Week 1 Power Rankings From #1–16
The NFL season is finally here, and with it comes rapid excitement, through-the-roof expectations, and joyous or enraged fans all the same. It’s the best time of year, and I couldn’t be happier personally that it’s finally upon us. Fittingly, with each and every approaching season comes a wave of opinions on who will reign supreme come year’s end, so today I’d like to make my official Week 1 top 16 power rankings to get ready for what is going to be a fantastic 2025 NFL season.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Really, what is there to say about the reigning champs that hasn’t already been said? This team is stacked from top to bottom: offense, defense, and special teams. Saquon Barkley is going to dominate yet again behind what is becoming one of the best offensive line units of all time at this point. Jalen Hurts, while still having some doubters, has proven to be able to win the big game with enough talent around him, which he has no shortage of with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown along the outside. Defensively, this unit is as strong as ever with a young secondary mixed with a physical yet talented front seven that can shake up a game at a moment’s notice. What’s crazy to think about is that even after a Super Bowl-winning campaign, I believe this team went out and got better over the course of the offseason as well. Philly added the likes of edge rusher Azeez Ojulari from the Giants, who has shown to be disruptive when healthy, and running back A.J. Dillon from Green Bay, among others, who can take some weight off Barkley in short down-and-distance situations after a massive workload a year ago. All this, and we still have yet to mention the draft that Howie Roseman and company masterfully crafted, headlined by their first two-round selections: linebacker Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama and safety Andrew Mukuba out of Texas. So, in short, it’s safe to say the champs remain on top the way I see it entering Week 1.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore enters this season with as much pressure as anyone to be in the running for the Lombardi come February. This team, much like Philly, is loaded from top to bottom, and I’d even consider it to be the best roster in the Lamar Jackson Era (2019–now). GM Eric DeCosta understood the importance of this year over the offseason and invested heavily during free agency to make a difference. Baltimore brought in cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Packers, who is a former All-Pro and is still very good when healthy, as well as veteran WR and also former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins to help bolster the receiving corps. In the draft, this team double-dipped on defense with their first two picks, selecting what many believed to be the best safety in the draft, Malachi Starks, as well as pass rusher Mike Green, who will look to make a difference. While I don’t think it’s make-or-break for Head Coach John Harbaugh, I do think his seat starts to sizzle if this team is not in the AFC Championship for a second year in a row despite investing so heavily.
3. Buffalo Bills
It may surprise some people that Buffalo enters the year behind the team that it eliminated in the divisional round a year prior, but bear with me. Buffalo will have a chance at the Super Bowl for the next 10+ years as long as Josh Allen is under center; however, the talent around him must be there if they wish to get over the top. As things stand, I don’t believe this team did enough in the offseason to keep up with the two placed above. I like the extension of CB Christian Benford, as well as the additions of former draft pick CB Tre’Davious White and veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa. All in all, this team will be in the running in the AFC without question, but it’s hard to have them at the very top with how difficult the AFC is.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is still at the top of their game, coming off a crushing Super Bowl defeat a year ago. Patrick Mahomes is still the best QB in the NFL, despite not having the 5,000-yard seasons as of late like he did when he broke into the league. However, there are real concerns for this team, especially along the offense surrounding Mahomes. To start, what version of Travis Kelce will we see in 2025? Kelce has expressed that his focus on football wavered at times last year, which was something new for him. At 35 years old, Father Time might be ready to collect on the younger Kelce brother. This receiving corps is also very questionable, with Rashee Rice facing a six-game suspension to start the year, on top of him coming back from a torn ACL. Defensively, this team is really well off, with their whole core remaining untouched from a year ago. Ultimately, there are too many questions surrounding the offensive supporting cast for me to justify Kansas City any higher.
5. Washington Commanders
Coming to a decision on this fifth spot was one of the hardest moments while creating this list. After thinking long and hard, I ultimately came to the conclusion that Washington had a strong offseason to piggyback on a fantastic franchise-altering season a year ago. It’s almost scary to imagine a second-year leap for Jayden Daniels and what that could mean for the NFL, and I believe he is poised to do it. Washington doubled down on this year’s team by adding Deebo Samuel via trade from San Francisco, as well as re-signing fan-favorite Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin. It doesn’t end there, however, as the team addressed both tackle positions by trading for 5x Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil, as well as drafting tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. On the flip side, the team also invested in the front seven extensively with the addition of future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller, as well as defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The sky is the limit for Washington this season, and I’m truly excited to see what it brings.
6. Detroit Lions
Detroit comes into this season with as much firepower on both sides as anyone preceding them. However, losing both coordinators is not a thing to scoff at, especially considering the caliber of Aaron Glenn (Jets HC) and Ben Johnson (Bears HC). Things will be different this year without a doubt, but the question that lingers is: how different? One thing is for sure, I absolutely love their acquisitions, specifically on the defensive side. The addition of CB D.J. Reed to the secondary will be a phenomenal complement to second-year player Terrion Arnold. Furthermore, the additions of DE Marcus Davenport and LB Derrick Barnes are strong additions to an already steady front seven.
7. Green Bay Packers
Things have definitely changed for Green Bay since the end of last season, most notably the addition of superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons, who was acquired from Dallas in an earth-shattering trade. Truly, I believe this team is one of the biggest hit-or-miss squads on the list; however, I’m banking on that hit chance here with this ranking. To start, I do believe Jordan Love is a player who can lead you through the postseason and maybe even to a Super Bowl when healthy and properly supported, similar to the likes of Jalen Hurts. Where my main questions lie with this team is with the WR room and the run defense. Currently, there is no clear-cut WR1 on the team despite the depth chart being fairly loaded with talent from top to bottom. It’s possible that first-round rookie Matthew Golden could emerge as that over the course of the season, but that’s a lot to put on a rookie out of the gate. Defensively, the team gave up its best interior lineman in Kenny Clark for Parsons, along with losing their best corner, Jaire Alexander, to free agency. On top of all this, the additions in free agency are not viewed by me as substantial, especially with Isaiah Simmons already having been cut.
8. Los Angeles Rams
L.A. is currently in a precarious situation as the health of Matt Stafford lingers in limbo despite him being suspected to play in Week 1. It’s a shaky situation, as it’s been reported to be a disc issue in his back—something that is not to be taken for granted. The swap of Davante Adams for Cooper Kupp in free agency is one that I feel could even out; however, the connection that Stafford and Kupp had is going to be hard to replicate, if possible at all. Defensively, this team is stout with young players and veterans who continuously shine through when needed most. Pass rusher Jared Verse, for example, is a key piece for this team who will look to build off a very impressive rookie campaign. What keeps this team out of the upper half of the top 10 is the uncertainty with Stafford, who is the make-or-break piece for this squad.
9. Denver Broncos
If I were to guess what the most controversial take on this list might be, this would be my pick. Starting with the obvious: this defense may be the best in the entire NFL, anchored by the best defensive back in the league, Pat Surtain II. I truly believe that Denver, barring a second-year jump from Bo Nix, could make real noise in the AFC. Tight end Evan Engram was brought in during free agency and is a lethal threat to stretch the field after the catch with his dynamic speed for the position. Joining Engram is a pair of former 49ers, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, also acquired during the offseason. If this team can put all the pieces together and build off 2024, it makes 2025 look very scary for opponents who have to face this racehorse.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is looking to build off a 10-7 season last year that was ultimately marred by some high-profile injuries, like WR Chris Godwin going down with a season-ending injury. Despite this, this team, led by Baker Mayfield—who had a fantastic season, easily the best of his career—continued to fight and claw their way through. Offensively, this team is stacked with playmakers, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at the forefront, but also second-year player Bucky Irving in the backfield and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka ready to get to work. Tampa is my runaway favorite to win the NFC South, and they should be able to sail to an easy playoff berth this season.
11. Minnesota Vikings
This is another spot that I had a hard time filling, as it’s just outside the top 10 teams but still a position that many teams would do anything to be in. Ultimately, after the vast success of the Vikings in last year’s regular season, I felt that this team was too good to put lower. Obviously, J.J. McCarthy will be the starter this year with Sam Darnold departing for Seattle. With that said, this could be a mistake—banking on a player who has yet to start a game in the NFL—but I do believe that McCarthy has the talent to be comparable to Darnold from last year. On the other side of the ball, this unit is one of the most feared in the entire NFL, led by famed defensive coordinator Brian Flores. What’s crazy about this unit is that they went ahead and added to it along the interior with two huge free-agent pickups in the likes of DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. With an offense that features Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson to a defense that can rush the passer with the best of them, this Vikings team is a threat to anyone who stands in their way this year.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
This L.A. team is in a bit rougher shape than the Rams listed prior, yet they still have an elite QB and some other quality contributors that I believe justify this spot. L.A. was pretty good last season, finishing with an 11-6 record, albeit they had one of the weakest strength of schedules in the league. It was a pivotal offseason as this team looked to build around Justin Herbert, and they did just that in the draft. L.A. used their first two picks on running back Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris. Both players were dynamic playmakers in college and will be immediately thrust into hefty roles. Along with this, Keenan Allen has been brought back to try and get on track after the veteran had a noticeable decline last year in Chicago. Defensively, this team is going to have to assert itself, as they currently have a lot of holes—especially with the loss of edge rusher Joey Bosa. Still, despite the holes, I do think this team is going to compete in a stacked AFC for a chance at the Lombardi.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is undoubtedly the biggest wildcard out of every team in the NFL this season. The additions of Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf are certainly bringing eyeballs to the squad, but will it actually result in wins is the question. Despite having inconsistent QB play last year—with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson swapping midseason—the team still managed to finish 10-7 in classic Mike Tomlin fashion. With Rodgers now in the picture, I truly believe that this team could add a win or two on top of this and make a competitive run for the top of the division. Even if the offense is just slightly above average, this team will be improved from a year ago. This defense isn’t going anywhere, and it’s consistently been one of the very best in the league over the course of the past few seasons. With the addition of Jalen Ramsey, a possible future Hall of Famer at corner, as well as Darius Slay to match up with Joey Porter Jr., this secondary is absolutely formidable. Match that with a dominant pass rush led by one of the best in the business, T.J. Watt, and you have a recipe for disaster for opposing QBs.
14. Houston Texans
Houston comes into the year banged up, as they are missing Tank Dell, who suffered a terrible knee injury last year that will bleed heavily into this year. However, C.J. Stroud can prove that he is in that near-elite class of QBs and show his believers that they are right for feeling that way. Despite not having Dell, WR Nico Collins is as legit as they come for a top-end WR. Collins missed time last year with injuries, but this year he should be set to dominate again like he was. With all the skill-position talent on the team, one place this team is still lacking is along the offensive line. Houston made the puzzling move to trade their best lineman, Laremy Tunsil, to the Commanders over the offseason, which leaves this year’s team in a very, very difficult spot up front. This defense, on the other hand, can bring it at a high level, with edge rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter leading the charge. This duo, along with a secondary that added safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a unit featuring superstar corner Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre, is also among the league’s very best. If this team can hold up for C.J. Stroud up front, I see a great season in this year’s Texans’ future.
15. Chicago Bears
I heavily considered putting Chicago higher up in this power ranking, but ultimately I couldn’t justify it due to the looming uncertainty. This Bears team will be much better than last year’s—that I’m 100% sure of; however, with Caleb Williams and company in the first year of a new coaching regime, how much can really be expected from this unit? Over the course of the offseason, GM Ryan Poles went to work and honestly made some tremendous moves to fill holes on this roster. Guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were brought in to solidify the trenches, along with defensive lineman Grady Jarrett being signed to help add some pass rush from the interior. Chicago also invested heavily into Williams and the offense in the draft, with their first two draft choices being tight end Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III. Both of these young men will be put in key contributing situations, with Loveland even being placed as the starting tight end over established vet Cole Kmet. All in all, if there was one team I could see moving drastically up or down this list, it’s the Bears, but this year I’m willing to take this gamble.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy is absolutely one of the teams I considered putting lower due to the lack of overall talent on defense, but ultimately I think this is a fair placement. Last year was a carry job by Joe Burrow and the offense, as the QB had to win shootout after shootout if this team wanted to be competitive during games. If the dynamic trio of Burrow, Higgins, and Chase are able to put up electric numbers for yet another season, this team can continue to be a tough matchup week in and week out. Ultimately, however, I don’t think this team is championship caliber, despite the team working out a deal to bring Trey Hendrickson, the league’s sack leader a year ago, to a one-year deal and the team drafting Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart. There are just too many holes along the offensive line and defense as a whole for me to comfortably put this team any higher, so right in the middle of the pack seems perfect for me to round out this half of the list.