NFL Notebook: NFL power rankings heading into training camp - Is Buffalo the team to beat?

Taking a step back and looking at the larger NFL landscape as we're now 22 days from the Patriots being back on the practice field for training camp. We're ranking the 32 NFL from the bottom to the top, and grouping them by their contender status ...

Still building
Languishing
A lot needs to go right
Not quite there
True contenders

Let's start from the bottom...

STILL BUILDING

32. Seattle Seahawks (7-10 in 2021)

Unless the Seahawks make an unexpected move for a QB, people are going to come to appreciate how much Russell Wilson propped up this team (until his own down season last year). Good luck to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett trying to have big years with Drew Lock or Geno Smith throwing to them. Also a tough look when you're depending on Uchenna Nwosu to being the pass rush heat. Good player, but that's a lot to ask.

31. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)

Another team looking at life after a franchise quarterback (Matt Ryan). While the cupboard isn't totally bare — AJ Terrell and Casey Hayward are very good at cornerback — there isn't much there on the defensive line, and the WRs are very young to go along with a recycled Marcus Mariota. 

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)

Big Trevor Lawrence fan here but if people think his only issue was the coaching and personnel, they are sorely mistaken. His mechanics got worse as the season went along, and not even Doug Pederson can wave a magic wand in one offseason and fix Lawrence. The offensive line is also rough, and spending big bucks in free agency does not usually pay off immediately. 

29. Chicago Bears (6-11)

This is a total rebuild under a new GM through the draft so this is going to take a while. However, Justin Fields is the type of talent who could make things work to pick up some more wins than normal. 

28. Houston Texans (4-13)

Like what Nick Caserio is doing with a slow and steady rebuild, and he has something to work with in a young secondary and QB Davis Mills, but the interior lines on both sides need a lot of work for this team to be competitive.

27. Detroit Lions (3-13-1)

Surprisingly, this team is almost ready to jump up a category or two with a good offensive line and some promising front seven pieces. But Jared Goff is not the type of QB to do more with less so until they solve that major piece, they are a ways off.

LANGUISHING

26. Carolina Panthers (5-12)

Carolina tried to spend to fix their offensive line but that's going to be an issue, and so is the pass rush. We still have some confidence that Sam Darnold is going to figure it out ala Rich Gannon at some point, but until we can say that for sure, this team will underachieve.

25. New York Giants (4-13)

Giants beefed up the defensive line and are in good hands overall with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, but there's no one left in the secondary after a mass exodus and they still have Daniel Jones at QB. 

24. Washington Commanders (7-10)

Yes, there are a lot of nice pieces on this roster, especially on the defensive line and with receiving targets ... but has anyone seen what Carson Wentz has done to the last two teams he's been on? Until Wentz proves he's a true leader, it's hard to have any faith that his team will achieve much of anything.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1)

The defense will be stout but that offense, with a deteriorated offensive line and not much at QB after Ben Roethlisberger retired, will hurt the eyes.

22. Minnesota Vikings (8-9)

A new coach and GM combo have some very nice pieces to work with at receiver, running back, tight end, edge and in the secondary, but the offensive line could be ugly and Kirk Cousins can only take a team so far. 

21. New York Jets (4-13)

I'll never believe in any team that pencils in George Fant at LT (this has to be the year Mekhi Becton stays healthy and dominates, right?), but the Jets are getting there with some solid acquisitions and if Zach Wilson starts off like he finished, the Jets could be feisty this season. 

A LOT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT

20. Arizona Cardinals (11-6)

If you knew Kyler Murray was going to be fully healthy for all 17 games, they could jump up more than a few spots. However, that is always an issue and the team never finishes strong. Mix in DeAndre Hopkins' suspension, a rough cornerback group and no Chandler Jones ... they could take a step back, especially if there is Murray contract drama.

19. New England Patriots (10-7)

An offensive line in flux, no upgrades on the defensive interior, a cast of characters at cornerback and Matt Patricia and Joe Judge coaching offense after Josh McDaniels' departure ... sure, they could surprise but should there be much confidence that's going to happen the way the team has finished three straight seasons?

18. Tennessee Titans (12-5)

You know Mike Vrabel and Co. are going to get them coached up, but after some key departures and Ryan Tannehill looking shakier and shakier with each passing year, this could be a tough ask.

17. New Orleans Saints (9-8)

Sean Payton is gone, but this is a good situation with Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael keeping all the systems in place. The QB situation and offensive line are dicey, but that defense should be really good and keep them in every game.

16. Miami Dolphins (9-8)

There's talent all over this roster in key places so it all comes down to new coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa. If they are a surprisingly effective duo — a lot to ask — then the Dolphins could be very dangerous. Still, it's the Dolphins ... when have things gone right for them since Dan Marino retired?

15. Cleveland Browns (8-9)

Very talented team that nearly made the playoffs last year despite a lot going wrong, but how the heck are they supposed to survive if Deshaun Watson is suspended for most if not all of the season, and no Baker Mayfield?

NOT QUITE THERE

14. Las Vegas Raiders (10-7)

Josh McDaniels, Derek Carr, Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, Josh Jacobs, Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby is a great base to work from. But the offensive line and secondary still needs building for them to be a true contender in a brutal division.

13. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)

Sigh. If only Matt Ryan was on the Colts last season ... This is still a good team if RB Jonathan Taylor can keep up his pace, but we're very worried about the drop off from Matt Eberflus as DC to Gus Bradley. And the Colts have never had great receiving options.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)

Great offensive line but the defense is a bit spotty at every spot except cornerback. If Jalen Hurts was the type of QB that could make a ton of plays, then you would feel really good about their chances. But there are way too many questions about his ceiling.

11. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

Outside of standouts like DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, the defense lacks much depth and will have a ceiling despite Dan Quinn's best efforts. And the offensive line always seems to have major injury issues. Plus, it's the Cowboys ... not much ever goes right for them when it counts.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)

If Ryan Tannehill didn't choke away that playoff game, no one would be talking much about the Bengals after they emerged as the least damaged team in the woeful AFC North. So let's not overlook the fact that the offensive line is still not a finished product and the defense is very iffy at DB. There's only so much Joe Burrow can do, even with Ja'Marr Chase. And things rarely go well for Super Bowl losers.

9. San Francisco 49ers (10-7)

Let me make sure I have this straight ... the 49ers went from working QB Trey Lance in last year early, to a couple of injured spot starts ... which led to no one ever mentioning him possibly playing again for a sporadic Jimmy Garoppolo ... and now Lance is suddenly ready to be a franchise QB for a team with a good roster? Are we sure the 49ers are even confident in Lance? We'll believe in him when the 49ers do, and they have yet to display that. 

TRUE CONTENDERS

8. Green Bay Packers (13-4)

Well, if Aaron Rodgers ever wanted to channel his inner Tom Brady, this is the time to do it. Let's see ... stacked defense, so-so weapons, average offensive line ... yup, sounds like Brady in his later Patriots years. Good enough for Brady, but is it for Rodgers?

7. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)

Offensive line, secondary and defensive line should be very good and have the team in every game ... but what are they going to get out of Lamar Jackson and for how long? If they can get 17 strong games from him, they could be really good, even with questions at receiver.

6. Denver Broncos (7-10)

Russell Wilson has his best supporting cast on offense in ages, and the pass rush and secondary should be terrific. There should still be questions about how much Wilson can do. There's a legit chance he's on the downside and can't carry an offense like he used to. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8)

With additions to the defensive line (Sebastian Joesph-Day, Khalil Mack) and the offensive line, there really are no weaknesses on this team, especially with Justin Herbert on the verge of being one of the game's best QBs. This season will squarely be on the shoulders of Brandon Staley. If this team fails, it will be because he's not up to the job and they should have hired Josh McDaniels two years ago.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)

If Patrick Mahomes is himself, there's plenty on offense and defense for this team to contend for another Super Bowl. But he truly struggled at times last season and you have to wonder if he's just fallen into bad habits that he can't break on a consistent basis. Mahomes needs to pick his game up a notch.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)

Hard to find a weakness on this roster. Really the only questions are, can Tom Brady keep doing what he's doing for another 17-plus games, can the Bucs stay healthy, and is Todd Bowles up to the job?

2. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Losing Von Miller and Odell Beckham will be tough to overcome but the Rams are so loaded at every spot — and now have Allen Robinson — that it might not matter. Only a Super Bowl hangover and complacency could do them in.

1. Buffalo Bills (11-6)

Some questions marks, especially at cornerback and the right side of the offensive line but this team has to be hungry after the way last season ended, and Josh Allen took another step down the stretch last year. Anything short of a Super Bowl appearance would be a major disappointment. They are the unquestioned Super Bowl favorites. 

_____________________________

NICKEL PACKAGE

1. Looks like Mac Jones has been putting in work this offseason. Can only help him.

2. PFF ranked New England's roster 18th in terms of talent compared to the rest of the league. Hard to argue with that. They said the biggest strength is safety, biggest weakness is cornerback, and Jonnu Smith is the x-factor. Sound about right. 

3. PFF also ranked rosters by position. Positions I disagree with:

Running backs (15th): You can quibble about who's going to be the pass back with James White's injury situation, but Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson should make this a top 10 group.

Secondary (26th): First of all, they have Kyle Dugger as the nickel instead of Jonathan Jones. And their safeties are way too good to be this low, even with questionable cornerbacks (who should be decent).

4. PFF is in the ballpark on...

Receivers/tight ends (20th): Until Devante Parker and Jonnu Smith prove to be bonafide top of the line at their position, hard to argue.

Defensive line (23rd): Until Christian Barmore becomes a full-time starter, Matthew Judon finishes strong and someone stops the run, this is accurate.

5. PFF overrated the Patriots on...

Offensive line (7th): They have Isaiah Wynn at LT, Trent Brown at RT and had Mike Onwenu as one of the league's best linemen last year ... despite the fact that he was benched for Ted Karras. 

Linebackers (19th): I think this will end up being accurate or a little low because I do have confidence in this group, but there's no way Ja'Whaun Bentley and a bunch of unproven players should be this high right now.