NFL Power Rankings: The 15 real Super Bowl contenders and why the Browns should be relegated

Patrick Mahomes is dreaming of Week 1 and Sam Darnold wants to be better after winning the Super Bowl.

Kickoff for the 2026 NFL season is less than two months away, which means it’s time to unveil talkSPORT’s weekly power rankings.

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This list includes the top 15 teams in the NFL right now and five franchises to watch.

As a result, the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints won’t get mentioned again.

The Cleveland Browns should’ve been relegated last year, and now they’re entering 2026 with a new head coach and without Myles Garrett.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings all have top-15 potential.

But here’s a look at the best of the best in the NFL.

Keep checking back regularly as we move from training camp and Week 1 to Week 18, the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (Last season: 6-11)

It all comes down to Patrick Mahomes.

And the Chiefs’ running backs, wide receivers and defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)

The Cowboys are adamant that they’re Super Bowl or bust in 2026.

After failing to make the playoffs last year, just reaching a winning record will be an internal victory in Dallas.

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13. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)

Jordan Love is good but he’s not close to great.

It’s time for the QB following Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers to win a couple big postseason games in Green Bay.

12. Houston Texans (12-5)

Speaking of quarterbacks … the Texans would be much higher on this list if C.J. Stroud was more dependable.

If he wants the big money, Stroud has got to stop holding back Houston’s offense.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

The Jaguars won the AFC South last year, while Liam Coen won over his ‘Duval’ critics.

Add in a healthy Travis Hunter and Jacksonville won’t surprise anyone this year.

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10. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

New offensive coordinator and no A.J. Brown, but the same Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles love their drama but they also know how to kick butt when they lock in.

9. Detroit Lions (9-8)

It’s a bounceback season for Dan Campell, who lost his magic in 2025.

It’s a critical season for Jared Goff, who put up big numbers last year but could end up in 2026 as the third-best QB in the NFC North.

8. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)

It’s a comeback season for Lamar Jackson, who fell off to the point that his peers ranked him No. 69 in the league.

Jesse Minter is replacing John Harbaugh in Baltimore, but still can give the ball on first and third down to powerhouse Derrick Henry.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

7. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

The 49ers will be a Super Bowl contender — if they can stay healthy.

6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

Josh Allen will have a new stadium but the same Bills Mafia cheering him on.

With Joe Brady calling the shots in Buffalo, the first answer should be taking weight of Allen’s big shoulders.

5. New England Patriots (14-3)

I’m not worried about Drake Maye in year three.

But Mike Vrabel had a horrible offseason and the Patriots were shredded in the Super Bowl.

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4. Chicago Bears (11-6)

The hype train is following Caleb Williams as camp begins.

Ben Johnson was a winner in year one and Chicago fans are ready to believe, even if the Bears leave Chicago.

3. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

“We probably never will perfect it, but we just keep driving towards this goal,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde exclusively told talkSPORT.

The Seahawks were almost perfect in the Super Bowl and they are running it forward — without Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker — in 2026.

2. Denver Broncos (14-3)

Adding Jaylen Waddle means that Bo Nix has no excuses.

Denver has a Super Bowl-ready roster and Nix must prove that he’s the right playoff QB for Sean Payton.

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1. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Matthew Stafford is 38 but he’s now backed by Garrett on defense.

The Rams have been close the last two years.

They’ll enter training camp as the best team in the league, and have an NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer at QB.