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NFL power rankings: 2019 edition – Patriots finish on top, again

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 09: Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch while being chased by Isaiah Oliver #20 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 09: Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch while being chased by Isaiah Oliver #20 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

20. Green Bay Packers (6-9-1)

3rd Place, NFC North

Season Review: For the second consecutive season, the Packers finish with a losing record. It’s something that hasn’t happened to this franchise since the 1990 and ‘91 seasons. If not for a Week 16 victory at MetLife Stadium over the Jets, the club would have finished winless on the road in 2018. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took his share of heat and some of it was warranted. But the lack of commitment to the running game and the continued failures of the defense were major contributors as well. Wideout Devante Adams had a Pro Bowl year. But Green Bay ranked as one of the league’s disappointments in ’18.

2018 Turning Point: The Packers hung around in the NFC North despite the team’s inability to win on the road. At 4-6-1, the team returned home to play the struggling Arizona Cardinals. An embarrassing 20-17 loss was the club’s third straight and the end of the Mike McCarthy Era in Green Bay.

2019 Priorities: The team has a new head coach (Matt LaFleur) as well as a pair of first-round picks in April’s draft and the team could use help in a number of areas, especially on the defensive front-seven. Also, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and wide receiver Randall Cobb are potential free agents.

Next: No. 19

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