Rams Lead FPI Rankings, Patriots Out of Top Ten

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- Football Power Index released its initial 2026 preseason rankings, placing the Seattle Seahawks fourth and the New England Patriots 14th, making the Patriots the first Super Bowl team since 2015 to start outside the top ten.
- Los Angeles Rams are the preseason favorites according to the rankings, overtaking the Seahawks despite Seattle’s previous Super Bowl win.
- Seattle Seahawks defensive rating fell from 4.6 points per game at the end of 2025 to 2.1 in the 2026 preseason, still the league’s highest but a sharp drop.
- Los Angeles Rams offensive rating decreased from 5.3 to 3.9, a smaller regression than Seattle’s defensive decline, while the team bolstered its defense by trading for edge rusher Myles Garrett and adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Why it matters: The new rankings will shift betting odds, boosting the Rams' wagering volume and cutting the Patriots' odds, which will affect team revenue from merchandise and ticket sales.

