2026 NFL Power Rankings

Tony Mario Last Updated: October 7, 2026.

1. Miami Dolphins 0-4-0
   
   
   Miami is the unanimous worst team in the NFL. Every season preview I read had Miami at 0-17 or 1-16 with a home game against the New York Jets as the only game they were favored in. De'Von Achane their best offensive player at running back tore his achilles to make matters worse.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Tennessee Titans 0-4-0
   
   
   Tennessee drafted Cam Ward first overall. Cam Ward does not look like the guy his first game into year two. He looked better against Philadelphia, but it also feels like Brian Daboll is micromanaging Cam Ward. Cam Ward looked very robotic and out of it against the New York Giants.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-4-0
   
   
   Tampa Bay has the talent to go far, but turnovers cost them in week 1. There's a reason Mike Evans left. I got zero confidence in the Glazers or Todd Bowles. I think Todd Bowles has lost this locker room. Now Baker Mayfield is injured and undrafted quarterback Jalon Daniels out of Kansas becomes the first quarterback from the 2026 NFL Draft to start an NFL game this year. Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. are out in week 5.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 28th
   
   
   
   
   
4. New York Jets 1-3-0
   
   
   The New York Jets beat the Tennessee Titans in week 1. The Jets fell apart as I expected them to as this is the worst 1-2 team in my honest opinion.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Los Angeles Chargers 0-4-0
   
   
   The Los Angeles Chargers are taking Chargering to newfound heights. They want to Charger NFL fans that pick them to win in NFL Survivor pools. Los Angeles lost to Buffalo and Seattle as expected and is now 0-4 on the year.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. New Orleans Saints 1-3-0
   
   
   New Orleans put up a fight against Detroit. Tyler Shough did beat Baltimore on the road. He avoided turnovers and did enough late to steal a win in Baltimore in a game where both teams starting left tackles got injured. Asim Richards was awesome in relief of Kelvin Banks Jr. in week 2, but he sucked against Malcolm Koonce in week 3. Tyler Shough looked horrible on Monday Night Football. Kool-Aid McKinstry was horrible as the field cornerback too. New Orleans can either draft Leonard Moore at 3 or Collin Simmons at 4 if they miss out on Jeremiah Smith and Carter Smith as expected. A quarterback in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft is also on the table if the Saints avoid a draft pick in the top 4. Beating an undefeated Minnesota Vikings team is a step Tyler Shough needs to take to save his job in New Orleans.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 26th
   
   
   
   
   
7. Houston Texans 0-4-0
   
   
   Houston's offense looked good in week 1. The defense sucked, but Houston has the best defense between Denver and New England if I have to pick one of the 0-1 teams to get the last wild card. Also playing the Colts and Titans twice a year helps. The offense looked even worse in week 2 without their best wide receiver Nico Collins. Houston got Nico Collins back. Houston gets wide receiver Tank Dell, right tackle Braden Smith, and rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald back this week. Houston is depleted at linebacker which is the biggest reason why they are 0-4 along with the fact that their amazing cornerback trio has 0 interceptions on the year.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 25th
   
   
   
   
   
8. Arizona Cardinals 1-3-0
   
   
   Arizona beat the Los Angeles Chargers on the road as underdogs. Arizona was one of the more fraudulent week 1 teams and Arizona does not have their best cornerback Will Johnson for the rest of the season. Arizona also lost left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to a season ending injury. Losing the one offensive lineman that does not suck means your offensive line is now as big of a liability as your quarterback.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 22nd
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Dallas Cowboys 2-2-0
   
   
   Dallas has a good offense. Without Tyler Smith at left guard, the interior showed cracks. Terrence Steele got injured at right tackle at the end of the week 3 game too. Dallas might have a bottom three defense though which is why the Cowboys rank this low.
   
   
   Previously Ranked: 27th
   
   
   
   
   
10. Indianapolis Colts 2-2-0
    
    
    Indianapolis looked like a one year wonder that peaked last year. It is hard for me to be convinced that Indianapolis is not still in a rebuild.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 24th
    
    
    
    
    
11. New York Giants 3-1-0
    
    
    The New York Giants offense looks good. Jaxson Dart had season ending surgery at quarterback. The New York Giants traded for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. With Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy as the quarterbacks on this team and with the Giants beating only the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans at home, it is safe to say this is the worst 2-1 team in the entire NFL.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 23rd
    
    
    
    
    
12. Atlanta Falcons 1-2-0
    
    
    Atlanta can thank Cooper Rush for finishing this low on my rankings. This looks like a long year for Atlanta. Even though Michael Penix Jr. is starting tonight, A.J. Terrell is on injured reserve now. Michael Penix Jr. did go on the road to beat the Green Bay Packers.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 30th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. Carolina Panthers 1-2-0
    
    
    Bryce Young looked like the guy for two weeks now. I don't think Carolina has a strong offensive line or a sack artist to compliment him. I'm not sure he will get extended unless he wins nine games this year, but they stole a game in Atlanta and stealing the next two games in Cleveland before Carolina hosts Detroit will go a long way towards getting a potential extension. Carolina has to be the front runner to win the NFC South once again, but unfortunately they will not do jack against the best wild card team in the NFC.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 19th
    
    
    
    
    
14. Washington Commanders 1-2-0
    
    
    Washington switched their defensive scheme to a 3-4 defense. Laremy Tunsil is missing most of the year too. This feels like a make or break year for Jayden Daniels too. Jayden Daniels is now injured. Trey Amos their number one cornerback is on injured reserve and Mike Sainristl the cornerback that got promoted from nickel to boundary cornerback has had to play number one field cornerback and is the worst rated cornerback in the entire NFL through two weeks. Calling Washington's cornerback room more revealing than a Girls Gone Wild Episode would be an understatement. Washington's secondary is that awful. I know Washington did beat Seattle, but I'm still not sold on them at the moment.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 27th
    
    
    
    
    
15. Green Bay Packers 1-2-0
    
    
    Green Bay has lost six in a row. Matt Lafleur managed to win in overtime against the Jets. He lost seven out of eight in the home opener against Atlanta.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 16th
    
    
    
    
    
16. New England Patriots 1-2-0
    
    
    New England laid an egg in Jacksonville. Drake Maye has looked much worse than a year ago. A.J. Brown got put on injured reserve after the week 1 game. Now both Michael Onwenu and Greg Van Roten are injured reserve at right guard. New England travels to Buffalo this week and more than likely, they will be moving down my power rankings this week. I do think New England could push for a wild card if they turn things around after a 1-3 start, but this team feels like they will have an uphill battle.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 12th
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Cleveland Browns 2-1-0
    
    
    Cleveland looks awful at quarterback at Deshaun Watson. Deshaun Watson beat Tampa Bay and looked good. He beat Carolina in Cleveland's home opener. Cleveland is a team that can push for one of the last wild card spots if they continue to win games.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 22nd
    
    
    
    
    
18. Los Angeles Rams 1-2-0
    
    
    The Los Angeles Rams lost Myles Garrett to an injury as Garrett is now on injured reserve. Puka Nacua missed weeks 2 and 3 as the Los Angeles Rams best wide receiver. The Los Angeles Rams play Philadelphia on the road before hosting Buffalo. Los Angeles was my preseason pick to play the Bills in Super Bowl 61 which is why they stay in the top fifteen despite a losing record, but this team is not currently in my projected playoff picture via the weekly power rankings.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 8th
    
    
    
    
    
19. Las Vegas Raiders 3-0-0
    
    
    Las Vegas has won in week one each of the last two years. Las Vegas beat the worst team in the league which doesn't say much about this franchise making them the worst 1-0 team in the league. Las Vegas is 2-0, but they might be able to go on the road to New Orleans and improve to 3-0 with Brock Bowers coming back this week. Las Vegas went to New Orleans and won with Brock Bowers back to improve to 3-0. This is the final team outside of my AFC Playoff Picture, but they did enough to move into the top half of my NFL Power Rankings this week.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 18th
    
    
    
    
    
20. Detroit Lions 2-1-0
    
    
    Detroit looks very good offensively. Some injuries on the offensive line and a depleted secondary may keep them from making the playoffs. Detroit is my current seven seed in the NFC, but even if they get in I don't see the Detroit Lions going on any type of run with these injuries.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 14th
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1-0
    
    
    The Cincinnati Bengals have enough talent to be a top three AFC team which will get them back to the playoffs. Cincinnati reverted and laid an egg in Pittsburgh which tells me they can get to a playoff game, but now I'm not sure if they can win a playoff game as Cincinnati is my current seven seed in the AFC.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 7th
    
    
    
    
    
22. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-1-0
    
    
    Pittsburgh lost on the road 20-3 in week 2. Pittsburgh beat Cincinnat at home. This team could get in as a six seed in the AFC, but I don't like their odds of making any sort of run.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 15th
    
    
    
    
    
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-1-0
    
    
    Jacksonville was my pick to play Seattle in Super Bowl 60 in my final power rankings last year. Jacksonville has enough talent on both sides of the ball to win the AFC South, but I'm not sure they got enough talent at running back or tight end to win a wild card game.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 11th
    
    
    
    
    
24. Philadelphia Eagles 2-1-0
    
    
    Philadelphia is putting Landon Dickerson on injured reserve. However they still got a strong front seven along with some quality cornerbacks. Philadelphia moved Cam Jurgens to left guard and started Drew Kendall at center without a drop off on the offensive line without Landon Dickerson. Philadelphia could not beat a Chicago Bears team on the road with Case Keenum at quarterback. How do they expect to win a wild card game this year even if they win the NFC East?
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 3rd
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. Chicago Bears 2-1-0
    
    
    Chicago had a bull market versus Carolina. A Bear market versus Minnesota. Chicago beat Philadelphia with a third string quarterback. Ben Johnson should be able to go into Philadelphia with Caleb Williams and beat the Eagles again in a wild card game. I got the Chicago Bears losing to the NFC's top seed in the Divisional Round.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 13th
    
    
    
    
    
26. Baltimore Ravens 2-1-0
    
    
    Baltimore is good enough to get into the playoffs as a wild card. With all the injuries that the Ravens currently have with Ronnie Stanley, Trey Hendrickson, Zay Flowers, and Ja'Kobi Lane. Baltimore could win a game if they get the three seed in the AFC. Lamar Jackson is winless against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in the playoffs and that does not feel like it is changing this year.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 10th
    
    
    
    
    
27. Denver Broncos 2-1-0
    
    
    Denver lost to Kansas City in week 1 by a pretty signifcant margin. Denver might be good enough to win a wild card game on the road if they draw the AFC South Champion. Denver is my third best AFC team, but I got to see Bo Nix win a playoff game on the road before I can take Denver seriously as a Super Bowl contender.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 9th
    
    
    
    
    
28. Minnesota Vikings 3-0-0
    
    
    Minnesota has won the NFC North in even numbered years under Kevin O'Connell, but has failed to make the playoffs in odd numbered years. Assuming the Vikings continue that trend, this team is a three seed at best. The Vikings are good enough to beat the Lions in a wild card game before losing in the Divisonal Round, and Brian Flores may play his way into a head caoching job.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 8th
    
    
    
    
    
29. Kansas City Chiefs 3-0-0
    
    
    Kansas City finally has a running back that can take pressure off of Mahomes. He doesn't look like the same guy he was that dominated under Eric Bienemy. Kansas City looks like they could get back to the AFC Championship with Eric Bienemy as Patrick Mahomes offensive coordinator.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 5th
    
    
    
    
    
30. Buffalo Bills 3-0-0
    
    
    Buffalo was my preseason pick to win the AFC before I had them losing to the Super Bowl to the next team on my list. I've picked Buffalo to win the AFC for the second year in a row. I had the Bills beating the Rams in Super Bowl 61. Right now there are two NFC teams with more experience than Buffalo when it comes to playing in the big game known as the Super Bowl, and those three teams would more than likely beat Buffalo if they got to play the Bills in Los Angeles.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 4th
    
    
    
    
    
31. Seattle Seahawks 2-1-0
    
    
    Seattle is coming off a Super Bowl. They retained a lot of talent at key positions. This team could do what Seattle did after winning Super Bowl 48 and get back to the Super Bowl. The offense has to play better, but the defense should hold up because like the Legion Of Boom, the Legion Of Doom appears to be a historically great defense. Seattle put up 31 points in their 33-31 loss to Washington in week 3. Seattle could beat both Carolina and Minnesota as a wild card before losing to San Francisco based on what I've seen in the first month of the season.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 1st
    
    
    
    
    
32. San Francisco 49ers 3-0-0
    
    
    San Francisco looked very dominant. This team looks like they are on a mission with their division rival getting another Super Bowl. San Francisco has been hit hard by the injury bug with Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, and Demarcus Robinson all injured. San Francisco has earned the right to stay at one in the power rankings. They got to play Seattle on the road in week 5 after a home game versus Denver this week.
    
    
    Previously Ranked: 2nd