20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week's ranking: 20
I can't say I blame them, but there's nothing to really evaluate with the Buccaneers of note here because it's apparent that their goal is to get to the regular season as healthy as possible.
This is a Bucs team that has perhaps missed some windows of opportunity the past couple of years with injuries biting them, so they're taking the proper precautionary measures to (hopefully) ensure that doesn't happen again.
We didn't even get to see 1st-round pick Rueben Bain in the Bucs' preseason opener against the Jets. They must have seen all they needed/wanted to see in joint practices against the Jets. It feels like this is a high-ceiling, low-floor team for 2026.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's ranking: 18
This is a "chips all-in" sort of season for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Aaron Rodgers done playing after the year, but the preseason opener for this team might have given a little glimpse of the future.
Steelers fans are just hoping it's not a mirage...
Germie Bernard was great in the first half, catching four passes for 51 yards and showing off some of that playmaking ability we saw at Alabama. But how about Drew Allar in the second half of this game? That was about as impressive of a start to his NFL career anyone could have dreamed of, completing 10-of-13 passes for 153 yards, 2 TDs, and adding a rushing touchdown on top of it.
Kaden Wetjen looked good as well. I've been one of the Steelers' harshest critics all offseason, but they might be on the way to making me eat some (ice cold) crow.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's ranking: 16
What we really don't like to see in the preseason? Starting quarterbacks taking huge hits.
Joe Burrow has missed significant time over the past couple of seasons due to a variety of injuries, and the Bengals simply can't afford to miss out on another year of whatever level of contention they are truly capable of because the offensive line can't protect Burrow.
That remains a bit of a concern after the preseason opener where he got sacked once and hit another time. But the projection of this Bengals team is still solid with all the improvements they made to that defensive front.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 14
The Kansas City Chiefs absolutely have to be considered a threat in the AFC with a fully healthy Patrick Mahomes.
They had an unbelievable string of good luck in one-score games during the 2024 season, and that completely flipped in 2025. Although this Chiefs team is still an elite threat in situational football with Mahomes under center, it's also fair to wonder how things are going to work out with the new-look defense and a shaky offensive line.
Being on the outside looking in at the rest of the AFC contenders right now should put a big chip on this team's shoulder.
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