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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 13: Philadelphia Eagles players and members of the armed forces hold a large American Flag before their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 13: Philadelphia Eagles players and members of the armed forces hold a large American Flag before their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

With the 2018 preseason now over, Niner Noise dishes out our NFL power rankings as Week 1 of the regular season draws that much closer.

Finally. The 2018 NFL regular season is here. No more preseason, no more exhibition games and no more commentators and pundits drumming up interest in third- and fourth-string players who won’t make an NFL roster anyway.

No, the games count now. Thank goodness. And with Week 1 of the regular season kicking off on Thursday between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, it’s time to dish out our first meaningful NFL power rankings since our last assessment entering preseason.

There have been a few changes, of course. Injuries are just as important a factor in determining each team’s standings. And, unfortunately, more than a handful of teams suffered some serious setbacks since training camp.

Our NFL power rankings were also influenced by some notable moves. Most recently, the New York Jets sent one of their three starting-caliber quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater, off to the New Orleans Saints to serve as a backup option and potential long-term replacement for future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.

For other teams, some questions remain unanswered. The Oakland Raiders have yet to reach a renegotiated deal with edge rusher Khalil Mack, which hurts head coach Jon Gruden’s defensive efforts in a major way. The Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line is banged up, which could hurt their chances early on this season too.

We’ll see if any of that factors into how the first few weeks of the season go, though. In the meantime, let’s kick off these NFL power rankings by looking at a team with all kinds of questions on offense, the Buffalo Bills.