NFL Analysis
8/5/24
11 min read
2024 NFL Power Rankings: Early Predictions at Start of Preseason
The NFL preseason is officially underway, and that means it’s time for Power Rankings. Today, we are ranking all 32 teams from 1 to 32 heading into the preseason. So, without further ado, here are our rankings:
Preseason Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs 
The Kansas City Chiefs are Back-to-back Super Bowl champions, and their roster looks better than ever. The additions of Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy should help this offense become more explosive. It’s hard to envision the Chiefs not reaching the AFC Championship Game, at minimum, again this year.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers were so close to winning their sixth Super Bowl in 2023, and there is no reason to put them any lower than No. 2. They still have the NFL's best overall roster and one of the league’s top coaches in Kyle Shanahan. Expect them to be right back in Super Bowl contention in 2024.
3. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions aren’t just some “feel-good” story. They are legit Super Bowl contenders entering the 2024 season. They are loaded with playmakers on offense and did a good job of adding more capable defenders. With arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, this might finally be the year for the Lions.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season but were upset by the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Their roster isn’t quite as deep as it was last season, but the Ravens have a combined record of 58-19 with Lamar Jackson in the starting lineup.
As long as he is healthy, the Ravens are a threat in the AFC.
5. Buffalo Bills
There are only a handful of quarterbacks in the league who can go toe-to-toe and throw-to-throw with Patrick Mahomes, and that’s Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills' roster isn’t as talented as in previous seasons, but Allen continues to get better each year, and that’s all that really matters.
Expect the Bills to win double-digit games again this season and be a legit contender in the AFC.
6. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are primed for a postseason run in 2024, and their offseason moves have proved that. The additions of Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs give them bona fide playmakers at positions they were already strong in.
They added more talent on defense, and a healthy Tank Dell should make the offense even more explosive. It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see the Texans be the top contender in the AFC this year to the Chiefs.
7. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were just a few plays away from upsetting the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round and advancing to the Championship Game.
With Jordan Love entering his second full year as a starter, expectations are sky-high. The defense is the only real concern for Green Bay, but it is officially a viable contender in the NFC once again.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
It's still hard to figure out exactly what went wrong for the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2023 season.
Their offense fell apart, and much worse teams blew them out. Are injuries solely to blame, or was there something else going on? The good news is that the Eagles have one of the league's most talented rosters and will be favored in nearly every game this season.
Still, something does not feel quite right about this team.
9. Cleveland Browns
Outside of the 49ers, the Cleveland Browns might have the best overall roster in the NFL outside of the quarterback position. That’s the only reason they are ranked at No. 9.
The Browns need Deshaun Watson to get back to playing at a high level or else they will continue to be just a borderline playoff team.
10. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have had a weird offseason, but let’s not forget that they’ve won 12 games in each of the last three seasons. The offense should still be elite, and they have plenty of superstars on defense. The postseason is a concern, but they are still one of the most talented teams in the league.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals managed to win nine games in 2023 despite Joe Burrow missing a good chunk of the season. He’s healthy again, and the Bengals have managed to beef up their offensive line.
If Burrow can stay healthy, they are a legitimate threat to challenge the Chiefs at the top of the AFC.
12. Los Angeles Rams
The emergence of Puka Nacua has made the Los Angeles Rams a viable contender in the NFC. But the loss of Aaron Donald (retirement) looms large. Can they find a way to be a competent defense without them? If the answer is yes, this should easily be a playoff team in the NFC.
13. Miami Dolphins
In the last two seasons, the Miami Dolphins have a record of 19-11 in the regular season when Tua Tagovailoa starts. Whatever concerns you might have about them in the postseason, they win a lot of games with Tagovailoa under center.
The defense might be an issue early in the season with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips returning from major injuries, but the offense is so good that it might not matter.
14. New York Jets
Based on talent alone, the New York Jets are a top-10 team. You can make an argument that they are inside the top five.
But this is a completely revamped roster with a soon-to-be 40-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tear. There is a LOT to like about this Jets team, but let’s not crown them yet.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars were 8-3 at one point during the 2023 season and missed the playoffs altogether. They are one of the toughest teams to rank because their week-to-week consistency just isn’t there.
But if Trevor Lawrence is healthy and the defense can show promise, they could be right back at the top of the AFC South once again.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are among the few teams with a true quarterback battle in training camp. But they are going to rely on their defense and rushing attack to win games in 2024.
The Steelers have a relatively low ceiling in the AFC, but the floor is high because of their aggressive defense, and the improved offensive line should allow them to hover around 10 wins once again.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Buccaneers did not take a step back in the post-Tom Brady era. In fact, they were actually more successful, advancing to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The whole gang is back for the 2024 season, and while they aren't quite to the level of the 49ers or the Lions, they have a quality roster and should make it back to the postseason in 2024.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Ranking the Atlanta Falcons is difficult because they have a new coaching staff and quarterback. But the defense remains a major concern. Atlanta should win a bunch of shootouts with Kirk Cousins behind center, but they are probably still a year away from taking on the top teams in the conference.
19. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts nearly won the AFC South last year despite Anthony Richardson playing less than 200 snaps. While they are excited about his return, they aren't relying on him to be the team's savior either.
Chris Ballard has assembled a well-balanced team that can win with average quarterback play. But if Richardson can take a Year 2 leap, they could be right back in the thick of things in the AFC.
20. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are one of the biggest wild cards in the league entering the 2024 season. Their year will depend on Caleb Williams and how quickly he progresses.
Ryan Poles has done a fantastic job of adding talent around Williams, and he might just be in the best situation ever for a No. 1 pick at quarterback. If Williams can hit the ground running, the Bears could challenge the Lions and the Packers atop the NFC North.
21. Seattle Seahawks
It's going to be weird watching the Seattle Seahawks without Pete Carroll on the sideline, but the switch to Mike Macdonald was a necessary one.
If the Seahawks can take a big step forward on defense, they have a chance to make it back to the postseason. However, Macdonald might need a year or two to revamp this unit before they are ready for top-tier opponents.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins is officially gone, which means either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy will be under center for Minnesota.
Whoever the Minnesota Vikings choose will be in an ideal situation. The Vikings are loaded with talented pass catchers and have an elite offensive line. They will still likely be a fringe wild-card team in 2024, but the Vikings should be a lot of fun this season.
23. Arizona Cardinals
With Kyler Murray fully healthy and the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., the Arizona Cardinals will be a popular “sleeper” pick during the 2024 season.
Once Murray returned to action in 2023, they were highly competitive, and they have the pieces on offense to put up a bunch of points. The defense is still a concern, but the arrow points way up for Arizona.
24. Las Vegas Raiders
For the first time in more than 20 years, the Las Vegas Raiders had a top-10 scoring defense in 2023. Then, they proceeded to add Christian Wilkins to an already good pass rush.
The biggest question is whether Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew can provide adequate quarterback play for Las Vegas. If the answer is yes, the Raiders could be a sneaky playoff team in 2024.
25. Los Angeles Chargers
How quickly can Jim Harbaugh turn the Los Angeles Chargers into a legitimate contender in the AFC? It feels like it’s a matter of when and not if.
Justin Herbert’s health will certainly play a factor, but the defense still needs a lot of help. Look for this to be a transition year for the Chargers.
26. Tennessee Titans
It’s a new era in Tennessee with Brian Callahan in charge, and that brings excitement. But the latest knee injury to DeAndre Hopkins certainly is a downer.
The Tennessee Titans are still trying to determine whether Will Levis is their next franchise quarterback. Their success will be judged by how he develops this year.
27. New Orleans Saints
It’s hard to get too excited with the New Orleans Saints as they are running back the same coaching staff and quarterback combo as last year.
The offensive line doesn’t look as strong, and the defense is getting quite a bit older. Still, the Saints do have some talent, but they are certainly a good distance behind the Falcons and Buccaneers in the NFC South.
28. Washington Commanders
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Washington Commanders with a new coach (Dan Quinn) and a new quarterback (Jayden Daniels). It wouldn’t be a shock to see them be more competitive in the NFC this year, but the defense is still a long way away from being a competent unit.
29. New York Giants
The New York Giants decided to reinvest in their defensive line this offseason, adding Brian Burns to an already good pass rush.
That unit will need to carry them as their secondary might be the worst in the NFL. The quarterback spot is also troubling for the Giants, but at least they have Malik Nabers, right? Right?
30. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers had the worst record in the NFL last season, and Bryce Young had an incredibly disappointing year.
But the Panthers have completely revamped their offense this offseason, acquiring Diontae Johnson and selecting Xavier Legette in Round 1. There is still a lot of unknown about that unit, but there is some optimism, too.
31. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos weren’t nearly as good as their record suggested in 2023, and they will now start either Bo Nix or Jarett Stidham. The offense is certainly in transition, and the defense has some major issues.
The AFC West isn’t very strong, but Denver’s 2024 schedule is brutal, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they only win five or so games this year.
32. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are the favorite to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which makes sense. They have a new coach for the first time in more than two decades and are likely to start a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye.
It also doesn’t help that they play in one of the most competitive divisions in the league and in the tougher conference. It could be a real uphill battle for the Patriots this season.
