8. Kansas City Chiefs
Even though it's going to feel like they are way too low on these pre-Week 1 Power Rankings, I am not underestimating the Chiefs. I'm also not overestimating them.
In the words of Michael Scott, I am "estimating" them as appropriately as I can.
There's a level of reverence the Chiefs have earned as the NFL's modern dynasty. They have proven they can be mainstays on the game's biggest stage, basically penciling them in for a trip to the Super Bowl most years of Patrick Mahomes's career so far. But this team has changed drastically through the years.
Even before the injury to Mahomes last season, years of poor drafting by the Chiefs had been exposed. The defense is in the midst of a total youth movement, especially in the secondary. The offensive line has major question marks at the tackle position that won't be addressed before Week 1.
I'm just as ready for the Chiefs to somehow claw back into contention this year as I am for them to win 7 or 8 games.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
There wasn't a hotter team in the second half of the 2025 regular season than the Jacksonville Jaguars. As good as the Buffalo Bills are, it was a bit of a shock that they were able to top this team in the playoffs, considering how hot they were going in.
I don't like that the Jaguars just let Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd walk out the door in free agency this offseason. I don't even mind that they went against the grain of the consensus when it comes to the NFL Draft, but when you catch fire like that, don't you want to keep the guys who helped you get there?
They're taking a big risk that they'll be able to replace the production of those two guys, but I still think this is a talented enough roster to win the AFC South.
Add us as a preferred source on Google