The wait is finally over! Two days from now and the 2015 regular season is here! Check out the Power Rankings below and see where your team is starting the season.
1. Seattle Seahawks (Previous: 1)
After getting Russell Wilson locked up for the foreseeable future, the Seahawks seem to be locked into title-contention for the next several years. With a phenomenal core of young players on both offense and defense, Seattle has solidified themselves as one of the top teams in the NFL.
2. New England Patriots (Previous: 2)
With the news of Tom Brady’s suspension being overturned, the Patriots chances to gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs increased dramatically. This team is coming off a Super Bowl win with a new roster with improvements in the front four on defense and losses in the secondary.
3. Green Bay Packers (Previous: 3)
Losing Jordy Nelson is a big loss for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers will show us why he is the best player in the NFL this season. Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery, and Richard Rodgers are names to watch this season.
4. Denver Broncos (Previous: 5)
With Peyton as their quarterback, the Broncos are more than capable of competing. Compound that with the additions they’ve made this offseason and I expect the Broncos to significantly challenge the Patriots.
5. Indianapolis Colts (Previous: 4)
Andrew Luck is set to take a big step this next season. I would expect his name to be in the MVP discussion at the end of the year, with the Colts in contention for the #1 seed in the AFC.
6. Baltimore Ravens (Previous: 6)
After the top five, the teams seem to drop off significantly in talent. The Ravens boast a dominating defense and have a quarterback that led his team to a Super Bowl.
7. Dallas Cowboys (Previous: 7)
This team added some high upside picks through the draft. If this team wins 12 games, it will be because the offensive line kept them in those games and the defense stepped up like last year.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous: 9)
It has been a miserable preseason for the Steelers losing Markice Pouncey, Shaun Suisham, and 2nd-round pick Senquez Golson. Still, Pittsburgh’s secondary could be one of the worst in franchise history this year.
9. Detroit Lions (Previous: 10)
The Lions aren’t getting a lot of attention right now, but maybe they’re better off that way. Stafford is being overlooked right now, but with the talented multi-purpose running backs they have in Abdullah, Bell, and Riddick, this could be one of his best seasons to date.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous: 13)
Say what you want about the offseason that Chip Kelly has had, but it seems to be working out. Kiko Alonso has looked good (they traded LeSean McCoy away for him), but this defense could be on the field for upwards of 40 minutes a game with their fast pace offense.
11. Miami Dolphins (Previous: 11)
I like what the Dolphins are doing, and to me they are the second best team in the AFC East. They have a capable quarterback and some absolute studs on defense in Cameron Wake, Brent Grimes, and newly acquired Ndamukong Suh.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous: 12)
To me, the Bengals are starting the plateau. While this defense is still above-average and they have a terrific offensive line, Andy Dalton is the one that has to carry this team. Will he ever win a playoff game?
13. Arizona Cardinals (Previous: 8)
This defense is going to take a serious step back this season without Todd Bowles in charge. On offense they have a good trio of wide receivers, and if Palmer can stay healthy, this team could win 11 games again.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous: 14)
You either like Alex Smith or you don’t. To me, he can win games and take your team far if he is put in the right situation. If this team can run the ball, throw play-action passes, and get after the quarterback, that is the recipe for success.
15. Houston Texans (Previous: 15)
I really like the Houston Texans. This team is fun to watch, and not just on Hard Knocks. The Texans have a certain physicality to their style of play; they fly to the ball and make big plays. Also, shoutout to Charles James.
16. San Diego Chargers (Previous: 19)
If this team can play better pass defense than last season, the Chargers could very feasibly make the playoffs. Phillip Rivers is still a really good NFL quarterback, but I’m not sold on this team.
17. Minnesota Vikings (Previous: 20)
The breakout team of 2015? A lot of people seem to think so. All-day Adrian Peterson is back in action and hoping to bring more balance to this team. A name to watch out for this season: Vikings WR Charles Johnson.
18. Buffalo Bills (Previous: 18)
You gotta feel for Buffalo fans sometimes. This team has a deep, well-rounded roster from top to bottom. The offensive line and quarterback positions, however, were unaddressed and are among the worst in the NFL.
19. Carolina Panthers (Previous: 16)
Kelvin Benjamin was the only viable threat in the passing game outside of Greg Olsen. I like this defense a lot, but I’m not sure if they’re gonna be able to score enough points behind a horrendous offensive line.
20. St. Louis Rams (Previous: 17)
Nick Foles never really got a second shot in Philadelphia, so hopefully he can find some stability in St. Louis this season. While I don’t necessarily anticipate this team having a bunch of success, the Rams could breakout this season.
21. New York Giants (Previous: 21)
Victor Cruz is not doing a great job staying on the field, and that means all the attention is going on Odell Beckham Jr. This team won a championship in the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Will 2015 hold suit?
22. New Orleans Saints (Previous: 22)
Drew Brees is hands-down one of my favorite NFL players, but he can’t do it alone. This defense is terrible, and his best weapons are gone.
23. New York Jets (Previous: 23)
Congrats Jets fans, Geno Smith won’t be starting week one. Unfortunately, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be. Like the Bills, this team has a stacked roster. Without a quarterback, however, it will be tough for them to win more than 8 games.
24. Atlanta Falcons (Previous: 25)
Maybe this team will be better in two years, but right now they aren’t ready to compete. I think Dan Quinn is going to be a great head coach in this league. Two good drafts could set the Falcons up well.
25. Chicago Bears (Previous: 26)
Sorry Bears fans, but this season might be one to forget about already. No Kevin White for the season and Alshon Jeffery is banged up. This team is going to rely on Matt Forte to carry them to victories.
26. Oakland Raiders (Previous: 27)
Veteran Head Coach Jack Del Rio begins his first year in Oakland. There is as much optimism about this Raiders team as any of the past 10 seasons. Six wins would be a good year for Oakland.
27. San Francisco 49ers (Previous: 24)
What a miserable offseason for the 49ers. This team has a new coach and a new defense, but it doesn’t look like this season will be a good one for San Francisco.
28. Cleveland Browns (Previous: 28)
You need skill players to win in this league and the Browns just don’t have a ton of those kind of players. This team is physical and tough, but offensively untalented.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous: 30)
Will Tampa Bay be a good team this year? Probably not. But, they don’t ave to be great right now. Take your time, make smart drafting and financial decisions, and build around your (hopefully) franchise quarterback.
30. Tennessee Titans (Previous: 31)
I will admit that I wasn’t sure Mariota would pan out in the NFL, but he looks like he is more than capable of running an offense. That being said, the rest of the team has a lot of holes and is years away from being truly competitive.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous: 32)
Blake Bortles is looking pretty good in the preseason. That’s not to say he’s becoming Peyton Manning, but Bortles is looking like he could be worth his draft slot.
32. Washington Redskins (Previous: 29)
Jay Gruden looks like he is completely in over his head as the coach in Washington. The locker room is a mess, RGIII has a concussion (probably), and Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. This is a messy situation in the nation’s capitol.
Image from International Times.