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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 08: Kenny Vaccaro #24 and Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans in action against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 08: Kenny Vaccaro #24 and Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans in action against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

35. . 0-0. Previous: . Tennessee Titans. 22. team

Preview: It’s a team that has posted three straight 9-7 finishes but has one playoff appearance to show for it. Mike Vrabel begins his second year as head coach and the Titans are looking for a little more consistency rather than the roller coaster showing that was 2018. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has yet to start all 16 games as he enters his fifth season but the club dealt for veteran signal-caller Ryan Tannehill, giving Tennessee a little insurance. Derrick Henry was one of the league’s hotter runners down the stretch a year ago but Vrabel’s squad will miss suspended left tackle Taylor Lewan for the first four games. Dean Pees’ defense finished with solid numbers but was erratic.

Next Week: The Titans head to the state of Ohio for a clash with the Cleveland Browns for the second time in three years. Back in 2017, Tennessee came away with a 12-9 road victory in this one-time clash of divisional rivals. Tennessee has prevailed in four of the last six encounters dating back to ‘08 – two of those wins at Cleveland.

Playoff hopes: With all the upheaval throughout the division the last few weeks, are the Titans now in position to put all the pieces together and make a run at their first AFC South title since 2008? Mariota’s ability to stay healthy is a concern, as is a lack of play-makers on offense. And can the defense elevate its performance to a new level?

team. 48. . 0-0. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 21

Preview: Off consecutive 5-11 showing and a pair of last-place finishes in the NFC South, the franchise said goodbye to head coach Dirk Koetter and hello to Bruce Arians, who spent 2018 in the television broadcasting booth. The popular and successful sideline leader brought on defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, a reunion from their days with the Cardinals. The duo inherits its share of quality players on both sides of the ball. But Arians’ main task will be getting fifth-year quarterback Jameis Winston to cut down on the turnovers. Meanwhile, Bowles will employ the 3-4 defense and there are new pieces in Ndamukong Suh, Deone Bucannon and rookie Devin White.

Next Week: The team hosts the San Francisco 49ers for the second consecutive year. The Buccaneers managed a 27-9 win last season in Week 12 and two years earlier, knocked off this same team on the road (34-17). It’s also worth noting that Arias defeated the Niners six straight times during his final three seasons in Arizona.

Playoff hopes: Only the Cleveland Browns (2002) have waited longer to make a return to the postseason these days. The Buccaneers’ last playoff appearance came in ’07, when they won a division title with a 9-7 mark. It’s up to Arians to get this talented club to live up to its potential. This may be the NFC’s most intriguing team.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19