The long NFL offseason is finished, with the training camp and the preseason finally in the rearview mirror. Now the calendar has turned to September and Week 1 of the 2023 regular season is here.
Since Sporting News most recently ranked all 32 teams from top to bottom in early August, not too much has changed. But there are some more positive feeling about potential contenders and some more negative thoughts against the projected worst clubs.
Before the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs kick it all off by hosting the Lions while they get their latest rings on Thursday night, here's an updated look at the league's hierarchy, starting in well, Kansas City:
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NFL power rankings 2023
1. Kansas City Chiefs (previous 2023 ranking: 1)
The Chiefs have a defensive concern with Chris Jones, but their offense has rebooted to stay reloaded around Patrick Mahomes, keeping it as the biggest driving force toward Andy Reid trying to make it three rings in five years.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (2)
The Eagles remain spectacular with a little more of a youth movement and Jalen Hurts settling in as established elite QB and getting paid like it. It will be difficult for any NFC contender to keep them from getting to the Super Bowl again.
3. San Francisco 49ers (3)
The 49ers cleared up their QB mess by being definitive about a healthy Brock Purdy vs. a now traded Trey Lance. They took some blocking hits, but they are fine around Pury with all their key offensive skill weapons staying healthy with pass complementing run.
4. New York Jets (6)
While the focus has been on Aaron Rodgers, the offense is plenty good enough with just solid play from him given the improved line situation and skill players. Quinnen Williams, Sauce Gardner and the defense is really why they're so high.
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5. Buffalo Bills (5)
The Bills are right there to try to stop the Jets' major challenge but they have just enough offensive and defensive questions in a little bit of a transition around their corps to think they will slip after not taking advantage of their wheelhouse window.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4)
The Bengals should be somewhat concerned with Joe Burrow's injury, but the bigger overall worry is the strength of the division which will be much harder to navigate with the QB competition starting to get tougher. The defense and running game need to be key elements for another Super Bowl breakthrough.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10)
The Ravens will keep the heat on the Bengals with Lamar Jackson thriving in the more wide-open offense and a loaded back seven defense when healthy. Jackson just needs to stay healthy to stay comfortable with more passing.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8)
The Jaguars are holding steady, too, while expecting a big third season from Trevor Lawrence in an even more dynamic, balanced and explosive offense. Whether the Jaguars can compete for the AFC title comes down to the young defense growing up for greater impact.
9. Detroit Lions (7)
The Lions' buzz has cooled only a little because of a few injury concerns early, namely to Amon-Ra St. Brown. But they are set up to have another big run-oriented offensive year for Dan Campbell and like the Jaguars, they expect youth to serve much better on an upgraded defense.
10. Miami Dolphins (11)
The Dolphins have this kind of ceiling because of what the offense can be with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa operating for Mike McDaniel, but that's a big if now with the line and the depth being key weaknesses. Also, the defensive promise will be curbed early with Jalen Ramsey on the shelf.
11. Dallas Cowboys (9)
The Cowboys are hoping to rebound offensively with Dak Prescott responding to a different kind of pass-oriented scheme focusing on short-to-intermediate and playing well off the running game. Until they sort out their identity there with new personnel, the Micah Parsons and the playmaking defense will be a big foundation to keep them playoff-positioned.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (12)
The Chargers are the Jaguars of the West. They have no concerns offensively around Justin Herbert under Kellen Moore and now limitless, diverse weapons, too. The defense needs to stop underachieving so they can remain a playoff team and a more dangerous one at that.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (14)
The Steelers have had a fantastic offseason with great optimism around Kenny Pickett at quarterback. Their defensive upgrades everywhere in the back seven will help to better flank a healthy T.J. Watt, too.
14. Green Bay Packers (15)
There's also a great feeling about Jordan Love coming through well as a first-time starter to help this otherwise stacked team with offensive skill players return to the playoffs. The defense just has to achieve at the high level of which it's capable.
15. Seattle Seahawks (13)
The Seahawks have a lot of buzz, too, but there might be some regression based on a tougher schedule outside of half the NFC West and making sure the injury bug doesn't bite too much. Geno Smith will need to prove it again vs. more prepared defenses.
16. New York Giants (16)
Daniel Jones is providing the optimism here coming off a cleaned-up season and now getting more key weapons, including tight end Darren Waller. But their offensive upside still may be capped and the defense needs to provide more support to a strong front.
17. Denver Broncos (20)
The Sean Payton coaching should clean up plenty in the Broncos' offense, but that just might push a fading, aging Russell Wilson to the necessary above-average mark to give them a shot at the playoffs.
18. Minnesota Vikings (17)
The Vikings had plenty of unprecedented fourh-quarter magic last season thanks to dramatic comebacks by the offense. That side is still loaded around Kirk Cousins, but some key remaining defensive holes might make it tough to repeat in the NFC North.
19. Cleveland Browns (18)
The Browns don't seem inspiring offensively beyond Nick Chubb's running with Deshaun Watson's shaky passing not inspiring much confidence. The defense can carry it well, but it still seems Cleveland is headed to being a good last-place team.
20. New Orleans Saints (19)
The Saints got a mild QB upgrade in Derek Carr and won't have Alvin Kamara early. They also took some defensive personnel hits. They are precarious at best as de facto NFC South favorites.
21. Washington Commanders (25)
Sam Howell will do his best to close the QB gap the Commanders have had in the division, now behind Hurts, Prescott and Jones. If he can get enough running and defense to help take pressure off him, watch out.
22. Atlanta Falcons (22)
The Falcons are hoping they can thrive with a run-heavier game plan featuring rookie Bijan Robinson and an improved front seven defense, but the skepticism about second-year QB Desmond Ridder gives them a shaky floor.
23. New England Patriots (21)
The Patriots also plan to win by pounding it often with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott and counting on Bill Belichick's defense to come through. They'll need more than a few flashes from Mac Jones in a loaded QB division, however, to finish higher than last place.
24. Carolina Panthers (23)
Don't be surprised if the Panthers start to rise quickly with the leadership of Bryce Young and Frank Reich, which also will contribute to a cleaner, crisper offense to relieve some burden of an injury-hampered defense.
25. Chicago Bears (24)
The Bears had an excellent offseason of upgrades, including the trade with the Panthers that got them D.J. Moore. There are still big questions about the key parts of their defense despite a few upgrades.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (27)
The Raiders feel ready for a freefall with Jimmy Garoppolo trying to build a bridge over a dangling Josh McDaniels offense that's too run-dependent. The defense still doesn't seem to be much better behind Maxx Crosby.
27. Los Angeles Rams (26)
The Rams are a shell of the defense that won them the Super Bowl around and behind Aaron Donald and more Cooper Kupp absence on offense is another bad omen.
28. Tennessee Titans (28)
The Titans also will try to win more with ground and pound, but the transition at QB to rookie Will Levis is looming as well as more of a defensive remix.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29)
Baker Mayfield can do something with their talented backs and receivers, but let's remember this team was mediocre with Tom Brady last season in falling from ranks of true NFC contenders. The line, skill depth and defensive wear can cost them a lot.
30. Indianapolis Colts (30)
The Colts are trying to keep it together for rookie Anthony Richardson without Jonathan Taylor, but the line is suspect and receiving corps needs to show more. Defensively, there are some pieces of solidity, but not enough.
31. Houston Texans (31)
The Texans are bound to take the typical rookie QB lumps with C.J. Stroud on offense and also face plenty of growing pains with Will Anderson Jr. and others in DeMeco Ryan's defense.
32. Arizona Cardinals (32)
The Cardinals have been jettisoning key defensive personnel all offseason and are dealing with no Kyler Murray to help their offense. They're headed to having the top two picks in the 2024 draft.
