NFL power rankings place Seattle Seahawks at top for 2026 season
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 8:30 AM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
The 2026 NFL regular season begins this week with a schedule featuring a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. Following that contest, the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on Thursday. Heading into these matchups, the Seattle Seahawks hold the top spot in the league's initial power rankings, narrowly leading the Los Angeles Rams. The rankings categorize teams into three tiers based on early season expectations for playoff contention and championship potential. While 16 teams are identified as primary contenders, other organizations are facing questions regarding roster stability and quarterback performance. League play continues throughout the weekend as teams look to establish their positions in the standings following the season opener.
- •Seattle Seahawks open the season ranked first, followed by the Los Angeles Rams.
- •The 2026 NFL season begins with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.
- •San Francisco 49ers meet the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on Thursday.
- •Sixteen teams are categorized as primary contenders, while others like the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins are grouped in the lower tier.
- 8:30 AMYahoo Sports — NFL power rankings 2026: Where the Indianapolis Colts stand in Week 1
- 9:14 PMYahoo Sports — AFC power rankings for Week 1 of 2026 NFL season
- 4:36 PMYahoo Sports — NFL power rankings, Week 1: Separating the contenders from the rest
- 11:28 AMBleacher Report — B/R Experts Week 1 NFL Power Rankings - Bleacher Report
"After months of pre-draft predictions, free-agency frenzy, draft-day surprises, OTAs, minicamps, training camp and the preseason, it's time to play NFL games that count.
"Here's where the Indianapolis Colts stand in the NFL power rankings entering Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
"Here's how every team in the AFC stacks up in our power rankings going into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 8:30 AMNFL power rankings 2026: Where the Indianapolis Colts stand in Week 1
Here's where the Indianapolis Colts stand in the NFL power rankings entering Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 9:14 PMAFC power rankings for Week 1 of 2026 NFL season
Here's how every team in the AFC stacks up in our power rankings going into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 4:36 PMNFL power rankings, Week 1: Separating the contenders from the rest
With the 2026 NFL regular season kicking off this week, here are our first power rankings of the season.
- Bleacher ReportSep 7, 2026, 11:28 AMB/R Experts Week 1 NFL Power Rankings - Bleacher Report
After months of pre-draft predictions, free-agency frenzy, draft-day surprises, OTAs, minicamps, training camp and the preseason, it's time to play NFL games that count.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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