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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 16
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets warms up before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets warms up before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

30. . 0-0. Previous: . New York Jets. 20. team

Preview: It was 10 years ago (2009) that the Jets made the first of back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game. Of course, a lot has changed since then and the club hasn’t been to the postseason since. There are a lot of good players on offense and new head coach Adam Gase should help second-year quarterback Sam Darnold elevate his play. Running back Le’Veon Bell has proven his worth as a workhorse runner and a quality pass catcher and wide receiver Jamison Crowder was a solid addition. But it is the defense that must rebound after a pair of subpar seasons and new coordinator Gregg Williams could wind up being the team’s most important newcomer.

Next Week: The Green and White plays host to the Buffalo Bills. These longtime AFC East rivals have split their season series each of the last two years. Interesting enough, Gase spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins and he and that team split their six meetings with the Bills. The clubs will close 2019 against each other as well.

Playoff hopes: New York’s biggest issues the last few seasons has been the steady decline of the defense. That figures to change with Williams at the helm. Gase should do wonders with Darnold, who has a better supporting cast at his disposal. Never say never when it comes to the playoffs but a .500 showing would be a big step forward.

16. . 0-0. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 19. team

Preview: Head coach Sean McDermott’s debut season in Orchard Park in 2017 resulted in a 9-7 record and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 1999. But there would be plenty of changes the following offseason and the club tumbled to 6-10. But the Bills made progress as the season unfolded and this year, added a ton of veteran players – most notably on the offensive front. Quarterback Josh Allen should get a lot better protection in his second NFL season and it’s hard to fathom he will lead the team in rushing yards again. The backfield now includes ageless Frank Gore, T.J. Yeldon and rookie Devin Singletary. And the Buffalo defense could be scary indeed.

Next Week: McDermott’s club heads slightly south to MetLife Stadium to renew acquaintances with the division-rival Jets. Dating back to the clubs’ second clash in 2014, the Bills have prevailed in seven of the last 11 meetings. A year ago, the teams split their two-game set, with the road squad coming away with a victory in each outing.

Playoff hopes: Better play in the trenches could add up to big things for McDermott’s club. And if Allen can take a significant step forward in his second season in terms of his passing prowess, the Bills could be a fascinating team and one that might be able to throw a little bit of a scare into the mighty New England Patriots in the AFC East.

Next: Nos. 18 and 17