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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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Mandatory Credit: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images /

18. Washington Redskins (7-9)

3rd Place, NFC East

Season Review: During the first half of the season, Jay Gruden’s attack more resembled Dean Smith’s “Four Corners” offense as the Redskins played stall-ball with rejuvenated Adrian Peterson in the backfield and veteran signal-caller Alex Smith. When the team was able to play its game, it resulted in wins. But when things went wrong, it all went south in a big way. Smith would go down with a broken leg and eventually, so would backup Colt McCoy. The ‘Skins were limited to 16 or fewer points in each of their final five games. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense played very respectable football for the most part.

2018 Turning Point: The ‘Skins were 6-3 as they hosted the hot Houston Texans. As previously mentioned, Smith would wind up going down for the season and the club would fall, 23-21. It would be the first of four straight losses and six setbacks in seven games for Gruden’s battered team.

2019 Priorities: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in late January that the team would be “pleasantly surprised” if Smith was ready for the start of 2019. Could the team bring back quarterback Josh Johnson, the team’s main starter down the stretch after Smith and McCoy went and Mark Sanchez was ineffective?

Next: No. 17

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