Chiefs Drop from No. 1 Spot in New ESPN Power Rankings

Following the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN released its power rankings for all 32 NFL teams, slotting the Kansas City Chiefs in first. Although they had lost the Super Bowl just a few months earlier, ESPN still viewed Kansas City as the team to beat in 2025.

However, after two preseason losses and concerns about Rashee Rice, there’s a new leader in the clubhouse: the Philadelphia Eagles. 

ESPN’s new power rankings feature the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles in the first spot, and the Chiefs have slid to second. It seems much of the reasoning for their concern with Kansas City is due to Rice coming back from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 4 last season. ESPN’s Chiefs writer Nate Taylor wrote, “If [Rice] excels in September, the Chiefs could have another hot start. If Rice struggles, Kansas City will have to place much of the passing attack on the shoulders of 35-year-old Travis Kelce.”

While he has reportedly looked like his usual self through training camp, there remains concern that Rice may need time to readjust, potentially leading to a slow start for the Kansas City offense.

How Much of an Impact can the Chiefs Expect From Rashee Rice in 2025?

ESPN’s other reason for ranking the Chiefs second is that Rice is expected to be suspended for several games in 2025 because of his involvement in a multicar crash that injured four people during the 2024 offseason. Rice is scheduled for a disciplinary hearing on September 30, where the NFL will determine the length of his suspension. 

Fortunately for the Chiefs, if there isn’t a settlement before the hearing, Rice will be able to play at least the first four games of the season, which is the most difficult stretch of their schedule.

They start the season by hosting the Los Angeles Chargers, then are at home again against the defending champion Eagles, travel to New York to face the Giants, and afterward return home to play the Baltimore Ravens on September 28th. Having a healthy Rice for this stretch would greatly boost their chances of securing a first-round bye in the postseason, a luxury they've grown well-accustomed to, having earned one in five of the last seven seasons.

However, given the talented roster the Eagles have heading into 2025 and how well they replenished some of their defensive losses in the draft, they still appear to be the team to beat. Kansas City will have the chance to change this narrative in Week 2 when the two teams meet again, but for now, it looks like the Eagles hold all the momentum. 

Related: Why The Chargers are the Perfect Team to Trade for Micah Parsons

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.