NFL power rankings: Who is biggest threat to Patriots?
By Brad Weiss
Everyone agrees the New England Patriots are the league’s best team, but who poses the biggest threat to them?
Incredibly, we are halfway through the 2017 NFL preseason schedule, and teams are starting to round into form. In our latest edition of the NFL power rankings, there are familiar names at the top, but losses to key players have some movement throughout. Week 3 of the preseason is usually the teams dress rehearsal for the regular season, so it will be interesting to see who is planted in starting lineups this upcoming weekend.
The 2018 NFL Draft is loaded with quarterback talent, and for those teams at the bottom of the rankings, it may be time to hit the reset button on the position. We start our rankings off with a team that has a rough situation going on under center, which is why they are slated to be the worst team in the NFL this season. Here is our latest preseason NFL power rankings.
New York Jets
, AFC East
The New York Jets were really bad this past weekend against the Detroit Lions, as they looked lost on offense, and defense. The issues at quarterback are very real, and it looks like Josh McCown is going to get the nod come Week 1. Christian Hackenberg did not play well in extended time, though he had no time to throw the ball, and Bryce Petty failed to find the end zone playing the entire second half.
Defense is going to be the name of the game for the Jets, who do have some talent on that side of the ball. The rookie safeties, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, should be very good, and their defensive front is going to get push. The real question is whether or not Darren Lee takes the next step in year two, as he is going to be counted on to be the leader of the linebacker group with David Harris gone.
Looking at the Jets schedule, and I just cannot find more than four wins. Looking at their roster, I do not see anybody who is going to put pressure on the opposing defense. Defensives are going to pin their ears back and get after whoever is under center for the Jets, and at this point, who would want to take on that responsibility.
Buckle up Jets fans, because it is going to be a long season. The best part of this Jets season will be next April, when they can grab one of those blue-chip quarterbacks in the first round. However, quarterbacks have stayed in school to avoid playing for certain teams in the past, so do not be surprise if guys like UCLA’s Josh Rosen, and USC’s Sam Darnold give college one more year if they see the Jets get the No. 1 overall pick.