These rankings take place before the Week Nine Thursday Night Football Game between the Ravens and Dolphins.
1. Indianapolis Colts
The clear most dominant team. With a 7-1 record, there is no team that has looked as solid as the Colts. The offense has been unstoppable with much improved play from Daniel Jones and a stellar season from Jonathan Taylor, all being played behind the best offensive line in the league. The question is, can Indy hold their success?
2. Detroit Lions
Even though they started off slower this season, and the notable loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the head coaching job with the bears, they still look like the same well coached team and one of the biggest threats from the NFC.
3. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix has looked phenomenal thus far, leading the AFC West over the Chiefs was not something we foresaw. With some more offensive weapons to help their elite defense; they could move up the rankings even more.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
While the defending champs have had some struggles, losing to a bottom tier opponent in the Giants, they still look like a true contender for another Lombardi. Saquon Barkley and AJ Brown have had rather disappointing years, however Jalen Hurts has had a great season thus far, leading the offense.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield has looked to be an MVP candidate despite his terrible game against the Lions. With the inclusion of rookie Emeka Egbuka on the offense, they seem to be unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense, however, is questionable, something that may be their Achilles heel.
6. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love beating his former mentor and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a statement win. Despite the tie to the Cowboys and loss to the Browns, they’ve bounced back since the beginning of the season.
7. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is not washed despite his age, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have looked spectacular, and Kyren Williams has been elite as well. With the second ranked defense statistically, they are looking to earn another championship. They are also the only team to beat the Indianapolis Colts.
8. Seattle Seahawks
Mike MacDonald has brought his Seahawks to new heights. Sam Darnold has had a fantastic start to the season, and his top target Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league currently in yards. While also being equipped with a top five defense statistically and a relatively easy schedule remaining, the Seahawks are a sneaky contender to come out on top in the NFC.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
The Super Bowl hangover is somewhat real in this team. They had a rocky start, but have since improved. Mahomes has not regressed, and his connection with Travis Kelce has had somewhat of a renaissance thanks to Kelce’s recent proposal to Taylor Swift. They recently had a dominant win against the Commanders, where they had complete control on both sides of the ball.
10. New England Patriots
They are back. They were simply charging up their power by resting for a few years. Drake Maye is the future with an elite season thus far, throwing 15 touchdowns to 3 picks. With their defense currently ranked sixth in the league, they are a sneaky Super Bowl contender.
11. Buffalo Bills
Despite some rough losses to the Falcons and Patriots, they have still looked like a contender. This may not be the year they finally get it done, but Josh Allen has found success in weapons like Khalil Shakir and James Cook. Allen has continued to look like an MVP caliber quarterback.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert has elevated this offense from inconsistent to electric. Constantly making game changing plays to weapons like Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and the return of Keenan Allen. They currently have the seventh ranked defense in the league, and if they can get some key wins in the division, they have a serious chance to beat the Broncos and Chiefs for the AFC West.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Somehow, someway, after all these injuries, this team remains a contender. With the help of coach Kyle Shanahan and some good play by backup quarterback Mac Jones, the 49ers have found some good fortune. Once they are fully healthy, if that is possible, this team could move up the rankings even more.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville had a hot start to the year, their biggest win coming Monday night in an electric primetime victory over the Chiefs. Since then, they dropped consecutive games to the Seahawks and Rams. Coming out of the bye week, now’s the time for the Jaguars to find their identity for the season.
15. Chicago Bears
With some better play from the former Heisman, Caleb Williams, the Bears have had an improved season. Winning four consecutive games, then most recently losing to the Ravens without Lamar Jackson, they’ve been inconsistent. We could see this team being better in the future, but right now they are not a serious contender.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
The arrival of Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh has been met with surprisingly rather poor defensive play from the Steelers. Mike Tomlin is known for usually fielding a gritty unit on the defensive side, but this year it’s been all the problems for the Steelers, notably with T.J. Watt having an underwhelming season.
17. Dallas Cowboys
It’s safe to say that the trade of Micah Parsons hasn’t worked out thus far. Despite having an explosive offense in some games with Dak Prescott and a surprisingly good season from Javonte Williams, their defense has been subject to some rough losses. Dallas isn’t expected to make much noise, with a string of rough games coming up.
18. Houston Texans
It’s been a strange time in Houston. They’ve had one of the best defenses in the league, yet hold a record of 3-4. This is due to major problems on the offense. C.J. Stroud has taken a step or two back from his rookie season, and is dealt with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. However with a big win over the 49ers, the Texans could be on track for a turnaround.
19. Washington Commanders
Having a lustrous 2024 season, all eyes were on the Commanders for another fantastic season. But they’ve had a rather underwhelming start. Washington holds a record of 1-4 the past five contests, while also juggling multiple injuries to key pieces of the offense such as Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Washington needs to start playing their best brand of football now if they wish to be competitive.
20. Atlanta Falcons
The most inconsistent team in the league. After a huge win against Buffalo and the Commanders, the team went on to lose to the 49ers and Dolphins in back to back weeks. With a top 10 defense in the league, you’d think they would have a better record than 3-4. The coaching has been the worst part, wasting talent on the offensive side of the ball, however Penix has been a bright spot, and a possible future franchise QB. Bijan Robinson has elevated his play even more this season, especially as more of a receiving back.
21. Carolina Panthers
Carolina has started about what people expected, with a .500 record. Outside of a 30-0 shutout over Atlanta, they hold no statement wins but no embarrassing losses. However with some tough games coming up on their schedule, a Cinderella run is very likely out of reach.
22. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have had a season of pure mediocrity. With J.J. McCarthy having missed the majority of the first half of the season due to injury, Carson Wentz led the team to a 3-4 record, until suffering a season ending injury against the Chargers. The pressure’s on McCarthy to rally the team the coming weeks.
23. New York Giants
After an 0-3 start with Russell Wilson at the helm, Brian DaBoll gave the nod to rookie Jaxson Dart to lead the offense. Since then, the Giants showed some excitement with rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo leading the charge to big statement wins over the Chargers and Eagles. However questions arise after Skattebo’s season ending injury, and New York stands at 2-6.
24. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore had a shocking 1-5 start to the year, with their typically trusty defense falling to shambles and former offensive player of the year Derrick Henry being bottled up by defenses. Despite the horrible start, a turnaround could be in the making. The remaining schedule looks easier, their division is wide open for the taking, and QB Lamar Jackson is back from injury.
25. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s season has derailed due to the turf toe injury of QB Joe Burrow. Desperate for improved offensive play, they traded for Joe Flacco out of Cleveland. Despite the Thursday night Primetime win over the Steelers, the Bengals are in disarray and aren’t shaped up for success.
26. Cleveland Browns
The Browns do have an impressive win over the Packers, but is their only bright spot of the season. Cleveland traded veteran QB Joe Flacco to hand the reins over to rookie Dillon Gabriel, intentions to jump start a hopefully brighter future.
27. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have lost five straight games and hold a 2-5 record dead last in the NFC west. With another rough season on the horizon for the Cardinals, there’s expectations that this could be the end of the Kyler Murray era in Arizona.
28. Las Vegas Raiders
The Geno Smith experiment has not worked out with Pete Carroll making a return to the coaching scene. Vegas stands at 2-5 showing little improvement from the year before.
29. Miami Dolphins
Miami has had a frustrating start to the season, with Tua Tagovailoa severely underperforming. Head coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat with questions of him and Tua as leaders of the team.
30. New York Jets
New York was the last winless team in the league, but picked up their first victory in a nail biter against the Bengals. However it’s not much to celebrate, as the Jets first season under Aaron Glenn is a forgettable one.
31. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have had a poor season, and it doesn’t look much better for the second half of the year. Looking ahead for future development, they’ve benched Spencer Rattler in favor of rookie Tyler Shough.
32. Tennessee Titans
A rough start for rookie Cam Ward to his NFL career. Tennessee has started 1-7 and has already fired their head coach to start the year, Brian Callahan. This season of misery was expected by most as the Titans are in the midst of a rebuild.
