Every​ week during the season, Chad Graff and Josh Kendall rank and analyze all 32 teams from first to worst.At long last, the NFL season has arrived. The excitement kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch Wednesday night between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The next day, the Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. After that, the normal Sunday slate awaits.As the season opens, let’s jump into our first power rankings since before training camps began while also considering each team’s projected win total, as provided by our analyst Austin Mock.Are you ready for some football?Power Rankings: Why the Seahawks aren't No. 1Chad Graff1. Los Angeles RamsLast ranking: 1First game: vs. 49ers (in Australia), Thursday, 8:35 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 11.7The Rams easily got the most projected wins in Mock’s simulation despite playing in arguably the best division in football. That presumed success is for obvious reasons. They traded for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, then brought back arguably the best defensive tackle of all time in Aaron Donald. They’re officially a superteam.2. Seattle SeahawksLast ranking: 5First game: vs. Patriots, Wednesday, 8:20 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.9How do you win the Super Bowl, return a very similar roster with the same coach and not be the No. 1 team? Well, that says less about the Seahawks and more about the Rams. Seattle’s defense should be incredible again, but the big question is how Sam Darnold and the offense look after losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who became the coach of the Raiders.Can the Seahawks fend off the Rams in the NFC West?Andrew Destin3. Buffalo BillsLast ranking: 3First game: at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.8The defense is undergoing a significant change, entering a 3-4 scheme with six new starters, and that’s part of the reason for hope. The other is a fresh start with coach Joe Brady that could get this team over the hump and into the Super Bowl. Even if last season didn’t go as planned, it’s hard to keep a Josh Allen-led team out of the top five entering the season.4. New England PatriotsLast ranking: 4First game: at Seahawks, Wednesday, 8:20 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.3The Patriots went to the Super Bowl, then meaningfully improved an offense that returns the MVP runner-up at quarterback (who just turned 24, by the way). Still, this team benefited from a historically easy schedule a year ago. So what’s on tap for this new group that added receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs? How about opening with games against the Seahawks, Steelers, Jaguars and Bills (with three of them on the road). No more schedule complaints this season.5. Denver BroncosLast ranking: 2First game: at Chiefs, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.1It’s hard to know what to make of the Broncos. On the one hand, they almost went to the Super Bowl, even while playing a backup quarterback in the AFC Championship Game. Their coach is an offensive genius, and they return an excellent defense. On the other hand, they play in a difficult division, and we’re supposed to just believe that Bo Nix, who relies on his mobility, is going to return to a high level of play after a pair of offseason ankle surgeries?Will the Broncos repeat as AFC West Champions?Nick Kosmider6. San Francisco 49ersLast ranking: 7First game: at Rams (in Australia), Thursday, 8:35 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.1There was no shortage of offseason storylines around the 49ers, including the arrest of their owner and a car accident that injured coach Kyle Shanahan. They also dealt with a number of offseason injuries. But they’ve gotten good news of late with George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, and they could use the regular season to get back up to speed after so much drama.7. Houston TexansLast ranking: 6First game: vs. Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.3There’s no defensive line in the NFL more feared than the Texans’, which boasts an embarrassment of riches after adding Jadeveon Clowney to a group that already featured Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. So we know the defense should be very good. The big question is what can C.J. Stroud do in Year 4 after his 2025 campaign ended with a terrible playoff performance. They may have to win games 17-14.8. Los Angeles ChargersLast ranking: 8First game: vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.4It wasn’t a great August for the Chargers, who lost center Tyler Biadasz to a season-ending ACL tear. In their second preseason game, they had as many punts (eight) as first downs. But star offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater enter the season healthy, and it’ll be fun to watch this offense under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.Jahmyr Gibbs enters the season as one of the league’s top running backs. Can he help the Lions return to the playoffs? (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)9. Detroit LionsLast ranking: 10First game: vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.3After missing the playoffs last season, the Lions will benefit from one of this year’s easiest schedules. The division will be tough, but they have a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing and more depth on the defensive line. Still, the secondary could have some struggles early due to injuries to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, each of whom begins the season on the PUP list.Detroit Lions Camp: Drew Petzing's scheme, Blake Miller and moreRobert Mays10. Chicago BearsLast ranking: 12First game: at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.5There are questions on defense about the pass rush and depth on the back end after Coby Bryant’s injury. But Caleb Williams is promising, and Ben Johnson seems like the real deal, so how far can the offense carry this team? If Dennis Allen can manufacture some pressure, this could be a really good team.11. Baltimore RavensLast ranking: 16First game: at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 11.0The Ravens actually have the second-highest projected win total in Mock’s model, but we had a hard time getting them into the top 10 with all of the unknowns. Can Lamar Jackson stay healthy? Can new coach Jesse Minter return the defense to elite status? We’ve bumped them up five spots since camp started given their good health and easy schedule to start the season.12. Philadelphia EaglesLast ranking: 9First game: vs. Commanders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.4A pair of joint practices in New England didn’t go well for the Eagles offense, which dealt with wide receiver injuries in training camp and a learning curve under new coordinator Sean Mannion. That, of course, sets up an important season for Jalen Hurts, who threw more interceptions during camp than you’d like. Still, the defense should be good, and the running game has a high floor.Will the Philadelphia Eagles passing game be good enough in 2026?Robert Mays13. Jacksonville JaguarsLast ranking: 11First game: vs. Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.1It’s easy to forget that this team won 13 games last season, and that was without do-it-all 2025 No. 2 pick Travis Hunter for much of the year. He lined up on defense more than offense in training camp, but we can expect a bounce-back season from the Heisman Trophy winner. Still, questions exist for the running game after the departure of Travis Etienne in free agency.14. Kansas City ChiefsLast ranking: 18First game: vs. Broncos, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.6Our last power rankings assumed Patrick Mahomes would probably miss the start of the season. Astoundingly, even though he suffered an ACL tear in mid-December, it looks like he will be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback out of the gate. There is still plenty that ailed the Chiefs a year ago (and could again this year), but it’d be wise not to bet against Mahomes.15. Dallas CowboysLast ranking: 13First game: at Giants, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.2The Cowboys have a loaded offense and should be fun to watch, but there are still plenty of questions on defense. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker learned under Vic Fangio in Philadelphia, and that unit added Rashan Gary in free agency, then Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the draft. If the defense can turn it around, Dallas could surprise some people.16. Cincinnati BengalsLast ranking: 14First game: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 10.3Thanks in part to arguably the easiest schedule in the league, the Bengals open the season as favorites in 15 of their 17 games. The defense got some meaningful improvements in the offseason (notably by uncharacteristically trading for Dexter Lawrence), but their season will once again come down to Joe Burrow’s health. He has played in more than 10 games just once in the past three seasons.17. Green Bay PackersLast ranking: 15First game: at Vikings, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 9.4Jordan Love is good enough to carry the offense in some early-season shootouts, but the Packers’ pass rush isn’t going to scare anyone until Micah Parsons returns from a torn ACL. Fortunately for them, two of their first three games are against the Falcons and Jets.Hopes are high in Pittsburgh, where coach Mike McCarthy has reunited with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (Joe Sargent / Getty Images)18. Pittsburgh SteelersLast ranking: 17First game: vs. Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 8.4The Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003, so maybe it’s unwise to predict only eight wins. They boast the league’s highest-paid defense, but the big question is how good the offense can be with 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers reuniting with Mike McCarthy.19. Minnesota VikingsLast ranking: 20First game: vs. Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 8.8There’s plenty of upside now that Kyler Murray is under center. Remember, the Vikings won nine games last season despite horrendous (and frequently changing) quarterback play. Even if Murray plays at a league-average level, they should be better. Still, the defense is a bit of an unknown. Brian Flores is an incredible coordinator, but his roster is largely unproven.20. Tampa Bay BuccaneersLast ranking: 19First game: at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 8.0The vibes have been a bit weird in Tampa during training camp with Baker Mayfield publicly bemoaning that he feels disrespected by the lack of a contract extension. On the flip side, Mayfield tends to be at his best when he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. This division is wide open.21. Indianapolis ColtsLast ranking: 21First game: vs. Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 8.3Daniel Jones has checked all the boxes after tearing his right Achilles, and the Colts were 8-2 before his injury last season. Still, trepidation remains. It’s one thing to look good in practice coming off an injury, and it’s another to do it in game action. We’re in wait-and-see mode with this team.Will the Texans outlast the Jaguars in the AFC South?James Boyd22. New Orleans SaintsLast ranking: 25First game: at Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 7.9Optimism is rising in New Orleans after the promising (and unexpected) rookie season of quarterback Tyler Shough. In the first eight games last season, before Shough became the starter, the Saints ranked 30th in passing EPA per play. After Shough became the starter, they ranked 19th. Now, they’ll pair him with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the eighth pick in the draft.23. Washington CommandersLast ranking: 23First game: at Eagles, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 7.6The loss of Laremy Tunsil is big, especially for protecting an injury-prone quarterback. And a joint practice against the Ravens went terribly for the Commanders’ O-line and the offense in general. They signed D.J. Humphries and Stefon Diggs in August, but this team will go as far as Jayden Daniels takes it. And after training camp, it doesn’t seem like it’s going very far.24. Carolina PanthersLast ranking: 22First game: vs. Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 6.7Injuries to outside linebacker Nic Scourton and right tackle Taylor Moton have dampened the outlook. Pair that with a difficult out-of-division schedule, and the Panthers could take some lumps. Still, the defense should be better, and the NFC South is wide open.The Giants should be better under new coach John Harbaugh. But how much better? (Mike Stobe / Getty Images)25. New York GiantsLast ranking: 28First game: vs. Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 7.1Optimism reigns thanks to the hiring of John Harbaugh and what should be a great pass rush. But the team lost Calvin Austin to a season-ending ACL tear, and second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart’s weapons behind Malik Nabers aren’t great.Why it's refreshing that Harbaugh wants to 'win games' this seasonDan Duggan26. Atlanta FalconsLast ranking: 24First game: at Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 6.9Amid all the questions about the Falcons’ quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., it’s easy to forget that this team lost last year’s 15th pick, Jalon Walker, to an ACL tear and last year’s 26th pick, James Pearce Jr., to an eight-game suspension. Tagovailoa will start, but things aren’t looking great in Atlanta.27. Las Vegas RaidersLast ranking: 26First game: vs. Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 6.2The past two seasons did not go great for Kirk Cousins after leaving Minnesota, and this is probably his last shot as a starter. In reality, this is about how long he can hold off a switch to No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. The good news for them after camp is that Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury wasn’t serious enough to land him on IR, but rookie edge rusher Keyron Crawford is already done for the season due to an ankle injury.28. Tennessee TitansLast ranking: 29First game: vs. Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 5.8The Titans are a combined 6-28 the past two seasons, so it’d be hard to go anywhere but up, especially as a new regime led by Robert Saleh enters. Saleh remade the team’s defense, bringing in five new starters, and added wide receiver Carnell Tate in the first round to help second-year quarterback Cam Ward.29. New York JetsLast ranking: 31First game: at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 5.6The defense should be better after drafting David Bailey and adding veterans Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick — and also because they can’t go another year without an interception, right? RIGHT?! The offense with Geno Smith isn’t inspiring, even after drafting Omar Cooper Jr. to play opposite Garrett Wilson.30. Cleveland BrownsLast ranking: 27First game: at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 5.3The Browns took an already dysfunctional quarterback situation and somehow made it worse, naming Deshaun Watson their starter two days after he called home fans “disrespectful” for booing him. They added more talent on offense by drafting KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Spencer Fano, but given their quarterback situation, it’ll likely be a tough watch once again.31. Arizona CardinalsLast ranking: 30First game: at Chargers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 4.5No team has a lower projected win total than the Cardinals. So why aren’t they last here? It’s not their fault that they have the brutal task of facing the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers a total of six times this season. Between that and Jeremiyah Love, we’ll give them a slight nod over our last-place team.32. Miami DolphinsLast ranking: 32First game: at Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ETMock’s projected win total: 4.5How do you end up below the Cardinals? It’s partly due to their roster. And it’s partly by getting destroyed by the Giants in a joint practice that was apparently so one-sided that Brian Burns called it “dominant,” noting that a report of six New York sacks was underselling it. Looks like a long year ahead for Miami.