2022-2023 NFL Power Rankings
- Cobi O'Connell
- Aug 16, 2022
- 24 min read
NFL regular season football is less than a month away! Thursday night football kicks off the season on September 8th between two Super Bowl favorites, the Bills and the defending champion Rams. If you share the same passion for football that I do, that date has been highlighted on your calendar for awhile now, and I am ecstatic to not have to wait much longer. In this article, I will be covering my power rankings for all 32 NFL teams based on their current roster talent. This article does not serve to show my regular season or playoff predictions, but rather to show insight on what to expect from each team coming into the season. Of course, my list won't be agreed upon by all, so I would love to hear your opinions in the comments or on Twitter. Enjoy!
REMINDER: RTs on the article post on twitter at @SportsVerseHQ are appreciated, as well as following my personal Twitter, @cobioconnell. If you would like to see my lineup package for the NFL/NBA/MLB seasons, message me there. Thank you!
32. Houston Texans
It wasn't long ago that we considered the Houston Texans to be Super Bowl contenders touted by superstars Deshaun Watson, De'Andre Hopkins, and JJ Watt, but those days are long gone. The roster turnover from that time period has been substantial as their current depth chart is littered by youth or players past their prime who were looking for a free agency bag. Davis Mills will start at quarterback again, and although he was surprisingly average during his rookie campaign, it would be a gargantuan task for him to elevate an offense with little noticeable talent aside from Brandin Cooks and Laremy Tunsil. The offense is expected to struggle, but the defensive is an even larger concern. A season ago, the Texans allowed the second most yards per game and the sixth most points per game, and they did little in the offseason that would suggest a big improvement is coming. Derek Stingley Jr., the team's third overall selection, may already be their best defensive player. I wouldn't be too hopeful of the Houston Texans improving upon their 2021 4-13 record, which is why they take the last spot in my power rankings.
31. Chicago Bears
It pains me to place the Bears as the second lowest team in my 2022 power rankings because I am a firm believer in Justin Fields' talent, but the roster constructed around him is far from ideal. Memes about the team's receiving core have been imminent on social media, and for good reason - next to Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle and rookie Velus Jones Jr. are expected to start (not ideal). Not only does Justin Fields have a poor supporting cast of playmakers, but he will be tasked with playing behind a struggling offensive line as well, which also hinders the running ability of David Montgomery, a proficient back. What was once a defensive powerhouse is no more, and the unit will likely fall even further with it's best player, Roquan Smith, recently requesting a trade from the team. I do like what they have in the secondary with Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker, but the talent on the front seven is lacking. The Bears should be in competition to land the first overall pick in the 2023 draft.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Let the bells ring, the Seattle Seahawks dynasty is over. Most expected that this once young and dominant roster would win more than one Super Bowl together, but that wasn't how the cards unfolded. The departure of Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner this offseason solidified the front office's commitment to a full-rebuild, and I don't think it was a bad decision with the increasing age of the top talent. Seattle still manages to boast some substantially talented pieces such as DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs, but their ranking is weighed down by arguably the worst quarterback room in the league with Geno Smith and Drew Lock. It would be a challenge for these quarterbacks to make a good roster competitive, so it will be nearly impossible for them to do so with a weak offensive line and average at best defense. The Seattle Seahawks are a virtual lock to finish last in a tough NFC West division.
29. Atlanta Falcons
Much like the Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons committed to a rebuild by shipping off their veteran quarterback this offseason. Matt Ryan should make the Colts a playoff threat in the upcoming season while his career long home, the Falcons, won't be. While rookie Desmond Ridder develops, Marcus Mariota is a sleeper quarterback coming into this season, although the team will likely struggle even if he performs to his best ability. Youngsters Kyle Pitts and Drake London are essentially the only legitimate threats on the entire offense, and a below-average offensive line should struggle to keep pressure off of Mariota or open up holes for Patterson. The team's defense is not in much better shape, if in better shape as all, as implied by their performance a season ago. Rashaan Evans, Lorenzo Carter, and Casey Hayward should slightly improve the unit anchored by returnee stars AJ Terrell and Grady Jarrett, but not enough to provide a significant boost on their third most yards allowed per game numbers from a season ago. The Falcons ceiling is slightly higher than the three times ranked beneath them which is why they are placed here, but they could still easily end up with the worst record in the NFL in 2022.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming in at 28th on my 2022 NFL power rankings is the team that has held the first overall pick in both of the last two drafts, the Jacksonville Jaguars. I believe that the future is bright in Jacksonville as their roster is littered with young talent on both sides of the ball, but it should be a few years before the team is truly competitive. First overall pick Trevor Lawrence didn't live up to expectations in his rookie campaign, but he had little help around him in terms of weapons and coaching staff, so his talent should shine when given a real chance. A healthy Travis Etienne and newly acquired Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff should help this, although Kirk fills the gap left by the absence of DJ Chark. Nonetheless, average is the ceiling for the offense in 2022, which would be an excellent improvement from their league worst 14.9 points per game a season ago. Similar to their offense, the Jaguars defense has fresh talent in Josh Allen, Travon Walker, and Devin Lloyd which is promising for the future, but the overall depth and experience isn't there quite yet. The Jaguars rebuild might be on the back half, but 2022 is another year to contribute towards it.
27. Detroit Lions
You'd probably be lying to yourself if you said you weren't rooting for Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions at least a little bit. His emotional press conferences of stating how proud he was of his team despite their record last season and their OTAs this offseason have showcased exactly how much heart and effort this team is putting in. Unfortunately, heart and effort don't always equate to success if the talent doesn't matchup. That phrase is not to belittle the Lions' talent; they had an exceptional draft class that added more promising youth to the roster, but they aren't in win now mode just yet. D'Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Jameson Williams, and TJ Hockenson could evolve into one of the most dynamic playmaking groups in the years to come, especially when elite potential lineman Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow are added to the equation. We saw Jared Goff have success with enormous talent around him on the Rams, so perhaps it is possible for him to replicate that with this core, but I wouldn't put my money on that to happen. Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson should provide an immediate impact the second he steps on the field, but he won't be able to turn around a defense that was second in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed last season by himself. It is Detroit football, so optimism might be tough to come by, but this team will be better in the years to come.
26. New York Jets
For completely contrasting reasons (if you know, you know), like the Lions, it is tough to not cheer for Zach Wilson and the New York Jets right now. Both franchises have been through the depths of it throughout their history, have high expectations for their young core, and have a reason to root for them. Before I dive into the positive roster pieces that the Jets retain, the defense needs to be discussed first. During 2022, they ranked dead last in both points and yards allowed as a unit, and the differences between them and the second worst teams were gaping. The return of Carl Lawson and highly regarded rookies Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson will certainly help, but just how much of an immediate impact they'll generate is the question. On the other side of the ball, there is a lot to like coming into the season. Sophomores Zach Wilson and Elijah Wilson should be able to elevate their game to the next level with a year of experience under their belts, and dynamic rookies Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall will dish out additional opportunities for explosive plays. Unfortunately, the offensive line is still not up to league standards, and the significant injury to Mekhi Becton only brings more cause of concern. Like most of the teams on the bottom, the Jets are trending upwards, but 2022 will be a tough year to find success in.
25. New York Giants
Unbiasedly, rounding out the bottom eight teams in my power rankings for the upcoming season is my favorite team, the New York Giants. Being a fan of this team has been nothing short of dramatic since our last Super Bowl win, which has made me numb to losing. I have refused to get my hopes up in recent years, and this year is no different, although this is the best I have felt about an offseason in perhaps by entire fandom. Landing two of the best players in the entire draft, Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and moving from a struggling staff to Schoen and Daboll who had success with the Bills, is thrilling. Even with promise at most positional groups on the roster, it is challenging to trust any one group to play at a high level. On the offense, Daniel Jones hasn't been given a chance to succeed but hasn't shown a reason to trust him either, and Saquon Barkley has been injury prone. Kadarius Toney, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Kenny Golladay are talented players but need to show more production, and the offensive line is improved, but can't be rated until they are seen in action. Even though there is talent across all levels of the defense, they will need to be able to generate pressure much more than a season ago if there is any hope of the secondary holding up. All I can do is hope that 2022 is the year where things start to turn around for the G-Men.
24. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were one of the offseason headliners with their acquisition of former Browns first overall pick Baker Mayfield. Although Baker Mayfield is an obvious upgrade over Sam Darnold, he hasn't played up to the level of his rookie campaign in the last couple of seasons, which leaves a giant question mark on his future. If fully healthy, this team has a legitimate opportunity to significantly improve upon their 5-12 record from season ago. Still, I couldn't place them any higher on my rankings based on their play a season ago. Although the unit looks very different from a season ago, the Panthers offense ranked third worst in the league in yards per game, and fourth worst in points per game in 2021. However, they were stellar on the other side of the ball as they allowed the second fewest yards, although they somehow were only 20th in points allowed. From McCaffrey, Moore, and Ekwonu to Burns, Horn, and Chinn, there is no shortage of compelling talent on this team, but I need to see improvement before moving them up. The Bengals were placed in a similar position last year and managed to win the AFC, so I guess anything can happen!
23. Washington Commanders
How will the Washington Commanders fare in their first season under their new name? Much like the Panthers, the Commanders boast a relatively high ceiling if their roster plays to perfection, but they also carry a floor that could place them near the bottom of the league if things don't fall to plan. The biggest factor on whether the team plays to their high or low is freshly acquired quarterback Carson Wentz. The league has seen just how strong of a player Wentz can be when playing to his best ability, but unfortunately, that Wentz hasn't been visible for a few seasons now. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel might be able to unlock that version of Wentz again, but as things stand right now, the offense ranks below average. In 2021, the Washington defense performed well below expectations for the talent they possess as they finished in the bottom twelve in both points and yards allowed. This was largely due to a pass defense that allowed the fourth most air yards per game, but I expect them to improve in that regard this season. The NFC East seems to shock us every year, so perhaps the Commanders will be the team to do it in 2022?
22. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are the most difficult team in the entirety of the NFL to place because of the ongoing situation with Deshaun Watson. Character and personal problems aside, Watson is a terrific NFL quarterback, so whether he plays or not this season will have a momentous impact on the success of the Browns. If he does play, the Browns have one of the strongest rosters in the league, but if Jacoby Brissett is the starter, I envision the offense struggling more than their average rankings from last season with Mayfield manning the ship. I have confidence that Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward will allow the defense to keep up their half of the deal, but once again, the offense entirely lies on the Deshaun Watson suspension. Put a question mark on this team and circle back around later.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh fans won't want to hear this, but things are looking on the decline in Pittsburgh. Their quarterback situation is not ideal, their offensive line is one of the weakest in football, and their defensive talent is not as plentiful as years past, although still strong. Reports have indicated that Kenny Pickett has struggled mightily in training camp, which all but pencils in Mitchell Trubisky as the Week 1 starter. Although he is by no means a great quarterback, Trubisky was able to win games in Chicago when given a strong defense and an offense catered to his safe play style, but even with strong playmaking weapons, it is tough to visualize success for him playing behind that offensive line. The Steelers path to success this season relies on TJ Watt and the defense playing as good as any other unit in the league, which is possible, but not all that likely.
20. New England Patriots
A team with a rookie quarterback that just led his team to the playoffs ranking 20th on my power rankings? Patriots fans will be asking for my head on a spike after this placement, but I couldn't fathom placing them higher than this after looking over the names on their roster. If you haven't done that yet this season, I recommend you do - it probably isn't as good as you think. The one strength to this team is their offensive line which should allow the offense to flow, but there isn't one name that sticks out as a clear weapon that defenses will be forced to game plan around. For me, the defensive depth chart is the real shock of this franchise with Matthew Judon and Devin McCourty standing out as the only big names to concern yourself with. Aside from the cornerback position, there aren't any gaping holes that fans should worry about, but excitement and explosiveness is certainly lacking in almost every group. Of course, Bill Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff will get the very best out of every player, so it is impossible to fully count them out at any one time.
19. Tennessee Titans
Man, does Derrick Henry have a task in front of him for the upcoming season. Losing star receiver AJ Brown is a massive blow to the offense, and will likely scale the NFL's most run heavy team even more in that direction. Forcing such a heavy burden onto the back of Henry will open more opportunities to beat coverage for Robert Woods and Treylon Burks, but the overall receiving cast is not something that Tannehill will dream about. Nonetheless, the Titans were miraculously able to secure the #1 seed in the AFC last year without Henry for the majority of the season, so anything can happen. I don't expect the defense to replicate their level of success from a season ago (sixth fewest points allowed), but Simmons, Landry III, Dupree, Hooker, and Byard are strong enough players to keep them afloat. Overall, this roster screams average, but average can win.
18. Miami Dolphins
I have said this on numerous occasions, but I am a firm believer that Tua Tagovailoa cannot be anything better than an average NFL quarterback. Even with this belief, I can admit that the Dolphins did a phenomenal job of surrounding him with playmakers this offseason. The pairing of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is any quarterback's dream, they improved on their RB situation by signing Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and Sony Michel, and the acquisition of Terron Armstead will immediately bolster the offensive line. Tua has been provided with everything needed for a compelling season, so there shouldn't be any excuses if he still struggles. The Dolphins defense is not overwhelmingly imposing in its entirety, but a secondary consisting of Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Jevon Holland won't get beat too often. The Miami Dolphins are a fringe playoff team for me this season, so fans have a reason to be excited.
17. New Orleans Saints
It is a shame that Drew Brees retired, because with a top quarterback, this New Orleans Saints roster would be fearsome. That isn't to slander Jameis Winston, he has the ability to be decent, but his immense turnover blunders should limit the team's ability to make a playoff run. However, if there was ever a time for Jameis Winston to revamp his career and live up to the hype that he once had, it would be now; Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Jarvis Landry are a strong skill position foursome that even average quarterbacks should be able to find success with, and he will have time behind this strong offensive line. Defensively, the Saints allowed the fourth fewest points a season ago, and they arguably got even better with the signing of one of the league's best safeties, Tyrann Mathieu. In my eyes, the outcome of this season almost entirely relies on Jameis - if he is good, expect to see the Saints in the playoffs, and don't take them lightly.
16. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders made a sizable splash this offseason by trading for perhaps the best receiver in the league and former college teammate of Derek Carr, Davante Adams. Also, they were able to acquire Chandler Jones who might be past his prime, but is still an elite pass rusher. Sadly, the Raiders find themselves in the toughest division in the NFL playing alongside the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos, all of whom I think have top ten rosters. That will make it vastly difficult for the Raiders to make the playoffs, but if they are able to outperform any of the three aforementioned teams, I like their chances. Even with a struggling offensive line, the offense should find success through the air with Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow pairing up with a good quarterback in Carr. In 2022, the Raiders defense was in the better half of the league in yards allowed, but oddly gave up the seventh most points - I expect improvement this season. If the Raiders are able to make it through the gauntlet that is the AFC West, they can keep it competitive with any team in the league.
15. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have flirted with being contenders every season since Kirk Cousins arrived, but tend to fall back to complacency with their results. This year projects a similar tone, as I could see the Vikings taking the next step towards being a real threat, but I think mediocrity is the most likely of outcomes. Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen will be able to score with some of the better teams in the league, but the defense needs to return to their former success if there is any hope for improvement. Last year, the Vikings defense only trailed the Jets and Texans in yard allowed, and also finished in the bottom ten in points allowed. With the names Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, Za'Darius Smith, Patrick Peterson, and Harrison Smith apart of that unit, I wouldn't count on that performance to repeat in 2022. The NFC North is clearly divided between the Packers/Vikings and the Lions/Bears, so a good record may be in store for the Vikings.
14. Arizona Cardinals
The longest undefeated team from a season ago, the Arizona Cardinals, rank 14th on my 2022 preseason NFL power rankings. Although their 7-0 start from a season ago was impressive, they went just 5-7 the rest of the year. The inconsistent play and late-season struggles of the Cardinals make them difficult to rank coming into this year, but just above average seems about right. Superstar wide out DeAndre Hopkins serving a six game suspension does not help this placement, but Kyler Murray should be able to survive with Hollywood Brown, AJ Green, Rondale Moore, and Zach Ertz if the offensive line doesn't struggle mightily. There are big names on the defense such as JJ Watt, Isaiah Simmons, and Budda Baker, but there are some areas of concern as well, especially with the loss of Chandler Jones. I am not convinced that this will be a fringe top ten unit again, so expect some regression in the record column. Still, the Arizona Cardinals have the explosiveness factor that could allow them great success in 2022.
13. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys enter most seasons with a Super Bowl or bust mentality, and like every season this century, I think fans will be disappointed. The Cowboys have a solid roster, but the unworldly expectations that the fan base has for them is unreachable barring a miracle. As a Giants fan, I will be the first to admit that Dak Prescott is a borderline great NFL quarterback, and he has good weapons in Ezekiel Elliot, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and a strong offensive line. All of those components factored into the Cowboys having the best statistical season of any offense in 2021 with the most total yards and points scored. However, the loss of Amari Cooper and La'el Collins should not be taken lightly, and has downgraded the unit overall. The stellar play of rookie Micah Parsons elevated the defense tremendously a season ago, but I am not entirely persuaded that their current roster will be able to carry over a high level of success. There are holes at all three levels of the defense with DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons standing out as the two star players (yes, I purposely emitted Trevon Diggs). Nonetheless, the Cowboys should compete with the Eagles to take home the NFC East crown, and are a wildcard threat if they aren't able to steal it.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Although it very much pains me to say it, the Philadelphia Eagles have the most complete roster in the NFC East, and it isn't particularly close. They made major improvements to the defense by adding Jordan Davis, Haason Reddick, and James Bradberry, while also adding AJ Brown, a true number one receiver for Jalen Hurts. The one thing holding back this roster from being a top contending threat is the quarterback position. I have grown to like Jalen Hurts as a player more than I used to, but he is still no better than average, and relies on his playmaking ability rather than his true arm talent. His play style and athletic ability does require opposing defenses to game plan, but he simply isn't someone I would trust to make an important throw. Nonetheless, this Eagles offense will likely be one of the betters units in the league behind their strong offensive line and the dynamic receiver pairing of young studs AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. With more talent this season, I would expect the defense to improve upon their average season from a year ago. The Philadelphia Eagles should materialize as a playoff team in the upcoming season.
11. Indianapolis Colts
The Carson Wentz experiment is over in Indianapolis, with the next subject for testing being former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Although Matt Ryan has regressed in recent years, the Colts are a much better environment, and he is a better fit for this offense than Wentz was. Having an elite running game and stellar offensive line is not something that Ryan has had in some time, so I would not be surprised in the slightest if the former version of himself is unveiled again. Even with Wentz playing at a mediocre at best level a season ago, the Colts were still able to finish within the top ten in points scored, so improvement upon that number can be only be expected. On the other side of the ball, talents like DeForest Buckner, Yannick Ngakoue, Shaq Leonard, and Stephon Gilmore should help the Colts finish in the top ten defensively once again. With the Tennessee Titans as the only apparent threat in the AFC South, the Colts have excellent odds to take home the divisional title.
10. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were on pace to make the playoffs last season before Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for the last four games of the season. I have said this before, but it is ludicrous how fast Lamar Jackson went from overrated to severely underrated following his post-MVP years. Lamar Jackson's dynamic rushing ability is no secret, but all running back jokes aside, Jackson is an above average NFL passer that should still be on everyone's top quarterbacks list. The offseason departure of Hollywood Brown does take a level of explosiveness away from the offense, though Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, a good offensive line, and the return of JK Dobbins will keep this offense on their usual scoring pace. An elite secondary combination of Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Williams, Marcus Peters, and Kyle Hamilton will be tough to throw on, although this defense is not as scary as they were years ago. The Ravens will likely bounce back and find the postseason in the 2022-2023 season.
9. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have committed to Trey Lance as their opening day starter over Jimmy Garoppolo -smart move. Trey Lance allows for much more creativity within the offense through his ability to use his legs, and I still prefer his arm over that of his former mentor. Even though the offense has potential with Lance, Deebo, Kittle, and a stout line, this franchise is built around the defense. The team's secondary lacks big names, but their front seven is arguably the best in all of football with Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw, Arik Armstead, Dre Greenlaw, and Fred Warner. To the surprise of no one, this group allowed the third fewest yards while also finishing in the top ten in points allowed last season. The talent on the defense gives them a legitimate shot to finish as the best in the league, so improvement on already great numbers is not out of question. If Trey Lance is able to take this offense to the next level, the 49ers are a Super Bowl sleeper.
8. Denver Broncos
Broncos Country, let's ride! The Broncos have had a talented roster for awhile now, but have been weighed down by the lack of a starting caliber quarterback - that is no more. Russell Wilson is a Denver Bronco, and immediately rockets this team into a legitimate Super Bowl threat. The Broncos defense allowed the third fewest points and eighth fewest yards a season ago, so we know that they will be able to carry their weight coming into the season. Russell Wilson hasn't had a defense like this since the Legion of Boom, and we all know just how dominant the Seahawks were during that era. With Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy acting as the new DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and with a much improved running back situation, this offense will be illustriously elevated with their new man under center. The AFC West will be as entertaining as divisions come as it boasts three of the top eight teams in my power rankings, with the fourth team being no cake walk either.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
I would be lying if I said that I expected the Cincinnati Bengals to turn around their franchise as expeditiously as they did (25th on my power rankings last year), but then again, who could have possibly predicted that? They went from picking at the first and fifth spots in back-to-back drafts to being the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. I find it unlikely that the Bengals will be able to repeat that because of the incredible strength that the AFC holds, but I don't think their season was a fluke. Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are a youthful group that will terrorize opponents for years to come, and their poor offensive line was improved in the offseason with the acquisitions of La'el Collins, Alex Cappa, and Ted Karras. Even though they stepped up tremendously in the playoffs, the Bengals defense ranked just outside the top half of the league in the regular season, and I am not convinced that their current unit has the talent to improve. It is not a sure thing that star safety Jesse Bates III will play for Cincinnati this season, and aside from Trey Hendrickson, this defense doesn't carry a standout player. I would lower expectations for the Bengals based on their outcome from a season ago, but this team is legitimate.
6. Green Bay Packers
Some people might question why the Packers are ranked so highly despite losing offensive centerpiece Davante Adams, but it is quite simple for me; when you have the back-to-back MVP and a strong defense, you are set up well for success. There is no doubt that Davante Adams is a serious loss, but I have no concerns with this offense staying afloat with Aaron Rodgers, an elite running back duo, and a top offensive line. If your quarterback is one of the best in NFL history, it doesn't really matter who he is throwing to, he will get the job done. Although statistics from the 2021 season won't back my praise for this Packers defense, I am confident that they will be a fearsome assemblage throughout this season. There are no apparent holes that offenses can expose, and they possess skill at all levels with Kenny Clark, De'Vondre Campbell, Rashan Gary, Adrian Amos, and Jaire Alexander to name a few. With two non-competitive teams in the NFC North, the Packers should finish with one of the better records in the league.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
It seems like the Kansas City Chiefs regressed for the first time in awhile this offseason, and yet they still find themselves within the top five in my rankings. Similar to the Packers loss of Davante Adams, there is no questioning that the departures of Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu will impact the team, but I have confidence that the Chiefs will survive. These players aren't of the same quality as the two mentioned, but inheriting JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Justin Reid, and Trent McDuffie will certainly help ease some of the pain of their absences. I have no doubt that the Chiefs will retain their status as one of the best offenses in the NFL behind the play of Patrick Mahomes, and their defense is better than most think (eighth fewest points allowed in 2021). The Kansas City Chiefs remain a Super Bowl favorite and will compete among the elite teams in the league.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Will this be the season that Justin Herbert reaches the playoffs? The answer to that question is likely yes. The Chargers have had one of the more talented rosters for a few years now, but injuries have derailed any opportunity for them to be true competitors. Not only do the Chargers have the healthiest roster that they have had since Herbert's arrival, but they also made massive moves in the offseason by drafting Zion Johnson, trading for star pass rusher Khalil Mack, and signing free agent JC Jackson. Those additions helped shape one of the most complete rosters in the entirety of the league, leaving me with big expectations for the team this year. Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has tremendous weapons to utilize with Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams. Although the Chargers allowed the third most points in 2021, their depth chart for this season is terrifying. A pass rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack is enough alone to reek havoc on opponent offenses, but the defense also bears an exceptional secondary with the likes of JC Jackson, Derwin James, and Asante Samuel Jr. If things go as expected, I am thrilled to see how Herbert will perform in the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams don't land the top spot in my power rankings for the upcoming NFL season, but they are very much in contention to repeat. I don't think the Rams will regress much even with the losses of Von Miller, Andrew Whitworth, and Odell Beckham Jr. (if he doesn't resign) since they signed Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson, but I don't think they improved either. Still, a Super Bowl winner doesn't necessarily need to improve to play to the same level that won them a championship in the first place, so there shouldn't be any worries. The one concern I have for this roster is how their offensive line will shape up without Whitworth, but there is enough explosiveness from Matt Stafford, Cam Akers, Cooper Kupp, and Allen Robinson to keep the offense in elite territory. There are some positional gaps in this defense, but it always help to have the best defensive player in the entire NFL in Aaron Donald, the best secondary player in Jalen Ramsey, and one of the best linebackers in Bobby Wagner. A repeat NFC championship of Rams-Buccaneers is the most likely matchup, and what a showing that battle would be after last year's game for the ages.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Speaking of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they hold the runner up spot for my NFL power rankings. Last year's collapse in the NFC Championships was one of the few blemishes in the career of the sports greatest player of all time, Tom Brady, but not expecting him to come back with a vengeance would be preposterous. The Buccaneers finished within the top five in both points scored (second) and points allowed (fifth) a season ago, so there is no doubting the level of talent they hoist on both sides of the ball. Tom Brady is Tom Brady, so any offense he is on will excel, but especially one that also has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, and a superb offensive line. Vita Vea, Devin White, Lavonte David, Shaq Barrett, and Antoine Winfield Jr. are the most noticeable names that contribute to one of the league's best defenses. Playoffs are a virtual lock for this Tampa Bay roster, so Super Bowl or bust should be the mindset.
1. Buffalo Bills
Bills Mafia, stand up! Buffalo fans have suffered for essentially what is the entire duration of the existence of their franchise. I have a feeling that these fans won't suffer much longer as the Bills have what in my opinion is the strongest roster in the entire NFL, and they are still young. The Bills devastating playoff loss to the Chiefs in what may be the greatest NFL game of all time will be on the mind of every player on the roster, and I think their vengeance will come eventually. If the franchise is unable to win their first Super Bowl within the next decade, I would consider this team a failure, no mater what their record is within that time. Like the Buccaneers, the Bills finished in the top five in points scored (third) and points allowed (first) in 2021, and they only improved in the offseason. Their offense is nearly the same unit as a year ago with the addition of James Cook and Jamison Crowder replacing Emmanuel Sanders, and the defense only improved with the signing of one of the best players at getting after the quarterback, Von Miller. The AFC is tougher than the NFC, so the Bills have a gauntlet to get through, but they are my favorite to take home the Lombardi Trophy come February.
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