2023 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stack Up Entering Training Camp?
It's time to go camping. And who doesn't love camping? There are smores and campfires and fishing and hiking and all sorts of fun.
Of course, camping in the NFL is a bit different. There are workouts in the blistering sun. Weights to be lifted. It's not fun.
But training camp is an important step toward preparing for the mental and physical grind that is the regular season.
As we get one step closer to the preseason and then to the season opener in Kansas City, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to offer an early look at how the league's teams stack up.
No. 1 is no surprise. But there are some that come before.
32. Arizona Cardinals
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It hasn't been an easy offseason for the Arizona Cardinals.
The team is breaking in a new head coach in Jonathan Gannon and a new general manager in Monti Ossenfort. The Redbirds released arguably their best offensive weapon in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. There's no telling when quarterback Kyler Murray will be able to return from the ACL tear that ended his 2022 season.
Gannon was the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles team that made the Super Bowl last year. Wide receiver Marquise Brown told reporters that Gannon has brought some badly needed confidence to the Arizona locker room.
"I feel like with JG [Jonathan Gannon], the confidence he brings, I know for me I'm a confident guy," Brown said. "And I feel like that's getting moved around through the team, just being confident. With everybody doubting us, we're gonna surprise a lot of people."
However, between Murray's injury, a lack of firepower on offense and a myriad of changes on a defense that ranked 21st in yardage allowed last season, the "surprise" will be if the Cardinals can avoid the NFC West basement.
31. Houston Texans
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Over the last three seasons, the Houston Texans were a dismal 11-38-1. And in 2023, they're once again starting a ground-up rebuild.
To their credit, the Texans made an effort to jump-start that rebuild in the 2023 draft. After drafting their potential quarterback of the future in Ohio State's C.J. Stroud at No. 2, they traded up to the third overall spot to select Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr..
While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, left tackle Laremy Tunsil said Stroud is already making quite an impression on his new teammates.
"He handles himself well," Tunsil said. "He came into the building with these unbelievable leadership skills, and he's killing it, man. How I describe C.J. is a dog. He's a straight dog. He comes in there ready to work. He handles the huddle perfectly. And he goes out there and balls. And you have to appreciate that, especially a young quarterback like C.J."
Stroud and Anderson have the potential to both be stars. But the Texans roster is still riddled with holes, including a questionable secondary and shaky wide receiver corps.
It's going to be another long year in Houston.
30. Chicago Bears
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The 2022 season was a disaster for the Chicago Bears, who wound up with the league's worst record. But the play of quarterback Justin Fields was a bright spot, and the impetus for the team in 2023 is no doubt to coax an ever better year out of the former Ohio State star.
Fields topped 1,000 yards on the ground last season, but his passing stats were more pedestrian. However, he wants to be the first quarterback in franchise history to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in a season.
"I will," Fields said on the All Things Covered podcast (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). "I plan on doing it this year."
The addition of a viable No. 1 wide receiver in DJ Moore (who came over in the trade that sent the first pick in the 2023 draft to Carolina) can only help Fields as a passer. And the Bears spent big in free agency upgrading both sides of the ball.
But the Bears won only three games last season. A turnaround isn't going to happen overnight.
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29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Less than three years ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as champions of Super Bowl LV. But the man who led the team to that championship is gone.
The Bucs now have to figure out a way to try to replace Tom Brady.
Either youngster Kyle Trask or veteran journeyman Baker Mayfield will be under center in Tampa this year. But while the Bucs have talent on defense and some weapons on offense, Sobleski believes they're facing what could be a tough season in 2023.
"Corner Calton Davis believes doubters of this year's Buccaneers are in for a "rude awakening," but they have everything to prove without Brady leading the way," he said. "Even with the surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, Tampa Bay finished below .500 last season and barely captured the NFC South. Why would anyone believe the Buccaneers are going to be significantly better when their starting quarterback options are Mayfield and Trask?"
"Yes, the defense should still be aggressive and fly to the football. The offensive line has also been upgraded at spots. And the wide receivers are still mega-talented. At the same time, this year's Bucs are in prove-it mode since everyone else in the NFC South improved."
28. Indianapolis Colts
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There's zero question about the biggest question facing new Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen as training camp opens. It's the matter of who will be the team's Week 1 starter at quarterback.
In one corner, there's veteran backup Gardner Minshew, who is better known for his hair and mustache than his play on the field. In the other, there's rookie Anthony Richardson, a wildly talented but equally raw prospect.
Per JJ Stankevitz of the team's website, Steichen is keeping his cards close to his vest for now.
"Gardner, he's a really good leader," Steichen said. "He's played a lot of football in this league. Just really pleased with his mindset and how he attacks every single day. Obviously, being with Anthony, and Anthony is seeing how he works. When you have that veteran presence around with a young quarterback to see that, I always think that helps. But I'm really pleased with both those guys."
Unless Richardson demonstrates that he's nowhere near ready to start, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft will likely be starting sooner rather than later.
The Colts aren't a team without talent. But they'll only go as their quarterbacks take them this year.
27. Atlanta Falcons
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In what's something of a running theme with the teams toward the bottom of these power rankings, the Atlanta Falcons face major questions at quarterback in 2023.
There's no camp battle, mind you. Second-year pro Desmond Ridder is the guy this season. Ridder has some passing-game weapons at his disposal in wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, and he said he's looking forward to continuing to develop a rapport with his young pass-catchers.
"Obviously, Drake and I had a great connection last year," Ridder told ESPN. "For myself and Kyle, we didn't get as many reps as we'd like to last year. So for me, it was just about keep developing that relationship with Drake, and then obviously build that relationship with Kyle. Whether it's playing golf on the weekends or actually being out there and working on our crafts together, and just growing that connection both on and off the field."
The Falcons also have a dangerous running back in rookie Bijan Robinson, so if Ridder plays reasonably well, their offense could be sneaky good in 2023. The question would then become whether Atlanta's 27th-ranked defense from last season can improve as well.
Color us skeptical.
26. Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers' decision to trade up to draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was a franchise-defining move for new head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer. If it works, both will be hailed for looking past Young's diminutive size to the prodigious talents underneath. If it doesn't, both men will likely be fired.
Running back Miles Sanders, who signed with the team this offseason, told reporters that he believes the Panthers chose well.
"He's cocky in a humble way. The humblest way. He knows who he is. I think we're in good hands," Sanders said.
However, Davenport has his doubts about the Panthers in 2023, and they go well beyond the team's rookie quarterback.
"Young's talent and achievements at Alabama are undeniable," he said. "He's easily the most pro-ready quarterback in his draft class. But the Carolina receiving corps is among the weakest in the NFL. The offensive line is good but not great. And the Panthers were 22nd in pass defense last season. The youngster is going to take his lumps, and while the Panthers may not be the worst team in the NFC South, they are no threat to make the playoffs, either."
25. Las Vegas Raiders
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Two years ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were a playoff team that appeared to be headed in the right direction.
My, how times change.
Last year's debacle of a season included an NFL-record four blown second-half leads of 10 points or more. The Raiders released quarterback Derek Carr in the offseason and replaced him with Jimmy Garoppolo. They franchise-tagged running back Josh Jacobs after he led the league in rushing in 2022, and he's not happy about it.
Moton believes Josh McDaniels' second season as head coach in Vegas likely won't look much different from the first.
"The Raiders head into training camp with concerning question marks," he said. "First, the Raiders will keep their fingers crossed for Garoppolo, who's recovering from foot surgery. Secondly, edge-rusher Tyree Wilson, Vegas' top draft pick, is also on the mend from foot surgery. With Chandler Jones going into his age-33 season, the Raiders will need a spark in the pass rush, but Wilson may not be ready to go full throttle right out of the gate."
"Lastly, the Raiders didn't strike a deal with Jacobs, who will have to decide whether to play on the $10.1 million franchise tag or sit out games (or an entire season) as Le'Veon Bell did in 2018," he continued. "Jacobs won the 2022 rushing title, and Vegas went 5-1 when he ran for 109-plus yards in a game last year. Coming off a 6-11 season without their lead ball-carrier, an injury-prone quarterback already on the mend and a top draft pick who may have early limitations, the Raiders have the warning signs of a disappointing season."
24. Green Bay Packers
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The Green Bay Packers are in uncharted waters. For the first time since 1993, they will head into a season without Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback.
To say there's a lot of pressure on young quarterback Jordan Love is an understatement. But Packers running back A.J. Dillon said that Love has the support of his teammates as he takes the reins for the franchise.
"People trust him," Dillon said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "People listen to him when he enters the huddle. It's not like some new guy that just popped up just calling the shots... He definitely has all the intangibles. He's earned the trust of the locker room. Guys respect him. Guys wanna play for him."
If Love shows up, Davenport believes the Packers could be better than expected in 2023.
"The Packers' lack of talent at receiver is alarming, although Christian Watson appears to have what it takes to be a go-to target," he said. "But the Packers are a decent defensive team, and Love has a talented duo of backs to lean on in Dillon and Aaron Jones. It's not like there's a runaway favorite in the NFC North this year, and Love has shown some promise in limited action.
"Can I say with certainty the Packers will contend this year? No. But I can't say they won't, either."
23. Washington Commanders
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After over two decades of mostly misery under Daniel Snyder, the Washington Commanders have a new ownership group fronted by billionaire businessman Josh Harris. They also have a new quarterback, with second-year pro Sam Howell slated to take the reins after making one start as a rookie.
Howell played relatively well in that lone start as a rookie, but Sobleski is still leery of Washington's ability to contend in an NFC East that placed three teams in the playoffs last year.
"It's difficult to buy into anything regarding the Commanders when they made the conscious decision to name Howell their starter based on one appearance in a meaningless regular-season finale," he said. "This isn't a situation where a late-round rookie was forced into the lineup and thrived, like San Francisco's Brock Purdy.
"Granted, the Commanders also signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in free agency. Brissett played admirably as the starter for the Cleveland Browns through 11 games. But he's well-established as an upper-echelon backup with the ability to keep the ship afloat if he's leading the way.
"In a division that features Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones, the Commanders are fighting a constant uphill battle."
Unless Howell is a revelation, it's hard to argue with him.
22. Tennessee Titans
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Ten games into the 2022 season, the Tennessee Titans appeared to be cruising toward a third straight AFC South title and fourth straight playoff spot. Then Ryan Tannehill got hurt and they lost seven straight games.
Now, the Titans are running it back one more time with mostly the same starters. But there's one major difference: Tennessee recently agreed to terms on a two-year deal with veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
In theory, Hopkins arrival gives Tannehill the go-to passing-game target that he lacked after the Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles last spring. However, Sobleski has his doubts whether Hopkins can be that guy at this point in his career.
"If history has taught us anything, Titans fans shouldn't get overly excited about the signing of Hopkins," he said. "The likes of Randy Moss, Andre Johnson and Julio Jones made their way through Nashville late in their careers and provided little on their eventual way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"To be fair," he went on, "Hopkins is an upgrade to what previously looked like the league's worst wide receiver corps. However, a win-now move in the midst of what looks like an inevitable rebuild under the supervision of new general manager Ran Carthon sends mixed messages.
The Titans are no longer the AFC South's best squad. They're not particularly close, either."
21. Los Angeles Rams
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A lot can change in the NFL from one year to the next. Just ask the Los Angeles Rams.
Two years ago, the Rams stood in their home stadium as confetti rained down on them after they won Super Bowl LVI. Last year, injuries hit them hard on both sides of the ball, and they pitched and lurched to a 5-12 season.
It was the worst year a defending Super Bowl champion has ever had.
This year, salary-cap issues caused them to release star linebacker Bobby Wagner and contributed to the trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford told reporters he's heard the naysayers who believe L.A's days as a contender are done.
"I know what we're trying to do is build a really good football team here, and that takes work," he said. "Whether people think it's gonna happen or not doesn't matter to us. You know, just because people said we should win the Super Bowl two years ago didn't mean we won it. We put the work in and executed, so that's the mindset we're taking and happy to be where we're at."
Judging by where they are ranked here, you can count B/R's analysts among those naysayers in 2023.
20. New England Patriots
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The 2022 season was one to forget for quarterback Mac Jones and the New England Patriots offense. With Matt Patricia calling the plays, Jones regressed badly relative to his rookie year, and the Pats finished 26th in total offense.
That led to some coaching changes in the offseason, including Bill O'Brien taking over as New England's offensive coordinator. While speaking to reporters, O'Brien made it clear that everything that went on last season (including a reported rift between Jones and head coach Bill Belichick) is in the past.
"Fresh start," O'Brien said. "It's really not anything about what's gone on in the past. That's one of our themes on offense—to move forward."
That may well be so. The Patriots attempted to offset the loss of wide receiver Jakobi Meyers with the signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster. And as is the case every year, you know Belichick's defense is going to be legit. But New England's offense is miles behind those of the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (provided that Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy).
The Patriots aren't a bad team. But that doesn't mean they aren't the worst team in the AFC East.
19. Denver Broncos
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The Denver Broncos were the most disappointing team in the NFL last year. Hailed by some as a Super Bowl contender after trading for Russell Wilson, the Broncos went on to field the lowest-scoring offense in the league.
That offensive implosion got Nathaniel Hackett fired before his first season as head coach was even over. This offseason, the Broncos swung a big trade with the New Orleans Saints for head coach Sean Payton.
It was the essence of a win-now move—and it impressed Moton.
"Last year, the Broncos tricked oddsmakers into thinking they had a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl with the acquisition of Wilson, but this Broncos team is for real," he said. "The Broncos realized Hackett wasn't fit for a head-coaching job and fired him before the end of the 2022 campaign, and they've replaced him with Super Bowl-winning head coach in Payton, who's won 63.1 percent of his games as a lead skipper.
"Though Denver made solid moves in free agency, including signing tackle Mike McGlinchey, guard Ben Powers, running back Samaje Perine and defensive end Zach Allen, acquiring Payton will make the biggest difference because he'll help Wilson find his Pro Bowl form.
"By the end of the year, the Broncos will be a top-10 team in these power rankings."
Sobleski and Davenport aren't quite as enthusiastic about the Broncos in 2023, but they should be a better team this year than last.
18. New Orleans Saints
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The shadow of Drew Brees still looms large over New Orleans. After one disappointing year of Jameis Winston running the offense, the Saints signed Derek Carr in free agency.
Second-year wideout Chris Olave, who has become the Saints' No. 1 receiver in short order, has been impressed by what Carr adds to the team both on and off the field.
"I feel like we all know what he can do on the field, but he helps me a lot off the field too, just a leader he is," Olave told reporters. "Just his vibes he comes with, I feel like always makes a young player better. So, I'm excited to play with him."
Carr wasn't the Saints' only offensive signing of note, as they also added running back Jamaal Williams. And while Davenport isn't ready to tell Saints fans to start making travel plans for Super Bowl LVIII in February, he is ready to call the Saints the favorites in the NFC South.
"Carr is easily the most proven commodity under center in the division," he said. "The skill-position talent around him is as good as any other squad in the NFC South, although Alvin Kamara's legal issues could complicate that.
"Last year, the Saints were fifth in the league in total defense and ninth in scoring defense. A below-average offensive line could be an issue, but even with that knock against them, this is still the most complete team in the NFC South.
"They may well be one-and-done, but the Saints will be a playoff team this season."
17. New York Giants
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The New York Giants exceeded expectations in 2022. Not only did they make the postseason, but they won their first playoff game since their victory in Super Bowl XLVI well over a decade ago.
Given that, you would think it would be all smiles in the Big Apple. However, a contract dispute with running back Saquon Barkley is threatening those good vibes.
The franchise-tag extension deadline came and went for Barkley and the Giants with no-long term deal. That means he can either play under the $10.1 million franchise tag or sit out the season.
While appearing on The Money Matters Podcast (via Michael Baca of NFL.com), Barkley said he isn't ruling out the latter.
"My leverage is I could say, 'f--k you' to the Giants, I could say, 'f--k you to my teammates,'" Barkley said. "And be like, 'You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I won't show up. I won't play a down.' And that's a play I could use."
Would Barkley actually sit out regular-season games? Probably not. But a Giants team with aspirations of not only making the playoffs but making noise in them doesn't need these sorts of distractions.
16. Detroit Lions
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There's a strange sensation wafting through the Motor City in 2023: hope.
The Detroit Lions went 9-8 last year, which was their first winning season since 2017. They were fourth in the NFL in total offense and fifth in scoring. They're also the betting favorite at DraftKings to win the NFC North for the first time since the Bill Clinton administration.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is loving every minute of it.
"My rookie year, we went 3-13-1, [Lions fans] were still there for us," St. Brown told Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated. "And now the hype is crazy. When I go back for OTAs and whatnot, you go to the grocery store, you go to the restaurant, whatever you're doing that day. If a fan sees you, they're super excited."
However, something is threatening to spoil the fun. As good as Detroit's offense was in 2022, the defense was equally putrid. No team in the NFL surrendered more yards per game.
For the Lions to be more than paper tigers and win their first playoff game since the George H.W. Bush administration, young players like second-year edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and rookie linebacker Jack Campbell will have to help elevate the defense.
15. Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings won 13 games last season. But largely thanks to one of the NFL's worst defenses, the Vikes lost to the New York Giants at home in the Wild Card Round.
Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic, second-year head coach Kevin O'Connell is confident that the Vikings can build on last year's success.
"It's staying true to your football philosophies and what you want to be as a team from a culture standpoint," O'Connell said. "But then it's really taking a long look at what made us successful as the 2022 Vikings. And how do we build on that? How do we take the next step?
"... I think we've got some really good thoughts on how to put all that together in a way that becomes a real positive to build off from last year but not necessarily changing who we are as an offensive or defensive identity."
On the other hand, Davenport sees a potential backslide coming.
"Let's assume for the sake of argument that rookie Jordan Addison can replace Adam Thielen at wide receiver and that Alexander Mattison can replace Dalvin Cook at running back," he said. "That still doesn't solve the issue of Minnesota's terrible defense, which lost two key pieces in inside linebacker Eric Kendricks and edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith."
"Even if Brian Flores is an upgrade at defensive coordinator, the Vikings just don't have the personnel to slow down the Philadelphia Eagles," Davenport continued. "Or the Dallas Cowboys. Or maybe even the Detroit Lions. The Vikings are what they are—a one-dimensional pretender that won't get past the divisional round."
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing record since 2003. But they're also used to making the postseason, and that didn't happen in 2022.
That has ratcheted up the pressure this year, especially on young quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had an uneven first season.
After joining the team in free agency, veteran wideout Allen Robinson II told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he's been impressed by Pickett's command of the offense in the Steel City.
"The command that he has for a second-year player is awesome," Robinson said. "I personally feel like you don't get a chance to see guys that young with a command that strong as far as leading us, getting guys together, throwing after watching film."
The Steelers have a lot going for them. The skill-position talent around Pickett is solid, especially if young receiver George Pickens takes a step forward as a sophomore. A healthy T.J. Watt is arguably the most disruptive defensive player in the game.
But the Steelers' record will likely come down to how Pickett progresses in his second season. In an AFC North that's shaping up to be one of the league's tougher divisions, Pickett and the Steelers aren't going to have much margin for error.
13. Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns are heading into a make-or-break 2023 campaign. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is likely coaching for his job. And after spending the first 11 games of his Browns tenure serving a suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, Deshaun Watson has to show that he's worth the norm-shattering $230 million fully guaranteed contract he got last year.
On the Rich Eisen Show, Stefanski said he believes Watson is in for a big year.
"There were glimpses of some elite quarterback play that we've all seen from him over the course of his career," Stefanski said. "I think where he is right now, hard to compare to a year ago, but I certainly see a comfort level in what we're doing offensively."
The Browns have a lot going for them. Tailback Nick Chubb may be the best pure runner in the game. Cleveland has the best offensive line in the AFC. Elijah Moore joined a pass-catching corps that already included star wideout Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku. Edge-rusher Myles Garrett is one of the best in the league at what he does.
However, the Browns have made the playoffs only twice since re-joining the NFL In 1999. It's not a matter of if something is going to go wrong for them, it's more a matter of when.
12. Seattle Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks were the most pleasant surprise in the NFL last year, as they went from a presumed rebuild to the playoffs. And there wasn't a more surprising player than quarterback Geno Smith, who went from bridge starter to Comeback Player of the Year.
Seattle lost in the Wild Card Round thanks to a defense that ranked 26th in yards allowed and 25th in points allowed. But Seattle patched up that defense in the offseason by adding veteran defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, bringing back linebacker Bobby Wagner and drafting cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe thinks those additions coupled with a loaded passing game make the Seahawks a legitimate threat to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West, per Adam Schultz of All Seahawks.
"That offense was already very good [last season], you add in Jaxon Smith-Njigba with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett," Wolfe said on Good Morning Football. "On the other side of the ball, they added Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen was great. He needs a pairing on the other side, now he has that. This team's very complete. Why can't they win the NFC West?"
If Smith can repeat the sort of efficiency he showed last year when he led the league in completion percentage and ranked fifth in passer rating and the defense improves, the Seahawks could do more than just win the division. They could do real damage in the postseason.
11. New York Jets
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New York Jets fans spent the past two years of watching Zach Wilson one-hop receivers and then refuse to take accountability for it. This year, they'll have a four-time MVP under center.
With Aaron Rodgers now in town, the Jets' outlook for the season has considerably changed.
"The Jets haven't played a game with Rodgers, but the sheer fact that he's a tenfold upgrade over Wilson boosts them in these power rankings," Moton said. The Jets have a playoff-caliber squad that needed a serviceable starting signal-caller, and they pulled off a deal with the Green Bay Packers for the four-time MVP.
"Though Rodgers came up short in a playoff push with the Packers last year, he joins a better Jets roster that features the 2023 Offensive and Defensive Rookie Year in Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, respectively. The Jets recently locked star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams up on a multiyear extension, and they hope to have running back Breece Hall (torn ACL) back on the field at some point in the near future.
"Rodgers will take some time to jell with his new teammates, but we should put some early respect on the resurgent Jets, who have stars and budding playmakers on both sides of the ball."
While the Jets are no doubt better with Rodgers, the Buffalo Bills are the three-time defending AFC East champions, and the Miami Dolphins remain a dangerous opponent as well. Rodgers is going to have to earn a playoff spot in 2023.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
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When last we saw the Los Angeles Chargers, they were squandering a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round. It was the third-worst postseason collapse in NFL history.
That debacle undoubtedly took time to get over. But there's reason to think this year's Chargers' squad could be even more dangerous.
In his fourth season, Justin Herbert has become one of the game's best quarterbacks. No running back in the league has more touchdowns than Austin Ekeler over the last two years. In the 2023 draft, the Bolts added Quentin Johnston to a wideout corps that includes Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
Defensively, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa have the potential to be a formidable duo of edge-rushers. Veteran Eric Kendricks could offer some long-needed stability at inside linebacker. A healthy J.C. Jackson should be a big boost for a secondary that includes one of the league's best safeties in Derwin James.
But regardless, Davenport is out on the Chargers as a Super Bowl contender.
"Two years ago, the Chargers needed a Week 18 win over the Raiders to make the postseason after losing two of their three games heading into that contest," he said. "The Bolts blew it. Last year, the Chargers were up 27-0 on the Jaguars and won the turnover battle 5-0—and they blew it again.
"Until this team shows it can win a big game in January, I can't count them among the league's elite."
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
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It's been while since the Jacksonville Jaguars came into a season as the favorites in the AFC South. But after winning the division last year and knocking off the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round, that's where we are this year.
Head coach Doug Pederson told reporters that while outside expectations may have grown for the Jaguars, the expectations inside the building have always been the same.
"The expectation is to win," Pederson said. "That was our expectation last year, and even though parts of the year weren't as good as other parts of the year, that still has to be a priority. You have to win games in this league."
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has the look of the league's next superstar quarterback. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley joins a cadre of passing-game talent that was already stacked. Jacksonville was 24th last year in total defense but a respectable 12th in points allowed.
If the Jags get better on that side of the ball, they could be a legitimate threat to the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and the AFC's other heavyweights.
8. Baltimore Ravens
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We have already seen a few potential harbingers of the end times in these power rankings.
There is hope (and hype) in Detroit. And in Jacksonville. But they say these things come in threes, and the Baltimore Ravens provided the third one by amassing decent wide receivers for a change.
The Ravens signed veteran Odell Beckham to a one-year, $15 million contract and selected Zay Flowers of Boston College in the first round of the 2023 draft. Combined with holdover Rashod Bateman, it offers Lamar Jackson potentially his best trio of receivers ever.
However, Moton has his reservations whether what looks good on paper will translate to success on the field.
"While the Ravens should be a playoff team with Jackson healthy, they've undergone significant offensive changes that may result in a slow start to the season," he wrote. "The Ravens parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman and hired Todd Monken. Baltimore also revamped its wide receiver group, adding Beckham, Flowers and Nelson Agholor. Though those additions look good on the depth chart, there's no guarantee that everything will click right away."
"Beckham hasn't played in an NFL game since Super Bowl LVI," Moton continued. "He's also coming off his second ACL tear in three years. Agholor has seen a decline in his receiving numbers since his 2020 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders. Flowers may have a bit of a learning curve in an adjustment to the pro level. Bateman is still recovering from Lisfranc surgery.
"Don't jump on the Ravens bandwagon yet—let the offense work through some wrinkles at training camp."
7. Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins made the playoffs last year, but it was a tale of two seasons for them.
When quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the field, the Dolphins were an offensive juggernaut and looked like a potential Super Bowl contender. When Tagovailoa was injured, it was another story altogether.
Tagovailoa's health has been the dominant storyline surrounding the Dolphins this offseason, but Sobleski thinks the additions Miami made on defense could be the real difference-maker.
"Last season, Miami's offense finished sixth overall, while the defense ranked 18th," he wrote. "Three particular additions could turn this group into a top-five unit."
"First, Vic Fangio joined the coaching staff as defensive coordinator. Since returning to the NFL in 2011, Fangio has fielded seven top-10 defenses and five top-five units. Second, Jalen Ramsey is a massive improvement at cornerback opposite Xavien Howard. Finally, David Long Jr. is an upgrade at inside linebacker because of his ability to play in space.
"Miami should legitimately compete for an AFC East title and enter the Super Bowl conversation."
Add that improved defense to Miami's loaded offense, and Sobleski may well be right if Tagovailoa stays healthy.
6. Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2023 season with the same expectations as every other season: winning the Super Bowl.
The Cowboys won 12 games and a playoff game last year, but they came up short of that ultimate goal. After an offseason filled with more than a few changes, most view the Cowboys as the No. 2 team in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
But Sobleski believes these Cowboys can absolutely give Philadelphia a run for its money.
"The Cowboys lost offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz this offseason," he said. "However, they made improvements throughout their roster as well, starting with the acquisition of wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans. Cooks is a six-time 1,000-yard receiver who should provide Dallas with a legitimate third receiving threat.
"The Cowboys also acquired Stephon Gilmore via trade. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year can still play at a high level and give the Cowboys a true bookend to Trevon Diggs. First-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith adds size, power and athleticism to the defensive interior. Lastly, Tyron Smith can be viewed as another quality addition since he played in only four regular-season games last year."
Head coach Mike McCarthy can only hope Sobleski is right. if Dallas doesn't make a deep playoff run, his tenure with the team could easily be over.
5. San Francisco 49ers
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The San Francisco 49ers have advanced to the NFC Championship Game in three of the past four seasons, and they're loaded on both sides of the ball this year. They have plenty of skill-position talent, a stout offensive line and arguably the NFL's best defense, spearheaded by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
But as Moton wrote, questions at quarterback could ultimately determine how far the Niners go this year.
"We have no idea who will be the Niners' starting quarterback to open the season, but Kyle Shanahan is still the head coach, and he'll put his signal-caller in the best position to keep the offense steady," he said. "We saw that with Brock Purdy, whom the 49ers selected with the last pick in the 2022 draft. As Purdy recovers from UCL surgery, Sam Darnold and Trey Lance will battle for the starting job. Both of the backups are good enough to win games in Purdy's absence."
"Darnold nearly led the Carolina Panthers to the 2022 playoffs, going 4-2 as a starter in his last six starts," he continued. "Lance has limited experience, but he can add a wrinkle to the offense with his legs, which would make Shanahan's run-heavy offense a little harder to defend with running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell healthy early in the season."
Despite the 49ers' questions under center, they're still a top-five team.
4. Buffalo Bills
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Josh Allen is already one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. But after last year's humiliating divisional-round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Allen told reporters that he spent the offseason looking for ways to further refine his game.
"I think more, dive into what went wrong last year, understanding myself a little bit more in terms of 'Why are my eyes starting here?'" Allen said. "And again, just being more in depth about my entire process, whether it's film work or studying myself a day after practice and just making sure that my feet are marrying up with my eyes and my eyes are starting in the right spot. I think that that's been maybe a cause of some of the problems that I've had in the past."
Allen's Buffalo Bills are loaded on both sides of the ball. In 2022, they were ranked second in both total offense and scoring offense, sixth in total defense and second in scoring defense.
Between Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs on offense and linebacker Matt Milano, edge-rusher Von Miller and cornerback Tre'Davious White on defense, the Bills are absolutely capable of making the Super Bowl. The problem is that they play in the same conference as the Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
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The "Super Bowl Hangover" is no joke. Only eight teams in NFL history have lost the Super Bowl then made it back the following year. Only three (the 1971 Dallas Cowboys, 1972 Miami Dolphins and 2018 New England Patriots) won it after falling short the previous year.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams told reporters that he and his teammates are eager to become the fourth.
"I feel like guys are more motivated because we were this close to getting it done," Williams said. "It's like OK, everybody got something to say now, we hear the whispers and it's like OK, we're gonna put in the work and be ready to win next time."
After largely avoiding major injuries last season, general manager Howie Roseman admitted the Eagles may need to overcome more adversity in 2023.
"I think it was unique," Roseman said. "We don't take it for granted the health of our team last year. That was a unique situation. I think for us to expect the same results as last year would be naïve at a minimum. So, we've got to prepare to understand that for the amount of games that we want to play. ... It is a long season."
The Eagles boast arguably the NFL's most balanced and talented roster. If they can stay relatively healthy for the second straight season, they should be viewed as the favorites in the NFC.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
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It's hard to say that the Cincinnati Bengals fell victim to a Super Bowl Hangover last year. After all, Joe Burrow led them back to the AFC Championship Game after they lost Super Bowl LVI to the Los Angeles Rams.
For defensive end Sam Hubbard, that recent success—and the team's Super Bowl chances—come down to one player: "Joe Cool."
"We struggled in Cincinnati for many years," Hubbard said on NFL Total Access. "I grew up a Cincinnati fan, and I'm one of the longest-tenured Bengals nowadays. But it all starts with our quarterback. We got a great quarterback that we believe in in Joe Burrow. Having a guy like that that you can always play hard for and you always know you're in every game, it inspires the whole team.
"Our coaching staff and front office has done a good job just collecting guys that fit our culture. Self-motivated guys that want to win and have experience winning. And it all just kind of builds on each other."
In Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Burrow has maybe the best trio of wideouts in the league at his disposal. The addition of tackle Orlando Brown Jr. should be a big boost to the Cincinnati O-line. Hubbard and the defense aren't elite, but they are better than many realize.
The Bengals teams of the past few years may be the best the franchise has ever fielded. But there's still one team (and one quarterback) standing in Burrow's way…
1. Kansas City Chiefs
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All hail Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs—the NFL's newest dynasty.
The Chiefs have hosted the AFC Championship Game every year that Mahomes has been their starting quarterback. They've played in three of the last four Super Bowls, winning two.
Mahomes—who doesn't turn 28 until mid-September—thinks the Chiefs are only getting started.
"I think the thing this year is how we can keep building?" he told reporters. "Obviously, we won the Super Bowl last year and it was amazing, but we still have a lot of young guys, and we want to continue to get better and better. You look around the AFC, everyone has gotten better. So, you want to continue to build and build and not be satisfied with what we did last year and see if we can take that next step."
"Are the Chiefs the best team in the league on paper? No," Davenport said. "There are genuine questions at wide receiver, turnover on the offensive line and the defense has some holes. But the Chiefs have at least two things going for them.
"In Mahomes, they have the NFL's best quarterback—and possibly one of the best the league has ever seen. In Andy Reid, they have the NFL's best coach. So long as that duo is together, betting against the Chiefs isn't a good idea.
"You wanna be the best and sit atop these power rankings? You gotta beat the best. And the Lions aren't doing that in the season opener."
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