland Raiders

Other than news that their team will be leaving Oakland, Raiders fans have nothing to complain about this offseason. It may be tough to live up to rocketing expectations, but the roster has definitely improved after a breakout 12-4 year. - Sanderson

6. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers must be seething after being routed by the Falcons in the NFC title game. Rodgers and Co. seeing red spells impending doom for the rest of the NFC North. - Srinivasan

7. Seattle Seahawks

Same corps. Same great defense. Same terrible offensive line. Same offseason drama. Eventually, cap space and poor blocking will come back to bite the Seahawks, but the relatively tumultuous offseason should serve as motivation to keep the streak of success alive. - Sanderson

8. New York Giants

Most are pegging the Giants to be a second-tier contender, but New York has the pieces to be the NFC's best if Eli Manning can pull together one final great season. - Browne

9. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' starting lineup this season will look awfully similar to last year, only with added familiarity. It's just as tough to expect them to drop as it is for them to rise. - Sanderson

10. Denver Broncos

Ideally, the loss of Wade Phillips on defense will be compensated by the return of Mike McCoy to the offense, but first the Broncos need to figure out if their quarterback is gunslinger Paxton Lynch or game manager Trevor Siemian. - Sanderson

11. Arizona Cardinals

This season is either going to be a major bounce-back for the Cardinals or a total disappointment. After coming into 2016 with sky-high expectations, there is no in-between for Bruce Arians and Co. - Sanderson

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A popular pick to prosper in 2017, the Bucs will have to hope their flashy new pickups will overcome their questionable offensive line. - McClymont

13. Tennessee Titans

It's all laid out, in a winnable division, for the Titans to make the leap into the contender category. - McClymont

14. Houston Texans

J.J. Watt's back, but so are the questions under center. Tom Savage is a QB without a TD pass, but Deshaun Watson may not be ready to lead a roster hoping to win now. - McClymont

15. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers hope the presence of some old vets will help the three corners who sank in Year 1. That secondary remains their Achilles' heel. - McClymont

16. Detroit Lions

The Lions operated with an unsustainable formula, setting a record for fourth-quarter comeback wins in 2016. After playing with fire last year, the Lions will likely get burnt while regressing to the mean - Srinivasan

17. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are no longer a perpetual Super Bowl contender, but there's ample reason to believe they can get back to the playoffs after making a number of astute signings this summer, though the rash of recent injuries is threatening to destroy that optimism - Srinivasan

18. Indianapolis Colts

There's no timeline for Andrew Luck's return after offseason shoulder surgery, and that's bad news for Chuck Pagano, who appears up against the clock. - McClymont

19. Miami Dolphins

Adam Gase worked wonders in his first year as Dolphins head coach, but can he elevate Miami - especially Ryan Tannehill and Jay Ajayi - once again? - Browne

20. New Orleans Saints

It's been a rough offseason for the Saints, with Nick Fairley out and Terron Armstead injured. If Adrian Peterson is the AD of old, however ... - McClymont

21. Washington Redskins

The defining storyline of the preseason for the Redskins will be how well Cousins is meshing with his new targets. If Washington is to contend, the offense can't afford even the slightest drop-off. - Browne

22. Philadelphia Eagles

All eyes will be on Carson Wentz, as he looks to make a sophomore leap with his new arsenal of weapons. But don't forget the other side of the ball: the Eagles' defensive line could wreak havoc all year long. - Browne

23. Los Angeles Chargers

It's been tough sledding for the Chargers as they are stuck in the best division in the NFL while competing for local territory in L.A. with the Rams. They look to have a very competitive team if they can stay healthy, though the same thing could have been said last season. - Sanderson

24. Minnesota Vikings

Can the Vikings weather a second consecutive season without Teddy Bridgewater, as he continues to rehab from a gruesome leg injury? This question will determine the team's entire season. - Srinivasan

25. Buffalo Bills

It's rare that a receiver holds so much value, but the health of Sammy Watkins could be the difference between a wild-card spot and another season hovering around .500 for Buffalo. - Browne

26. Cincinnati Bengals

For all intents and purposes, the Andy Dalton Era has reached its expiry date. While the rest of the division made subtle improvements, the Bengals are free falling. - Srinivasan

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

The additions the Jaguars made this offseason have some players talking Super Bowl, yet they're not even a favorite to win their division. The focus should be on avoiding a 10-year playoff drought. - McClymont

28. San Francisco 49ers

Four different head coaches in four years seem to have sparked the 49ers to stop embarrassing themselves and take pride in their impressive history, but how much can Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch really fix in one offseason? - Sanderson

29. Cleveland Browns

The good news: Cleveland is on an upward trajectory, acing the draft, while garnering an array of talent across the board in free agency. The bad news: The Browns are still rebuilding and it could be another long season. - Srinivasan

30. Los Angeles Rams

With two straight seasons with a league-worst offense, the Rams have nowhere to go but up under head coach prodigy Sean McVay, but the bar for improvement is pretty low. - Sanderson

31. Chicago Bears

The Bears created a needless quarterback controversy, trading up to select Mitchell Trubisky No. 2 overall after signing Mike Glennon to a three-year deal. Barring a drastic turnaround, this could be John Fox's last year with the team. - Srinivasan

32. New York Jets

Is it the 2018 season yet? - Browne