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Is it possible that the NFL Draft and free agency don’t make that much of a difference after all?
The top of the NFL landscape entering Week 1 of the 2024 season sure looks similar to the way it shaped up at the end of the 2023 season, including top-four spots for all four teams that played on conference championship Sunday.
And five of the six teams that finished with the worst records occupy bottom-five spots before the action begins.
Just like one year ago, the proliferation of highly regarded quarterbacks across the AFC — including those returning from season-ending injuries like the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers, Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Colts’ Anthony Richardson and Browns’ Deshaun Watson — makes it look like a much deeper and more difficult conference than the NFC.
Without further adieu, here are The Post’s power rankings for Week 1:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The two-time defending champions sit atop the throne until on-field results prove otherwise.
All-Pros Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Trent McDuffie and Chris Jones still are in place.
The Chiefs upgraded their league-worst receiver room, but departed left tackle Donovan Smith and cornerback L’Jarius Snead left behind big shoes to fill.
The offseason was filled with multiple arrests and controversies.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The regular season is a formality for the Ravens, who must prove their playoff chops.
The path back to the AFC Championship game won’t be easy given a rash of preseason injuries and their spot in the NFL’s most-difficult division.
There’s a new Thunder & Lightning element to the backfield now that speedy quarterback Lamar Jackson is paired with bulldozer Derrick Henry.
3. San Francisco 49ers
What was all the fuss about? Receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams resolved their holdouts after training camp. Maybe they start slow, but the 49ers’ season is about finishing.
There’s still a ton of high-end talent here in Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Fred Warner and more.
Thinking of quarterback Brock Purdy as a “game-manager” is silly at this point.
4. Detroit Lions
How did the Lions sleep this offseason after giving away the NFC Championship game?
Are they due to take the next step with experience?
Or due for a letdown?
It was the Offseason of the Extension – handing out $444 million to Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell (who is the blind-side anchor on the NFL’s best offensive line).
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley is salivating at the chance to run behind the best blocking of his career — even after Jason Kelce’s retirement — and into six- or seven-man boxes because of the respect paid to receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The questions here are: 1. Can the young secondary survive?
2. Is head coach Nick Sirianni in control after last season’s late collapse?
6. Jets
How many rosters are more talented top-to-bottom than this one?
There are eight legitimate First- or Second-Team All-Pro candidates.
The Jets can win with Rodgers throwing to Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall running behind Tyron Smith, or C.J. Mosley, Sauce Gardner and the Williams brothers (Quincy and Quinnen) playing stifling defense.
It’s the Rodgers Second Act Do-Over coming off a torn Achilles.
7. Green Bay Packers
That was a fast post-Rodgers rebuild.
Jordan Love signed a $55 million-per-year contract — tied for the biggest in the NFL — after one year starting.
The Packers were uncharacteristically active atop the free-agent market, adding Josh Jacobs (who led the league in rushing for the 2022 Raiders) and safety Xavier McKinney.
This is still the NFL’s youngest roster.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow is back from season-ending wrist surgery and looked sharp in his only preseason action.
Neither of the top receivers – Ja’Marr Chase held out of training camp before rejoining practice Aug. 25 and Tee Higgins (franchise tag) – is happy with his contract.
Free-agent signings right tackle Trent Brown, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and safety Geno Stone addressed big needs.
9. Houston Texans
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones claimed to be “all-in” this offseason, but it was Texas’ other team that lived up to the motto by trading for receiver Stefon Diggs (Bills) and running back Joe Mixon (Bengals) to upgrade while weakening two other AFC contenders.
What does C.J. Stroud have in store for an encore to the best rookie quarterback season of all-time?
10. Buffalo Bills
The Super Bowl window won’t close as long as Josh Allen is in his prime, but more than ever rests on the quarterback.
The salary cap caught up to the Bills, who lost their top two receivers (Diggs and Gabe Davis) and top three defensive backs (Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White).
Linebacker Matt Milano’s long-term injury won’t help, either.
11. Cleveland Browns
12. Miami Dolphins
13. Atlanta Falcons
14. Dallas Cowboys
15. Los Angeles Rams
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
17. Chicago Bears
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
20. Indianapolis Colts
21. Seattle Seahawks
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Denver Broncos
25. New Orleans Saints
26. Tennessee Titans
27. Washington Commanders
28. Arizona Cardinals
29. Giants
It’s now-or-never for Daniel Jones, who is supported by the best offensive line (even if it is league average) and fastest receiver corps of his career.
Jones has been inconsistent coming off his torn ACL, however.
And the Giants’ vaunted pass rush of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux could be neutralized if the secondary keeps giving up big plays to dig early holes.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
31. New England Patriots
32. Carolina Panthers
