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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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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

. Green Bay Packers. 17. team. 49. .

2019 Key Additions: The team’s new head coach is Matt LaFleur, whose latest stop before arriving in Green Bay was as the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator. This is a franchise that usually doesn’t go out make a lot of moves during free agency. But general manager Brian Gutekunst was determined to fix a defense that has been a liability for the team for far too many years. Coordinator Mike Patton should make the most out of veteran imports Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith – the latter one of the more underrated outside linebackers in the league – as well as safety Adrian Amos. The Packers added more defense in the first round in the draft via outside linebacker Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage.

Offseason Review: The last time the Packers finished with back-to-back losing seasons was 1990 and ‘91, the year before the franchise acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. There seems to be a new attitude and emphasis in Green Bay, with the team no longer relying on quarterback Aaron Rodgers to carry the load. If Pettine’s defensive unit comes around and the coach has been given plenty of new talent, the Packers figured to be back in the playoff hunt. But the offense must do it its share as well, which means running the football and protecting their quarterback.

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