NFL Power Rankings 2015: Latest Team Standings Ahead of Preseason Week 2

It's never too early in the year for NFL power rankings—especially not in the preseason.

Power rankings can cause much debate and controversy, but above all else, they provide an all-encompassing, detailed look at the league.

The rankings take into account many different things, including—but not limited to—last year's performance, offseason player and coaching changes, injuries and simple projections.

In other words, it's a picture of league standings to provide anyone who doesn't have the time to keep up with each of the 32 teams something to work with, which is especially important during the preseason. So here's a look ahead of the second week of exhibition games.

2015 NFL Power Rankings

Rank	Team
1	Seattle Seahawks
2	Green Bay Packers
3	Baltimore Ravens
4	Dallas Cowboys
5	Arizona Cardinals
6	New England Patriots
7	Denver Broncos
8	Indianapolis Colts
9	Cincinnati Bengals
10	Philadelphia Eagles
11	Detroit Lions
12	Pittsburgh Steelers
13	Kansas City Chiefs
14	Miami Dolphins
15	Carolina Panthers
16	San Francisco 49ers
17	New Orleans Saints
18	San Diego Chargers
19	Minnesota Vikings
20	Buffalo Bills
21	St. Louis Rams
22	Houston Texans
23	Atlanta Falcons
24	Chicago Bears
25	New York Jets
26	Cleveland Browns
27	Washington Redskins
28	Oakland Raiders
29	New York Giants
30	Jacksonville Jaguars
31	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
32	Tennessee Titans

Rebuilding Teams to Watch

Tennessee Titans 

David Goldman/Associated Press

As one of two teams with a notable rookie quarterback, the Tennessee Titans are one of the most important rebuilding teams to keep an eye on due to the potential they can upset the rankings in a hurry. 

The team's first exhibition wasn't the greatest example, though, provided it ended in a loss. High-profile rookie Marcus Mariota went 7-of-8 for 94 yards, but the lone incompletion was an interception.

Nobody said things would be easy for the Oregon product. ESPN's Field Yates put it into perspective:

It's going to be a fun journey to watch, a notion applying well to the Titans as a whole. The team's filled with new faces as it attempts to get back into contention in the AFC South. 

Joining Mariota on offense is high-profile rookie wideout Dorial Green-Beckham, and underrated running back David Cobb will push for time. On defense, veteran Brian Orakpo provides some juice to a unit tasked with stopping Andrew Luck.

Should Mariota get comfortable and the key additions play up to potential, the Titans can quickly climb ranks.

Washington 

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Washington is another team looking bent on improvement in a rough division. 

So far, so good for coach Jay Gruden's team, too. Gruden and his staff are back to rolling with Robert Griffin III under center. He’s one of the most recognizable faces in the league and posted a strong performance in the team's win against Cleveland on August 13.

Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan noted Griffin looked like his old self in the process:

On paper, Gruden's team has what it takes to climb the rankings in a hurry. He's an offensive guru who can get the most out of a quarterback, and he has a star back in Alfred Morris and plenty of explosive weapons such as Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Adding top rookie guard Brandon Scherff in the draft should help things.

In a division including Dallas and Philadelphia, though, strong offense might not be enough. With rookie Preston Smith and key pieces such as Terrance Knighton and Trent Murphy ready to go, the defense will decide how far the team climbs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

There's nothing wrong with a slow-developing rebuild—as long as it works.

It's been a long time coming for the Jacksonville Jaguars and coach Gus Bradley, who rolled the dice on Blake Bortles out of UCF and has played the waiting game when it comes to constructing the roster around him. 

John Raoux/Associated Press

Bortles threw six more picks than scores as a rookie last season through 14 games, but the gradual improvement should come in time. He has the confidence of teammates, too.

"When you're the quarterback and you come into the huddle confident, you can make things happen," guard Brandon Linder emphasized after preseason Week 1, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).

Bortles has some new weapons to work with, including rookie back T.J. Yeldon, as well as developing faces like Marqise Lee and tight end Julius Thomas. Adding defenders such as tackle Jared Odrick and corner Davon House should only help things.

It's early, sure, but the Jaguars can already trumpet a win against Pittsburgh on the road to improvement. If the young Jaguars start hot this season, it could have a snowball effect as one of the league's lengthiest rebuilds charges forward into the regular season.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of August 19. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.