NFL preseason power rankings: Eagles back to top; 49ers Cowboys slip, Jets Jaguars jump

NFL preseason power rankings: Eagles back to top; 49ers & Cowboys slip, Jets & Jaguars jump originally appeared on The Sporting News

Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason schedule is complete.

That means after a long offseason following the Eagles beating the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, which included 32 teams getting better or worse through coaching changes, free agency, and the draft, game action is finally here for the year.

Although the games don't count yet, training camp and the first complete week of exhibition contests have provided a little more indication of what teams are rising or falling. 

Here are The Sporting News' power rankings after the first week of preseason action. 

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NFL Power Rankings, preseason edition

1. Philadelphia Eagles (previous 2025 ranking: 2)

The Eagles took some personnel and coaching hits after their Super Bowl victory, but they have their offensive core and young defensive under Vic Fangio intact to make a serious repeat run, barring any key injury to Jalen Hurts or otherwise.

MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Eagles players ever

2. Baltimore Ravens (3)

The Ravens are pretty sharp and steady as preseason tuneup tends to be their favorite time of the offseason. Lamar Jackson is settling into a third year in the same MVP-boosting offense and the defense's pass-rush foundation is stronger.

MORE: Ranking the 13 greatest Ravens players ever

3. Kansas City Chiefs (1)

The Chiefs are battling through a few more age and roster shakeup concerns. Their season might be dictated most by what Patrick Mahomes can do with his younger passing game weapons to help a slow-fading Travis Kelce.

MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Chiefs players ever

4. Buffalo Bills (4)

The Bills have the reigning MVP with Josh Allen and are hoping to support him well with a variety of rising receivers. The running game and defense alone can fast-track them to another division title.

MORE: Ranking the 15 greatest Bills players ever

5. Detroit Lions (5)

The Lions are battling their schematic fallout with both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn leaving for head-coaching jobs, making the preseason a bit of an offensive and defensive reset. They need a healthy Aidan Hutchinson to help take pressure off Jared Goff and his supporting cast.

David Reginek-Imagn Images

6. Washington Commanders (7)

The Commanders could do without the Terry McLaurin contract drama, but with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil in the mix, Jayden Daniels has two key upgrades regardless. Dan Quinn's defense should also raise its play around leader Bobby Wagner.

MORE NFL: Trade landing spots for Commanders WR Terry McLaurin

7. Los Angeles Rams (8)

The Rams are hoping to shake off the back injury concern with Matthew Stafford, which, for now, doesn't seem to be too much of a worry. They need him healthy to maximize Sean McVay having Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as his top receivers to the defense can tee off with its pass rush.

8. San Francisco 49ers (6)

The 49ers have been battling more injury issues and not having a healthy Brandon Aiyuk can affect a much better-paid Brock Purdy more than one would think. Health is the No. 1 thing; getting the defense back on track with Robert Saleh remains a close second.

MORE: Ranking the 18 greatest 49ers players ever

9. Los Angeles Chargers (9)

The Chargers are holding strong for Jim Harbaugh despite having one major preseason injury blow (Rashawn Slater) and one minor ailment (Najee Harris). This team has high upside with Justin Herbert's reloaded weapons and more scheme and mentality familiarity with Harbaugh, Greg Roman and Jesse Minter.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (10)

The Bengals didn't really need the Trey Hutchinson or Shemar Stewart contract drama when they are trying to make their defense at least respectable again under Al Golden, but the offense is set up to be razor sharp with all the core players happy.

Mandatory Credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

11. Green Bay Packers (11)

The Packers are hopeful that adding first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden will help rev up the passing game for Jordan Love again because the running game and defense can take them only so far in a loaded division.

MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Packers players ever

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14)

The Buccaneers are working through yet another offensive change with Baker Mayfield but they got him Emeka Ebuka to get through the latest challenge. Todd Bowles will need to do a lot to lift the defense for the Bucs to be more than NFC South champions again.

MORE NFL: The best and worst Madden 26 teams by overall rating

13. Denver Broncos (15)

The Broncos' calling card with Sean Payton is defense, led by Patrick Surtain and the pass rush in front of him. They are hoping to take pressure off Bo Nix, who's in danger of a sophomore slump, with more effective power running and shorter passing.

14. Houston Texans (12)

The Texans have some offensive concerns with limited proven weapons behind Nico Collins, a Tunsil-less line and a breaking down Joe Mixon in the running game. The defense will need to be a bigger playmaking foundation for DeMeco Ryan's team to keep hold of the AFC South.

15. Minnesota Vikings (17)

The Vikings will go as high as J.J. McCarthy can take them in their QB-friendly offense with Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson as the team waits to have Jordan Addison, too, for Kevin O'Connell. The baseline of Brian Flores' defense already makes them a good playoff bet.

16. Chicago Bears (16)

The Bears might be a little overhyped to jump into NfC contention, even with great early vibes for the Ben Johnson coaching era. Caleb Williams has now the environment to break out big time with revamped support. Now it's up to him to execute on his loaded talent.

17. Dallas Cowboys (13)

The Cowboys don't seem to be working in the right direction with the whole Micah Parsons standofff and Brian Schottenheimer raising questions about the offense. Dallas' tough offseason can result in a lot of lumps in a tough division and conference.

MORE NFL: Top landing spots for disgruntled Cowboys star Micah Parsons

18. Seattle Seahawks (18)

The Seahawks are feeling overall about their offensive state in Year 2 with the changes to Sam Darnold and Klint Kubiak but to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC West, Mike Macdonald's defense needs more impactful results.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (19)

The Steelers will do their best to keep their non-losing run with Mike Tomlin going and there's a good chance everyone's underrating the potential of Aaron Rodgers actually being a fine fit for the offense and overall team makeup.

MORE: Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players ever

20. Las Vegas Raiders (20)

The Raiders are trusting Pete Carroll and that gives them more defensive promise, Maxx Crosby and beyond. But whether they can win and content in a top-heavy AFC West. comes down to Geno Smith and Asthon Jeanty coming through for Chip Kelly.

21. Atlanta Falcons (21)

The Falcons are reaching some level of offensive comfort with Michael Penix Jr., inspired how the QB finished his rookie season. The defensive issues linger, however, and that hold back the entire team and put too much on Penix.

22. New England Patriots (22)

The Patriots have been buzzed at an incredibly high level given some fundamental personnel concerns. But the Mike Vrabel-Josh McDaniels combined homecoming inspires for Drake Maye to take a big leap.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (25)

The Jaguars have a lot better vibes, too, with Liam Coen and Travis Hunter coming in to get much more out of Trevor Lawrence. The youthful core seems energized again — and don't forget Cam Little.

24. Miami Dolphins (23)

The Dolphins are going in the wrong direction with Mike McDaniel on the hot seat if their offense is limited again and the playoffs become further out of reach.

MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Dolphins players ever

25. Arizona Cardinals (24)

The Cardinals need to show some pop with Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing in what feels like a loose make-or-break year for Kyler Murray in terms of making that jump in QB tiers.

26. Carolina Panthers (26)

The Panthers have some positivity again with Dave Canales turning Bryce Young into the type of QB he should be, now armed with a true go-to guy, Tetairoa McMillan. The defense will hold back the playoff march, however.

27. New York Jets (30)

The Jets should be intrigued by Justin Fields in the new offense and the Lions' influence is clear on both sides of the ball, erasing some previous bad feelings.

28. Tennessee Titans (29)

The Titans should like what they have seen so far from Cam Ward, now fast-tracked to be the trusted starter. They can't be ruled out for a quick turnaround, either.

MORE: What reported NFL-ESPN media rights deal means for NFL Network, RedZone

29. New York Giants (27)

The Giants have seen their QB of the near future, Jaxson Dart, flash in the preseason. They might need to turn to him over Russell Wilson soon for the sake of offensive-minded Brian Daboll.

30. Indianapolis Colts (28)

The Colts have a messy QB battle between Anthony Richardson (hurt again with a finger injury) and former long-time Giants starter Daniel Jones. It's been choppy so far with no good answer yet.

31. Cleveland Browns (31)

The Browns might be developing another QB bright spot with Shedeur Sanders, but there's no sure thing he will start at all this season. There's plenty of reason to expect Joe Flacco and the transitional offense to take some major lumps.

32. New Orleans Saints (32)

The Saints proved their quarterback situation is the worst in the league through camp and early preseason. They have other fundamental issues offensively and defensively that will make this a rough first season for coach Kellen Moore.