With free agency in the rearview and the NFL Draft quickly approaching, it’s time to start looking ahead to the 2025 NFL season. And what better way to do that than with updated power rankings? A lot will change between now and September, but our 2025 NFL Power Rankings provide a snapshot of where all 32 teams stand as they navigate the offseason.
These rankings combine last year’s PR+ metric with adjustments based on free agency moves and players potentially returning from injury. They serve as a rough measure of where teams currently rank relative to one another.
1) Baltimore Ravens
PFSN’s QB+ metric projected Lamar Jackson to repeat as MVP last season. While he ultimately didn’t win the award, he remains one of the most impactful quarterbacks in the league.
In his first season with Derrick Henry, Jackson led an offense that paced the league in yards per play — and by a wide margin. The Baltimore Ravens were 9.7% better per play than any other team. They moved to sustain that success by re-signing Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Ricard while adding DeAndre Hopkins to an already potent offense.
Jackson was backed by the eighth-ranked defense, which peaked down the stretch. If that unit can build on its late-season success, there’s no reason to think this team won’t be playing in February.
2) Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions posted the best PFSN Offense+ grade of the 2024 season and recorded the third-best in PFSN’s database dating back to 2019, trailing only the 2019 Ravens and 2020 Green Bay Packers.
What’s changed?
Not much. Detroit is bringing back all key pieces from last season’s high-powered offense. Defensively, the additions of D.J. Reed and Roy Lopez will help, but the most significant boost will come from the return of Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6.
The Lions were the top-ranked NFC team for most of last season and even held the No. 1 spot overall at times. While their playoff exit left a sour memory, Detroit’s fan base has every reason to be just as excited for 2025.
3) Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills secured Josh Allen for the long term, ensuring they remain in the Super Bowl mix for years to come.
Allen, the reigning MVP, carried Buffalo in 2024. While he will again be asked to do the heavy lifting, the team is working to improve his supporting cast, adding former Los Angeles Chargers wideout Joshua Palmer.
On defense, Buffalo hopes signing Joey Bosa brings better balance (they ranked 18th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last year), preventing Allen from having to play hero every week. Still, the biggest reason the Bills were contenders last season was their elite turnover differential, which was 50% better than any other team. If they replicate that, they’ll be in the hunt for their first Super Bowl — assuming they can get past that No. 15 for the Kansas City Chiefs when it matters most.
4) Philadelphia Eagles
Winning a Super Bowl often means losing key players in free agency, and the Phildealpha Eagles are no exception.
The issue isn’t just that Philadelphia lost talent — it’s that those losses were concentrated on defense. The Eagles lost Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Darius Slay in free agency before trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston for offensive lineman Kenyon Green.
Philadelphia’s rise to the title was fueled by defensive improvement. Here’s how their PFSN Insights grades changed from 2023 to 2024:
2023 Eagles
- Defense+: 69.8
- Offense+: 76.3
2024 Eagles
- Defense+: 87.9
- Offense+: 77.4
The offense remains elite, but with so many defensive departures, the Eagles are more vulnerable than they were a year ago.
5) Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones restructured their contracts, freeing up cap space to strengthen an already dominant roster.
The Chiefs didn’t make any splashy moves in free agency, but why would they? They’ve won the AFC in three straight seasons and have earned the right to trust their process. They brought back Nick Bolton and Hollywood Brown, maintaining continuity on both sides of the ball.
They also added Jaylon Moore to an offensive line that struggled in the Super Bowl. As long as this team stays healthy, they’ll remain the AFC’s top threat.
6) Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are fully embracing win-now mode, looking to capitalize on Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract. Their offseason moves reflect that urgency.
Trading for Deebo Samuel plays directly to Daniels’ strengths, while re-signing Zach Ertz maintains continuity. Adding Laremy Tunsil ensures Daniels has protection, a crucial factor in his development.
MORE: Deebo Samuel Trade Grades
Washington’s defense remains a work in progress, but the front office is making savvy short-term moves, signing Bobby Wagner, Will Harris, and Tress Way to short deals. The Commanders won eight more games in 2024 than in 2023, and they appear motivated to prove last season was no fluke.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a flier on Haason Reddick, signing him to a one-year deal in hopes of improving their 16th-ranked defense from last season.
Aside from that, their offseason focus has been on retaining key talent. Given that Tampa Bay won 10 games last season — with five of their losses coming in overtime or by six points or fewer — that’s a logical approach.
The departure of offensive coordinator Liam Coen (now head coach in Jacksonville) is a shake-up, but re-signing Chris Godwin ensures Baker Mayfield retains chemistry with his primary targets. That continuity should keep the Bucs’ offense among the league’s best.
8) Green Bay Packers
Could Jordan Love in 2025 be what Jared Goff was in 2024?
It’s possible.
The Green Bay Packers are expected to add more offensive support in the draft, fueling optimism about their attack. Meanwhile, their defense ranked top-five in yards per play allowed and interception rate last season.
The NFC Super Bowl representative could very well come from the NFC North, and the Packers have every chance to crash that party.
9) Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals retained their core while adding defensive reinforcements, signing T.J. Slayton and Oren Burks to help balance the roster.
2024 Bengals Rankings
Offense+: 7th (grade: 83.4)
Defense+: 28th (grade: 66.9)
Cincinnati’s offense ranked in the same tier as Washington and Green Bay, and it was productive enough to earn a postseason berth. With Joe Burrow leading the way, expectations remain high on that side of the ball. If the defense can improve to even league average, the Bengals could become a real contender in the AFC.
This team has a track record of competing in big games, and as long as Burrow is healthy, they’ll remain a legitimate threat in a crowded conference.
10) Denver Broncos
If you were building a team from scratch, you’d likely start with a franchise quarterback and an elite defense.
Check and check.
The Bo Nix-Sean Payton combination showed promise in 2024, as the rookie quarterback threw 10 touchdowns against just one interception in his final four games (including the playoffs). His success came despite a lack of proven weapons, something the Denver Broncos addressed in free agency by signing former Jaguars tight end Evan Engram.
Defensively, the Broncos were the league’s top-ranked unit last season, and there’s no reason to believe they’ll take a step back in 2025. Patrick Surtain II is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season, giving this group a cornerstone to build around.
Denver surprised many by winning 10 games in 2024. If things go according to plan, it would be more surprising if they didn’t reach that mark again in 2025.
11) Los Angeles Rams
At the end of February, it sounded as if the Los Angeles Rams could be in the midst of a rebuild or the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes — two weeks later, they were operating with optimism.
Back is Matthew Stafford and while Cooper Kupp was officially released, the addition of Davante Adams should more than cover that loss:
- Adams: 182 targets, 1,654 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns
- Kupp: 75 targets, 632 receiving yards, and 0 touchdowns
Those are the 600-route pace numbers put forth by these two veteran receivers over their final five games with their former employer. Stafford has been a WR elevator his entire career and if can help Adams sustain the level of production that we saw down the stretch of last season, this team is one to fear.
The defense added Poona Ford to their line and that should help a unit that was iffy at best in Year 1 post-Aaron Donald. This team is going to score and if there is more consistent resistance on the other side of the ball, there’s no reason a seventh double-digit win season since the start of 2017 doesn’t occur.
12) Minnesota Vikings
The J.J. McCarthy era is officially underway.
By letting Sam Darnold walk, the Minnesota Vikings are committing to an unknown commodity under center. Under normal circumstances, that might be a cause for concern. However, given how this coaching staff elevated Darnold’s play last season, there’s reason to believe McCarthy can be a steady presence.
The Vikings had the third-best defense in the league last season (per Defense+), and if that unit remains elite, McCarthy won’t have to do too much to keep the Vikings competitive.
The Vikings also invested in both lines during free agency, reinforcing their inside-out approach to team-building. Another 14-win season might be unrealistic, but a double-digit win campaign is well within reach.
13) Arizona Cardinals
The Josh Sweat signing was a statement move by the Arizona Cardinals. It showed they’re serious about improving a defense that ranked 27th in Defense+ last year while also believing in the offensive upside of this team.
The Cardinals also bolstered their offensive line by signing Kelvin Beachum and Evan Brown, giving Kyler Murray better protection. Last year’s expectations were sky-high for Marvin Harrison Jr., but the team has acknowledged that the circumstances — not the player — were to blame for his modest production.
Murray ranked as PFSN’s 10th-best quarterback in 2021 but hasn’t cracked the top 15 since. With three years left on his deal, Arizona is making a serious push to build a winner around him. If he develops a stronger connection with Harrison, this team could take a major step forward.
14) Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ rushing attack was abysmal last season after a hot start. J.K. Dobbins showed flashes early on, but after Week 2, Chargers running backs averaged just 3.7 yards per carry — second-worst in the league.
Enter Najee Harris.
Harris joins a team that desperately needed more efficiency in the run game. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert was one of the most accurate play-action passers in the NFL last season despite limited support, meaning his stock could skyrocket if Harris plays up to his potential.
The Chargers also signed Donte Jackson to improve a bottom-10 secondary, which struggled in nearly every metric related to deep passing.
This team won 11 games last season before an ugly 20-point playoff loss in Houston, but the Chargers are clearly moving in the right direction.
15) Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams showed promise last season, which prompted Chicago Bears to focus on improving both lines this offseason. They acquired Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to protect their franchise quarterback.
Williams has all the tools to be great, but development is key. Last season, six of 36 qualified quarterbacks averaged under 6.5 yards per pass attempt against non-blitzes — and Williams was among them:
- Mac Jones: 6.4
- Daniel Jones: 6.4
- Bryce Young: 6.3
- Aidan O’Connell: 6.3
- Caleb Williams: 6.2
- Cooper Rush: 5.4
That’s not the kind of list a franchise quarterback wants to be on. Chicago has built a strong foundation, but it’s up to Williams to make the most of it.
16) Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins stayed quiet in free agency, banking on better injury luck to help them return to playoff contention.
After a 2-6 start in 2024, Miami turned things around, ranking eighth in point differential over the final stretch of the season. The defense played a major role in that improvement, finishing with one of the league’s best red zone defense.
If the Dolphins can maintain that defensive strength while keeping their top offensive weapons healthy, they have the potential for double-digit wins in 2025.
In 2024, Miami finished 8-9, a record that included two last-second field goal losses and two more one-score defeats where they had the ball late with a chance to win. If a few of those close games swing their way, this team could be back in the playoff mix.
17) San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason moves were mostly about clearing cap space — likely in preparation for a Brock Purdy extension.
This raises a big question: Is this team closer to the version that won 12 games in 2023 or the one that fell to six wins in 2024?
A middle ground seems most likely, which is why they land in the middle of these rankings. Purdy has proven to be an efficient passer, and the team still has strong depth at receiver to offset the loss of Samuel.
However, the NFC West is looking much tougher. With the Los Angeles Rams reloading and the Cardinals improving, San Francisco faces more competition than ever. One potential silver lining? The 49ers get the benefit of a last-place schedule in 2025.
18) Seattle Seahawks
The Settle Seahawks are betting big on Sam Darnold, hoping his 2024 season wasn’t just a fluke.
Seattle didn’t do much to improve Darnold’s situation, as Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the only notable receiving addition after DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett departed. That could put even more pressure on a defense that quietly impressed last season, ranking sixth overall in PFSN’s grading metrics.
Seattle’s ability to generate pressure without blitzing was one of the best in the league, and that stat typically correlates with success.
A fourth-straight winning season is within reach, but with roster uncertainties, it’s far from a guarantee.
19) Atlanta Falcons
There’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Michael Penix Jr.
The No. 8 overall pick in 2024, Penix only attempted 105 passes as a rookie — most of them against weaker competition. That means we still don’t really know what the Falcons have in him.
What we do know is that their defense regressed significantly, dropping from 11th in 2023 to 29th in 2024.
The Atlanta Falcons remained competitive last season, with six of their nine losses coming by one score. That suggests they could be a surprise playoff team if Penix develops quickly — especially in a weaker NFC South.
20) Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season unravelled after Dak Prescott’s injury, but even when healthy, this team had some major flaws.
The biggest concern? Dallas had the worst red zone defense since the 2021 Raiders, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 75% of trips inside the 20-yard line.
No playoff team last season had a red zone defense worse than 64%, so if Dallas doesn’t improve in this area, even a healthy Prescott won’t be enough to push them into the top half of the rankings.
Losing DeMarcus Lawrence to Seattle is another huge blow. His departure caps the defense’s upside, especially in a stacked NFC East where the Cowboys need to compete with the Eagles and Commanders.
21) New York Jets
The New York Jets made headlines by trading for Justin Fields and releasing Aaron Rodgers — but will it actually improve the team?
New York also bolstered its defense, which will be key to their success after that unit fell from third in 2023 to 15th in 2024. If the defense bounces back, Fields will be in a much better position to manage games effectively, similar to his role in Pittsburgh before Russell Wilson reclaimed the starting job.
This roster has talent, but until it all comes together, it’s best to temper expectations. The Jets are still searching for their first winning season in a decade.
22) Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders retained Maxx Crosby and patched their quarterback situation by acquiring Geno Smith, but have they really changed their trajectory?
Last season, Las Vegas was the only AFC team that failed to win a single divisional game. With the AFC West positioned to be a powerhouse for years to come, that could very well be the case again in 2025.
The Raiders seem to understand where they stand — delaying a rebuild isn’t fun for fans, but it might be the most logical move. Adding a 35-year-old QB in Smith suggests that they aren’t in full rebuild mode, but they also aren’t making the kinds of moves needed to truly contend.
23) Houston Texans
The Houston Texans loaded up on receivers last offseason to build around C.J. Stroud, but injuries derailed their progress. Their Offense+ grade dropped from 70.2 to 64.7, reflecting the impact of those setbacks.
Now, Houston is trying again. Christian Kirk was signed in free agency, and if Nico Collins stays healthy, this offense could bounce back in 2025.
On defense, DeMeco Ryans’ impact has been clear. The Texans improved from 23rd in Defense+ in 2022 to 12th in 2023 and then 7th in 2024.
The biggest concern? Stroud’s QB+ grade dropped by 12.6 points in 2024 — a shocking decline no one saw coming. If he rebounds, this team has a clear path back to the top 15 of these rankings.
24) New England Patriots
The Drake Maye era is here, bringing long-term upside but low expectations for 2025.
New England’s running backs gained just 0.79 yards per carry before contact last season — the worst mark in the league. That’s a massive issue for a rookie quarterback trying to develop.
The defense was an even bigger concern. The Patriots had the third-worst Defense+ grade in the NFL in 2024. They spent big in free agency to fix it, highlighted by a $104 million deal for DT Milton Williams.
The franchise is trending upward, but how fast they can climb into contention remains unknown.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers
Without clarity at quarterback, the Steelers are one of the hardest teams to evaluate.
On one hand, the Metcalf-George Pickens duo creates major potential in the passing game. Plus, Pittsburgh’s defense ranked 12th in 2024 and has consistently played at a high leve l— they haven’t finished worse than 16th in Defense+ in any season.
On the other hand, this could be a house of cards. Pittsburgh had the 29th-ranked red zone offense in 2024 and moved on from Najee Harris, removing a key piece of their attack.
The big-play receivers are fun, but if their QB play is just average, the offense could struggle. For now, we’re taking a cautious approach with the Steelers, fearing their floor more than we’re intrigued by their ceiling.
26) Carolina Panthers
The Panthers showed progress late in 2024, winning two of their final three games and playing seven of their last nine within one possession.
Bryce Young showed enough in the final months to give the franchise optimism, but that doesn’t mean this team is ready to win more than seven games for the first time since 2017.
The defense is the biggest issue. Carolina had the worst Defense+ grade in PFSN’s database last season. Until they show signs of improvement, their ceiling remains extremely low.
2024 was a step forward, but expectations for 2025 should remain realistic.
27) Indianapolis Colts
In a league built on accuracy, the Colts’ quarterback situation raises major concerns.
The team has over $23 million in cap space tied up between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, yet neither has completed more than 62.3% of their career passes.
The defense is trending the wrong way, too. Here’s how Indianapolis has ranked in Defense+ over the past four years:
2021: 18th
2022: 22nd
2023: 22nd
2024: 23rd
If Richardson stays healthy and develops, there’s hope. If not, this team has no real path to overachieving.
28) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Liam Coen hiring should inspire some optimism, but losing Evan Engram and Christian Kirk in free agency leaves Jacksonville’s offense dangerously thin.
This team faces a franchise-altering decision:
Is Trevor Lawrence the long-term answer?
If he is, Jacksonville needs to fully commit to supporting him. If not, they’re looking at a semi-rebuild — especially with their defense posting a bottom-five Defense+ grade in three of the last five years.
The Jaguars are stuck in limbo, and 2025 could be the year they’re forced to choose a direction.
29) New Orleans Saints
The Saints are stuck in a cycle that’s hard to escape.
They have an aging offense and a declining defense — a combination that typically requires a full rebuild. Their Defense+ grade dropped from 84.8 in 2023 to 71.6 in 2024, showing just how much they regressed.
Bringing back Chase Young on a three-year deal is a solid move, but it’s just one step in what should be a long rebuilding process.
New Orleans won just five games in 2024, their lowest total since 2005—and right now, that feels like an accurate projection for 2025 as well.
30) New York Giants
The Giants have produced two of the nine worst Offense+ seasons in PFSN’s database — and they’ve done it in back-to-back years.
Adding Malik Nabers gives them a true playmaker, but without a clear plan at quarterback, it may not matter.
No team allowed more pressure during Daniel Jones’ tenure than New York. While some of that was on the QB, the offensive line remains a major issue.
The Giants are more than one player away from contending, especially in a loaded NFC East.
31) Tennessee Titans
The Titans have fallen apart, winning just nine total games over the past two seasons after averaging nine wins per season from 2016-2022.
Since 2023, Tennessee ranks bottom seven in points scored per drive on both offense and defense—the only other team that bad? The Carolina Panthers.
Carolina at least ended 2024 with hope, thanks to Bryce Young’s improvement. The Titans? They closed the season with six straight losses and aren’t positioned to improve in a meaningful way.
Having the No. 1 overall pick helps, but this is not a one-player fix.
32) Cleveland Browns
Almost nothing went right for Cleveland in 2024, and there’s little reason to believe 2025 will be much better.
The offense lacks direction, and that’s well known. But what’s even more concerning is the defensive drop-off:
In 2023, Cleveland had the second-best Defense+ grade ever recorded.
In 2024, they fell to ninth in the league.
The Browns still have Myles Garrett, which should keep them above average on defense. But unless they return to elite status, every game will be an uphill battle.
Cleveland also had the league’s worst turnover differential last season — a flaw that rarely leads to winning football.
Right now, they are at the bottom of these rankings — and unless something drastic changes, they’ll stay there.