With Preseason now underway, it’s time for me to give my Power Rankings for the upcoming 2024 NFL Season! How this works is I combine Offensive, Defensive, and Quarterback Rankings to give an overall Ranking of all 32 teams!
32. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were pretty atrocious last year, winning just 2 games as they went on to have the worst record in the entire league! Heading into this year, Carolina have both one of the worst Offenses and Defenses and I really don’t rate Bryce Young! That’s why The Panthers have dropped 10 places from last year’s Rankings!
31. New York Giants
The New York Giants had a pretty mediocre 2023 Season, finishing third in the NFC East with a 6-11 record! Heading into this year, New York are ranked third-worst in all 3 categories (Offense, Defense, and Quarterback) which is ultimately why The Giants are ranked 7 places lower than they were this time last year!
30. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos actually had an alright 2023, finishing third in the AFC West, but with an 8-9 record. Heading into this year, however, Denver’s Offense and Defense is pretty weak and their Rookie Quarterback Bo Nix is still only a Rookie at the end of the day! Amazingly, The Broncos have dropped 18 places from my Rankings last year which is pretty insane!
29. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had a pretty disappointing 2023 campaign, finishing bottom of the AFC South as they ultimately ended up as the third-worst team in their Conference! Heading into this year, Tennessee don’t exactly look great in any department, especially at Quarterback! That is why The Titans are ranked 6 places lower than in 2023.
28. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders were pretty poor last year, and their 8-game losing streak to end the season ultimately left them with one of the worst records in the entire league (4-13). Heading into this year, Washington don’t look very inspiring at all, but at least Jayden Daniels looks exciting! Despite that, The Commanders have still dropped 7 places from last year’s 21st.
27. Minnesota Vikings
After an injury to Quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings went on to have a pretty underwhelming 7-10 season. Heading into this year, Minnesota’s Offense isn’t great, the Defense is sub-par, and they have the worst Starting QB in the league in my opinion! This is why The Vikings have dropped 9 places from this time last year!
26. New England Patriots
The New England had a pretty shocking 2023 campaign, and them ending as the worst team in the AFC resulted in Bill Belichick leaving the organisation! Heading into this year, New England have the worst Offense in the league, but their Defense is decent enough which saves them a bit! Overall, however, The Patriots are still not good enough which is why they’ve dropped 10 places from 2023’s Rankings!
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to pull off winning the NFC South last year, and they also managed to win a Playoff game too! However, heading into this year, Tampa Bay don’t feel amazing in anything, but they’re also not terrible either! That’s actually why The Bucs have risen two places from last year’s 27th!
24. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals simply weren’t good enough last year, and a record of 4-13 proved that! Heading into this year, Arizona look to have an abysmal Defense, but their Offense is at least okay! In fact, The Cardinals have actually moved up 4 places from this time last year, but how much that’s about them is another thing entirely!
23. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts went on a really good run in the second half of last season to ultimately end up with a positive 9-8 record. Heading into this year, Indianapolis have a decent Offense overall, but I’m still not sure what to make of QB Anthony Richardson. However, The Colts have risen 9 places from being last last year so they’re definitely doing something right!
22. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears had an okay 2023, finishing 7-10, but they ultimately gained the Number 1 pick in the Draft which was a nice bonus! Heading into this year, Chicago aren’t amazing in anything by any stretch, but they’re not terrible either, especially on Defense! Ultimately, The Bears are now 4 places higher than they were last year so let’s see if they can keep pushing!
21. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams actually had a pretty impressive 2023 campaign, making it to the Playoffs and losing narrowly (to the Detroit Lions) in the Wild Card Round. Heading into this year, LA look good on Offense, but they don’t look amazing on Defense. Still, The Rams have gained 10 places from this time last year so that’s a pretty good improvement all things considered!
20. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Charges were very disappointing last year, finishing comfortably bottom of the AFC West with a 5-12 record which saw them as the second-worst team in the entire AFC! Heading into this year, Los Angeles’ Offense looks alright, but the Defense isn’t great at all which is a shame for them. This is actually reflected in my Rankings as The Chargers have dropped 11 places from 2023!
19. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders had a weird 2023 in which they weren’t great, but they still finished second in their Division courtesy of an 8-9 record! Heading into this year, Las Vegas look meh on Offense, but they do have a Top 10 Defense which is pretty good going! In fact, The Raiders have risen 1 place in my Rankings from last year which I find interesting!
18. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks had a bit of a disappointing end to their 2023 Season which ultimately saw them just miss out on the Playoffs (despite having a positive record). Heading into this year, Seattle are basically decent-to-subpar through everything which isn’t the most exciting place to be! In fact, The Seahawks have actually dropped a place from last year’s 17th which is definitely a disappointment (for them).
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite ending up with a positive record, 2023 wasn’t a positive season for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they ended up outside of the Playoff places! Heading into this year, Jacksonville are okay on Offense, but their Defense is Playoff worthy which should help them! Despite this, The Jags have dropped 4 places from last year’s Rankings.
16. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints finished with a positive 9-8 record last season, but it wasn’t quite enough for them to reach the Playoffs. Heading into this year, New Orleans don’t have the best overall Offense, but Derek Carr is still handy whilst they also have a Playoff Defense. The Saints may have dropped 1 place from last year’s P15, but being slap-bang in the middle of these Rankings isn’t a bad thing!
15. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons ultimately petered out towards the end of 2023 and it meant they ended up with a 7-10 record. Heading into this year, Atlanta don’t have the best Defense, but they now have Kirk Cousins at Quarterback which is a massive improvement from who they had 12 months ago. In fact, The Falcons have risen 10 places in my Rankings as a result!
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Whilst this may come as a surprise, you have to remember that The Philadelphia Eagles underperformed last year and got smashed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round! Heading into this year, Philly still have a great Offense, but their Defense is weak, and that could hurt them a lot! Amazingly, The Eagles were first in my Rankings last year meaning they’ve dropped a massive 13 places!
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
A 10-7 record last year was enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sneak into the Playoffs before they went on to lose to Buffalo in the Wild Card Round. Heading into this year, Pittsburgh have both a Top 10 Defense and Quarterback, but the rest of the Offensive is lacking a bit. Still, The Steelers have risen 6 places from last year’s 19th so that’s a good job from them!
12. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns had a strong 2023 Season to make it to the Playoffs, but an 11-6 record couldn’t help them when they got smashed in Houston! Heading into this year, the Offense doesn’t look great, but I actually think Cleveland have the best Defense in the entire league which is mega! The Browns have dropped 1 place from last year’s Rankings which may seem a little surprising, but they’re still definitely in the hunt!
11. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers impressed in the Regular Season, and they impressed even more when they narrowly lost to The 49ers in the Divisional Round (after stuffing The Cowboys in Dallas the week prior)! Heading into this year, Green Bay look to have a Top 10 Offense, and their Defense and Quarterback aren’t too shabby either! In fact, The Packers have risen 18 places from my 2023 Rankings which tells you a lot about how my view has changed on them!
10. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills ended their 2023 Regular Season on a really strong note, but they ultimately fell short in the Playoffs once again (losing at home to The Chiefs in the Divisional Round). Heading into this year, Buffalo still have a Top 10 Offense, but their Defense is lacking a little. I mean overall, The Bills have dropped 8 places from last year’s second place, and that’s a lot when you consider how they got on last year!
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Despite finishing with a positive record, last year was pretty disappointing for the Cincinnati Bengals as they ended up out of the Playoffs, and more importantly, bottom of the AFC North! Heading into this year, Cincinnati still boast a pretty strong Offense led by Joe Burrow, but their Defense could definitely use some work. Because of this and how last season went, The Bengals have dropped 3 places from my 2023 Rankings.
8. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans impressed a lot of people last year on their way to winning the AFC South, and they then followed it up by thrashing the Cleveland Browns on Super Wild Card Weekend! Heading into this year, Houston look good on all sides of the ball, and realistically, Quarterback C. J. Stroud is only going to get better! Amazingly, The Texans have risen 22 places from this time last year which is definitely the biggest improvement!
7. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were superb last year on their way to winning the NFC North before they ultimately came off just short in the NFC Championship game! Heading into this year, Detroit look strong, boasting a Top 10 Defense and a Top 3 Offense! In fact, all of that has resulted in The Lions rising another 7 places in my Power Rankings!
6. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins started strongly and ended last season pretty poorly as they ultimately got stuffed by the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. Heading into this year, Miami have a Top 5 Offense and Quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, but their Defense, whilst still good, is holding them back just a little bit. However, The Dolphins have risen 1 place from last year so they’re moving in the right direction!
5. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens had the best Regular Season of any team last year, but it still wasn’t enough for them as they ultimately lost in the AFC Championship game (at home) against Kansas City. Heading into this year, Baltimore look pretty strong as they’re inside the Top 7 in all 3 of my categories! The Ravens are also 3 places higher than they were this time last year because of their 2023 campaign, and it’ll be interesting to see if they can make the Super Bowl this time around!
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys did a great job to clinch the Number 2 seed in the NFC last year, but they went on to ruin it as they got stuffed in the Wild Card Round! Heading into this year, Dallas look pretty strong everywhere, but they especially look to have a great Defense (I’ve got them ranked 3rd). Funnily enough, despite being super high, The Cowboys have dropped a place from when I did this 12 months ago!
3. New York Jets
Despite all the hype, an injury to new Quarterback Aaron Rodgers just 4 snaps into the season ultimately resulted in a disappointing year for the New York Jets. However, heading into this year, Rodgers is back and the New York Defense looks mighty! So, whilst this might seem odd given last year, The Jets have moved up 2 places from last year (but how much that’s about them is another thing entirely).
2. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers had another terrific season, but it ultimately resulted in them losing another Super Bowl to the team we’ll get to in a moment! Heading into this year, San Francisco look elite in all categories, ranking 1st, 5th, and 3rd respectively, and I’d say there’s now more expectations on their shoulders than 12 months ago. Because of that, The 49ers are 8 places higher than my 2023 Rankings, and they are the clear Number 1 in the NFC!
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Whilst the Regular Season wasn’t amazing, it didn’t end up mattering as The Kansas City Chiefs went on to win their second-consecutive Super Bowl with an Overtime win against The 49ers! Heading into this year, Kansas City have the second-best Offense, the 4th-best Defense, and the best Quarterback so you can understand why they’ve ended up first! I think the scariest thing of all though is the fact that The Chiefs were only 4th in my Rankings this time last year, so all signs point to a potential record-breaking third-straight Super Bowl Trophy!
GO HAWKS!!!