NFL Analysis
8/27/24
12 min read
2024 NFL Power Rankings: Post-Preseason Rankings For Every Team
The NFL preseason is officially over, and we are just days away from the start of the season. That means it is time for our first official power rankings of the 2024 season as we get ready for Week 1.
So, without further ado, here is our list from 1-32 entering the new year:
>> READ MORE: Preseason Week 3 Winners, Losers
Post-Preseason Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs 
Previous Ranking: 1 
Did you really expect anyone else to take this spot? The back-to-back Super Bowl champions are ready to go for the 2024 season, and their upgraded wide receiver room should make this offense dominant again. But keep an eye on the secondary for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The loss of L’Jarius Snead could hold it back in big games.
Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. Ravens
2. San Francisco 49ers 
Previous Ranking: 2
It was not a great preseason for the San Francisco 49ers as Brock Purdy struggled, and they dealt with significant injuries on both sides of the ball.
The Brandon Aiyuk situation isn’t resolved, and Trent Williams remains a holdout for a new deal. However, no team has a better roster, and Kyle Shanahan is easily the best coach in the NFC. It will be hard for anyone (other than the Chiefs) to jump the 49ers at No. 2.
Next Game: Monday, Sept. 9 vs. Jets
>> READ MORE: 49ers Top Our WR Power Rankings
3. Detroit Lions 
Previous Ranking: 3
The Detroit Lions nearly upset the 49ers in the NFC Championship last season, and they will be back with an even better roster in 2024.
They have talent all over the field, but it remains to be seen if they can take that next step. But make no mistake about it: they are a bonafide contender this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Rams
4. Baltimore Ravens 
Previous Ranking: 4
The Baltimore Ravens saw several important players suffer injuries this preseason, and their overall depth on defense is a concern.
Still, no team has a better winning percentage than the Ravens when Lamar Jackson is on the field. As long as he’s healthy, the Ravens are a legitimate threat in the AFC.
Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. Chiefs
5. Buffalo Bills 
Previous Ranking: 5
The Buffalo Bills were hit hard by injuries in the preseason, losing star LB Matt Milano for most of the 2024 season due to a bicep injury.
However, Josh Allen remains a superstar, and he’ll keep them in every single game. This team is quite a bit younger than a year ago, so expect some early growing pains.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Cardinals
6. Houston Texans 
Previous Ranking: 6
C.J. Stroud played in multiple preseason games and looked quite good in his limited snaps. But the biggest story for the Houston Texans was Tank Dell's health, who looked exceptional in August.
If he can stay healthy, Houston's offense could be one of the league's best this season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Colts
7. Green Bay Packers 
Previous Ranking: 7
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers accomplished everything they wanted to in the preseason. Love looked fantastic, and they kept all of their receivers healthy.
The Packers are the clear-cut third-best team in the NFC and are closer to the Lions than you might think.
Next Game: Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Eagles
>> READ MORE: Love Still Has More to Prove
8. Philadelphia Eagles 
Previous Ranking: 8
No Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley in the preseason, but that doesn’t change our ranking much.
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the more difficult teams to rank, as it’s still hard to explain exactly what happened at the end of last year. But they have one of the most talented rosters in the league and should be competitive in the NFC once again.
Next Game: Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Packers
9. Cleveland Browns 
Previous Ranking: 9
Deshaun Watson did not attempt a pass in the preseason, and that is a tad concerning. But the Cleveland Browns insist he’ll be healthy by Week 1.
The same can’t be said for Nick Chubb, who is recovering from a major knee injury. But if he can see the field anytime in October, that would be a huge win for Cleveland.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Cowboys
10. Dallas Cowboys 
Previous Ranking: 10
The Dallas Cowboys made some notable additions in the last few weeks, acquiring Carl Lawson, Linval Joseph, and Jordan Phillips.
They aren't expected to start, but they will give the Cowboys veteran depth on the defensive line. The Cowboys are loaded on both sides of the ball, but that hasn’t been their problem in the last few years. The injury to Daron Bland (foot sprain) is rough, but he should be back for the majority of the 2024 season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Browns
11. Cincinnati Bengals 
Previous Ranking: 11
Joe Burrow took the first preseason snaps of his career and looked awfully good doing so. The offense looked pretty solid for the Cincinnati Bengals, and that was without Ja’Marr Chase taking a snap.
The injury to Amarius Mims was a bit disappointing, but he should return early in the season. The Bengals look like a sleeping tiger (bad pun) in the AFC this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Patriots
12. Los Angeles Rams 
Previous Ranking: 12
It’s not been a kind preseason for the Los Angeles Rams. They are dealing with several injuries on offense and a suspension for their starting left tackle, Alaric Jackson.
Puka Nacua is also dealing with an injury that could impact his availability in Week 1. The offensive line is a major concern and could hold them back this season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Lions
13. Miami Dolphins 
Previous Ranking: 13
The Miami Dolphins have made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons with Mike McDaniel as head coach. But for this team to take the next step, they need to be better on defense.
The addition of Chop Robinson gives them another pass rusher, but Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb's (Chubb will miss at least the first four weeks of the season) health will likely decide this team’s ceiling.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Jaguars
14. New York Jets 
Previous Ranking: 14
Aaron Rodgers did not play a snap in the preseason, as the New York Jets are trying to keep him healthy for Week 1. But what was clear is that the Jets have a significant amount of talent on both sides of the ball.
If they can get the Haason Reddick situation figured out, they should challenge the Bills at the top of the AFC East.
Next Game: Monday, Sept. 9 vs. 49ers
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 
Previous Ranking: 15
Trevor Lawrence played well in the preseason and looked fully healthy, which is great news for the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he can stay healthy, the Jaguars should be in contention for the top spot in the AFC South again.
Keep an eye on their defense, as Trent Baalke has invested a ton of assets into that side of the ball.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Dolphins
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Previous Ranking: 17 
Liam Cohen’s offense looked pretty efficient in the preseason. After losing Dave Canales to the Panthers this offseason, there was some concern that Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense would regress.
That could still happen, but the offense looked fine in the preseason. We shall see if it translates to the regular season, but the vibes are good for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Commanders
17. Pittsburgh Steelers 
Previous Ranking: 16 
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields struggled in the preseason, and the offensive line was worse. The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense is still likely to improve from last year, but neither quarterback looked like a long-term answer.
Still, due to their run game and strong defense, look for the Steelers to be in playoff contention this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Falcons
18. Atlanta Falcons 
Previous Ranking: 18
Kirk Cousins did not play a snap in the preseason, but the Atlanta Falcons insist that he’ll be ready for Week 1. Michael Penix Jr. hardly played at all, which shows that Raheem Morris doesn’t care much about the preseason.
The new-look Falcons will face the Steelers at home in Week 1, a big test for the team. That game should tell us a lot about this team for the 2024 season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Steelers
>> READ MORE: Judon Will Have Big Impact on Falcons Defense
19. Chicago Bears 
Previous Ranking: 20
The Chicago Bears finally have a quarterback.
Everyone knew that Caleb Williams was deserving of being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But until he actually takes the field, there are always some questions. It was so evident in his limited snaps in the preseason that he’s going to be a good quarterback, and the only question now is how good he can be.
If Williams can have a successful rookie season, the Bears have a chance to sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team right away.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Titans
20. Seattle Seahawks 
Previous Ranking: 21
Mike Macdonald has brought a different type of energy to the Seattle Seahawks, and things are going well.
Geno Smith looks comfortable in the new offense, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is primed for a breakout season. The only question is how quickly Macdonald can get the defense up to speed.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Broncos
21. Indianapolis Colts 
Previous Ranking: 19
It was great to see Anthony Richardson back on the football field after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. However, it’s clear that he still has a long way to go as a passer.
His accuracy was all over the place, which could be what winds up holding this very talented roster back from making the playoffs. His development will determine the ceiling and the floor for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Texans
22. Arizona Cardinals 
Previous Ranking: 23
Now that Kyler Murray is fully healthy from his torn ACL, the Arizona Cardinals are one of the league's most intriguing teams this season.
The addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. makes the offense much more dynamic, but the lack of stars on defense could prevent this team from reaching its goals in 2024.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Bills
23. Las Vegas Raiders 
Previous Ranking: 22
The Las Vegas Raiders decided to go with Gardner Minshew as their quarterback, but he certainly didn’t outperform Aidan O’Connell by much.
The Raiders have one of the worst quarterback situations in the league, but they have a pretty good roster otherwise. It’ll be fascinating to see if they can overcome their quarterback woes this season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Chargers
24. Los Angeles Chargers 
Previous Ranking: 23
Justin Herbert suffered a foot injury early in training camp, but the expectation is that he will be close to fully healthy in Week 1. You can already see Jim Harbaugh’s impact on this team as they are tougher and more physical than in years past.
However, the Los Angeles Chargers roster isn’t where it needs to be, but Herbert is good enough to keep them competitive most weeks.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Raiders
25. Minnesota Vikings 
Previous Ranking: 22
Sam Darnold was always likely to start in Week 1 for the Minnesota Vikings, but now he’ll have to with J.J. McCarthy set to miss the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury.
It’s a brutal blow for the Vikings, who were hoping to see their first-round pick from Michigan on the field this season. Darnold should be serviceable for Minnesota, but the injury to McCarthy certainly takes the air out of the sails for the Vikings.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Giants
26. Tennessee Titans 
Previous Ranking: 26
The AFC South is loaded with talent, but don’t rule out the Tennessee Titans yet.
They have a new-built offense and a head coach with an offensive identity. There is always a team that goes from worst to first in their division, and the Titans seem like a prime candidate to do that in 2024 if Will Levis can take a big step forward.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Bears
>> READ MORE: Levis' Path To 2024 Breakout
27. New Orleans Saints 
Previous Ranking: 27
Do the New Orleans Saints have a quarterback controversy brewing?
Not really, but Spencer Rattler looked good enough in the preseason to warrant a further look. If Derek Carr struggles at any point in the 2024 season, look for the fans to start calling for the rookie passer from South Carolina. Otherwise, the rest of the roster leaves a lot to be desired.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Panthers
28. Washington Commanders 
Previous Ranking: 28
Trading away your No. 2 wide receiver to a division rival in the middle of the preseason is usually a bad sign, but it goes to show that the new regime in Washington wants to completely transform the roster.
Expect things to be bumpy out of the gate for the Washington Commanders, but don’t be surprised if this is a completely different-looking team in the second half of the 2024 season.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Buccaneers
29. Carolina Panthers 
Previous Ranking: 30
Can Bryce Young take a big leap in Year 2? That is really the only thing that matters for the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina isn’t a threat to win the NFC South, and they are in the beginning stages of a rebuild. However, if Young can show improvement, that would be a very positive outcome for Carolina.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Saints
30. Denver Broncos 
Previous Ranking: 31
The Denver Broncos made the wise decision to make Bo Nix their starter for Week 1, and it was deserved after a solid preseason. However, it remains to be seen how Nix will look against better defenses that aren’t using vanilla coverages.
There is still a lot of optimism surrounding Denver's young offense, but it is still expected to be one of the worst teams in the AFC this year.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Seahawks
>> READ MORE: Buy or Sell Bo Nix's Hype?
31. New York Giants 
Previous Ranking: 29
The New York Giants hope that Daniel Jones can bounce back after a rough 2023 season, but the preseason certainly didn’t calm any nerves.
He threw two interceptions against the Texans, one of which was a pick-six to Jalen Pitre. The Giants have a better roster than a year ago, but the quarterback position remains a huge question mark.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Vikings
32. New England Patriots 
It’s hard to put the New England Patriots at No. 32 when their defense is loaded with young talent and should be among the league's better groups. Still, that shows just how bad the offense could be this season.
Jacoby Brissett is likely to open the season as the starter, but he did not play well in the preseason, and the offensive line might be among the NFL's worst. It could be a long year for the Patriots on offense.
The good news is that Drake Maye looks like a star, but the Patriots have to do a better job of protecting him.
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Bengals
