Week 1 Kickoff Power Rankings
The only rankings that matter heading into the 2023 season
Brandon Banter
At the opening of each newsletter, there will be a little banter that could be from an encounter I had from the previous week or of a prior memory that stands out, connecting the upcoming week in the NFL.
When the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday Night Football, it will be the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy that hit the country on September 11, 2001.
The deaths of 2,977 victims will be remembered, and the lives of countless others who were affected and are still dealing with the loss and medical issues caused by that day.
My brothers and I had just turned five a few weeks earlier, and on that warm September day, we were playing Army with our friend Keith in the backyard.
Once news of the tragedy hit our home, we were quickly called inside, trying to understand what was happening. I remember the phone call between my Mom and Dad as we sat there stunned at the television, asking many questions, not understanding the severity of what happened.
My Dad was a police officer for Long Hill Township in New Jersey. With his department so close to the city, my family didn’t know if he would be called in to help on that day or with the clean-up afterward.
Even though there was a great deal of loss that day, I’ve learned as Americans, we are not down for long. We get back up and move forward while honoring those who were lost.
So, as the Jets and Bills take the field for their season opener, I ask you just hold your loved ones a little tighter or call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years. Every day is another chance to make the most of our opportunity and do something special.
Welcome to Week 1 of the NFL season. We are now on the precipice of having football return to our lives between now and the chilly months of January and February.
Even after the Detroit Lions’ shocking victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, that won’t sway where I think both teams end up by season’s end.
It’s time to rank where the league stands from first to worst, and by God, some teams don’t look good before they even take a snap.
In my humble opinion, there is a clear team that is No. 1 and No. 32. The rest we’ll have to sort through together.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
There’s no reason to pick any team other than the Chiefs in this spot.
Even though things looked out of sorts on Thursday night, Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback of his generation and is on a trajectory to be the greatest of all time. I am not looking to be “against the grain” with the No. 1 spot.
However, if they start the season with a few more rocky starts, it could cost them
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Even though it’s the Eagles, they have done nothing since the Super Bowl loss to waver my belief they have one of the best young rosters in the NFL. Given the two new faces calling the offense and defense, it’ll be interesting to see where the season starts.
If the team starts slow, look for the Philadelphia radio stations to be flooded with calls about the coordinators.
If they pick up where they left off, Jalen Hurts will be on the fast track to MVP.
3. Buffalo Bills
The hourglass is starting to run out for the Bills. To no fault of their own, it’s been heartbreak after heartbreak to end their run in the playoffs.
While the offense can still dominate with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, consider the defense a top-five unit. Somehow, they have kept their defense together for five years.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is healthy, and Ja’Marr Chase is healthy.
Both players came out of the gates lightning quick in the season opener in 2021 and took that all the way to the Super Bowl. It will be a rumble in the jungle if they can recapture that magic.
However, when you look at their defense from a season ago, they did lose Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency, so that could be tough to replace with a second-year player in Daxton Hill.
5. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers got their Defensive Player of the Year back just in time for the season opener. Nick Bosa is as good as it gets, and having him against the Pittsburgh Steelers sways my opinion of where they start the season.
The biggest question they must answer is what year two looks like for Mr. Irrelevant quarterback Brock Purdy. After suffering a UCL injury, the second-year signal caller beat out two former first-round talents to keep the starting job in camp.
This team will go as far as Purdy takes them, and fans are hopeful it’s to another NFC Championship game, their fourth in five years.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Oh, America’s Team. Yes, that’s right, they are still the team America loves to root for and root against. On paper, this team could rival the talent of the 2007 team and even some of the 90s.
Led by quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive end Micah Parsons, 2023 looks like the Cowboys’ best shot at winning another ring. But can they finally get over the playoff hump to an NFC Championship? It’ll be a while before we need to answer that question.
7. New York Jets
After a long offseason of hope and a New York City spotlight for Aaron Rodgers, can the King of the Jungle deliver on his promise for a Lombardi run?
The Jets have a case for the most talented roster in the NFL, especially on defense. Their squad has the reigning Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year winners and a mix of veteran leadership that can guide their youth.
Can it all come together in just one offseason? I don’t know; Tom Brady and the Bucs did it—why not the Jets?
8. Miami Dolphins
There’s been buzz surrounding Miami sports for months now. With expectations as high as it’s been for the Dolphins, can they make more waves than Miami FC did by signing Lionel Messi?
Probably not—BUT they certainly can try with more 80-yard touchdown bombs to the fastest wide receivers in the league, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Much like the 49ers, the Dolphins need help from the quarterback to stay healthy and efficient. If Tua Tagovailoa can do that, he could gain some serious consideration in MVP voting.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Given the disaster that was the 2021 season for the Jaguars under Urban Meyer, they performed WAYYY above my expectations.
It was an up-and-down start for Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson, but by the end of the year, the team found its swagger and looked like a top-three team. After their historic playoff comeback, where do things begin in Jacksonville?
Their offense will have to do some heavy lifting, but anything is possible with Sunshine as their quarterback.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert and Kellen Moore reportedly have a great connection. Chargers fans have asked for explosive plays from their offense, given the talent at quarterback. Moore is the perfect OC for the job.
While he was the offensive coordinator of the Cowboys, he got the absolute best out of Dak Prescott and turned the team into one of the top-scoring offenses for multiple years.
This wasn’t just a hire to be a flash in the pan after one year. No, Moore and Herbert could create sustained Magic that rivals Disney for many more seasons.
11. Seattle Seahawks
The one team that could surprise us all and be near the top by the end of the season is the Seattle Seahawks.
When they were supposed to be in a transition year after trading away Russell Wilson, they became a Wild Card team with promise. Almost all of their draft picks hit to be day-one contributors and even had a few unsung heroes, like Mike Jackson, step up.
Geno Smith might have the best trio of wideouts in the NFL, and it’s time to let Geno cook.
12. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is the centerpiece of a new offense under Todd Monken. Jackson would love to throw for 5,000 yards in this offense, but his running ability will be his most dangerous weapon.
While the offense looks great, adding new faces like Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the defense looks a little suspect. The Ravens always find a way to build a solid defense, but is it all smoke and mirrors right now? We’ll see.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Seahawks, the Steelers will be in the top ten conversation after Week 2. They have a tough matchup at home with the 49ers to start the year, but it could be a fun year after that.
Kenny Pickett was the best quarterback of the preseason, so can he continue that when it counts? I think so. He has George Pickens and Diontae Johnson to throw to and a revamped offensive line to work behind.
Mike Tomlin needs more appreciation regarding the head coaches who define this generation. The man has never had a losing season.
14. Detroit Lions
I love what I saw from the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, but I need to see more to become a complete believer.
Don’t get me wrong; I think they have a lot of heart and energy that stems from their head coach Dan Campbell. But how long can that last?
Can it translate over 17 games with Jared Goff at quarterback? Sure. But will it come down to them being in the mix as a Wild Card team at the very least—probably?
15. New York Giants
My new nickname for head coach Brian Daboll is “The Magic Man.” He took the laughing stock of the NFC East and turned them into a genuine playoff team.
There’s no denying what happened to the Giants last season. I don’t believe it was a one-hit-wonder. Are people really giving the Commanders a better shot at winning the division?
Not this guy. The Giants are better than what people give them credit for.
16. Minnesota Vikings
I became a bigger fan of Kirk Cousins after watching the Quarterback series on Netflix. He’s the ultimate Dad and a true competitor who will have his work cut out for him in Minnesota.
The Vikings won 13 games but were 11-0 in ones within one score. That doesn’t seem sustainable, given all the pieces they let go. Brian Flores comes in to take a young defense and make the most of it.
In what could very well be Cousins’ last season in purple, the team's success will be tethered to him and Justin Jefferson.
17. Washington Commanders
Whether or not the Commanders finish the season with a winning record, they already won this season by having Josh Harris as their new owner.
This multiple-decade stench of the team has finally been washed away, allowing fans to return to the team they love. Who knows what the team has in Sam Howell, but Washington’s defense is as tough as they come.
Nine wins would feel like they are on top of the world and can keep building from there.
18. New Orleans Saints
It’ll be a neck-and-neck race between the Saints and the Falcons in a lackluster division. As you can see, that’s why they are No. 18 & No. 19 respectively.
New Orleans gets the edge simply by who I believe in more at quarterback. Desmond Ridder could be great, but Derek Carr has been underrated for years and is now with a competent franchise.
19. Atlanta Falcons
All I can say is Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
The rest, see above for more details.
20. Tennessee Titans
In January 2020, the Titans were in the AFC Championship game, getting there by old school, hard-nosed football. Ever since then, it’s been a painful stumble down the mountain.
Who are the 2023 Tennessee Titans? Ryan Tannehill can be one of the league’s best when he’s hot, but he missed a ton of time last season with injuries. Derrick Henry is getting older, and the defense has some essential parts, but is that enough?
The Titans are floating in a vortex between competing and rebuilding. They must pick a side by the end of the season and stick with it.
21. Cleveland Browns
If the Cleveland Browns were in the NFC South or NFC North, no question they’d be the favorite to win the division and make the playoffs.
Unfortunately, with Aaron Rodgers and Sean Payton coming over to play in their conference, ten wins might not be good enough for a Wild Card spot.
If their offense can take a cohesive step between Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson, it could be all systems go. I just want Nick Chubb to win a rushing title and a Super Bowl because the man deserves it.
22. Chicago Bears
The only reason* I’m putting the Bears ahead of the Packers is betting on a Jalen Hurts leap from Justin Fields. It looked like things started to click and slow down for Fields by the end of the 2022 season.
He was one of the most dynamic runners, making him dangerous to defend. If he can keep building chemistry with D.J. Moore and (insert wide receiver name here), this could be the year Bears fans have been waiting for.
*- I also have Fields on my fantasy team
23. Green Bay Packers
Second to Kenny Pickett, Packers quarterback Jordan Love looked like he could be in for a breakout season this year.
He looked in total control of his passes, and every throw made sense, even if it wasn’t complete. Christian Watson is out for Sunday’s game, which hurts, but if he can show the same “Rodgers” trait of connecting with multiple pass catchers, he should be fine.
Similarly to Nick Chubb, I think Aaron Jones has been a generational back and doesn’t get talked about enough as being one of the league’s best.
24. New England Patriots
Correct me if I’m wrong, but have the Patriots ever been this low in power rankings to start a season?
If not, is this too low?
If yes, is this too high?
Ezekiel Elliott is in New England, and that’s fun.
25. Denver Broncos
Sean Payton took a year off from coaching only to return as a janitor to be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Last year wasn’t anything anyone expected in Denver, especially for new ownership and their massive trade to acquire Russell Wilson.
There’s a lot to be done with the Broncos, but there isn’t anyone suited better for the job than Sean Payton
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Could this be the swan song for Josh McDaniels if he can’t lead the team above .500 within the first month of the season?
The Raiders had a historic record of losses within one score games in 2022 with an uninspired defense led by Maxx Crosby. There are a lot of great players on this roster you’d hate to see end their careers in flame-out fashion in Vegas.
27. Los Angeles Rams
With Cooper Kupp missing the first game of the season and potentially heading to injured reserve, the sky is starting to crack in sunny Los Angeles.
Luckily, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Sean McVay are still in town from their Super Bowl team in 2021 to guide one of the youngest rosters in the NFL to mature quickly and see what they have.
Also, did anyone tell them they need a kicker to win games in the NFL? This is a season of IDGAF from McVay, and I love it.
28. Carolina Panthers
Two words—Bryce Young. If the “who’s who” of a coaching staff can keep the No. 1 overall draft pick from drowning his rookie season, that would be an instant success.
The Panthers have a great head coach in Frank Reich, who finally has a quarterback to mold in his image. With veteran wide receivers and a young defense, Carolina could be spicy in the mix for a division title.
29. Houston Texans
Like the Colts below and the Panthers above, the goal should be to see what the offense looks like with first-round draft pick C.J. Stroud.
Much like the Panthers, if they can string together a surprise Wild Card berth in the AFC, it will be solely on the shoulders of their head coach, DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans’ defense was better than expected last season and added veteran players like Jimmie Ward to pair with last season’s first-round corner, Derek Stingley Jr.
30. Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback Anthony Richardson will be the star of the show for the Colts this year, and that’s all that matters. First-year head coach Shane Steichen has his work cut out for him but should have enough blocks around Richardson to evaluate him moving forward.
The Colts have a problem with no Jonathan Taylor at running back, and the defense has a ton of question marks.
Wins and losses shouldn’t define Indianapolis this season; it should be what we see from Richardson.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield at quarterback is a tough pill to swallow after Bucs fans just had Tom Brady for three seasons.
The reason why they are at the bottom goes further than just Mayfield. With many aging players on the roster and a disgruntled Mike Evans, things aren’t looking up in Tampa.
Hopefully, Mayfield could be the Mayflower fans need to steer this ship in the right direction.
32. Arizona Cardinals
Glass half full—It can only go up from here!