Top 10 Ranked Teams in the NFL

The NFL’s 105th season kickoff game will see the two most recent winners of the Most Valuable Player award, Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson (2023) and Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (2022) face off for the sixth time in their careers. Coincidentally this will be a rematch of last season’s American Football Conference (AFC) championship game. But first, here are the rankings of the top cream teams in the NFL. Honorary mentions go to the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns who have a chance at cracking into the top 10 of this ranking.

10. Dallas Cowboys

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The Cowboys are in for a do-or-die season this year with the hyped all-in offseason failing to live up to the expectations. Pressure will be on Dak Prescott’s shoulders, as well as coach Mike McCarthy, to have a deep playoff run that has so far proven elusive. Prescott is months from being a free agent, and McCarthy, who has won 36 games the past three seasons together with his coaching staff are on one-year deals. If the Cowboys falter, owner Jerry Jones will likely be starting all over, considering that it has been 29 years since the Cowboys' last Super Bowl appearance. Backup quarterback Trey Lance has shown promise, demonstrating his dual-threat abilities and the Cowboys’ first-round pick, Tyler Guyton, played a significant role at left tackle against the Raiders, showing good potential.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

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It’s simple. For the Bengals to have a successful season, quarterback Joe Burrow needs to be healthy. With Burrow on the field, the Bengals can assault the AFC North and try to have a deep playoff run. They have, however, struggled in their first two preseason games, including a significant 27-3 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 2, with most starters not participating. One player looking to have a big year is Guard Alex Cappa.

8. Philadelphia Eagles 

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Expectations are through the roof in the city of brotherly love, and coach Nick Sirianni will have to deliver a bounce-back season from this talented roster. The Eagles have had a good draft, adding two much-needed secondary players and are exploring new strategies to enhance their already potent offense, including changes in play-calling and formations. Quarterback Jalen Hurts will be looking to put on a virtuoso clinic. A positive sign for the team is that they have dodged major injuries during the preseason.

7. Green Bay Packers

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Quarterback Jordan Love showed last season that he is in the team to stay and that he is that X-factor guy for the Packers. He will be supported by a potent lineup of talented players such as wide receiver Grant DuBose and safety Evan Williams who will be looking to make significant strides in their development. Something to also note is their new-look defense which will definitely be better.

6. Houston Texans

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Last season, the Texans made the playoffs with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. They've had a great offseason, adding a lot of key pieces, which means they should be the best team in their division. One of the standout additions is wide receiver Stefon Diggs who Coach DeMeco Ryans applauded for his leadership and competitiveness. This coupled with their impressive preseason showing, which has seen the emergence of Cam Akers as a valuable backfield addition, complementing Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, will surely brew success and captivate fans.

5. Buffalo Bills

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The best team in the AFC East have posted mixed results in their preseason games, a significant 33-6 loss to the Bears in their opener, which exposed weaknesses on the offensive line. Nonetheless, the victory was followed by a 9-3 win over the Steelers, showcasing their defensive strength. Coach Sean McDermott’s challenge will be finding the right balance in the 2024 season, guiding a changed roster comprising many young players and trying to win now with quarterback Josh Allen, who is in his seventh season having racked up only one AFC Championship Game appearance. The Bills have been dealing with a series of injuries, including All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano, who may miss significant time due to a bicep injury.

4. Detroit Lions

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The Lions went on a tear last season and came within a whisker of getting to the Super Bowl. This has seen them retain their core coaching staff while adding strength in the secondary. Quarterback Jared Goff continues to lead a promising offense that looks to capitalize on last season’s success, knowing fully well they are marked by opposing teams. Coach Dan Campbell provided an optimistic outlook on running back Jahmyr Gibbs' recovery, indicating that while the injury needs to be managed carefully, it is not considered severe.

3. Baltimore Ravens

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The Ravens will again look for inspiration from their star quarterback and reigning NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, to try and capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Barring any injuries, his performance will be crucial for the Ravens’ success this season. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman has returned to practice following a minor injury, which is a positive development, while offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley will look to get back to his 2019 All-Pro form after taking a 50% pay cut this year to remain with the team.

2. San Francisco 49ers

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The nucleus of the team that went to the Super Bowl last season is back. They are the favorites in the NFC once again and have shown strong defensive capabilities in the preseason, but much of the attention is on the contract situation with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk and the 49ers are reportedly close to agreeing on a new deal, with the primary sticking point being the terms of the fourth year.