2026 NFL Power Rankings

Tony Mario Last Updated: October 7, 2026.

1. Miami Dolphins 0-4-0
   
   
   Miami is the unanimous worst team in the NFL. Every season preview I read had Miami at 0-17 or 1-16 with a home game against the New York Jets as the only game they were favored in. De'Von Achane their best offensive player at running back tore his achilles to make matters worse.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Tennessee Titans 0-4-0
   
   
   Tennessee drafted Cam Ward first overall. Cam Ward does not look like the guy his first game into year two. He looked better against Philadelphia, but it also feels like Brian Daboll is micromanaging Cam Ward. Cam Ward looked very robotic and out of it against the New York Giants.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-4-0
   
   
   Tampa Bay has the talent to go far, but turnovers cost them in week 1. There's a reason Mike Evans left. I got zero confidence in the Glazers or Todd Bowles. I think Todd Bowles has lost this locker room. Now Baker Mayfield is injured and undrafted quarterback Jalon Daniels out of Kansas becomes the first quarterback from the 2026 NFL Draft to start an NFL game this year. Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. are out in week 5.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 28th
   
   
   
   
   
4. New York Jets 1-3-0
   
   
   The New York Jets beat the Tennessee Titans in week 1. The Jets fell apart as I expected them to as this is the worst 1-2 team in my honest opinion.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Los Angeles Chargers 0-4-0
   
   
   The Los Angeles Chargers are taking Chargering to newfound heights. They want to Charger NFL fans that pick them to win in NFL Survivor pools. Los Angeles lost to Buffalo and Seattle as expected and is now 0-4 on the year.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. New Orleans Saints 1-3-0
   
   
   New Orleans put up a fight against Detroit. Tyler Shough did beat Baltimore on the road. He avoided turnovers and did enough late to steal a win in Baltimore in a game where both teams starting left tackles got injured. Asim Richards was awesome in relief of Kelvin Banks Jr. in week 2, but he sucked against Malcolm Koonce in week 3. Tyler Shough looked horrible on Monday Night Football. Kool-Aid McKinstry was horrible as the field cornerback too. New Orleans can either draft Leonard Moore at 3 or Collin Simmons at 4 if they miss out on Jeremiah Smith and Carter Smith as expected. A quarterback in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft is also on the table if the Saints avoid a draft pick in the top 4. Beating an undefeated Minnesota Vikings team is a step Tyler Shough needs to take to save his job in New Orleans.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 26th
   
   
   
   
   
7. Houston Texans 0-4-0
   
   
   Houston's offense looked good in week 1. The defense sucked, but Houston has the best defense between Denver and New England if I have to pick one of the 0-1 teams to get the last wild card. Also playing the Colts and Titans twice a year helps. The offense looked even worse in week 2 without their best wide receiver Nico Collins. Houston got Nico Collins back. Houston gets wide receiver Tank Dell, right tackle Braden Smith, and rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald back this week. Houston is depleted at linebacker which is the biggest reason why they are 0-4 along with the fact that their amazing cornerback trio has 0 interceptions on the year.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 25th
   
   
   
   
   
8. Arizona Cardinals 1-3-0
   
   
   Arizona beat the Los Angeles Chargers on the road as underdogs. Arizona was one of the more fraudulent week 1 teams and Arizona does not have their best cornerback Will Johnson for the rest of the season. Arizona also lost left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to a season ending injury. Losing the one offensive lineman that does not suck means your offensive line is now as big of a liability as your quarterback.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 22nd
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Washington Commanders 1-3-0
   
   
   Washington switched their defensive scheme to a 3-4 defense. Laremy Tunsil is missing most of the year too. This feels like a make or break year for Jayden Daniels too. Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are now injured. Trey Amos is back, but I'm not sure if Jayden Daniels is starting yet. Washington does not feel like a contender to me right now.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 19th
   
   
   
   
   
10. Dallas Cowboys 2-2-0
    
    
    Dallas has a good offense. Dallas defeated Houston. Dallas did beat two teams in my bottom ten and faces another bottom ten this week. They did trade for Joey Porter Jr. and get Tyler Smith back at left guard this week.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 27th
    
    
    
    
    
11. Indianapolis Colts 2-2-0
    
    
    Indianapolis looked like a one year wonder that peaked last year. They did beat Washington in London, but that was mainly due to Marcus Mariota getting injured. The Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks looked good in week 3, but gave up some big plays to a third string quarterback. Indianapolis has momentum right now with a two game winning streak. What Indianapolis does in Pittsburgh will determine whether they move up or down next week since the Steelers have yet to lose at home.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 24th
    
    
    
    
    
12. New York Giants 3-1-0
    
    
    The New York Giants offense looked good in week 1. Jaxson Dart had season ending surgery at quarterback after leaving the Monday Night Football game with an injury versus the Los Angeles Rams. The New York Giants traded for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. With Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy as the quarterbacks on this team and with the Giants beating only the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals at home, it is safe to say this is the worst 3-1 team in the entire NFL.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 23rd
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. Las Vegas Raiders 3-1-0
    
    
    Las Vegas started 3-0 in September. Las Vegas fell back to reality in week 4 when losing 30-27. Las Vegas is projected to be a wild card team at the moment, but this feels like a team that is going to implode since the Raiders entered the year as one of the worst in the league. They do got a chance to move back into the top half of the power rankings if they can beat New England on the road again.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 14th
    
    
    
    
    
14. Atlanta Falcons 2-2-0
    
    
    Atlanta is 2-0 since Michael Penix Jr. returned. Bijan Robinson is the reason Atlanta is winning though. Atlanta could host Baltimore without Lamar Jackson on Sunday Night Football in week 5 and that is the reason they escaped the top twenty. Both edge rushers are still injured. Z'Darius Smith the third best pass rusher is injured. A.J. Terrell is on injured reserve for one more week. Jake Matthews got injured in the third quarter with a groin injury and did not return. That didn't matter though since Atlanta still scored 21 of their 45 points without him in the second half. Not having Jake Matthews may matter against Baltimore though.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 21st
    
    
    
    
    
15. Detroit Lions 2-2-0
    
    
    Detroit looks very good offensively. Detroit's front 7 is good,, but the Detroit Lions have one of the worst secondaries in the league. That looks like it will be what keeps the Detroit Lions out of the playoffs right now.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 13th
    
    
    
    
    
16. Carolina Panthers 2-2-0
    
    
    Bryce Young looked like the guy for four weeks now. I don't think Carolina has a strong offensive line or a sack artist to compliment him. Both of their stud cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson are on injured reserve too. I'm not sure Young will get extended unless he wins nine games this year, but they stole a game in Atlanta. After losing to Cleveland, they won in convincing fashion on Sunday Night Football as Bryce Young leads the NFL in passing yards heading into Carolina's bye week. Carolina can win the NFC South, but I don't think the four seed Carolina Panthers have enough talent to win a playoff game.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 20th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Green Bay Packers 2-2-0
    
    
    Matt Lafleur managed to win in overtime against the Jets and beat the Buccaneers without Baker Mayfield by four. The Packers have not won a home game at Lambeau Field yet and feel like pretenders this year. Green Bay's backup guards are so horrible that practice squad guys Laken Tomlinson and Kevin Zeitler got promoted to the active roster and are on pace to start in week 5 when the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears. If Green Bay can upset the Bears without Caleb Williams, I'm open to moving them into my playoff picture. This team feels like a pretender right now though and Micah Parsons will not be back until November.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 18th
    
    
    
    
    
18. Cincinnati Bengals 2-2-0
    
    
    The Cincinnati Bengals lost a home game to Jacksonville. Right now this is a team that looks like they are on the outside looking in.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 8th
    
    
    
    
    
19. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-2-0
    
    
    Pittsburgh lost on the road 20-3 in week 2. Pittsburgh beat Cincinnat at home. Pittsburgh lost to Cleveland in Cleveland.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 7th
    
    
    
    
    
20. New England Patriots 2-2-0
    
    
    New England laid an egg in Jacksonville. Drake Maye has looked much worse than a year ago. New England went into Buffalo and beat the Buffalo Bills with Drake Maye carrying the New England Patriots on his back. This is the only 2-2 team with a playoff spot in the AFC at the moment and if the season ended today New England would be the seven seed in the AFC Playoffs. New England hosts the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders in week 5 in a game that New England has to win to stay in the top seven of the AFC. New England would be a dangerous seven seed, but the AFC is so stacked that I cannot see New England winning a wild card game on the road unless that team has more injuries than the Patriots.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 17th
    
    
    
    
    
21. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2-0
    
    
    Philadelphia is putting Landon Dickerson on injured reserve. Lane Johnson retired, and Philadelphia traded Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. However they still got a strong front seven along with some quality cornerbacks. Philadelphia moved Cam Jurgens to left guard and started Drew Kendall at center without a drop off on the offensive line without Landon Dickerson. Philadelphia could not beat a Chicago Bears team on the road with Case Keenum at quarterback. How do they expect to win a wild card game this year even if they win the NFC East?
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 5th
    
    
    
    
    
22. Cleveland Browns 3-1-0
    
    
    Cleveland looks awful at quarterback at Deshaun Watson in week 1. Deshaun Watson beat Tampa Bay and looked good. He beat Carolina in Cleveland's home opener. Cleveland is 3-1. This is a Cleveland Browns team that could get to the wild card round, but I expect Deshaun Watson to revert to his old self at some point even if the Cleveland Browns end up as the six seed in the AFC.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 16th
    
    
    
    
    
23. Los Angeles Rams 2-2-0
    
    
    The Los Angeles Rams lost Myles Garrett to an injury as Garrett is now on injured reserve. Puka Nacua missed weeks 2 and 3 as the Los Angeles Rams best wide receiver. The Los Angeles Rams play Philadelphia on the road before hosting Buffalo. Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia to imrove to 2-2 Los Angeles was my preseason pick to play the Bills in Super Bowl 61 which is why they moved back into the top 10 after a win in week 4.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 15th
    
    
    
    
    
24. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-1-0
    
    
    Jacksonville was my pick to play Seattle in Super Bowl 60 in my final power rankings last year. Jacksonville has enough talent on both sides of the ball to win the AFC South, but I'm not sure they got enough talent at running back or tight end to win a wild card game. I still feel this way even after Jacksonville beat Cincinnati on the road.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 6th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. Denver Broncos 2-2-0
    
    
    Denver lost to Kansas City in week 1 by a pretty signifcant margin. Denver might be good enough to win a wild card game on the road if they draw the AFC South Champion. Denver is not in the same class as the three juggernauts in the AFC in the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 9th
    
    
    
    
    
26. Chicago Bears 3-1-0
    
    
    Chicago had a bull market versus Carolina. A Bear market versus Minnesota. Chicago beat Philadelphia with a third string quarterback. Chicago beat the New York Jets with a backup quarterback. Ben Johnson should be able to go into Philadelphia with Caleb Williams and beat the Eagles again in a wild card game. I got the Chicago Bears losing to the NFC's top seed in the Divisional Round.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 13th
    
    
    
    
    
27. Buffalo Bills 3-1-0
    
    
    I had the Bills beating the Rams in Super Bowl 61. Right now there are fives teams that would beat Bufffalo in a playoff game given how horrible their defense has been so far. Those five teams are ahead of Buffalo on this weeks power rankings.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 3rd
    
    
    
    
    
28. Baltimore Ravens 3-1-0
    
    
    Baltimore is good enough to get into the playoffs as a wild card. With all the injuries that the Ravens currently have with Ronnie Stanley, Trey Hendrickson, Zay Flowers, and Ja'Kobi Lane. Baltimore could win a game if they get the three seed in the AFC. Lamar Jackson is winless against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in the playoffs, but if Baltimore is healthy, this is a sneaky team that might be able to beat Buffalo if they get home field. Lamar Jackson left week 4 with an injury and Baltimore may still end up playing him.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 10th
    
    
    
    
    
29. Minnesota Vikings 4-0-0
    
    
    Minnesota has won the NFC North in even numbered years under Kevin O'Connell, but has failed to make the playoffs in odd numbered years. Assuming the Vikings continue that trend, this team is a three seed at best. The Vikings are good enough to beat the Rams in a wild card game before losing in the Divisonal Round, and Brian Flores may play his way into a head caoching job.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 8th
    
    
    
    
    
30. Kansas City Chiefs 4-0-0
    
    
    Kansas City finally has a running back that can take pressure off of Mahomes. He doesn't look like the same guy he was that dominated under Eric Bienemy. Kansas City looks like they could get back to a Super Bowl with Eric Bienemy as Patrick Mahomes offensive coordinator.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 4th
    
    
    
    
    
31. Seattle Seahawks 3-1-0
    
    
    Seattle is coming off a Super Bowl. They retained a lot of talent at key positions. This team could do what Seattle did after winning Super Bowl 48 and get back to the Super Bowl. The offense has to play better, but the defense should hold up because like the Legion Of Boom, the Legion Of Doom appears to be a historically great defense. Seattle put up 31 points in their 33-31 loss to Washington in week 3. Seattle could beat both Carolina and Minnesota as a wild card in the divisional round before losing to San Francisco in the NFC Championship based on what I've seen in the first month of the season. Seattle hosts San Francisco and has a chance to reclaim the top spot in my power rankings next week.
    
    
    
    
    
    
32. San Francisco 49ers 4-0-0
    
    
    San Francisco looked very dominant. This team looks like they are on a mission with their division rival getting another Super Bowl. San Francisco has been hit hard by the injury bug with Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, and Demarcus Robinson all injured. San Francisco has earned the right to stay at one in the power rankings. They got to play Seattle on the road in week 5 after a home game versus Denver this week.