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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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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (25) looks for running room in the third quarter of an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (25) looks for running room in the third quarter of an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)

4th Place, AFC West

Season Review: One season after reaching the playoffs and winning a postseason game for the first time since 2013, Anthony Lynn’s club looked like it had turned the corner. But leading up to 2019 there was the loss of play-making safety Derwin James and a holdout by running back Melvin Gordon. It set the tone for a rough year for a team that won 21 of its previous 28 regular-season contests after a 0-4 start in 2017. Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers had his issues with ball security – throwing for 23 scores but committing an equal amount of turnovers. Lynn’s disappointing club dropped all six games to their AFC West rivals.

2019 Turning Point: Off an impressive 26-11 victory over the formidable Packers, the 4-5 Chargers headed to Oakland for a Thursday night clash with the Raiders with an opportunity to get back to the .500 mark. But a frustrating 26-24 loss was the start of a 1-6 tailspin that included a season-ending three-game skid.

2020 Priorities: Early last week it was reported that the Chargers are ready to move on without Rivers. So does general manager Tom Telesco will be addressing the quarterback position early in the draft, free agency or trade? Will the Chargers allow Gordon and/or tight end Hunter Henry to test the open market?

27. New York Giants (4-12)

3rd Place, NFC East

Season Review: It proved to be a year of transition for this struggling franchise and by year’s end, head coach Pat Shurmur’s stay with the organization would come to an end after only two seasons.  It was a year that began as usual with now-retired Eli Manning at quarterback but in Week 3, the transition was made to rookie Daniel Jones. He made an impression in numerous ways and despite some promising outings struggled mightily to protect the football. That was bad news paired with a defense that was again one of the worst units in the league. And injuries limited running back Saquon Barkley to only 13 games.

2019 Turning Point: In Week 3 at Tampa, the team sat Manning in favor of Jones and the sixth overall pick in April’s draft rallied the team from an 18-point deficit to knock off the Bucs. A second straight win followed. While he had his ups and downs, the young performer is the man going forward.

2020 Priorities: Former Patriots’ assistant Joe Judge is the new head coach and the coordinators are former Cowboys’ sideline leader Jason Garrett (offense) and Patrick Graham (defense). Can they resurrect a franchise that is a combined 12-36 since 2017? Will the team re-sign defensive tackle Leonard Williams?

Next: Nos. 26 and 25

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