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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) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

30. Washington Redskins (3-13)

4th Place, NFC East

Season Review: It was another down year in DC as the Redskins got off to a dreadful 0-5 start and head coach Jay Gruden was dismissed. Bill Callahan took over the team and the club finished with its worst record since an identical 3-13 showing in 2013. The season began with Case Keenum at quarterback followed by Colt McCoy and eventually 2019 first-round draft choice Dwayne Haskins. Offensively, the standouts included veteran runner Adrian Peterson and rookie wideout Terry McLaurin. While there were a few bright spots on the defensive side of the ball, that unit once again proved to be a disappointment.

2019 Turning Point: If the franchise does stick with Haskins, the rookie appeared to turn the corner in a 37-27 home loss to the Eagles in Week 15. While he was sacked and fumbled on the last play of the game, he hit on 19-of-28 throws for 261 yards and two scores without an interception in the 10-point setback.

2020 Priorities: The revised coaching staff, led by new sideline boss Ron Rivera, includes a pair a noted coordinators in Scott Turner – Rivera’s quarterbacks coach in Carolina on two separate occasions – and noted defensive mind Jack Del Rio, who was last seen as head coach for the Oakland Raiders back in 2017.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)

4th Place, AFC North

Season Review: Zac Taylor’s NFL head-coaching debut in the Queen City saw the franchise set a new dubious record with a dismal 0-11 start. Quarterback Andy Dalton had his ups and downs early, was benched for rookie Ryan Finley, then returned and played well down the stretch. The real issue was a defensive unit that was substandard once again as no team in the league gave up more rushing yards per game. While seven-time Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Green missed all of ‘19, running back Joe Mixon had another big year and oft-injured tight end Tyler Eifert played in all 16 games for the first time in his career.

2019 Turning Point: Where does one point to when you lose your first 11 games. After a narrow one-point setback at Seattle, Taylor’s team returned home and took on the San Francisco 49ers. And the overwhelmed Bengals allowed 571 total yards in a 41-17 loss that showed how trouble the team was.

2020 Priorities: The Bengals own the first pick in the draft for the first time since selecting quarterback Carson Palmer in 2003. The speculation is that the club will opt for 2019 Heisman Trophy Joe Burrow, who led LSU to a national title. And what does the future hold for Dalton and potential free agent A.J. Green?

Next: Nos. 28 and 27

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