Movie quote of the day:
“It’s not the plane. It’s the pilot.”
— Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)
Power rankings:
Biggest riser: Los Angeles Chargers (+16)
Biggest faller: Cleveland, Tampa Bay (-10)
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Previous: 1
I see no reason to drop the back-to-back reigning champions in my power rankings. I still consider the Chiefs to be the best team in the league. As long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy, they’ll be one of the contenders.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Previous: 3 (+1)
I still view Baltimore as one of the top teams in the AFC. The Ravens have the reigning MVP in Lamar Jackson and a great head coach in John Harbaugh. Baltimore also added some good players to its roster this offseason.
3. Detroit Lions
Previous: 4 (+1)
I doubt Detroit will regress. The Lions have one of the best rosters in the league. They also improved their secondary this offseason, which was a big weakness last year. Detroit might be the best team in the NFC right now.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Previous: 2 (-2)
It feels like this season will be San Francisco’s last chance to win a Super Bowl with its current core. The 49ers will likely have some cap casualties next year. We’ll see if San Francisco can avoid a Super Bowl hangover.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Previous: 15 (+10)
With Joe Burrow back healthy, I expect Cincinnati to be in the mix to win the Super Bowl. The Bengals have one of the better rosters and head coaches in the league. Cincinnati also had a great offseason.
6. Buffalo Bills
Previous: 5 (-1)
I expect Buffalo to pull back a bit after having so much roster turnover this offseason. I doubt the Bills are as good as we’ve seen them the last four years. As long as Josh Allen is healthy, though, Buffalo will be in the mix.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Previous: 12 (+5)
I’m not ready to give up on Philadelphia. We’re just one year removed from the Eagles nearly winning the Super Bowl. I thought this team improved this offseason. There’s a lot of pressure on Nick Sirianni to get things right.
8. Green Bay Packers
Previous: 7 (-1)
I don’t think Green Bay is going anywhere. The Packers added some quality players to their roster, which is one of the youngest in the NFL. If Jordan Love plays like he did at the end of last year, Green Bay can win the Super Bowl.
9. Houston Texans
Previous: 8 (-1)
Like Green Bay, I don’t think Houston is going anywhere. The Texans are a young team with an ascending quarterback in C.J. Stroud. DeMeco Ryans also proved himself as one of the better head coaches in the league.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Previous: 9 (-1)
Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy are both entering the final year of their contracts. There’s a lot of pressure on Dallas this season, more so than usual. The Cowboys will still be good, but I think they pull back.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Previous: 10 (-1)
It’s hard to tell just how good the Rams will be without Aaron Donald. Losing a player of that caliber will likely have a negative impact on the Rams. They still have Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay to lead them, though.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous: 28 (+16)
The Chargers had a lot of roster turnover this offseason. I still expect them to be one of the better teams in the league because of Jim Harbaugh, though. The Chargers will have a chance to win a lot of games because of him.
13. Miami Dolphins
Previous: 13
I don’t see Miami being as good this year as it’s been the last few years. The Dolphins regressed quite a bit this offseason. It’s unclear if Tua Tagovailoa will be with the team after this year. I’d sell stock in this team.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Previous: 27 (+13)
Atlanta became a playoff team this offseason. The Falcons already had a decent roster. They just needed a quarterback, and they signed Kirk Cousins. Atlanta should be considered the favorite to win the NFC South division.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Previous: 17 (+2)
Remember, Jacksonville made the playoffs in 2022 and won eight of its first 11 games last year. Trevor Lawrence’s injury derailed the team’s season. The Jaguars have question marks, but I still think they’re a good team.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Previous: 6 (-10)
Tampa Bay was a great story last year, but I don’t think it’ll replicate that success. The Buccaneers are getting older and we know Baker Mayfield is limited as a quarterback. The NFC South also got better this offseason.
17. Indianapolis Colts
Previous: 19 (+2)
The future could be bright in Indianapolis. Shane Steichen did great things with the Colts last year. I need to see how Anthony Richardson performs before I start thinking this team can compete in the AFC, though.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Previous: 14 (-4)
I actually think Pittsburgh improved quite a bit this offseason. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both upgrades over Kenny Pickett. The Steelers also had a great draft. We’ll see if Mike Tomlin can get this team back on track.
19. Arizona Cardinals
Previous: 23 (+4)
Arizona has a legitimate chance to be a playoff team in the NFC this year. The Cardinals were kind of competitive last year and they improved this offseason. Having Kyler Murray for a full season should help, too.
20. Chicago Bears
Previous: 20
I don’t know if any team improved more than Chicago this offseason. The Bears added to their roster during free agency, and then got their next franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. This team might make the playoffs.
21. Cleveland Browns
Previous: 11 (-10)
I doubt Cleveland will be as good as last year. The Browns were 6-2 in one-possession games. That kind of luck likely won’t happen in back-to-back seasons. I’m also not convinced Deshaun Watson is good anymore.
22. New Orleans Saints
Previous: 18 (-4)
New Orleans could be a playoff team or finish with a losing record. The Saints have talent on their roster, but their head coach/quarterback combination is one of the worst in the NFL. This team needs to enter a true rebuild.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Previous: 16 (-7)
I originally had Seattle higher in my power rankings. I had to remind myself that Pete Carroll isn’t with the Seahawks anymore. I think it’s fair to assume Seattle will regress under rookie head coach Mike Macdonald.
24. New York Jets
Previous: 29 (+5)
There’s a good chance that this season will be a disaster for the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is 40 years old and coming off a torn Achilles. I also think Robert Saleh is in over his head as head coach. I’m not buying the hype this year.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Previous: 25
Minnesota will likely take a step back after losing Kirk Cousins. The Vikings have talent on their roster, but they’ll have a difficult time being competitive with either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy starting under center.
26. Denver Broncos
Previous: 24 (-2)
I’m not convinced that Bo Nix is an upgrade at quarterback over Russell Wilson. Sean Payton moved on from some other good players this offseason, too. I have a hard time seeing the Broncos being competitive this year.
27. Washington Commanders
Previous: 31 (+4)
I doubt Washington will be competitive this season, but it should be improved. The Commanders made an upgrade at both head coach and quarterback. New owner Josh Harris has brought excitement to this team.
28. Las Vegas Raiders
Previous: 21 (-7)
This could be a long season for Las Vegas. I don’t know if Antonio Pierce was the right coaching hire, even though the Raiders played well for him last year. They also have one of the worst quarterback situations in the AFC.
29. New York Giants
Previous: 22 (-7)
The Giants should improve in the win column with a healthy Daniel Jones. I still don’t think they have the same success they had in 2022, though. Brian Daboll might be in over his head. The Giants also lost some good players this offseason.
30. Tennessee Titans
Previous: 26 (-4)
It wasn’t the best offseason for Tennessee. The Titans moved on from some good players, even parting ways with Mike Vrabel. There aren’t many teams worse than the Titans right now. It’ll likely be a long season for them.
31. New England Patriots
Previous: 30 (-1)
I’ll be surprised if New England doesn’t finish last in the AFC East. The Patriots just don’t have enough talent on either side of the ball to be competitive. Not having Bill Belichick as head coach will hurt this team quite a bit.
32. Carolina Panthers
Previous: 32
I’ll give Carolina credit. The Panthers did a good job improving the situation around Bryce Young. Carolina added some quality players through free agency and the draft. I need to see this team get out of the cellar, though.
All Things Sports from a Millennial 