NFL Week 1 Power Rankings 2023

Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is finally behind us, but the Week 1 NFL Power Rankings from 97.5 The Fanatic are just beginning.

The expected sloppy brand of football after an inactive preseason played itself out. Plenty of preseason favorites took unexpected losses, but how did it impact the overall rankings?

A 25-20 victory against the New England Patriots kept the Eagles in the top spot. It wasn’t the most impressive performance in the league, but it got the job done on the road against a coach with six Super Bowl rings.

The new coordinators have a lot of work to do. The expected prolific offense didn’t show itself. However, preseason expectations shouldn’t change in Philadelphia. Therefore, the Eagles deserve to retain the top spot.

Strong performances by Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Josh Sweat also provide a key source of optimism that the Eagles can replicate the strength of a defensive front that carried them last year.

The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers made big jumps with convincing double-digit victories. They were the two most impressive teams in the preseason top tier of the NFL out of the gates.

The expected AFC powers weren’t nearly as impressive. Three of the four teams who played in the AFC Divisional Round lost. The Kansas City Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills all dropped in the rankings.

The Los Angeles Rams made a big leap from 24th to 18th with an impressive road victory. The Detroit Lions equally jumped six spots with a victory over the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Miami Dolphins outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers in a battle of teams looking to join the top powers of the AFC. Tyreek Hill scored the game-winning touchdown to cap off a 215-yard day.

Win 25-20 vs. New England Patriots
Last Week: 1

It was anything but pretty. The Eagles jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead behind two forced turnovers, but they narrowly escaped a stunning upset loss. Ultimately, they traveled to face one of the greatest head coaches in the history of the sport and left with a 1-0 record.

Win 40-0 @ New York Giants
Last Week: 4

Things went about as well as they could’ve possibly gone for the Cowboys. They’ve beaten the rival Giants with ease with Dak Prescott under center throughout his career.

Win 30-7 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 5

Brock Purdy looked solid to start a season in which he’ll receiver major scrutiny. Christian McCaffrey dominated in one of Week 1’s most impressive collective efforts.

Loss 21-20 vs. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 2

Patrick Mahomes didn’t get the best effort from an underwhelming group of receivers. The looming return of Travis Kelce and Chris Jones will provide reinforcements for a team that shouldn’t show any signs of panic.

Loss 24-3 @ Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 3

It was plain ugly on offense. The Bengals need to move on quickly with another division opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 2.

Win 36-34 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Last Week: 7

It was a matchup between two teams looking to take the next step to become an AFC powerhouse. The Dolphins took a slugfest behind 215 receiving yards from Tyreek Hill.

Loss 22-16 @ New York Jets
Last Week: 6

It looked like a given when Zach Wilson took over for Aaron Rodgers. A clunker from Josh Allen ruined it. The Bills came out of the gates slowly, and they must regroup.

Win 31-21 @ Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 8

They surrendered a bizarre defensive touchdown to DeForest Buckner, but surviving a road division game with a 10-point win is no cause for concern.

Win 22-16 vs. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 9

Unfortunately, it’s fair to wonder whether the Jets lost their high aspirations when Aaron Rodgers went down after four snaps. For one night, they dealt with adversity incredibly well with an emotional overtime on a walk-off punt return touchdown from Zavier Gipson and three interceptions from Jordan Whitehead.

21-20 Win @ Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 16

They were the preseason darlings, and they lived up to the hype for the time being. A road win against the defending Super Bowl champs is a good way to rise in the power rankings.

Win 16-15 vs. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 11

The NFC South doesn’t look the strongest division, but their only Week 1 loss was within the division. The Saints still look like the favorite.

Win 38-20 @ Chicago Bears
Last Week: 14

A road win against an NFC North rival looking to knock them off at the top of the standings puts Green Bay in a great position early. They have a lot to prove without Aaron Rodgers, but so far, so good.

Loss 36-34 vs. Miami Dolphins
Last week: 10

It was a memorable game, sure. However, the Chargers are in a hole because of a game they could’ve won against a team they might be competing against for playoff position.

Win 25-9 vs. Houston Texans
Last Week: 15

They played one of the weaker opponents in the NFL. They took care of business. The loss of J.K. Dobbins for the season with a torn Achilles makes it hard to say there’s nothing to see here though.

Loss 30-13 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: 12

A 17-point loss at home against a division opponent who is not a preseason favorite isn’t promising. Geno Smith is also afraid of Aaron Donald on the pass rush, as he indicated by screaming “Oh my God!” when the future Hall of Famer charged at him on Sunday.

Loss 30-7 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 13

The Steelers gave very little reason for optimism in Week 1. Kenny Pickett wasn’t impressive, and Cameron Heyward faces health concerns.

Loss 40-0 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 17

Things spiraled out of control on Sunday Night Football. Can Brian Daboll burn the tape and move past an ugly loss?

Win 30-13 @ Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 24

Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua certainly stepped in for an injured Cooper Kupp well with matching 119-yard performances. The Rams are off to a great start in a redemption season.

Loss 17-16 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: 18

Sean Payton wanted to announce a new era emphatically. However, was an onside kick too symbolic of his own personal victory in Super Bowl XLIV?

Loss 25-20 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 20

There were some encouraging signs in Week 1. Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon led a potent defense that contained one of the league’s most talented offenses. The Patriots might not have the firepower to keep up with the league’s best though.

Loss 20-17 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 19

The Buccaneers looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL entering the season. The Vikings couldn’t shut down the swagger of Baker Mayfield in Week 1. They face a tough road test on Thursday Night Football against the Eagles to avoid an 0-2 start.

Win 20-16 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 21

Washington is 1-0 in the Josh Harris era. However, they have a lot to prove after just a narrow win against a team expected to be a bottom-feeder this season.

Win 17-16 @ Denver Broncos
Last Week: 23

Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20/26 with good contributions from Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams in a road division victory. The Raiders have had worse days.

Loss 16-15 @ New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 22

The Titans will hang tough with most of their opponents this season, just like they did against the Saints in Week 1. Will they really pull out enough of them to be a playoff contender though?

Win 24-3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 27

The declining optimism of the Kevin Stefanski era was the basis for the skepticism of the preseason power rankings. A decisive win against the defending division champions is an emphatic step in the opposite direction.

Win 24-10 vs. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 26

The Falcons have a chance to build a strong young offense. Can Desmond Ritter take advantage of some talented weapons?

Win 20-17 @ Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 29

Baker Mayfield has no intentions of letting the Buccaneers slip to the league’s basement. He’s a gamer if nothing else.

Loss 38-20 vs. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 25

Aaron Rodgers is gone from Green Bay, but Chicago's little brother feeling against the Packers isn’t. The Bears certainly didn’t move closer toward their breakout in Week 1.

Loss 24-10 @ Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 28

The Bryce Young era is underway. Two interceptions and a 48.8 quarterback rating leave plenty of room for improvement.

Loss 31-21 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 30

The DeForest Buckner touchdown gave the Colts a chance to jump out with a stunner to start the season. However, a team with more talent and poise overtook them late. The Colts have a long way to go.

Loss 25-9 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 31

C.J. Stroud recorded his first career completion to himself. Bookmark that bit of trivia in the back of your brain to impress friends in a few years. It didn’t help the Texans much though.

Loss 20-16 @ Washington Commanders
Last Week: 32

The Cardinals hung tough and made this game closer than most people would’ve expected. Six sacks provide some optimism, but ultimately, they couldn’t pull out a sloppy game with five total turnovers against a team starting Sam Howell at quarterback.