With each NFL team having played at least two preseason games, here are the latest NFL Power Rankings from Audacy Sports.
Will Justin Fields Have a Chance To Be Successful in Chicago?
Justin Fields and the Bears are No. 31 in the NFL Power Rankings.(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)32. Atlanta Falcons
31. Chicago Bears
30. Houston Texans
29. New York Jets
28. Seattle Seahawks
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
If you were high on Justin Fields coming out of Ohio State, he reminded you why in his rookie season, looking like the most electric rushing quarterback outside of Lamar Jackson. However, he tossed eight touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and while he should benefit from the Bears moving on from Matt Nagy, the Matt Eberflus/Ryan Poles regime may not be as tied to Fields as their predecessors were. And the Bears haven't exactly set Fields up to take a major step forward in his second season, his offensive line projects to be one of the worst in the league and the team is very thin at wide receiver outside of Darnell Mooney.
Time To Bake in Carolina
Baker Mayfield and the Panthers are No. 23 on the NFL Power Rankings.(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)26. Detroit Lions
25. New York Giants
24. Washington Commanders
23. Carolina Panthers
22. Cleveland Browns
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
With Matt Rhule on the hottest seat of any coach in the league, the Panthers have the potential for disaster in 2022. But a healthy Baker Mayfield should be a drastic improvement over what the Panthers had at quarterback in 2021, and he's got a nice one-two punch to throw to at wide receiver in D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson. If Christian McCaffrey is able to stay healthy for a majority of the season -- which probably isn't a safe bet -- the Panthers have the potential to at least be frisky in 2022.
What Should You Make of the Titans?
Derrick Henry and the Titans are No. 17 on the NFL Power Rankings.(Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)20. New England Patriots
19. Baltimore Ravens
18. New Orleans Saints
17. Tennessee Titans
16. Indianapolis Colts
We'll admit, No. 17 feels low for the Titans, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC a year ago. Then again, Ryan Tannehill had an ugly performance in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round. The Titans drafted his potential successor in Malik Willis this offseason. Tennessee is excited about rookie Treylon Burks, but it made be unfair to ask him to fill A.J. Brown's shoes. Derrick Henry was putting up an MVP-caliber season last year before a foot injury cost him the final nine games of the regular season. Was that injury just a one off or a start of the insane workload Henry has had over the last four seasons catching up with him? Mike Vrabel's squad has a bunch of major questions entering 2022.
Hurts Has Strong Supporting Cast in Prove-It Year
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are No. 11 on the NFL Power Rankings.(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)15. Arizona Cardinals
14. Miami Dolphins
13. Dallas Cowboys
12. Minnesota Vikings
11. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts proved that he can lead the Eagles to quite a few regular season wins in 2021, tossing 16 touchdowns and running for another 10. In his third season, Hurts will need to take a major step forward as a passer. He's set up well to do so, with the Eagles adding A.J. Brown to DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Dallas Goedert in the offseason. With an elite offensive line, the Eagles will have a lethal offense if Hurts proves capable of going blow-for-blow through the air with some of the best quarterbacks in the sport.
Broncos Country, Let's Cook
Russell Wilson and the Broncos are No. 9 on our NFL Power Rankings.(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)10. Las Vegas Raiders
9. Denver Broncos
8. San Francisco 49ers
7. Green Bay Packers
6. Los Angeles Chargers
For years, Russell Wilson wanted a chance to conduct the orchestra. He'll get that opportunity in his first season under Nathaniel Hackett with the Broncos. It's unfortunate that Tim Patrick has been lost for the season, but Wilson still has plenty to work with at the wide receiver position, especially if KJ Hamler is healthy in addition to Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. What's more, second-year running back Javonte Williams is one of our picks to be a breakout star in 2022.
Bengals Should Be Even Better in 2022
Joe Mixon and the Bengals are No. 4 on the NFL Power Rankings.(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Los Angeles Rams
1. Buffalo Bills
There's a long list of teams that have fallen flat the year after losing in the Super Bowl. The Bengals shouldn't be expected to join that group. Joe Burrow is one of the five best quarterbacks in the league. Ja'Marr Chase might be the best wide receiver in the NFL, and Tee Higgins is one of the top No. 2 wideouts in the sport. Cincinnati upgraded at center (Ted Karras), right guard (Alex Cappa) and right tackle (La'el Collins) this offseason, which should not only keep Burrow more upright than he's been in his first two seasons, but perhaps set Joe Mixon up to have a career year on the ground.
