Early rankings offer clues about the 2026 season
Every NFL season begins with bold predictions, but ESPN’s Football Power Index has already identified the teams it believes are best positioned for success in 2026. The latest rankings feature familiar powerhouses, rising contenders, and a few surprises that could spark debate among fans.
Built on advanced analytics and thousands of simulations, the projections offer an early glimpse at how the season may unfold. From championship favorites to teams looking to take the next step, these rankings reveal which franchises are generating the most confidence before kickoff.
Rams claim the top position
The Los Angeles Rams hold the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s preseason Football Power Index rankings for the 2026 season. Their placement reflects strong projections across multiple areas, including roster quality, overall team efficiency, and expected performance throughout the year.
The Rams have remained competitive in the NFC and enter the season with high expectations from analysts and projection models. ESPN’s simulations place them among the teams with the strongest chances to contend for a championship during the upcoming campaign.
Bills remain among the favorites
The Buffalo Bills continue to rank among the NFL’s highest-rated teams, reflecting the organization’s sustained success in recent seasons. Their position near the top of the rankings is supported by a talented roster and one of the league’s most accomplished quarterbacks.
Quarterback Josh Allen remains a major factor in Buffalo’s outlook because of his consistent production and ability to impact games in multiple ways. ESPN’s projections indicate that the Bills are expected to remain firmly in the championship conversation entering 2026.
Ravens stay near the top
The Baltimore Ravens remain one of the highest-ranked teams in ESPN’s preseason projections after several years of strong performance. Their combination of experienced leadership and proven talent has helped keep the franchise among the league’s most respected contenders.
Lamar Jackson continues to play a central role in Baltimore’s success and is a key reason for the team’s favorable outlook. ESPN’s projections place the Ravens among the leading challengers for the AFC title heading into the season.
Seahawks emerge as a major contender
The Seattle Seahawks rank among the NFL’s strongest teams in ESPN’s preseason projections, highlighting the organization’s recent progress. Their placement reflects confidence in the roster’s ability to compete with the league’s top teams.
Seattle’s rise has strengthened expectations that the team can remain a factor in the NFC playoff race. The projections suggest the Seahawks could challenge for a deep postseason run if they meet expectations.
Chargers continue building momentum
The Los Angeles Chargers remain highly regarded in preseason projections after showing consistent improvement over the past few years. The team has focused on developing a stronger foundation while maintaining competitiveness against some of the league’s toughest opponents.
Their ranking reflects confidence in both the roster and the organization’s direction entering the new season. ESPN’s model views the Chargers as one of several teams capable of competing for a playoff position and potentially advancing further.
Jaguars look for a climb
The Jacksonville Jaguars sit in the middle of ESPN’s 2026 preseason Football Power Index, giving them room to outperform the model if their roster takes a step forward.
Their placement does not put them among the league’s top projected teams, but it still leaves space for improvement in a crowded AFC. For Jacksonville, the season will depend on turning roster development into more consistent results.
Chiefs remain a respected threat
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to receive strong projections despite ranking lower than they have in some recent preseason forecasts. Their sustained success over the past decade keeps them among the most respected organizations in the league.
Patrick Mahomes remains one of football’s most accomplished quarterbacks and continues to influence expectations surrounding the franchise. Even with increased competition across the AFC, the Chiefs are still projected to be a factor in the playoff race.
Quarterbacks shape team outlooks
Quarterback performance remains one of the most important factors in modern NFL projections and evaluations. Teams with proven players at the position generally receive stronger forecasts because of the influence quarterbacks have on overall team success.
Several of the highest-ranked teams feature quarterbacks who have earned league-wide recognition for their accomplishments. Their presence helps explain why certain franchises consistently appear near the top of preseason rankings and championship projections.
Interesting fact: The Seahawks moved from the NFC West to the AFC West before later returning to the NFC, and they reached the NFC Championship Game again during their 2025 Super Bowl run.
Analytics play a growing role
Advanced analytics continue to influence how teams, analysts, and fans evaluate NFL performance. Models such as ESPN’s Football Power Index use large amounts of historical and current data to estimate future outcomes.
These systems are not designed to predict exact results; instead, they provide probability-based forecasts. As analytics become more common throughout professional sports, projection models remain an important tool for understanding potential team performance.
AFC competition looks intense
Several of the teams projected near the top of the rankings compete in the AFC, creating a highly competitive conference landscape. The Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Chargers, and Jaguars all enter the season with realistic postseason aspirations.
Because so many strong teams are grouped together, conference standings could change quickly throughout the year. Small differences in performance may ultimately determine playoff seeding and postseason opportunities.
NFC teams seek conference control
The Rams and Seahawks are among the NFC teams receiving particularly strong projections entering the season. Their rankings reflect confidence in their ability to compete for conference supremacy and secure favorable playoff positioning.
The NFC remains competitive, but these teams are expected to play major roles in shaping the playoff race. Strong performances during the regular season could help establish them as leading contenders within the conference.
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Expectations rise before kickoff
Preseason projections provide a snapshot of where teams stand before the regular season begins. While actual results can vary significantly, rankings help identify organizations that appear well-positioned for success.
The Rams, Bills, Ravens, Seahawks, and several AFC contenders enter the season with particularly strong outlooks. As the year unfolds, injuries, roster moves, and on-field performance will determine how closely reality matches the projections.
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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