Walt
I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.
NFL Power Rankings updated Oct. 19, 2026
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San Francisco 49ers (6-0)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
The 49ers dominated the Redskins for most of the evening, but nearly blew it at the end. It's woth noting that San Francisco scored just three points in the second half, which was when Mike Evans was knocked out with an injury. If San Francisco is missing Evans and Deebo Samuel, it'll have cluster injuries heading into the Atlanta game next Sunday.
If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.
Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $8.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
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Buffalo Bills (5-1)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
The Bills and Rams played a thriller last Monday night. I thought the Rams would bounce back with a strong Week 6 performance following their loss. Instead, it was the Bills who impressed, going into Las Vegas and winning by 10 before Tre Tucker's deep touchdown catch in the final seconds.
Buffalo is the best team in the conference, but its defense needs to improve. Perhaps the Bills can trade for someone like Budda Baker.
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Baltimore Ravens (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
The Ravens lost to the Browns, but they didn't have Lamar Jackson. They also didn't have Derrick Henry, apparently, because they completely forgot to give him the ball in the second half. My theory is that they saw Todd Monken and just assumed he was their offensive coordinator again, so they began utilizing his usual game plan.
This ranking assumes Jackson will return this week.
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Los Angeles Rams (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
Given that the Rams showed absolutely zero effort on either side of the ball against the Cardinals, I almost want to send an invoice to the organization demanding my $440 back for my lost bet. It would be one thing if they tried hard and still didn't cover, but they didn't try at all. So I think I deserve my money back, and so does everyone else who bet on this stupid team.
Update: The Rams are moving down a spot after losing Davante Williams, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford.
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Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
The Chiefs hardly ever cover the spread as large favorites, but they managed to do so against the Chargers. They didn't even have to do all that much. They just needed Justin Herbert and the rest of the Chargers' offense to continuously screw up.
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Chicago Bears (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
The Bears have scored 30-plus points in both games Caleb Williams has played in their entirety this year. Ben Johnson said he wanted to set the record for points scored in a single season, but Williams' absence will prevent that from happening. However, with their quarterback back in action, the Bears should be targeting a potential Super Bowl run. It's pretty impressive that the Bears are 4-2 with Williams playing just two full games.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
The Jaguars obviously have a lot of talent on their roster, but Liam Coen's dismal coaching will cost them come playoff time once again. I don't know what Coen was thinking by attempting a 60-yard field goal with so much time remaining in regulation. And this wasn't even close to his only horrible decision throughout the morning.
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Seattle Seahawks (3-3)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Seahawks are 3-3, but allow me to remind you that they weren't great to start their 2025 season either. They lost to the Buccaneers at home, for example. I don't think Sam Darnold is 100 percent, but maybe this mini-bye will help him.
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Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
The Bengals bounced back well following their embarrassing loss to the Jaguars. The final score says it was only 31-24, but Cincinnati led 28-10 at the end of the third quarter and 31-18 with two minutes remaining. The Dolphins naturally managed a backdoor push, but couldn't quite get the cover because of a missed extra point.
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New England Patriots (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
The Patriots have Will Campbell, Christian Gonzalez, and A.J. Brown back from injury, so it's no surprise that they were able to beat the Jets by a touchdown. Brown didn't play well at all, but I'm sure he'll improve as he continues to get healthier.
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Houston Texans (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
C.J. Stroud had a couple of awful performances in Weeks 2 and 3, but he's been revitalized ever since Nico Collins returned from injury. Marvin Harrison Jr. still can't get open, but his presence certainly can't hurt. The Texans look like a good value play to potentially win the division.
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Minnesota Vikings (5-0)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
The Vikings are 5-0, but they're so difficult to trust. They had trouble pulling away from the Saints and needed Tyler Shough to make multiple mistakes. Granted, the Vikings shot themselves in the foot a couple of times as well. However, when they go up against a great offense, it's going to be difficult for them to engage the opponent in a shootout.
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Detroit Lions (3-2)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
The Lions got off to a rocky start against the Cardinals but bounced back incredibly well. Unfortunately for us, Jared Goff couldn't quite complete the ladder, falling just four yards shy of the top rung. We've been snakebitten on those this year, but we'll get them soon.
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Denver Broncos (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Broncos won their first two games with Sean Payton calling the plays this year, but let's not get too excited. They were outgained by a Chargers team playing four rookies on the offensive line, and they averaged just 3.9 yards per play. Then, against the Seahawks, Bo Nix continued to play terribly. If Sam Darnold wasn't worse, Denver would have lost.
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Green Bay Packers (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
The Packers are somehow 4-2 despite having no running game, lacking a consistent pass rush, and missing their two best defensive players. They destroyed the Bears and Cowboys somehow after getting blown out by the Falcons and being outplayed by the Jets. Make it make sense.
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Carolina Panthers (3-2)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Panthers were in a bad spot coming off a win and a bye, but they came through with a double-digit victory. Granted, they beat a Tanner McKee-led Eagles team that continuously screwed up on special teams, but they're now 3-2.
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Atlanta Falcons (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
So much for the Falcons being an upstart. They lost to Tyler Huntley and were dismantled by the Bears before garbage time. The good news is that they still have a decent chance to win their horrible division.
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Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
The Raiders have lost three in a row after starting 3-0. However, they can't feel too bad about themselves because they took both the Chiefs and Bills down to the wire at home. Perhaps they'll be able to do the same against the Rams next week.
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Dallas Cowboys (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
Let's see. The Cowboys scored 31 against the Ravens in Brazil and then 34 against the Texans in Houston. But they couldn't get more than 10 and seven respectively against the Antoine Winfield-less Buccaneers and Micah Parsons-less Packers in garbage time? What a joke. Why even pay receivers anything if the coaches can't scheme to get them open.
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Washington Redskins (1-4-1)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
Another week, another coaching gaffe by Dan Quinn, who yelled for this team to go for a field goal after Jayden Daniels foolishly threw the ball away on fourth down. Daniels, meanwhile, looked like he pissed his pants at the prospect of scrambling into a Fred Warner-led linebacker group. The giant wuss ran for only 10 yards in a loss. Pathetic!
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New York Jets (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
The Jets made some mistakes in the first half against the Patriots, but showed some fight late in the game. However, their defense, which is supposed to be good against the run, couldn't get off the field against Corey Kiner. That's pathetic.
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Cleveland Browns (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
It didn't look like the Browns would have a chance for a while, but they beat the Ravens, and Todd Monken got his revenge against his former team. That said, if Lamar Jackson had been available, it felt like the Browns would have lost by at least three touchdowns.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
The Steelers got the win in Tampa, but had issues against one of the worst teams in the league. So let's not get too excited about their 4-2 record. Germie Bernard, however, is a monster.
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Indianapolis Colts (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
The Colts should almost be demoted to the CFL for losing to the Titans at home. That was pathetic. Daniel Jones was terrible in this game, and it's clearer than ever that he's nowhere near 100 percent.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
The Jalon Daniels story was fun for a while. He upset the Cowboys and looked like he would do the same to the Steelers, but his carriage turned into a pumpkin late against Pittsburgh. It sounds like Baker Mayfield will be back next week, which is why the Buccaneers have moved up despite losing.
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Arizona Cardinals (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
Given how pathetic the Rams and Chargers have been this year, perhaps Los Angeles should get the Cardinals to play in that city instead. The Cardinals, after all, are 2-0 at SoFi Stadium this year.
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New Orleans Saints (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
The Saints nearly blew a huge lead against the Giants because they took their foot off the gas and benched many of their starters. Let's forgive them for this, however, because they just don't have much experience winning games.
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New York Giants (3-2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
The Giants lost by seven, but they were blown out by the Saints, who benched their starters and allowed J.J. McCarthy to accumulate tons of garbage-time production. So don't be fooled by that final score.
Matt Nagy, by the way, proved that he's a very "special" coach with his decision to phase Cam Skattebo out of the offense.
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Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
The Eagles have no hope with Tanner McKee and Dameon Pierce in their backfield. However, they have far greater concerns with Jalen Hurts' blood clot. They won't be doing much winning for the rest of the year.
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Tennessee Titans (1-5)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
The Titans are now 12-29 against the spread since firing Mike Vrabel. They beat the Colts, but needed a comedy of errors from Daniel Jones and Indianapolis' special teams to get the win. There won't be many other victories this year.
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San Angeles Chargers (0-6)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
I was asked if I thought Jim Harbaugh would be fired soon, but I think Mike McDaniel will be the one to fall on the sword. Given that the Chargers are heading into their bye week, this could be the time McDaniel is let go following what has been one of the most disappointing coordinator hires I can ever remember.
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Miami Dolphins (0-5)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
In a sad state of affairs, Malik Willis had two interceptions and only one completion late in the second quarter against Cincinnati. Willis, however, made it count because he led a backdoor push drive that would have been a backdoor cover if not for a missed extra point. As the saying goes, good teams win, great teams cover.
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
Group D:
Group F:
2026 NFL MVP Projection:
1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Jordan Love, QB, Packers
5. Dallas Turner, DE, Vikings
Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Oct. 21
2027 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 21
NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 7
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Charlie Campbell
I love this time of the season. Walt’s NFL Power Rankings come into first contact with the season. Not an easy business. I guess the Rams may have been a tad high, Seattle a tad low…maybe (TBD), 49ers a tad low. Patriots probably at the right spot.
The Bills being named the best team in the AFC after that Detroit demolition feels right — it was as complete a performance as I’ve seen from them, and they made it look easy. I can’t get on the Rams for losing in Australia either, because that kind of travel genuinely drains you before the game even starts, no matter the roster. I’d been messing around on https://1dollardeposit.com before this and honestly, this breakdown was a far better use of my attention span.
I really do enjoy coming here every season to get a good laugh. It’s always so obvious as to which teams you like and which teams you don’t. The teams you do like you always make excuses for their losses (“if not for some bad calls they would have won”) and the ones you don’t you always make excuses for their wins (“if not for some bad calls this team would have lost”) and if you didn’t do it for the same teams every year somebody might actually believe you
“The Broncos are 2-1, but they got outgained by the Rams, 482-257 in net yards and averaged only 4.3 yards per play compared to the Rams’ 5.9. The officials gave Denver the victory on a silver platter with a bogus interception at the end.”
Damn!!! You sound big mad!!! Do you want a cookie????
This guy is a complete clown. He has teams he doesn’t like and when this teams win all he does is go to the box score and search for something that the other team did better and say they should have lost because of that. Then he always throws in some bad calls. He’s the complete opposite with the teams he likes. Looks for any stat that he can point to and say they should have won because of this stat and again throws in the blaming the refs for the loss.
You are 1000% correct. This whole website has clown vibes!
Sorry I hurt your feelings when I ranked your team too low, Sean. If you have an actual case to make about a team, I’m all ears
Until further notice, I am DONE with Walter football.com. I used to be a regular visitor, but lack of quality and clownish “hot takes” have earned y’all this. Everyone don’t waste your time closing ads just to waste more time reading a subpar article. Go to YouTube. Better quality and more entertaining than the mess they put out here!
We actually have the best power rankings in the business. Sorry to hear that I hurt your feelings by ranking your team too low!
List of overrated teams:
-Cleveland Browns
-Las Vegas Raiders
-Pittsburgh Steelers
-Minnesota Vikings
-New York Giants
-Detroit Lions
List of underrated teams:
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even if you’re not going to include them. They could easily be 3-1 right now.
-Cincinnati Bengals
-New England Patriots
-Atlanta Falcons
-Dallas Cowboys, for once.
Don’t be shocked if the Bucs wind up with Arch Manning/Darian Mensah/Dante Moore next April. Baker’s new contract is moveable in 2028 (~$50 in cap savings) so he can be an expensive bridge for 1 year
Wow, Walt, did you criticize Trump and I didn’t see it? Some of these guys act like MAGAs do with all that hate when you point out valid things their cult leader did wrong. Anyway, I think there MIGHT be some validity to you letting whether you like teams or not affect your rankings of them. I think it does with the Chiefs, anyway. They should be top 3 being undefeated this year and Mahomes back to playing well again. As far as not blowing other teams out, they rarely did that even in their Super Bowl winning seasons. I don’t know why, they always seem to let inferior teams keep it close until they pull it out in the end. But then they DO pull it out in exciting fashion. That’s why they are fun to watch. Of course, I am also letting my love for them affect my rankings, but they have been an incredibly successful franchise in the Mahomes era. Last year was a fluke.
Where do you have the Giants Ranked about 15. You have the Jets ranked over the Giants. Who biased joke.
“Who biased joke?” Bernard, the only joke here is the public school system
I remember this site back in the day, right now just found a random link to it and decided to visit it, but damnnnnnn! How can you take a site seriously that won’t even update team names and logos even though it’s been years?
Shows the owner is stuck in his ways and is inflexible and biased with his thoughts. If you can’t adapt, than you can’t see actual changes, it’s no wonder these rankings look like they been pulled out of a hat.
I’m guessing you’re referring to the Redskins. Sorry to hear that you hate Native Americans so much that you want to remove their imagery!
What exactly do you mean by “struggling to pull away”? The Vikings won by 10 and knelt it out. They outgained their opponent by ~200 yards and held one of the NFL’s leading passers in Shough to under 100 yards. They didn’t rely on mistakes, they forced mistakes with tons of pressure. Having the Bears who they beat and the lions who have arguably the worst defense in the league both over them is impossible to defend.
It was a one-score game most of the day
Don’t waste your time trying to understand this clown. Actual wins and losses mean nothing to him. He goes by cherry picked stats that will fit the narrative he wants. Minnesota is one of the teams he doesn’t like so whenever they win he’ll search for some stat or mistake that he can blame it on and ignore the win. He does the same with KC. Then he has teams like the Rams that he does the opposite when they lose. This is more of a list of which teams he likes than it is a power rankings.
I have a suggestion. If you really want to see rankings based on wins and losses, you can go to NFL.com and click on standings. That’ll give you exactly what you want!
This is my first time here and.. wow. The Ravens aren’t 3-2 first off and this is the only ranking that doesn’t put them in the top 10. I think you might have smoked something before you made this list. Not to mention there were some very valid points made in the comments as well that the writer seems to lash out at with childish responses instead of poised and thought out replies. Definitely wouldn’t recommend using this site, my lord.
I find that extremely offensive. I may lash out, but I definitely don’t do so in childish fashion. I’m beginning to think you’re the childish one
You do the same thing every year. You obviously want the Rams to win so they can prove you right so every single time they lose you make an excuse for it (they only lost due to some bad calls or they only lost because the other team got lucky or my favorite…. they didn’t even try to win.) So you completely ignore the fact they lost because of whatever excuse you reach for that week and keep them at the same spot. Then teams like KC and Minnesota who you obviously don’t like you just ignore all their wins because of the same kinda excuses (the other team gained more yards so they should have lost so I’m going to act like they lost) and punish them for winning just because you don’t like them. Wins and losses carry more weight than your excuses.
Ah darn, you got me. I really want the Rams to win because they’re paying me to have them rated highly in these power rankings. They could go 0-17 and I’ll have them in the top five. KC and MIN go 17-0? No way are they in the top five!
Walt,
As a Browns fan, even though I find myself completely disagreeing with some of your takes, I want to thank you for calling out this team, specifically the offense, for what it is. If it wasn’t for our defense, there’s a good chance that we’re winless through 6 games. Four late game comeback wins, each in the final minute of low scoring games, does not fill me with much confidence for this season and I’m DEATHLY scared of the possibility that we may resign Watson (which imo should get AB fired if that happens, and I’m a BIG supporter of his, even through his first few years as our GM).
Fortunately, he has drafted very well over these past 2 drafts and one more good draft (that involves getting a new QB) would put as among the contenders for the AFC North. I think he’s starting to settle in as our longterm GM, but that’s as long as he avoids the urge to make stupid decisions.
Not sure if I like Monken longterm, but he has done a great job despite the disaster he has in his QB room. Overall, he’s been a boon to this team, especially the younger players.
Rutenberg looks like a good DC, but how much of it is his input vs what Schwartz already put in place????
The defense looks legit, but where you have this team ranked is pretty accurate imo because of the shotgun only offense that they have to run due to this team not being able to move on from Watson. The sooner they come to terms with that, the better.
Sanders is not the answer either, but I’d rather watch him try to prove everyone wrong (he likely won’t) than watch a “woe is me” guy who blames everyone but himself for his issues.