The official 2025 NFL season is officially underway. Preseason is over, and all rosters have been cut down to the final 53. Here are the fresh power rankings ahead of the week one NFL slate starting Thursday.
2025 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The reigning NFL champions come into the season as the team to beat to begin 2025. They return nearly all their starters on offense from their Super Bowl team and are still expected to have a strong defense this season.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Could this be the Ravens’ year in 2025? They are due for a breakthrough. From Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to what can be a top-flight defense that features the likes of Jaire Alexander, Kyle Hamilton, and Nnamdi Madubuike. The Ravens have one of the more complete rosters in the entire NFL.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are the top dogs in the AFC until further notice. They will be without Rashee Rice for the first six games due to suspension, but KC has looked to have hit a home run with first-round pick Josh Simmons stepping in at right tackle.
4. Buffalo Bills
As long as Josh Allen is the quarterback for Buffalo, they will be a yearly contender. The Bills finished second in the NFL last season in total points scored and are set up to still be a high-powered team in 2025
5. Green Bay Packers
After trading for Micah Parsons last week in a blockbuster deal, the Packers have soared their way into Super Bowl contention.
6. Detroit Lions
Though they will look different at both coordinator spots in 2025, it’s hard to deny the top-flight talent the Lions have on both sides of the ball.
7. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are looking to build on a historic 2024 season. After an offseason that featured a back-and-forth with the front office and Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin behind them, the team looks ready to go. The addition of Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil should help Washington take the next step.
8. Denver Broncos
After finishing near the top of the league in total defense last season, the Broncos may have gotten even better after signing Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and drafting Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 draft. The Broncos will be a prime candidate to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West crown.
9. Los Angeles Rams
Concerns about Matthew Stafford’s back could derail the Rams’ season, but there is no doubt they have the talent and the coach to challenge the Eagles for the NFC crown.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been the winner of the NFC South for four straight seasons. With Baker Mayfield coming off his best individual season as a pro in 2024, the Buccaneers are expected to be a contender for NFC supremacy.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow and company have missed the playoffs the last two seasons; a third in a row would be unacceptable. Despite having the top offense in 2024, the Bengals missed out on the playoffs. It would truly be an outlier if it happened again.
12. San Francisco 49ers
After an injury-plagued 2024 season, the 49ers are looking to bounce back with the hopeful health of Christian McCaffrey, who missed almost all of 2024. SF has the easiest projected schedule of 2025.
13. Houston Texans
The Texans could have the best defense in the NFL in 2025. The defensive line and the secondary are among the league’s best. It will be year three for C.J. Stroud after a down sophomore campaign. Can Stroud return to his stellar rookie form in 2025?
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Year two of Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers’ head coach, will be expected to make a jump. They are in arguably the toughest division in football, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Chargers won the AFC West in 2025.
15. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have the makings of a Super Bowl contender, except there’s one problem. Their quarterback has never played a regular-season NFL game.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Can Aaron Rodgers help the Steelers and Mike Tomlin win their first playoff game since 2016?
17. Chicago Bears
With the hiring of Ben Johnson, the Bears are looking to be a player in the NFC playoff picture this season.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
With Pete Caroll and Geno Smith in the fold, that alone will make the Raiders a viable team.
19. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks won ten games in 2024 and lost out on a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker. The Seahawks will challenge for the top defense in 2025 behind head coach Mike Macdonald.
20. Indianapolis Colts
Pressure is on in Indy to stack some wins. Can Daniel Jones be the steady presence they need? Or will the third year first round pick get his job back.
21. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons could have the league’s most exciting offense this year behind quarterback Micahel Penix, receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson.
22. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have proved to be a good team when their quarterback is healthy. However, with Mike McDaniel on the hot seat, could the Dolphins’ best shot challenge the Bills for the division crown?
23. New England Patriots
The Patriots could be the team that could be the “2024 Commanders,” a team that comes out of nowhere and challenges for a playoff spot or maybe even more.
24. Dallas Cowboys
After trading away a top-ten NFL player in Parsons, it’s hard to say the Cowboys are a better team after that. They have exciting pieces, but once again, they might not be a good enough team this season.
25. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were in the mix for the NFC West crown in 2024. After concerted efforts this offseason to improve the defense, the Cardinals will be a tough out in 2025.
26. Carolina Panthers
If Bryce Young can continue to build on his second half of the 2024 season, the Panthers won’t be an easy out.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
If new head coach Liam Coen can get Trevor Lawrence to live up to his potential as the top pick in the 2021 draft, good things are ahead for Jacksonville.
28. New York Jets
The Jets have had a quiet offseason compared to the last two seasons. It could potentially be a good thing that the Jets fly under the radar. Justin Fields has alot to prove.
29. New York Giants
Critical season for Brian Daboll and company.
30. Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco will get the first shot at QB1, but we could see Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders soon.
31. Tennessee Titans
It might take a while, but 2025’s number one pick, Cam Ward, could make the Titans competitive in 2025.
32. New Orleans Saints
The Saints will need to see if they have something in Spencer Rattler or 2025 second-round quarterback Tyler Shough.
Main Image: Â Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
