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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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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is chased out of the pocket during the AFC Divisional Round game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2019, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City MO. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is chased out of the pocket during the AFC Divisional Round game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2019, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City MO. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Indianapolis Colts (11-7)

2nd Place, AFC South

Reached AFC Divisional Playoffs

Season Review: Thanks to nine wins in their final 10 games, the Colts claimed their first playoff berth since 2014. Kudos to first-time NFL head coach Frank Reich, who pushed all the right button after six weeks of growing pains. The team got a big year from quarterback Andrew Luck, who got better as time wore on and captured NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors via 39 TD passes (15 interceptions). Om the other side of the ball, linebacker Darius Leonard was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. On the other hand, an often-maligned unit was much-improved under coordinator Matt Eberflus.

2018 Turning Point: Off to a 1-5 start, Luck and company was coming off an ugly 42-34 road loss to the Jets. The Colts would start by taking out their frustrations on the visiting Bills (37-5). But it was a 27-0 shutout of the Cowboys at Indianapolis (Week 15) that opened a lot of eyes around the league.

2019 Priorities: Heralded general manager Chris Ballard had quite the draft in 2018 and does has three selections in the first two rounds this April to add to the team’s talent base. The Colts also have a lot of cap space at their disposal. However, the NFL’s all-time scoring leader (Adam Vinatieri) will return in ’19.

Next: No. 4

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