Fansided

NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Super Bowl champion Chiefs at No. 1, 49ers, Ravens in hot pursuit

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 16
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 05: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 05: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

12. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)

1st Place, NFC East

Reached NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Season Review: For the second consecutive year, Doug Pederson’s team stumbled throughout most of the first half of the season. In 2018, the team rallied to win five of their last six games and clinched a playoff berth. This year, the club finished 9-7 for the second straight season and needed a season-ending four-game winning streak to achieve that purpose. The Birds’ less-than-scintillating was also good enough to win the NFC East. Fourth-year quarterback Carson Wentz threw for his share of yards but remained somewhat careless when it came to ball security. Meanwhile, Jim Schwartz’s defense was erratic at best.

2019 Turning Point: Losers of three straight games, the 5-7 Eagles could still win the NFC East because their remaining four games were all against divisional foes. They fell behind Eli Manning and the Giants at home on a Monday night in Week 14 but they rallied to win in overtime and would indeed run the table.

2020 Priorities: Philadelphia’s much-maligned defensive backfield has potential free agents in safety Rodney McLeod and cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills. Does left tackle Jason Peters opt for retirement after a stellar career? Will running back Jordan Howard return for a second year with the club?

11. Buffalo Bills (10-7)

2nd Place, AFC East

Reached AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Season Review: Sean McDermott’s got off to a 3-0 start but the clubs stubbed its toe at home in a tough 16-10 loss to the New England Patriots. But this team shook off some early adversity and became a solid club. Quarterback Josh Allen made major strides in his second season and rebounded from an ugly start. A rebuilt offensive line made its mark and the Buffalo defense was one of the best in the league. But the latter unit proved to be a little too susceptible to the run at times and it proved costly too many times. And with a 16-0 lead at Houston in the wild card playoffs, McDermott and company let one get away.

2019 Turning Point: After opening the season with two straight road wins, McDermott’s club returned home to take on the Bengals in Week 3. The Bills opened up a 14-0 lead, trailed in the fourth quarter but would show its resiliency via a seven-play, 78-yard drive and a 21-17 come-from-behind triumph.

2020 Priorities: Will the Bills bring back ageless running back Frank Gore, who continues to climb up the all-time rushing list? Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had a career year with a team-high 9.5 sacks but his contract expires next month. Will Brandon Beane re-sign former first-round defensive end Shaq Lawson?

Next: Nos. 10 and 9

Home/NFL Power Rankings