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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals speaks with teammates on the sidelines in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals speaks with teammates on the sidelines in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

30. team. 32. . 0-0. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals

Preview: It proved to be a one-and-done 2018 for head coach Steve Wilks and first-round draft choice Josh Rosen as the Cardinals became the first team since the 1977 Buccaneers to finish dead last in the NFL in total offense, rushing yards and passing yardage in the same season. Now enter former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury and 2018 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Kyler Murray to get the Arizona attack back on track. Former Broncos’ head coach Vance Joseph takes over on defense and has some tools to work (Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs) in terms of rushing the passer. Cornerback Patrick Peterson will miss the first six games due to suspension.

Next Week: The Kingsbury/Murray Era kicks off at home vs. the Lions. A year ago at Arizona (Week 14), the visitors came away with a 17-3 win. It’s worth mentioning that the Cardinals were just 1-7 at home in 2018 – the lone victory over the 4-12 49ers. The clubs meet for the third straight year, with Detroit prevailing the past two seasons.

Playoff hopes: It is starting over time in the desert as the Cardinals kick off 2019 with a new head coach for the third straight year. Over the past two seasons, there have been four teams go from last place to a division title the following year. That may be a stretch when it comes to this club as the franchise has a lot of bouncing back to do.

Preview: Case Keenum will be the team’s starting quarterback out of the gate and head coach Jay Gruden would certainly be happy if the well-traveled veteran could hold onto the job. The Redskins owned a 6-3 record after nine games a year ago before Alex Smith and Colt McCoy would go down with injuries. The positives include veteran running back Adrian Peterson, who showed he still has lots left in the tank, and a defensive unit that has become to come into its own. The latter added safety Landon Collins in free agency. But will Keenum have first-round draft choice Dwayne Haskins looking over his shoulder? And left tackle Trent Williams’ absence will certainly be felt.

Next Week: The Redskins head to Philadelphia looking to snap a four-game losing streak in this longtime NFC East series. It wasn’t long ago that Washington was getting the best of the Birds, prevailed in the previous five meetings prior to the Eagles’ recent dominance. Worth noting that the ‘Skins are 3-9 vs. division rivals since 2017.

Playoff hopes: Last season, the ‘Skins played stall ball as the club ran the ball while the defense looked better than it had in recent years. But it all came apart down the stretch thanks to an unfortunate set of circumstances at quarterback. Gruden’s team has some work ahead if it’s going to challenge both the Cowboys and Eagles.

Next: Nos. 28 and 27