The top teams in the NFL are locked in a fierce battle for supremacy, with the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams emerging as the most likely candidates to take the top spot.
Nate Tice and Matt Harmon, hosts of the Yahoo Sports' "Football 301" podcast, spent an episode going through their top 10 NFL offenses heading into the 2026 season. Their dueling lists featured a fun debate on who should be No. 1, with the Cowboys and Rams consistently vying for the top spot.
The Cowboys' offense is built around a dazzling one-two punch of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, with newcomer Ryan Flournoy forming a dangerous trio. "It's one of the only teams where their third receiver is actually dangerous," Harmon raved, pointing out Flournoy's ability to step up if injuries hit.
The tight end group might be the NFL's most versatile, with Jake Ferguson pairing receiving chops with real Y-blocking, and Brevyn Spann-Ford being an elite edge-sealer. Even the fullback, Hunter Luepke, is a tactical weapon.
But the O-line, long Dallas' calling card, faces a new test. Tyler Guyton is a supreme athlete but, as Tice noted, "He was always hurt in college. Right now, same story … so, can he string together 15-16 games in the NFL?" Thankfully, Dallas has rare depth, with Nate Thomas not being bad last year when he had to play.
What sets Dallas apart isn't just stars. The Cowboys are already solving the problems modern defenses throw at them. When teams flood the line with five defenders, Dallas answers with pullers and fullbacks, creating mismatches and staying one move ahead.
"That's why I'm so optimistic. They already showed the signs of going supernova … they were good on offense last year. I'm just all systems go," Tice said.
On the other hand, Harmon's case for the Rams is built around the "MVP at quarterback" in Matthew Stafford and the elite playmaker duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The Rams' offense is built around stars at key positions, giving them the capacity to run their entire passing game through explosive weapons.
The tight end group is another area of strength unique to the Rams. With perhaps "the fastest tight end in the NFL in Terrance Ferguson, who can truly be a sacrificial player from 13 personnel" plus proven producers like Colby Parkinson, the Rams have the ability to seamlessly pivot from multi-tight end sets to 11 personnel when the situation demands.
"They're always ahead of it," Harmon says of Sean McVay-led units. The Rams stay atop modern trends, blending a multiple-tight end attack with tempo and versatility. McVay's willingness to adapt keeps defenses off-balance and maximizes the roster's strengths.
Despite naming them No. 1, Harmon admits there is a "little bit of a house of cards element" to the Rams' setup. He points out some serious risks: Nacua's offseason legal troubles, Adams' age (34, unprecedented for a WR1), depth concerns at receiver behind the top two, and the durability of key linemen like Alaric Jackson.
The NFL season is set to kick off soon, and the battle for supremacy between the Cowboys and Rams is expected to be one of the most intense and closely watched storylines. With their offenses firing on all cylinders, both teams are primed to make a deep run in the playoffs. As the season gets underway, fans will be eagerly watching to see which team can maintain their momentum and take the top spot.
Source: Yahoo Sports