With training camps opening for business across the NFL last week and the preseason schedule kicking off with the Hall of Fame Game this week, it's an ideal time to check back on how good every team is looking for the 2022 regular season.
Although there's a long road ahead before Super Bowl 57, the foundation for becoming one of the league's best playoff-bound teams begins with the work in the most intense practices. Here's where all 32 stand from best to worst, updated from where they were after the 2022 draft:
NFL power rankings 2022
1. Buffalo Bills (previous ranking: 2)
The odds are with the Bills as a strong Super Bowl-winning favorite at sportsbooks everywhere for good reason. They are loaded offensively around the MVP favorite QB Josh Allen and Von Miller revving up the rest of a well-designed defense. It's good to see Allen fired up already in the heat of camp.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
The Chiefs are figuring out their post-Tyreek Hill wide receiver corps around Patrick Mahomes, but they still have Mahomes, Travis Kelce and plenty of offensive pop. Defensively, they have lost a little but will keep getting the most out of a complementary unit.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3)
The Buccaneers are the NFC favorites to make it two Super Bowl appearances in three seasons with Tom Brady. They have given him every possible option without Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown in the receiving corps and running game. The defense, even with a few changes, is the underrated backbone.
4. Green Bay Packers (4)
The Packers are also in the process of a big transition in the receiving corps for their MVP QB, Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers with Matt LaFleur has produced a consistent 13-win floor with great support from the running game and more active defense. They still look like the most put-together team in a weak division and Rodgers keeps them on the elite NFC short list.
5. Los Angeles Rams (5)
The Rams were gutted defensively, headlined by Miller. They also lost some coaching staff and had to remix their offense more than expected around Matthew Stafford. Sean McVay's team won't fade too much but it will have a difficult time repeating as NFC West winners, let alone Super Bowl champs.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (6)
The Chargers added Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson to get the key missing impact pieces for Brandon Staley's defense. Justin Herbert will build on his amazing first two seasons with the offense having more versatility. No one should be surprised if it's this Los Angeles' team turn at the Super Bowl in the end.
7. San Francisco 49ers (8)
The 49ers carry more upside with Trey Lance starting at quarterback vs. Jimmy Garoppolo. They also have a little more volatility, but that's curbed by a great offensive line, reliable traditional running game and a superb overall system under Kyle Shanahan. The defense also is stronger and deeper with more enforcements against the pass.
8. Baltimore Ravens (9)
The Ravens lost their way defensively caught between a reload and rebuild last season, but now their typical edge pass rush pop is restored and they are set up to have the NFL's best secondary. That should work very well playing off Lamar Jackson operating with a better line and a healthier run-heavy offense.
9. Dallas Cowboys (7)
The Cowboys should feel good about Dak Prescott far removed from his ankle injury issues and contract concerns. Their changes on the offensive line are for the better and they have the preferred personnel for Kellen Moore at the skill positions. The defense made the big plays last season but it needs to transition into more stability.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (11)
The Bengals navigated through a tough AFC field to make the conference championship with their own rising young QB, Joe Burrow. They didn't lose anything they didn't replace in the offseason and notably upgraded their offensive line. Cincinnati vs. Baltimore will be an intense battle for AFC North supremacy with contrasting styles.
11. Denver Broncos (12)
The Broncos made the biggest QB upgrade of the offseason with the trade for Russell Wilson. But camp will be critical for him getting on the same page with receivers who are also recovering from injury-riddled seasons and a unit adjusting a new scheme under Nathaniel Hackett and Justin Outten. The defense also has to adjust to no Vic Fangio. The talent is there, but it's still the third-best team in the league's toughest division.
12. Indianapolis Colts (13)
The Colts are easily the best team now in the league's weakest division. They got Matt Ryan as someone who can caretake for a run-heavy offense featuring Jonathan Taylor that has some nice-sized targets in the passing game. The goal was to not drag down a solid defense and it should be met for Frank Reich.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (17)
The Eagles were a pleasant playoff surprise last season on the strength of their Jalen Hurts-fronted run-heavy offense and good all-around play from the defense. Philadelphia had the nuts and bolts for steady results under Nick Sirianni; now it's added flashy playmakers on both sides of the ball, highlighted by A.J. Brown. Watch out for them stealing the NFC East from the Cowboys.
14. Cleveland Browns (10)
As the Browns deal with their major quarterback upgrade Deshaun Watson being suspended for the first six games, they will be a similar team to last year, leaning much on the running game and defense. It makes senses to leave them in the muddled middle after last season's disappointment.
15. Miami Dolphins (16)
The Dolphins also are a wild card in many ways after big personnel upgrades offensively around Tua Tagovailoa, with Tagovailoa being the notable biggest question mark in Mike McDaniel's scheme. There are some good defensive pieces, but there might be Denver-like lumps minus Miami's own former coach, Brian Flores.
16. Arizona Cardinals (18)
The Cardinals caved on Kyler Murray breaking the bank and now he needs to back up that contract with a true transcendent season, especially if he keeps choosing not to run as much. The defense is a mishmash and needs big improvements from key younger players.
17. Tennessee Titans (15)
The wheels may be falling off the Titans soon as the fallout continues from Ryan Tannehill's fade and Derrick Henry's wear slowly catching up to him. They need more from their defense and are adjusting to a rebooted passing game, too.
18. New England Patriots (19)
Mac Jones has gotten heaps of praise from Bill Belichick in training camp, but this is still a limited passing game and a more rushing-effective attack, now without Josh McDaniels calling the plays. The defense will still be relied upon to win battles of attrition.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (20)
Speaking of McDaniels, the team added to Silver and Black offensive buzz by giving him wide receiver Davante Adams to pair with Derek Carr. There are offensive line and backfield issues, however, and the defense need to be much more than Maxx Crosby.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (18)
The Steelers have the elite pass defense and should have an improved running game with better blocking for Najee Harris. They need a big run defense and passing game improvement, however, to finish in the top half of the tough AFC North. A lot will hinge on getting above-average quarterback play, whether it's Mitchell Trubisky or rookie Kenny Pickett.
21. New Orleans Saints (21)
The Saints go from offensive-minded Sean Payton to defensive-minded Dennis Allen. The latter's side of the ball is pretty strong on every level. The offense may come together nicely to surprise should a healthy Jameis Winston help the team get its desired more aggressive downfield passing game.
22. Minnesota Vikings (22)
The Vikings have some good vibes under their new offensive-minded new coach, Kevin O'Connell. They have some good wild-card potential with Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, but better defense is the key, starting with whether Danielle Hunter can return to dominant form post injury.
23. Washington Commanders (23)
The Commanders are hoping that Carson Wentz can provide them with elusive QB answers for Scott Turner's system and allow them to tap more into their downfield passing game with much richer Terry McLaurin and rookie first-rounder Jahan Dotson. They require a big defensive rebound, however, one that won't happen without Chase Young at full effectiveness.
24. Detroit Lions (31)
The Lions are prime candidates to overachieve in their "Hard Knocks" season under the always fiery Dan Campbell. They are suddenly loaded offensively everywhere under Jared Goff. The defense will hold them back, however, from making a real jump beyond third place in the weak NFC North.
25. New York Jets (28)
The Jets are the Lions of the NFC East, being discounted as pushovers because of more marquee storylines on other teams in the division. But they quietly are much improved around Zach Wilson and Robert Saleh's preferred defense is starting to take shape. Watch out for them having a buzzy preseason, enough to make the Dolphins and Patriots sweat ahead of them.
26. New York Giants (27)
The other New York team has some more offensive promise with Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka as the new collaborators and the defense keeps collecting playmakers. Whether they can climb out of the AFC East cellar depends on Daniel Jones making vs. breaking.
27. Carolina Panthers (28)
The Panthers feel like they might have more QB stability assuming Baker Mayfield wins the starting job over Sam Darnold, but they need better health and reliability in other offensive areas. The defense has some fine parts, but the clock is ticking to make it a special whole.
28. Chicago Bears (26)
Justin Fields doesn't have the best offensive line and there's also limited weapons in relation to other young QBs. But a fresh coaching staff with help get the best out of athletic and arm talent in Year 2. The real big question is a rare big question in Chicago, all about the defense.
29. Seattle Seahawks (25)
The Seahawks don't seem to be perturbed about their major downgrade in QB from Russell Wilson and transitioning back to being a power run-heavy offense. They should be, because the issues on defense will make it difficult to turn that formula into a winning one.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (30)
The Jaguars are in full cleanup mode from the Urban Meyer mess and Doug Pederson will help generational talent Trevor Lawrence get back on track with some offensive competency. But the results will take time to get there, just like they will with the key new faces for the new defense.
31. Atlanta Falcons (27)
The Falcons added transition at quarterback and the passing game to their rebuild, on top of taking some defensive hits and remaining in a perpetual state of fixing that side of the ball. Unfortunately, Arthur Smith's Year 2 looks like a tough one with Atlanta falling to NFC-worst status.
32. Houston Texans (32)
The Texans are rolling with Davis Mills while going through more offensive changes and got fickle with leadership again, promoting Lovie Smith to coach while he's still figuring out to put out a competent defense. Overall, Houston remains the league's messiest organization minus Watson.
