Nfl Power Rankings- Midseason Edition

We have hit roughly the midway point of the season. The power rankings look a LOT different than they did the first week of September. Only half the preseason top 10 teams remain in the top 10. One team climbed 18 spots in the power rankings this edition, and one team fell 18 spots as well.

As we get a better feel for these teams, hopefully these power rankings more closely reflect what things will look like in January than where we are now in September. Halfway through the season, here’s a look at the power rankings (preseason and quarter pole rankings in parentheses).

1. San Francisco 49ers (6, 1)

Definitely could make an argument for the Bears here, but the 49ers have consistently been the league’s best team since week one.

2. Chicago Bears (9, 6)

If every team plays their best game, the Bears are the best team. But the Bears showed vs Tampa that they can still win even if they don’t have their A game.

3. Buffalo Bills (3, 3)

This feels like a massive year for Josh Allen and needs some postseason success to start cementing a legacy.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (14, 8)

After some aggressive trade deadline moves, might be the best team in the AFC.

5. Green Bay Packers (18, 23)

The Packers are not the same team from the start of the season. They have figured things out and look outstanding. Micah Parsons is right around the corner.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (10, 5)

The Chiefs keep winning football games, but they rarely look impressive when they do it.

7. Detroit Lions (17, 18)

If the Lions’ defense were a little stronger, this team could be truly elite.

8. Minnesota Vikings (15, 10)

If Kirk Cousins unlocks Justin Jefferson, the Vikings could be a very tough out.

9. Denver Broncos (5, 11)

The Broncos are battle-tested and know how to win close football games.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (16, 12)

Joe Burrow is the frontrunner for MVP. How far can he carry this team in the playoffs?

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (19, 22)

I wouldn’t say Aaron Rodgers has turned back the clock, but it’s definitely his best season in the last 3 or 4 years. Despite that, their January ceiling is still limited.

12. Seattle Seahawks (1, 2)

With a healthier running back room, we will see if they surge back up, but clearly letting Kenneth Walker go was a mistake.

13. New England Patriots (7, 15)

This team has been up and down all season long. If the Texans can squeak into the playoffs, it’ll be the Patriots who miss out.

14. LA Rams (2, 7)

With Puka and Adams out, this Super Team may just never fire properly this season.

15. Houston Texans (8, 21)

CJ Stroud looks the best he has since his rookie season, and the Texans are back on track. Will their September hole be too much to climb out of?

16. New York Giants (22, 19)

I would like to see the Giants beat a good team before I believe in them. Right now they have a fluffy record from a very soft schedule.

17. Cleveland Browns (28, 17)

The Browns are having a great season based on preseason expectations, but their lack of QB play will still prevent them from any real success.

18. Dallas Cowboys (13, 9)

The Cowboys continue to be a lot of hype and no substance. Every year we do the same song and dance.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (26, 14)

It’s Mendoza-time in Vegas. Klint Kubiak is off to a great start and looks the part so far.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21, 28)

The Bucs look like the best team in the NFC South. Unfortunately, that’s not much of a compliment.

21. Carolina Panthers (23, 16)

The Panthers continue to be the same mediocre football team they’ve been the last couple of years.

22. Baltimore Ravens (4, 4)

No Lamar Jackson has completely derailed anything they could hope to do. Jacoby Brissett isn’t saving this season.

23. New Orleans Saints (20, 26)

If the Bucs don’t win the South, I think the Saints will.

24. Atlanta Falcons (29, 20)

There was hope that Michael Penix could make this team decent, but nope, that was short-lived hope.

25. Washington Commanders (25, 29)

This Commanders team is so close to putting it together, but they just keep shooting themselves in the foot. Signs point to coaching.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (12, 13)

The Eagles didn’t quite look like a Super Bowl contender to start the year, but now they are getting into the running for the first pick of the draft.

27. Arizona Cardinals (31, 30)

After some injuries, the Cardinals might have the worst offense we’ve seen in recent memory.

28. New York Jets (30, 27)

The Jets play hard. I’m out of compliments.

29. Indianapolis Colts (24, 25)

The only question for the Colts: why are Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones still on your roster?

30. Tennessee Titans (27, 31)

The Titans are three years away from being three years away.

31. Miami Dolphins (32, 32)

Congratulations, Dolphins, you’ve moved up one spot in the rankings.

32. Los Angeles Chargers (11, 24)

Jim Harbaugh is currently doing the worst job of any coach ever in the Super Bowl era.