1. Seahawks: The champs always get dibs on the top spot. This year, the margin is as close as it’s ever been.
2. Rams: Can they thrive under expectations that have morphed into presumptions?
3. Texans: The defense earned them this spot. It’s up to the offense to hold it.
4. Broncos: Continuity counts, and the Broncos have plenty of it.
5. Bills: Has there ever been more pressure on a first-year coach to get to the conference championship?
6. Bears: Year 2 of the Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams partnership should yield big benefits.
7. Patriots: The schedule has more powerhouses than creampuffs this year.
8. Eagles: Will the departure of A.J. Brown provide a boost to the functionality of the offense?
9. Jaguars: Sorry, Liam. We know your team is good.
10. Ravens: After 18 years of John Harbaugh, there are plenty of unknowns.
11. Chargers: Can they reach their full potential under Jim Harbaugh?
12. 49ers: They’re relying on too many older players to stay healthy.
13. Chiefs: Don’t sleep on Patrick Mahomes. Ever.
14. Lions: The clock is ticking on this team’s Super Bowl window.
15. Bengals: A fourth straight failure to make the playoffs could lead to massive changes.
16. Packers: Three straight No. 7 seeds falls short of the standard.
17. Cowboys: If it’s once again “Super Bowl or bust,” the last 30 years tell us which way it will go.
18. Steelers: The fans who had been clamoring for Mike Tomlin to leave could be missing him, sooner rather than later.
19. Panthers: They won the division by default last year. Can they seize it in 2026?
20. Vikings: If Kyler Murray can turn back the clock to 2021, the Vikings will climb quickly.
21. Buccaneers: Have the flaws that caused last year’s collapse been addressed?
22. Colts: They’re stuck in a division that has two elite teams.
23. Giants: If John Harbaugh can do what he did in his first year with Baltimore, they won’t be in the 20s for long.
24. Saints: They need to earn a higher spot. And there’s a good chance they will.
25. Falcons: The 2027 quarterback is probably not on the roster.
26. Commanders: This could be an important year for the coach and G.M.
27. Titans: Will Robert Saleh’s second ride go better than his first?
28. Dolphins: If the young players develop quickly, they could be flirting with .500.
29. Jets: Can Geno Smith find the magic that eluded him during his first run with the Jets?
30. Browns: It’s troubling that none of the quarterbacks have seized the job.
31. Raiders: Play Fernando.
32. Cardinals: Tough schedule plus tough division plus roster that hasn’t been good enough equals pole position for the top of the 2027 draft.
