NFL Power Rankings - Week 1: Giants top Cowboys, Colts tumble without Luck

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

Preseason Rank: 1st

The Patriots lost Julian Edelman for the season, then added Phillip Dorsett via trade. 16-0 is still on the table. - McClymont

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Preseason Rank: 2nd

The Steelers upgraded in all the right areas this offseason after finishing strong in 2016. The AFC North rivalries will still carry some interest, but Pittsburgh could come away with a rare division sweep. - Sanderson

3. Atlanta Falcons

Preseason Rank: 4th

If the Falcons can re-establish themselves as the open-air fireworks show that dazzled the NFL last year, they'll be among the league's most captivating teams, in search of an elusive Super Bowl victory. - Srinivasan

4. Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Rank: 7th

Russell Wilson has looked red-hot during the preseason, and, more importantly, fully healthy. And adding Sheldon Richardson? Just unfair. - Browne

5. Green Bay Packers

Preseason Rank: 6th

The weapons are loaded and Aaron Rodgers is ready to fire. The Packers have their sights set on a Super Bowl return after a solid offseason. - Sanderson

6. Oakland Raiders

Preseason Rank: 5th

Oakland won't surprise anyone this season. They have been firmly stamped as a Super Bowl contender, so can their young roster and defense live up to the challenge? - Browne

7. New York Giants

Preseason Rank: 7th

The preseason was a disappointment. The running game and O-line worries persist, and Odell Beckham Jr. isn't 100 percent. - McClymont

8. Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Rank: 3rd

It's time to find out if Dak Prescott is great, or just very good, with his running mate's six-game suspension upheld. - Browne

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Preseason Rank: 9th

Alex Smith is still the starter, regardless of how much fun it would be to see gunslinging rookie Patrick Mahomes. Another rookie, Kareem Hunt, will be the real key to KC's season. - Browne

10. Arizona Cardinals

Preseason Rank: 11th

Can Arizona's aging roster come together one final time to get Larry Fitzgerald a ring before he walks off into the sunset? - Browne

11. Denver Broncos

Preseason Rank: 10th

Going into another season with Trevor Siemian as the starter will excite few, but Broncos nation will surely enjoy seeing Brock Osweiler sit forlornly on the bench as the backup once again after their unceremonious breakup 18 months ago. - Browne

12. Tennessee Titans

Preseason Rank: 13th

Like his draft mate Jameis Winston, it's on Marcus Mariota to take another step onto the path to superstardom by winning an anemic AFC South. - Srinivasan

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Preseason Rank: 12th

Entering his third season, it's time for Jameis Winston to take the next step in his development by propelling the Buccaneers to the NFC South title. A prodigious talent, Winston can no longer hide behind his star potential. - Srinivasan

14. Houston Texans

Preseason Rank: 14th

A healthy J.J. Watt in tandem with Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus makes the Texans arguably the toughest out in the AFC South. - Srinivasan

15. Carolina Panthers

Preseason Rank: 15th

Which Panthers team will show up this fall? The one that went 15-1 en route to Super Bowl 50 with Cam Newton dabbing his way into our hearts, or last year's tire fire? - Srinivasan

16. Detroit Lions

Preseason Rank: 16th

Detroit had high hopes following its O-line reclamation project, but an injury to left tackle Taylor Decker has seemed to put a damper on expectations. - Sanderson

17. Baltimore Ravens

Preseason Rank: 17th

It's been injury after injury for the Ravens so far. While their defense should be as stout as usual, medical issues along the offensive line and in the backfield will put heavy pressure on the team to allow less than two touchdowns a game. - Sanderson

18. New Orleans Saints

Preseason Rank: 20th

As always, the Saints will go as far as Drew Brees takes them. Whether they can capitalize in a division with no clear-cut favorite remains as compelling a storyline as ever. - Srinivasan

19. Miami Dolphins

Preseason Rank: 19th

Jay Cutler just might be exactly what the Dolphins needed all along. - McClymont

20. Philadelphia Eagles

Preseason Rank: 22nd

The Eagles' offense quietly put up 77 points this preseason while division foes soaked up all the headlines. - McClymont

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Preseason Rank: 23rd

Injuries and bad luck almost always seem to doom the Chargers' playoff chances. Will a change of scenery break the curse? - Browne

22. Indianapolis Colts

Preseason Rank: 18th

The days of the Colts being prohibitive favorites in the AFC South are over, with Andrew Luck's painstakingly slow recovery from shoulder surgery looming large over the franchise's fortunes. - Srinivasan

23. Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Rank: 24th

The offensive line was the Achilles' heel in Minnesota a year ago, and while the faces have changed up front, the talent level hasn't. - Sanderson

24. Washington Redskins

Preseason Rank: 21st

None of their rushers could average 4 yards per carry in the preseason. It may be all on Kirk Cousins' arm again. - McClymont

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason Rank: 26th

A lot will be on Andy Dalton's shoulders with a downgraded offensive line and an improved set of weapons in a crucial contract year, but any time the Red Rocket has the pressure put on him, he generally disappoints. - Sanderson

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Preseason Rank: 27th

Leonard Fournette's pro debut has been waited upon since he starred as a New Orleans high school prodigy. Can he rescue the Jaguars on the sheer volume of carries alone? - Srinivasan

27. Buffalo Bills

Preseason Rank: 25th

The Bills are already circling the wagons for 2018, but they're not even the best in their division at tanking. - McClymont

28. Cleveland Browns

Preseason Rank: 29th

Cleveland deserves some kudos for the improvements it's undergone since last season, but when the bar starts at 1-15, it doesn't need to come up very high to be considered a success. - Sanderson

29. San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Rank: 28th

If Kyle Shanahan can get the offense rolling, it could be a fun season for San Francisco, though likely with few wins. If not, it will be a long year for 49er nation. - Browne

30. Los Angeles Rams

Preseason Rank: 30th

The Rams have made strong moves to help Jared Goff progress, but it will all be for naught if they allow Aaron Donald, their best player, to continue his contract holdout. - Browne

31. Chicago Bears

Preseason Rank: 31st

The future with Mitch Trubisky looks bright, but the present is dark and full of terrors with Mike Glennon. - Sanderson

32. New York Jets

Preseason Rank: 32nd

Poor, poor Matt Forte. - McClymont