NFL Power Rankings: Jerry Jones and Von Miller’s Cowboys enter Super Bowl contender chat

Von Miller has beefed up the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, while rookie Ty Simpson could be backing up Matthew Stafford in Week 1.

Kickoff for the 2026 NFL season is less than one month away, which means that it’s time to unleash talkSPORT’s newly updated power rankings.

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This list includes the top 15 teams in the NFL right now and five franchises to watch.

As a result, the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals won’t get mentioned again.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings all have top-15 potential.

But this is a look at the best of the best in the NFL right now, which means that the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs qualified for the final cut.

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15. Green Bay Packers (Last season: 9-7-1)

Thankfully it’s still the preseason for the Packers.

Because losing 28-9 to Drew Allar while Aaron Rodgers watches from afar isn’t the best way to start a new season.

14. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)

It all comes down to Patrick Mahomes.

And the Chiefs’ running backs, wide receivers and defense.

Early injuries are already stacking up in Kansas City, while Travis Kelce needs to get into game shape.

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13. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

The Jaguars won the AFC South last year, while Liam Coen won over his ‘Duval’ critics.

Add in a healthy Travis Hunter — who’s highly motivated and still hoping to star on both sides of the field — and Jacksonville won’t surprise anyone this year.

12. Detroit Lions (9-8)

It’s a bounceback season for Dan Campell, who lost his coaching magic in 2025 and now wants a better sideline view to throw challenge flags.

It’s a critical season for Jared Goff, who put up big numbers last year but could end up in 2026 as the third-best QB in the NFC North.

11. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)

It’s a comeback season for Lamar Jackson, who fell off to the point that his peers ranked him No. 69 in the league.

Jesse Minter is replacing John Harbaugh in Baltimore, but still can give the ball on first and third down to powerhouse Derrick Henry.

Henry is a future Hall of Famer and one of the best running backs in the league.

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Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

10. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

The 49ers will be a Super Bowl contender — if they can stay healthy.

That’s already been a problem during training camp.

9. Houston Texans (12-5)

Speaking of quarterbacks … the Texans would be higher on this list if C.J. Stroud was more dependable.

If he wants the big money, Stroud has got to stop holding back Houston’s offense.

But a surprise reunion with Jadeveon Clowney only makes the Texans’ defense stronger.

8. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)

The Cowboys are adamant that they’re Super Bowl or bust in 2026.

Signing veteran pass rusher Von Miller to a smart one-year deal should help Jerry Jones finally get back to the NFL’s biggest stage.

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7. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

The best preseason game of the week featured the return of A.J. Brown.

Eagles vs Patriots is also a rematch of Super Bowls LII and XXXIX.

6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

Josh Allen will have a new controversial spaceship stadium but the same Bills Mafia cheering him on.

With Joe Brady calling the shots in Buffalo, the first answer should be taking the unnecessary weight of Allen’s strong shoulders.

5. New England Patriots (14-3)

I’m not worried about Drake Maye in year three.

But Mike Vrabel had a horrible offseason and the Patriots were shredded in the Super Bowl.

Now Vrabel is putting too much effort into throwing challenge flags.

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4. Chicago Bears (11-6)

The hype train is following Caleb Williams as the new Iceman dreams of his first Super Bowl.

Ben Johnson was a winner in year one and Chicago fans are ready to believe, even if the Bears leave Chicago.

3. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

“We probably never will perfect it, but we just keep driving towards this goal,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde exclusively told talkSPORT.

The Seahawks were almost perfect in the Super Bowl and they are running it forward — without Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker — in 2026.

2. Denver Broncos (14-3)

Adding Jaylen Waddle means that Bo Nix has no excuses.

Denver has a Super Bowl-ready roster and Nix must prove that he’s the right playoff QB for Sean Payton.

1. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Matthew Stafford is 38 but he’s now backed by Garrett on defense.

The Rams have been close the last two years.

They’ll enter training camp as the best team in the league, and have an NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer at QB.

Reaching Super Bowl LXI at SoFi starts with a fascinating Week 1 matchup vs the San Francisco 49ers on a long flight to Melbourne, Australia.