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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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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Falcons won 34-32. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Falcons won 34-32. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons. 15. team. 44. . .

2019 Key Additions: The onus for the team this offseason in terms of free agency and the draft was fortifying the offensive line. The Falcons have two new starting guards in James Carpenter and Jamon Brown. General manager Thomas Dimitroff then used the 14th overall pick on Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom and then trade back into the first round (via the Rams) and grabbed tackle Caleb McGary (Washington). Meanwhile, the franchise was busy bringing back a few familiar faces in defensive end Adrian Clayborn (who won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in ’18) and troubled defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, who did not play football each of the past two seasons.

Offseason Review: This is an important year for head coach Dan Quinn, who begins his fifth year as the team’s sideline leader but comes off his first losing campaign. A rash of defensive injuries played a big part in Atlanta’s demise in 2018. Nevertheless, the franchise opted to dump offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and brought back Dirk Koetter to fill the role. Meanwhile, Quinn will be handling defensive coordinator duties this year. There is a lot of talent on this roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But can the Falcons’ defense bounce back from a rough year in all apsects?

Next: No. 14

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