Welcome to the Initial 2017 NFL Power Rankings!
This is one of our favorite times of the season. As the summer fades into autumn, our there is only one thing on our minds…and that is football! It has everything! Football brings us extreme joy, and extreme anger and sadness. Players personalities are vast; some are Prima Donna’s, some get arrested, some are normal dudes, and there is this one guy named GRONK. We gamble on our favorite teams, and even on teams we don’t watch. Like we said, it’s one of our favorite times of the year!
Our podcast hosts Brandon and Erick have had multiple discussions, and ranked each team into their respective tiers prior to Week 1. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the initial Power Rankings for the 2017 NFL Season. Thanks for reading!
Where did your team end up?
- Tier 1 – Super Bowl Ready (1)
- Tier 2 – The Real Contenders (2-4)
- Tier 3 – The Pseudo Contenders (5-10)
- Tier 4 – On the Cusp (11-16)
- Tier 5 – Hello Mediocre-ness, My Old Friend (17-24)
- Tier 6 – Just Try and Stay Positive, OK? (25-32)
Click here for the final 2016 power rankings.
Tier 1 – Super Bowl Ready
1. New England Patriots 
2016 Record: 14-2
Next Game: Week 1 vs Chiefs (Thursday)
Last Season: 1
Brandon’s Initial Take – Fresh off their Super Bowl title, New England is primed for another DEEP playoff run, even without Edelman. Brady gets Gronk back, as well as plenty of new weapons. The defense is loaded up with weapons. The Patriots back up QB and OC are better than teams starting QB’s and HC’s. HEAVY favorites to get back to the Super Bowl.
Tier 2 – The Real Contenders
2. Seattle Seahawks 
2016 Record: 10-5-1
Next Game: Week 1 @ Packers
Last Season: 7
Brandon’s Initial Take- Seattle did all the right things in the off season in order to stay atop the NFC West. If Wilson can stay healthy, BIG things are coming (MVP?). Wondering which Eddie Lacy shows up (my money is on skinny-ish Lacy).
3. Green Bay Packers
2016 Record: 10-6
Next Game: Week 1 vs Seahawks
Last Season: 6
B – GB goes into the season as the favorites in the NFC, but not here. The Pack have top-tier pass-catchers being thrown footballs to by superstar QB Aaron (pronounced “Aye-Aye-Ron” per sources) Rodgers. I expect them to win the division, and compete with Seattle for a SB berth.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 Record: 11-5
Next Game: Week 1 @ Browns
Last Season: 5
B – Led by three potential future Hall-of-Famers, the Steelers offense might be record-breaking this season. Le’Veon Bell is set to play Week 1 for the first time in a few seasons, and it’s also the long-awaited return of WR Martavis Bryant.
Tier 3 – The Pseudo Contenders
2016 Record: 12-4
Next Game: Week 1 @ Patriots (Thursday)
Last Season: 3
Brandon’s Initial Take – KC is loaded on both sides of the football, again. However, the season truly relies on the arm of veteran QB Alex Smith to lead this team deep into the playoffs. If he can’t get it done, expect rookie Pat Mahomes in there, quickly.
6. Dallas Cowboys
2016 Record: 13-3
Next Game: Week 1 @ Giants
Last Season: 2
B – The loss of Zeke for six games pushes this team back to tier 3. However, the Cowboys should be able to withstand that brief loss and be full strength come playoff time. The pressure falls squarely on sophomore QB Dak Prescott.
7. Atlanta Falcons
2016 Record: 11-5
Next Game: Week 1 @ Bears
Last Season: 4
B – Super Bowl losers fail to make the postseason most of the time, and I expect Atlanta to break that tradition. The Falcons are not going to blow you away, but they will look more like the team up 28-3 than the team that blew the Super Bowl lead. This team is flawed, but will be fun to watch.
8. Oakland Raiders
2016 Record: 12-4
Next Game: Week 1 @ Titans
Last Season: 8
B – The Raiders will not surprise any one in 2017, but it shouldn’t matter…this team is GOOD. Derek Carr is about ready to take the leap, along with WR Amari Cooper on offense, and alongside All-Pro everything Khalil Mack on D, the R-R-R-Raiders should find themselves fighting for a playoff spot.
9. New York Giants
2016 Record: 11-5
Next Game: Week 1 vs Cowboys
Last Season: 9
B – The NY Football Giants competed with the Cowboys all of 2016, and I expect the same in 2017. The Giants have real ballers on defense, led by potential DPOY canditate, Landon Collins. The Giants have serious offensive weapons on the outside for Eli (ODB, Marshall), and if they can figure out the RB, watch out NFC.
10. Denver Broncos
2016 Record: 9-7
Next Game: Week 1 vs Chargers (Monday)
Last Season: 16
B – Denver has one of the best defenses in the league, there is no question about that. The questions rely solely on QB Trevor Seimian, who Von Miller said reminds him of Peyton Manning. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a “surprise” drug test on Von’s doorstep after that one.
Tier 4 – On the Cusp
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 Record: 9-7
Next Game: Week 2 vs Bears
Last Season: 15
Brandon’s Initial Take – With the hurricane looming, the Buccaneers take Week 1 off, then have 16 straight weeks of football. Regardless, this team is primed to take a leap, maybe to the postseason. Jameis to Evans is a great combo, and they get RB Doug Martin back in Week 5.
12. Tennessee Titans
2016 Record: 9-7
Next Game: Week 1 vs Raiders
Last Week: 17
B – Just like the Bucs, the Titans are primed for a leap. They are loaded at all the right positions, and will push TB for a playoff spot all season long. I expect big things from Mariota, perhaps even a top-5 MVP candidate.
13. Arizona Cardinals
2016 Record: 7-8-1
Next Game: Week 1 @ Lions
Last Season: 23
B – While the teams before Arizona are on the cusp for positive reasons, Arizona is on the cusp, but moving down. This team was a Super Bowl contender just a couple seasons ago, but a poor 2016 had everyone questioning things. I don’t expect another 7-win season again, as the Cards should regain their form, just to send Larry Fitz off the correct way.
14. Houston Texans
2016 Record: 9-7
Next Game: Week 1 vs Jaguars
Last Season: 12
B – The Texans get back their superstar defender JJ Watt. That alone should improve their chances. The division got tougher, but Houston should be able to push Tennessee for most of the season. This team won’t make the leap forward until Deshaun Watson comes in at QB.
15. Carolina Panthers
2016 Record: 6-10
Next Game: Week 1 @ 49ers
Last Season: 24
B – The Panthers are ready to overlook their poor 2016. I’m not too sure I am yet. This team was awful last year, after winning 15 games in 2015. Rookie RB Christian McCaffrey will help, but it’s on Cam and Star LB Luke Kuechly to lead this team back to the top.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 7-9
Next Game: Week 1 vs Washington
Last Week: 21
B – Philly revamped their receiving core to give Wentz the weapons he needs. This team is very close, but still is one season away. If Wents takes the leap a year early, they could surprise folks and steal this division.
Tier 5: Hello Mediocre-ness, My Old Friend
17. Los Angeles Chargers
2016 Record: 5-11
Next Game: Week 1 @ Broncos
Last Season: 26
Brandon’s Initial Take – The Chargers make their way to Los Angeles, with out a lot of buzz. And I like it. This team has weapons on offense, and will win a lot of the close games they close in 2016. Rivers can still sling it, and there is no way that Keenan Allen gets injured three years in a row, right?
18. Detroit Lions
2016 Record: 9-7
Next Game: Week 1 vs Cardinals
Last Season: 11
B – The Lions showed everyone that they can actually hold on to a late season collapse and make the playoffs. Now that is out of the way, I expect the Lions to do what they do best, not make the postseason, but tease their fans all the way through. Congrats to Matt $tafford!
19. Cincinnati Bengals
2016 Record: 6-9-1
Next Game: Week 1 vs Ravens
Last Season: 25
B – The Bengals had everything go wrong in 2016. AJ Green got hurt. They tied with someone! A tie! Everyone is healthy in 2017, and rookie RB Joe Mixon is ready to beat up the NFL (pun intended).
20. Baltimore Ravens
2016 Record: 8-8
Next Game: Week 1 @ Bengals
Last Season: 14
B – Baltimore was in off-season headlines, for the wrong reasons. QB Joe Flacco is hurting, and they decided not to sign Colin Kaepernick, in the weirdest and most public way possible. Not the best look for a team that doesn’t have many weapons.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 8-8
Last Game: W, 38-10 vs. Bears
Last Week: 22
B – Hard to tell what Minnesota is. Defensively, they are solid. Playmakers all around. The offense is highly questionable. Sam Bradford is good, when he’s upright (he’s not). RB Dalvin Cook has high expectations to replace Adrian Peterson, behind a suspect line.
22. Washington Football Team
2016 Record: 8-7-1
Next Game: Week 1 vs Eagles
Last Season: 13
B – Washington may be one of the best-bad team in the league. They also may just be bad. Kirk Cousins is playing for a long-term pay day, but clearly does not get along with ownership. This season reeks like .500, or worse.
23. Miami Dolphins
Record: 10-6
Last Game: L, 14-35 vs. Patriots
Last Week: 11
B – After a 10-win season, coach Adam Gase & Miami seemed ready to try and compete with the Patriots. Then QB Ryan Tannehill goes down in practice, untouched. Uh Oh. In comes Jay Cutler. UH OH.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 8-8
Last Game: W, 24-20 vs. Jaguars
Last Week: 18
B – This team has not protected their star QB Andrew Luck, and now he is on the PUP list. Scott Tolzien now takes the helm, which usually means disaster.
Tier 6 – Just Try and Stay Positive, OK?
25. New Orleans Saints
Record: 7-9
Next Game: Week 1 vs Vikings
Last Week: 19
Brandon’s Initial Take – Drew Brees is still the QB, which usually means success. However, this seems like it’s nearing the end. The defense is still not great, and I suspect it will not be a positive year.
26. Buffalo Bills 
Record: 7-9
Next Game: Week 1 vs Jets
Last Season: 21
B – Shady McCoy. That’s about all this team has to look forward to. Sammy Watkins was traded. Robert Woods left via FA. Tyrod Taylor is concussed. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2017 Buffalo Bills! At least they start the year with the Jets.
27. Chicago Bears
Record: 3-13
Next Game: Week 1 vs Falcons
Last Season: 27
B – The Bears shocked the world when they drafted Mitch Trubisky with the second pick, after they signed Mike Glennon. The loss of Cameron Meredith hurts, but RB Jordan Howard should have a nice year, fantasy wise.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 Record: 3-13
Next Game: Week 1 @ Texans
Last Season: 29
B – I learned my lesson on the Jaguars. After having high hopes (playoffs) for this team, they are back where they belong. The Jaguars are always bad until proven good. Looking foward to seeing rookie Leonard Fournette play against NFL competition that “isn’t as fast as he thought”.
29. Los Angeles Rams
2016 Record: 4-12
Next Game: Week 1 vs Colts
Last Season: 30
B – The Rams made some moves in the off season to give QB Jared Goff some weapons. The answer is cliche, but it’s on him to move this team up the ranks. The pressure has to come off Gurley, who is a superstar RB behind a mediocre line and a below-average QB.
30. San Francisco 49ers
2016 Record: 2-14
Next Game: Week 1 vs Panthers
Last Season: 31
B – New everything. That was the 49ers motto in the off-season. With a new leadership team of HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch, the 49ers are slowly getting back into it by getting blue-chippers on defense. Rookies Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, mixed with sophomore DeForest Bucker will provide the 49ers with some pass-rush, something they’ve been lacking since Harbaugh got fired left.
31. Cleveland Browns
2016 Record: 1-15
Next Game: Week 1 vs Steelers
Last Season: 32
B – The Browns will start off at the bottom of the list again, but this year feels a little different. Now that this team got rid of Brock, the horizon looks much brighter. Looking forward to seeing Kizer in action, as well.
32. New York Jets
2016 Record: 5-11
Next Game: Week 1 @ Bills
Last Season: 28
B – The Jets were slated to win zero games as of a couple weeks ago. I think this team will win one game, but they have absolutely nothing going on at the QB position. Another team at the bottom of the power rankings starting Josh McCown.
RosenthalSports.com 