ESPN releases preseason NFL power rankings and team milestones

ESPN published its preseason power rankings for all 32 NFL teams on August 31, 2026. The rankings arrive with the regular season set to begin in less than 10 days. Beyond the league hierarchy, the analysis highlights specific statistical milestones to monitor for each franchise throughout the upcoming year. This assessment provides a baseline for team expectations as clubs finalize rosters and prepare for the opening week of play. Readers can evaluate how analysts view the competitive standing of their respective organizations heading into the fall. The feature serves as a reference point for tracking individual and team performance goals during the season.

• 12:12 PMESPN — NFL Power Rankings: Our preseason poll, plus one milestone to watch for each team in 2026