A lot has changed since I last rolled out an edition of my power rankings. For one, all 32 teams have trimmed their rosters down to the 53-man limit and we've got a pretty good sense of who's starting (and who's not) come Week 1.
But, as we all know, so much can – and will – change in the coming weeks and months.
RELATED CONTENT
There will be teams that go from worst to first in their division (seems to happen every year) and there will be teams we all thought were contenders who'll fade into the cellar (the 2018 Jaguars come to mind).
So, without further ado, it's time for the Week 1 edition of my Wildly Important NFL Power Rankings. Enjoy.
1. Patriots | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
|
As long as Belichick and Brady are there, the defending champs will be a threat. | vs. Steelers, Sept. 8 |
2. Chiefs | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They just added LeSean McCoy to an offense with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. | at Jaguars, Sept. 8 |
3. Chargers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They're always in the mix with Philip Rivers, and they'll be a force once again in the AFC. | vs. Colts, Sept. 8 |
4. Saints | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They’re dangerous with Drew Brees, but the passing game slipped last December. Is it fixed? | vs. Texans, Sept. 9 |
5. Rams | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They’re talented and coming off a Super Bowl run. But how is Todd Gurley left knee? | at Panthers, Sept. 8 |
6. Seahawks | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They were a playoff team a year ago and just bolstered the defense with Jadeveon Clowney. | vs. Bengals, Sept. 8 |
7. Eagles | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
It’s the Carson Wentz Show (or bust). Can their franchise QB stay healthy an entire season? | vs. Redskins, Sept. 8 |
8. Browns | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
The Browns are fun and have a lot of parts, but can they make it call come together and work? | vs. Titans, Sept. 8 |
9. Falcons | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They’ve addressed their two biggest needs – offensive and defensive lines. We’re about to find out if it was enough. | at Vikings, Sept. 8 |
10. Bears | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
This team needs Mitchell Trubisky to take his game to the next level. Can the defense do the same? | vs. Packers, Sept. 5 |
11. Steelers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
The distractions appear to be gone, for now. Will they live up to their potential for a change? | at Patriots, Sept. 8 |
12. Packers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
There are a lot of question marks with this team, but … they still have Aaron Rodgers. | at Bears, Sept. 5 |
13. Panthers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Rookie Brian Burns has been a head-turner, but it always comes back to Cam Newton. How is the shoulder? | vs. Rams, Sept. 8 |
14. Vikings | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They needed to bolster the offensive line and add some parts. They did. Can they take the next step? | vs. Falcons, Sept. 8 |
15. Cowboys | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Without Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield this offense won’t scare anyone. The defense, however, will. | vs. Giants, Sept. 8 |
16. Jaguars | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
They had a solid draft and landed a capable quarterback in the offseason. This team is talented. Will they deliver? | vs. Chiefs, Sept. 8 |
17. Ravens | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
No one questions Lamar Jackson’s athleticism and ability to run, but he needs to work on the deep(er) ball. | at Dolphins, Sept. 8 |
18. Jets | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
The Jets landed the best player in April’s draft class when they got Quinnen Williams. Keep your eye on them. | vs. Bills, Sept. 8 |
19. Texans | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Taking Tytus Howard at 23 surprised me. Feels like a boom-or-bust move. So does trading Jadeveon Clowney. | at Saints, Sept. 9 |
20. 49ers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
It’s time to get an answer on Jimmy Garoppolo. Can he bounce back from his injury and play a full season? | at Buccaneers, Sept. 8 |
21. Bills | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
The Bills went and got some receivers and had a very good draft haul (Ed Oliver and Cody Ford). | at Jets, Sept. 8 |
22. Titans | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Same old question: Can Marcus Mariota progress and take this offense to the next level? | at Browns, Sept. 8 |
23. Colts | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Love a lot of the moves they’ve made during the last two drafts, but with no Andrew Luck they’re a completely different team. | at Chargers, Sept. 8 |
24. Broncos | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Joe Flacco brings some stability but is it enough to contend in the AFC West? | at Raiders, Sept. 9 |
25. Buccaneers | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
I keep hearing how Bruce Arians is going to be good for Jameis Winston. Time to find out. | vs. 49ers, Sept. 8 |
26. Raiders | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
How quickly can AB and David Carr develop chemistry? I liked what they did in the draft (going heavy on defense). | vs. Broncos, Sept. 9 |
27. Giants | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
I love Saquon Barkely, but not much else here. At least they have less distractions (and drama). | at Cowboys, Sept. 8 |
28. Bengals | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
A.J. Green is still wearing a boot and that doesn’t bode well for Andy Dalton and Co. | at Seahawks, Sept. 8 |
29. Redskins | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
Case Keenum is the starting quarterback, for now. I did like what I saw from Derrius Guice though. | at Eagles, Sept. 8 |
30. Lions | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
It was a rough first year for coach Matt Patricia and he appears to be on the hot seat. That didn’t take long. | at Cardinals, Sept. 8 |
31. Cardinals | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
All eyes will be on Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. This should be interesting (and fun) to watch. | vs. Lions, Sept. 8 |
32. Dolphins | TABEEK'S TAKE | NEXT |
---|---|---|
The Dolphins are clearly in a rebuilding mode. The question is, how rough will it get in 2019? | vs. Ravens, Sept. 8 |
MAILBAG
Do you have a question about the Falcons that you want answered? Ask a question here and it could be posted on AtlantaFalcons.com.