The NFL kicks off their season this week and the quest to unseat the Kansas City Chiefs as champions begins. The Chiefs seek a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
But looking at how teams stack up to start the season, we have our first power rankings of the season.
The Arizona Cardinals are improved but still are not a top-20 team.
Cards Wire’s first weekly power rankings are here.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Their talent all over the roster is incredible and with receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tackle Trent Williams back and under contract, all they have left to prove is whether they can win the big game.
2. Detroit Lions
They are as complete a team as you will find. If Jared a good enough quarterback to take them to the pinnacle?
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The receiving corps is improved with crazy speed, although Hollywood Brown will not play in the opener. Their defense is still good at al three levels.
4. Baltimore Ravens
They lost their defensive coordinator, running back Gus Edwards and some pieces on defense. However, the offense could be even better.
5. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love’s play in the second half was MVP-level. They added RB Josh Jacobs and their young receiving corps is more experienced.
6. Houston Texans
They were a playoff team and added Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs? They could be scary good.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
The talent is there. Can the defense fix things after being awful at the end of last year, and can Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni work?
8. Cincinnati Bengals
A healthy Joe Burrow makes for a complete team.
9. Los Angeles Rams
They were sneaky good last year and suddenly went from being an aging veteran team to a team loaded with young, productive talent. No Aaron Donald is a concern, but they have a promising young defensive front with Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Jared Verse.
10. Buffalo Bills
The defense is still something you can count on, but will the passing game be productive enough with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis gone?
11. Miami Dolphins
Their offense is basically unstoppable when healthy. The defense is the question with Christian Wilkins leaving in free agency.
12. New York Jets
Their defense is good. Aaron Rodgers is great. Can all their important players (Rodgers, Tyron Smith, Mike Williams) stay healthy?
13. Atlanta Falcons
This was a seven-win team with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke playing quarterback. Kirk Cousins elevates this team to contender status.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor return. They could be fun.
15. Cleveland Browns
How good can a healthy Deshaun Watson make this offense? The defense is already great.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
The story is how healthy they can keep Trevor Lawrence.
17. Dallas Cowboys
They feel like a middling team right now who should be better but it is unclear if they will be. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb should make for big numbers on offense.
18. Chicago Bears
I’m not ready to push the Bears any higher until I see that rookie QB Caleb Williams can play without too many mistakes. Andrew Luck and C.J. Stroud are the exception as rookies taking their teams to the playoffs.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Coach Jim Harbaugh is the wild card, but who will catch the ball from Justin Herbert?
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They were a playoff team, but are they any better?
21. Arizona Cardinals
The offense should be great. The defense was awful last season. Can they be tolerable?
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
The offense is still full of questions. Is Russell Wilson the answer?
23. Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold keeps them from being higher. They have so much talent.
24. Seattle Seahawks
I don’t know what to think of them with new coach Mike Macdonald.
25. New Orleans Saints
Is there a more boring team and roster?
26. Washington Commanders
They have some promise and will be fun with QB Jayden Daniels. Can he stay healthy and avoid being another Robert Griffin III?
27. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix won’t improve this team much in 2024.
28. Tennessee Titans
Will Levis isn’t it.
29. Las Vegas Raiders
They have some pass rushers. Will they have leads for them to be unleashed?
30. Carolina Panthers
They’ll be bad but maybe less abysmal.
31. New England Patriots
Jacoby Brissett keeps them from being the worst.
32. New York Giants
This could be a mess of a season.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.