The Wait is Over

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2015 Week 1

On the bubble:

16. Saints,  15. Vikings,  14. Lions

13. Chiefs,  12. Chargers,  11. Dolphins

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week: 16th

Best Ranking: 10th (Week 1)

No team in the league has changed as radically as the Eagles have under head coach Chip Kelly. LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles are gone, but DeMarco Murray and Sam Bradford are in. Foles for Bradford is an intensely risky move since Bradford has only played in seven games in the past two seasons due to injury. On top of that, Kelly released both of his starting guards. We know for certain the Eagles will look different in 2015 than they did in 2014, but it's anybody's guess if that will be a positive change. (Clearly I'm betting it is.) - SBNation

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week: 8th

Best Ranking: 8th (Preseason,

Post-Draft, Free Agency)

The Steelers were one of three AFC North teams to make the playoffs last season, but they lost in the opening round to the Ravens. Both the Ravens and the Bengals return complete rosters, while the Steelers appear a little more unstable. Cornerback remains a big need and there's an immediate concern at running back. Le'Veon Bell has re-energized the Steelers' offense and gives Ben Roethlisberger necessary support, but he'll miss two games with a suspension. It's crucial for the Steelers that free agent signing DeAngelo Williams can produce in Bell's absence in opening bouts against the Patriots and 49ers. - SBNation

8. Arizona Cardinals

Last Week: 11th

Best Ranking: 8th (Week 1)

The Cardinals continue to do well in the NFC West, and we continue to be surprised by it. Last year they turned the NFC West into a two-team race between them and the Seahawks, leaving the Rams and 49ers behind. This offseason, they added seven different players to their defensive front seven, which was decimated by injury in 2014. The Cardinals also managed to keep Larry Fitzgerald and they hope Carson Palmer can pick up where he left off last season before he went down with a knee injury. If Palmer is able to put together another strong season and stay healthy, then the Cardinals will be in good shape once again. This time around, though, everyone will be expecting them to be dangerous. - SBNation

7. Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 7th

Best Ranking: 7th (Week 1,

Preseason, Post-Draft)

The Ravens made the playoffs last year, despite being in arguably the most competitive division in the NFL. Though Baltimore's success isn't really a surprise, the team still set out to have a productive offseason. The biggest upgrade came in the secondary with the addition of Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington. The Ravens also let Torrey Smith walk in free agency and replaced him with rookie receiver Breshad Perriman in the first round of the NFL Draft. Joe Flacco can throw it deep, Perriman certainly has speed (he just needs to get healthy), and veteran receiver Steve Smith is determined to go out on top. - SBNation

6. Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: 6th
Best Ranking: 4th (Free Agency)

Few teams took as big a step as the Cowboys did last season. Head coach Jason Garrett and QB Tony Romo, with the help of running back DeMarco Murray, marched Dallas to the top of the NFC East and into the playoffs. But although they were able to hang on to star receiver Dez Bryant in the offseason, they lost Murray in free agency. Unfortunately, the Cowboys were only able to replace him with Darren McFadden, so that creates one big question mark on the offensive side of the ball. Still, Byron Jones, Randy Gregory and La'el Collins are all rookies with first-round talent who could make an impact right away. - SBNation

5. New England Patriots

Last Week: 5th

Best Ranking: 1st (Free Agency)

Despite the QB-focused haze of "Deflategate," the glaring question mark for the Super Bowl champion Patriots is actually at cornerback: Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner departed in free agency, and the Patriots released both Kyle Arrington and Alfonzo Dennard. The rest of the teams in the division aren't offensive powerhouses, but if Malcom Butler and Logan Ryan can't step up, the Patriots could be in some hot water against teams like the Colts and Broncos when the playoffs roll around (or against Jimmy Graham in a potential Super Bowl rematch with the Seahawks). However, in most other positions, the Patriots are as stacked as ever and the AFC East still belongs to them. - SBNation

4. Denver Broncos

Last Week: 4th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 1,
Preseason, Post-Draft)

Quarterback Peyton Manning didn't retire, thus keeping the Broncos firmly entrenched as a contender in the AFC, though they continue to fall short in the biggest games. Manning may have lost some velocity, but Broncos fans should once again expect a ridiculously productive passing offense; even without Julius Thomas, they still have Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. And although new coach Gary Kubiak is bringing along a new offensive scheme, there's no quarterback better suited to grasp it quickly than Manning. On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos have high hopes for rookie Shane Ray, who should provide some life to what is already a capable defense. - SBNation

3. Green Bay Packers

Last Week: 1st

Best Ranking: 1st (Preseason)

This offseason, the Packers ensured wide receiver Randall Cobb and right tackle Bryan Bulaga would remain with the team (on reasonable contracts), retaining core players who help make the Packers' offense one of the most successful in the league. Losing Jordy Nelson to injury is a significant loss, but this offense should still be more than capable once again in 2015, led by last year's league MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On the defensive side of the ball, though, there are a few concerns. The Packers let Davon House and Tramon Williams walk in free agency and they have questions to answer at the middle linebacker spot after A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones were released. - SBNation

2. Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 3rd
Best Ranking: 2nd (Week 1)

The Colts easily won the AFC South a season ago and, after a decent offseason, it still looks like they'll dominate in 2015. The Colts needed to add a few pieces to help them take that last step to make it to the Super Bowl, so they focused on adding established players like Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Trent Cole. Gore, if he still has enough left in him, could be the key for the Colts' success in 2015, as Andrew Luck hasn't had much help from the running back position over the years. Both offensive and defensive lines still need some work, and they need to figure out a way to stop teams like the Patriots, who routed them in last year's AFC title game. - SBNation

1. Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: 2nd

Best Ranking: 1st (Week 1, Post-Draft)

What do you do when you make it to two consecutive Super Bowls (easily winning the first, barely losing the second)? You make a blockbuster trade to acquire one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the league, of course. The trade for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is massive and provides Russell Wilson, already one of the more resourceful and decisive quarterbacks in the league, the most reliable target he could ever need. On top of all of this, the Seahawks are still young and just as talented on the defensive side of the ball. The Seahawks enter the season, yet again, as the team to beat and look to be on their way to yet another Super Bowl appearance. - SBNation