2026 NFL Power Rankings

Tony Mario Last Updated: October 29, 2026.

1. Los Angeles Chargers 0-6-0
   
   
   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. The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Kings are both winless through five games in both the NFL and NHL seasons. The Kings at least had two overtime losses. The Chargers on the other hand have lost every one of their six contests in regulation. The Los Angeles Kings were the last NHL team to win a game and they won a game before the Los Angeles Chargers.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 31st
   
   
   
   
   
2. Washington Commanders 1-4-1
   
   
   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 is back. 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. Washington blew a chance to win in overtime and settled for a tie. This was a huge coaching blunder on Washington's part. Terry McLaurn suffered a season ending injury too now in his first game back from a injury.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 30th
   
   
   
   
   
3. New York Jets 2-5-0
   
   
   The New York Jets beat the Tennessee Titans in week 1. The Jets did beat a Cleveland Browns team that won three games in a row in week 5. They did lose to New England in week 6 and look like a bottom eight team once again. The New York Jets lost to the winless Miami Dolphins at home.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 27th
   
   
   
   
   
4. Miami Dolphins 1-5-0
   
   
   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. Miami did beat the New York Jets on the road, and the only game the Dolphins are favored in is against the New York Jets in Miami.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 32nd
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Tennessee Titans 1-6-0
   
   
   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. Cam Ward struggled in the first half versus Baltimore before building some confidence in the second half after Lamar Jackson got injured. Cam Ward sucked eggs in week 5 once Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans began calling plays for the Houston Texans defense. Tennessee finally won a game and it was on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Tennessee took a 14-0 lead versus Cleveland, but found a way to blow that game.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 25th
   
   
   
   
   
6. Indianapolis Colts 2-5-0
   
   
   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 lost to the winless Tennessee Titans at home and fired their GM Chris Ballard. Indianapolis traded let guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 26th
   
   
   
   
   
7. New Orleans Saints 2-5-0
   
   
   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 Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Indiana left tackle 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. New Orleans is now 1-4 on the year and this looks like a team that had a fluke win in week 2 versus a legitmate win after seeing more of a sample size with the New Orleans Saints as New Orleans went winless at home. New Orleans beat the New York Giants on the road. New Orleans lost to Pittsburgh in Paris to drop to 2-5 on the year.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 21st
   
   
   
   
   
8. Las Vegas Raiders 3-4-0
   
   
   Las Vegas started 3-0 in September. Las Vegas fell back to reality in week 4 when losing 30-27. Las Vegas got their ass kicked by New England in Gillette Stadium. Now the Raiders play the Bills and Rams my two preseason teams to make Super Bowl 61 in the next two weeks as the Raiders are trending downward. Las Vegas travels to the New York Jets this week as this game is a game where the Raiders could escape the bottom ten and the Jets could escape the bottom five with a victory. Both teams are pretenders though.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 23rd
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Philadelphia Eagles 2-5-0
   
   
   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, a third string quarterback. Jalen Hurts is out for the year and without him this is a bottom eight team.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 20th
   
   
   
   
   
10. Carolina Panthers 3-3-0
    
    
    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. Tampa Bay smacked Carolina 43-13, so I'm not sure the Panthers are the team to beat in this division anymore. Carolina should lose the TNF game this week to Green Bay which puts the winner of Sundays game between Atlanta and Tampa Bay in the drivers seat to potentially claim this division.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 15th
    
    
    
    
    
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-5-0
    
    
    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. Jalon Daniels went undrafted too, but found a way to go into Dallas and get his first win against Dak Prescott. Baker Mayfield dominated in his first game back.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 28th
    
    
    
    
    
12. Dallas Cowboys 3-4-0
    
    
    Dallas has a good offense. Dallas defeated Houston. Dallas did beat two teams in my bottom ten and faces another bottom ten this week. Dallas lost a home game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yes, they won one game against a team they were not supposed to beat in Houston, but they lost a game that they were supposed to win which is usually a sign of a pretender. Dallas did defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 29th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. Arizona Cardinals 2-5-0
    
    
    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. Arizona also traded their best wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans for a second and sixth round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Arizona managed to deeat the Los Angeles Rams on the road. Arizona is 2-0 in Sofi Stadium, 0-5 in everywhere else in 2026.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 18th
    
    
    
    
    
14. Houston Texans 2-5-0
    
    
    Houston is depleted at linebacker which is the biggest reason why they started 0-4 along with the fact that their amazing cornerback trio has 0 interceptions on the year through five weeks. Houston traded for Marvin Harrison Jr. and blew out the Titans 26-3 with Demeco Ryans taking over playcalling in week 5 following an 0-4 start. Houston defeated Jacksonville on the road. If Houston sweeps Jacksonville and beats Cleveland, Pittsburgh, the Los Angeles Chargers, or the Green Bay Packers on the road, they could go 9-8 and split the AFC South with Jacksonville winning the tiebreaker to the division.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 17th
    
    
    
    
    
15. New York Giants 4-2-1
    
    
    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 in week 2. 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. The Giants tied Washington and get the New Orleans Saints at home which will allow them to make things interesting in the early part of the season. After the Saints game they got two road games against Houston and Philadelphia with a week 8 bye week before the Giants host the Commanders on Thursday Night Football. The Giants may do enough to avoid a losing record until the final two weeks of the season with Jameis Winston as he went over 300 passing yards without turning the football over versus Washington. New York benched Jameis Winston for J.J. McCarthy against New Orleans. J.J. McCarthy started versus the Houston Texans and won. The New York Giants look like the team to beat now in the NFC East Division and are my projected four seed in the NFC entering week 8.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 24th
    
    
    
    
    
16. Atlanta Falcons 3-4-0
    
    
    Atlanta blew a lead to the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson injured after winning two games in a row. That looks like the tell tale sign of a pretender. Luckily for Atlanta, the NFC South is one of the two weakest divisions in the NFL this year. Atlanta lost to Chicago at home in week 6. Atlanta defeated a 6-0 San Francisco 49ers team. Atlanta is my projected NFC South winner and 3 seed in the NFC. That is subject to change though with a loss in week 8 when they go on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 22nd
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Los Angeles Rams 3-4-0
    
    
    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 improve to 2-2 in Puka Nacua's return before losing to the Buffalo Bills in overtime. Los Angeles was my preseason pick to play the Bills in Super Bowl 61. Myles Garrett could return soon. The Rams would beat anyone in the NFC East if they got the five seed in the NFC, but this Los Angeles Rams team laid an egg at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders to improve to 3-4 which puts the Rams back in the top half of these rankings. Myles Garrett is still expected to be out for one more week in week 8 before potentially making his return.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 19th
    
    
    
    
    
18. Green Bay Packers 4-3-0
    
    
    Matt Lafleur managed to win in overtime against the Jets and beat the Buccaneers without Baker Mayfield by four. The Packers defeated the Bears 31-7 with Jordan Love, left tackle Jordan Morgan, and flanker wide receiver Christian Watson all stepping up. Matthew Golden showed he could be a secondary wide receiver in week 6. Green Bay lost to Detroit in week 7.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 11th
    
    
    
    
    
19. Detroit Lions 4-2-0
    
    
    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. Detroit did improve to 3-2 following a loss to the Carolina Panthers and has a bye week in week 6. Detroit beat Green Bay off of their bye week in week 7 and hosts the Minnesota Vikings in week 8. Detroit is currently my final wild card in the NFC.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 16th
    
    
    
    
    
20. Baltimore Ravens 4-3-0
    
    
    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 won in Atlanta in week 5 without Lamar Jackson with Tyler Huntley and Derrick Henry handling business in week 5. Baltimore lost in week 6 and in week 7. Baltimore might get Lamar Jackson back this week, but they travel to Buffalo in week 8 and there's a good chance they drop to 4-4 on the year.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 10th
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cleveland Browns 5-2-0
    
    
    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 after beating Pittsburgh. Cleveland looked like a team that could be 5-1 if they defeated the New York Jets on the road before facing the Baltimore Ravens at home. Cleveland lost to the Jets, but rebounded against the Baltimore Ravens in week 6. Cleveland is 2-0 versus the AFC North, but all of their wins against AFC North teams are at First Energy Stadium. Cleveland is an excellent home team. Cleveland is now 5-2 on the year, but their end game schedule is rough. Cleveland is still outside of my AFC Playoff Picture.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 14th
    
    
    
    
    
22. New England Patriots 4-3-0
    
    
    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. He did the same thing versus the Raiders in week 5. New England should return to the playoffs, but without Michael Onwenu at right guard, I'm not sure New England's offensive line will do enough to beat one of the AFC Division Champions. Kansas City is stacked at defensive tackle, Baltimore has a strong interior defensive line for their 3-4 scheme. So do the Buffalo Bills. Jacksonville has two 4-3 defensive tackles in contract years that feasted on New England's offensive line in Jacksonville's 35-6 win over New England. Drake Maye looks like a top 4 quarterback behind only Josh Allen, Caleb Williams, and Brock Purdy just based on what he's done the last month. New England is my final wild card in the AFC with their record at the moment.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 6th
    
    
    
    
    
23. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2-0
    
    
    The Cincinnati Bengals lost a home game to Jacksonville in week 4, but they rebounded with a road win in Miami. Right now this is a team that looks like they are on the outside looking in. Cincinnati defeated Baltimore on the road. Cincinnati is currently my six seed in the AFC. Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football in week 10 and hosts Baltimore as well as Cleveland in the final two weeks of the season. Cincinnati is my six seed, but the Bengals control their own destiny down the stretch.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 12th
    
    
    
    
    
24. Chicago Bears 5-2-0
    
    
    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, but lost to Green Bay on the road. Chicago defeated Atlanta in week 6. Chicago defeated New England. Chicago is my current six seed in the NFC as Chicago can beat either the NFC South or NFC East Champion in the wild card round.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 13th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-2-0
    
    
    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. Jacksonville is 3-2 if it wasn't for the amazing kickoff return at the end of the week 5 game in London against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jacksonville lost to Houston and is now 4-2. Jacksonville is good enough to win the AFC South, but I don't think they could beat either of the top two AFC West teams in the wild card round.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 9th
    
    
    
    
    
26. Seattle Seahawks 4-3-0
    
    
    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 lost to San Francisco at home 32-29. The offense is still potent even when Sam Darnold makes bad decisions, but the defense has taken a step back. Seattle can still win a wild card game, but both Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris have the personnel to make Sam Darnold see ghosts which is why Seattle drops from two to six. Seattle beat Kansas City 20-3. I think Seattle can win a wild card game versus the NFC East or NFC South Champion.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 8th
    
    
    
    
    
27. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2-0
    
    
    Pittsburgh lost on the road to New England 20-3 in week 2. Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati at home in week 3 after the Bengals started the year 2-0. Pittsburgh lost to Cleveland in Cleveland on Thursday Night Football in week 4. Pittsburgh did beat the Colts by double digits in week 5. Pittsburgh looks like a team that could win the AFC North if Aaron Rodgers keeps playing well. Pittsburgh could win a wild card game if they draw the Cincinnati Bengals as an opponent and the game is at Acrisure Stadium. I cannot see Pittsburgh beating either the two teams in the AFC East or the top two teams in the AFC West. The Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos would all be problematic playoff opponents for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they could beat the Bengals if the Bengals are the 6 seed and Pittsburgh is the 3 seed with the Steelers hosting the Bengals in that game.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 7th
    
    
    
    
    
28. Kansas City Chiefs 5-1-0
    
    
    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. Kansas City is good enough to win a playoff game, but the way they played against Seattle has me believing they may not be able to run the table in the AFC. Kansas City travels to Denver this week and that game will tell us how the AFC looks after this week.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 3rd
    
    
    
    
    
29. Buffalo Bills 5-1-0
    
    
    I had the Bills beating the Rams in Super Bowl 61. Buffalo should beat New England in a wild card rematch, but Drake Maye has outplayed Josh Allen in all three of their meetings in Buffalo even when the Bills beat Maye as a rookie, Drake Maye had more passing yards in that game when Maye had no supporting cast along with Jerod Mayo as the head coach. You ask Bills mafia who they least want to face in the playoffs, Kansas City and New England are probably the top two teams on that list. I think Kansas City is the only team Buffalo would have a hard time getting past if they want to win the AFC right now. This Buffalo Bills team feels like a team that is good enough to make the AFC Championship.
    
    
    
    
    
    
30. Denver Broncos 5-2-0
    
    
    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 enters week 8 as my team to beat in the AFC. Denver hosts Buffalo on Christmas Day in a game that could decide the top seed in the AFC.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 5th
    
    
    
    
    
31. San Francisco 49ers 6-1-0
    
    
    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 lost to Atlanta. They got a bye week in week 8 and they need it with all the injuries they have.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 1st
    
    
    
    
    
32. Minnesota Vikings 6-0-0
    
    
    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. Minnesota is 5-0 and Kansas City is on a bye week. That's the only reason I got the Vikings at 2 right now. Minnesota has a bye week in week 5. Minnesota defeated the Indianapolis Colts and is the only undefeated team left in the NFL.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 2nd