1. Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce. Need I say more. To be successful in the NFL you have to have a talented and experienced QB and Coach. Continuity is so vital in success. As long as Mahomes and Reid are coach and QB expect the Chiefs to always be at the top or near the top of the NFL. One thing to look at is the loss of Eric Bieniemy and the impact that will have.

2. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow like fine wine has got better and better each year. His ability to play well in big games make the Bengals an easy choice for #2 in my power rankings.

3. Buffalo Bills – This was a tough one because I could had them at #2 or even #1. Josh Allen is a top tier QB with a solid core around him. Could this be the year they win it all? It very well could be especially if Buffalo has home field advantage.

4. Baltimore Ravens – Man, the Ravens on paper look really really good. They’ve added weapons and Lamar is back! If their defense plays well look for them to be in the AFC Championship or Super Bowl this year.

5. Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins have all the talent in the world. They have a track team on offense and a QB that has shown flashes of brilliance. The issue is the tough division their in and can they stay healthy. Even with that their still deserving of a #5 ranking.

6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert has shown he belongs in the NFL and that he’s a force to be reckoned with. The Chargers have a solid defense and of course Austin Ekeler. I expect them to split with the Chiefs this year and probably be a Wild-Card team.

7. New York Jets – Aaron Rodgers is in the AFC, watch out AFC East!! I don’t love the Jets this year and I know they had a great year last year with a mediocre QB but I need to see it to believe it. Aaron Rodgers can still play at a high level I just don’t trust the “Jets” just yet. Even with that they deserve a top 10 ranking because of all their talent on both sides of the ball.

8. New England Patriots – This ranking seems about right there a team that won’t wow you maybe 9-8 or 8-9 but they do have Bill Belichick along with a decent defense. They play in a really tough division which is why I expect them around .500. Rumor has it Deandre Hopkins could be coming, and that would bump them up maybe a rank or two.

9. Tennessee Titans – Titans are always solid and especially when you have Derek Henry. Ryan Tannehill has shown he can sling the ball as well as manage the offense in an effective manner. With Vrabel at the helm, they will always have a tough defense.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars could be higher than this, but this is a credit to how good the AFC is. I like this team just not better than the others.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers – What should we expect from Kenny Pickett this year? He played well at times last year but he needs to be more consistent. The Steelers will need another good year from Najee Harris and they need their receivers to show up too. Like the Patriots expect them to hover around .500 especially when they play in the AFC North where the Ravens and Bengals are.

12. Denver Broncos – Russell Wilson struggled last year mightily! I expect him to bounce back but still struggle at times. Let’s face it, he’s not the same QB he was in Seattle.

13. Las Vegas Raiders – No more Derek Carr. Jimmy G is in town with McDaniel’s as head coach. I expect them to hold their own but not make the playoffs.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Colts have a new coach in town and Gardner Minshew at QB. Look for them to hover around .500, don’t expect them to make the playoffs.

15. Cleveland Browns – Does Deshaun Watson bounce back this year? I believe the Browns will be better but still struggle among a pretty tough division.

16. Houston Texans – There’s a lot to be excited about in Houston. They have a new coach and drafted a bright young QB. Expect them to struggle this year but the future is looking good.

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1. Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles came oh so close to taking home the Super Bowl last year against the Kansas City Chiefs. Most of those same players are coming back with the most important being Jalen Hurts. I do worry a little about a Superbowl hangover but they should be OK. Losing Miles Sanders was tough but the addition of D’Andre Swift means they don’t skip a beat. I think for most writers the Eagles are the consensus #1 in the NFC.

2. San Francisco 49ers – There’s a correlation between a team’s high power ranking and how good their defense will be. The 49ers have built a solid defense culture and have their star player in Christian McCaffrey. Not sure what we’ll see from Brock Purdy but if you go off last year he should do well.

3. Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys are good on paper they have a solid QB with good receivers. How will their defense be this year? I think the Cowboys are the team that will get you 10 or 11 wins but I can’t trust them in the playoffs.

4. Minnesota Vikings – What will happen to the running game without Dalvin Cook? Will Alexander Mattison take the next step? I think that would make a difference as well as the Vikings shoring up on defense. The Vikings should push the Lions to win the NFC North.

5. Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks are coming off a great year led by Geno Smith at QB. It was an amazing resurgence for a player that was counted out by many. The Seahawks should contend this year and give other NFC teams a run for their money. And of course the 12th man is very real at home!

6. Detroit Lions – Dan Campbell has transformed the culture of the Detroit Lions. They go into games expecting to win and with all the talented young players they have, expect them to make another push for the playoffs.

7. New York Giants – Daniel Jones is coming off a stellar year and the addition of Darren Waller should help them a lot. The key for Waller is staying healthy as well as Saquon Barkley staying healthy. The problem with the Giants is they play in the NFC East where all the teams could be over 8 wins.

8. Washington Commanders – Two words, Eric Bieniemy! His addition to this team I think is being undervalued. He will get the skill players the ball quickly and let them use their speed. If Sam Howell can ball out and eliminate turnovers expect the Commanders to win 8 or more games this year. Also, let’s not forget about their formidable defense.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Who is Baker Mayfield? Is this the opportunity he needed to really excel? It could be but I see him as a Derek Carr type player where he will put up yards but also throw plenty of picks. This is probably his last chance so there is some pressure on him. The Bucs could win the division but to me that’s a toss up.

10. Chicago Bears – I expect the Bears to have a bounce back year with Justin Fields at the helm. The division got easier with Aaron Rodgers gone, the problem is the Detroit Lions who appear to be on the up and up.

11. Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons are a .500 team this year as I look at their QB situation. The only saving grace for them is that they play in the NFC South with no clear dominant team.

12. Carolina Panthers – Their is a new era in Carolina with Bryce Young commanding the offense along side his coach Frank Reich. Bryce Young will have his struggles though as he will learn the NFL has players that are all Alabama style talent.

13. Arizona Cardinals – The Cards will be something special in the coming years with a bright young proven Head Coach now leading the team. He will bring that strong defensive mindset that he brought to the Eagles. I’m curious what will see from Kyler Murray this year, can he stay healthy?

14. New Orleans Saints – Saints are an interesting team in 2023. They have Derek Carr now who could put up over 4k yards, especially with Michael Thomas back. The issue with the Saints is their defense. Again their another .500 team but play in a weak division.

15. Green Bay Packers – The Packers have been good for a long while with Aaron Rodgers at the QB position. Expect the Packers to decline this year and not make the playoffs. What Aaron Rodgers meant to the Packers is so invaluable. Jordan Love is talented but he’s no Rodgers.

16. Los Angeles Rams – I have the Rams dead last but they do still have key weapons on offense. I’m curious to see who takes over at QB, will Stetson Bennett get his chance? Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy?

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