As the NFL power rankings prove, the Los Angeles Rams do not play in a vacuum. The roster, loaded with stars like Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Aaron Donald, has to compete with 31 other teams for viability.
Keeping that in mind, it also hasn’t exactly been the hottest start to a season for Sean McVay. The Australia debacle, coupled with the shocking loss to the Cardinals, could follow the team all season long. However, there are still more teams behind the Rams than ahead of the team.
Here’s a look at a ranking of all 32 teams from best to worst. Take a look at where the Rams rank.
Full NFL Power Rankings: Where Do Los Angeles Rams Fall After Brutal Opening Start?
Top-tier
These teams are the best of the best in the NFL power rankings. Most fanbases shudder at the thought of their franchise facing these teams. The Chiefs and 49ers did not lose until this past week, so by default, there is no argument for moving them down the list.
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The Denver Broncos defeated the Seattle Seahawks in prime time while down Patrick Surtain II and stuck in offensive purgatory, causing a swap.
The Bills’ defense continues to be a problem for Buffalo, but Josh Allen has been able to mask it with his explosive offense. When the playoffs roll around, Allen might find himself overmatched in the divisional round and beyond, but his Bills are still an elite matchup.
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Buffalo Bills
Quality Teams
The New England Patriots started the season on shaky footing, but now appear to have fixed some things. The Vikings might be undefeated, but the quarterback situation is far from solved. Plus, Minnesota’s opening slate of games might be the easiest in the NFL.
The Chicago Bears are geared for a climb, considering Caleb Williams can stay healthy. For now, the team will stay in the upper-middle class of the NFL power rankings as a team to watch until Williams demonstrates consistent availability.
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Carolina Panthers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
Competitive But Flawed
The Los Angeles Rams are at the top of the “Competitive but Flawed” tier, and some, but not all, is their fault. The Rams have been shaky, and injuries have begun to pile up. Davante Adams is set to be out for potentially the next two and a half months, and Myles Garrett still hasn’t returned. Puka Nacua has also been hit with injuries this season, although thankfully for Sean McVay, he appears to have recovered from his early-season injury trouble.
Aaron Rodgers’ age raises questions about his ability to stay upright this season with three months of the regular season to go. The Browns are off to their best start in a while, but honestly, who is buying that Cleveland has finally been fixed? One has to ask the same of the New York Giants. The Falcons’ shaky quarterback situation isn’t in a great spot, with Michael Penix Jr. seemingly spending more time recovering than on the field.
- Los Angeles Rams
- Baltimore Ravens
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
- Atlanta Falcons
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
Low-End
Jalen Hurts’ scary blood clot situation arrived as an exclamation point on an offense that is littered with issues. Saquon Barkley also has not been himself and has faced his own injury troubles. Until the Commanders can get out of their own way, Washington will have a hard road to climbing in the rankings.
The New York Jets seem to be better in 2026 than a season ago, but the franchise has still stumbled into its perennial mid-season slump. The Colts are in a brutal place after moving on from general manager Chris Ballard following the team’s loss to the winless Titans.
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Jets
- Indianapolis Colts
- Arizona Cardinals
Disastrous
At this point, it might be time to break out the No. 1 pick race storylines. The Saints had a lot on the line this season, but the unit’s defensive woes have sunk the organization for the season, barring a miraculous comeback. The Texans find themselves in a similar hole in what was a huge year for C.J. Stroud. Despite seemingly having their quarterback figured out, the Buccaneers and Chargers are closer to the No. 1 overall pick than a winning record.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some fight, but have lost spectacularly consistently enough to become predictable. Once Baker Mayfield returns, the team could be in line for a significant jump, but things were not great before he was injured earlier this year.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Houston Texans
- Tennessee Titans
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Miami Dolphins