NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Where every team stands entering the season

NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, who are setting the stage for a 2024 season sure to feature its share of twists, turns, and surprises. Tap below to jump to your favorite team.

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1. Kansas City Chiefs

Preseason rank: 1

The Chiefs have their main cornerstones back in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, but it's Kansas City's 2024 draft class that could be the X-factor for a team seeking a historic three-peat. First-round pick Xavier Worthy may be the franchise's best deep threat since Tyreek Hill, and second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia won the job to protect Mahomes' blind side.

2. Detroit Lions

Preseason rank: 3

Detroit has gotten better each year under coach Dan Campbell. Not only are the Lions returning their most important starters from the team that reached the NFC title game, but they also filled roster holes with defensive tackle D.J. Reader and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, among others. No one should be surprised if Detroit makes its first Super Bowl appearance this season.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Preseason rank: 2

San Francisco should be worried about two things: a potential Super Bowl hangover, and whether receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams need extra reps due to contract-related absences. Nick Bosa had a relatively slow start last season after his holdout. Aiyuk ended his hold-in by inking a four-year, $120-million deal last week, and Williams only rejoined the team Tuesday. Still, the 49ers should be one of the NFL's best teams once their stars are up to speed.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Preseason rank: 4

Lamar Jackson earned his second MVP in his first season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Derrick Henry was added to the league's top-rated rushing attack ahead of Year 2, and Jackson has a healthy array of options in the passing game. Most of the defensive core remains intact under new coordinator Zach Orr despite several departures from last year's stellar unit. Time will tell if the Ravens can avenge the egg they laid in the AFC Championship Game and improve upon Jackson's 2-4 postseason record.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Preseason rank: 6

The Eagles' recent trade for Jahan Dotson was another solid move by general manager Howie Roseman. Philly did lose center Jason Kelce, but it has more weapons around quarterback Jalen Hurts with the arrivals of Dotson and running back Saquon Barkley. Philadelphia could make another deep playoff run if Nick Sirianni figures things out after a disappointing 2023 season.

6. Houston Texans

Preseason rank: 5

Staying at the top is harder than getting there. However, the Texans figure to be in a great position to defend their AFC South title after adding high-profile starters in receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive end Danielle Hunter.

7. Green Bay Packers

Preseason rank: 7

Green Bay again has Super Bowl aspirations less than two years after trading away Aaron Rodgers. In theory, the team that was close to reaching the NFC title game last season in Jordan Love's first year starting should only continue to develop. What could go wrong, then? The O-line has questions, and the defense is installing a new system. Still, the Packers could make a lot of noise.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason rank: 8

Joe Burrow is back, and so are the Bengals' hopes of making another Super Bowl run. Cincy won back-to-back AFC North titles with a healthy Burrow before the star passer was sidelined last season. The Bengals have won 32 of Burrow's last 49 starts, including the playoffs.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Preseason rank: 9

The talent is there, but there are too many uncertainties about the Cowboys. Coach Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat, starting corner DaRon Bland will miss at least six weeks due to a foot injury, and Dallas currently doesn't have any quarterback under contract after 2024.

10. Miami Dolphins

Preseason rank: 12

WR3 is a concern for Miami with Odell Beckham Jr. injured to start the season. The O-line is also a question mark. At least corner Jalen Ramsey is healthy for Week 1. An improved defense will be crucial for the Dolphins and their high-flying offense to both make the playoffs for a third straight time and win the franchise's first postseason game since the 2000 campaign.

11. Los Angeles Rams

Preseason rank: 10

Los Angeles will need young defenders like rookie edge rusher Jared Verse and lineman Braden Fiske to step up with Aaron Donald retired. If this defense can be at least average, the offense, led by Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua, is more than capable of claiming double-digit wins again.

12. Buffalo Bills

Preseason rank: 11

The already-flawed Bills roster took another hit after linebacker Matt Milano was sidelined indefinitely with an injury. Quarterback Josh Allen alone makes Buffalo a dangerous team, but the club may not have enough star power to contend for a Super Bowl in a stacked AFC.

13. Atlanta Falcons

Preseason rank: 17

Atlanta made a couple of rare big-time acquisitions in August, trading for linebacker Matthew Judon and signing safety Justin Simmons. There's a lot to like about the Falcons with Kirk Cousins upgrading the QB position. On paper, this is their best team since the Matt Ryan era.

14. New York Jets

Preseason rank: 15

The Jets had another offseason filled with off-field distractions after Rodgers' trip to Egypt during minicamp and Haason Reddick's holdout. Still, this is an improved New York team, at least on paper. A Monday Night Football opener against the reigning NFC champion 49ers should give us a good idea of how competitive N.Y. can be.

15. Cleveland Browns

Preseason rank: 14

Can Deshaun Watson deliver? He's posted a concerning 81.7 passer rating in Cleveland. Last year, Watson averaged 185.8 passing yards in six games before sustaining a season-ending injury. The Browns' main players have returned after making the playoffs last season, except for 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco. Watson is under a lot of pressure coming off shoulder surgery. He has a new weapon in receiver Jerry Jeudy, but running back Nick Chubb will be sidelined for at least four games.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Preseason rank: 13

Forgive us if you've heard this before, but the Steelers enter Week 1 with a strong defense and questions at quarterback. There's optimism that Russell Wilson can be an upgrade over last year's signal-callers. If that's the case, Mike Tomlin is in line to add another winning season to his resume.

17. Chicago Bears

Preseason rank: 16

The Bears have a much better roster than last season with Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Montez Sweat. They also have the NFL's third-easiest strength of schedule based on their opponents' projected win totals. The AFC South could decide the fate of Chicago's season early on, as the Bears face Tennessee, Houston, and Indianapolis in the first three weeks.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Preseason rank: 19

Good news first: Tampa Bay brought back its main free agents and kept its team cornerstones. The bad news: The 2023 Buccaneers only finished 9-8 despite seemingly playing to their full potential. That record may not be enough to win the NFC South again in 2024. Unless Baker Mayfield records a new career year and Mike Evans posts another All-Pro campaign at age 31, the Bucs might have a limited ceiling.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

Preseason rank: 18

The Jaguars will likely need to win at least 10 games to have a real shot at the playoffs in an improved AFC South. But they've yet to reach double-digit victories in a season in the Trevor Lawrence era. It doesn't look like this team has enough star power - particularly on defense - to keep up with the rest of the AFC.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Preseason rank: 20

Seattle made big offseason changes, headlined by first-year coach Mike Macdonald replacing longtime boss Pete Carroll. But the Seahawks could still be in a good position to compete. Running back Kenneth Walker and receivers DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett comprise a good enough group around Geno Smith. If Macdonald - known as a defensive guru - can fix the defense, a return to the playoffs is possible.

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Preseason rank: 23

One of the season's great mysteries is how the Chargers will fare in coach Jim Harbaugh's NFL return. On paper, Justin Herbert doesn't have the supporting cast that he deserves. But if Harbaugh and his staff can help the quarterback elevate his game while getting the most out of a talented defense that's had bad injury luck, Los Angeles may end up being almost as entertaining on the field as it's been off the field under Harbaugh's watch.

22. Indianapolis Colts

Preseason rank: 21

Make sure to tune in to watch Indianapolis with a healthy Anthony Richardson. The second-year passer stands out with his athletic ability and arm strength despite playing just four games as a rookie, but his accuracy and decision-making are a work in progress. Expect more roller-coaster performances from him. The Colts are still unproven, but they have a very high ceiling thanks to Richardson's potential.

23. Tennessee Titans

Preseason rank: 27

Tennessee tackled its main offseason needs while putting together an interesting supporting cast around signal-caller Will Levis. But are the Titans seeing something in Levis that we aren't? Aside from his NFL debut in Week 8, the second-year quarterback didn't do much to show that he can lead this team to the playoffs.

24. New Orleans Saints

Preseason rank: 24

New Orleans' receiving corps still isn't deep enough, and the O-line has questions with three new starters. The Saints need quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara to step up, or it'll be hard for coach Dennis Allen to keep his job after three straight playoff absences. Carr hasn't thrown for more than 25 touchdowns in a season since 2020, and Kamara averaged 3.9 yards per carry over the last three years.

25. Arizona Cardinals

Preseason rank: 25

The Cardinals aren't a popular wild-card pick after winning eight games combined over the last two seasons. That said, Arizona could overachieve in 2024 thanks to its underrated offense. Kyler Murray is fully healthy again, James Conner rushed for 1,000 yards in just 13 games in 2023, and the team's receiving corps could be pretty good with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and tight end Trey McBride.

26. Minnesota Vikings

Preseason rank: 22

Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Staying healthy has been an issue for several Vikings players, particularly at quarterback. After starting four different QBs due to injury in 2023, Minnesota recently saw first-round rookie passer J.J. McCarthy go down with a season-ending ailment. Starter Sam Darnold looked good at camp, but he isn't the answer.

27. Denver Broncos

Preseason rank: 31

It's still hard to get excited about the Broncos, but all eyes will be on rookie Bo Nix after he won the QB1 job at training camp. Sean Payton and his staff would have to put together an impeccable job to make Denver a contender in a stacked AFC.

28. Washington Commanders

Preseason rank: 30

The Commanders look like they're years away from legitimate contention. But No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels could speed up that process if he takes the NFL by storm. He looked good in two preseason appearances, confirming his QB1 status. It's too early to say he'll impact the team like former No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III, but Daniels is Washington's most exciting QB since at least Cousins and Alex Smith.

29. Las Vegas Raiders

Preseason rank: 25

Don't be surprised if the Raiders build a solid defense again under head coach Antonio Pierce. But that probably won't be enough to overcome the quarterback limitations with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell. Minshew will be making his first Week 1 start since 2020.

30. New York Giants

Preseason rank: 28

The upgraded defensive front of Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Co. should help the Giants steal a few games, but we can't expect great things from N.Y. and its anemic offense. Coach Brian Daboll's job is in danger, quarterback Daniel Jones was far from great in the preseason (to put it nicely), and the O-line is a work in progress. Rookie Malik Nabers is the club's only top-tier skill-position player right now.

31. Carolina Panthers

Preseason rank: 32

Bryce Young is only entering Year 2, but the 2023 No. 1 pick won't have many excuses if he doesn't live up to the hype in 2024. The rebuilding Panthers brought in QB guru Dave Canales as head coach, added two new starting receivers, and spent a lot of money on their offensive line.

32. New England Patriots

Preseason rank: 29

This year is all about evaluating young talent for the Patriots under first-year coach Jerod Mayo. New England will start the season with veteran Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, but No. 3 pick Drake Maye showed good signs in the preseason. It's a matter of when, not if, he'll take over as QB1.