The Week 1 power rankings for the 2025 NFL season include the defending champion Eagles at No. 1. Check back ahead of kickoff on Thursday for our full season preview.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles aren’t going to watch their Super Bowl LIX banner get hung, and it sounds like they have zero interest in doing so. It’s difficult to repeat, but Philadelphia has a great roster with a great quarterback and leader in Jalen Hurts. Two keys are a third cornerback and edge rushers stepping up.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Unfortunately for those hoping the Chiefs might fall off or go away after getting blown out in the Super Bowl, the winners of three straight AFC titles look like they had an outstanding offseason—headlined by stealing Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons at No. 32 overall in the draft.
3. Baltimore Ravens
With arguably the best roster in the AFC—and Derrick Henry in Year 2 with the team as a true difference-making talent—the Ravens are basically in a Super Bowl or bust mindset. As I’ve stated a lot this offseason, I believe Lamar Jackson might’ve turned the corner with his postseason play, which could be scary.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions losing their offensive and defensive coordinators is one of the biggest storylines around the NFL, but I think they’ll be fine if the interior offensive line—which lost center Frank Ragnow to retirement—remains strong. Now healthy, Detroit’s defense can be elite to complement the NFL-best offense from last season.
5. Buffalo Bills
My belief for a while was that this could be Buffalo’s year to win it all, but it’s just difficult to trust a defense that’s given up 33.2 points per game in their past five playoff losses. That said, the group has the ability to play at a high level—and maybe some breaks finally go their way at the right time this postseason.
6. Denver Broncos
The top five is arguably clear, at least entering the season—and we haven’t seen teams play yet, so we don’t know how things will turn out with each season being different—so things get more difficult to stack up now. The Broncos get a boost partly due to the confidence of head coach Sean Payton in his team having a legitimate championship opportunity. If Payton believes the run game and young pass catchers are set to improve and help star quarterback Bo Nix in Year 2—to go along with what should be an outstanding defense which added Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Jahdae Barron—then I’ll get behind that, too.
7. Green Bay Packers
Also getting a boost from earlier in the offseason, it’s hard not to love the Packers bringing in a player of Micah Parsons’ caliber on defense. One of the big questions for Green Bay is the consistency of quarterback Jordan Love, who now has a first-round rookie receiver to throw to in Matthew Golden.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With one of the best rosters in the league, the Bucs have the ability to make a serious run in 2025. However, the winners of four consecutive NFC South titles might have more competition with the Falcons adding more on defense and the Panthers having a confident Bryce Young under center. But when you have a powerful offensive line and premier skill players like Tampa does, you can win a lot of games.
9. Houston Texans
With running back Joe Mixon looking very uncertain, signing Nick Chubb might be a season-saving type of move for the Texans. Houston probably wants to pound the rock with Chubb and allow C.J. Stroud to torch teams on play-action while controlling games and playing stingy defense.
10. Los Angeles Rams
It’s flown under the radar a little bit, but the Rams adding All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams was one of the top moves of the offseason—as he fits nicely with Puka Nacua and matches what the Rams needed (improvement in the red zone). LA’s impressive young defense is tasked with taking another step this year.
11. San Francisco 49ers
If All-Pros Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle stay healthy at running back and tight end, the 49ers can certainly get back to legitimate Super Bowl contention. Having chess pieces at those two positions with a playcaller like Kyle Shanahan and a playmaking quarterback in Brock Purdy is dangerous. Plus, Robert Saleh is back coordinating the San Francisco defense.
12. Washington Commanders
This might be a little low for the Commanders, but there are plenty of teams from around No. 6 to No. 20 or so that can move up or down the initial 2025 NFL power rankings. Kliff Kingsbury remaining in Washington as the offensive coordinator is massive, and I’m anxious to see how the Commanders respond to now being the hunted.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
The season-ending knee injury to left tackle Rashawn Slater knocks the Chargers down some in the power rankings and makes me feel a little less certain about their AFC playoff hopes. However, it’s difficult to bet against Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh figuring out a way to get into the dance in Year 2 together—with plenty of eyes on them in the postseason if they do get there.
14. Cincinnati Bengals
The offense might be so good for the Bengals that this No. 14 ranking is far too low, but a ton was on that unit’s shoulders last season—and Cincy’s success as a team will likely come down to whether the defense can immediately produce under new coordinator Al Golden.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Obviously one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL this fall, the Steelers not only have a new high-profile quarterback in Aaron Rodgers—but other aggressive veteran additions like wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, and tight end Jonnu Smith. Pittsburgh should be among the NFL’s best defenses against the pass, and I want to see how they defend the run with a key initial test against the Jets.
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings just won 14 games and are another squad that can be much higher in the power rankings, but the uncertainty over quarterback J.J. McCarthy is what keeps them in the middle teens. It sounds like Minnesota is acknowledging there might be some growing pains, but if there’s a spot for McCarthy to both hit the ground running and have long-term success, it’s with Kevin O’Connell and this setup with the Vikings.
17. Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota’s former quarterback Sam Darnold is now with the Seahawks, and it was a very good landing spot with Klint Kubiak joining Mike Macdonald’s staff as the offensive coordinator. Watch rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe, too, as he’s going to be mixed in a lot and brings another highly explosive element to an offense that should be effective running with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s two first-round edge defenders—Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.—are two of the most important rookies in the NFL for 2025. If they perform like they did as college stars, the Falcons can be a headache for opposing offenses. Losing right tackle Kaleb McGary for the season was a tough blow to Raheem Morris’ team, though.
19. Arizona Cardinals
All four NFC West teams make the top 20 in the power rankings, which speaks to how balanced and difficult the division is expected to be. The Cardinals have slowly but surely built up the defense, with the potential to be a force in Year 3 under Jonathan Gannon.
20. Dallas Cowboys
I’m surprised the Cowboys only got two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons (I expected more draft picks than that), but Dallas feels like Clark improves them where they needed a boost: against the run. Offensively, the receiving duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can be incredibly difficult to stop through the air.
21. Indianapolis Colts
The Indy offensive line needs to hold up in pass protection and pave lanes for superstar running back Jonathan Taylor. If it does, Daniel Jones can have a lot of success, and the Colts can surprise people. It’d be a nice boost if second-year pass rusher Laiatu Latu becomes a top-tier sack artist.
22. Chicago Bears
We’ll see if the roster holds the Bears back, but I’m bullish on Ben Johnson in Chicago even if the results aren’t immediate. The relationship between uber-talented quarterback Caleb Williams and Johnson is one designed to last for years, but don’t be surprised if they do have quick success.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders similarly are looking to build a winning foundation—but in a different way with 73-year-old Super Bowl winning head coach Pete Carroll and a veteran quarterback in Geno Smith seeking to immediately make some noise. Chip Kelly’s return to the NFL as Vegas’ offensive coordinator is an undervalued story around the league.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s going to be cool to see No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter play both ways in the NFL, and I’m not betting against him doing it at a high level given his skill and energy. The path for the Jags to get back into AFC South contention is former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence staying healthy and consistently playing like he’s capable.
25. New England Patriots
The Patriots profile as one of those teams that should be competitive and not an easy opponent under head coach Mike Vrabel. However, the plethora of veteran additions must gel quickly for a team that’s struggled in the draft. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is in a better spot now with Vrabel taking control not only as the head coach but in terms of the deciding players they add to the roster.
26. Carolina Panthers
The very late summer trade of veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen wasn’t ideal for a quarterback in Bryce Young and a team in the Panthers looking to put themselves into the playoff picture in 2025. Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan should elevate the offense, though.
27. Miami Dolphins
The direction for the Dolphins has felt uncertain all offseason, and it’s imperative that they get off to a fast start to avoid the wheels falling off—particularly with Tyreek Hill, who has shown he can be mercurial.
28. New York Giants
The vibes are high for the Giants after a summer which they feel was an immense success—and it does look like there’s a positive energy there. However, the early schedule looks like a considerable challenge—at Washington, at Dallas, vs. Kansas City, vs. the Chargers, at New Orleans (a likely reprieve), vs. Philadelphia, at Denver, at Philadelphia, vs. San Francisco.
29. New York Jets
The formula for the Jets this season is clear: run the ball with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen and look to play tough defense under Aaron Glenn. However, likely losing guard Alijah Vera-Tucker due to a torn triceps is a clear hit to the offensive line.
30. Cleveland Browns
Playing in a division with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals, I’m surprised to see a lot of belief in the Browns as playoff contenders. Joe Flacco is a steady hand at quarterback and has shown he can have success in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, but the defense better be top-notch for Cleveland to make a playoff push.
31. Tennessee Titans
It’s a positive for No. 1 overall pick Cameron Ward that he hasn’t been under the microscope leading up to the season. The formula for the Titans will be running the ball, playing solid defense, and having Ward take care of the ball and make key plays on third downs.
32. New Orleans Saints
Veteran pieces on defense lead to some pause, but I think it’s fair to slot the Saints at No. 32 in the power rankings—particularly after safety Tyrann Mathieu’s retirement. Spencer Rattler is looking to take advantage of his opportunity as the starting quarterback after he beat out second-rounder Tyler Shough for the job during camp.