My 2025 NFL Power Rankings
- Linus O'Howell
- Aug 24
- 10 min read
With Preseason nearly coming to a close, it’s time for me to give my Power Rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL Season! If you’re new to this series or what a reminder as to how this works, I add up Offense, Defense, and Quarterback Rankings together to give an overall Rankings Table! Make sense, let’s get started!
32. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints were pretty poor last year, they finished last in the NFC South, and their 5-12 record was enough for them to end up as the second worst team in the NFC! Heading into this season, New Orleans have arguably the worst offense and defense in the league, and Tyler Shough is completely unproven at Quarterback! Because of this, The Saints have dropped 16 (yes, 16) places from last year’s Rankings!
31. Carolina Panthers
Whilst the Carolina Panthers did improve last season, not finishing bottom of the NFC South was a (small) accomplishment, they still weren’t very good as they ended up 5-12! Heading into this season, Carolina don’t look particularly good on either offense or defense, and I’m really not sure about Bryce Young! On the bright side, The Panthers have risen a place from last year’s Rankings (incredible scenes)!
30. Tennessee Titans
Not only did the Tennessee Titans finish last in the AFC South, but they also ended up as the worst team in the entire league, with just 3 wins all year! Heading into this season, Tennessee look to have the worst defense in the league (it’s between them and The Saints), but they will at least have a tiny bit of hope with Number 1 Draft pick Cam Ward! However, that’s ultimately not enough for The Titans as I have them 1 place lower than this time 12 months ago!
29. New York Jets
For the second-straight year, the New York Jets proved to be bitterly disappointing as Aaron Rodgers could only guide his men to 5 wins! Heading into this season, New York don’t really look any better on offense, with Justin Fields not exactly being a particularly proven Quarterback (at a high level)! Incredibly, The Jets have dropped a ridiculous 26 places from my 2024 Rankings, and that says a lot (about both me and this Football team)!
28. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons were a decent team last season, they finished 8-9, but they were Playoff contenders with 2 games to spare, so they’ll be slightly disappointed to have missed out! Heading into this season, Atlanta’s team looks a bit weaker, their defense isn’t very good, and Michael Penix Jr has a lot to prove! Because of this, The Falcons have dropped 13 places from last year’s Power Rankings!
27. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts comfortably finished second in the AFC South last year, with 8 wins not enough for them to make the Playoffs! Heading into this season, Indianapolis’ offense doesn’t look great at all, with Daniel Jones being the team’s starting Quarterback for Week 1 (over Anthony Richardson)! As a result, The Colts have dropped 4 places from their 2024 Ranking!
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars were really poor last year; they won just 4 games despite being a team with Playoff hopes! Heading into this season, Jacksonville don’t look to have improved that much; their side isn’t terrible, but it’s not that good either! Ultimately, The Jaguars have dropped 9 places from my 2024 Rankings; that’s a big difference!
25. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns had a horrendous 2024 Season, winning just 3 games all year, whilst everyone else in their Division ended up with a positive record! Heading into this season, Cleveland’s defense actually looks pretty decent, but the problem is their offense looks terrible; Joe Flacco is their starting Quarterback! Because of this, The Browns have dropped 13 places from this time last year!
24. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas were miles off their Division Rivals last year, finishing last with a record of 4-13 whilst the other three teams made the Playoffs! Heading into this season, Pete Carroll will have a lot of work to do in Las Vegas when it comes to both his offense and defense, with Geno Smith the new starting QB! In the end, The Raiders have dropped 5 places from their 2024 Ranking!
23. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots didn’t exactly have the best 2024, finishing bottom of the AFC East with a record of 4-13! Heading into this season, New England look to be pretty solid on defense, but their offense, lead by Drake Maye, needs to do more! On a positive note, The Patriots have at least risen 3 places from this time last year (which says a lot more about the other teams, I fear)!
22. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were easily the worst team in the NFC North last year; they finished 5-12 whilst the other 3 teams made the Playoffs! Heading into this season, Chicago look okay everywhere, I wouldn’t say they’re poor, but they don’t exactly stand out as something good either! Because of that, The Bears have stayed in exactly the same place as last year’s Rankings, 22nd place!
21. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals did a decent job to finish 8-9 last year, albeit still not coming close to making the Playoffs! Heading into this season, Arizona look very mid, meaning 21st is pretty fair (I think)! Ultimately, The Cardinals have risen 3 places from last year’s Rankings, so that’s at least a little positive!
20. New York Giants
The New York Giants were the worst team in the NFC last year, with their 3-14 record the joint-worst in the entire league! Heading into this season, New York do look better on defense, and it’s going to be a very big year for new Quarterback Russell Wilson! Despite last year’s horror show, The Giants have actually risen 11 places from my 2024 Rankings, so that’s something to keep an eye on!
19. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams did a good job to win the NFC West last year, and they ultimately made it to the Divisional Round (where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles)! Heading into this season, LA are solid everywhere, I don’t think there are many weak points, but there’s also not a huge lot of positives standing out to me! However, The Rams have risen another 2 places from last year’s Rankings, so they’re definitely rising up (they were 31st in 2023)!
18. Miami Dolphins
The 2024 Miami Dolphins suffered from too many injuries to their star Quarterback, ultimately meaning they finished with a record of 8-9! Heading into this season, Miami’s defense doesn’t look great, their offense doesn’t look much better, and it would be a surprise if Tua Tagovailoa was able to go through the entire season without picking up some kind of injury! As a result, The Dolphins have dropped 12 places from last year’s 6th spot; that’s a big fall!
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to deliver another NFC South Title last year, even though they then lost at home to the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card Round! Heading into this season, Tampa Bay continue to look like the superior team in their Division, with their offense looking good! Due to this, The Buccaneers have risen 8 places from this time last year; that’s good going!
16. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks were good in 2024, but they were even more unlucky as 10 wins proved to not be enough to make the Playoffs at all (which is absolutely crazy)! Heading into this season, Seattle have Sam Darnold at Quarterback (instead of Geno Smith), but they do look very good on defense, that’s important! In the end, The Seahawks have climbed 2 places from their 18th position in last year’s Rankings, and I’d say that’s fair given they only won one more game!
15. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings were amazing in last year’s Regular Season, but the problem for them was 14 wins still wasn’t enough to win their Division, and they ultimately got booted out of the Playoffs at the first time of asking (by the LA Rams)! Heading into this season, Minnesota look to have a Top 5 defense, something that should serve them very well, but the problem for them is J.J. McCarthy is a complete unknown after missing his entire Rookie Season due to injury! On a plus note, The Vikings have risen 12 places from my 2024 Rankings!
14. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders had a cracking 2024, making it all the way to the NFC Championship (which they got thrashed in)! Heading into this season, Washington look to be strong on offense, Jayden Daniels seems to be the real deal, but there are definitely question marks surrounding their defense! Having said that, The Commanders are 14 places higher than they were this time last year, so they’re doing a good job!
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers went on to have another positive season under Mike Tomlin, making it to the Playoffs (before they lost in Baltimore)! Heading into this season, Aaron Rodgers has arrived to be the team’s new Quarterback, whilst Pittsburgh look to have a Top 10 defense! Funnily enough, The Steelers have remained in 13th place, and that potentially means another Playoff appearance is on the way!
12. Cincinnati Bengals
Despite a strong end to the season (winning 5-straight), the Cincinnati Bengals ultimately weren’t good enough to make their way into the Playoffs! Heading into this season, Cincinnati’s hope rests fully on Joe Burrow (once again), especially as their defense looks pretty poor! Just like last year, The Bengals have dropped another 3 places in my Rankings!
11. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos surprised a lot of people by making the Playoffs last year, but unfortunately for them, they met the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round (it didn’t go very well for them)! Heading into this season, there will be some pressure on Bo Nix, mainly because Denver are widely regarded to have the best defense in the league this season! Because of that defense, and the fact that Nix proved himself last year, The Broncos have risen a massive 19 places from last year’s P30!
10. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers earnt their way into the Playoffs last season with a strong 11-6 record, but they ultimately lost in Philadelphia straight away! Heading into this season, Green Bay look to have both a Top 10 offense and defense, with Jordan Love proving himself to be a pretty steady pair of hands! I think The Packers could do well this year, and that’s why they’ve risen 1 place from this time last year!
9. Dallas Cowboys
It felt like the Dallas Cowboys had their worst season in a while last year; finishing 7-10 was bitterly disappointing! Heading into this season, Dallas look pretty good on offense, they should do well on that side of the ball, and it will be interesting to see how their defense copes! Ultimately, The Cowboys have dropped 5 places from their 4th-place Ranking last year, and I’d say that’s pretty fair given they dropped off in 2024!
8. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers had a much better Regular Season to finish 11-6, taking the Number 5 seed in the AFC, but they then got dumped out by the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round (12-32)! Heading into this season, LA seem to have both a Playoff offense and defense, and Justin Herbert is coming off his best season to date! As a result, The Chargers have risen 12 places from last year’s Rankings!
7. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 season was a complete mess, with multiple key injuries resulting in them finishing bottom of the NFC West with a record of just 6-11! Heading into this season, San Francisco still look strong on offense, Brock Purdy is very good, but their defense is questionable! Because of this, The 49ers have dropped 5 places from last year’s second spot, and it’s a complete unknown as to how they’re going to get on this season!
6. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans won the AFC South again last year before they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round! Heading into this season, their offense looks decent, but it’s Houston’s defense that looks pretty damn tough to beat! In the end, The Texans have risen another 2 places from their 2024 Ranking, and it’s going to be very interesting to see how they get on!
5. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs did everything right in both the Regular Season and in the Playoffs, until they got absolutely ripped apart in the Super Bowl! Heading into this season, Kansas City’s defense doesn’t look as strong as last year, and Patrick Mahomes will have more pressure on him this year than ever before! Because of all of this, The Chiefs have dropped 4 places from their Number 1 spot, but they’re still going to be right in the fight!
4. Buffalo Bills
As always with the Buffalo Bills, they easily won the AFC East, only to lose in Kansas City in the AFC Championship game! Heading into this season, Buffalo look to have the best offense in the league, Josh Allen is the reigning MVP, and they also boast a Top 10 defense! Because of their improvement on defense, The Bills have risen 6 places from my 2024 Rankings, and that’s important!
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The 2024 NFL Season will forever live in the memories of anyone connected to the Philadelphia Eagles as they smashed the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 59! Heading into this season, Philadelphia look set to have both a Top 5 offense and defense, and Jalen Hurts has the potential to keep improving! Whilst it feels a little crazy to not have the reigning Super Bowl Champions first in these Rankings, there are reasons for it, and it’s still worth mentioning that The Eagles have risen 11 places from this time last year!
2. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were the team to beat in the Regular Season, taking the Number 1 seed in the NFC, but it all came crashing down when they got blown out of the water by the Washington Commanders (in their first Playoff game)! Heading into this season, Detroit’s offense in particular looks amazing, Jared Goff continues to grow in my estimation, and their defense is also pretty strong! In the end, The Lions have risen 5 places to end up as my top NFC team, but they still didn’t quite have enough to take the Number 1 spot overall!
1. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were once again the team to beat in the AFC North, but they ultimately fell short in the Playoffs, losing 25-27 in Buffalo (in the Divisional Round)! Heading into this season, Baltimore look scary; both their offense and defense look elite, and Lamar Jackson is coming off one of the greatest Quarterback seasons of all time! This team was 5th in my 2024 Rankings, but for me, The Ravens fully merit being the team to beat heading into the 2025 NFL Season; they look like a beast!
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