Power rankings: Cardinals and Patriots lead the way,
USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings to start the 2016 season:
1 Cardinals: If QB Carson Palmer maintains his form and DB Tyrann Mathieu is healthy, Arizona arguably faces the fewest concerns of any team. RB David Johnson could shift the offensive dynamic.
2 Patriots: QB Jimmy Garoppolo faces a tall order as Tom Brady’s fill-in while the two-time MVP serves a four-game suspension. New England remains far ahead of the pack, however, in its pursuit of an eighth consecutive AFC East title.
3 Panthers: Even if another 15-1 mark is out of reach, Carolina could entrench itself among the NFC’s elite. Super Bowl 50 serves as proof QB Cam Newton can’t go it alone on offense.
4 Steelers: With a loaded offense led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh might have the league’s most feared attack. Getting contributions from young talent could be the key to revitalizing the defense.
5 Seahawks: The post-Beast Mode era puts plenty of pressure on QB Russell Wilson, who will work behind an underdeveloped offensive line. Last year’s second-ranked defense remains stocked, and Seattle tends to finish strong.
6 Packers: Green Bay has to prove that last year’s offensive slump was an aberration rather than a trend. QB Aaron Rodgers should be elated by the return of WR Jordy Nelson from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
7 Broncos: Peyton Manning to Trevor Siemian is an odd quarterback succession plan, but that’s where Denver finds itself. LB Von Miller and the defense will have to pick up even more of the slack.
8 Bengals: Cincinnati won’t truly have a breakthrough until it ends Marvin Lewis’ 0-7 run in the postseason. The offense has to re-establish itself after coordinator Hue Jackson’s departure.
9 Chiefs: Andy Reid and QB Alex Smith keep finding quiet consistency without the style points. RB Jamaal Charles’ return could provide a jolt, though OLB Justin Houston’s ACL injury could be a significant concern.
10 Vikings: QB Sam Bradford’s arrival mitigates the disastrous fallout of Teddy Bridgewater’s season-ending knee injury. But RB Adrian Peterson and a stout defense will again carry this team.
11 Raiders: Even amid owner Mark Davis’ push to move to Las Vegas, the Silver and Black’s future looks bright. QB Derek Carr must be more consistent, but DE Khalil Mack looks like one of the NFL’s elite young talents.
12 Texans: Bill O’Brien has a young and fully rejuvenated backfield to toy with after adding QB Brock Osweiler and RB Lamar Miller. DE J.J. Watt is back sooner than expected, and LB Jadeveon Clowney could make his long-awaited breakout.
13 Redskins: QB Kirk Cousins and the NFC East surprise champions face a different challenge in their attempt to hold their position. CB Josh Norman found money late in free agency but won’t help a defensive front ranked 31st in rush yards per attempt.
14 Jets: Gang Green averted disaster by finding ways to keep QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and DE Muhammad Wilkerson in the fold. OT Ryan Clady is being counted on to hold down the left side after missing almost two full seasons in the last three years.
15 Giants: It’s time for Big Blue to find out what kind of returns a $200 million free agency spending spree will provide. If the last-ranked defense improves, first-year coach Ben McAdoo could be within reach of the division crown and postseason berth.
16 Jaguars: Optimism is in abundance in Jacksonville, which is looking for its first playoff berth since 2007. A young defense must coalesce, however, and QB Blake Bortles was sacked a league-high 51 times last season.
17 Colts: Andrew Luck needs to remain healthy above all else, but the quarterback also has to display a quicker trigger in offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s scheme. The defense lacks young, dynamic playmakers and is counting on fill-ins such as CB Antonio Cromartie to step up in a big way.
18 Ravens: Few teams had as many significant injuries as Baltimore last season, leaving QB Joe Flacco, WR Steve Smith Sr. and LB Terrell Suggs on the recovery trail. S Eric Weddle should assist the secondary, but the defense must improve to live up to John Harbaugh’s standards.
19 Bills: Summer was unkind to Rex Ryan, as LB Reggie Ragland and DE Shaq Lawson were sidelined and star DT Marcell Dareus entered rehab after a four-game suspension. QB Tyrod Taylor signed an extension, though RB LeSean McCoy remains the offensive centerpiece.
20 Buccaneers: Promoting offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to head coach was a leap of faith, but QB Jameis Winston could take a big step with his guidance. DT Gerald McCoy must return to his top-level form to lead an otherwise overextended defense.
21 Falcons: Atlanta ended Carolina’s unblemished run last year, but it might be several steps removed from anything more than playing spoiler. Generating pressure could be a problem again after the rush tallied a league-low 19 sacks in 2015.
22 Cowboys: Dallas’ season was shaken up again when QB Tony Romo broke a bone in his back. Dak Prescott impressed in the preseason, but an entirely new set of challenges awaits the rookie as Romo’s temporary fill-in.
23 Lions: How QB Matthew Stafford adapts to losing WR Calvin Johnson could define Detroit’s season. The offensive line looks shaky, and rookie T Taylor Decker has been trusted with protecting Stafford’s blind side.
24 Bears: QB Jay Cutler could be in for another rocky ride with an offense that sputtered all preseason. LBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman bolster the front seven, but this is a defense in transition.
25 Dolphins: Patience might be required for first-year coach Adam Gase, whose offense hasn’t taken hold in Miami. Ryan Tannehill needs relief after taking the most sacks in the last four years (184) of any quarterback.
26 Saints: New Orleans’ defense is in a daze after giving up a record 45 touchdown passes last year. Even with improvements to the unit, QB Drew Brees might end up on the wrong end of too many shootouts.
27 Rams: The NFL is back in Los Angeles, but don’t expect a lot of showmanship on the field. 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick QB Jared Goff is starting the season on the bench, and the pass offense ranked last in the NFL in 2015.
28 Chargers: It took until the 11th hour, but rookie DE Joey Bosa is finally in the fold. The defense must take a significant leap, however, to give QB Philip Rivers sorely needed support.
29 Titans: With RBs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, Tennessee could have one of the most improved rushing attacks in the league. But the “exotic smashmouth” offense with QB Marcus Mariota could hit a wall.
30 Eagles: Rookie QB Carson Wentz’s promotion to Week 1 starter signals the arrival of a full-on rebuild. Expect plenty of growing pains in Year 1 of the Doug Pederson era.
31 49ers: Chip Kelly is facing quite the first-year challenge in San Francisco. QB Blaine Gabbert is set to play caretaker for a team that looks like it will have to play catch-up.
32 Browns: QB Robert Griffin III looks to have a reloaded receiving corps with Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman. The rest of the roster, however, is in significant disrepair.