The long wait is almost over. The talking can stop (does it ever?) and the action on the field can begin. Week 1 in the NFL kicks off in Philadelphia on Thursday night, which leaves us another 24 hours or so to ruminate and speculate about who is going to be good and who is going to be battling through a tougher campaign.
But let's remember… the NFL has served up at least four new playoff teams who didn't qualify the year before in each of the last 35 seasons in a row. We should expect the unexpected and accept that none of us really knows what is going to happen.
With that disclaimer in place, here is my first Power Rankings offering of the new campaign.
- BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens look complete and have, in my opinion, the game's best quarterback at the helm in Lamar Jackson. They are going to need to survive some Battle Royals in their division and in the AFC playoffs, but this could be the time for Lamar to finally secure his Super Bowl ring.
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The defending Super Bowl champions lost some pieces in the offseason, but not key ones. Their elite core remains intact. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith; Jalen Carter and Zack Baun on the league's top-ranked D. The Eagles will contend again.
- BUFFALO BILLS
The Bills could just as easily be the AFC Super Bowl representative – there is very little between them and the Ravens. And they meet in Buffalo in Week 1. The offense will score points for fun once again but the over-reliance on Josh Allen does make me a little nervous.
- DETROIT LIONS
No brain-drain concerns here. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were huge lieutenants for Dan Campbell, but star players are what decide games. And the Lions are loaded with them on offense and they can only be healthier on defense. I think this is the NFC's Super Bowl team.
- GREEN BAY PACKERS
I would love to see more consistent play from quarterback Jordan Love, but I'm definitely viewing the Packers differently now that Micah Parsons is on board as a defensive game-changer. Green Bay look to be a pretty complete team and a legitimate NFC contender.
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
I still trust Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to figure it out, but the Chiefs have to liven up their 16th-ranked offense. WR Rashee Rice being suspended for the first six games won't help. KC opens with the Chargers, Eagles, Ravens and Lions in four of their first six weeks.
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
There is no resting on laurels in Washington after coming within 60 minutes of reaching the Super Bowl in the 2024 season. Jayden Daniels should continue to play at a high level and new additions in (tackle) Laremy Tunsil and (receiver) Deebo Samuel will bolster the attack.
- LOS ANGELES RAMS
There is a lot to like about the Rams. They are expertly coached by Sean McVay, have a good backfield led by Kyren Williams; dangerous receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams; and a strong, youthful pass rush. But I'm worried about Matthew Stafford's ailing back.
- DENVER BRONCOS
Head coach Sean Payton places his 2025 Broncos among the handful of teams he has led during his career that is good enough to win the Super Bowl. Bo Nix's development will be key and the D should remain stout with the additions of Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga.
- CINCINNATI BENGALS
With Trey Hendrickson's contract dispute kind of settled for now, the Bengals are running back a team that finished red-hot in 2024. But they started snail-pace slow at 1-4. Joe Burrow is the key to everything – a true MVP candidate who can carry a team far with his magic arm.
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Talent-wise, these Vikings should be higher after winning 14 regular season games a year ago. But the game's most important position is quarterback and the Vikings are breaking in a new, albeit exciting, one in J.J. McCarthy. I need a few weeks to see how he settles.
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers have a high floor, winning 12, nine, nine, 10 and 10 games over the past five seasons. Their ceiling has not been any higher. They have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Bold additions in Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey will be expected to bring results.
- HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans are not one of those teams that gets talked about a great deal and that's probably a little unfair as they have won 10 regular-season games in each of the last two years and reached the final eight in the race to the Super Bowl. This is a big year for QB C.J. Stroud.
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The loss of Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater to a torn ACL is a blow, but head coach Jim Harbaugh won't flinch. And he will keep winning. Justin Herbert is a star, but one who will share the limelight with one-two running back punch Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris.
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Some are suggesting the Niners are in a complete rebuild mode. I still believe they have talent to contend with Brock Purdy at QB, George Kittle at TE and Christian McCaffrey fit again in the backfield. The NFL's easiest schedule could also facilitate a playoff return.
- ATLANTA FALCONS
If Atlanta are to snap a seven-season playoff drought, second-year QB Michael Penix Jr. is going to need to show he is the real deal. He will have offensive help from Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Rookie pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. must produce.
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs have won four straight NFC South titles and there is no reason to believe they cannot do it again. Baker Mayfield remains as entertaining and refreshing as he is productive. And look out for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka alongside the established Mike Evans.
- CHICAGO BEARS
I think the Bears can go from five wins in 2024 to a playoff contender in 2025. Despite him being sacked 68 times in 2024, I liked what I saw out of Caleb Williams as a rookie. Now, he gets to work with Ben Johnson behind a line that was seriously bolstered in the offseason.
- ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals took a step in the right direction in 2024, improving their win total to eight from four the previous campaign. But a 5-2 start that promised fizzled to a 2-5 finish. Philly Super Bowl hero Josh Sweat improves the D and Kyler Murray is surrounded with offensive weapons.
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Seahawks were a pleasant surprise in winning 10 games in 2024 and they always seem to turn out a competitive unit. Sam Darnold now gets to lead a team that likes to run the ball and that will be good for him because the QB is very good in play-action-pass situations.
- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Daniel Jones being named starting QB may not have set too many pulses racing, but the Colts believe competent play there raises their attack. And it is loaded with playmakers such as Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman and rookie TE Tyler Warren.
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots are sticking with their hard-nosed-linebacker-turns-coach approach, but Jerod Mayo is one and done. It's now a team under the control of a proven leader in Mike Vrabel. There is toughness here, as well as a promising and developing QB in Drake Maye.
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
I was impressed by Liam Coen's approach and plan for the Jaguars when I met him this summer. How he works with Trevor Lawrence is going to be THE most important thing. Travis Hunter brings energy and a great deal of intrigue. Expect to see him most on offense, initially.
- MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami's ability to score points in the past prevents me from dropping them even lower. But I have major concerns. Where has the deep ball gone? Can Tua Tagovailoa stay healthy? When will Tyreek Hill act up next? And is this team really soft? Mike McDaniel is on a warming seat.
- DALLAS COWBOYS
With Parsons gone from a defense that ranked 28th in the NFL a year ago, the onus is going to be on Dak Prescott to deliver points through aerial connections with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. But Dak missed nine games last season and 26 over the past five years.
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
There is a grown up in the room in Las Vegas with Pete Carroll – who turns 74 in mid-September – looking to restore some respectability to a team that has been invisible for too long. Rookie Ashton Jeanty will power the ground attack, with the reliable Geno Smith at QB.
- NEW YORK JETS
Aaron Glenn wants no distractions and no talking. He wants a pure focus on football and turning around a team that has been in the doldrums for too long. It could take a while. The defense is elite, but I have some concerns over Justin Fields at QB. He has a lot to prove.
- NEW YORK GIANTS
How long will Russell Wilson be at QB? When will the Giants turn to first-rounder Jaxson Dart? Whoever plays QB, there are weapons; led by receiver Malik Nabers. And the pass-rush trio of Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and rookie Abdul Carter could be sensational.
- CAROLINA PANTHERS
I'm encouraged about an offense featuring Bryce Young at QB, Tet McMillan and Xavier Legette at WR and Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle at RB. But the defense was historically bad in 2024 and that unit must hold up if more than five wins is to be achieved.
- TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans are one of the least interesting teams in the NFL and that's not a new phenomenon. But that could change quickly. He may not get as much buzz as other rookies, but first overall pick Cam Ward has the potential and skill to transform this franchise.
- CLEVELAND BROWNS
I don't have any problem with the Browns being led by 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco. He can still sling the rock and has the moxie to scrape an unexpected win or two. The defense led by Myles Garrett should keep Cleveland competitive. I expect more than three wins in 2025.
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
There is little to get excited about in New Orleans, but a proper rebuild might not come until they can select a quarterback high in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Tyler Shough was a second-round pick in 2025 but has been beaten out by Spencer Rattler, who went 0-6 in 2024.
