NFL Power Rankings: Week 1 (2025)
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles, throws the ball during an Eagles training camp practice, at the NovaCare Complex, in Philadelphia, PA. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Editor's note: UPDATE: The Dallas Cowboys have traded All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
The time is almost here! With preseason games, joint practices, and training camps all wrapped up, it's safe to say the NFL is back in full swing, with the regular season beginning on September 4th as the Dallas Cowboys face off against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East rivalry showdown.
While the Eagles have a stacked roster and look primed to repeat as champs, there are lots of other teams that certainly have their eyes set on capturing the Vince Lombardi Trophy this coming February. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will try to overcome their past playoff failures and advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012. Reigning MVP Josh Allen will try to get the Buffalo Bills over the hump and back to the Big Game for the first time in three decades. And of course, we can't forget about Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be looking to avenge their blowout Super Bowl loss to the Eagles and reclaim the throne as the NFL's best team.
The Eagles and Chiefs start the season at #1 and #2, respectively, in my power rankings, but what about after that? Here is how all 32 teams stack up in my eyes as the 2025 NFL regular season kicks off.
Led by All-Pro and reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, an elite offensive line, and an incredible defence, the Eagles looked like the best team in the NFL by the time the playoffs arrived. And once there, quarterback Jalen Hurts elevated his game to help put Philly over the top and capture their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. And while the team did lose some key players on the defensive side of the ball during free agency, the core of their Super Bowl LIX-winning team is still largely intact. It wouldn't shock me if the Eagles end up becoming the first NFC team to make back-to-back Super Bowl appearances since the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Seattle Seahawks. They look locked and loaded and appear to be on a mission to retain the Lombardi Trophy.
For the first time since 2022, the Chiefs are not sitting in the #1 spot in my Week 1 power rankings. However, make no mistake about it, the three-time defending AFC champions are still a very formidable team, with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Andy Reid leading the way. If the wide receiver group of Rashee Rice (who will likely miss some of the season due to a suspension), Xavier Worthy, and Marquise Brown can stay healthy, and if rookie left tackle Josh Simmons (who has looked amazing so far during training camp) can prove to be a reliable blindside protector for Mahomes, don't be surprised if the Chiefs make it back to the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive year.
Ever since the Lamar Jackson era began in earnest in 2019, the Ravens have been an elite team, boasting the league's third-best record over the last six seasons. However, despite this, the Ravens have gone just 3-5 in the playoffs during that span and have failed to reach the Super Bowl. Coming into this season, you could make the argument that the Ravens have the best roster in football. Jackson and future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry are the main catalysts of what was the NFL's best offence in 2024, while All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton lead a stacked defence. If this year isn't the year that Baltimore finally gets over the hump, then when will it be?
4. Buffalo Bills
It's championship or bust these days in Western New York. Over the last five seasons, the Bills have won 61 games, secured five consecutive AFC East titles, and reached the AFC Championship Game twice. However, they have yet to advance to the Super Bowl, largely due to their inability to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason. During the offseason, team general manager Brandon Beane made some solid moves, signing former Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa and drafting speedy cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the first round of this year's draft. Will those upgrades on defence be enough to finally help Josh Allen get past Patrick Mahomes come January?
For much of the 2024 NFL regular season, the Lions looked like the best team in the NFC. They won the NFC North division title for the second consecutive year and secured the number one seed in the NFC. Unfortunately, the team suffered a bunch of injuries to key players on the defensive side of the ball, and those injuries eventually caught up with them as the season progressed, leading to an unexpected early playoff exit. Losing both of their top assistant coaches (offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) during the offseason will hurt. However, led by Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown (among others), this offence should still be elite, and, with the return of Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the defence could be a top-10 unit as well. This is a legitimate championship-contending team that could knock the Eagles off their perch as the NFC's best squad in 2025.
Out of the four playoff opponents the Eagles faced en route to winning the Super Bowl last season, the Rams came the closest to defeating them before ultimately coming up just short in their divisional round matchup. Led by a stout defensive line, a very talented wide receiver duo of Puka Nacua and future Hall of Famer Davante Adams, and one of the best head coaches in the NFL in Sean McVay, the Rams appear to be the best team in a deep NFC West division. Assuming that quarterback Matthew Stafford's back doesn't fall apart, this is an excellent, well-coached squad that could certainly make a deep playoff run in the NFC come January.
The last two seasons have played out in a very similar fashion for the Houston Texans: a 10-7 record, winning the AFC South division, and bowing out in the divisional round of the playoffs. The defence, led by elite players such as Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and Derek Stingley Jr., is one of the best in the league (Houston's defence ranked fifth in total defence last season), but this team's ceiling all depends on their offence. Will the arrival of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley help fix the team's offensive line issues and help star quarterback C.J. Stroud play at a higher level than he did in 2024? If so, all of the other pieces are in place to help the Texans make a deep playoff run in the AFC in 2025.
What a difference a year makes! Led by sensational then-rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders won eight more games in 2024 than they did in 2023, made their first playoff appearance since 2020, and advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. It's an exciting time to be a Commanders fan! However, although Washington made a ton of moves during the offseason, I wonder if those were the right moves that will help this team close the gap between them and the Eagles. However, as long as Daniels is at the controls, the Commanders should continue to be in the NFC contender mix in 2025 and beyond.
Led by an elite defence, the Broncos won 10 games last season and made the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl 50-winning season back in 2015. With players such as All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen, All-Pro edge rusher Nik Bonitto, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos' defence could be the NFL's best in 2025. If second-year quarterback Bo Nix can take the next step, this is a Denver team that will not only make the playoffs again this season, but a team that could also end the Chiefs' reign atop the AFC West division and be a legit Super Bowl contender in the AFC.
The first two years of the Jordan Love era have gone very well in Green Bay. Led by Love and head coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers have made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and have established themselves as one of the best teams in the NFC. Last season, however, proved that the Packers are a good team, not a great one, as they went 0-6 against the Eagles, Lions, and Minnesota Vikings (three of the NFC's best teams in 2024) while going 11-1 against everyone else. If Love (who played through injury throughout last season and recently underwent thumb surgery on his non-throwing hand) can stay healthy and take his play to another level this season, perhaps the Packers can make the jump from good to great, recapture the NFC North division crown, and make a deep playoff run in 2025.
The Vikings were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL last season, as they won 14 games. Had they defeated the Lions during the final week of the regular season, Minnesota would've won the NFC North and clinched the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. The offence, headlined by All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and coached by renowned offensive-minded head coach Kevin O'Connell, has a lot of talent. The defence, led by elite defensive coordinator Brian Flores, was very good in 2024 and should be one of the best defences in the league again this season as well. But make no mistake about it; the 2025 Vikings' season will be defined by the play of second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. If McCarthy (who missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a knee injury) can adequately replace Sam Darnold and play at a high level, the Vikings could be a legitimate contender to win the NFC and make their first Super Bowl appearance since 1977.
Led by quarterback Justin Herbert and new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers enjoyed an amazing turnaround, as they went from a 5-12 record in 2023 to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth in 2024. The Chargers' defence, led by defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, was very good last season and the team added several playmakers on offence during the offseason to help out that side of the ball as well. The onus is now on Herbert (who has yet to win a playoff game) to elevate his play when it matters most and lead this team to success in the postseason.
The Tom Brady effect is real, folks. Ever since they acquired Brady in free agency in 2020, the Buccaneers have the sixth-best record in the NFL, have made the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, won four straight NFC South division titles, and have won six playoff games (including their victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV). And although Brady retired from the NFL for the second and final time nearly three years ago, it's safe to say that a winning, hard-nosed culture has been built in Tampa Bay, a culture now led by Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has thrown the most touchdown passes in the league over the last two seasons and has helped the Buccaneers turn into one of the best offences in the NFL. The Bucs will be a darkhorse Super Bowl contender this season if their defence can improve and play at a higher level than they did in 2024.
After enduring another season that ended in the wildcard round of the playoffs, the Steelers, who have not won a playoff game since 2017, decided that enough was enough. Previously known for building his teams in a conservative, low-risk manner, team general manager Omar Khan made a series of win-now, boom-or-bust moves this offseason, including the signing of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers already have a very good defence led by All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt, so if Rodgers--who is now 41 years old--still has high-level play left in the tank, Pittsburgh could push Baltimore for the AFC North crown in 2025. However, if Rodgers falls off a cliff this season, that could signal the end of the Mike Tomlin era and kickstart what could be a long rebuild in the Steel City.
2024 couldn't have gone any worse for the San Francisco 49ers, as the team dealt with numerous injuries and personal tragedies throughout the season. General manager John Lynch made the decision to let multiple veteran players (such as star linebacker Dre Greenlaw and All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufunga) walk in free agency this offseason, so the team will look a lot younger this season and it remains to be seen if they can regain their spot as one of the elite squads in the NFC. But with star players such as Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner still on the roster and head coach Kyle Shanahan at the controls, this is a 49ers squad that, if they stay healthy, can wrestle the NFC West title away from the Rams in 2025.
The 2024 Cincinnati Bengals served as a case study on exactly why you can't win big in the NFL if your team is competent on only one side of the ball. Although Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase put up outstanding numbers last season, the Bengals won just nine games and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The biggest culprit was their much-maligned defence, which couldn't stop a nosebleed for most of the season. If new defensive coordinator Al Golden can get that side of the ball to play better this season, the Bengals will have a good shot at getting back into the postseason in 2025 with Burrow and an explosive offence leading the way.
Head coach Mike Macdonald's tenure in Seattle got off to a solid start last season, as the Seahawks missed the playoffs despite finishing the campaign with a 10-7 record. Known as a defensive coach, Macdonald helped Seattle's defence steadily improve as the season progressed, led by star players such as cornerback Devon Witherspoon and defensive end Leonard Williams. If new quarterback Sam Darnold can pick up where he left off after enjoying an incredible season with the Vikings in 2024, the Seahawks will have an excellent chance of winning the NFC West division for the first time since 2020.
The Caleb Williams era in Chicago didn't get off to a strong start, as some people predicted in 2024. The Bears, after starting the season with a 4-2 record, lost 10 games in a row and finished the campaign with a 5-12 record. As a result, Williams now has a new head coach in former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who will try to help the 2024 number-one overall pick rebound from a so-so rookie season. The NFC North is probably the best division in football, but Johnson is one of the best offensive coaches in the NFL and the Bears already have a good defence, so the potential is definitely there for the Bears to snap their five-year playoff drought this season.
How 'bout them Cowboys? Every time you think this team couldn't get any more dramatic, team owner Jerry Jones does something to prove you wrong. This time, Jones is engaging in a public contract dispute with superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Cowboys' best player. Don't get me wrong; the decision to trade for talented wide receiver George Pickens was a smart one, as he and All-Pro wideout Ceedee Lamb should combine to be one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL and help star quarterback Dak Prescott in a big way. But none of that will matter in the grand scheme of things if Jones doesn't do the right thing and sign Parsons to a multi-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Dallas could be a playoff team in 2025 with Parsons on the field, but without him, they stand zero chance.
Last season, the Falcons seemed primed to win the NFC South and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017 after signing Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency last March. However, after starting the season with a 6-3 record, Cousins began to struggle, and Atlanta completely collapsed down the stretch as a result, winning just two of their final eight games and allowing the Buccaneers to swoop in and win the division. Now, second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will step in as the starter, and he'll have a lot of help at his disposal, with Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson and star wide receiver Drake London leading a talented group of playmakers on offence. If Penix Jr. proves to be a legit starting quarterback and the defence (under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich) steps up, the Falcons will have a chance to win the division in 2025, and the future will look very bright in Atlanta moving forward.
A new era will commence in Las Vegas this season, as Pete Carroll and John Spytek take over as the head coach and general manager, respectively. Additionally, Geno Smith was brought in to be the team's new quarterback. Smith is a solid signal-caller, so the offence--led by Smith, talented rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, and All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers--should be pretty good in 2025. However, the defence (outside of All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby) doesn't look too great on paper and will keep this Raiders team from making a lot of noise in a very tough AFC West division this season.
As a franchise, the Cardinals have built a reputation for starting strong but fading down the stretch in recent years. In 2021, Arizona went 7-0 to start the season, but went on to lose six of its last 10 games before getting blown out in the wildcard round against the Rams. And last season, the Cardinals started off with a 6-4 record before collapsing late in the year and finishing with an 8-9 record. There is a lot of pressure on Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray this season. If Murray--who is entering his seventh season in the NFL--can't elevate his game when it matters most late in 2025, don't be surprised if this ends up being his final hurrah in the desert.
The famed "Greatest Show on Surf" days in Miami seem so far away right now. After making the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, the Dolphins struggled in 2024, going 8-9 and finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2019. Heading into this season, there are a lot of concerns with this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running back De'Von Achane, and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, there is a lot of talent on offence, but Tagovailoa has struggled to stay healthy throughout his football career. 2025 is certainly shaping up to be a make-or-break season for head coach Mike McDaniel.
It was a tale of two seasons for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young in 2024. He struggled mightily to begin the campaign, which ultimately led to him getting benched just two weeks into the season. However, once he got the starting job back, Young--the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft--played at a very high level to close out the season, throwing 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the final three weeks of the season. If Young's breakout wasn't a fluke and is a sign of things to come, then the Panthers could be one of the NFL's most surprising teams and make some noise in the NFC South in 2025.
The Patriots are 25th in my Week 1 power rankings, but this team could surprise in a big way in 2025. Mike Vrabel (who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots during his playing career in the 2000s) is now back in New England as the head coach. Dating back to his time as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Vrabel is well-known for getting the most out of his players, so if second-year quarterback Drake Maye (who played pretty well last year as a rookie) can continue to improve as a passer and the defence plays up to its potential, the Patriots could compete for a playoff bid in the AFC this season.
After enduring a very chaotic and disappointing 2024 season, the Jets will enter the 2025 NFL season with modest expectations and a new regime leading the charge as former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn takes over as the head coach, while Justin Fields will take over for Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback. The Jets likely won't compete for a playoff spot in 2025, but this season will be all about Glenn trying to instill a hard-working, tough-nosed culture that can help this franchise get back to its winning ways in the near future.
After winning the AFC South and winning a playoff game during the 2022 season, the Jaguars have steadily regressed over the last two seasons, as they barely missed the playoffs in 2023 before looking like one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2024. Now, new head coach Liam Coen (who did an excellent job as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator last season) will step in and try to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence--the number-one overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft--get his career back on track. With the additions of Coen and two-way rookie Travis Hunter--along with the presence of second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who already looks like one of the best wideouts in the league--Lawrence will have a great opportunity to finally play up to his potential in 2025 and, perhaps, beyond.
A troubling pattern is emerging for the Brian Daboll era in New York. Since becoming the team's head coach in 2022, the Giants' win total has decreased from nine to six to three wins over the last three seasons. Does that mean the Giants will go 0-17 this season? I don't think so, especially because it looks like their defensive line could be the best in the NFL. But unless future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson or rookie signal-caller Jaxson Dart (who, to be fair, looked great during the preseason) can step in and play at a high level consistently, it wouldn't be surprising if 2025 ends up being Daboll's final year as the head coach of Big Blue.
The Colts' franchise has lost a lot of its lustre over the last decade or so. After being one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2000s and early to mid-2010s, the Colts have struggled mightily since 2015, as they have made just two playoff appearances during that span. The Colts used to be able to hang their hat on being led by great quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, but their Week 1 starter heading into this season will be former Giants first-round draft pick Daniel Jones, who beat out Anthony Richardson (whom Indianapolis selected with the fourth overall pick in 2023 for the starting job). The times are tough in Indy these days, and it doesn't seem like things are going to get better anytime soon.
The Browns are, let's just say, an interesting franchise. There's been a lot of drama surrounding this team throughout the entire offseason, mostly because they decided to draft two rookie quarterbacks--Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round--despite already having two veteran quarterbacks on the roster (though they smartly traded away quarterback Kenny Pickett yesterday). It's unfortunate, too, because this Browns team definitely has talented players, especially on defence (Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, I'm looking at you), but it seems like they just can never get out of their own way.
A new era will begin in Tennessee in just a couple of weeks, as rookie quarterback Cam Ward begins his NFL career. Ward is a confident signal-caller who possesses elite arm talent and believes he can make any throw on the football field, which will make Tennessee's offence fun to watch for the first time since 2020, when Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and A.J. Brown were all dominating in a Titans uniform. The 2025 season will be all about evaluating Ward and seeing whether or not he can show he can be the franchise quarterback in the Music City for the next decade-plus.
For the first time in two decades, the Saints are at the bottom of the NFL hierarchy. They have a new head coach in Kellen Moore, who is fresh off helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl last season as their offensive coordinator, but Moore will have a significantly worse roster to work with in New Orleans. And based on how their quarterback competition went during the preseason, it wouldn't be shocking if the Saints are in contention for the number-one overall pick in 2026.
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