NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles top list

18. Washington Redskins

The Redskins basically traded Kirk Cousins and Kendall Fuller for Alex Smith, and then signed Paul Richardson. The offseason had many headlines, but the bottom line remains the same. Washington is dangerous, but in the loaded NFC, it’s hard to see the Redskins as a playoff team.

17. Dallas Cowboys

Our third NFC East team falls right here. The Cowboys have to prove that without Dez Bryant and Jason Witten they can still move the ball through the air. Ezekiel Elliott and the offensive line are great, but is that enough to lift a questionable secondary and a dearth of playmakers on the outside? That answer largely falls on the shoulders of Dak Prescott.

16. Tennessee Titans

The Titans pulled off a miracle win at Arrowhead Stadium last year in the AFC Wild Card round. Can they build on that with a new coach in Mike Vrabel? Again, this team is about its young quarterback. Marcus Mariota was terrible last year, but came on towards the end. Tennessee has the pieces to be a force in the AFC, but so much depends on the Hawaiian to get it done.

15. Carolina Panthers

Carolina is talented, but it plays in a brutal division. The Panthers are also without Thomas Davi for the first quarter of the season and are heavily dependent on rookie receiver D.J. Moore to prop up the passing game. It’s a recipe for regression.