NFC power rankings for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 season starts on a Wednesday for the first time since 2012, and only two NFC teams play before Sunday. The Seahawks raise a Super Bowl LX banner on September 9 against the Patriots. A night later, the Rams and 49ers play in Melbourne for the first NFL game played in Australia.
The last couple of weeks before kickoff did real damage. Green Bay lost Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Dallas lost guard Tyler Smith to thumb surgery. Detroit starts without both safeties, and Carolina plays without either starting tackle.
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Here’s where all 16 NFC teams stand, counting down from 16 to 1.
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16. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) looks to throw downfield against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.Week 1: at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Mike LaFleur starts his first year as head coach with six of his first nine games on the road. Jacoby Brissett is the starter after Kyler Murray was released in March. Teammates voted Brissett a captain on Monday. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is coming off a high ankle sprain but is expected to be available. Arizona finished 3-14 last season.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Kevin Stefanski opens his first season in Atlanta without the quarterback he expected to start. Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive while he finishes recovering from a torn ACL. So Tua Tagovailoa gets the start, with Cooper Rush backing him up. Atlanta didn’t put the left-handed passer on injured reserve, so the team expects him back this month. Until then the offense runs through Bijan Robinson, who led the NFL in scrimmage yards last season.
14. Washington Commanders
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Jayden Daniels took more than 500 practice snaps in camp learning David Blough’s new offense. Stefon Diggs replaces Deebo Samuel as the No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin. Diggs cleared 1,000 yards in New England last year. The problem is the edge, where Dorance Armstrong is suspended. Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson both missed practice, and Washington lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason.
13. New York Giants
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) talks with media during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 13, 8:20 PM ET
John Harbaugh coaches his first game in New York on Sunday night. He’ll likely have his best receiver for it. Malik Nabers is trending toward playing after tearing his ACL last season, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. The Giants released Darius Slayton on Monday, and several around the league read that as a sign of confidence in Nabers. Jaxson Dart also has Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Malachi Fields in the rotation.
12. New Orleans Saints
Week 1: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Kellen Moore’s second season starts with most of his skill group unavailable. Alvin Kamara hasn’t practiced since August 18 with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson opens on injured reserve with a hamstring strain. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee tore his ACL on the first day of camp and is out for the year. Travis Etienne Jr. gets the backfield after signing a four-year, $48 million deal.
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11. Carolina Panthers
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Both of Carolina’s longtime starting tackles will miss the opener. Ikem Ekwonu is still recovering from a patellar tendon injury. Taylor Moton was diagnosed with blood clots before camp. So Rasheed Walker slides in at left tackle with first-round rookie Monroe Freeling at right. Bryce Young throws to Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker because rookie Chris Brazzell II is out for the season with a torn LCL.
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10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons.Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Losing Mike Evans to San Francisco in free agency handed the passing game to Chris Godwin. Godwin is fully healthy after a fibula injury limited him to nine games last season. Emeka Egbuka returned to practice Monday after a toe sprain. He caught 63 passes for 938 yards as a rookie. Jalen McMillan is also back from a knee issue.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Kyler Murray beat out J.J. McCarthy early in camp. He gives Kevin O’Connell the accurate passer the offense lacked. Minnesota threw a league-high 21 interceptions last season against 18 touchdowns. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison now have Jauan Jennings working the slot. Harrison Smith re-signed and should play Sunday, though the Vikings lost Jamal Adams for the season.
8. Detroit Lions
Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Detroit’s two starting safeties both open on the reserve PUP list, so neither can play before Week 5. Brian Branch is rehabbing a torn Achilles. Kerby Joseph is coming back from a knee injury that cost him 13 games. Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox start in their place. Center Cade Mays is on injured reserve with a wrist injury.
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7. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) warms up against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Green Bay travels to a division rival without its best pass rusher or its lead back. Micah Parsons is on short-term injured reserve rehabbing an ACL and can’t return before Week 5. Josh Jacobs sits on the commissioner’s exempt list after an off-field incident. His court date is set for September 10. So the Packers traded for Kaleb Johnson and will lean on MarShawn Lloyd behind Jordan Love.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Week 1: at New York Giants, Sunday, September 13, 8:20 PM ET
Losing a three-time Pro Bowl guard four days before the opener isn’t the start Brian Schottenheimer wanted. Tyler Smith had thumb surgery Tuesday and lands on injured reserve for four to six weeks. T.J. Bass replaces him at left guard. Dak Prescott was pressured on 233 dropbacks last season, seventh most in the league. Now he faces Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys insider explains why Tyler Smith surgery was delayed
5. Chicago Bears
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Ben Johnson’s second year in Chicago comes with a secondary picked apart by injury. Cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker Noah Sewell and defensive lineman Shemar Turner all start on PUP. None can play until Week 5. General manager Ryan Poles wouldn’t commit to Gordon playing at all in 2026. On offense, Luther Burden III is back from the groin injury that cost him the preseason.
4. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks to the locker room during halftime against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.Week 1: at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, September 10, 8:35 PM ET (Australia game)
Kyle Shanahan’s team opens in Melbourne, Australia, the first NFL regular-season game played on that continent. Tight end George Kittle is questionable coming off an Achilles tear. Edge rusher Nick Bosa is questionable coming off an ACL tear. San Francisco is hopeful both can play. The 49ers also signed Mike Evans away from Tampa Bay.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 1: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Nick Sirianni is 5-0 in season openers. His two-time defending NFC East champions are close to full strength. Jonathan Greenard spent all of camp on PUP with a pectoral strain suffered while weightlifting. So Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. open as the starting edge rushers. A.J. Brown is now in New England, which leaves DeVonta Smith as the top target.
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2. Seattle Seahawks
Week 1: vs. New England Patriots, Wednesday, September 9, 8:20 PM ET
Seattle raises a Super Bowl LX banner Wednesday night against the team it beat 29-13 in February. The champs open without both of last year’s top backs. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed with Kansas City. Zach Charbonnet sits on PUP for four weeks. So rookie Jadarian Price handles the bulk of the carries behind Sam Darnold.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks on the sidelines against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at SoFi Stadium.Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 10, 8:35 PM ET (Australia game)
Los Angeles is the designated home team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP after throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. The Rams then traded for Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who had 23 sacks. It’s the first time the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year have shared a roster. Aaron Donald is also back from retirement. Maybe you’ve heard of him.
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