The 2024 NFL season begins with the Kansas City Chiefs right where they left off last season: at the top of our NFL power rankings.
The Chiefs, and their quest to win a third straight Super Bowl, will be a very intriguing storyline this season, but Kansas City will have challengers.
One of those challengers will open the season against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sept. 5, the Baltimore Ravens.
Who else from the AFC could challenge quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid for the NFL championship this season?
The San Francisco 49ers could be the favorite in the NFC to start the season, but which other teams in that conference might have a say in the NFC title picture?
Here's how we rank all 32 teams in the NFL entering training camps for the 2024-25 season, with a lot of potential Super Bowl contenders near the top.
These rankings will be updated before NFL Week 1.
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32. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers went 2-15 last season. Bryce Young had a rocky rookie season in Carolina, as did the entire franchise. One positive for the Panthers? They play in the NFC South, which has been one of the worst divisions in the NFL.
31. New England Patriots
The Patriots are coming off a 4-13 season. It's weird having New England so low, but this team has so many questions throughout the roster.
30. Tennessee Titans
The Titans were 6-11 a year ago. Will Levis had some good moments last season. Is he ready to take a big step forward? That will be key for Tennessee.
29. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were 8-9 in the 2023-24 season. Are we too low on Denver in Year 2 for Sean Payton? The team has Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and Bo Nix at quarterback.
28. Washington Commanders
The Commanders went 4-13 last season. Will the Jayden Daniels pairing with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury work in Washington?
27. New York Giants
The Giants were 6-11 in 2023-24. The Giants appear to be sticking with Daniel Jones at QB. We could discover fast if that is the right decision.
26. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are coming off a 9-8 season. Derek Carr has interestingly lost to every NFL team in his career except the Panthers and Raiders, his former team. He plays Carolina twice this season and Las Vegas in Week 17.
25. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were 9-8 in 2023-24 and have a new coach and a lot of questions entering 2024-25. Some people think they might even finish last in the NFC West.
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24. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings went 7-10 a year ago. Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy at QB? Does it even matter? This team could have some growing pains this season.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were 8-9 in the 2023-24 NFL season. The QB position is still a big question mark for this team. We think the defense could really shine under Antonio Pierce, however.
22. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals had a 4-13 record last year, albeit without Kyler Murray for much of the season. Could this team surprise in 2024-25? We think they certainly have a chance.
21. Chicago Bears
The Bears went 7-10 in 2023-24. How will Caleb Williams look? Chicago has some weapons for the rookie quarterback, who will have a lot of eyes on him this season.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had a 9-8 record last season. The AFC South race could be very intriguing this season and the Jaguars could be right in the middle of the intrigue.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were 9-8 last season. Too high for the Buccaneers? Maybe, but they seem to always have a chance in the weak NFC South.
18. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons went 7-10 last season and added Kirk Cousins in free agency. We're excited to see Year 2 of Bijan Robinson.
17. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are coming off a 12-5 season and enter this season with a lot of questions. Among them: Can Dak Prescott lead the Cowboys to a lengthy postseason run?
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16. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a record of 5-12 last season. How much of a difference can the head coach make? We're about to find out in Jim Harbaugh's first season in LA.
15. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins went 11-6 in the regular season last year. This team puts up great regular-season numbers. Can it do some damage in the postseason? We have doubts.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were 10-7 last season and have added Russell Wilson at quarterback. How much does he have left in the tank and how far can this defense carry Pittsburgh?
13. New York Jets
The Jets ended up with a 7-10 record last year despite losing Aaron Rodgers in the first game of the year. You'll see this team a lot on national television. Will it deserve the spotlight?
12. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts went 9-8 a year ago. How far can Anthony Richardson take them in 2023-24?
11. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are coming off a 10-7 regular season last year. They don't have Aaron Donald now, but they still have enough to contend in the NFC West.
10. Cleveland Browns
The Browns compiled an 11-6 record in the regular season in 2023-24 despite dealing with a lot of injuries. Can Deshaun Watson regain his old form?
9. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were 9-8 in the regular season last year. Joe Burrow's health is obviously key for Cincinnati. As he goes, so go the Bengals.
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8. Houston Texans
The Texans were 10-7 in 2023-24. C.J. Stroud was very impressive throughout his rookie season, and the Texans added some weapons. This team could have a big say in the AFC playoff picture.
7. Green Bay Packers
The Packers went 9-8 a year ago. Jordan Love and Green Bay are trendy NFC picks, but will Love's contract situation be a distraction?
6. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were 11-6 in the regular season last year but saw their season once again end against the Chiefs. Can they get past Kansas City this season?
5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles had an 11-6 record in 2023-24, but were trounced in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs by the 9-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They could be motivated for much more this season.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are coming off a 13-4 regular season last year. Can they challenge the Chiefs in the AFC? We could find out fast. They face the Chiefs in Week 1.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions went 12-5 in the regular season in 2023-24. They will be a trendy NFC championship pick and for good reason. This team is good.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are coming off a 12-5 record in the regular season and might be the NFC favorites this year, but Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation looms large.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were 11-6 in the regular season last year before going on to win their second straight Super Bowl. They'll be No. 1 on this list until they lose.
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Reach Jeremy Cluffatjeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com.Follow him on X, formerly Twitter@Jeremy_Cluff.
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