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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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Los Angeles Chargers players, from left, defensive end Melvin Ingram #54, defensive end Joey Bosa #99, and defensive tackle Justin Jones #91 stand on the field during the national anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Los Angeles Chargers players, from left, defensive end Melvin Ingram #54, defensive end Joey Bosa #99, and defensive tackle Justin Jones #91 stand on the field during the national anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

13. . 0-0. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 6. team

Preview: It’s almost hard to imagine that the Anthony Lynn Era with this team began with four losses. Since then, the Chargers are 21-7 in their last 28 regular-season contests, captured a wild-card berth, tied for the best record in the AFC in 2018 and won a playoff game at Baltimore a year ago. But the club was pushed around in Foxborough by the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots and the Chargers are still seeking their first AFC West title since 2009. Tom Telesco has built a deep team on both sides of the ball. One of the few newcomers is outside linebacker Thomas Davis. Will the Bolts see running back Melvin Gordon anytime soon? He’s now free to seek a trade.

Next Week: The Chargers play host to the Indianapolis Colts for the first time since 2013. That resulted in a 19-9 victory for the home team. In fact, the Bolts have gotten the best of this series as of late. Dating back to ‘05 and including a pair of postseason victories, the Chargers have prevailed in six of the last eight encounters.

Playoff hopes: A year ago, Lynn’s club proved it could deal with its share of adversity when it came to injuries. That mettle will be tested once again early on as safety Derwin James is out until November while Gordon’s future with the club is unknown at the moment. But this is a talented team that will be right in the thick of the AFC West race.

Previous: . Chicago Bears. 5. team. 57. . 0-0

Preview: It proved to be quite the NFL head-coaching debut for Matt Nagy as the Bears wound up the third seed in the conference in 2018. There are some changes from a year ago, the most notable the departure of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Enter Chuck Pagano, who will put his own spin on an extremely talented unit led by a front seven featuring Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith, with ball-hawkers Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller in the secondary. There’s no reason to think quarterback Mitch Trubisky won’t take another step forward, especially with a set of skill players in running back Tarki Cohen and wideouts Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller.

Next Week: The legendary rivalry between the Packers and Bears kick off the NFL’s 100th season in prime time at storied Soldier Field. A year ago in Week 15, Chicago snapped an eight-game home losing streak in this longtime series courtesy of 24-17 victory. It was a skid that dated back to the team’s loss in the 2010 NFC title game.

Playoff hopes: Despite winning nine of their final 10 games last season and capturing the franchise’s first playoff berth (and division title) since 2010, the Bears have their work cut out for themselves in holding off the other three teams in the NFC North. The defense is arguably the most complete in the league and that’s a huge advantage.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3