NFL power rankings entering the 2026 preseason (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Los Angeles Rams (1): A team that’s added so much firepower since its narrow loss in the NFC title game at Seattle has emerged as this season’s near universally regarded Super Bowl favorite − and Aaron Donald hasn’t even (re)joined the fold. Yet.
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2. Seattle Seahawks (2): Still, what the evidently upgraded Rams may lack that the reigning champions seem to have in spades is the “connection” so valued by third-year coach Mike Macdonald. And while the forbidding ‘Hawks may not remotely approach the Rams’ superstar wattage, they’ve also proven to be far more than the sum of their very impressive individual parts. No rivalry will be more consequential in 2026.
3. Denver Broncos (4): You can make a legitimate case that at least half of the AFC’s teams have a bona fide shot to reach the Super Bowl − which, conversely, also suggests none of them exactly seem like heavyweights well positioned to compete with the NFC’s elite. But the Broncos were probably one key injury away from going to Super Bowl 60 and might be even better in Year 3 of the Sean Payton-Bo Nix era, the latter healthy once again.
4. Buffalo Bills (5): They’re my AFC pick to reach Super Bowl 61 … if the ifs aren’t too much to surmount − new head coach (Joe Brady), new defensive coordinator (Jim Leonhard), new No. 1 WR (DJ Moore), new stadium (that won’t require mass snow shoveling by locals) and new uniforms (the “Nickel City” alternates already beloved by QB Josh Allen). That’s a lot to adjust to in one season, especially in the early stages.
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5. Chicago Bears (7): What was an opportunistic defense in 2025 is already dealing with injuries while blending in several new pieces − the secondary especially. But if an offense with so many young players at the skill positions can take a dramatic leap in Year 2 under Ben Johnson, then a team that reached the divisional round last season could well take the next step … maybe even two.
6. Houston Texans (8): Their strength of schedule, or lack thereof, could park the Texans into the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed for the first time in franchise history. A top-ranked defense just brought Jadeveon Clowney back to its rotation, further reason for optimism. If only QB C.J. Stroud inspired more confidence that this team could be among the league’s final four for the first time.
7. San Francisco 49ers (3): The injury bug is already getting early work in, HC Kyle Shanahan included. QB Brock Purdy‘s top four wideouts in 2026 are all new to the team, to the degree Deebo Samuel is new anyway. And even if TE George Kittle (Achilles) is back for Week 1, how effective will he be coming off an injury he suffered in January? Still, if Purdy perseveres at minimum − and with DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner back − this team tends to go deep into January.
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8. Cincinnati Bengals (9): The quarterback is healthy. He has an elite suite of weapons at his disposal. A porous defense appears nicely upgraded. There appears to be a golden opportunity to win this division. Basically, it’s Dallas East.
9. Dallas Cowboys (15): The quarterback is healthy. He has an elite suite of weapons at his disposal. A porous defense appears nicely upgraded. There appears to be a golden opportunity to win this division. Basically, it’s Cincinnati West.
10. Detroit Lions (10): The quarterback is healthy. He has an elite suite of weapons at his disposal … but that defense is just a mess of injuries and turnover at the moment, though Jared Goff and Co. should keep this team in the running − and probably to a better degree than the ’25 Bengals or Cowboys.
11. New England Patriots (6): The A.J. Brown-Drake Maye connection is taking time to materialize, but that’s what training camp is for. The offensive line also underwent some needed modifications, and first-round OT Caleb Lomu is waiting in the wings. But the AFC champs are otherwise largely running it back − though they won’t sneak up on anyone in 2026 nor feast on a soft schedule.
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12. Kansas City Chiefs (14): Lots of optimism, cautious and otherwise, regarding what WRs Cyrus Allen and Rashee Rice might do to reignite a passing game that hasn’t finished in the top 10 since 2023. Lots of optimism, cautious and otherwise, regarding what RB Kenneth Walker III might do to reignite a running game that hasn’t finished in the top 10 since … 2017. Lots of optimism, cautious and otherwise, regarding QB Patrick Mahomes’ return to the practice field. But a dynasty that revealed its mortality in 2025 still has much to prove.
13. Baltimore Ravens (11): The return (from injury) of DL Nnamdi Madubuike and (from tragedy) Calais Campbell provided more good training camp vibes to a team looking for a strong post-Harbaugh rebound.
14. Green Bay Packers (18): Where is the pass rush coming from until OLB Micah Parsons returns (in mid-October?)? Former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness has just 8½ sacks, 56 pressures and two starts in three seasons but needs to step up now.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (17): As much production as departed RB Travis Etienne provided last season (team-high 1,399 yards and 13 TDs), second-year replacement Bhayshul Tuten is generating all kinds of hype this summer.
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16. Los Angeles Chargers (13): So we’re sure Madison Beer isn’t a Wisconsin microbrew? We’re sure this witches’ brew offense Mike McDaniel is otherwise cooking up around QB Justin Herbert is going to produce some magic?
17. Minnesota Vikings (16): Kyler Murray yada yada. Is this team going to be able to run the ball this year? Or stop it?
18. Washington Commanders (23): The defense is going to appear virtually unrecognizable − probably necessary after last year’s showing. But can’t wait to see it, especially rookie LB Sonny Styles.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (12): The offense is going to appear virtually unrecognizable − probably necessary after last year’s showing. But can’t wait to see it, especially rookie WR Makai Lemon.
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20. New Orleans Saints (20): This attack should be more entertaining than it’s been at any point since QB Drew Brees retired. Keep an eye on WR Jordyn Tyson as a rookie of the year dark horse.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (19): Could this be the organization’s first sub-.500 entry since 2003? Gonna invoke our Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22): Time was when eight wins was good enough to get you a division crown. But time is? Eight wins could very much signal an average team that could be inviting a major change of direction, including at quarterback depending on the progression of the franchise’s relationship with Baker Mayfield.
23. New York Giants (24): Young team, young quarterback, heightened expectations that maybe need to be tempered a touch. Watch out for TE Isaiah Likely.
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24. Carolina Panthers (21): Young team, young quarterback, heightened expectations that maybe need to be tempered a touch. Watch out for RB Jonathon Brooks.
25. Atlanta Falcons (25): Saquon part II? It’s fabulous that sublime RB Bijan Robinson is now making what he’s worth … if only he could play with a team that was worth his while.
26. Tennessee Titans (27): After QB Cam Ward was sacked a league-high 55 times in 2025, does the offensive line have the goods to provide him any better protection now?
27. Cleveland Browns (28): Owner Jimmy Haslam thinks they’ll win at least six games. Maybe, but seven definitely seems like a stretch.
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28. Las Vegas Raiders (29): Whether it’s Kirk Cousins or No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback play should be decent, even compelling. But will this offense ask too much of youngsters Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty given what otherwise appears to be a lack of firepower?
29. Indianapolis Colts (26): Some key players (QB Daniel Jones, DT DeForest Buckner, WR Alec Pierce) need time to regain their form following serious 2025 injuries. Some key players (G Quenton Nelson, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Josh Downs) need new contracts. What ever could go wrong for a team with plenty else to figure out, too?
30. New York Jets (30): No doubt the talent quotient has gotten much better here. Little doubt that the whole will still be less than the sum of the parts.
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31. Arizona Cardinals (31): Heading into Year 3, it appears WR Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth pick of the 2024 draft, is the third-best pass catcher on a bad team. The NFL is a lot of things, but predictable isn’t one of them.
32. Miami Dolphins (32): Quite a unique approach to roster building, a resetting organization pouring bucketfuls of dollars into players at non-premium positions − RB De’Von Achane, C Aaron Brewer and LB Jordyn Brooks. But you can’t put a price on culture.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL power rankings: As preseason opens, AFC field appears to be wide open
