Week 1 NFL Power Rankings: Eagles on top, but Packers eke closer with Micah Parsons

Editor’s note: This article is part of The Athletic NFL Power Rankings. Every​ week, Josh Kendall ranks and analyzes all 32 teams from first to worst.

Week 1 is finally here, and the Philadelphia Eagles are starting the season where they ended the last one — on top. There are some contenders for the throne right behind them, though, including the Green Bay Packers and their new pass rusher.

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1. Philadelphia Eagles

Last ranking: 1

The Eagles’ spot atop these rankings wasn’t threatened during a quiet training camp. The only real issue in Philadelphia is the secondary, where a second cornerback has yet to emerge and second-round rookie safety Andrew Mukuba is nursing a hamstring injury, which hurts the unit’s flexibility on the back end. Philly made a training camp trade for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, but veteran Adoree’ Jackson may win that job.

Up next: vs. Cowboys, Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET

2. Baltimore Ravens

Last ranking: 2

You know what AFC defensive coordinators weren’t thinking? The Ravens need one more offensive weapon. Too bad, says Keaton Mitchell, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the preseason and showed the type of burst he had in 2023, before ACL and PCL injuries. Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot injury) is starting the season on the 53-man roster, but his status is murky.

Up next: at Bills, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

3. Green Bay Packers

Last ranking: 5

Green Bay was fourth in defensive expected points added (7.1 per 100 snaps) a year ago despite not having a player in the top 35 in sacks. Now, Matt LaFleur and company have Micah Parsons, who’s had at least 12 sacks every year he’s been in the league. Parsons and Rashan Gary give Green Bay one of the league’s scariest pass rushes and one of the league’s most complete teams. The Packers have officially joined the top tier of contenders.

Up next: vs. Lions, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

4. Buffalo Bills

Last ranking: 3

Buffalo had a dream preseason for a Super Bowl contender: Nothing happened. Coming off his first MVP award, Josh Allen sat out all three preseason games, and running back James Cook signed a new deal after a civil hold-in process. Most everyone stayed healthy. Mitch Trubisky won the backup quarterback job. Now, let’s see how things go against the Ravens on Sunday night.

Up next: vs. Ravens, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

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5. Kansas City Chiefs

Last ranking: 4

Rashee Rice accepted a six-game suspension to start the season stemming from a 2024 car accident after which he pleaded guilty to two felony charges. That’s not debilitating for a team that doesn’t need to be in top form until December anyway. On the brighter side, rookie tackle Josh Simmons had an encouraging training camp, a development that could pay big dividends in the playoffs. And, apparently, the tight end got engaged.

Up next: at Chargers, Friday, 8 p.m. ET

6. Detroit Lions

Last ranking: 7

The Lions moved up a spot in these rankings for one reason: the Hutch Rule. That’s what Detroit head coach Dan Campbell called his preseason policy of letting practice snaps continue even after Aidan Hutchinson beat his man and had his sights on the quarterback. Hutchinson, who is returning from a broken leg that ended his 2024 season in Week 6, has apparently done that so often this preseason that the offense wouldn’t get anything done without the Hutch Rule. If he is back at that level, he’s a Defensive Player of the Year front-runner.

Up next: at Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Jacory Croskey-Merritt runs for a touchdown during the Commanders’ preseason loss to the Bengals. (Amber Searls / Imagn Images)

7. Washington Commanders

Last ranking: 6

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s new contract — a three-year, $87 million extension — was the headline of training camp, but the most fun story was running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round rookie who played collegiately at Alabama State, New Mexico and Arizona. He played so well that Washington traded veteran Brian Robinson Jr., last year’s No. 1 running back, to the 49ers. Croskey-Merritt will push Austin Ekeler for the starting job.

Up next: vs. Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

8. Houston Texans

Last ranking: 8

It looked briefly like high-profile free-agent safety addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson had suffered a season-ending knee injury. Instead, Gardner-Johnson is on the initial 53-man roster and could be available in Week 1. The news is not as good for Joe Mixon, who was placed on the reserve/NFI list to start the season. At the moment, no one seems willing to say if he’ll be back this year or not.

Up next: at Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

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9. Cincinnati Bengals

Last ranking: 12

Trey Hendrickson got his new deal last week. And it came just in time. The defense under new coordinator Al Golden looked wretched without him in the team’s preseason games. Joe Burrow will no longer have to moonlight as the team’s general manager. The Bengals have paid all the players he stumped for this offseason: Hendrickson, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Now, Burrow just has to go out and score a ton of points.

Up next: at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

10. Minnesota Vikings

Last ranking: 10

Justin Jefferson was slowed by a hamstring injury through parts of training camp but is expected to be ready for Week 1. That’s about the end of the good news at wide receiver. Jordan Addison was suspended for the first three games, Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury and Jalen Nailor is questionable for Week 1 due to a hamstring injury. The Vikings’ answer was to re-acquire veteran Adam Thielen in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

Up next: at Bears, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

11. Los Angeles Rams

Last ranking: 9

Matthew Stafford’s back kept him off the practice field until Aug. 18, and while he hasn’t had any notable setbacks since then, when your most interesting training camp storyline is your 37-year-old quarterback spending time in something called a red light therapy chamber (which is a real thing, apparently), your season might not be on a solid foundation. Los Angeles’ ceiling with Stafford is the Super Bowl. Its floor without him is a top-10 draft pick.

Up next: vs. Texans, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Last ranking: 11

The most devastating training camp injury of the preseason came in Los Angeles, where Rashawn Slater was lost for the year to a knee injury. The two-time Pro Bowl left tackle protected Justin Herbert’s blind side and helped power a run game that Los Angeles will lean on heavily this season. The Chargers also had the offseason’s weirdest injury, a fireworks mishap that damaged free-agent running back Najee Harris’ eye and kept him out of practice throughout the preseason. He is available for Week 1, but his readiness for the season is a question mark.

Up next: vs. Chiefs, Friday, 8 p.m. ET

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13. Denver Broncos

Last ranking: 14

None of the AFC West’s quarterbacks will want to hear this, but Jonah Elliss seems to have had a great training camp. If the second-year edge rusher builds on what he did in 2024 and the preseason, the Broncos’ pass rush could go from tremendous to simply unfair. Denver had 63 sacks last season, the third most since at least 1999, and Elliss was the team’s fifth-best pass rusher behind Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Zack Allen and John Franklin-Myers.

Up next: vs. Titans, Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last ranking: 13

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t said anything (publicly, at least) about aliens or alternative medicines during training camp, which should be considered a positive development. Same for the injury update on Derrick Harmon, the defensive tackle the Steelers took with the 21st pick in the draft. Harmon suffered a knee injury during a preseason game and thought he was done for the season. Instead, he started the season on the 53-man roster, although it remains unclear when exactly he’ll be available.

Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

15. San Francisco 49ers

Last ranking: 15

Christian McCaffrey had a quiet and seemingly healthy training camp, but who knows who Brock Purdy is going to be throwing to? Deebo Samuel is in Washington now. Jauan Jennings requested a trade and missed most of training camp due to a calf injury. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is starting the season on the PUP list, so he’ll be out at least four games, and Demarcus Robinson was suspended for the first three games. Ricky Pearsall may end up being the biggest fantasy football surprise of the season.

Up next: at Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last ranking: 16

The NFC South favorites got off to a rough start with the news that Tristan Wirfs would miss training camp after having arthroscopic knee surgery, but the news has been mostly good since then. Wirfs was activated off the PUP list last week, an indication he could be available at some point in the first month of the season, and rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has gotten a great deal of positive press.

Up next: at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

17. Seattle Seahawks

Last ranking: 18

After Week 10 last year, the Seahawks had the fourth-best defense in the NFL as measured by EPA (8.4 per 100 snaps). If that progress continues in head coach Mike Macdonald’s second season, Seattle will be an NFC West contender. The addition of rookie safety/nickel Nick Emmanwori, who had an encouraging training camp, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence should help in that effort.

Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

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18. Las Vegas Raiders

Last ranking: 19

Tired of being the oldest guy on the team, Pete Carroll signed wide receiver Amari Cooper last week, bringing Cooper back to where he started his NFL career in 2015. (Our apologies to Cooper and Carroll, and, well, all of you, for that joke.) Still, the Raiders are thin at wide receiver, and Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade. Geno Smith might just have to be happy with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, and why wouldn’t he be?

Up next: at Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

19. Miami Dolphins

Last ranking: 20

Tyreek Hill told reporters in Miami that he didn’t understand the Dolphins offense during his first three years with the team (seasons in which he totaled 4,468 receiving yards). Who knows how good he might be now that he’s taking notes in meetings for the first time in his career? Running back De’Von Achane is expected to be ready Sunday despite a training camp calf injury. If he’s not, rookie Ollie Gordon II has looked good.

Up next: at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Plenty of Cowboys fans are frustrated with Jerry Jones’ decision to trade Micah Parsons to the Packers. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)

20. Dallas Cowboys

Last ranking: 17

Dallas fans have every right to be sick and tired of team owner Jerry Jones. Everyone else associated with the league should send him a Christmas card every year. Jones has made every NFL team more valuable — and every NFL news cycle more entertaining — since the day he entered the league. Who else would trade a 26-year-old pass rusher who could end up as the NFL’s all-time sack leader? Again, we’re sorry, Dallas fans.

Up next: at Eagles, Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET

21. Chicago Bears

Last ranking: 21

Caleb Williams’ first training camp under coach Ben Johnson had “up and down moments,” general manager Ryan Poles said. Williams was the can’t-miss quarterback a year ago, while Johnson is the can’t-miss play caller heading into this season. Hopefully for Bears fans, Johnson’s debut is better than Williams’ was. Rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III have looked like they can help early.

Up next: vs. Vikings, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

22. Arizona Cardinals

Last ranking: 22

Arizona brought in six new starters in its defensive front seven — highlighted by Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson — since midway through the 2024 season. If rookie cornerback Will Johnson is as impressive as he’s shown at times in training camp, this could be the league’s most surprising defense. In the second half of 2024, the Cardinals were sixth in points allowed (19.3 ppg).

Up next: at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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23. New England Patriots

Last ranking: 23

Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on his first NFL touch, and the Patriots apparently had seen enough because he only got five preseason carries. Henderson will start the season behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart, but that might not last long. New England already figures to have six new offensive starters, most notably Stefon Diggs.

Up next: vs. Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

24. Atlanta Falcons

Last ranking: 24

The Falcons caused a fuss when they traded a 2026 first-round pick to get back into the first round this spring to take pass rusher James Pearce Jr. He immediately caused a fuss in Atlanta by getting in multiple training camp fights with offensive veterans. If he can bring that type of energy to the game field and fellow first-round pick Jalon Walker can get on the field after hamstring and groin injuries in the preseason, the Falcons defense might have a fighting chance.

Up next: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Last ranking: 25

Jacksonville is going to lean into Travis Hunter’s two-way potential. Hunter played 11 snaps on offense and eight on defense in his only preseason game, and his snaps have been basically even on offense and defense in practice. The No. 2 pick missed the second preseason game due to an upper-body injury but is expected to be full speed Sunday, wherever he happens to be lined up.

Up next: vs. Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

First-year coach Aaron Glenn hopes this is the start of a positive new era for the Jets. (Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images)

26. New York Jets

Last ranking: 26

Will Breece Hall return to form, or will Braelon Allen overtake him in the backfield? It’s not the only question in New York in Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach, but it may be the most important, considering Glenn has made clear he’s going to lean into the run game. Hall will start in Week 1, but he was 29th in the league in yards per carry last year (4.2).

Up next: vs. Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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27. Carolina Panthers

Last ranking: 28

After the preseason, the Panthers believe they made the right decision in taking Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick. It’s part of the reason Carolina felt comfortable trading Adam Thielen back to the Vikings. Another reason was the development of 2024 UDFA wide receiver Jalen Coker, but Coker is now on IR, prompting the Panthers to sign Hunter Renfrow. Throw in 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, and Bryce Young will have to prove last year’s strong finish was no fluke while playing with one of the youngest starting receiving corps in the league.

Up next: at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

28. Indianapolis Colts

Last ranking: 27

Daniel Jones beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job during training camp, leading to two questions. Was that Richardson’s last shot with the Colts? And, is everybody in Indianapolis getting fired this season? Maybe Jones and Richardson will both have Baker Mayfield-type paths where finding the right home revitalizes their career. Or maybe it’ll just be a huge mess.

Up next: vs. Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

29. New Orleans Saints

Last ranking: 29

New Orleans used the 40th pick this year on quarterback Tyler Shough, but 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler won the starting job. However, first-year coach Kellen Moore said he “loved the development” of Shough, so stay tuned. This quarterback competition could continue well into what’s expected to otherwise be an uneventful season for the Saints.

Up next: vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

30. New York Giants

Last ranking: 30

Russell Wilson will start Sunday at quarterback, but his clock may be ticking by the time Monday arrives. Rookie Jaxson Dart, the 25th pick, was 32-for-47 for 372 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason. Wilson will be feeling Dart’s presence the moment he struggles, which could come early against this schedule.

Up next: at Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. Tennessee Titans

Last ranking: 31

No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward has impressed his new teammates in Tennessee. He was 10-of-19 for 145 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason, but more importantly, he has rallied the spirits of a team that went 3-14 a year ago and lost its last six. If Houston falls off this season and Ward is special, the Titans could be surprise contenders in the AFC South.

Up next: at Broncos, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

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32. Cleveland Browns

Last ranking: 32

This can’t have been the plan. The Browns named Joe Flacco the starting quarterback in training camp, with rookie Dillon Gabriel taking the backup job and another rookie, Shedeur Sanders, earning a spot on the 53-man roster as the emergency quarterback. The 40-year-old Flacco is entering his 18th season and is a great story, but since he came back on everyone’s radar in 2022, he’s 35th in EPA per dropback (minus-0.05), which is lower than Daniel Jones, Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, to name a few.

Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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(Top photo of Jayden Reed: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)

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