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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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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the regular season NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the regular season NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

. . Denver Broncos. 27. team. 45.

2019 Key Additions: Once again, the Denver Broncos will open the season with a new head coach and a new starting quarterback. Vic Fangio takes over for Vance Joseph after the latter amassed a disappointing 11-21 record the previous two seasons combined. It will be fascinating to see what the veteran teacher and new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell do with the likes of outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Meanwhile, general manager John Elway did trade for former Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco. And then the team executive traded up in the second round and grabbed University of Missouri signal-caller Drew Lock. Tackle Ju’Waun James and heady cornerback Bryce Callahan were solid pickups as well.

Offseason Review: Since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015, the Broncos have not been back to the playoffs and own a combined 20-28 record these past three seasons and have lost 10-plus games each of the past two years. And the team’s once-proud defense has lost its share of performers recently for numerous reasons. Flacco brings 11 years of starting experience to an offense that has been less than scintillating for far too long. And it will really be fascinating to see what Fangio and Donatell do with the Denver defense. It’s a tall order moving up in the AFC West these days but this could wind up being an intriguing team.

Next: No. 26

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