Fansided

2019 NFL power rankings; Patriots back on top…again

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 22: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) on the sideline during a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on August 22, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 22: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) on the sideline during a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on August 22, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 12. team. 53. . 0-0

Preview: There are a high hopes for franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2002 and it’s certainly understandable given the way that the Browns finished 2018. A club that had gone a combined 1-31 over a two-year span from 2016-17 finished 7-8-1 this past season and also boasted a 3-2-1 mark within the AFC North. General manager John Dorsey was extremely diligent when it came to trades, obtaining Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon from the Giants. The former gives promising quarterback Baker Mayfield another weapon. Vernon figures to make Myles Garrett even more dangerous when it comes the pass rush. An intriguing team indeed.

Next Week: The Browns play host to Tennessee Titans for the second time in three seasons as these team meet for the fifth time in six years dating back to 2014. It’s interesting to note that since realignment in ‘02, these one-time AFC Central foes have met eight times and each club has won four games – the last clashes by the Titans.

Playoff hopes: This is a franchise starved for winning season much less a playoff berth. Dorsey has put a lot of good pieces and place and as usual, the AFC North figures to be quite the dogfight. There are a lot of it encouraging signs here. But you have to crawl before you walk and the Browns’ biggest obstacle may still be the rival Steelers.

Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 11. team. 55. . 0-0

Preview: It’s a team that has undergone massive change in terms of star power this offseason as wide receiver Antonio Brown was dealt to the Oakland Raiders and running back Le’Veon Bell (who sat out 2018) signed with the Jets. The most exciting new face is rookie inside linebacker Devin Bush. Along with additions such versatile Mark Barron and cornerback Steven Nelson, it’s hard to ignore the increased speed on the defense. On offense, second-year wide receiver James Washington has enjoyed quite the summer. But Mike Tomlin’s team has to play smarter football than a year ago as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the league in both passing yards and interceptions.

Next Week: Dating back to his arrival in the Steel City in 2007, Tomlin owns a 3-7 record (including playoffs) vs. his team’s Week 1 opponent. But one of those wins over the Patriots came this past season (Week 15) at Pittsburgh, 17-10. The Steelers are 1-4 at Foxborough over that span and the victory came vs. a Pats’ team minus Tom Brady

Playoff hopes: There are plenty of different opinions regarding the Steelers’ chances of being back in the playoffs in 2019. Were the losses of Bell and Brown addition by subtraction? Has the team finally found the right pieces when it comes to the defense? The club is never short on talent and this is a very big year for its head coach.

Next: Nos. 10 and 9