Preseason Power Rankings
View below my 2026 Preseason Power Rankings for the upcoming NFL season! These are based off many factors, including how a team performed last season and the moves it made over the offseason. See the FAQs below for more info!
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Rams (0-0)
The Rams have built the best offense and one of the best defenses in the league. Myles Garrett and Matthew Stafford lead the Super Bowl favorite Rams.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Cowboys (0-0)
The defending Super Bowl champions have the weapons to go back-to-back, looking to redeem the team from when they fell short of a back-to-back in 2015. Darnold, JSN, and an elite defense will be back in contention for a Super Bowl berth.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Falcons (0-0)
The Broncos should have been in the Super Bowl. They almost won the AFC Championship with a backup quarterback. They’ve only gotten stronger and hungrier over the offseason. A fully healthy Bo Nix will be playing in the AFC Championship this year.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Panthers (0-0)
The Bills keep falling short, but they always get back up again. Josh Allen will have to get past New England and Denver to make it back to the Super Bowl, but he once again has a real chance to.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Colts (0-0)
70% of teams that lose the Super Bowl make the playoffs the next year. Adding AJ Brown only makes the Patriots stronger, they’ll be back in the playoffs in 2026.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Eagles (0-0)
If Lamar Jackson stays healthy, the Ravens could make a real run in January. Adding defensive depth over the offseason only makes them more dangerous.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Browns (0-0)
Caleb Williams and the Bears had a miracle run last year, and have the talent to back it up this year. Breaking the Madden curse will only be one of William’s accomplishments in the 2026-27 season.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Commanders (0-0)
The Eagles did NOT follow up their Super Bowl win well, falling in the first round of the playoffs to the 49ers. This season will define the next five years for the organization, as they can bounce back or keep fading.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Chargers (0-0)
The rich got richer on the Texans defense over the offseason, and their added depth at secondary has them poised to win the division again this year.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Lions (0-0)
The Bengals signing of Dexter Lawrence might be the piece they’ve been missing on defense. The last time they gave Burrow a decent defense, they went to the Super Bowl. The Bengals are a great dark horse to look for in January.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Saints (0-0)
The Jaguars showed signs of life but lacked experience last season. Expect another strong campaign, and their first playoff win.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Titans (0-0)
The 49ers are in the strongest division in football, but still have the talent to make a name for themselves this season. Injuries have plagued them once again, so San Francisco has to step up or they’ll be a disappointment again for their fans.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 6 vs Cardinals (0-0)
The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but haven’t shown that they’re a contender. If the roster clicks, the Panthers will be back in the playoffs. If it doesn’t it’s back to the rebuild.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Rams (0-0)
The only notable thing to happen to the Chiefs this offseason was Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting married. Expect a mid year, just over .500, and another missed playoffs.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Texans (0-0)
The Chargers hypothetically should have won the Super Bowl last year. In reality, Justin Herbert will be busier with Madison Beer this year than with trying to win when it matters.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Bengals (0-0)
The Lions are and will remain the best team at losing one-score games at 1:00 on Sundays. Good for fantasy points, bad if you support them.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Steelers (0-0)
Sneaking into the playoffs because of a tie and then getting beat by your rivals isn’t a great way to go. The Packers haven’t done anything remarkable in the offseason, and neither will their season be remarkable.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Giants (0-0)
Kyler Murray is the new starter for Minnesota, after NINE couldn’t take the reins from Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold. That’s all that needs to be said.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Seahawks (0-0)
America’s team will do what it does best: record a tie, win on Thanksgiving, and miss the playoffs.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Buccaneers (0-0)
Sure Baker Mayfield is awesome, but the Buccaneers haven’t and won’t have a defense for a while. Baker will entertain, but the Bucs miss the playoffs again.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Vikings (0-0)
A healthy Giants team could have been a contender last year. That’s why it’s a shame that they hired John Harbaugh, traded Dexter Lawrence, and can’t get Skattebo to wear a guardian cap.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Broncos (0-0)
Bryce Young’s son wasn’t allowed to do much in the offseason. Kevin Stefanski’s rebuild is underway, don’t expect much except development of the younger players.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Patriots (0-0)
The Colts re-signed everyone that helped them miss the playoffs last year. Sure Alec Pierce is a legend, but he’s catching passes from Daniel Jones. RIP.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Packers (0-0)
The Steelers snuck in to the playoffs, despite being one of the worst teams Aaron Rodgers has ever played for. Adding Michael Pittman gives him some help, it’ll be a nice retirement tour for the vet.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Commanders (0-0)
Many people rank the Dolphins lower, I believe in Malik Willis a little more than most. The last star has been traded (Jaylen Waddle) and the Dolphins have overhauled everything, from their roster to their culture. Give it a few years and this team could be special.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Jaguars (0-0)
The Saints were one game away from making the playoffs last year, but that’s always what happens when you win 7 games in the NFC south. Not much to say here, Shough is a legend.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Dolphins (0-0)
The miracle run the Commanders made two years ago looks even more impossible every time this team takes the field. They’ll be hard pressed to improve on their five win 2025 season.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs 49ers (0-0)
The Titans have a new head coach, Robert Saleh, and weapons for Cam Ward like Wan’Dale Robinson. A bright future, but a tough 2026 season ahead of them.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 15 vs Bears (0-0)
The Browns hired head coach Todd Monken, and traded Myles Garrett for dollar store Aaron Donald (Jared Verse). Definitely a tank year incoming.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 13 vs Cardinals (0-0)
The Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza and signed Kirk Cousins. That QB room is wasted on one of the worst NFL teams in the past half century.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 14 vs Buccaneers (0-0)
Maybe they’ll get an interception this year. Introduce relegation to the CFL.
Record: 0-0 | Last Week’s Ranking: N/A | Next Game: Aug 6 vs Panthers (0-0)
Would you rather Jacoby Brissett take your team to a 2-15 record, or 35-year old rookie Carson Beck take your team to a 2-15 record?
Preseason Power Rankings FAQs
How do I make these? I use several things:
- My own intuition from tracking the NFL. This goes without saying, but I do have some biases. I might rank the Panthers higher than a Falcons fan would. But I can confidently say that I’m not terribly affected by this bias. I also pay close attention to the season.
- Other power rankings. I study Fox Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, and NFL’s power rankings that they release. Seeing what reasons they give helps me understand the teams & what people are saying about them. I miss a lot and this helps round out my knowledge. And no, I don’t copy other power rankings.
- Underrated storylines & topics that I cover. Most of the research that I conduct for my Instagram posts is pretty in depth and I pick under-discussed and underrated storylines. That can move a team up one or two spots on the list.
I’ll be releasing rankings for every week. While I won’t be posting them anywhere else, I do have predictions that I’m making for every week of the NFL season. I’ll be posting four normal predictions every week, and one fan voted matchup. I’ll keep score and as fans you guys have the chance to beat me over the season. Make sure that you’re following me on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to me on YouTube so you can participate in the challenge! And sign up for my Newsletter, there will be updates in the emails I send!
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