2026 NFL Power Rankings: Best (and Worst) NFL Teams Right Now

After a flurry of activity during the NFL offseason, the league’s contenders have bolstered their ranks for another run at the championship while teams toward the bottom of the league have triaged and attempted to fix what went wrong last season.

So, which teams are looking like the most likely to make a deep playoff run, or even hoist the Lombardi Trophy? Here are the complete power rankings for the NFL heading into the new season, factoring in strength of schedule and outlook for the year ahead.

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What NFL Teams Will Be the Best in 2026?

Right now, the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are expected to be the best teams in the NFL during the 2026 regular season. Of those four, the Broncos currently have the easiest strength of schedule.

NFL Team Rankings for 2026-27 from Strongest to Weakest

So, which NFL teams look like true contenders this season, and which are hovering around the bottom of the barrel? Let’s take a look at the power rankings. (Strength of schedule is ranked 1 – 32, easiest to hardest, using ESPN’s data.)

1. Los Angeles Rams

2025-26 Finish: 12-5

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 20th (0.516)

The Rams were in a slugfest with the Seattle Seahawks for much of last year’s NFC race, and we expect the same this year. Matthew Stafford put up an MVP-caliber season, Puka Nacua posted huge numbers and this team looked ready for another playoff run, but its defense let it down at key moments. The Rams addressed that in one of the most dramatic ways possible, trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

Garrett instantly elevates a defense that finished top 10 last year into one of the best units in the league, and that’s before factoring in the addition of Trent McDuffie, who adds premier talent to the secondary. It’s a lot to ask Stafford to repeat an MVP-type season in Year 18, but maybe he won’t have to with an even better supporting cast around him this year. Ask anybody around the league right now and the Rams look like Super Bowl favorites. If Aaron Donald somehow makes a comeback, you might be able to hear the collective gasp from the rest of the league from anywhere in the continental US.

2. Seattle Seahawks

2025-26 Finish: 14-3, Super Bowl champions

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 19th (0.514)

The Seahawks were the best team in the NFL last year from nearly start to finish, taking home the Super Bowl in coach Mike Macdonald’s second season on the job. Jaxson Smith-Njigba emerged as a bona fide superstar, Sam Darnold helped silence some of his critics, and this defense was the most impressive unit in the league all season.

Seattle lost some key pieces on both sides of the ball, but the talent that remains should keep the Seahawks firmly in the playoff hunt. First things first, though: they have to get through a division that’s one of the toughest in football.

3. Denver Broncos

2025-26 Finish: 14-3

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 18th (0.512)

The Broncos entered the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed but lost in the AFC Championship game. After Bo Nix finished their divisional round win with a fractured ankle, backup Jarrett Stidham took over in a blizzard, but the Broncos’ sensational season ended at the hands of the New England Patriots.

With Patrick Surtain II, Nik Bonitto and the rest of the crew on defense, this unit should remain one of the best in the league. With the addition of Jaylen Waddle at wide receiver, the offense just got even more firepower around Nix. The Chargers and Chiefs should be a little better within their own division, but there’s nothing to indicate the Broncos can’t repeat as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

4. Buffalo Bills

2025-26 Finish: 12-5

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 25th (0.528)

The Bills will remain Super Bowl contenders so long as Josh Allen is behind center. Another impressive year from Allen was matched by James Cook, who led the league in rushing and helped make Buffalo one of the most potent offenses in football. The Bills added DJ Moore on the outside and they have lot of enthusiasm with offensive coordinator turned head coach Joe Brady to reinvigorate the energy.

But their challenge will be on defense, particularly stopping the run. Buffalo had the worst run defense in the NFL last season, and that spells trouble for anyone hoping to make a deep playoff run.

5. Houston Texans

2025-26 Finish: 12-5

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 7th (0.474)

The Texans had the AFC’s best defense all of last year, a major reason they reached the divisional round. Will Anderson Jr. emerged as one of the league’s best defensive stars, Derek Stingley Jr. as an All-Pro in the secondary and with the entire unit returning, expect Houston to once again field one of the league’s stoutest defenses.

The question marks are on offense. The last we saw of C.J. Stroud, he threw four first-half interceptions in a divisional round loss to the Patriots. Houston added David Montgomery in the backfield to help ease that pressure and retooled the offensive line. Now it’s time for Stroud to show his breakout rookie season wasn’t a fluke and that he’s the premier passer the Texans drafted him to be.

6. New England Patriots

2025-26 Finish: 14-3, Super Bowl runners-up

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 27th (0.531)

The Patriots were one of the biggest surprises last season with a 14-3 record, the AFC East title and the AFC’s No. 2 seed. They slugged out hard-fought playoff wins before ultimately falling to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. In Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel, the Pats seem to have potentially found their Brady-Belichick 2.0.

This year, they made a huge splash in acquiring A.J. Brown from the Eagles, who finally gives Drake Maye an elite man-coverage breaking threat on the outside. It’s difficult to imagine New England repeating last year’s exact performance, especially with a much meatier schedule ahead of them, but Maye looks like the answer at quarterback and the Patriots look built to contend for the foreseeable future.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

2025-26 Finish: 11-6

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 10th (0.481)

The Eagles had a disappointing title defense, falling in the wild card round to the 49ers after a season plagued by offensive frustration.

The rushing offense took a considerable step back, and the passing game was one of the least impressive in the league. The answer: trade A.J. Brown. The passing offense now runs through DeVonta Smith and rookie Makai Lemon with the hopes that Saquon Barkley and this Philly O-line can rediscover their 2024 magic.

What keeps Philadelphia in the top 10 this year is its defense. This unit is littered with Pro Bowlers from Jalen Carter up front to cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell in the secondary.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

2025-26 Finish: 13-4

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 11th (0.490)

The 2025-26 Jaguars finally reached the level many thought they would when they drafted Trevor Lawrence. They finished 13-4 as the No. 3 seed in the AFC, and Lawrence was on a tear in the latter half of the season. Jacksonville lost RB Travis Etienne Jr. in the offseason, but they have confidence in Bhayshul Tuten. With a more dynamic passing attack, that loss might be offset. The Jaguars should once again be in contention for the AFC South and a scary matchup for anyone they face in the playoffs.

9. Chicago Bears

2025-26 Finish: 11-6

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 32nd, hardest (0.550)

After a middling rookie season, Caleb Williams broke out under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Chicago repeatedly showed grit with fourth-quarter comebacks and dramatic game-winning drives, but their season still ended in heartbreak.

This year Chicago has the hardest schedule of any team in the league and will need another jump from Williams in his second season in Johnson’s system. Luther Burden III is a breakout candidate, Colston Loveland looked the part of a first-round tight end and lost in the shuffle of all that hype is Rome Odunze, who looked every bit the part of bona fide No. 1 receiver.

10. Los Angeles Chargers

2025-26 Finish: 11-6

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 24th (0.522)

The Chargers put together a solid regular season but went out with a whimper in the wild card round of the playoffs, mustering just three points against the Patriots. This year the Chargers’ biggest addition came on the sideline in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. His goal is to unlock another level from Herbert, second-year running back Omarion Hampton and burgeoning star Ladd McConkey.

11. Baltimore Ravens

2025-26 Finish: 8-9

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 9th (0.479)

It was a season of unraveling for the Baltimore Ravens. Atop the AFC North at the midpoint of the season, Baltimore lost four of their last five games and missed the playoffs. As a result, they have a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades after John Harbaugh was let go and Jesse Minter was hired.

They signed Trey Hendrickson to sure up their pass rush to dramatically improve their defense. On offense, they extended Zay Flowers after another 1,200-yard season and took some swings with Elijiah Sarratt and Ja’Kobi Lane in the mid rounds at wide receiver. A healthy Lamar Jackson and new vibes make this year primed for a Baltimore bounce back, but they’re up against massive expectations.

12. San Francisco 49ers

2025-26 Finish: 12-5

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 15th (0.497)

The 49ers finished 12-5 and yet still finished third in their own division just sneaking into the playoffs. They won their wild card matchup before getting blown out by the Seahawks in the divisional round.

The story for San Francisco, as it always seems to, will come down to health. They were once again among the most banged-up teams last season, and George Kittle is working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered in the wild card round. Offseason additions Mike Evans and Christian Kirk have already missing time in training camp, and 49ers fans hold their breath every time Christian McCaffrey touches the ball. On paper, this is a playoff team. Unfortunately, the game is played on the field.

13. Detroit Lions

2025-26 Finish: 9-8

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 6th (0.467)

The Lions had a disappointing finish to 2025, finishing third in the NFC North and missing the playoffs after winning two straight division titles during a surge in performance over the last few seasons.

The Lions’ bright spot was the breakout of Jahmyr Gibbs, who established himself as one of the premier playmakers in the NFL and is the clear focal point of Detroit’s offense. The Lions are also hoping for bigger steps forward from Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa at wide receiver. They need a much better performance from their defense to get back into the hunt for their own division.

14. Green Bay Packers

2025-26 Finish: 9-7-1

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 29th (0.538)

The Packers snuck in as the No. 7 seed in last year’s NFC playoffs before losing to division rival Chicago in devastating fashion. The offense sings when Jordan Love is healthy and playing like a franchise quarterback. Christian Watson is getting the ball in space, Tucker Kraft is recovered from a torn ACL and Matthew Golden is primed to break out. It’s a fearsome unit, to be sure, but we have to see it to believe it.

Defense will be the challenge for the Packers. They lost their defensive coordinator, resident superstar Micah Parson will miss at least a few weeks to start the season and pass rusher Rashan Gary was traded in the offseason. There’s a lot to figure out on defense for a team with one of the hardest schedules in the league.

15. Cincinnati Bengals

2025-26 Finish: 6-11

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 3rd (0.450)

The Bengals finished a disappointing 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season. Joe Burrow missed much of the year with a turf toe injury, and his inability to stay healthy has officially become a theme of his career.

Cincinnati has a trio of dynamite playmakers around him in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, and the Bengals finally addressed their defensive line, adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe, massive upgrades over what the unit rolled out a year ago. This is a division-winning team if they are at full strength.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2025-26 Finish: 8-9

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 12th (0.491)

The Buccaneers missed the playoffs last year on a tiebreaker after finishing 8-9. The offense battled injuries all season, and Tampa Bay had one of the worst pass defenses in the league.

The Buccaneers made considerable upgrades on defense, bringing in Alex Anzalone from Detroit and drafting Rueben Bain Jr., viewed as one of the premier pass rushers in this year’s class.

On offense, the addition of Kenneth Gainwell adds depth and versatility to the backfield. But this WR room might be better called the IR room. Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Chris Godwin are all working through injuries putting WR1 responsibilities squarely on the shoulders of sophomore Emeka Egbuka. The NFC South, as always, is up for grabs, and Tampa has as good a shot as anybody.

17. Kansas City Chiefs

2025-26 Finish: 6-11

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 28th (0.536)

The Chiefs had their worst season of the Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes era in 2025-26, finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time in their star quarterback’s tenure. Things were made worse by Mahomes tearing his ACL. It looks like he’ll be ready for Week 1, but there are still plenty of question marks about the offense’s efficacy. Their answers are bringing back offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy and assing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, a huge upgrade on the ground that should help take pressure off Mahomes and the passing attack.

Questions also linger on Kansas City on defense. The Chiefs traded away All-Pro Trent McDuffie but drafted Mansoor Delane in the first round to help replace him. He was the first of four picks in this year’s draft went toward defense. It’s a time of reinvention in KC and the hope is that some good ol’ fashioned Mahomes Magic can accelerate the process.

18. Dallas Cowboys

2025-26 Finish: 7-9-1

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 13th (0.493)

The Cowboys were a tale of two units last year. On offense they were a top five attack and one of the most dynamic passing teams in the league. On defense, especially after Micah Parsons’ departure, they were one of the worst.

This year, Dallas is rolling out much of the same offense while making key upgrades on defense, a process that started midseason a year ago with the addition of Quinnen Williams from the Jets. In the draft, the Cowboys took Caleb Downs, largely considered the best prospect in this year’s class before falling due to positional value. He’ll slot in at safety to help the run defense along with Rashan Gary acquired from the Packers to shore up its front four. On paper, these moves are massive upgrades over a year ago, and if it all comes together, they could be enough to bring the Cowboys back into contention for the division and a playoff spot.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers

2025-26 Finish: 10-7

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 14th (0.495)

The Steelers once again finished with a winning record in Mike Tomlin’s final season with the team but fizzled out in the first round of the playoffs. Entering 2026, Pittsburgh has a new coach for the first time in nearly two decades. Mike McCarthy is reunited with Aaron Rodgers in what may be his last hurrah, and he’s got a new wide receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf. It’s difficult to know what’s left in the tank for Rodgers, but it’s also difficult to imagine a Steelers team that isn’t somehow competing for the division at the end of the year, however average it may look on paper.

20. Carolina Panthers

2025-26 Finish: 8-9

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 23rd (0.521)

The Panthers ripped the NFC South away from Tampa Bay to make the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. It was enough to stir some excitement in the Carolinas. Bryce Young looked more capable, Tetairoa McMillan looks like a legit No. 1 receiver and Jonathon Brooks is expected to finally return to the backfield.

On defense, Carolina added Jaelan Phillips to bolster the defensive line and drafted tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round to provide even more protection for Young. The NFC South will once again be a scrap, but Carolina’s outlook heading into this season looks a lot better than it has in recent years.

21. New Orleans Saints

2025-26 Finish: 6-11

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 2nd (0.434)

After being considered the worst team entering the 2025 season, the Saints surprised many by finishing 6-11. That’s not overly impressive on paper, but four of those six wins came in the final five weeks of the season, all with rookie Tyler Shough under center. The team appears to have found its footing in Kellen Moore’s system late in the year. With the addition of Travis Etienne Jr. to revitalize the backfield and the drafting of Jordan Tyson, the second-ranked receiver heading into this year’s draft, the Saints may have done enough to vault themselves back into legitimate contention for the division and a sneaky spoiler.

22. Minnesota Vikings

2025-26 Finish: 9-8

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 22nd (0.519)

The Vikings had a disappointing 2025. After finishing 14-3 in 2024, Minnesota took a step back, finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs, salvaging the season somewhat with a five-game win streak to close the year.

The big question mark heading into this season is at quarterback, where J.J. McCarthy, after a lackluster rookie year, will battle newly signed Kyler Murray, who is looking for a career reset in Minnesota. Whoever wins the job will carry the expectation of bringing the Vikings back into playoff contention and perhaps preserving Kevin O’Connell’s job.

23. Indianapolis Colts

2025-26 Finish: 8-9

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 5th (0.465)

The Colts were one of the hottest teams in the NFL to start the year, jumping out to an 8-1 record before the wheels came off when Daniel Jones tore his Achilles. Indianapolis was top five in both passing and rushing offense, with Jonathan Taylor having another stellar season, but when Jones went down, so did the Colts’ chances. The quarterback room situation ended up becoming dire enough that Philip Rivers had to step out of retirement and under center at the tail end of the season.

Entering 2026, the major question is whether last year was simply a fluke. Jones is coming back from the Achilles injury with real questions about whether he can be as effective as he was a year ago, and in a division that has suddenly become much more competitive with the ascension of the Jaguars, the elite defense of the Texans and even a sneaky Titans team, the Colts have their work cut out for them.

24. Washington Commanders

2025-26 Finish: 5-12

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 17th (0.502)

After an electrifying rookie season from Jayden Daniels, the Commanders plummeted to a 5-12 record. With Daniels healthy, there’s reason for optimism. The signings of Chig Okonkwo, Stefon Diggs and Odafe Oweh, plus the drafting of Sonny Styles, means Washington has made plenty of moves to improve its roster. If Daniels can stay in the game, they have a chance to reclaim their division.

25. Atlanta Falcons

2025-26 Finish: 8-9

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 4th (0.465)

The Falcons missed the playoffs last year on an NFC South tiebreaker. Star RB Bijan Robinson had a breakout season. Kyle Pitts and Drake London impressed, too, and the defense put on a strong performance.

If those trends sustain, incoming head coach Kevin Stefanski could help Atlanta becomes one of the best in the league, but he’s stepped back into a situation he’s become all too accustomed to: a QB battle. Atlanta is deciding between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. with no clear leader yet. Whoever wins the job will have no shortage of offensive weapons, including newly added rookie Zachariah Branch, who has already become a training camp standout.

26. Tennessee Titans

2025-26 Finish: 3-14

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 8th (0.476)

The Titans finished 3-14 in 2025-26, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, looked every bit the prospect he was billed as, and this season the Titans have surrounded him with legitimate receiving threats.

Wan’Dale Robinson impressed during his time with the Giants and signed a four-year deal, and at No. 4 overall Tennessee drafted Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. The early connection between Ward and Tate already looks like it could be a dynamic tandem for years to come. Gunnar Helm also looks like the future at tight end in Tennessee.

On defense, new coach Robert Saleh pairs All-Pro Jeffrey Simmons with John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II in what could be a much-improved unit. No one expects the Titans to make a run at the division or a playoff spot, but this is a team on the upswing that’s ready to trap teams.

27. New York Giants

2025-26 Finish: 4-13

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 16th (0.498)

The Giants finished 4-13 after some mid-season excitement thanks to Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, but all three battled injuries the rest of the way and the season got away from New York. The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll and brought in John Harbaugh from Baltimore to bring some championship experience to the coaching staff.

Harbaugh brought in former Ravens Patrick Ricard and Isaiah Likely to beef up the offense. Ricard and Skattebo might be the most bruising backfield mates in the NFL. On the other side, the Giants’ defensive front seven is one of the most talented and deep in the league. New York drafted arguably the best player in the 2026 draft in Arvell Reese, who now joins Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Tremaine Edmunds in one of the most dynamic linebacking cores in the NFL. Despite all that, NY has a big hill to climb.

28. Las Vegas Raiders

2025-26 Finish: 3-14

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 26th (0.529)

The Raiders finished as the league’s worst team and were rewarded with the No. 1 overall pick, selecting Heisman winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza at QB. It’s unclear whether Mendoza will start the year or whether the Raiders will ease him in behind the veteran Kirk Cousins. What is clear is that when he does take the field, he’ll have one the league’s best tight ends in Brock Bowers to throw to and a bruising tailback in Ashton Jeanty to hand off to. New coach Klint Kubiak has a major reclamation project ahead of him and will hope to recreate the kind of success he had in Seattle.

29. New York Jets

2025-26 Finish: 3-14

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 21st (0.517)

The Jets are reuniting with Geno Smith as they transition into the next era of their franchise. They will be looking for a prize ticket to the Arch Manning sweepstakes to be the final piece on an offense with Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Kenyan Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. on the depth chart. Head coach Aaron Glenn might very well be coaching for his job, but the Jets are just trying to be the best football team in New York City.

30. Cleveland Browns

2025-26 Finish: 5-12

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 1st, easiest (0.429)

The Browns have a new head coach in Todd Monken but a massive question mark at quarterback, as usual. Right now, there’s a battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with a plan for the two to alternate preseason starts to help decide who gets the ball Week 1. They’ll lead an offense who drafted wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston plus Spencer Fano at tackle in the first two rounds.

Cleveland was part of the off-season’s biggest trade, sending Myles Garrett to the Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and draft picks. This is a team looking to the future with promising pieces everywhere expect the most important position: QB. Hello, Arch Manning?

31. Arizona Cardinals

2025-26 Finish: 3-14

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 30th (0.538)

The Cardinals were tied for the worst record in the NFL last year and used the third pick to draft Jeremiah Love, one of the best prospects in the draft. That is where the promise ends for the Cardinals.

TBD whether Marvin Harrison Jr. is the star he was hyped to be, Trey McBride is one of the best tight ends in football, but with Jacoby Brissett under center, the ceiling isn’t especially high in Arizona. First-year head coach Mike LaFleur we’ll likely be positioned to draft one of the top passers at the top of the 2027 draft.

32. Miami Dolphins

2025-26 Finish: 7-10

2026-27 Strength of Schedule: 31st (0.542)

The Dolphins are in full reset mode after firing Mike McDaniel, moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, trading Jaylen Waddle and releasing Tyreek Hill. With Malik Willis under center and Jeff Hafley on the sidelines, it’s a former Packer takeover.

The Dolphins still have playmakers, including running back De’Von Achane and one of the best linebackers in the league in Jordyn Brooks running the defense. But it’s unclear what to expect from Miami with one of the toughest schedules in the league and a completely new identity to form.

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