National Football League

NFL Power Rankings: Week One

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL season is finally upon us and so are weekly NFL Power Rankings.

Carolina Panthers

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The Carolina Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. Cam Newton will have to be slowed down and the passing game controlled, if teams want to unseat the defending NFC Champion.2

Green Bay Packers

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Aaron Rodgers will have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to throw to. Don’t forget about Eddie Lacy in the backfield and that defense is still decent enough to keep the offense scoring more points.3

Arizona Cardinals

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Last week: 9-4 recordLast rank: -

Carson Palmer is coming off his best season in the NFL. Larry Fitzgerald is still talented and Michael Floyd can’t be overlooked.4

New England Patriots

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games. However, would the wheels fall off with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm? Belichick is still the head coach, they still have a decent defense. 2-2 would be viewed as a failure in New England at this point. Right?5

Seattle Seahawks

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Russell Wilson lost beast mode, Marshawn Lynch, behind him, but Thomas Rawls has shown promise. This defense is still very good and they will be difficult to unseat as a perennial playoff contender.Next: Power Rankings: 6-10

Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) talks with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Colts won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Andy Dalton is back and looked sharp, A.J. Green in still A.J. Green, and this defensive line is the best in football. The Bengals should be a conversation at the end of the season for contender. Sorry David Carr.7

Kansas City Chiefs

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The Kansas City Chiefs are relevant in the AFC West again, especially with Denver being a team on the verge of implosion. Jamaal Charles may still be out, but Alex Smith can still make plays. They could be very dangerous late in the season.8

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Le’Veon Bell is out for three games, D’Angelo Williams is still getting older, and Big Ben has to remain healthy. They also must get the Bengals out of their heads if they want to do anything in this division.

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Indianapolis Colts

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Andrew Luck looks healthy once again. However, the biggest question is still on the defense. They didn’t do much to get better, whih means Luck must outscore his opponents.10

Denver Broncos

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The Denver Broncos are the team to watch. Von Miller is still there, but the offense has been on implosion watch without a true starting quarterback. They lost a lot of pieces, but can they keep their relevance?Next: Power Rankings: 11-15

Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) smiles on the sideline with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Oakland Raiders 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Derek Carr has already proven better than his older brother in Oakland. Amari Cooper is one of the best young receivers in the league. This team could be dangerous to their division foes this year. Keep an eye on Oakland.12

Houston Texans

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

J.J. Watt will most likely start on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean he is healthy. They upgraded at quarterback with Brock Osweiler and DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver could be a dangerous combination. 13

New York Giants

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The New York Giants spent the money to get better, but this offense still rests on which Eli Manning shows up. If they get a good Eli, this team could be dangerous in the NFC, but interception Manning could undo all that money spent.14

Baltimore Ravens

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The Baltimore Ravens are finally a healthy team. They upgraded their offensive line with Ronnie Stanley in the draft, but they must keep Flacco clean in one of the toughest divisions in football. Can they do better than the projected 8-8?15

Washington Redskins

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

In a division that features an improved Giants team, they may be on the outside looking in. Jay Gruden must find a defense behind a decent offense. They may just do that however with signing Josh Norman.Next: Power Rankings: 16-20

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Teddy Bridgewater‘s injury may be the biggest reason for the Vikings drop in power rankings. Adrian Peterson is still in the backfield, but Sam Bradford is most likely not the answer to the offensive woes. As for the defense, with Mike Zimmer in charge, they will always be a threat defensively.17

Dallas Cowboys

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Tony Romo is injured once again, no shock there. The running game was upgraded with Ezekiel Elliott and they have Dez Bryant to give them a passing chance. It is still a weaker defense and Mark Sanchez at quarterback that concerns me.18

Detriot Lions

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

They lost their biggest asset in the offseason, as Calvin Johnson retired. They then signed their second number two wide receiver in Marvin Jones. It is hard to be a playoff contender with no top receiving option.19

Jacksonville Jaguars

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

All the respect in the world for a Jacksonville team trying to get better. Blake Bortles has a lot of promise and they have two solid receivers. Why no love in this power rankings? Proof, they need to prove they are better.20

New Orleans Saints

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Drew Brees at quarterback, Brandon Cooks at receiver, but what else? Carolina is set to dominate this division once again, but then what?Next: Power Rankings: 21-26

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Isaiah Bruce (9) celebrates after a touchdown with the Chargers offense during the second half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Ryan Tannehill really got minimal upgrades in the draft and even in free agency. The defense is ok, but they are still in the same division as the Jets, Patriots, and Bills. Can you honestly say they are exponentially better than any of them? 22

Buffalo Bills

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The Buffalo Bills locked up Tyrod Taylor for years to come. However, I am not on the Rex Ryan bandwagon. Sammy Watkins is talented but nobody else is exciting me, even LeSean McCoy and Reggie Bush have lost their luster.23

San Diego Charger

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Joey Bosa finally signed and he is a huge lift for this defense. Philip Rivers will probably not be protected anymore than he was last season however. Hunter Henry is a passing tight end, not blocking, and Max Turek or Matt Slauson are not the answer at center.24

New York Jets

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Last week: 0-0 record

Ryan Fitzpatrick was a big distraction to this team for the better part of the off-season and training camp. He is a good quarterback but invincible or untouchable, even after a career year. Proof will come with each game though.25

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Jameis Winston did grow up a little last year. I mean now that he can afford them crab legs. He even has a decent receiver in Mike Evans to throw too. They will have to overcome the fact they are the Buccaneers, if they want to climb in the power rankings.26

Chicago Bears

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Jay Cutler is still Jay Cutler and the bears, who were once known for their defense, need to make some stops. It is plain and simple.Next: Power Rankings: 27-32

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) waits for the snap from center Alex Mack (51) against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Matt Ryan has a new number two receiver, but Sanu has never lived up to his money in Cincinnati. Will a change of location help? Will the defense see any improvement? Questions that need to be answered for the Falcons to improve. 28

Tennessee Titans

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Marcus Mariotta has all the potential in the league. DeMarco Murray is an upgrade and so is Derrick Henry to this running game. The only question is will it be enough to move the needle in the right direction?29

LA Rams

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

The LA Rams are back but not without cutting half the team. Jared Goff is inactive for week one and this team is struggling for answers. The Rams look like a mess, even on “Hard Knocks.”30

San Francisco 49ers

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Colin Kaepernick should be the least of the 49er’s worries. Putting a product on the field that isn’t a projected three or four win team should be. Maybe their former fullback Bruce Miller was trying to prepare the 70-year old man for what to expect from this team during the season.31

Philadelphia Eagles

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

Carson Wentz is the best thing on this Eagles team, is probably the most concerning words for Philly fans. Wentz is not fully ready for the NFL. It is a good thing that they play the only team that has a shot to be worse than them in week one.32

Cleveland Browns

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Last week: 0-0 recordLast rank: -

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