NFL power rankings, pre-Week 1 edition:

1. Patriots (1): Dynasties don't last this long because few churn their rosters so effectively. But reigning champs appear to have added quite a class of rookies, perhaps even a good enough group to keep Tom Brady around a few more years.

2. Chiefs (4): An offense already teeming with talent now adds Shady McCoy? Could K.C. actually be more explosive than last year's top-ranked attack? Suddenly seems plausible.

3. Saints (5): Early boost already with return of DT Sheldon Rankins, whose Achilles injury became overshadowed aspect of 2018 playoff demise.

4. Eagles (3): Who knew replacing backup QB Nick Foles would prove such an odyssey? But it might have been worth it given Josh McCown's eventual arrival.

5. Vikings (6): If you weren't excited about them heading into preseason, maybe now-healthy RB Dalvin Cook's 85-yard TD run changed your mind?

6. Chargers (2): Our offseason Super Bowl pick must now overcome another disastrous summer, rife with injuries (S Derwin James, LT Russell Okung) and RB Melvin Gordon's ongoing holdout.

7. Bears (9): Defense drives bus here, but offense kept under wraps in preseason must close gap if Chicago hopes to recapture Super Bowl glory.

8. Falcons (8): They appear to have everything — including return of reliable K Matt Bryant — however reloaded O-line has failed to jell so far.

9. Steelers (12): Soph WR James Washington had huge preseason with 40-yard grabs in three games. Here's hoping his friendship with Big Ben is in good shape.

10. Rams (11): Still waiting to learn if we'll see the old Todd Gurley in Week 1 or an old Todd Gurley. Answer likely holds key to NFC champs' prospects.

11. Browns (10): Despite justifiably rampant buzz around this squad, its most, um, impressive trait in August was laser focus on New York Giants.

12. Seahawks (16): GM John Schneider strikes again, adding a stud like Jadeveon Clowney for less than the cost of a venti non-fat latte.

MORE:NFL's worst-ever uniforms, from Color Rush and throwbacks to regrettable rebrandings

NFL's 100 greatest teams of all time:Which squad is best in league history?

13. Jaguars (17): They haven't suffered any relatively disastrous suspensions, injuries, trades or retirements — more than you can say for rest of AFC South.

14. Cowboys (15): Welp. At least LB Jaylon Smith got paid. Remains to be seen how unresolved contract situations on offense impact Dallas.

15. 49ers (13): Appears QB Jimmy Garoppolo coming around in return from knee injury. Sadly, same couldn't be said of RB Jerick McKinnon, who's back on IR.

16. Packers (14): Revamped offense remains mystery — aside from what Matt LaFleur's underwhelming Titans put on film in 2018 — after Aaron Rodgers shelved in preseason.

17. Ravens (19): Their last preseason loss was in 2015, yet they haven't won playoff game in that span. Team's timing should improve if Lamar Jackson's does.

18. Panthers (20): If QB Cam Newton's foot is fine ... and Newton's shoulder is fine ... and new-look 3-4 defense is fine ... then Carolina will be fine.

19. Jets (22): The starting offense looks great. However kicking game is a complete mess for a team unlikely to have much margin for error.

20. Colts (7): They're far better than 2017 team that went 4-11 with QB Jacoby Brissett at helm. But can they get past Andrew Luck's emotional exit?

21. Bills (21): McCoy's departure means offense has almost no known commodities aside from RB Frank Gore, but maybe that proves a plus.

22. Titans (18): O-line, which will now lose LT Taylor Lewan for four games, looks bad. Backup QB Ryan Tannehill looks better than starter Marcus Mariota. Otherwise, everything is great.

23. Broncos (27): Watch out for second-year OLB Bradley Chubb, who might ascend to superstar status in new coach Vic Fangio's defense.

24. Texans (23): They don't have Clowney, and their future is in peril after shipping out loads of draft capital for a left tackle (Laremy Tunsil) with unfulfilled potential. Pays to hire a GM, fellas.

25. Raiders (24): The Antonio Brown experiment isn't going to end well. Knock on wood if you're with me.

26. Lions (29): If RB Kerryon Johnson can flourish in featured role, Detroit might surprise despite being mired in highly competitive division.

27. Giants (26): Sadly for two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, we're all officially waiting to see how Daniel Jones performs in a real NFL game.

28. Buccaneers (25): Still awaiting evidence that new coach Bruce Arians can elevate this roster as it's currently constructed.

29. Cardinals (28): We'd like to applaud the debut of rookie QB Kyler Murray, but — as we all know — clapping in the NFL means a false-start penalty.

30. Redskins (30): Poor Jay Gruden. Imagine trying to save your job while your best player (Trent Williams) wants no part of your team, while your buzziest player (Dwayne Haskins) isn't yet ready for prime time.

31. Bengals (31): FWIW, anyone else notice this defense couldn't handle rookie quarterbacks Jones and Haskins during preseason?

32. Dolphins (32): Towel. Thrown. In. With Tunsil, arguably their best player, gone, only question left for 2019 is whether owner Stephen Ross can regain credibility with his players.

(Previous ranking in parentheses)

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.