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NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Where do Cowboys land entering 2024 season?

A look at the NFL Power Rankings entering the 2024 season.

Koby Skillern

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As the 2024 NFL regular season begins, excitement is high as teams gear up and fresh talent prepares to make an impact.

In our first power rankings of the season, we’ll take into account how offseason moves, standout rookies, and key injuries will influence each team's chances.

From defending champions to rising underdogs, let's see which teams are set to shine and which ones are still finding their stride.

MORE: NFC East power rankings ahead of Week 1

32. Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) hands the ball off to Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) agains
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The Panthers did a good job surrounding Bryce Young with weapons, adding Xavier Legette, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jonathon Brooks, and Diontae Johnson. Bryce Young and the offense will be better in 2024, but they still have a long way to go to climb out of the NFL cellar.

31. New England Patriots

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (14) walks onto the field during a timeout against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second
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With a new coaching staff and the recent trade of their best player for a mere third-round pick, everything points to another tough season for the Patriots, likely leading to a high draft pick once again. Better luck in 2025, Patriots fans.

30. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) scrambles with the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Empower
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The Denver Broncos are still a couple of years away from being competitive, even if Bo Nix turns out to be the real deal. The team has taken a step back this offseason, especially with the losses of key players like Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy.

29. Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before playing a preseason game against the New England Patriot
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For the first time in what feels like forever for Commanders fans, they have a season they can be excited about. Jayden Daniels is emerging as the next great dual-threat quarterback; however, the Commanders are still one more strong offseason away from truly competing in the NFC East.

28. Tennessee Titans

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) and wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) communicate during Tennessee Titans practice
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The Titans, carried by Derrick Henry into relevancy over the last half-decade, will now face the reality of life without their future Hall of Fame running back. They've surrounded Will Levis with weapons, and now it's time to see if he's the quarterback to lead them into the future.

27. New York Giants

Houston Texans center Juice Scruggs (70) blocks New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) as he blocks quarte
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The Giants are one of the few teams who are one player away from competing; unfortunately, that position of need is quarterback. With a solid coaching staff, elite defenders, and young talent brimming with potential, this team will likely be searching for their new quarterback in the offseason.

26. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) catches a pass in the end. zone during training camp
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Everybody is excited to see Kyler Murray fully healthy with weapons like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey Mcbride; however, the team will get bullied in the trenches leading to a less than mediocre year for the Cardinals.

25. New Orleans Saints

Aug 20, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during practice at Yulman Stadium (Tul
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Even Chris Olave admitted there wasn't anything in training camp that suggested a promising season for the Saints in 2024. The team is in desperate need of a rebuild, and this could very well be the final season in New Orleans for veterans like Alvin Kamara, Cameron Jordan, and Marshon Lattimore.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before the game aga
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With seven players on the IR/PUP list, including rookie J.J. McCarthy and Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings have faced one of their roughest offseasons in years, plagued by constant injuries. The bright side is that the NFL's best wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, is healthy and ready to go.

23. Los Angeles Chargers

Jul 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws during the first day of train
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Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh are poised to be a match made in heaven, but the team lacks offensive firepower and struggles to defend the run. While Herbert and Harbaugh will lead the team to some narrow victories, the focus is on building for the bigger picture.

22. Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) react after the game at
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Much like the Giants, the Raiders are just a quarterback away from potentially going far with their roster. However, they'll have to roll with Minshew Mania, potentially wasting another year of Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams in their prime.

21. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws a pass in the second quarter of the NFL preseason game
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The Colts 2024 campaign and beyond is dependent on the health of Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. If they stay healthy the Colts will be one of the toughest teams to defend against.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins
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Another Buccaneers season brings another 1,000-yard season from Mike Evans. The team has larger goals in mind after a loss in the Divisional Round last season. Unfortunately, their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, significantly improved during the offseason.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks for an open receiver against the Atlanta Falcons
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It was Doug Pederson making the play calls when the Jaguars narrowly lost to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round a couple of seasons ago. With uncertainty surrounding who will be calling the plays this season, it could lead to another underperforming year for the Jags.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) walks off the field after training camp
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The Seahawks are brimming with young talent poised to take it to the next level; however, as inspiring as Geno Smith's redemption story has been, he still isn't the quarterback to fully unlock the team's potential.

17. Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze
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The Bears revived their 2023 season, ultimately helping to secure their coach's job. Now, with Caleb Williams, elite offensive weapons, and some standout players on defense, the pressure is on for the Bears to deliver results.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Hayward (rear) and linebackers TJ Watt (90) and Alex Highsmith
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The Steelers have no right to be in playoff contention every year, yet they consistently are. This is largely due to having arguably the best player in the league, T.J. Watt, and a future Hall of Fame coach in Mike Tomlin.

15. Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) talks with wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Puka Nacua
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The Rams proved they didn't sell their soul for just one Super Bowl when they reached the playoffs again last season. Now, without Aaron Donald, it's uncertain how this team will perform in 2024.

14. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field before the game against the Jackso
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The Falcons have drafted elite playmakers on offense and finally have the quarterback to make the most of those weapons and a hopefully mediocre defense.

13. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) talks with defensive end Myles Garrett
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The Browns had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, and this season they're poised for a playoff berth—provided Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb can stay healthy.

12. Cincinatti Bengals

Joe Burrow (9) steps back between plays in the first quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals
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Much like the Browns, this team's season hinges on the health of their stars. If the trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins stay healthy, the sky is the limit.

11. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) tries to avoid Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
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The Bills lost too many players in the offseason to be considered clear contenders, but they still have Josh Allen, who has the ability to carry this team to the playoffs in 2024.

10. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) runs through a drill during practice on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Ray Nitsc
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After absolutely demolishing the Cowboys in their home stadium during the playoffs, there is every reason to believe this team will be a playoff contender, if not a title contender.

9. Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) throws the football before preseason game against the Washington Commanders at
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The Dolphins improved their roster in the offseason while the Bills took a step back. Could this be the year the Dolphins at least win a playoff game?

8. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to throw before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens
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Let's forget about the Eagles' end to last season; this team is stacked and eager to return to the Super Bowl. They also added Saquon Barkley in the offseason to bolster the running game.

7. New York Jets

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) talks to running back Braelon Allen (0) during training camp
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The Jets are one of the most complete teams in the NFL after revamping their offensive line in the offseason. Their season is in the hands of Aaron Rodgers, which typically means good things.

6. Houston Texans

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in action during the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium.
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The Texans shot out of a cannon into title contention last season. C.J. Stroud is poised to be the league's next great quarterback, and they’ve added Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter to an already loaded roster.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrate during the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Comp
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The Cowboys had a quiet offseason, failing to target any big-name players. However, their team is already loaded with stars, and the few signings they made could have a significant impact in 2024.

4. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) shakes hands with teammates during warm up before a preseason game
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The Lions had their shot at a Super Bowl last season when they blew a lead to the 49ers in the NFC Championship. Fortunately for the Lions, their title window isn't closing anytime soon.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) catches the ball against Las Vegas Raid
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The 49ers' title window is closing, but they still have two seasons to maximize the value of Brock Purdy's small contract. It's Super Bowl or bust for the 49ers over the next two years.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball during a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers
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The Ravens were the league's best team during the regular season last year and didn't lose much in the offseason. They added Derrick Henry, who could be the key to finally bringing this team back to the Super Bowl.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at
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This one's obvious: they've won the last two Super Bowls and got even better offensively over the offseason. With Patrick Mahomes' arm talent and Xavier Worthy's speed, defenders are going to lose sleep at night.

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Koby Skillern
KOBY SKILLERN

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