Week 1 is officially in the books, and that means it’s time for my first NFL Power Rankings of the 2026 season. These rankings are not based solely on what happened in Week 1. I’m looking at the bigger picture — how I expect each team to perform over the course of the entire season, the roster they have, their coaching, their expectations coming into the year, and what I saw from them in the opening week. Week 1 absolutely matters, but I’m also not going to completely overreact to one game. There’s still a LOT of football left to play.

1. Seattle Seahawks

My thoughts: The Seahawks are the defending champs right now and they won in week 1 against the Patriots. Yes, I know they only scored 13 points and their QB got injured, but their defense is just that good, maybe as good as last year, which is what made them win the Super Bowl, so for that reason I have them at number 1.

2. San Francisco 49ers

My thoughts: The 49ers looked ELITE against the Rams, the team that was the favorite going into the season. They looked great on offense and defense, just being able to do whatever they wanted. We know they always suffer a lot of injuries, but with their current roster I have them at number 2.

3. Buffalo Bills

My thoughts: I hate the Bills, but I know how to admit when someone is good. They actually surprised me, their offense looked really good. They were able to score 36 points against a top 3 defense in the league. I thought they would have a slow start with a new HC, but they clearly look fine. Their defense obviously needs to improve but they will probably have a lot of wins in high scoring battles, so I have them at number 3.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

My thoughts: I knew the Chiefs would be great again this year and so far, they are proving that to be true. They had an amazing win against the Broncos, and both their offense and defense looked ELITE. The addition of Keneth Walker is huge, and we saw how they can run the ball now. So, a great run game, plus Mahomes, plus a great defense, I mean, what else do i need to say. They still got a lot to prove this year but for now they are at number 4.

5. Baltimore Ravens

My thoughts: The Ravens are about as good as expected. New HC and OC seem to be doing just fine. Lamar is back form injury, and he looks and Derrick Henry still got it. And their defense is probably going to get better as the year goes. for that reason, they are number 5.

6. Chicago Bears

My thoughts: The Bears scored 59 points against the Panthers in week 1, so some people might think I am ranking them too low, but honestly I know they are good, but a lot of it was also the Panthers defense being terrible and just blowing coverages all day. Also, the Bears defense still has some work to do so for that reason they are number 6.

7. Los Angeles Rams

My thoughts: The Rams had sky high expectations coming into the season, but after we saw week one, we can’t c\have them as favorites. Yes, maybe some of it was because of the bad traveling strategy, but still, they looked bad. And now with Myles garret out for at least 4 weeks, I don’t think they will be as good as we originally thought, but they still have a loaded roster and Sean McVay so for that reason they are still number 7.

8. Houston Texans

My thoughts: I know the Texans lost in week 1, but it was against the Bills. Also, i know their defense had a bad game, but I believe in them and they will probably bounce back and be back to being amazing. Their offense looked better than expected, but we have to see if they can keep that up, I still think they win their division so number 8.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

My thoughts: The Jaguars looked amazing all around, but it was against the Browns so it’s not much of a proof for anything. Still, I think they will be one of the best teams in the AFC and get a wild card spot, so I think number 9 is a good spot for them,

10. Detroit Lions

My thoughts: The Lions won in OT but could have easily lost that game. Their offense looked great early, but their defense was really bad. Also, they have way too many injuries on their roster, especially on their o-line. So even though they have an ELITE offense I don’t think i could rank them better than 10 right now.

11. Denver Broncos

My thoughts: The Broncos really disappointed everyone the other night against the Chiefs, I thought they would at least play a close game. But again, it’s week 1, so I am sure they will figure it out and will get in better sync. Their Offense just looked dead, and their defense was good on the first half but that was about it. I still think they will have a good season so number 11 it is.

12. New Orleans Saints

My thoughts: The Saints looked really good against the Lions, at least offensively, and I think they will win the NFC South. As long as they can improve on defense a little they are going to put up a good fight on every single game. I still don’t think they are real contenders so number 12 it is.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

My thoughts: The Steelers changed coaches, but that doesn’t mean anything, they never change. Their offense always looks mid, and their defense always looks good, and then they end up with a winning record but nothing more than that, so I guess they are just above average so number 13.

14. Cincinnati Bengals

My thoughts: The Bengals won and their defense looked better than last year, they showed some flashes. But overall, I just don’t believe in this team, and I don’t believe that Joe Burrow is able to stay healthy a full season so they will probably also be around the middle of the pack even if their defense is legit so number 14.

15. New York Giants

My thoughts: The Giants looked really good against the Cowboys, but they have to prove they can do that consistently. They also have to keep their star players healthy to be able to win games at all. I think they are good, but I am not sure they can be for a full year, 15 it is.

16. New England Patriots

My thoughts: I know the Patriots went to the Super Bowl last year, but it was mostly because of their easy Schedule. This year they have a tougher schedule and they didn’t look good on week one. Also A.J. Brown is already injured for at least 4 weeks and Drake “The Schedule” Maye seems to suck against good defenses. But I still think their defense is great and they are pretty good overall so 16.

17. Philadelphia Eagles

My thoughts: The Eagles looked a bit better offensively, but I just don’t believe that will last long because their QB is not as good as they think he is. Their defense is just ok, but I think they are very overrated, I don’t even see them making the playoffs this year. Call me a hater but I have them at 17.

18. Minnesota Vikings

My thoughts: The Vikings had a great comeback against the Packers, but it remains to be seen if they are actually good. Their defense is good, and their QB situation just got a bit more interesting so we shall see what happens, for now I have them at 18.

19. Green Bay Packers

My thoughts: I didn’t like what I saw from the Packers, especially from their defense. I think they can improve but the way they lost was ugly and I am starting to think their HC might be bad. So yeah 19 it is.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My thoughts: The Bucs showed some good on both sides of the ball but still lost, they also showed some bad, that’s why. I don’t think they will be very good this year, and I am not convinced on their defense. Also, they have another HC that kind of sucks, so yeah, 20.

21. Dallas Cowboys

My thoughts: What should I even say about the Cowboys, their defense sucks, maybe even as much as last year and that’s bad. Even if their offense is great again, they can’t compete if they have no defense. It’s going to be a long season for the Cowboys, 21.

22. Arizona Cardinals

My thoughts: The Cardinals surprised us all, but they still have a lot to prove, so one week just won’t do it. I don’t think they will be as good as they showed week one, but they can prove me wrong. For now, I will be safe and have them at 22, which is much higher than I had them before the season.

23. Washington Commanders

My thoughts: I thought the Commanders would be really good, but they lost to the Eagles so now I have my doubts. I think they will get better and I believe in Jayden Daniels, so I think they have a chance to have a great season, but from what we saw so far, I have them at 23, also 2+3 is 5, pls don’t sue me Jayden.

24. Los Angeles Chargers

My thoughts: The Chargers suck, they are worse than I thought they would be. Their offense sucks, Justin Herbert is trash and Mike McDaniel is garbage as well. Their o-line is scary bad, and their defense is nowhere to be seen. I just think they are bad, so 24.

25. Indianapolis Colts

My thoughts: The Colts made a huge mistake of trading for the most overrated player in the league last year, sauce Gardner. And it’s been all downhill from there; they also suck now. I just don’t see how they will win more than 6 or 7 games at best. Jonathan Taylor is still ELITE but that’s about it, 25 it is.

26. New York Jets

My thoughts: Yes, I know the Jets won, but it was against the Titans, and they are still the Jets. If they want to be ranked better, they will have to actually beat some real teams in the coming weeks and then we can talk, for now they are still the Jets and they are 26.

27. Carolina Panthers

My thoughts: The Panthers, no words, just an awful football team and no defense whatsoever. I don’t think they know that they are allowed to defend or tackle or cover. I think they probably though that the game is only offense. At least their offense is decent so that’s why I have them at 27.

28. Atlanta Falcons

My thoughts: The Falcons are trash, no way around it, they have talent, but they waste it. Also, they don’t have a QB, all the QBs in their roster are straight trash, and that’s when they are healthy. They won’t win many games, so 28.

29. Las Vegas Raiders

My thoughts: The Raiders aren’t good; they just got lucky they played the Dolphins who are worse than them. Their offense needs Bowers back if they want to be serious and their defense isn’t good, so I have them at 29

30. Miami Dolphins

My thoughts: We all knew the Dolphins would suck and they do. Their roster is basically a bunch of rookies which is not a recipe to win games. They obviously know they won’t compete this year and are trying to build for the future and they have some promising young talent but also have some garbage players and some units that have nobody. I am a Dolphins fan, but I am honest, so 30.

31. Tennessee Titans

My thoughts: The Tiatans lost to the Jets, that’s all I have to say, garbage, 31, next.

32. Cleveland Browns

My thoughts: The Browns will always be the Browns. They just can’t ever figure it out. Also their QBs all suck, especially the one they are currently starting, but I guess they don’t care, it’s the Browns after all, 32 every year.

Final Thoughts

Obviously, these rankings are going to change a LOT throughout the season. Some teams will prove me right, some will prove me wrong, and there will almost certainly be a few teams that completely surprise us. That’s what makes power rankings fun. For now, this is where I have all 32 teams after Week 1 — balancing what we expected coming into the season with what we actually saw on the field. And trust me, I’m not overreacting to one week… too much.