The NFL offseason cycle that started right after the Eagles beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 is near its latest conclusion. The 2025 season will begin with reigning champions Philadelphia in the Thursday opener and Kansas City kicking off on Friday for its run at a fourth consecutive AFC title.
The Eagles start the new league action on top of the league, but what about all 31 teams chasing them, including the Chiefs? Here’s the latest league-wide vibe check ahead of Week 1:
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NFL Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (previous 2025 ranking: 2)
The Eagles took some limited personnel hits for a Super Bowl champion, with their dominant balanced offensive core intact and their young defense continuing to ascend. They have plenty of tough challengers in the top-heavy NFC.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Eagles players ever
2. Buffalo Bills (4)
The Bills have the offensive and defensive momentum with reigning MVP Josh Allen to finally get over the AFC title hump. They won’t be challenged much in the division to boost their chances at controlling home field.
MORE: Ranking the 15 greatest Bills players ever
3. Baltimore Ravens (2)
The Ravens will be right there trying to take down the Chiefs and Bills again with their two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson, coming off his best overall season. The Buffalo-Baltimore matchup will set the tone early.
MORE: Ranking the 13 greatest Ravens players ever
4. Kansas City Chiefs (3)
The Chiefs took an early passing game blow with Rashee Rice getting a long suspension, adding to offensive line concerns for Patrick Mahomes. The defense will need to do a lot again and the running game boost will be critical to holding off the top competition.
MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Chiefs players eve
5. San Francisco 49ers (8)
The 49ers are dealing with their wide receiver injuries, but they are positioned to overcome that with Brock Purdy locked in with Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle. The key for Kyle Shanahan’s offense getting to the Super Bowl again is Robert Saleh getting the defense back on track.
MORE: Ranking the 18 greatest 49ers players ever
6. Detroit Lions (5)
The Lions will need to deal well with the losses of offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn out of the gate to keep their tough NFC North competition at bay. Looking for more downfield passing to rev up the offense and much more reliable defense with Aidan Hutchinson back.
7. Washington Commanders (6)
The Commanders are worthy of buzz as there’s little concern of a sophomore slump with Jayden Daniels with offseason improvements focused on making him better, including making suer Terry McLaurin wasn’t going anywhere.
8. Los Angeles Rams (7)
The Rams do have a bit of a concern on whether Matthew Stafford’s back will hold up to make sure their passing game hits the heights Sean McVay expects with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The running game and young defense can help take pressure off that.
9. Green Bay Packers (11)
The Packers get an early unexpected boost from the Micah Parsons trade, the extra pass-rush jolt their strong defensive scheme needed. But there are still some back-end questions there and this is a critical season for Jordan Love to maximize the offense.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Packers players ever
10. Los Angeles Chargers (9)
The Chargers should have increased confidence after Jim Harbaugh’s smashing debut and making some necessary offensive reinforcements and defensive changes. They will give the Chiefs even less breathing room.
11. Denver Broncos (13)
The Broncos also have their championship-winning coach, Sean Payton and Patrick Surtain II leading a top defense. Those elements give them a high floor to stay with the Chargers and Chiefs with Bo Nix getting more QB bump than sophmore slump.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (10)
The Bengals took care of Trey Hendrickson in the short term but the prolonging of the situation doesn’t create too much confidence for their defense being much better around him. There will be a ton on Joe Burrow and his receivers to push them back into the playoffs.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12)
The Buccaneers also have some wide receiver (and tight end) concerns but a settled Baker Mayfield can help them overcome with big support from blocking and Bucky Irving. The bigger concern is whether their defensive drops off too much.
14. Chicago Bears (16)
The Bears are getting great vibes with Johnson leading the offense and the entire team with Caleb Johnson ready to live all the way up to his No. 1 overall promise. The defense has some strong remnants from the Matt Eberflus era.
15. Houston Texans (14)
The Texans are hoping C.J. Stroud has enough with offensive line and running back issues and limited receiving savvy behind Nico Collins. DeMeco Ryans’ defense will need to be a big foundation in the push for a third consecutive division title.
16. Minnesota Vikings (15)
The Vikings have a fun reunion at wide receiver with Adam Thielen back in the mix to help Justin Jefferson with Jordan Addison missing time. There should be little doubt J.J. McCarthy can thrive in this system with plenty of defensive help.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (19)
The Steelers are feeling pretty good about what Aaron Rodgers stll has left to lift what should be a run-heavy, downfield passing offense. Defense alone is bound to keep the winning ways alive for Mike Tomlin.
MORE: Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players ever
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (23)
The Jaguars are the Bears of the AFC with their hire of another former ace NFC offensive coordinator, Liam Coen. Here’s having more confidence in Trevor Lawrence based on scheme and personnel, while the young defense also responds better.
19. Dallas Cowboys (17)
The Cowboys keep on slipping with the Micah Parsons trade about to leave an even bigger defensive mess. They aren’t close to jumping back into the division contention with the Eagles and Commanders but a healthy Dak Prescott can make them respectable with offense.
MORE: Micah Parsons trade grades
20. Seattle Seahawks (18)
The Seahawks are working to be a better defensive-minded team for Mike Macdonald, but their offense is in major transition with a new scheme, new QB (Sam Darnold) and a remix in the receiving corps. The lumps will be there behind the 49ers and Rams.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (20)
The Raiders are relying a lot on their coaching experience with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly to somewhat remain competitive in the loaded AFC West. Geno Smith and Asthon Jeanty can help stabilize the offense, but the D beyond Maxx Crosby is what truly puts them behind the rest of the Wst.
22. Atlanta Falcons (21)
The Falcons have high hopes for Michael Penix Jr. as their new franchise passer especially with a good line and weapons such as Bijan Robinson and Drake London. They still need time to be a decent defense again, however.
23. New England Patriots (22)
The Patriots are feeling good about Drake Maye and all the improvement made around him, first and foremost brining back Josh McDaniels as coordinator. You can also bet Mike Vrabel gets the most out of the deense, but overall talent says this team is about a year away from true playoff contention.
24. Arizona Cardinals (25)
The Cardinals need a lot more out of Kyler Murray in another season under Drew Petzing and Jonathan Gannon. The traditional running game and defense are the best aspects of his team, but its offense falls a little flat vs. the rest of the NFC West.
25. Carolina Panthers (26)
The Panthers have cautious optimism that Bryce Young is ready for his moment to pass like the No. 1 overall pick he was in 2023. The defense can still hold the team back a bit.
26. New York Jets (27)
The Jets should be a lot more functional with Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand coming over from the Lions’ mentality. The key is getting the defense to be more confident again and have Justin Fields play to his strengths.
27. Miami Dolphins (24)
The Dolphins need a good start against the Colts and the rest of their early schedule to make sure Mike McDaniel can get off the hot seat. Some anemic offense and losing out of the gate would hasten his departure.
MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Dolphins players ever
28. Tennessee Titans (28)
The Titans should be feeling they made the right pick with Cam Ward. They’ll take seeing some offensive stability and improvement first before working to be more competitive for the division in 2026.
29. New York Giants (29)
The Giants will need to turn the page from Russell Wilson to rookie Jaxson Dart at some point, but fundamental issues may keep Brian Daboll from getting the offensive and team results he needs to save his job
30. Indianapolis Colts (30)
The Colts also have a coach on the hot seat in Shane Steichen with Anthony Richardson heading to the bench and former Giant Daniel Jones starter. Despite some good offensive pieces, this can be an overall rough season.
31. Cleveland Browns (31)
The Browns messed up their 2025 draft with no real rookie QB answers for Week 1 and their running game is also in transition behind an aging line. Myles Garrett and the defense can do only so much to help.
32. New Orleans Saints (32)
The Saints begin the “March to Arch” or the “Fuss for Nuss” (for Garrett Nussmeier, son of OC Doug) with Spencer Rattler keeping the pocket warm at makeshift QB. Good luck with that as Kellen Moore has a redshirt coaching year.
