NFL Power Rankings
League hierarchy in the wake of Super Bowl 57 with an eye ahead to the offseason
The Lions and Titans both ended their seasons in very different fashions, yet both sat home during the playoffs. Where are these teams sitting in the balance of power in the NFL?
The 2022 NFL season has come to a close, with its finale living up to expectations. So how does the balance of power look as we move into the offseason? Plenty of offseason moves can shake up this list in the coming months. But before a flurry of trades, free agent signings, and draft selections change the trajectory of their new teams, here’s how the NFL hierarchy looks with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl 57 win right in the rear-view mirror:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The AFC stands for the Arrowhead Football Conference. The Chiefs are at the top of the championship mountain for the second time with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading the charge. Until further notice, KC runs the NFL as they continue to build their modern-day dynasty.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles and their fans can’t feel bad about how their season ended. Yes, it feels bad to come so close only to end up on the wrong side of history. But Jalen Hurts continues to prove doubters wrong, if there are even any of those left. Philly has a lot of key free agents and lost both of their coordinators as they become head coaches elsewhere. But the nucleus is intact, and GM Howie Roseman will make sure his team is reloaded for another run at postseason glory in 2023.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy showed me all they needed to this year to believe that they will be a year-to-year contender. We often see teams go on miracle runs, only to fail to capture that momentum and regress. Following a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, the Bengals doubled down and stormed right back to the AFC Championship game this year. Burrow and company just need to keep doing their thing, and they’ll be in a similar position for success next year.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Who will be playing quarterback for Kyle Shanahan next year? Does it even matter, as long as said player can physically throw a football? I’m a bigger believer than most in Jimmy Garoppolo, but he is destined to hit the open market. Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant, will need to rehab a nasty UCL injury that could cost him most or all of the 2023 season. Trey Lance appears to be the unquestioned starter, but could San Fran seek outside additions? The rest of this squad ensures they will compete regardless.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have often been preseason darlings the last few years, and I anticipate that being the case again. But I don’t believe that should be the case, despite Buffalo being placed here at the five spot. They haven’t proven enough to be at the level of the teams above them here, and have more questions than answers than a team that played in the divisional round should have. Who can team with Stefon Diggs to match the other great 1-2 punch receivers? Will this offensive line improve? How about the pass rush? That’s not even mentioning the running game and secondary. Maybe I’m too critical, but the Bills just don’t seem like the powerhouse they’re touted as.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of hollow powerhouses, Dallas slots in at number 6. Like, Buffalo, Dallas has a lot to figure out on this roster for a team that won 12 games and a road playoff matchup this season. It wouldn’t hurt Dallas to start drafting quarterbacks on Day 2 or Day 3 of the Draft, just to see what they could find. Dallas could benefit from another true WR to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Cornerback Trevon Diggs could use a running mate as well.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Duval County, rejoice! The Jags are a team on the rise. That shouldn’t be a surprise after back-to-back first overall draft picks in 2021 and 2022, and hiring Super Bowl pedigree head coach Doug Pederson. Combine that with a weak division in the AFC South, and the Jags should be a repeat playoff participant next year.
8. New York Giants
Three NFC East teams crack the top-10 of these power rankings. Coach of the Year Brian Daboll made quick work of Big Blue’s rebuild. Questions remain on the futures of QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley. Like many teams, the Giants could stand to add a big-time receiving threat on the outside. But for the first time in years, the sky is blue in New York.
9. Miami Dolphins
Imagine if this Dolphins team had a healthy Tua Tagavailoa at their disposal for the entirety of the season. I hope that comes to fruition for next season, because Miami could be a dark horse candidate to steal this division from Buffalo. Another year for Mike McDaniel to run his offense, and the defense will benefit from Vic Fangio joining the staff. Fins Up in 2023!
10. Los Angeles Chargers
This is where I believe a steep drop off occurs. The Chargers have a long history of having a strange aura. There’s just no other way to put it. Always a contender on paper, always a pretender on film. But Los Angeles has too much elite talent and have improved little by little during Justin Herbert’s young tenure. Keenan Allen stands as a potential cap casualty. Brandon Staley should very much feel his seat warming up, however. If the Chargers fail to put together a deep playoff run, Herbert may be attracting a lot of would-be head coaches for 2024.
11. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle kept their Wild Card game against rival San Francisco close until the second half. But that shouldn’t be what this season is remembered for. The renaissance of Geno Smith is as an inspiring story as they come. And this roster is young, talented, and fun to watch. Seattle will also make good use of Denver’s first round pick, which ended up being a premium selection towards the top of the round.
12. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore brand of football will always keep the Ravens in playoff contention come December. What is Lamar Jackson’s future though? No clarity on that front has been reported as of yet. Should Jackson be tagged and traded, Baltimore would be compensated well enough to go after one of the better QB prospects of the draft this year. Jim Harbaugh will get the most out of whatever he has to work with.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady finally retired (we hope). With that, a massive question mark under center has popped up. Todd Bowles and the rest of the Bucs front office will have to answer that question. Bowles will also get to put his own staff together after rolling with Bruce Arians’ staff for the year. But the gap in the NFC South appears to be very narrow. Tampa will need a strong offseason to reaffirm their hold on this division in a post-Brady era.
14. Detroit Lions
Who wants to bite some knee caps? For legal purposes, I will not be, but Dan Campbell does have me as excited as anyone for Detroit’s 2023 campaign. Eliminated from playoff contention on the final Sunday of the regular season has given way to true playoff aspirations for the Lions. The defense needs all the attention this offseason, because the offense is deep and explosive enough to compete now.
15. Minnesota Vikings
The only playoff team not ranked in the top-14. I believe Detroit or Green Bay should be viewed as the favorite in the NFC North next year. Minnesota’s offense was great in 2022. Leading the way was Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson. But the defense was anything but great. It was hardly good most of the way. Minnesota will likely see some regression to their record in one score games from this year. 11-0 in the regular season. Eleven! Almost unheard of. And you already started to see that ball figurately bounce the other way in their Wild Card loss to the Giants. Outside of Jefferson, I don’t see much inspiring about this team. That could certainly change as we go through the next few months.
16. Green Bay Packers
Will history repeat itself? Hall of Famer Brett Favre was traded to the Jets to make way for Aaron Rodgers’ time in Titletown. Now, Rodgers finds himself surrounded by trade or retirement rumors, with the Jets being one interesting landing spot. I’m not saying Jordan Love will also be a Hall of Fame talent, but I’ve seen this one before. Trading Rodgers could net crucial draft capital to continue building this roster out for Love to take control and play to his strengths.
17. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers somehow got better after trading away star player Christian McCaffrey. I think it had more to do with the coincidental timing of interim HC Steve Wilks taking over for the dismissed Matt Rhule. He had this team playing good football down the stretch, narrowly losing this division to the Bucs. Frank Reich is now in town, and he has been putting together an ensemble staff that would make Quinton Tarantino jealous. Oh, and a new quarterback should be on his way too. Derek Carr, Will Levis, or somebody else?
18. Washington Commanders
Ron Rivera’s current team slots in one spot behind his old team. The difference is, Washington is the fourth NFC East team on this list just halfway through. That’s how competitive this division was. Getting Chase Young healthy is a good first step. Like many teams, the ‘Manders suffer from quarterback conniptions. Sam Howell looked good in his only start. Taylor Heinicke keeps doing enough to be argued as the starter, but not enough to remain the starter. Carson Wentz, on the other hand, has done enough that he should no longer be the starter. This is another potential landing spot for Derek Carr.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
You just can’t keep Mike Tomlin down, can you? Just when you think he’s out, he pulls himself right back in again. Pittsburgh just missed out on sneaking in as a 7th seed for the second year in a row. Another year of development for Kenny Pickett and some of the young offensive weapons should go a long way. But Pittsburgh will need help in the trenches and elsewhere on defense to really make some noise.
20. New England Patriots
Another team that was in the thick of things in a crowded AFC wild card race. But the Pats haven’t been the same since Brady left. Mac Jones getting an actual offensive coordinator can help, but I don’t have a ton of faith in the 2021 first round pick. The fifth quarterback taken, Jones has seemed like a less than stellar pick to me so far. Lawrence and Fields both took big leaps, and we’re still waiting to see what Trey Lance can do. Mac Jones is sitting next to Zach Wilson at the lunch table. Belichick may need to consider his options moving forward.
21. New York Jets
Head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas have done a masterful job rebuilding Gang Green thus far, though there is still work to be done. Priority one is figuring out the quarterback spot. Word is that Jets brass would rather bring in a veteran signal caller rather than risk missing the mark in the draft again. Aaron Rodgers has been the big name linked thus far, but Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, and Jimmy Garoppolo all make sense as well. A stellar 2022 draft class has the Jets on the up and up. They’ll bring back both the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, respectively. Breece Hall might’ve been the OROY had he not been lost to a knee injury. Plenty of talent on this roster, except at the most crucial position.
22. Los Angeles Rams
This is where there is another clear talent divide. The Rams suffered greatly from injuries all season long. A Super Bowl hangover may have also played its part, but Sean McVay and his crew will never admit to that. Aaron Donald continues to flirt with retirement, and Jalen Ramsey could get traded. The Rams seemed to play with the salary cap turned off, and that may soon start to come back to haunt them. But getting Stafford and Kupp back healthy keeps them above the next set of teams on this list.
23. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are a weird team. On one hand, they lack a lot of talent on paper. But they finished one game behind Tampa for the division, along with Carolina and New Orleans. Arthur Smith will see a year 3 as head coach, and orchestrating a Kyle Pitts breakout campaign will likely secure a year 4 for this regime. We’ll also see how Desmond Ridder fares, assuming he gets the starting quarterback job.
24. New Orleans Saints
The Saints and the Falcons are rather interchangeable. Dennis Allen either needs Jameis Winston healthy, or bring in a new QB. Running it back with Andy Dalton could cost him his job after the year. Allen feels like he is already on the hot seat because the transition for him from defensive coordinator to head coach wasn’t as seamless as many had hoped. Will Michael Thomas play for the Saints again? Chris Olave can’t be expected to make all the plays for this offense in 2023. Alvin Kamara could help out by not disappearing for weeks at a time.
25. Cleveland Browns
All the focus in Cleveland is on Deshaun Watson, for better or worse. Watson looked downright awful coming back from his suspension, but that was to be expected after not playing for roughly two years. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are still the best running back duo in the NFL, and there’s talent littered across the roster. A full offseason for Watson following a season where he actually saw the field will help with chemistry and get the offense back on track.
26. Tennessee Titans
The Titans had about as bad as a second half of the season imaginable. They were sitting pretty at 7-3, and in the drivers seat to continue their reign atop the AFC South. Then disaster struck in the form of a 7 game losing streak, ending with an ugly loss to Jacksonville in Week 18 with the division on the line. That was also after Tennessee rested all of their key players the previous week, essentially throwing that game in the hopes of being fresh for the Jags matchup. That didn’t workout well. Derrick Henry is another year older. Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis both appear to not be the answer. The plan to replace A.J. Brown with rookie Treylon Burks didn’t go as planned. Mike Vrabel will need to reload on offense, and get his defense back on track as well.
27. Denver Broncos
Can Sean Payton get Russ back in the kitchen and cooking again? It’s no coincidence that Wilson’s best games came post-Nathaniel Hackett’s firing prior to the season coming to an end. The weapons are there, even with RB Javonte Williams coming back from an ACL injury. Gone are Bradley Chubb and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. This division, let alone conference, can be tough to get to the top of.
28. Chicago Bears
Yeah the Bears had the worst record in football, but these are power rankings, not standings. A lot of power comes with holding the first overall pick of the draft. Especially so when you aren’t in the quarterback market. Fields looks like a superstar in the making, but the rest of the roster looks like Swiss cheese. The most cap space in the league and premium draft capital can alleviate some of the woes in Chicago. Let’s not forget, the NFC is a little more open these days. A wild card berth may not be out of the question for da Bears.
29. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts almost feel like the Chargers in a way. Tons of offseason and preseason hype, only to be followed by disappointment. But a new head coach and young quarterback to develop can help the Colts compete in this lackluster division again. It’s time to hop off the veteran QB carousel, and back into relevance. This team beat the Chiefs don’t forget!
30. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans was my top head coaching candidate this cycle. His leadership, defensive prowess, and understanding of playing this game at a high level in the more “modern” era resonates with players. Ryans have an opportunity to build this team his way, something his predecessors David Culley and Lovie Smith were not offered. This team has some building blocks, and like the Colts, have a chance to jump back into contention for this division.
31. Arizona Cardinals
This team needs to hit the big red reset button. A lot of question marks surround Kyler Murray and the Cardinals as they move into the Jonathan Gannon Era. The former Eagles defensive coordinator will have his hands full, but at least Arizona can land an elite defensive prospect at the top of April’s draft. Make no mistake about it though, 2023 should be a make or break year for Kyler Murray’s future in Arizona.
32. Las Vegas Raiders
I’m definitely lower on the Raiders than many, but how bright is the future truly here? Josh McDaniels has no proven success when away from New England. Breakout Josh Jacobs was in a contract year, and could certainly find himself with a new team come March. Darren Waller has fallen from the elite ranks of tight ends. Outside of Maxx Crosby, nobody on this defense seems like a long-term contributor to this team. The AFC West was touted as the best division coming into 2022, and while I was wrong about Denver, this is about what I expected for Las Vegas. What I didn’t expect was the late season treatment of Derek Carr. They completely lost any leverage, and will no gain nothing but a bad reputation around the league for how a highly respected player will leave this organization. I predict Las Vegas will be acquiring one of the better draft selections for 2024, because outside of Davante Adams, this team isn’t very good nor is it seem to be moving in the right direction.