Week 1 NFL Power Rankings
Looking for 2026 Week 1 NFL Power Rankings? The NFL Week 1 schedule kicks off this week, and we here at Cappers Picks can’t wait! With so much on the line where does your favorite team stand heading into Week 1? How does your team stack up? Hit us back below we’d love to hear from you. We’ll be back next week with another edition of our 2026 Weekly NFL Power Rankings.
NFL Football Handicapping
The wait is over — dive into our bold take on the 2026 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings and see who’s rising before the next week of games. Let’s take a look at Ray Monohan’s 2026 Week 1 NFL Power Rankings for the 2026 season.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Rams general manager Les Snead was back to making big moves with a Super Bowl outlook for this team that’s felt close each of the past two seasons when they lost to the eventual NFC champion in the playoffs.
Adding Trent McDuffie, swapping Jared Verse for Myles Garrett, and bringing back Rams legend Aaron Donald to the defense, and knowing what the offense can do with reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford at the helm, make the Rams the clear favorites in the league this season, and its biggest power player.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The defending champions are pretty much running it back with the team that had such an impressive run through the NFC playoffs a year ago. The running game and how the offense functions without Klint Kubiak will be something to keep an eye on, but there certainly aren’t any question marks surrounding Mike Macdonald’s defense.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have alternated terrific seasons culminating in Super Bowl runs with really lackluster outings. If that trend continues this year, they’ll be Super Bowl bound once again. The talent is certainly there, with general manager Howie Roseman having another masterful offseason. The pressure will be on new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion to get the offense right, and Jalen Hurts is on the clock in Philly.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have built a quality roster around all-world quarterback Josh Allen and the time is now for them to finally make good on the promise they’ve shown for years. The team’s made a change in the coaching ranks to try to get over the hump, but the improvement is going to need to come on the field.
5. Denver Broncos
The Broncos appeared poised to go into the AFC title game as the favorites before the shock loss of Bo Nix. They’re running it back with what might be the deepest and most talented roster in the AFC, all while head coach Sean Payton is poised to climb into the top-10 in career coaching wins.
6. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens underperformed last year but appear poised for a major bounceback, particularly at quarterback. Lamar Jackosn has won the MVP award in his first year with a new offensive coordinator twice before, and Declan Doyle could be the next in line to guide him there.
7. Detroit Lions
The Lions are another prime bounceback candidate, but they’ll need to win in different ways than they did a couple seasons ago when they were the top team in the NFC. The Detroit defense isn’t quite as good as it was back then, but the Lions’ offense could overcome those deficiencies.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs fans are focused on the recovery of Patrick Mahomes, but this is a team that will look vastly different upon his return. The addition of Kenneth Walker at running back will allow Andy Reid to go back to his roots and rides a big-time running back.
9. Chicago Bears
The Bears could be a team due for some negative regression after an impressive showing in one-score games a year ago. Or they could continue to be a team on the rise as they enter year two under Ben Johnson and his ascending offense.
10. Houston Texans
A year ago we saw the Seahawks ride an elite defense through the playoffs and to a Super Bowl title. This year, the Texans will look to follow that blueprint to the organization’s first Super Bowl. We know what their defense can do – the type of year they have will come down to the other side of the ball and the kind of year C.J. Stroud and the offense will have.
From breakout rookies to revamped rosters, our 2026 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings break down every team’s trajectory heading into the season.
The Rest Of Our 2026 Week 1 NFL Power Rankings
11. New England Patriots
12. San Francisco 49ers
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Green Bay Packers
15. Cincinnati Bengals
16. Dallas Cowboys
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Indianapolis Colts
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Minnesota Vikings
21. New York Giants
22. Washington Commanders
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
24. Carolina Panthers
25. New Orleans Saints
Whether you’re fading the hype or betting on a sleeper, the bottom tier of our 2026 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings might just hold the season’s biggest surprise.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
27. Atlanta Falcons
28. New York Jets
29. Arizona Cardinals
30. Tennessee Titans
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Cleveland Browns
Today’s NFL Football Sportsbook Offers
Thanks for reading our 2026 Week 1 NFL Power Rankings – Handicapping blog post. Did you know you can bet on any NFL Matchups with our top recommended online sportsbooks & NFL football betting apps. At this time, we do the hard work for you, and we review the best football gambling sites online.
- VIP Program
- Mobile Betting
- Crypto
- Early Lines
- High Limits
- NEW VIP Rewards
- VIP Program
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting!
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting
- 48 Hour Payouts
- 35% Crypto Bonus
- Live Betting
- Mobile Friendly
MyBookie (CappersPicks.com Favorite Book)
Looking to cash in before Week 1 even arrives? MyBookie has you covered with tons of NFL futures, Week 1 props, and preseason betting markets. Even better, new users can grab a generous sign-up bonus to boost their bankroll from the start.
Additionally, their live odds are updated constantly, so you’re never behind the line. Whether you’re backing a top contender or taking a shot on a dark horse, MyBookie makes it easy — and profitable — to get in on the action.
Additionally, you can register here for a FREE NFL football picks account now for daily picks & more special offers! After that, check us out on Linktr.ee!
Leave a Reply