Updated Weekly · Preseason Edition

NFL Power Rankings 2026

All 32 NFL teams ranked by our AI model — a composite of projected wins, roster strength, and schedule difficulty. Rankings refresh every Tuesday with movement arrows and updated notes.

Rank

Move

Team

Proj Wins

Los Angeles Rams

NFC's most complete roster. Elite front seven, restored WR corps, and a schedule that projects as top-5 easiest.

12.5

Detroit Lions

Still elite on both sides of the ball. O-line health is the only real bear case.

12.0

Baltimore Ravens

Deepest AFC roster on paper. Two-time MVP Jackson leads the AFC North favorite.

11.5

Buffalo Bills

Reigning MVP Allen + a top-10 defense. AFC path is the only concern.

11.5

Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon + Hurts + retooled secondary. Still a top-3 NFC threat.

11.0

Los Angeles Chargers

Harbaugh year 2. Only Week 1 double-digit favorite. Market has caught up.

10.5

Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes health is the biggest 2026 storyline. Ceiling remains dynasty-level.

10.5

San Francisco 49ers

Full-health 49ers are back among NFC's top three. Injuries were the whole story in 2025.

10.0

Cincinnati Bengals

Highest-ceiling offense in football. Defense must show up in December.

10.0

#10

Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love's second full year with an upgraded WR room.

10.0

#11

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels' encore + a stiffer defense. Dark-horse NFC champ.

9.5

#12

Houston Texans

Stroud's ceiling remains top-5 QB. AFC South still winnable.

9.5

#13

Denver Broncos

Snapped KC's AFC West streak in 2025. Waddle addition is a real WR1 leap.

9.5

#14

Minnesota Vikings

If J.J. McCarthy is the answer, Vikings are a wild-card lock.

9.0

#15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC South favorite. Mayfield-Evans-Godwin trio still humming.

9.0

#16

Pittsburgh Steelers

Rodgers year 1 with a top-5 defense. Ceiling capped by AFC gauntlet.

9.0

#17

Seattle Seahawks

Rebuilt defense + Sam Darnold + Lumen Field is a legit wild-card path.

8.5

#18

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler + Harrison + a healthy Trey McBride = one of the league's most improved offenses.

8.5

#19

Chicago Bears

Ben Johnson + Caleb Williams year 2 = classic COY spike setup.

8.5

#20

Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. + Bijan Robinson = top-8 NFC South offense.

8.0

#21

Miami Dolphins

Tua health and O-line are the season pivot points.

7.5

#22

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson's dev arc + Shane Steichen's scheme are worth watching.

7.5

#23

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence needs to make the leap. Travis Hunter is a wildcard on both sides of the ball.

7.5

#24

Dallas Cowboys

Dak-CeeDee-Pickens is elite; the D-line got old fast.

7.0

#25

New York Giants

Jaxson Dart + Abdul Carter give the Giants their most upside in years.

7.0

#26

Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty gives Vegas a real identity. QB is the ceiling cap.

6.5

#27

Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward era begins with plus weapons but a rebuilding front.

6.5

#28

New Orleans Saints

Roster in transition. Full rebuild watch.

6.0

#29

New England Patriots

Drake Maye year 2 + reinvested WR room = under-covered.

6.0

#30

Cleveland Browns

Everything hinges on QB — Sanders or Watson.

5.5

#31

New York Jets

New regime, new QB. Bottoming out before the climb.

5.5

#32

Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young must show meaningful growth, or this stays the NFL's basement floor.

4.5

Power Rankings FAQ

Who is the #1 team in NFL power rankings for 2026?+

The Los Angeles Rams sit at #1 in our AI-powered 2026 NFL power rankings, projected for 12.5 wins with the most complete roster in the NFC. The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens round out the top three.

How are the NFL power rankings calculated?+

Our rankings blend the AI model's projected win total for each team with roster-strength and strength-of-schedule adjustments. Rankings update weekly using rolling team efficiency metrics from ESPN, injury updates, and results from the prior week.

Which NFL team improved the most in the 2026 power rankings?+

The Los Angeles Chargers jumped from #8 to #6 on the strength of a fully-healthy Justin Herbert and a Harbaugh year-two defensive leap. The Denver Broncos (up 2 spots) and Green Bay Packers (up 2 spots) also gained ground.

Which team fell the most in the power rankings?+

Movement between preseason and Week 1 is small since no games have been played. Real movement kicks in after Weeks 1-3 as our model incorporates actual results.