NFL Power Rankings: Seahawks’ injuries push NFC West rival into top Super Bowl spot as Mahomes watches
The long wait until a new NFL season is almost over.
Kickoff for the 2026 campaign is less than three weeks away, which means that it’s time to unleash talkSPORT’s newly updated NFL power rankings.
This list includes the top 15 teams in the NFL right now and five franchises to watch.
As a result, the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins won’t get mentioned again.
Quarterback problems for the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons also kept those teams out of the NFL’s current top 15.
Keep checking back regularly as we move from the final preseason game and Week 1 to Week 18, the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
15. Green Bay Packers (Last season: 9-7-1)
Thankfully it’s still the preseason for the Packers.
Losing 28-9 to Drew Allar while Aaron Rodgers watched from afar wasn’t the best way to start a new season.
It’s on Jordan Love to prove that he’s worth a $220 million contract.
14. 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.
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13. 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.
The Chiefs are 0-2 in the preseason but the real test is Week 1 vs the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos.
12. 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.
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.
10. 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.
But the Jags definitely have the talent to go back-to-back in the AFC South and return to the postseason in 2026.
9. 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.
8. Houston Texans (12-5)
Speaking of quarterbacks who must step up in the playoffs … the Texans would be even 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.
A surprise reunion with Jadeveon Clowney only makes the Texans’ defense stronger, and that unit will again carry Houston in 2026.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
Now that the A.J. Brown vs Jalen Hurts beef is seemingly over, it’s time for the Eagles to move on to bigger and better things.
Like repeating as the kings of the NFC East and returning to the big game.
6. New England Patriots (14-3)
The Patriots were shredded in the Super Bowl and Mike Vrabel had a horrible offseason.
But that football script can be flipped with a Week 1 win on national TV vs the banged-up Seahawks.
5. 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 all of the extra weight of Allen’s strong shoulders.
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4. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
The Seahawks were almost perfect in the last Super Bowl.
They’re still a top contender this year.
But how many injuries can Seattle withstand within a defense that carried the team to a world champioship in 2025?
3. 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.
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’re the best team in the league as the preseason nears its conclussion, 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.
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