NFL Power Rankings - Week 1: Seahawks unanimous as No. 1; Chargers move into top 10

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd, and Gino Bottero.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 1st

Percy Harvin is healthy again and Russell Wilson is coming off a strong preseason in which he completed 78.6 percent of his passes (33-of-42) for 437 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Until they prove otherwise, the defending Super Bowl champions are the team to beat. - Caitlyn Holroyd

2. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 2nd

Peyton Manning has to be happy to get a highly anticipated rematch with the Colts out of the way in Week 1. He'll be even happier that Robert Mathis won't be around and that the venue moves to the more friendly confines of Sports Authority Field. - Gino Bottero

3. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 4th

Search high and low and you won't find a single NFL writer who believes the Patriots won't run away with the AFC East. The question is how far can they go beyond that. The answer could depend on Rob Gronkowski's continued health. - David P. Woods

4. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 5th

As long as Drew Brees remains healthy, the Saints offense will have no problem wreaking havoc on opposing defenses this season. They were in need of a deep threat, and rookie receiver Brandin Cooks should fill the void nicely. The addition of safety Jairus Byrd should help New Orleans improve its defensive efficiency as well. - Caitlyn Holroyd

5. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 6th

The Pack might struggle Week 1 in a tough Seattle environment, but after that their schedule is pretty much smooth sailing. Green Bay plays just five teams with a winning record from last year and it's not unrealistic to think Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy can turn that into 12 or 13 wins. - Michael Amato

6. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 3rd

The 49ers enter the season with some big holes on defense after losing linebacker NaVorro Bowman and nose tackle Glenn Dorsey to injuries, and linebacker Aldon Smith to a nine-game suspension. They'll get a bit of a break in Week 1, though, as the Cowboys have their own defensive woes to worry about. - Caitlyn Holroyd

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 7th

Chip Kelly befuddled opposing defenses last year with his formations and schemes. Expect that to continue this season and with the way their NFC East foes are looking at the moment, Philly should walk to another division crown. - Michael Amato

8. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 13th

The Chargers really excelled last season when they tweaked their offense and transformed into a run-first team down the stretch. That's something that will serve them well in their opener against a Cardinals rush defense that took hit after hit in the offseason. - Gino Bottero

9. Cincinnati Bengals

 Previous Rank: 9th

There's a lot more uncertainty surrounding the Bengals defense than Marvin Lewis would like to admit. There are some major question marks in the secondary, but continued strong defensive line play can mask that. - Gino Bottero

10. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 8th

The Colts still haven't fixed the problems that held them back a year ago: a porous offensive line, a timid running game and a middling defense. This team is asking an awful lot of Andrew Luck. - David P. Woods

11. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 11th

Much has been made of the receiving duo of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, but it's the Bears defense that will determine their fate this season. If Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston can revive a dreadful group form 2013, Chicago has a chance to make some noise in the NFC. - Michael Amato

12. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 12th

If there's one thing the Ravens have done well in the John Harbaugh era it's defend serve on their home field. A season-opening date with the defending AFC North champion Bengals is a great litmus test for a Ravens team that believes it's poised to return to contention this season. - Gino Bottero

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 14th

The Steelers defense isn't what it used to be, putting a ton of pressure on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to carry an offense that has let a lot of talent leave town in recent years. - Gino Bottero

14. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 10th

The harsh reality of the NFC West – as the Cardinals found out last season – is that you can finish the season with a very respectable record of 10-6 and still miss the playoffs. The season-ending injury of Darnell Dockett provided a big blow to the Cardinals' defense, but they have a number of players who are capable of stepping up in his absence. - Caitlyn Holroyd

15. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 15th

The Falcons will be without left tackle Sam Baker for the entirety of this season as he recovers from a torn patella tendon, which means it will be up to rookie Jake Matthews to protect Matt Ryan's blindside. Keeping Ryan upright could be the key to Atlanta's success this year. - Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 20th

The Chiefs will need to avoid the dreaded lookahead spot in their opener against the Titans. If they were to drop that one they will be in big trouble with a trip to Denver in Week 2. - Gino Bottero

17. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 16th

The Panthers had one of the league's best defensive front sevens last season, and the addition of rookie defensive end Kony Ealy makes them that much stronger. However, with Cam Newton coming off ankle surgery and dealing with a rib injury, as well as a new crop of receivers, the Panthers could struggle out the gate. - Caitlyn Holroyd

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 18th

Tampa Bay made a number of significant moves this offseason, but it's the recent trade for guard Logan Mankins that could make the biggest difference. The Bucs have a solid foundation in place, and if Lovie Smith can work some magic, they could become a dark horse candidate this season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

19. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 17th

Matthew Stafford has more weapons to work with this year with the additions of Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. He won't need to lean on Calvin Johnson as much and if he can spread the ball around effectively, the Lions will be difficult to defend.  - Michael Amato

20. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 19th

Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning are showing an outward appearance of confidence despite a shaky preseason learning Ben McAdoo's new offense. Given the way Manning performed in 2013, Giants fans shouldn't share their optimism. - Michael Amato

21. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 22nd

Rex Ryan is a defensive magician, but it's hard to imagine he'll be able to conjure anything special from this group of cornerbacks. This team faces a murderer's row of top quarterbacks early in the season. - David P. Woods

22. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 27th

Can the Dolphins' new Bill Lazor-led offense change this team's fortunes? Early returns are promising, but Ryan Tannehill still has a long way to go before he proves he can be a big-time player. - David P. Woods

23. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 21st

Sam Bradford has been lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL, thrusting Shaun Hill into a starting role. Staying competitive in the NFC West was always going to be an uphill battle for the Rams, though, as they one of the league's more difficult schedules. Much like last season, St. Louis is going to rely heavily on its defense to win. - Caitlyn Holroyd

24. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 23rd

Despite the additions of DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts to go along with an emerging Jordan Reed, the Redskins won't climb in the standings unless Robert Griffin III returns to his rookie form. With the way he played last year, that level of play seems like it won't be easy to recapture.  - Michael Amato

25. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 24th

The Vikings have drafted well over the past two years and if Teddy Bridgewater turns into a franchise quarterback to pair with Adrian Peterson, Minnesota will soon be perennial contenders in the NFC North. It just won't happen in 2013.  - Michael Amato

26. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 25th

Tony Romo and the Cowboy offense might have to put up 50 points a week for Dallas to have a chance this year. That's a nice way of saying their defense will be terrible.  - Michael Amato

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 29th

The Jaguars probably aren't ready to contend for a division title, but the team has to feel great about what it saw from Blake Bortles in the preseason. He'll ascend to starter sooner than expected. - David P. Woods

28. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 28th

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like a disaster in the presason. How soon can new acquisition Ryan Mallett learn the playbook? Not fast enough, probably. - David P. Woods

29. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 30th

The Titans' first-round pick couldn't beat out Michael Oher for a starting job, and the team's second-round pick couldn't beat out Shonn Greene. What's wrong with this picture? - David P. Woods

30. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 26th

The Bills gave Kyle Orton an awful lot of money, suggesting they are rapidly losing faith in EJ Manuel. Anyone who watched him in the preseason surely feels the same way. - David P. Woods

31. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 31st

Brian Hoyer was the obvious choice at quarterback, though it's hard to stop wondering why the Browns went back to the well on a late first round quarterback after what happened a few years ago with Brandon Weeden. - Gino Bottero

32. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 32nd

The Derek Carr era begins earlier than expected, after Dennis Allen finally realized what the rest of the world already knew. Carr torched the Seahawks secondary in the Raiders' preseason finale, lending credence to the idea he'll be able to exploit a Jets secondary that is in shambles at the moment. - Gino Bottero