Week 1 had its usual share of surprises to kick off the 2025 season. Beyond some contenders taking hard losses and some “weaker” teams breaking through for big wins, there were questions answered about the high potential teams.
The Super Bowl champions took care of business to start and several other NFC teams also looked super impressive. In the AFC, one old QB made his mark just like old times for a beloved franchise and fan base.
With one game left to play, here’s how all 32 teams stack up against each other in Sporting News’ power rankings ahead of Week 2:
MORE: Worst NFL overreactions to Week 1
NFL Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Eagles‘ defense had a rough time early vs. the pass with its defensive line shakeup that faced an immediate Jalen Carter ejection. The passing game also didn’t get a warmup. But when the team runs at a high level with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley — the best rushing QB-RB 1-2 punch in the NFL — it doesn’t matter much.
MORE:Â Ranking the 17 greatest Eagles players ever
2. Buffalo Bills 1-0 (2)
The Bills‘ run defense got destroyed by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. They didn’t have much of a running game. But one big break on a Henry fumble was the only opening Josh Allen needed to cap his stellar MVP passing (and running) to come back to outduel Jackson. The win sets a great early tone for the season.
MORE:Â Ranking the 15 greatest Bills players ever
3. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 (5)
The 49ers saw the invaluable mental toughness and moxie of Brock Purdy manifest in the hostile Seattle environment, fighting through his own mistakes to save his best for last, even when down George Kittle. Also, the defense is back in force with Robert Saleh, even with a lot of personnel losses.
MORE:Â Ranking the 18 greatest 49ers players ever
4. Green Bay Packers 1-0 (9)
The Packers flex defensively on the Lions and didn’t even need much of Micah Parsons (except late) to get the job done with pressure against a weakened Detroit front. Jordan Love also needed that grinding signature win at home. The Packers are back in the NFC title mix.
MORE:Â Ranking the 17 greatest Packers players ever
5. Baltimore Ravens 1-0 (3)
The Ravens looked great with Henry and Jackson for three quarters until the wheels came off offensively and defensively. Blown leads with John Harbaugh and critical mistakes late keep costing the team in big games, something that needs to be corrected well before the stakes are raised (again) in the playoffs.
MORE:Â Ranking the 13 greatest Ravens players ever
(Kirby Lee)
6. Los Angeles Chargers 1-0 (10)
The Chargers got over the hump with Justin Herbert not letting a lead go late and they showed how explosive the offense can be even with the running game working out kinks. Jim Harbaugh has developed a real threat to win the AFC in a hurry.
7. Washington Commanders 1-0 (7)
The Commanders had a rather smooth, efficient day at the office with Jayden Daniels picking up where he left off as a rookie and pushing for the early MVP lead. The defense also looked much better overall for Dan Quinn.
8. Kansas City Chiefs 0-1 (4)
The Chiefs did not have enough Patrick Mahomes in a one-dimensional pass-heavy offense without Rashee Rice (and now Xavier Worthy) to pull it out late vs. the Chargers. The pass defense concerns may linger with the Eagles next.
MORE:Â Ranking the 16 greatest Chiefs players eve
9. Los Angeles Rams 1-0 (8)
The Rams didn’t get many style points at home against the Texans with their offense not producing much despite some OK stats and their defense coming through via sacks and turnovers. But they still keep playing strong situational winning football with Sean McVay.
10. Detroit Lions 0-1 (6)
The Lions fell apart offensively without Ben Johnson, wasting a strong all-around defensive effort in Green Bay before they didn’t gat any complementary help. They must pick up those pieces fast vs. Johnson’s Bears in Week 2.
11. Denver Broncos 1-0 (11)
The Broncos didn’t expect Bo Nix to open up in a sloppy sophomore slump, but the good news is they found a.missing groove in the running game and also played shutdown defense. They need to clean up some things before facing a tougher opponent.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 (17)
The Steelers now can beat teams in another way: with offense again. Aaron Rodgers gave them their best QB play in a game since the last good days of Ben Roethlisberger. That helped their defense overcome a rough day in New York, until big addition Jalen Ramsey shut the door.
MORE:Â Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players ever
13. Cincinnati Bengals 1-0 (12)
The Bengals will be criticized for Joe Burrow and the offense going cold in the second half and not being able to pull away from the Browns. But for this team, considering the slow starts with Zac Taylor, just not starting 0-1 is massive.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0 (13)
The Buccaneers were a little worried about Baker Mayfield without Tristan Wirfs protecting him, his wide receiver corps being shorthanded and another coordinator change. But Mayfield’s competitive fire and sharp downfield passing prove he’s just become a top-tier QB, period.
15. Chicago Bears 0-0 (14)
The Bears need to make sure Caleb Williams is in the right mind-set to execute well in Johnson’s favorable offensive system or the whole promise of the sason can go away with a loss in Week 1.
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16. Minnesota Vikings 0-0 (16)
The Vikings also need to make a division statement on Monday night after seeing the Packers dispatch the Lions to get a jump. J.J. McCarthy is the key to keeping Minnesota’s edge with Kevin O’Connell.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0 (18)
The Jaguars didn’t roll offensively against the Panthers’ tough defense, save for a big run and big game overall from Travis Etienne Jr. Trevor Lawrence is working out some kinks with Coen, but they had to be pleased on the defense getting much tougher.
18. Las Vegas Raiders 1-0 (21)
The Raiders got Geno Smith to stabilize their offense and maximize passing to Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, with a big assist from rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. So far, so good for the ideal winning formula under Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll.
19. Arizona Cardinals 1-0 (24)
The Cardinals have been considered a sneaky playoff contender if Kyler Murray can be more consistent and the defense can flex a little more for Jonathan Gannon. So far, so good but let’s see it vs. someone other than the NFL’s worst team.
20. Indianapolis Colts 1-0 (30)
The Colts jumped up here despite facing a bad Dolphins because of how smooth offensively they suddenly looked with Daniel Jones operating and the defense almost pitching a shutout.
21. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 (19)
The Cowboys hung in there well with their passing game and pass defense against the Eagles, but not stopping the run or running the ball well outside of the red zone can continue to be bugaboos in close games.
22. Houston Texans 0-1 (15)
The Texans‘ offensive line issues manifested in front of C.J. Stroud with key pressure put on by the Rams. It’s clear there will be a lot put on DeMeco Ryans’ talented defense to win games, healthy or not.
23. Seattle Seahawks 0-1 (20)
The Seahawks‘ offense was expected to do much more against the 49ers as it tried to win by staying balanced and run-heavy for Sam Darnold. But there was not big-play pop to help Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wasting a strong overall effort by Mike MacDonald’s defense.
24. New York Jets 0-1 (26)
The Jets had the best loss (if there’s such a thing) in Week 1. After their offensive dysfunction the past two years, they got back on track with keeping it simple with Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. It may be a while, however, they get back their lost defensive mojo.
25. Atlanta Falcons 0-1 (22)
The Falcons had to be pleased with the command and control Michael Penix Jr. showed as their unquestioned starting QB, giving them every shot to take down Tampa Bay. Sadly, the still struggling defense keeps putting too much pressure on them to keep answering.
26. New England Patriots 0-1 (23)
The Patriots were hyped plenty with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel, but Josh McDaniels’ return to the offense was an early thud against his former team in Las Vegas. New England must streamline its receiving and running to its very best weapons and try not to make Maye do too much.
27. Tennessee Titans 0-1 (28)
The Titans took their expected offensive lumps in Cam Ward’s debut in facing a nasty Denver pass defense, from Nik Bonitto to Patrick Surtain. At least their own playmaking defense gave them a surprising chance.
28. Carolina Panthers 0-1 (25)
The Panthers didn’t get going offensively they wanted in the passing game with Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan and they didn’t show much key improvement on defense, either, on the road in a Jacksonville romp.
29. Cleveland Browns 0-1 (31)
The Browns played tough defense vs. Cincinnati powered by Myles Garrett but were kind of all over the place around Joe Flacco with their offense, caught between promising youth and reliable veterans.
30. New York Giants 0-1 (29)
The Giants should already be regretting not turning the offense over to rookie QB Jaxson Dart right away with Russell Wilson not being all that effective and the running game also stagnating in Washington.
31. Miami Dolphins 0-1 (27)
The Dolphins broke down badly offensively in Indianapolis with Tua Tagovailoa having a meltdown. It didn’t help him that the defense put him in an impossible hole in making the Colts do anything they wanted.
MORE:Â Ranking the 16 greatest Dolphins players ever
32. New Orleans Saints 0-1 (32)
The Saints marched to little offense beyond Alvin Kamara against a tough Cardinals defense at home. They’re stuck with a limited passing game as long as Spencer Rattler starts. Also they can’t stop the run.