NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 1
Now, check out what college football players will be wearing this year...
1. New England Patriots
Last season: 14-2, first in AFC East
Week 1 opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: The Patriots made the surprising decision to trade third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Colts for WR Phillip Dorsett. The move leaves the Pats with just Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback this year, setting up what should be a very interesting 2018 offseason.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Last season: 11-5, first in NFC South
Week 1 opponent: at Chicago Bears
One thing to know: Losing a Super Bowl is never easy, and losing in the fashion that the Falcons did last year is really as devastating as it can come. We've seen hangover seasons out of Super Bowl losers before, and this opening test against the Bears might be very telling for the Falcons season to come — whether they are dominant or if they fall heartbreakingly short again. For now though, they still hold the second spot in our power rankings — after all, they did have a 28-3 point lead against the Patriots in the closing minutes of the third quarter of the Super Bowl.
3. Oakland Raiders
Last season: 12-4, second in AFC West
Week 1 opponent: at Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: According to NFL Network's Mike Silver, Derek Carr and new running back Marshawn Lynch have forged an unlikely friendship through trash talk. What does that trash talk entail, exactly? Said Lynch: "Mostly, just for being white."
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last season: 11-5, first in AFC North
Week 1 opponent: at Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: After missing all of the preseason, Le'Veon Bell is back with the Steelers and reportedly ready to roll. Against the long-suffering Browns, Bell has a chance to impose his will and show he hasn't lost a step despite not going through training camp with his team.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Last season: 10-5-1, first in NFC West
Week 1 opponent: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: The Seahawks already solid defense got a major upgrade last week when they traded for defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. The "Legion of Boom" may be aging, but adding an elite pass-rusher won't hurt.
6. Green Bay Packers
Last season: 10-6, first in NFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: While it's only Week 1, it's easy to see the Packers opening game against the Seattle Seahawks having huge implications to the NFC playoff picture. Depending on how the season shakes out, both of these teams could be looking back on this game as the one that set their course for the year.
7. Tennessee Titans
Last season: 9-7, second in AFC South
Week 1 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: The Titans hype train has continued rolling throughout the preseason, as many expect the talented core to make the next leap this year. One thing is abundantly clear from The Ringer's Kevin Clark's piece on Marcus Mariota: the rest of the team believes in him.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season: 9-7, second in NFC South
Week 1 opponent: Delayed until Week 11 due to Hurricane Irma
One thing to know: The focus of this year's "Hard Knocks," the Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be under a bit of extra scrutiny from casual fans around the league. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Irma's imminent landfall on Florida, the Buccos game against the Dolphins has been rescheduled to their mutual bye week in Week 11.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Last season: 13-3, first in NFC East
Week 1 opponent: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: The Cowboys are awaiting word on Ezekiel Elliott as he makes his appeal against his suspension. But the loss of so many key offensive lineman and defensive players should still give the Cowboys some worry as they head into the regular season.
10. New York Giants
Last season: 11-5, second in NFC East
Week 1 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: Odell Beckham Jr.'s injury still has his status up in the air for the Giants' Sunday night debut against the Cowboys, but he won't rule out making an appearance in the game. For fantasy owners though, it might be best to sit the star receiver unless you have a solid backup option playing on Monday night.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Last season: 12-4, first in AFC West
Week 1 opponent: at New England Patriots
One thing to know: With the loss of running back Spencer Ware, the Chiefs now turn to rookie Kareem Hunt. According to ESPN, there is some worry in the NFL world about how the youthful Chiefs' offense will handle the responsibility as the team turns a page.
12. Arizona Cardinals
Last season: 7-8-1, second in NFC West
Week 1 opponent: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: The Cardinals bring a lot of talent to the field and one of the most entertaining coaches in the league in Bruce Arians. In Week 1, fans will likely watch Larry Fitzgerald line up opposite Lions safety Glover Quin on a few occasions — hopefully Quin will heed Fitz's request and keep his hits high.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Last season: 8-8, third in NFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Week 1's contest will feature an interesting running back showdown between Vikings rookie RB Dalvin Cook and his predecessor — new Saints running back Adrian Peterson.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Last season: 7-9, fourth in NFC East
Week 1 opponent: at Washington Redskins
One thing to know: After a hot start in his rookie season, Carson Wentz and the Eagles fell off a bit last year, finishing last in their division despite a not-that-terrible 7-9 record. With new toys in Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to throw to, Philly fans will look to see if Wentz can put them to good use and win a competitive but wide open NFC East.
15. Houston Texans
Last season: 9-7, first in AFC South
Week 1 opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: J.J. Watt's return to the field will surely help the Texans defense, but his most important contribution this year may be leading the charge to send over $18 million in relief funds to victims of Hurricane Harvey.
16. Denver Broncos
Last season: 9-7, third in AFC West
Week 1 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: The Broncos still sport one of the toughest defenses in the league, but their talent is a year older and Trevor Siemian still has to show if he's a quarterback that can help this team compete at the highest level. His teammates seem to have faith in him though, with Von Miller saying he "Has that Peyton Manning vibe."
17. Carolina Panthers
Last season: 6-10, fourth in NFC South
Week 1 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: After missing much of training camp with an injured shoulder, Cam Newton is healthy and set to play in Week 1, giving an interesting glimpse into what the revitalized Panthers offense may look like.
18. Detroit Lions
Last season: 9-7, second in NFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: The Lions were streaky last year — at one point dominating the NFC North and winning eight of nine games in the middle of the season before losing three straight games to end the season and hand the division to the Packers. Fans will be watching to see if Matthew Stafford and company will be able to put it together for a whole season.
19. Baltimore Ravens
Last season: 8-8, second in AFC North
Week 1 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Ravens are already battling the injury bug. Joe Flacco (back) and Brashad Perriman (hamstring) returned to practice, but tight end Crocket Gillmore and cornerback Brandon Boykin to the IR.
20. New Orleans Saints
Last season: 7-9, third in NFC South
Week 1 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: This week is Adrian Peterson's return to the Vikings after signing with the Saints in the offseason. It'll be interesting to watch and see if he comes out with a bit more attitude and burst than we're used to, and how the crowd will react when he takes the field.
21. Washington Redskins
Last season: 8-7-1, third in NFC East
Week 1 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Redskins safety Su'a Cravens reportedly considered retirement but was talked out of it. The team still put him on the exempt list, giving him a month to consider his future.
22. Miami Dolphins
Last season: 10-6, second in AFC East
Week 1 opponent: Delayed until Week 11 due to Hurricane Irma
One thing to know: After Ryan Tannehill went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Dolphins called ever-brooding Jay Cutler out of the commentators booth for a one-year, $10 million deal. The team has talent, but putting together a winning team with a new quarterback on such short notice is no easy task. Due to the hurricane heading towards Florida, the scheduled game between the Dolphins and Buccaneers has been moved to Week 11, forcing both teams to lose their bye week.
23. Cincinnati Bengals
Last season: 6-9-1, third in AFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: The Bengals made Jeremy Hill their top running back on the depth chart, meaning rookie RB Joe Mixon will have to earn his carries during the season.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Last season: 5-11, fourth in AFC West
Week 1 opponent: at Denver Broncos
One thing to know: It's another year with Philip Rivers at the helm of the Chargers, but the team finds themselves in a new city, calling the 30,000 capacity StubHub Center home this season. The team was a distant last in attendance last year in terms of capacity filled, but in the smaller venue the Chargers could find themselves with a new type of home field advantage.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Last season: 8-8, third in AFC South
Week 1 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: Andrew Luck is officially out for Week 1, which will hurt the Colts' skill players, but the team has problems elsewhere. Starting center Ryan Kelly will also be out, as will cornerback Vontae Davis, hurting the Colts in two areas they're already weak.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Last season: 4-12, third in NFC West
Week 1 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: Sean McVay is the youngest head coach in NFL history, and will do his best to turn Jared Goff and company into the top football product in Los Angeles. With star defensive tackle Aaron Donald still holding out for a better contract, the job will be tougher than anticipated.
27. Buffalo Bills
Last season: 7-9, third in AFC East
Week 1 opponent: vs. New York Jets
One thing to know: Tyrod Taylor cleared concussion protocol and will start Week 1, but ESPN's Mike Rodak wonders how strong Taylor's grip is on the position, particularly if he doesn't deliver a win against the lowly Jets.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last season: 3-13, fourth in AFC South
Week 1 opponent: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: Leonard Fournette will likely be the highlight of this team for the 2017 campaign. Beyond that, Blake Bortles was able to retain his starting job, but lost his captaincy after two years of wearing a "C" on his chest, which doesn't bode well for his long term prospects with the job.
29. Cleveland Browns
Last season: 1-15, fourth in AFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: After trading Brock Osweiler, the Browns made rookie DeShone Kizer the starting quarterback for Week 1. Have they finally found their answer under center?
30. Chicago Bears
Last season: 3-13, fourth in NFC North
Week 1 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: Despite trading up to draft Mitch Trubisky back in April, the Bears are riding with Mike Glennon as their starting quarterback to begin the season. There's no guarantee as to how long he'll hold on to the job, but it's safe to assume Bears fans might get a bit impatient if his play isn't up to snuff to start the year.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Last season: 2-14, fourth in NFC West
Week 1 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: The 49ers opted to keep just one quarterback behind Brian Hoyer — rookie C.J. Beathard. If Hoyer struggles, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers go looking for more experienced backups.
32. New York Jets
Last season: 5-11, fourth in AFC East
Week 1 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Jets appear to have taken on the ambitious goal of executing the most obvious tank the league has ever seen. Josh McCown will be starting under center and once-touted draft pick Christian Hackenberg has been relegated to third on the depth chart, bringing even more doubt into his NFL future. Godspeed to any Bilal Powell fantasy owners out there.
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