NFL Power Rankings Week 1: Latest Outlook and 2014-15 Super Bowl Odds

This past Sunday was the last one without NFL football until after Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015. Rejoice, friends.

With the preseason finished and roster cuts complete, it's time to really examine each NFL squad as they head into their final week of preparation. Week 1 is crucial in getting off on the right foot, especially given all the attention paid to training camp position battles and offseason acquisitions.

Not every team has a realistic shot at playing in the Super Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona this year. The numbers in parentheses next to each team represent the odds of winning the Super Bowl, via Odds Shark on Aug. 31.

Take a look at how the NFL's landscape looks prior to the season opener.

32. Oakland Raiders (150-1)

Tough times are ahead (yet again) for the Oakland Raiders. There's a good reason they have the second-worst odds at winning the Super Bowl, as Matt Schaub is no longer capable of handling an NFL offense—especially one with as few weapons as the Raiders.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (250-1)

John Raoux/Associated Press

The worst odds at the Super Bowl belong to the Jacksonville Jaguars, though their chances of success this season are better than Oakland's. Blake Bortles might not be starting just yet, but there's a good chance he finds himself under center in the second half of the season.

This group of young receivers (Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson) should post decent numbers as two of the primary targets of Chad Henne and Bortles. Four of five wins is certainly a possibility for this team.

30. Minnesota Vikings (75-1)

The NFC North is a supremely talented division, and things simply didn't go well for the Minnesota Vikings after the NFL draft. Grabbing Teddy Bridgewater at the end of the first round was a stellar move, but he didn't play well enough during the preseason to earn the starter's role.

Jared Allen's departure doesn't help the defense. Their inability to replace his production with someone even semi-reliable hurts just the same.

This team has more upside with Bridgewater under center, but for the time being, don't get your hopes up with the Vikes.

29. Buffalo Bills (100-1)

The Buffalo Bills made a ton of noise recently by signing Kyle Orton away from what everyone thought was going to be retirement. Twitter went crazy following the signing, and below is just a collection of some of the best opinions regarding the signing:

EJ Manuel was horrible in the preseason, and he wasn't great as a rookie last year either. Sammy Watkins presumably helps this offense out, but it's hard to have an effective passing game when the head coach (Doug Marrone) doesn't know how to effectively use his running backs (C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson).

If Manuel struggles mightily again this year, don't be shocked if the team addresses the quarterback position in next year's draft.

28. Cleveland Browns (75-1)

David Richard/Associated Press

We should really be calling Johnny Manziel "Johnny Headset" at this point, because that's all he'll be wearing for his first several games with the Cleveland Browns. The team appears confident in Brian Hoyer.

Of course, it will be hard for any quarterback to succeed in that system without Josh Gordon, who was just suspended for a year. Jordan Cameron is a bright young player at tight end, but defenses will single him out now that he's the top target.

The success of the Browns will come down to how well Ben Tate and Terrance West can move the chains on the ground.

27. Tennessee Titans (100-1)

Jake Locker is who the Tennessee Titans rise and fall with. When healthy, Locker is a solid quarterback capable of both managing an offense and making plays when the defense presents him with an opportunity. Staying healthy has been a huge issue for him, however, and the 26-year-old might not have much of a leash left after this season if he gets hurt again.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (66-1)

A strong defense will keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers competitive in the regular season, but offensive questions could hold this team back from seeing real success. Josh McCown is a solid quarterback, and he has good weapons around him in Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

That said, head coach Lovie Smith isn't exactly known for heading offensive juggernauts.

25. St. Louis Rams (66-1)

The Sam Bradford injury really stings.

Shaun Hill is one of the more capable backups in the NFL, but Bradford was coming into his own last season before hurting himself. Throw in this most recent injury, and his time with the St. Louis Rams is probably up.

A young core of weapons on offense and a stellar defensive line will keep the Rams from mediocrity, but it might be hard to sniff the playoffs given the depth of their division.

24. New York Jets (66-1)

Geno Smith had a good preseason, earning himself the starting job over Michael Vick. Vick might be the more dynamic quarterback, but the New York Jets are standing pat behind their second-year starter.

The team has decent weapons now, as Jace Amaro, Eric Decker and Chris Johnson will help to take the pressure off Smith in the passing game. He forced a ton of throws last season, often resulting in interceptions or overthrows.

With a strong defense in place as well, the Jets should be able to rack up nine wins.

23. Houston Texans (66-1)

Matt York/Associated Press

Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't going to head a top-tier offense in Houston, but the Texans will enjoy his ability to manage games and keep the chains moving. Of course, a healthy season from Arian Foster is the key.

This defense is going to be stellar. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney are going to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines, and getting into the backfield should be easy for this defensive line in general.

22. Arizona Cardinals (40-1)

The Arizona Cardinals aren't a bad squad, but the fact that they play in such a difficult division certainly doesn't help them. Throw in the questions surrounding Andre Ellington as a full-time starter at running back, and nobody knows how consistent this offense will really be.

Carson Palmer luckily has Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald to rely on in the passing game, meaning the Cardinals should still put up points.

21. Dallas Cowboys (50-1)

Dallas' defense was laughable last season, but it might turn into a full-fledged comedy special this year, opines Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com:

"

The Cowboys' defense could go from worst to collegiate. Cap mismanagement forced them to release DeMarcus Ware and lose Jason Hatcher in free agency. Linebacker Sean Lee, easily their best defensive player, is out for the season with a torn ACL. The No. 34 overall pick in the draft, Demarcus Lawrence, broke his foot and is expected to miss the first three to six games of the season. Their best cornerback of late, Orlando Scandrick, was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs.

"

Tony Romo enjoyed a very strong season last year, and he'll need to do more of the same this year. Unfortunately, his defense will probably let him down.

20. San Diego Chargers (33-1)

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Playing in a division with the Denver Broncos isn't exactly conducive to big-time success, but Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers can make the playoffs as a Wild Card with balanced efforts on both sides of the ball.

San Diego's secondary must improve and stay with the best receivers in the division. As the team's biggest question mark, this unit could determine their final standing.

19. New York Giants (50-1)

With a new offense in place, nobody really knows what to expect of Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The first-team offense clearly didn't grasp the new system during the preseason. The second- and third-teamers picked it up, and they are responsible for the deceptive 5-0 record.

This season's success is entirely up to Manning's ability to understand the offense.

18. Miami Dolphins (66-1)

The Miami Dolphins aren't going to win the AFC East. Heck, they might not even come in second. That said, this team can show big improvement if it can keep Ryan Tannehill on his feet.

That was really the biggest issue last season. You can't move the chains from your back, and Tannehill was the unfortunate victim of a horrible offensive line. Branden Albert will help this year, but how much?

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (33-1)

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Hard-hitting football is back in Pittsburgh.

A defense with a nose for bringing down the ball-carrier will certainly make a few highlights during the upcoming year, and a strong offensive line capable of pushing the defense back will open lanes for Le'Veon Bell to run through.

A strong season from Ben Roethlisberger can put the Steelers over the top and into 12-win territory. But a lot has to come together for that to happen.

16. Kansas City Chiefs (50-1)

Jamaal Charles is obviously the key to this team, even if defenses will hone in on him with regularity. Alex Smith doesn't have the arm to stretch the field, but Charles has the breakaway speed to give the Kansas City Chiefs a few big gains.

15. Washington Redskins (50-1)

DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon form a good duo of wideouts in Washington, but the Redskins' fate rests entirely on the shoulders of Robert Griffin III. Will the Skins play like they did during his rookie year or his sophomore campaign?

14. Detroit Lions (33-1)

Look for big things from the Detroit Lions this season. Calvin Johnson finally has a capable running mate in Golden Tate, which should help Matthew Stafford iron out some of those inconsistencies we've seen in previous years.

Reggie Bush and Joique Bell are a great tandem in the backfield, so the Lions are on track to win around 10 games in 2014-15.

13. Atlanta Falcons (40-1)

The Atlanta Falcons will be a much improved team this year. Injuries crippled their roster last season, and Matt Ryan simply wasn't himself. Moderate improvement all around will go a long way.

Eight wins is a realistic benchmark for this talented roster, but the Falcons could win as many as 10 or 11 if everything falls into place.

12. Carolina Panthers (50-1)

Expect a regression from the Carolina Panthers. Without a strong group of receivers, Cam Newton will struggle to complete over 60 percent of his passes. Kelvin Benjamin is a breakout candidate, but he can't do it by himself.

11. Chicago Bears (20-1)

The Chicago Bears are a team with high upside. The offense is set with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. The defense is also strong after the additions of Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and rookies Kyle Fuller, Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson.

It will come down to how well they fare against their divisional foes, but the Bears can be a force in the NFC.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (20-1)

This team will go as far as Nick Foles goes. If he can repeat last year's success, Chip Kelly's Eagles will be the class of the NFC East yet again.

The defense must step up as well, as opposing quarterbacks were able to carve the Eagles up through the air. An improved secondary will help this team immensely.

9. Indianapolis Colts (20-1)

Look out for Andrew Luck.

T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks give him three viable options to exploit in the passing game. Trent Richardson's success will certainly impact his own, but Luck will still provide quality numbers to an Indianapolis Colts team that could be one of the top seeds in the AFC.

8. Baltimore Ravens (40-1)

It's all about Bernard Pierce and Ray Rice for the Baltimore Ravens. The running game was abysmal during last year's up-and-down season, and Joe Flacco couldn't do it all on his own.

If the Ravens can average upwards of 4.0 yards per carry, then the offense will be good enough to keep up with their defense and win some games.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (40-1)

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Fresh off a big extension, Andy Dalton has a lot to prove this season. A.J. Green gives him one of the top receiving options in the NFL, and Giovani Bernard is poised to break out big time in his second year. Bernard will help open up the passing game for Dalton, but remember something: The regular season has never been Dalton's problem. The playoffs have been.

6. New England Patriots (7-1)

Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty are going to make many quarterbacks angry in the near future, and they'll be the big guys making plays on defense for the New England Patriots. The Pats are always a candidate to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and Tom Brady's window is coming to a close. That means they'll be hungry this year.

5. New Orleans Saints (12-1)

A strong defense has gotten stronger. A strong offense has gotten more dynamic. Darren Sproles is gone, but Khiry Robinson will step up in his place. Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Brandin Cooks will be relied upon for home run plays in the flats.

Because Drew Brees is still Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints are a top team in the NFC.

4. Green Bay Packers (10-1)

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have Eddie Lacy to lean on when things get tough through the air. With this being his second season, Lacy will be asked to do even more than he did during his great rookie campaign. He and Rodgers will lead this offense deep into the playoffs.

3. San Francisco 49ers (15-2)

The San Francisco 49ers haven't been successful offensively during the preseason, but there's no reason to worry about a unit featuring Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.

Couple that unit with a defensive unit that hits harder than almost anyone else in the league, and you've got yourself a serious Super Bowl contender.

2. Denver Broncos (13-2)

Defense became a big issue in the Super Bowl, so the Denver Broncos went out and made some upgrades. T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware will add serious depth to the unit. The offense will look a little different without Knowshon Moreno and Eric Decker, but Montee Ball and Emmanuel Sanders are more than capable of replacing that production.

Oh yeah. And they have Peyton Manning.

1. Seattle Seahawks (6-1)

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Last year's dominant Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks return the Legion of Boom and multiple key performers on offense. Losing Golden Tate is a tough pill to swallow, but they'll replace him with a full season of Percy Harvin.

Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch will lead this offense back into the chase for the Super Bowl yet again.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @KennyDeJohn_BR