NFL power rankings before Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs open 2023 season as favorites

Several NFL teams are considered serious contenders to win the Super Bowl as the 2023 season begins.

But the most serious contender?

In our book, that has to be the Kansas City Chiefs.

After all, Andy Reid's team is coming off a Super Bowl title last season and still has Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.

We're learned to never count them out.

Who could challenge the Chiefs this season?

We're keeping an eye on the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in the NFC and the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC (although both conferences have other teams that could be in the mix, too).

It all adds up to potentially a very intriguing season in the NFL in 2023, and it starts with a lot of interesting matchups in Week 1.

This could all change a lot after the opening week of the NFL season, but check out how we rank all 32 NFL teams entering the regular season, from lowest to highest.

Who do you think the biggest challenge to the Chiefs is this season?

Last year's final regular season NFL power ranking in parenthesis.

NFL Week 1 picks, predictions: Thursday, Sunday, Monday Night Football games are must-see

More NFL Week 1 picks: Lions at Chiefs | Panthers at Falcons | Texans at Ravens | Bengals at Browns | Jaguars at Colts | Buccaneers at Vikings | Titans at Saints | 49ers at Steelers | Cardinals at Commanders | Packers at Bears | Raiders at Broncos | Dolphins at Chargers | Eagles at Patriots | Rams at Seahawks | Cowboys at Giants | Bills at Jets

32. Arizona Cardinals (30)

Many people don't believe in the Cardinals this season and some recent analytics seem to agree. One site gave Arizona less than a 50% chance to win in each and every one of its games in 2023. Ouch.

31. Houston Texans (31)

At least the Texans could be in line for a high draft pick in 2024 … oh wait, they traded that pick to the Cardinals, who could be in line for a couple of very high picks in the next NFL draft.

30. Indianapolis Colts (29)

The Colts have a ton of questions entering this season (don't all the teams low on this list?), but they hope they found their answer at QB in Anthony Richardson, whom they picked at No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. We'll see.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17)

Out with Tom Brady, in with Baker Mayfield. It could be a very long season in Tampa Bay, but they'll always have that 2021 Super Bowl victory.

28. Atlanta Falcons (24)

All eyes will be on QB Desmond Ridder, but keep an eye on rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who could make Ridder look really good.

When does the NFL season start?: Here's the Week 1 schedule and how to watch games on TV

27. Los Angeles Rams (28)

We're really not sure what we're going to get with the Rams this season, but they will always have the Super Bowl title in the 2021 season to fall back on.

26. Washington Commanders (16)

Sam Howell and Eric Bieniemy enter the season under the microscope in Washington. Will the offense sizzle or fizzle?

25. Tennessee Titans (22)

The last hurrah of Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry? This team just hasn't been the same since trading A.J. Brown.

NFL Week 1 odds, betting lines: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for games

24. Las Vegas Raiders (26)

No Derek Carr in Las Vegas, no problem? How will quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fare with his new team? The Raiders have little margin for error in the tough AFC West.

23. Chicago Bears (32)

Call us crazy, but we think the Bears could have a breakout season, or at least make a big improvement over their 2022 season. They'll go as far as Justin Fields takes them.

22. Denver Broncos (27)

Can Sean Payton resurrect Russell Wilson's career in Denver? We have our doubts.

21. Carolina Panthers (20)

Frank Reich has done wonders with some quarterbacks in his career. Can he do wonders with Bryce Young?

20. New Orleans Saints (21)

The NFC South could be up for grabs this year and the Saints, with Derek Carr, appear to have a good chance of grabbing the title.

19. Green Bay Packers (18)

It will be weird not having Aaron Rodgers lead the Packers, but this is now Jordan Love's team. How long it remains his team remains to be seen.

18. New England Patriots (19)

The AFC East looks very tough this season and the Patriots look like they might end up being the worst team in the division. That doesn't happen often.

17. Cleveland Browns (25)

Will Deshaun Watson look like the Deshaun Watson of old or will he just look old?

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16. New York Giants (10)

Some people are down on the Giants this season, at least compared to last season. But if Daniel Jones takes a step forward, this team could surprise.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (13)

The Steelers ended last season with four straight wins. That's something to build on for this season, although nothing will come easy for Kenny Pickett and company in the AFC North.

14. New York Jets (23)

Aaron Rodgers is in the spotlight in New York and that Week 1 game with the Bills is a must-see.

13. Seattle Seahawks (14)

The Seahawks surprised us last season. It would not surprise us to see Seattle, and Geno Smith, take another step forward in 2023.

12. Minnesota Vikings (7)

No Dalvin Cook, but Kirk Cousins still has Justin Jefferson and other weapons at his disposal this season. We don't anticipate another 13-4 regular season, however.

11. Detroit Lions (11)

We became fans of Dan Campbell and the Lions for the way they played down the stretch last season. This team could be very fun to watch.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (8)

Calvin Ridley could be just the big-play threat the Jaguars' offense needs. The Jaguars went 9-8 and won the division last season. It's their division to win again in 2023.

9. Dallas Cowboys (6)

Dak Prescott has options on offense. If this isn't the year for the Cowboys, will it ever be the year?

More: Arizona Cardinals game-by-game win percentage chances in 2023 NFL season

8. Miami Dolphins (15)

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle can make Tua Tagovailoa look good this season, as can a lot of other weapons on the Miami offense.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (9)

Will Justin Herbert and the Chargers take the next step in 2023? It's tough being in the same division as the Chiefs.

6. Baltimore Ravens (12)

Maybe we're too high on the Ravens, but Lamar Jackson can carry a team to a lot of victories, assuming he stays healthy, of course.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (4)

We just realized that the Bengals won eight straight games to end the regular season last year. Of course, they would have loved to have ended the playoffs on a win streak. Perhaps this season?

4. Buffalo Bills (3)

Whatever this team does in the regular season really won't matter. It's Super Bowl or bust for Buffalo after some close calls.

3. San Francisco 49ers (1)

If the team can get consistent QB play, it can win the Super Bowl. Is Brock Purdy the man for the job?

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5)

Jalen Hurts and company came up short in the Super Bowl last season. We don't anticipate a 14-3 regular season again, but this team is talented enough to win the Super Bowl this season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2)

The Super Bowl champs are going to be our No. 1 team until they lose. They've earned it. Never count out Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL power rankings Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs favorites entering 2023