NFL Preseason Power Rankings
Rams add Stafford but are they the clear-cut favorite to win the NFC West? How about the Bucs? Can they repeat? And do the Bills and Chiefs have any competition in the AFC?
The NFL season is fastly approaching and we already can predict how teams stack up against each other following the draft and most of free agency. We all know the usual suspects will be fantastic including the Kansas City Cheifs with Patrick Mahomes, the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Bucs, and Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills. But how do the rest of the NFL teams stack up against the juggernauts and did this offseason help push them in a competitive direction or keep them in the same place?
Houston Texans
Chances are that Deshaun Watson does not play this season and they were already an atrocious football team even with him. Could you imagine without him? Possibly 0-17. I don’t like what they did in the offseason and I do not think Watson plays leaving them with Davis Mills to play quarterback.
Mills isn’t ready to hold a team together that already has all of its pieces falling apart. This team is so discombobulated from the Watson situation I would really be surprised if they got more than 2 wins. I personally think they’ll win 1 game. That is it. At least Mills may be able to develop into a good quarterback and will have experience right off of the bat.
New York Jets
The Jets may be a little bit better, but not by much. I did not particularly like the Zach Wilson selection with #2 overall, but maybe he will be good. His injury history brings a lot of question marks, especially considering that the Jets offensive line is still one of the worst lines in the NFL.
Either way, the big positive this offseason for the Jets was hiring defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh and getting rid of the worst coach in the NFL in Adam Gase. They still have one of the least talented rosters in the league and it doesn’t help to play in a division with the Bills, Dolphins, and Patriots. However, hiring Saleh will pay them dividends in the long run as he has the opportunity to turn this whole organization around.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was a home run with the #1 overall selection as he is the quarterback of the future for the Jaguars. However, other than adding Lawrence, the Jaguars not only did not pick anyone amazing up in free agency, but also botched their 25th overall pick. I like Travis Etienne, and I am sure he will be great playing with Lawrence, but why would you get a running back when Jax Robinson had one of the most underrated years in recent memory at that position?
He can be very good again next year, and there were so many other holes that could have been addressed and fixed with a late first-round pick. Either way, this team won’t win more than 4 games. But at least they have a future to look forward to starting with Lawrence.
Cincinnati Bengals
Hopefully, Joe Burrow will be healthy because they need him to be to win more than 3 games. Burrow is a generational talent and although I don’t love the Ja’Mar Chase selection, the Bengals have an improved wide receiver core that should help provide improved numbers on the offensive end.
Their offensive line is one of the worst lines in the league, and that is why Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater should have been the selection at #5 in the draft, but what can you do. Hopefully, Burrow doesn’t get hurt and the Bengals can get 5 to 6 wins on the season.
Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, but this Lions team should be improved from last season. Deandre Swift is coming off of a great season, and even though losing Kenny Golladay hurts, they picked up Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is one of the most talented receivers in the draft class to keep the wide receiving core decent.
They drafted Penei Sewell to improve a terrible offensive line, and they prioritized defense with the rest of their draft selections. Dan Campbell should be an extreme upgrade over Matt Patricia, and although the Lions won’t compete anytime soon, trading Stafford for Goff and picks, then making some really good selections in the draft is accelerating a much-needed rebuild in Detroit. The Lions will win between 4-6 games.
Denver Broncos
One of the most poorly run organizations in sports, the Broncos botched their first-round pick by not selecting Justin Fields with the 10th overall pick in the draft. Patrick Surtain II is a fantastic corner, but Drew Lock will never be more than an average quarterback, and Justin Fields was arguably the second-best QB in the draft with one of the highest upsides.
They completely botched that selection, and even though their defense will be good this season, their offense still has a lot of holes. I liked their first-round selection last season, Jerry Jeudy, but how good can Jeudy be without an above-average QB throwing to him? I see the Broncos winning 5 games again.
New York Giants
People are high on the Giants’ chances this year due to their great offseason where they added Kenny Golladay, John Ross, Kelvin Benjamin, and a first-round pick from Florida, Kadarius Toney. They obviously upgraded big time on the offensive end as they got Daniel Jones weapons at receiver and are hoping that Saquon Barkley will bounce back and be healthy all season.
Their defense is a bit better as well, but I still don’t buy it and I think they will still be one of the 6 or 7 worst teams in the NFL. Daniel Jones is an okay quarterback, but not a great one that can win you games by himself. Maybe they are talented enough to sweep the season series against the Eagles, but they definitely will not sweep the season series against the Football Team and the Cowboys. I expect another 4-6 win season from New York.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts proved to be the quarterback of the future in Philadelphia, and he is poised for another fantastic season under center. However, the number of holes on this team’s roster are undeniable and they are very far from competing for a Super Bowl. Luckily for the Eagles, they picked up DeVonta Smith, who by the way is the best receiver in this loaded draft class as they stole Smith at #10 overall.
He and Jalen Reagor are poised for big years and Hurts will be a fantasy football sensation. Their newfound offensive stardom may be enough to beat teams in their division, but their obvious holes on the defensive end will be exploited by good teams outside of the NFC East, which won’t allow the Eagles to do anything in the playoffs even if they somehow get there.
Carolina Panthers
I really like Sam Darnold and I think with a better offensive line this season he will become an above-average quarterback. The Jets had Adam Gase as their coach and one of the worst offensive lines in the league, which did not do Darnold any justice.
Adding Darnold to go along with Christian McCaffrey and Robby Anderson will provide some offensive production this year. However, the team does not have enough talent or depth on both the offensive and defensive ends to win more than 6 games. Although, this team is trending in the right direction.
Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan is still a really good quarterback that can help win you a lot of games, so selecting big-time playmaker and arguably the best prospect in the draft, Kyle Pitts was an absolute home run at #4 overall. Trading Julio Jones for not a lot in return was a mistake, but he did not want to be there and it makes sense that they traded him. I just think that they should have gotten and could have gotten more.
I just wish they could have gotten more in return for Jones as I think they were entitled to. Regardless, Todd Gurley, Matt Ryan, and Kyle Pitts will provide some offensive production, but it remains to be seen how good this team can be. I think they will win between 3-7 games as this is one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFL.
Chicago Bears
The Bears had an A++++++++ draft grade just on selecting their quarterback of the future in Justin Fields. The Bears have never had an elite QB, but Fields is poised to become the first one. I don’t know why they are planning to start mediocre QB Andy Dalton in week 1 as Justin Fields should be the undisputed week 1 starter, but maybe they are easing him into the NFL.
This is a defensive-minded team per usual, but if their offense finds a way to click with Fields, Allen Robinson, and others, they can become a dangerous team and a surprise playoff team. We will see in time, but Justin Fields is finally a step in the right direction, proving to their own fans that they are tired of being mediocre.
Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr wants to be a Raider for life so bad that he will" “retire” if he were to get traded. You gotta love the loyalty and passion Carr has for the Raiders, but they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Carr is an above-average QB who has enough weapons on the offensive end to win the Raiders 6-8 games, including Josh Jacobs, Henry Ruggs, and Darren Waller.
However, the defense is still lackluster, even though I think that drafting Trevon Moehrig with the 43rd overall pick may have been the steal of the draft. Either way, we know that the Raiders will be the Raiders and that means they will miss the playoffs again this season.
New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees retiring and Taysom Hill as your starting QB? I don’t care how good Alvin Kamara or the Saints’ defense, without a good quarterback the Saints won’t win more than 9 or 10 games at most. Hill can’t pass the ball, and we saw how that worked out for New England last year where Newton couldn’t complete a pass and had to run most of the time. New England ended up being just an average team, and the Saints are falling into the same category.
The Saints will have their usual elite defense and elite run game, and although the only other good team in their division is the Bucs, 9 or 10 wins will not be enough to surpass an NFC West team in the wild card spot. I am expecting a regressing year for the Saints. Sorry Saints fans.
Dallas Cowboys
Everyone is always high on the Cowboys, but we know what is going to happen. The Cowboys will be their usual average or a little above average NFL team who may win the worst division in football. However, even if they do end up making the playoffs, they won’t be able to win a game against the many great teams in the NFC. Dak Prescott is a good QB, but giving him that money means that they won’t be able to get other high-end players in the future.
They already have Ezekiel Elliot, Cee-Dee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Amari Cooper to go along with Prescott on the offensive end. However, we all know that the Cowboys have a suspect defense and won’t be able to go toe to toe with the Rams, 49ers, Bucs, and Packers of the NFC because of that. Sorry Cowboys fans, I know you guys always think you are better than you are, and even though you guys might be a little bit better this season than last season, your team still isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are going to be the worst team in the best division in football. I like their offense led by Kyler Murray, Deandre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, and A.J. Green. However, Isaiah Simmons hasn’t lived up to his Pro-Bowl potential and the rest of the defense besides Buddha Baker and J.J. Watt looks suspect to say the least.
They could be very good if their last two first-rounders Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons have great seasons, but this team will yet again ride or die on its offense and we will see if Kyler Murray can push them over the edge or not. I still think that Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco are all better, but maybe I will be wrong. This all depends on the consistency of this team.
Washington Football Team
Led by an elite defense led by already Pro-Bowler Chase Young and elite pass-rusher Montez Sweat, the Washington Football Team will rely on its defense to win games as they still have a relatively lackluster offense.
Luckily for them, they play in the worst division in the NFL, and Antonio Gibson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Terry McLaurin, and Curtis Samuel should be enough on the offensive end to win the division. I could even see this team winning a playoff game this season, a feat they were close to achieving last year against the eventual champs Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben simply isn’t Big Ben anymore and that has been evident over the past year. He is still an above-average QB who can make plays down the stretch and make his teammates slightly better, but he is by no means an elite QB anymore.
This team picked up the best RB in the draft in Najee Harris, but even Harris won’t be enough to bolster an offense that desperately needs to be better. The receiving core besides JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool has been horrendous, and I don’t know if the Steelers defense is as good as people think it is. The Browns will stomp on the Steelers in both meetings and I don’t think that 9-10 wins will get the Steelers into the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have an elite defense, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Kirk Cousins, but not much else. Trading away Stefon Diggs really hurt this team’s future and their subpar season last year is indicative of that. Justin Jefferson had a fantastic rookie season, but Adam Thielen struggled, and if he does not have a bounceback year this team is destined for failure.
Dalvin Cook also needs to stay healthy as his injury-prone second half of the season last year helped cost their playoff chances. If Cook and Thielen find a way to stay healthy and productive, then this team will have an opportunity to win 11 games. They still have to face the Packers and the Bears twice and all four of those division rivalry games will be tough.
New England Patriots
Mac Jones will be fantastic for the Patriots once he gets playing time. All of last season, the Pats had a QB who could not complete passes in Newton. Now they are getting a QB whose specialty is to complete passes with a high percentage. He may not start right away, but Jones should be the starter for this New England team.
Also how about their offseason signings picking up Jonnu Smith, Nelson Agholor, Hunter Henry, Kyle Van Noy, Matthew Judon, and Jalen Mills. They definitely had the best offseason and as long as Belichick can create an offense using both Jones and Newton, they will compete for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is a league superstar and has one of the best offenses in the league around him. Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams are absolutely lethal, and as long as Ekeler stays healthy, Herbert is poised for an MVP-type season that will lead the Chargers to their first playoff appearance in 3 years. It also helps Herbert and the offense that the Chargers used their first-round pick on one of the best offensive lineman prospects in recent memory in Rashawn Slater. Slater will boost the Chargers line to be even better, drastically raising the ceiling of this team.
The Chargers also have a really good defense anchored by Joey Bosa and Derwin James. The Chargers really missed James last year, as their secondary was the team’s #1 liability, especially late in games where they blew a lot of leads in the fourth quarter. The secondary will obviously be better with James’ return and the Chargers have one of the most balanced teams in the NFL this year. I expect the Chargers to secure a wild card berth and win 11 games.
Tennessee Titans
Adding Julio Jones to the offensive arsenal was huge. Jones will now play alongside A.J. Brown, Ryan Tannehill, and Derrick Henry. The Titans always said that they were one big-time weapon away from winning a Super Bowl, and even though their defense will not be as good this season, Julio Jones, A.J. Brown, Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill alone will get the Titans into the playoffs.
I do not think that this Titans team is better than the Browns, Bills, and Cheifs, but time will tell. Either way, I project that the titans will finish as a wild card team and second in their division behind the Colts.
Miami Dolphins
Brian Flores’ team seems like it will finally breakthrough into the postseason this year. After a decent rookie year from Tua Tagovailoa and a dominant defensive performance last season by the Dolphins, their 10 wins just missed the playoffs. They drafted Jaylen Waddle to help Tua out since last season he barely had any talented receivers. Although I would have liked the Dolphins to take DeVonta Smith, Waddle will automatically become Tua’s #1 option and it was not a bad selection at all with #6 overall in the draft.
The defense will continue to dominate led by cornerback Xavien Howard. Brian Flores just needs a good season out of Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, while producing a decent run game as well and you can book the Dolphins’ first playoff appearance since 2016.
Indianapolis Colts
Led by the best offensive line in football and an ultra-dominant defense, the Colts may win 13 games this season. I have a good feeling that playing behind that offensive line will get Carson Wentz back on track to be an above-average QB. As long as Wentz uses Michael Pittman Jr, T.Y. Hilton, and Zach Pascal to his disposal to go along with a stellar year from Jonathan Taylor, this Colts team is bound to win more than 11 games.
Even if Wentz is still Wentz from last year in Philadelphia where he lost his job and to say the least, could not perform, the Colts have both Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger as good backups to step up if needed. This is also the year that I think NFL sophomores Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor make their first Pro Bowl appearances.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have one of the worst offensive lines in the league and it is evident by Russell Wilson’s frustration about being the least protected QB in the pocket in the league. Their defense is okay at best, but the Seahawks bread and butter comes from their Superstar QB Wilson, and their two elite receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Chris Carson will be fantastic again this season to provide a good run game as well along with Wilson.
At the end of the day, Russell Wilson and the offense can only do so much. This team is basically the same team as last year where it may be harder for them to make the playoffs this time around with the 49ers healthy roster. I think the Hawks get between 10-12 wins in the best division in football. They need their offensive line to step up and their defense to play well down the stretch of games to get closer to 12 wins instead of 10.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns will be a legitimate title contender again led by an elite run game with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and an elite front line on the defense led by Superstar DE Myles Garrett. Baker Mayfield is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the league, but I have to give him some credit for being able to make big-time plays late in the game to secure victories for his team.
I believe that the Browns will be competing against the Ravens for the division and every game those two teams play against each other will be a bloodbath. The Browns will undoubtedly make the playoffs for a second straight season, but whether they end up as a wild card team or the division winner relies on how good Baker Mayfield can be.
San Francisco 49ers
Plagued by injuries all of last season, most notably to their Superstar DE Nick Bosa, who fueled one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2019, the 49ers look to be at almost full health entering the season. Fred Warner is poised for another big year, while Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Wayne Gallman are also ready to produce for another 3-back run game. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk should be enough weapons for Jimmy Garappolo to have a similar season to 2019 where he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
Garappolo does not have to be more than a game-manager in one of the best run offenses in the NFL, and if the defense and key offensive pieces can stay healthy, this team will be set up for 11 + wins under arguably the best young coach in the NFL. Some defensive players that need to have big years other than Bosa and Warner are Arik Armstead, 2020 first-rounder Javon Kinlaw, and Dee Ford. The 49ers should be able to go toe to toe with the Rams for the division, but it all depends on their matchups against one another.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is still one of the best QB’s and leaders in the NFL, even if his only weapons last season were Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews. Jackson tried to pass a little more last year, but it did not go as well as people thought due to the limited offensive weapons and Greg Roman’s Stoneage offense that does not work in this NFL. Again, the dependence on the run game was figured out by opposing defenses and Roman’s Stoneage offense was exposed again in the playoffs.
However, it seems like the Ravens figured out they need more weapons for Jackson to make it past the divisional round in the AFC. The Ravens picked up Sammy Watkins in free agency(who reportedly looks amazing), and drafted receivers Rashod Bateman(first round) and Tylan Wallace(fourth round) in the draft. The defense will be elite per usual and if Greg Roman and John Harbaugh can prioritize Jackson throwing to Bateman, Wallace, Brown, and Andrews to take the dependence off of the run game centered around Jackson, Dobbins, and Edwards, then the Ravens have a serious shot to come out of the AFC.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers sit at 5th in the rankings due to the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return. If that is the case, the reigning MVP is poised for another big season and so are offensive weapons Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, and Allen Lazard.
The defense should again be pretty good led by Pro-Bowlers Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith. As long as Rodgers returns this team will be in contention and will win their division. There really isn’t much else to say. This team lives and dies on Aaron Rodgers.
Los Angeles Rams
One of these years they should reward Aaron Donald with the league MVP as his impact on his team is unparalleled by any other defensive player in the history of the game. Arguably the best defensive tackle in history, Donald is poised to put on another dominant campaign all while getting double and triple-teamed in his efforts to rush the quarterback.
Either way, Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, and co. are ready to be the #1 defense in the league again, while Matthew Stafford finally provides some much-needed stability at the QB position. The Rams will play in the best division in the NFL but should be able to win the division as long as they can beat the 49ers, which they haven’t yet in the last two seasons under Sean McVay.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is poised for another MVP-type season and I would not be surprised if he ends up winning it this year. He has turned into a perennial pro-bowler and the savior of the Buffalo Bills franchise as someone who could actually bring the franchise a Super Bowl very soon.
Allen is joined by Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley on the offensive end to provide star power while the Bills defense ranks as one of the best in the NFL again. Zack Moss should be much better this season as well, as he proved to have a knack for getting into the end-zone last season.
Kansas City Cheifs
Easily the best offense in the league, the Cheifs still have the star power they have always had with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce leading the way. Their defense will be the weakest part of their team even though it’s actually somewhat decent compared to what it used to be, and I love the second-round selection of Creed Humphrey who will further bolster the Cheifs offensive line.
The AFC really is a battle of two teams just like last season, the Bills and the Cheifs. Regardless of the media hype surrounding the Browns and the Ravens, the Bills and Cheifs will faceoff again in the AFC championship game. Don’t get it twisted and believe internet hype.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With an even improved team from last season, the Buccaneers are ready to run it back as the clear favorites in their division this time due to the Saints’ demise. Tom Brady is ready for another run at a Super Bowl at 44 years old, and the Bucs also boast the best depth in the league on both the offensive and defensive ends.
The Rams, Packers, and 49ers could give the Bucs a run for their money in the playoffs but we have said this all before and Brady continues to prove us wrong and continues to win Super Bowl after Super Bowl after Super Bowl.