The NFL Is Back, Baby—And So Are the Power Rankings!
It’s that time again. The cleats are laced, practice fields are buzzing, and your social media feed is probably drowning in grainy clips of rookie QBs tossing picks or wideouts mossing defenders in slow-motion. Translation: NFL training camps are open. The countdown to kickoff is officially real.
And with all that action heating up, there’s one thing fans and analysts alike love to do: rank stuff.
Whether it’s your early Super Bowl contenders, coaches already feeling the hot seat simmer, or guessing who’s taking home MVP, ranking season is here in full force. And trust us—it’s not just a way to kill time before Week 1. These early insights give you a genuine feel for which teams are ready to make noise... and which ones might be faking the funk.
So, we’ve tapped into three of our favorite SB Nation analysts—Mark Schofield, James Dator, and JP Acosta—to get their top five teams coming out of training camp. And yeah, we’re asking you to chime in too. Drop your top 5 in the comments, because hey, we’re calling it “science” and running with it.
Let’s dive into what these experts are seeing so far.
Mark Schofield’s Top 5:
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Baltimore Ravens
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Kansas City Chiefs
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Buffalo Bills
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Washington Commanders
Let’s pause here and talk about those Commanders for a second. Surprised? Don’t be. Mark’s got an eye for potential, and he sees something brewing in Washington. While everyone else is still trying to wrap their heads around last season’s NFC Championship Game run, Mark is already thinking three steps ahead.
The Commanders get a huge scheduling advantage this year—no first-place schedule pressure. That matters in the NFL. Add in the chemistry they developed late last year, and you’ve got a team flying under the radar with serious upside.
And the Eagles? Classic “you win it, you top it” logic. Mark doesn’t want to overcomplicate things. Philly still owns the crown until someone rips it from their talons.
James Dator’s Top 5:
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Baltimore Ravens
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Washington Commanders
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Buffalo Bills
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Los Angeles Chargers
James brings the juice with a hot take on the Chargers, and honestly, it’s hard not to love it. They’re the wildcard on his list—and here’s why.
Jim Harbaugh made a statement last year that his brand of smashmouth, disciplined football can still dominate in the modern NFL. They went 11-6 during what was supposed to be a transitional year, and now they’ve upgraded. Major additions like Mekhi Becton, Tyler Conklin, and Najee Harris in free agency? That’s no joke. Oh, and don’t forget Omarion Hampton—the rookie RB that could turn some heads this fall.
James is betting that the AFC West doesn’t belong to the Chiefs by default anymore. If the Chargers stay healthy, he sees them climbing even higher.
And like Mark, James won’t move Philly off that No. 1 perch until someone proves they deserve it more.
JP Acosta’s Top 5:
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Baltimore Ravens
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Buffalo Bills
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Kansas City Chiefs
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Los Angeles Rams
Now this is where things get really spicy—because JP’s bringing the Rams back into the spotlight.
Let’s address the obvious: yes, the Eagles are again No. 1. JP’s not reinventing the wheel—he just respects greatness. Philly’s roster is still the deepest in the league, and the combination of offensive versatility and defensive dominance is unmatched. “To be the man, you gotta beat the man.” Sound familiar?
But then comes that twist at No. 5: the Los Angeles Rams. Why? A few reasons.
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Sean McVay’s offense is as dangerous as ever.
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Matthew Stafford’s arm + Puka Nacua’s breakout + Davante Adams joining the squad = nightmares for opposing secondaries.
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Even though the Rams flashed offensive brilliance in 2024, their WR unit underperformed against man coverage. Enter Adams, one of the NFL’s elite separators—even if he’s lost a step.
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On defense, the Rams aren’t slouching either. They’ve bulked up their pass rush game and added DT Poona Ford to make sure teams can’t just run through them on early downs.
JP’s call isn’t just hype—it’s grounded in matchups, trends, and raw potential.
Why All Eyes Are on the Eagles (Again)
Let’s not pretend we don’t know why the Eagles are topping all these lists. Philly has found that elusive balance between top-end star power and depth across all units. Jalen Hurts keeps getting better, the offensive line remains elite, and the defense? Still scary.
Every expert agrees: until someone knocks them off, they stay perched on top.
What’s the Deal With the Ravens?
The Ravens are sitting at No. 2 across all three lists, and it’s not a coincidence.
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Lamar Jackson is still Lamar Jackson—a game-changer in every sense.
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Zach Orr’s defense got better in Year 1 and is expected to take another leap.
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The front office doubled down on upgrading the secondary, which had been a weak spot.
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Most importantly: this is one of the most balanced teams in the league. You can’t out-muscle them, and you can’t out-run them either.
They’re flying just under the radar—but don’t be shocked if they’re making headlines in January.
Buffalo & KC: Still Hanging Around
The Bills and Chiefs didn’t dominate the headlines this offseason like they have in the past, but both teams are still loaded.
For the Bills, the biggest questions revolve around Josh Allen’s consistency and whether their retooled defense can hold up in big moments. For the Chiefs, it’s business as usual—Mahomes is Mahomes, and Andy Reid still has the magic. But for the first time in a while, the Chiefs aren’t the top pick across the board. Could we be seeing a real shift in AFC power?
Let’s Talk: Your Turn!
We’ve shown you the picks from the experts. Now it’s your move.
Drop your top five training camp teams in the comments. Are you riding with the Eagles like everyone else? Do you think the Rams are about to shock the league? Or maybe you’ve got a sleeper team like the Texans, Bears, or Falcons creeping into your Top 5?
This is the NFL. Anything can happen. That’s what makes it beautiful.
Let the debates begin. 🏈🔥
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