2024 NFL Power Rankings

Cue the music. And this music. And that music. Can’t forget about this one. And certainly not that one! Each and every banger (might have to rank the NFL theme songs as a post some day) signifies to each and every ‘Merican that NFL football is back, baby! Fantasy drafts are wrapping up, the wings and brews are ready to rock, and Jim Harbaugh wishes he was trapped on a stuck elevator.

With that, it’s time for the annual tradition here at the Review of power ranking each team before the season begins and projecting a Super Bowl winner. Last year was a mixed bag, as Yours Truly did have both Super Bowl teams in the top 5, but also had the Bears (yikes!) in the top 10, doubted the Packers Succession Plan (nervous chuckle), believed in Rodgers and Salah way too much, and had the Texans all the way down at…
*checks notes*
*checks notes again because that can’t be true*
*ducks for cover*
#31! Hey, at least I had Bucs’ competence and the ‘Phins lack thereof post-September accurately pegged. A mixed bag to say the least.

Once more unto the breach, my friends:

Struggle Bus

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#32 – New York Football Giants
2023 Record: 6-11

Brian Daboll is beefing with coordinators. The best offensive weapon, Saquon, left. Ownership refuses to dump the partner everyone else can tell is not the one, Danny Dimes. Their defense isn’t anything to write home about. At least their new throwback uniforms are so wacky they rule (although most seem to disagree with that take) It’s a race to the bottom with…

#31 – Carolina Panthers
2023 Record: 2-15

Owner Dave Tepper is a shining example to the masses that billionaires are not, in fact, smarter or more competent than the average person. Time and money wasted feuding over a practice facility. Meddling in the draft room and the locker room. Dumping drinks on paying customers. Quite honestly, he seems like an amalgamation of Horrible Bosses more than person. Best of luck, Dave Canales and Bryce Young. ***This is an opinion piece Dave please don’t sue me***

#30 – New England Patriots
2023 Record: 4-13

Mac Daddy and Grumpy Bill are gone, and the cupboard is bare in Boston. After several years in limbo, the Patriots are under new management (Jerod Mayo) and undergoing a complete rebuild. As much as it pains me to credit them on anything, this is a wise move that will probably pay off two years from now. This year, though, is going to be filled with growing pains. So much so that the future of the franchise, Drake Maye, appears to be sitting this one out. The defense still has enough juice to ensure a couple of unlikely wins.

#29 – Denver Broncos
2023 Record: 8-9

No longer Riding, the Broncos have unveiled some very mid new uniforms to go with a very mid roster and a questionable call at QB. Coach Sean Payton fell in love with Bo Nix’s intangibles and accuracy to a jarring degree compared to most pre-draft expectations. As a Bills fan, I am well aware that the experts get things wrong (I love you Josh Allen!), but this seemed like a reach. Pair a rookie QB with an average receiving/running back corps and a defense that was ranked 29th last season, and the recipe doesn’t seem like a tasty one.

#28 – Washington Commanders
2023 Record: 4-13

Ranked exactly the same as last year. It could be a LONG season in the nation’s capital. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is thrust into action behind a retooled offensive line that was the NFL’s worst last season, to pair with a defense that couldn’t stop anyone in 2023 either. Terry McLaurin and the remains of Zach Ertz provide the main targets for Daniels to work with, under a retread head coach.

Plucky Underdogs

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#27 – New Orleans Saints
2023 Record: 9-8

A MASSIVE chasm between the bottom tier and this tier this year. Someone has to sit at #27, and it’s the NFL’s most bland team, with the exception of one Taysom Hill. Unless Taysom gets some starts at QB, I can’t picture them being super interesting to watch. Derek Carr is who he is, and the rest of the offense doesn’t have a ton of weapons. Cam Jordan and Tyrann Mathieu provide some excitement on defense, but not enough to truly move the needle.

#26 – Minnesota Vikings
2023 Record: 7-10

Kirk is gone, and good ole’ Sam Darnold is in his place. The meme-generatin’, ghost-seeing’ ex-Jet gets a chance to turn his career around where Winter comes early. I just don’t see it; he has never really done more than flash and despite the talent in this offense, I am hard selling the Vikings. A shame, too, because I am a huge fan of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has stacked this roster with solid talent all over the field except at the biggest position. The future is unknown as JJ McCarthy rebounds from injury taking away his whole rookie season this year.

#25 – Tennessee Titans
2023 Record: 6-11

Coach Mike Vrabel’s brand of boring consistency is gone, replaced by Brian Callahan. Will Levis, who I am higher on than most, gets a chance to work with both DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley in what could be a boom or bust passing attack. But losing Derrick Henry is a big blow. The most exciting thing about this team may their increasingly ridiculous trolling of the city of Houston, be it by wearing Oilers throwbacks against them or by preventing the Texans from wearing above a certain amount of light blue in their new threads.

#24 – Chicago Bears
2023 Record: 7-10

Da Bears are rolling with Caleb Williams, having drafted yet another QB at the beginning of the draft to solve a quarterback crisis going back to the pre-Super Bowl era. And it will be anything but a boring ride: his ceiling is Mahomes-ian as an elite prospect who can make every throw and is highly cerebral and able to get through progressions quickly. The floor is, although this may be a tad dramatic, Leaf-ian, with some rather odd events from his family’s close involvement in his affairs to requesting a stake in ownership to requesting payment to an LLC to refusing to undergo medical testing at the Combine. We know he is a competitor, and if he fulfills his substantial talent will be one to watch for years to come.

Matt Eberflus is somehow still the coach here.

#23 – New York Jets
2023 Record: 7-10

Coach Robert Saleh’s thousand-yard stare after Aaron Rodgers got hurt in week 1 last season said it all. The J-E-T-S had no backup plan we quickly learned beyond having an over-40 quarterback save the day (deja vu all over again). Rodgers’ buddies were not useful at best and, in Offensive Coordinator Nate Hackett, a hindrance at worst. Punter Thomas Morestead became a cult hero for the second time in his career years after his legendary Super Bowl Onsides Kick.

One year later and we are in the same boat! Saleh and Hackett are somehow still around despite last season’s misadventures. The defense remains genuinely elite, with studs at every level including Quinnen Williams, CJ Mosley, and Sauce Gardner. The offense, though, remains a gigantic question mark. Rodgers was once elite, but is over 40 and coming off major surgery for a guy with questionable medical tastes, and he does have talent to work with. If his play falls off, though, they are once again in huge trouble, and if he gets hurt, backup Tyrod Taylor possesses the world’s worst injury luck and is even less durable. Selling the Jets hard.

#22 – Las Vegas Raiders
2023 Record: 8-9

After shedding the anchor that was Josh McDaniels’ Massive Ego, Coach Antonio Pierce brought a downtrodden group back to respectability despite lacking at the game’s most important position. This year, Uncle Rico is in the house to bring his Fitzpatrick-esque brand of high excitement, epic highs, and devasting lows to Vegas. Will it translate in the Raiders getting over the hump? I like Minshew more than most, but in a crowded AFC, this is a tough sell.

#21 – Atlanta Falcons
2023 Record: 7-10

So sure were the Falcons in their decision to whip out a wheelbarrow full of Benjamins for Kirk Cousins (mid-30’s, coming off major surgery) that they immediately drafted his successor, Michael Penix Jr (who also has a lengthy injury sheet). Coach Raheem Morris is back for his 2nd go-around in the NFC South, and has made the call to feature stud RB Bijan Robinson more heavily in the offense, an idea that somehow eluded his predecessor.

Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon anchor a solid if unspectacular defense. Expect them to compete in a weak division, but with uncertainty at quarterback, expect them to fall short in the end.

Ryan Fitzpatrick Memorial Almost-Made-the-Playoffs Tier

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#20 –Miami Dolphins
2022 Record: 11-6

Shocked? Don’t be. We’ve seen this story for 2 years now and know how it ends. Miami’s track team offense will blitz teams for a month, and then have no answers when the weather gets colder and other teams figure out Tua struggles if his first read is taken away. In the tougher conference, that won’t be enough.

#19 – Dallas Cowboys
2022 Record: 12-5

They might sneak a Wild Card birth, yes, but for the second straight year I refuse to buy stock in this team. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb will link up for some otherworldly games, but I feel they form a one-trick pony in an offense otherwise devoid of difference makers. The defense, ranked 5th last year, is jarringly susceptible to the run, a big issue in the Winter months. Mike McCarthy’s game management, will, once again, cost the team a win or two.

#18 – Los Angeles Chargers
2022 Record: 5-12

Coach Jim Harbaugh totally did not pull a Pete Carroll was lured back into the pro ranks over the Summer where he once came close to a title with San Francisco. His task is to take one of the league’s most notoriously unlucky teams and turn them into winners. Considering the team was last seen in the postseason blowing a 4 possession lead, this is a task of gargantuan proportion.

On the plus side, they have a solid if slightly overrated quarterback in Justin Herbert, and a potential stud in Ladd McConkey at WR. On defense, they have aging studs Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. A recipe for respectability but not much more.

#17 – Arizona Cardinals
2022 Record: 4-13

I feel strongly about this team; so much so that I feel this might even be too low for the Cards. Coach Jonathan Gannon had this team fighting hard last year whilst woefully undermanned, and if the rising talent level mixes with that spirit, they could be a true dark horse contender in the weaker conference. Kyler Murray showed flashes of getting back to his best at the end of last season, and they added potential gamebreaker Marvin Harrison Jr. to the receiving corps through the draft.

#16 – Seattle Seahawks
2022 Record: 9-8

Maybe it’s a bold pick keeping them above the Cards, but I still believe in Geno and the elite trio of pass catchers up in the PNW. The real question is the defense, which ranked 30th overall last year and needs to be better in order for them to have a chance. Byron Murphy II was brought in to bolster the D-line, and hopefully he and other reinforcements can bolster that side of the ball. If so, another sneaky playoff birth could be in order.

If the Stars Align

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#15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2023 Record: 9-8

One of my best picks last year, Baker came through and the Bucs did indeed just eke out the Saints for a playoff birth, and fought hard before succumbing in the Divisional Round. Not much has changed since last year, and I predict about the same result: another division title without being a true contender for the Super Bowl.

We should all appreciate WR Mike “Touchdown Mike” Evans more: his 1000-yard consistency, year after year, is downright astonishing.

#14 – Jacksonville Jaguars
2023 Record: 9-8

Although I don’t fully buy Doug Pederson’s squad, I do feel a slight bounce-back is in order this season. An astonishing late season meltdown may or may not have been caused by injury to franchise QB Trevor Lawrence, who is hoping for a breakout season with suboptimal weapons on offense. The other Josh Allen anchors the defense for a unit, and team, that should be competitive but are unlikely to truly contend.

#13 – Cleveland Browns
2023 Record: 11-6

The Browns drama comes at the quarterback position. Clearly thrilled with the play of Captain Happy Ending, whom they sold their soul to acquire, they are rostering another with a troubled sex past, Famous Jameis Winston, and second year player Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Heck, they even had former Pro-Bowler Tyler Huntley on their initial roster as well.

With a standout defense, all the Browns need to hit the next level is some consistency on the offensive side of the ball. RB Nick Chubb will miss the opening part of the season, and it will be on the receivers Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and David Njoku to step up with all the other uncertainty. High ceiling, low floor team.

#12 – Detroit Lions
2023 Record: 12-5

Having gotten so close to the Big Dance that they could taste it, the Lions second half NFC Championship meltdown has me wondering if they might start this year a little hungover. One thing is for sure, however: Dan Campbell and his steel stones will have his men throwing absolutely everything at everyone every week. The results can be spectacular, but sometimes you end up in situations like going for 2 from a ridiculous spot on an all-or-nothing play.

Jared Goff is good enough for f’ing Detroit, and has an elite crew to work with in Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The defense is mostly reliable, and they will contend again.

#11 – Indianapolis Colts
2023 Record: 9-8

A LOT of preseason buzz with this crew. Maybe I am hopping on the bandwagon too early, but I agree with the promise this group has. QB Anthony Richardson was electric before getting hurt last season, and has had more time to grow. Just as importantly, RB Jonathan Taylor is now fully healthy and primed for a monster year like he had in 2022. It’s a well-rounded team too with a solid O-line, and difference makers on both sides of the ball in Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner, and Julian Blackmon.

#10 – Pittsburgh Steelers
2023 Record: 10-7

Like hell Mike Tomlin would oversee a losing season, even with a truly abysmal offense. It cracks me up when people want him to leave – what more can the man honestly do? He got 10 wins and a playoff birth out of a team fielding Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph at the most important position, and Najee Harris putting up career low numbers at the RB spot.

We’ll see if Russell Wilson has anything left in the tank or if the far more explosive, yet boom-and-bust Justin Fields gets a shot as the field general before the year is done. But one thing is for sure: they will NOT have a losing season.

#9 – Philadelphia Eagles
2023 Record: 11-6

Sitting at 10-1, things were looking quite pretty for my Super Bowl pick. A high-flying offense loaded with stars and one utterly unstoppable tush-push had the Eagles truly Flying. And then the bottom fell out. Coach Nick Sirianni feuded with the QB. Said coach also thought turning over the defense to Matt Patricia midseason was a good idea. Clinging to the division, they dropped two straight at the very end of the season to two teams already on the beach, the Cardinals and Giants, and then got smoked by Baker Mayfield’s band of merry Bucs in the Wild Card round.

The vibes aren’t good in Philly, but the team is still loaded. A rare instance where a midseason coaching change might truly make a difference.

#8 – Los Angeles Rams
2023 Record: 10-7

Losing Aaron Donald, one of the best pass rushers of all time, will definitely hurt. He was the difference maker in an otherwise run-of-the-mill defense. How are they at #8? I can’t shake the feeling that Sean McVay has something up his sleeve for this crew.

The big boost is on offense, where a healthy Cooper Kupp gets to pair with second year sensation Puka Nacua. Matthew Stafford is quietly still very good at slinging the rock, and has weapons to cook with. If the defense can stay league average, these guys will surprise some folks. Lack of depth may be their undoing – beyond the stars, the cupboard is pretty bare.

#7 – Baltimore Ravens
2023 Record: 13-4

The regular season isn’t the problem! That playoff game against KC was tough to watch: it looked like the entire offense, not just Lamar, was overthinking things and trying too hard to make something happen, which led to mistake after mistake.

Try telling me that you aren’t excited to watch the NFL’s last great bellcow RB Derrick Henry, even if past his prime, work with one of the NFL’s greatest dual-threat QB’s ever, Lamar Jackson. Oh to be the offensive coordinator of this crew; toss in Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers and the potential is through the roof. Can John Harbaugh gets his team to settle down come the postseason remains the only question.

#6 – Buffalo Bills
2023 Record: 11-6

A whiplash-inducing 2023 saw the Bills nearly fall apart from endless self-inflicted wounds midseason, until an unlikely rally occurred. That the nexus point of this rally appeared to be a change at offensive coordinator report of a hilariously bad subject for a motivational speech by Coach Sean McDermott added to the craziness. Reeling off 5 straight wins to steal the division back from the hated Dolphins, the Bills were poised to ride the momentum all the way to the big one. And then Kansas City reminded them who the Big Brother is in this relationship.

A transition season here, as the Bills roll with a receiver-by-committee approach that could be amazing or backfire horribly. The defense is set to take a step back too, but Josh Allen’s will and steel nuts are enough to snag a playoff spot at a minimum,.

Elite

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#5 – Cincinnati Bengals
2023 Record: 9-8

Backup QB Jake Browning deserves a lot of credit for bringing a team most wrote off to the brink of the postseason. With regular starter Joe Burrow back, look for the Cats to take a step forward, even in the league’s most competitive division. Keeping receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins together and adding offensive line stud Orlando Brown makes this unit a spicy proposition. Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo always saves his best game plans for the big occasions, so watch out come January for these guys.

#4 – Houston Texans
2023 Record: 10-7

Time to eat crow and admit I never saw them coming last year. Wow! An explosive offense led by rookie CJ Stroud (who looked as cool as a cucumber/10 year vet in the pocket) roared this team to the postseason well ahead of schedule. Then they proceeded to blow the doors off the Browns in the playoffs, and the sky looks the limit. Most of the main crew returns; WR Tank Dell is healthy again and they kept the head coach-offensive coordinator combo of DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik together for one more ride. Oh, and they added Stefon Diggs for good measure.

#3 – Green Bay Packers
2023 Record: 9-8

Oops, they did it again! For the third time in a row, the Packers landed a franchise QB. Their strategy of having the newbie sit for a couple of seasons to learn the ropes, almost unheard of anymore, paid dividends with Jordan Love. Love came on strong in the back half of the season, the game seeming to slow down week-by-week for him. His receiving committee looks much stronger this year with 4 quality pass catches to rotate around.

The defense continues to be a bugaboo, but I trust in Coach Matt LaFleur’s offense to put up points in spades.

#2 – Kansas City Chiefs
2023 Record: 11-6, Super Bowl champs

Maddeningly for the rest of the league (and fans of 31 other teams), the Chiefs decided to toy with everyone, upping the degree of difficulty for Patrick Mahomes by giving him no receivers of note, and still laying waste to everyone…again. At this point, he is in the running for G.O.A.T. I can’t truly bet against him and Andy Reid. Not really much else to say…they just elevate everyone around them. And they have a whopping 8 Primetime games to show off Taylor Swift their new tricks.

#1 – San Francisco 49ers
2022 Record: 12-5

Real big Last Dance vibes from this group. Having finally worked out a deal with WR Brandon Aiyuk, all the major contributors from the last couple of years are running it back. This is a team that has, twice, gotten as close as you can get to taking down the Chiefs’ Big Bad Dynasty. All the pieces are there, and I’m banking on Kyle Shanahan to get his team refocused and ready to finally get over the final hump.

There is the potential of collective scar tissue becoming a problem in the postseason, but I have a gut feeling this team will play more angry than scared when push comes to shove. This is the Niners time.