This will be my first time ever doing power rankings for any sports. I wasn’t really into it because all of my attention was on college football rankings. But now since that’s going to change with the College Football Playoff expansion, I figured “why the hell not!?” I won’t do another one until before the first week of the season along with other changes coming, but this will be the first of many for the 2024-’25 season and postseason (maybe). Y’all have your own opinions and you’re free to comment as you will, but these are my Top 10 teams smackdab right into the offseason. Also, exclude teams in the playoffs and not in the playoffs. It’s the offseason now so deal with it lol

10) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Indianapolis has plenty of cap to make moves and re-sign a few players. It would be smart to retain Gardner Minshew since he was a fourth down completion away from making the playoffs. The offense was serviceable whether Jonathan Taylor was available or not. With the return of Anthony Richardson, the offense should be interesting with him and Taylor as a deadly combination in the backfield. Defense was solid except for the secondary that was a glaring weakness last season. The schedule is a tad tough with the AFC East and NFC North included, but after defeating the Chiefs in 2022 and the Ravens in 2023, there’s no reason they’re not playoff contenders. However, they must conquer their own division if they want to be there.

9) HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans exceeded their expectations last season after defeating that team above them for the division title. That aslo came after Tennessee avenged last season’s Week 18 finale loss with an upset win over Jacksonville. I was aware that Houston had the roster to be on the outside looking in but never expected them to actually clinch it. The reason for that was CJ Stroud. That piece was enough to put together one of the more dangerous offenses with him under center. They can build off that success with a little more help from the offensive line. Their defense improved from last year and should further improve and be a potential Top 10 defensive threat if possible.

8) LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams’ fifth youngest roster enters 2024 with a deep playoff run mindset. With the combination of Matt Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the offense should be lethal. Defense must add a couple of pieces during the offseason with the draft and a couple of key free agent signings, including potential Panther linebacker Brian Burns if he goes to free agency. Their only challenge this upcoming season is the NFC West, the AFC East, and the NFC North including, yes, the Detroit Lions.

7) DALLAS COWBOYS

Stagnant, improvement, or slight decline, Dallas will be a playoff team next season. It also won’t be surprising if they find their way to the Top 2 NFC standings again. With Philly likely declining due to age…and consistency issues, the NFC East could belong to Dallas again. Their only challenge would be the AFC North and the 49ers, but let’s focus on Dallas. Mike McCarthy’s on his last year and is likely gone unless Dallas makes the Super Bowl (trying not to chuckle here). Dak Prescott will lead the group, but they need Tony Pollard (and/or Derrick Henry), a second receiver, and must figure out who to bring back on defense since five key players are set for free agency.

6) BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills are stuck between a rock and a hard place. While they are still the team likely to beat in a tough, yet now dysfunctional AFC East, they have one of the worst cap spaces. The Von Miller contract is a major issue, and it could hurt their chances of overall roster improvement and change unless major moves are made. In all honesty, they must figure out what to do with Miller and maybe Stefon Diggs. Allegedly or not, the Diggs issue after the playoff loss to Cincinnati two seasons ago still hangs over and it showed up as their season came to an end, especially against Kansas City. If Buffalo fails to make the necessary moves and changes, watch out for them to likely be the most disappointing NFL team this upcoming season.

5) DETROIT LIONS

Coach MCDC started from the rebuilding process by “biting off teams’ kneecaps” to ending their season by having their heart ripped out” in the NFC championship game. Despite that, the Lions proved to be a formidable team, not giving a sh** and putting all their marbles on the table every week in every facet. That led to big wins over the Chiefs and Rams, but that also led to bad losses against the Seahawks, Cowboys, and 49ers. Hopefully those lessons serve Campbell and the rest of the staff for next season. It’s best to take chances when the game matters most. They have the roster to run it back, but don’t expect the NFC North to be won by Detroit so easily.

Please don’t end up like Brandon Staley, Dan. We as fans love you and want you to put your team in a better situation, and please don’t stop bringing up interesting quotes. We love them!

4) BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Ravens were supposedly the “best team” in the NFL. And yet, they went away from the heart of their strength and couldn’t come through against the Chiefs. Outside of allowing 30 plus points to teams like the Rams and Browns, Balty’s defense played their best football and gave their team plenty of winning opportunities. Not much should change after the offseason, but can Lamar Jackson and the offense take it a step further to the Super Bowl or will John Harbaugh finally be targeted for the hot seat in 2025? Their 2024 schedule will not be a cakewalk.

3) GREEN BAY PACKERS

You’re wondering why Green Bay’s here at three and maybe thinking why they’re so high? If any of you watched their progress last season, they looked like themselves…but younger with some Love. After an early season of “figuring it out”, their stretch in November and beyond turned to “they may have figured it out”. Jordan Love played his best football during the stretch and won eight of their last 12 games. He threw for over 200 yards in 11 straight games before the run ended just six yards short in a loss to the 49ers. The offense will improve, and maybe a slightly more offensive line improvement could solidify their deep playoff run opportunity. As for their defense, they should be Top 5 caliber next season since Joe Barry’s out of the picture.

2) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

No question their past season was Super Bowl or bust, and I was asked plenty by 49er fans and a few non-Niner fans alike. San Fran did it and were a second half away from winning it all. Now, questions loom around the receiving core involving Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. What will they do as far as trade options? I hate seeing them both go, but unfortunately, they have one too many to keep and having Jauan Jennings back would be nice. The team will look into an offensive line in the draft to eventually replace Trent Williams since he’s nearing retirement. On defense, the Chase Young debate is somewhat there, but I would release him in my opinion. They will have Talanoa Hufanga back from injury and eventually Dre Greenlaw too as the season goes on. Special teams need a makeover after an inconsistent three seasons. Their schedule beefs up and my expectations in 2024 are less than a Super Bowl this time. Where’s my expectations at? You’ll know once we reach late summer. Stay tuned!

1) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Well…Taylor Swift and the Chiefs overcame offensive inconsistencies and won back-to-back Super Bowls. Expect Kansas City to lose some key pieces but maintain their consistency through improvement of key areas that weren’t great last season (like the receiving core), but they may hunt for one in the draft or free agency. Don’t be surprised if OBJ somehow ends up there as a “part-time” receiver again. However, the biggest question on defense is Chris Jones. Will Chris Jones return? Allegedly, he wants to stay, but the money part will be problematic. This happened before with Tyreek Hill before he walked. Otherwise, the Chiefs should be a Super Bowl contender again. Looking at the overall AFC, who’s got the cajónes to challenge them?

HONORABLE MENTIONS

MIAMI DOLPHINS

They will be playoff contenders for a good while, but where’s the physicality at on both sides of the ball? What about the health of their left tackle Terron Armstead? His Madden video game self can’t even stay healthy…

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Once Joe Burrow returns, it’s hard to keep the Bengals out. It really is. Joe must stay healthy for the NFL world to see them make a playoff run and collide with the Chiefs as KC’s kryptonite.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

It’s really hard to count out Pittsburgh, but I guess we’re all spoiled by their winning consistency. Rebuilding is not in their diction, but being elite is not in their current diction either. Despite their issues in the past few seasons, their division success always keeps their playoff hopes alive each season. No clue what next season will look like, but they have plenty to figure out on offense.

NEW YORK JETS???

Me mentioning them might be farfetched. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers back with more time with the team and the city of New York/New Jersey, there’s no reason the Jets aren’t potentially Super Bowl contenders next season (or by Mike Greenberg, Jets fans, and the entire media’s assumption). They might appear in the Top 10 during the season, but it’s up to Rodgers, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and the defense to carry. Otherwise, they could slide into the Bottom 5 Rankings because they failed to address the offensive line, AGAIN!!!