Packers land in top 10 of NFL Week 1 power rankings

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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 18: Philip Rivers #17 and Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers talk as they take the field during a presseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at StubHub Center on August 18, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

12. Carolina Panthers

If the Panthers were in just about any other division, they would have a great chance of winning it. But in arguably the strongest in all of football, they may have to settle for third place. That aside, the Panthers’ offense has a ton of potential, particularly if second-year Christian McCaffrey can improve on his rookie season in a bigger role.

11. Houston Texans

If Deshaun Watson is fully healthy and play anywhere close to the level he did as a rookie, the Texans will be contenders in the AFC South. With Tyrann Mathieu joining an already strong defense and J.J. Watt returning, the Texans are a team to take seriously.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

As of Tuesday, Le’Veon Bell still hasn’t returned to practice for the Steelers, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Even if he returns in time for Wednesday’s practice, will he be ready to go Week 1 against the Browns? That said, even without Bell for a while the Steelers are still one of the AFC’s top teams and a Super Bowl contender.

9. Los Angeles Chargers

Losing Hunter Henry for the season doesn’t help, but this Chargers team still has a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon lead the way on offense, and the secondary got even stronger when they selected Derwin James in the first round of April’s draft.

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