The NFL season is just about upon us Ladies and Gentlemen and I’m ready for my favorite football team to determine my mood for the next couple of months. I wanna start doing some power rankings, but maybe not so consistent from week to week. We will do rankings throughout the quarters of the season, after week 4, week 8, week 12, and after the regular season entering the playoffs. How will they change throughout the year? That’s for them and your favorite team to decide. Lets rank the Top 32 teams in the NFL, entering Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season.
*Ranking is personal opinion based, nothing official, don’t be upset if your team isn’t ranked high enough (*Cough* *Cough* Dallas and Minnesota Fans) ITS ONLY PRESEASON!
Lets get into it.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
-reigning Superbowl Champs, with all those offensive weapons, and a defense loaded with playmakers and Georgia Bulldogs? How can you not have Philly as #1 on your power rankings?
2. Baltimore Ravens
– a team angry after the conclusion to their season last year. Return the lethal duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, with a defense who upgraded the secondary better than it already was. Baltimore can easily be considered the favorite in AFC, and would you wanna tackle Derrick Henry in the open field? Good Luck.
3. Buffalo Bills
-talk about an angry team with how their previous season ended. Buffalo will try to attempt to get over the Kansas City Chiefs hump this season (Again) with their reigning MVP Josh Allen back for another season. Can the Bills finally do it?
4. Kansas City Chiefs
-After being trounced in the Super Bowl by Philadelphia, and some already casting doubts, Kansas City will be on a mission to prove their doubters wrong. With the longevity of Tight End Travis Kelce on the mind, Kelce and his quarterback Patrick Mahomes will wanna end their time together on top. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs dynasty reigns supreme again this season.
5. Detroit Lions
– Above 5 felt to high, below 5 felt too low. This team returns a roster that fell apart with injuries last season, and ended with a upset at home in the Divisional Round. Detroit also had the work of replacing both offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason, and will be a major talking point entering the season. With most of the roster coming back but with new play callers, can Detroit mirror their success the last couple of seasons?
6. Los Angeles Rams
-The Rams ranking in this list, and their success this season is based on one thing. The health of Matthew Stafford. The Rams have a good defense, and a talented core of young and experienced offensive weapons to go with the offseason acquisition of Davante Adams. It will be up to Stafford to lead them, and to stay on the field.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-A sneaky team that could be in the final game this season. Baker Mayfield returns to the team that loves him, with his reliable target Mike Evans, and newly drafted Emeka Egbuka to add to the arsenal. Tampa Bay under head coach Todd Bowles always fields a consistent defense, and with Baker Mayfield locked in, Tampa Bay could be a problematic team for oppositions this season.
8. Washington Commanders
-They shocked the football world with making it to the NFC Championship game with a rookie quarterback last season. But now the question is, can they do it again? Now that the league has a year of experience with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense, can Daniels replicate what he did last year, and make Washington a CONSISTENT title contender? Consistency is Key.
9. Green Bay Packers
-The NFC North will again be one of the toughest divisions in football, and Green Bay wants to clean up its 1-5 record against the division in 2024. Green Bay tried to solve its wide receiver problem with drafting Matthew Golden to go with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed. The team returns Josh Jacobs with a revamped offensive line, and returns most defensive starters from a season before in its second year under Jeff Hafley. Can Green Bay battle through the NFC North and take the division this year?
10.Denver Broncos
– A team I am not ready to call a “Super Bowl Contender” yet, but this team is definitely ramping up to be a problem in both their division and the NFL. Denver under Sean Payton now has their quarterback and stout defense to compliment, and if we are familiar with Sean Payton teams of the past. Its not a matter of IF the Broncos will be problem, but WHEN they will become a problem.
11. Houston Texans
-Houston went below expectations last year, managing to sneak into the playoffs thanks to an awful division. The Houston offense had a terrible offensive line, and a lot of injuries last season that played into the below expectations play and so-called “Sophomore Slump” of quarterback C.J. Stroud. Can Houston hit the reset button on this season and be a factor in the playoffs other than because of playing in the AFC South?
12. Minnesota Vikings
-Depending on who you ask, Minnesota could be too low or too high on this list. Minnesota has the common moniker of “Just a QB Away” from being a Super Bowl Contender. This year, the Vikings hope they can answer that question. J.J. McCarthy has gotten the keys to the car. He just has to drive, BUT can he drive? Or will another year of talent go to waste in Minnesota due to development and patience. McCarthy has one of the best supporting casts in the league to begin his starting career, but again, can he drive the car?
13. Los Angeles Chargers
-Jim Harbaugh coached teams are always known from improving year after year, LA made a good splash last season getting into the playoffs and then being completely blasted by Houston in the playoffs. Justin Herbert has another year under his belt, and the team upgraded in the running back room bringing in former Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris. LA will have to work around the injury to anchor left tackle Rashawn Slater, but look for LA to be a playoff contender, and pending on health and the performance of Herbert a potential Super Bowl Contender under Coach Harbaugh.
14.San Francisco 49ers
– This might be the team I’m most worried about (Sorry Packer fan PTSD). A lot of people have thrown this team under the bus after a year full of injuries, drama, and not many believing in starting quarterback Brock Purdy. San Fan returns this season healthy, Brock Purdy paid, and Christian McCaffery is expected to be available right away. Their defense lost a couple key pieces but still stays led by linebacker Fred Warner and pass rusher Nick Bosa. Don’t be surprised if San Fran gets right back in the title hunt, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
-We all know Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase are the best duo in the league. We already know what the Cincinnati Offense is capable of. But the offense isn’t what I worry about for the Bengals its their defense. Because of their defense Joe Burrow was robbed of an MVP and a potential playoff run and lost multiple close games that could’ve aided in getting into the playoffs. The team brought in former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, and brought in a potential pass rusher in Shemar Stewart through the draft, but one other key cog in the defense is yet to practice with the team, Trey Hendrickson is still going through contract negotiations and a deal doesn’t seem close to coming anytime soon. Cincinnati’s defense will set the tone for the Bengals’ season, if they’re good, Cincinnati will be heading for the postseason, if not…. another year of disappointment in Cincinnati.
16. Dallas Cowboys
-Expecting them in the top 10-15 like everyone else? I don’t think so. Dallas enters the season with a lot of question marks that I need to see answered before I rank them higher than now. Will Dak Prescott play like a normal quarterback and stay healthy throughout the season and play better than what we saw last season? Can new head coach Brian Schottenheimer handle the pressure of being a head coach of the Cowboys? Will the team come to an agreement with Pass Rusher Micah Parsons? All these are pretty big questions that need to be answered in the same division with two teams who played in the NFC Championship game last year.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
-Another year without Big Ben another year some veteran QB tries to take his place. Russell Wilson is out, Aaron Rodgers is in. Can the Steelers break their streak of yes, making the playoffs and having a winning record, but making it passed the second round? Mike Tomlins seat is getting moderately hot as fans and ownership want to see improvement. Pittsburgh has the defense, can Rodgers and the offense do their part of the deal and make Pittsburgh a LEGIT contender again?
18.Atlanta Falcons
-the Kirk Cousins experiment was fun, but you can tell Falcons fans want Michael Penix Jr. If Penix can live up to his potential and start winning games for the Falcons, Atlanta can definitely battle with Tampa Bay for an AFC South Title. Penix also has a good cast around him, with running back Bijan Robison, receiver Drake London, and the still waiting to see what all the fuss is about tight end Kyle Pitts.
19. Seattle Seahawks
– Much like Pittsburgh, another veteran quarterback will take the reigns for Seattle as Geno Smith is out, and enter former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold who was coming off a career year. Seattle has a good young defense, but lost DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the offense. Darnold was signed to a hefty 3 year deal with the team, can Darnold lead Seattle to the playoffs and make Seattle his official home? Or will fans already be looking into the upcoming draft class for a new quarterback?
20. Cleveland Browns
– Plain and simple. Who’s playing quarterback? Joe Flacco? Dillon Gabriel? The QB nobody wanted Shadeur Sanders? Or the still returning from injury Deshaun Watson? Either way I feel like the quarterback position, much like most Cleveland seasons will play the biggest factor in Cleveland’s success this season. Cleveland has the defense to support a lower line offense, but how many times will it come down to the quarterback needing to win a game? Can these quarterbacks win? A great question to ask heading into this season for the Browns.
21. Miami Dolphins
-Mike McDaniel’s seat will begin to heat up if Miami doesn’t start off on the right foot. The health and head of Tua Tagovailoa is definitely another storyline heading into this season for Miami, as well as the happiness of wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylon Waddle. While the team is able to score points, I fear the defense won’t be able to get a stop, as the Dolphins had multiple injuries so far this training camp season. Playing in a division that 1 wants to make the super bowl and 2 wanna prove they’re not in the bottom feeders of the league, Miami will have a lot on the line this season.
22. Chicago Bears
-The Bears won another offseason according to their fans, but when it comes to the regular season can they put up or just shut up already? The Bears hired offensive guru and former Lions coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach, and loaded up the offensive line to protect their hopeful savior of the franchise Caleb Williams. The Bears also return a defense that was very productive last season and added longtime consistent defensive lineman Grady Jarret to the line to aid in the pass rush. Chicago has a chance to silence the doubters this season, with Williams and his new head coach who will know how to utilize him, and will try to make some noise in the NFC North along with Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit.
23. New York Jets
– The Aaron Rodgers era is over, probably thankfully if you ask Jets fans. New York will get a fresh breath of air this year with a new head coach, former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and a new quarterback who is looking to silence his own doubters, Justin Fields. Before the Rodgers drama, and whatever it was that was the New York Jets last season, the Jets have a team that is loaded with talent, and youth, it will be up to new head coach Aaron Glenn to harness that talent, and for Justin Fields to show it while on the field.
24.Las Vegas Raiders
– A team I see improving the most this upcoming season. Las Vegas has been looking for identity, Las Vegas has been looking for culture, and they may have just found it in new head coach, and coming out of retirement to do it, former Seattle head coach Pete Carrol. To go with the changes, Las Vegas also brought in Geno Smith to take on the quarterback duties, and drafted top running back prospect in this years draft Ashton Jeanty. Carol will try to bring the smashmouth, run it down your throat and suffocate you with defense style he once made so famously while in Seattle. The Raiders under Carol could finally return to prominence that a fanbase wishes so hopefully will happen.
25. Carolina Panthers
-Another team I see improving. During the second half of last year, Bryce Young seemed to finally “get it” and was one of the best quarterbacks in the league. After realizing what they have, the Panthers have started to surround Young with more talent including first round draft pick wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and will look to build on what they started last year. Carolina may be a season or two away from being a playoff contender, but this is the year I see them taking a step in that direction.
26. New England Patriots
-Mike Vrabel is taking over in New England and you can tell things are going to change. The Pats also spent some money in the offseason to bring some more talent around future of the franchise Drake Maye. To help Maye, Vrabel also brought back longtime offensive coordinator during the Belichick days Josh McDaniels. You can tell the effort New England is putting into making this work, and I think with a new/return to the culture it was used to, the Patriots could be on the right track to returning to playoff prominence like back in the days of Tom Brady.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
-Here we go again. A new coach, a high draft pick with a lot of potential, and a fanbase waiting for something to happen. After their playoff appearance a couple years ago, Jacksonville has returned to its old self, losing games and wasting the potential and time of its players. New head coach Liam Coen is taking over and will try to get Trevor Lawrence to play to the potential he was so highly touted to do. The team will also lean on that first round draft pick Travis Hunter as he enters the league as the only 2 way players on both offense and defense. Can Jacksonville take advantage of a weaker division and right the wrongs of seasons before?
28. Arizona Cardinals
– Perhaps one of the first coaches to be fired in 2025. Jonathan Gannon is on the hotseat after a whole lot of nothing in his first years in Arizona. The team has a good core of players, but putting it all together and winning games especially in the NFC West is a tall order. Kyler Murray returns for another season with Marvin Harrison Jr, and Trey McBride as his main targets. With a hungry Rams, Seahawks and 49ers team in the same division, will Arizona be able to keep up? Or will Arizona be looking to hit the reset button again after this season?
29. Indianapolis Colts
– You think your quarterback situation is rough? Since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have been a revolving door of veteran quarterbacks, and unproven prospects. Indy has the choice between Anthony Richardson, who in my opinion has yet to show he’s ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and Daniel Jones who cant score a touchdown in the open field and was almost carried out of New York. Head Coach Shane Steichen will have his hands full trying to figure out which QB to put on the field each week and to win some games. Although his situation is a lot more understandable when it comes to struggles, Steichen’s job could be at risk if the Colts head into another offseason looking for a quarterback.
30. New York Giants
They finally have a quarterback who can take a snap and complete pass. New York could significantly improve compared to last season and rise in these ranking, star wide receiver Malik Nabors has someone to throw him the ball, and the Giants have set themselves up for the future with 2025 first round draft pick Jaxon Dart. While he learns under the tutelage of Russell Wilson, New York will try to build on this season, and hopefully protect Brian Daboll’s job.
31.Tennessee Titans
-A team that can now start building for the future. The Will Levis experiment didn’t work out and now first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Cam Ward is going to get his turn. Ward has showed he’s a franchise quarterback so far during training camp, and I predict this season will be a lot of “Wait and see” for the Titans. Seeing what Cam Ward can do as the starting quarterback, and starting to figure out what other pieces are needed to get Tennessee back into wild card contention.
32. New Orleans Saints
– New Orleans COULD be aiming for that number 1 pick in the NFL Draft next season. New head coach Kellen Moore enters his first season as a head coach with Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. That’s it. After the retirement of Derek Carr in the offseason, New Orleans needs to start planning their future of the franchise soon or the Moore era in New Orleans isn’t going to be around for long.
Photo Credit: the NFL, NFL Players Association
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