Sean Gannon

It’s just before the preseason and with training camp in full swing its time we jump into some power rankings. Now this is based on how teams finished in 2024

1. Philadelphia Eagles

I just don’t think that there’s any denying the Eagles and what they are able to do. A dominating super bowl win, backed by a great first round choice to help out there defense, Howie Roseman needs to write a book on being an NFL GM. Hes making all the right moves. They have key positions locked up, a good amount of youth to veteran experience and run well top down. I will not sleep on the reigning champs.

2. Baltimore Ravens

When you look at what Lamar did last season with the run game, I am not going to sleep on this team, there is a real possibility that the AFC goes through Baltimore and another MVP award is given the Lamar Jackson. An incredible draft and they signed Jaire Alexander, this defense got better then I thought it could have before the start of the season.

3. Buffalo Bills

I am still not 100% sold on the Bills pass catchers but I wasn’t last year either and they proved me wrong especially Josh Allen. So I am just going to keep my mouth shut about that. Allen just got married, he seems in great spirits and I expect a jump for Keon Coleman in his second season, he even said his rookie tape was “ass” so I am liking his mindset. If its not Baltimore it has to be Buffalo as the next best team in the AFC.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

I don’t love what they did for there OL but the reality is KC is always good with Mahomes no matter what and they cant be counted out. They have Rice coming back fully healthy and I expect at least one more insane year from Travis Kelce. Lets also not forget that Xavier Worthy went off in the Super Bowl as a rookie. If they can build on that, be healthy, they can be in the Super Bowl AGAIN most likely.

5. Detroit Lions

They did lose both there OC and DC and we saw how much that hurt the Eagles there first year so there is a chance for regression. But they are getting Hutchinson back and have a slew of offensive weapons. Gibbs is set to have an insane year and despite the coaching changes this Lions team is still built very well to win games. Lets see what they do this season, but I am not going to put any disrespect on what Dan Campbell has done to this organization.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Puka+Devante is a scary 1-2 passing option for Mcvay to work with and Stafford to throw to. With Kyren Williams as the running back, they have an incredible offense. This Rams team was one good play in that Eagles game from winning in the playoffs. I am unsure why we are sleeping on the Rams and what McVay is doing with this team. They are a dark horse Super Bowl pick easily and I expect their defense to look even better in 2025.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This one might be a surprise but the NFC South is going to be open for the Bucs to lose which means they could easily host a playoff game again. They have a solid offense and a solid defense and across the board are a leveled team. If Mayfield brings the same gunslinger mentality he had last year and limits his turnovers, this might be a top 5 offense by the end of the year. Embuka is an insane route runner for his young age and being the 3^rd wide receiver will allow to him grow and I think potentially break out during his rookie season.

8. Denver Broncos

This might be a little higher then others want to put them but this defense has been top 7 even when they were winning 6 games. That is not going to change and adding Jahdae Barron is going to help them even more. Bo Nix has given the Broncos the QB that they have been looking for. If he can replicate what he did his rookie season I think this Broncos team could find themselves in the playoffs yet again.

9. Washington Commanders

I like the moves Washington has made to help Daniels grow in year two but not having McLaurin around, I am slightly worried about what they are going to do for their offense. He would leave big shoes to fill for his roll. There is no denying Daniels is legit and seems to be the future of that team, its all about making sure he continues to grow with the team. Theres always a chance for regression in year but it seems like Washington is being extra proactive which is why they made the move for Tunsil and Deebo.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

I don’t love putting the Bengals this high because I fully believe that their defense is a liability, and they don’t have key pieces signed yet including a rookie who still hasn’t shown up. I am worried about what is happening in the front office in regards to defensive players, it seems like they don’t love them as much as the offense, from the outside looking in. But with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, this offense can drop 30+ any given Sunday, to that I have to give them a lot of respect, so they stay at 10.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

A very weird team like the Bengals this feels too high also, but what Harbaugh did year one I was really impressed with. Herbert is legit, I don’t care what people say, he is lacking weapons more then anything but getting Hampton in the draft will go down as one of the best picks of the draft. I fully trust this coaching staff and what they are cooking. It’s a tough AFC West but I think the Chargers are heading in the right direction.

12. Minnesota Vikings

This could be too high especially with JJ McCarthey not having taken a legit professional snap in the regular season. But I think the Vikings proved that they are a well-coached team from KOC down. They improved the OL and got help on the defensive side of the ball. If Dallas Turner takes the next step this is a Vikings team that looks legit. There is some bias here but between the roster and the coaching, I fully believe you can put almost any quarterback into this system and KOC+JJ will take care of the rest.

13. Chicago Bears

Improvements were made not only on the roster but the coaching staff, if Ben Johnson cant make this offense incredible well then, its back to the drawing board with the QB but I don’t see that happening. I have them at 13 thanks to the huge upside but understand that there is still some growing pains as well. If Caleb Williams (who had a good rookie season) can get the protection and the system he needs, he should be the Bears first ever 4,000 yard passer in 2025.

14. San Francisco 49ers

This is still a well-coached football team and getting Saleh back will help out the defense more then I think people realize. They lost a lot of players on both sides of the ball that I don’t see them as the favorites to win the NFC West (though they are) but I won’t count them out entirely just yet with Shanahan still in SF. They signed Brock Purdy to the massive deal, Kittle seems to be ready for a big season, I am not going to sleep on the 49ers but I don’t think they are the same team as they were just a few seasons ago.

15. Green Bay Packers

I was surprised by Loves struggles last year as a whole, but the Pack still made the playoffs. They finally drafted a playmaker in the first round, which was something I was calling for since Rodgers was QB. I think Golden will add a speed dynamic to the Packers that will help them stretch the field. They are perfectly middle to me and its going to fall on the shoulders of Love, if he has another season like last or is he able to take it to another level?

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

The defense is still elite and can win them games but this is an incredibly tough AFC North. Signing Rodgers adds more then what they have had since Rothlisburger left but at 41, I don’t personally see him leading them on a Tom Brady-ish run like he did with Tampa. I think you can lock in another winning season for Tomlin, but making the playoffs or winning a playoff game… that’s a totally different story.

17. Houston Texans

The Texans made some unusual moves this offseason and trading Tunsil seemed like a huge step back for an offensive line that struggled for the entire season. Cj Stroud had a semi down year but the Texans were riddled with injuries to key players on offense, to all three of there starting wide recievers. I think this is going to be another season where some games look incredible and others are terrible.  If it wasn’t for the fact that they are in the AFC South and have an amazing pass rushing duo I think they would be much farther down in the power rankings.

18. Miami Dolphins

This team has been all over this offseason with reports. Hill wants to be traded, then he doesn’t, there’s a culture change, then there isn’t then there was but people don’t buy in all the way. Not the reports you want to see in May/June just before the season. What I do know is that Waddle/Achane/Hill when all healthy is a terrifying three-headed monster for defenses and despite this being the Bills division, the Dolphins were in the playoff run well into the last weeks of the season in 2024, and that could happen again.

19. Dallas Cowboys

Pickens+Lamb should be a much-improved receiving core for Dak Prescott but I still don’t fully trust this team. Losing Zach Martin and Demarcus Lawrence are big loses and Micah isn’t signed to his earned longterm contract. I like there rookie Tyler Booker to help out with the OL but I still don’t know if the Cowboys have what they need to be a playoff team in a division where half of it was in the NFC Championship game a year ago.

20. Arizona Cardinals

I like Kyler and it feels like we keep waiting for him to make that leap, I think this is the year or he is traded. I think there is no more messing around, teams like the Steelers/Colts could be a team that reaches out to get him and give Arizona decent capital. Marvin Harrison jr looks insanely jacked and that’s going to help him on his release, lets see if the former top 5 pick takes a leap forward in year 2. The Cardinals lack a lot of defensive weapons but please everyone put some respect on Trey Mcbribe’s name and put some betting touchdowns for him.

21. New York Giants

This defense HAS to be good this season. Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter. This defense should be winning them a games, even if the offense is lackluster. I love Dart but don’t want him to play at all in year one just have Winston and Wilson go after it this season. Can the Giants win 7 games and upset a team or two on the way with that defense? Absolutely. Hammer that bet.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars

They have a lot of pieces but a lot of it comes down to Trevor Lawrence putting and Liem Coen putting together an offensive system that brings out the best in a lot of there playmakers and QB. I am excited to see how Travis Hunter fits into all of this for both sides of the ball. Brian Thomas Jr, was electric in his rookie season and was so much fun to watch I am really looking forward to his year 2. The reality is that regardless of if they are a winning team, Hunter has made them relevant and if him and Thomas are good together… oh man madden is going to be fun potentially.

23. New York Jets

I feel bad having the Jets this low down but given how the franchise has looked the last few years I have too. I want Fields to be good with Garrett Wilson and for Glenn to lead a NY team but it feels like with Woody Johnson in charge of the team they wont be able to be a competent team. We saw it with Washington that change in ownership can be a massive thing for an organization. Maybe the Jets take a page out of that book?

24. New England Patriots

I think Vrabel is going to get this team together and he will make them a solid organization and team again. He will bring an old school new approach to the Patriot way. I think Maye showed a lot of promise, they have to invest in him and protect him and this can be a surprise team. But I still think they are a year away from being a legit playoff team.

25. Carolina Panthers

Honestly, wasn’t a huge fan of Tetairoa McMillan in the first round. I felt like they already had there big bodied wide out and now you have two of them. While I think his ceiling is Mike Evans, having two players with similar skill sets drafted back to back one isn’t going to pan out. They messed up Jonathen Brooks last year as he retore his ACL and while reports are that Young looks incredible, it’s a lot to put on a year 3 QB and many have already called for him to be traded. Carolina is still figuring everything out but are hoping Bryce Young is it.

26. Atlanta Falcons

Penix is going to be solid and the Falcons have a solid backup should they need him. Again, Pitts reports going crazy watch out fantasy owners. The biggest worry is the defense despite getting James Pearce Jr and Jalon Walker in the draft there is a lot riding on two young rookies to lead this defense out of below average to great. Now the Rams did it last year with Fiske and Verse but its not always as easy. The NFC South will boil down to Atlanta and Tampa Bay and it will be the Buccaneers to lose.

27. Seattle Seahawks

They lost DK but got Kupp. They got Darnold but have a bottom 5 offensive line and we saw what Darnold looked like with pressure in his last two games with the Vikings. It was a rough one. I feel like Seattle moved sideways and never really improved the roster to make them a better team in the NFC West or more of a competitor in the NFC. I am worried about this team.

28. Las Vegas Raiders

I think if you’re a Raiders fan you have a lot to be excited about with Geno+Jeanty+Bowers+Carroll but they are in a rebuild and I can’t see them immediately winning a ton of games in a tough AFC West and AFC overall. I think they are a team that is still a year or two away from putting it all together.

29. Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson has an injured shoulder again, Daniel Jones is the QB1 these are not what you want to be reading. Ask any Giants fan their thoughts on Daniel Jones. These are two struggling quarterbacks who I don’t see effectively getting the ball to there pass catchers. If rookie tight end Tyler Warren can be a blanket for either one of them, at least fans can leave the season not making the pkayoffs knowing they have a great tight end.

30. Tennessee Titans

Ward is going to be solid, the issue is I don’t see them winning games. Burks hasn’t lived up at all, Ridley and Lockett are 30+ with a weak defense. Despite being in the worst division they are a 3-14 team based on roster. While they might win a game or two more I still think this is a rough season for the Titans in general.

31. Cleveland Browns

In a time where the Browns still can’t find their QB, they have 5 rostered and drafted 2 in the same year. One has to wonder what is going on in Cleveland after giving up the house for Watson, he nor this team has been remotely good. I just feel bad for the fanbase. While they made the playoffs in 2023 and even won a playoff game in 2020 it honestly still feels like they are the same mid 2000’s Browns all over again. But hey, you didn’t lose Myles Garrett!

32. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are just unlucky. Having both Carr and Ryan Ramczyk retiring around the same time is a brutal loss to this team. Olave+Shaheed missed most of the 2024 season and are coming back fully healthy but they don’t have there apparent QB of the future and Kamara is getting older. I think this is a long season for the Saints and one where everytime Olave is getting hit they are hoping its not a concussion.