The final 2023 NFL power rankings close the book on the season. There’s been a lot of movement with coaches since the end of the year, and I’m just giving a quick sentence on each team. Also, team rankings are from where they were ranked in the week they were eliminated.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-6)
As bad as things looked offensively at times during the regular season, the Chiefs—after top-notch defense all year—turned it on when it mattered most to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in two decades.
2. San Francisco 49ers (14-6)
You can’t let the Chiefs hang around, and the 49ers will certainly be thinking a lot about their loss all offseason.
3. Baltimore Ravens (14-5)
I think Lamar Jackson might understandably try to do too much as a passer in the playoffs, which leads to him not playing as freely (and as well) as he is capable.
4. Detroit Lions (14-6)
I love where the Lions are headed with the trio of Jared Goff, Dan Campbell, and Brad Holmes leading the way.
5. Buffalo Bills (12-7)
Injuries decimated the Bills this season, and the injuries on the defense made it difficult to hold up and make stops in the Divisional Round versus the eventual champions.
6. Green Bay Packers (10-9)
The young and exciting Packers squad will look to take a step forward in 2024 after catching fire down the stretch.
7. Houston Texans (11-8)
The Texans have both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year in C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., and DeMeco Ryans should get another boost in talent this offseason.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-9)
As the only team in the NFC to make the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, the Bucs should again be competitive next season despite free-agent questions.
9. Dallas Cowboys (12-6)
After a playoff disappointment, Mike McCarthy is entering a potential make-or-break year for a team that sounds like it’s going to be ultra-aggressive in adding to the roster.
10. Los Angeles Rams (10-8)
The Rams surpassed expectations in 2023, and they were among the NFL’s top teams when both Kyren Williams and Cooper Kupp were on the field.
11. Miami Dolphins (11-7)
Late-season disappointment has been the storyline in each of the past two years for Miami.
12. Cleveland Browns (11-7)
Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski obviously did a heck of a job keeping the Browns together amidst injuries, and Nick Chubb’s status in his return from a serious knee injury is a big storyline to watch.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (11-7)
The highly disappointing final stretch for the Eagles led to big changes, with Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio being hired as the team’s new offensive and defensive coordinators.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-8)
Again, Mike Tomlin found a way to field a competitive squad, and this is potentially an exciting offseason coming up for the Steelers.
15. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
Moving on from Pete Carroll was a definite surprise, but the Seahawks feel they can build on what they have going on with Mike Macdonald as the new head coach.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Another team that dealt with injuries but remained in the mix, the Bengals will certainly be determined to storm back in 2024.
17. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
The cap situation probably means that New Orleans will be bringing most of the same squad back next season, and the veteran group has definite grit.
18. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Anthony Richardson is going to be a massive storyline this offseason, as he’s a highly exciting talent with Shane Steichen in Indy.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
Something was just off for the Jaguars in 2023, and we’ll see if coaching staff changes can get them back on track.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
Antonio Pierce earned the full-time coaching gig for the Raiders, who feel like a major wild card team this offseason.
21. Denver Broncos (8-9)
It was a solid first season for Sean Payton in Denver all things considered, and quarterback is the big mystery for them this offseason.
22. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Similarly, we’ll be watching the status of impending free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, with the Vikings potentially looking to move up in the draft for a quarterback.
23. Chicago Bears (7-10)
The Bears seem like a lock to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall, and he’d join a strong foundation that head coach Matt Eberflus appeared to set over the final few months of the season.
24. New York Giants (6-11)
It was unfortunate that Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury after receiving a nice extension last offseason, and the Giants are suddenly in a spot where many expect them to consider a quarterback in the draft.
25. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
I’m happy Raheem Morris is getting another shot as a head coach, but it’s pretty shocking that the Falcons had a chance to hire Bill Belichick and turned it down.
26. New York Jets (7-10)
The 2023 Jets were disastrous yet found a way to win seven games—and the 2024 Jets are the definition of make-or-break.
27. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
Titans general manager Ran Carthon has quickly become one of the most powerful executives in the NFL despite a shaky 2023 offseason and subpar season that led to Mike Vrabel’s firing.
28. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
The Cardinals at least set a foundation for a tough, energetic style of play under Jonathan Gannon in Year 1.
29. New England Patriots (4-13)
The offensive line was the crux of New England’s problems in 2023, and Jerod Mayo and company have a prime opportunity with the No. 3 pick in the draft.
30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
Perhaps the most disappointing team of 2023, the Chargers should get a major jolt with unquestioned winner Jim Harbaugh becoming the franchise’s new head coach.
31. Washington Commanders (4-13)
The poor 2023 campaign for the Commanders was predictable, but bigger changes should be coming under new general manger Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn—as they sound like they wisely want to build up the lines on both sides of the ball.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
This was a season the Panthers will want to forget, but I believe in Bryce Young and hope that Carolina can surround him with pieces to have success.