This story was originally published by Dead Spin
We’re less than six Sundays away from the first full week of the football season.
NFL training camps are underway across the country, and the preseason is already upon us this week. Let’s rank the top 5 NFL teams as we head into NFL training camp.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions are primed to be one of the NFL’s top teams after an NFC Championship appearance last season.
Dan Campbell has brought much-needed stability to the organization, and executive vice president Brad Holmes has seemingly pressed all the right buttons.
The Lions could be a regression candidate because of how well last season went, but they’re too talented all around, and they retained most of everyone from last season’s thrilling playoff run. Offensively, Ben Johnson will look for Jared Goff to distribute the football evenly, like he did last year.
Defensively, Campbell will have Aidan Hutchinson and the boys rolling with another year of experience under their belts.
4. Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports The Texans are the darlings of this NFL offseason, which isn’t always a great thing.
They made a bunch of flashy offensive pick ups to support quarterback C.J. Stroud after a stellar rookie season. Trading for wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon should help Stroud continue to thrive. The Texans weren’t complacent, and that’s why they can find even more successs in 2024.
Defensively, the Texans looked very good in their playoff win over Joe Flacco’s Cleveland Browns.
The Texans should be really good again. A playoff lock, with the potential to make way more noise.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) reacts after a play against the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. credits: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports The 49ers have been plagued by distractions this offseason, but that’s never slowed them down before. They need to figure out some holdout situations with Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk, but once they do, they should be primed for another run in the NFC West.
Remember, they just went through some of these contract headaches with Jimmy Garroppolo, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel. They’re way too loaded of a roster to not be a playoff lock.
If Kyle Shanahan can get out of his own way when the lights are the brightest, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Niners were right back in the Super Bowl conversation this winter.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports The Ravens are the best team in what’s widely expected to be the toughest division in football, the AFC North. If that division is as good as we think it will be, multiple teams will make the playoffs via wild card.
The Ravens are the reigning champions of that division, headlined by quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had a very complete and sound season. They added Derrick Henry, so the Ravens run game should be as lethal as ever.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are searching for their third consecutive Super Bowl. source: Getty Images This NFL season really boils down to stopping Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
They won the Super Bowl with an offense that was far from stellar for much of the year. So, of course, they upgraded this offseason.
Marquise Hollywood Brown is a good addition. So is Xavier Worthy. They’re bringing Chris Jones back to anchor the defense. The Chiefs are still the NFL’s team to beat.
