The long journey ahead toward Super Bowl 59 is about to start. Week 1 of the 2024 regular season will kick off on Thurs. Sept 5, as every team tries to finish the playoffs on top next Feb. 9.
The Chiefs, the reigning two-time champions, will be looking for an unprecedented third consecutive ring in the Super Bowl era. They remain the hunted with a lot of talented hunters behind them.
Since the Chiefs lifted the Lombardi again, there's been plenty of change with teams trying to catch up via new coaches, free agency, draft, and better chemistry. After training camp and the preseasons, here's looking at how the league stacks up against each other, No. 2 through 32 behind Kansas City going into games that count.
WEEK 1 NFL: ATS picks | SU picks | Odds
NFL Power Rankings 2024: Week 1
1. Kansas City Chiefs (previous 2024 post-draft ranking: 1)
The Chiefs have built their own dynasty to replace the Patriots with the core of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones. They've somehow gotten stronger after paying Mahomes because of smart supporting offensive moves and finding ideal defensive playmakers for their scheme. Everything seems to be getting better to keep the window wide open.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2)
The 49ers are battling a few contract questions with Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk now, and Brock Purdy lingering as a massive one just around the corner in 2025. But the loaded offense around Christian McCaffrey still looks intact, while the defense should get more dangerous with improved health and key reinforcements.
3. Detroit Lions (3)
The Lions are hoping to make the NFC a two-team race after being strong runners-up to the 49ers last season. Detroit lost no key coaches and also worked more on shoring up weaknesses. The offense should be a little more explosive, and the defense should give Aidan Hutchinson more playmaking support on the back end.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (5)
The Eagles were smart to reassess their offensive and defensive direction after losing both coordinators post-NFC title. Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon were hard to replace, but so far, it looks like Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio were the right combination to maximize Philly's young talent, led by the Jalens, Hurts and Carter.
5. Baltimore Ravens (4)
The Ravens have the best shot of disrupting the Chiefs' run before they can win another AFC championship and likely battle one of those three NFC heavyweights above. Lamar Jackson is locked into the offense with his MVP play, now featuring extra power from Derrick Henry. The defense will need youth to continue to serve to lead the pass rush and secondary.
6. Houston Texans (7)
The Texans will be trying to push the Ravens as the latest top conference threat to the Chiefs. They have high expectations with upgrades for Year 2 of QB C.J. Stroud and young defensive leader Will Anderson Jr. DeMeco Ryans keeping offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was huge, and there are more breakout players to come to boost the chances of an AFC South repeat.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (6)
Joe Burrow is healthy, and that's a big step toward the Bengals getting right back into title contention, as he's the one QB — and this is the one defense — that has proved it against the Chiefs in the biggest games. Cincinnati also will hope for a revived complementary pass defense.
8. Buffalo Bills (10)
The Bills are going about their winning ways a little differently on offense around Josh Allen to become more diverse and efficient, much like Mahomes and the Chiefs. The defensive has taken some hits but can still remain disruptive enough up front.
9. Green Bay Packers (8)
The Packers continue to look sharp around Jordan Love offensively with more of his receivers ready to come through with more experience. The defense under Jeff Hafley, with a few improvements, will be the key to the Packers returning to the playoffs for a deeper run.
10. New York Jets (13)
The Jets' offensive buzz has quieted around Aaron Rodgers, but he just needs to be the above-average, healthy version of himself at 40 to lift the running game and defense to much better overall team results in 2024. They are a real threat to rebound and dethrone the Bills in the AFC East.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (9)
The Steelers' offense stumble a bit in the preseason for the new, run-heavier scheme of Arthur Smith, but Russell Wilson ended on a good note. This is another team where the passing game just needs to be competent and complementary, as the running game and the defense can lead Mike Tomlin to another winning floor.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (11)
Jim Harbaugh is the coaching master of the quick turnaround. Justin Herbert's foot injury is concerning, but the systemic and personnel changes will take effect earlier than expected because of his fiery motivation. This is yet another defense-and-running team that will hope for enough flashy, big-play passing.
13. Miami Dolphins (12)
The Dolphins are sticking with their successful offensive balance and explosiveness under Mike McDaniel after creating some QB stability with new contracts for Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. Defensively, the secondary is a strength, but there will be concerns about scheme change and front-seven changes.
14. Dallas Cowboys (14)
The Cowboys had a rough offseason where their hands were tied financially because of needing to pay CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons. Their offensive line is in transition, and the skill positions have considerable concerns after Lamb. Defensively, losing Dan Quinn and some key pieces is one thing, but the big early blow is not having top corner DaRon Bland (foot) healthy.
15. Los Angeles Rams (15)
The Rams are adjusting to defensive youth without Aaron Donald and Raheem Morris, but their offense is strong — as long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy at 36. Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams give a rejuvenated Cooper Kupp a big boost.
16. Atlanta Falcons (16)
The Falcons hired Morris to help fix the defense, then got two productive starters late in Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons. After disappointing with Bijan Robinson and the rest of their first-round offensive assets, that side also will be much improved with Kirk Cousins providing a big QB upgrade.
17. Chicago Bears (17)
The Bears have terrific offensive vibes around No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, thanks to major receiving upgrades. The defense has higher hopes, too, with Montez Sweat powering the pass rush. There will be pressure on Matt Eberflus to take this team to the playoffs. It certainly fits the profile post-Hard Knocks.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21)
The Buccaneers will try to keep defending their NFC South crown, but it will get difficult with some key defensive losses for Todd Bowles and still-limited firepower for Baker Mayfield in a new offense. The Falcons are the new favorites in the division, for sure.
19. Cleveland Browns (19)
Deshaun Watson still has plenty to prove, health- and production-wise, as the Browns' very expensive starting QB. That makes it difficult to trust an offense transitioning to more passing, while the defense with Myles Garrett has too heavy of a burden.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (18)
The Jaguars are feeling like a boom-or-bust team with Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence given their hot-and-ice-cold 2023 season. Everything could come together to make them AFC South contenders again, or there will be enough issues to lead to another step back.
21. Washington Commanders (26)
The Commanders deserve more buzz with Jayden Daniels and their one-two playoff-caliber coaching punch of Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury. There is enough talent through offseason moves to sneak away with an NFC wild card.
22. Tennessee Titans (27)
The Titans also blew up plenty offensively and defensively by hiring Brian Callahan and Dennard Wilson. Will Levis has better protection and improved all-around weaponry, while the defense should be schemed up well to produce more impact plays.
23. Indianapolis Colts (24)
The Colts are also rather volatile with Anthony Richardson trying to have his first fully healthy seasons as their franchise QB. Jonathan Taylor and the running game are given support, but there are a few questions about the defense.
24. Seattle Seahawks (22)
Mike Macdonald will have an immediate influence on their pass rush and secondary play. Likewise, Ryan Grubb will get more out of Geno Smith in a creative, uptempo passing game with good receivers. Seattle also feels like either big winners or sliding rebuilders.
25. Minnesota Vikings (20)
The Vikings are diving into a big offensive transition knowing they won't get a long look at rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season. Kevin O'Connell is bound to take lumps with Sam Darnold bridging, putting too much on Brian Flores' defense.
26. Denver Broncos (29)
Bo Nix gives the Broncos a bit of an uptick with promising rookie QB play, but whatever offensive optimism is there will be curbed by defensive disappointment.
27. New Orleans Saints (24)
The Saints look headed to a messy ending with Derek Carr and Dennis Allen, in need of some high-profile replacements. The offense will be OK in a new scheme, but it won't be enough to support a core defense that's headed for a downswing.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (28)
The Raiders are making a mistake by bridging with a mustachioed Gardner Minshew instead of giving Aidan O'Connell a second-year look. They will be a little too running- and defense-dependent in the end.
29. Arizona Cardinals (25)
The Cardinals should have fun with Marvin Harrison Jr. revving up Kyler Murray and the defense, but Jonathan Gannon's defense will keep them from winning much.
30. New York Giants (30)
The Giants have seen more of the shaky Daniel Jones post-major knee injury, and they will still struggle often despite having Malik Nabers. Their defense will need to be a bigger factor in keeping them competitive.
31. Carolina Panthers (32)
Bryce Young should be on the rise soon (how can he not be?) in a friendlier passing offense under Dave Canales for a team that improved the line and skill positions across the board. The Panthers, however, will struggle defensively with a lot of personnel changes for the same scheme.
32. New England Patriots (31)
Regardless of the QB decision, there's not much inspiration for this offense to scare anyone, and there will be some defensive personnel and schematic brain drain without Bill Belichick.
