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NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 6: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after making a tackle during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville,Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 30-9. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 6: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after making a tackle during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville,Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 30-9. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

team. 35. . . . Tennessee Titans. 18

2019 Key Additions: This offseason, general manager Jon Robinson added very few faces to a young but promising roster. The club traded for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins (2012). And speaking of that team from South Florida, veteran pass rusher Olivier Vernon left the ‘Fins for Nashville. The Titans upgraded their offensive line with the addition of veteran guard Rodger Saffold (Rams). Robinson gave quarterback Marcus Mariota a reliable target in wide receiver Adam Humphries (Buccaneers) and used a second-round pick on Ole Miss wideout A.J. Brown. With Matt LeFleur off to Green Bay, tight ends coach Arthur Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator.

Offseason Review: It’s a team that has finished with a 9-7 record each of the past three seasons. But only one of those campaigns (2017) resulted in a playoff appearance. At times, the Titans have looked like a team capable of some big things. But there still appears to be something missing and perhaps head coach Mike Vrabel (in just his second season on the job) can find what’s missing. Yes, this is a dramatically different organization than it was just a few years ago when it finished a combined 5-27 from 2014-15. But being better and becoming a consistent playoff contender are two totally different things.

Next: No. 17

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