PFT's 2026 preseason power rankings

Seahawks: The champs always get dibs on the top spot. This year, the margin is as close as it’s ever been.

Rams: Can they thrive under expectations that have morphed into presumptions?

Texans: The defense earned them this spot. It’s up to the offense to hold it.

Broncos: Continuity counts, and the Broncos have plenty of it.

Bills: Has there ever been more pressure on a first-year coach to get to the conference championship?

Bears: Year 2 of the Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams partnership should yield big benefits.

Patriots: The schedule has more powerhouses than creampuffs this year.

Eagles: Will the departure of A.J. Brown provide a boost to the functionality of the offense?

Jaguars: Sorry, Liam. We know your team is good.

Ravens: After 18 years of John Harbaugh, there are plenty of unknowns.

Chargers: Can they reach their full potential under Jim Harbaugh?

49ers: They’re relying on too many older players to stay healthy.

Chiefs: Don’t sleep on Patrick Mahomes. Ever.

Lions: The clock is ticking on this team’s Super Bowl window.

Bengals: A fourth straight failure to make the playoffs could lead to massive changes.

Packers: Three straight No. 7 seeds falls short of the standard.

Cowboys: If it’s once again “Super Bowl or bust,” the last 30 years tell us which way it will go.

Steelers: The fans who had been clamoring for Mike Tomlin to leave could be missing him, sooner rather than later.

Panthers: They won the division by default last year. Can they seize it in 2026?

Vikings: If Kyler Murray can turn back the clock to 2021, the Vikings will climb quickly.

Buccaneers: Have the flaws that caused last year’s collapse been addressed?

Colts: They’re stuck in a division that has two elite teams.

Giants: If John Harbaugh can do what he did in his first year with Baltimore, they won’t be in the 20s for long.

Saints: They need to earn a higher spot. And there’s a good chance they will.

Falcons: The 2027 quarterback is probably not on the roster.

Commanders: This could be an important year for the coach and G.M.

Titans: Will Robert Saleh’s second ride go better than his first?

Dolphins: If the young players develop quickly, they could be flirting with .500.

Jets: Can Geno Smith find the magic that eluded him during his first run with the Jets?

Browns: It’s troubling that none of the quarterbacks have seized the job.

Cardinals: Tough schedule plus tough division plus roster that hasn’t been good enough equals pole position for the top of the 2027 draft.