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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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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 29: Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Josh Allen (41) during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 29, 2019 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 29: Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Josh Allen (41) during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 29, 2019 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)

4th Place, AFC South

Season Review: On the opening Sunday of 2019, free-agent pick up Nick Foles was knocked out of action with a broken clavicle and it was rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew to the rescue. The sixth-round pick played well early on, struggled a bit and then took over down the stretch after Foles had his issues upon his return. Jacksonville’s defense got a bit of a boost from first-round draft choice Jeff Allen but also watched star cornerback Jalen Ramsey dealt to the Rams. As has been the case in recent seasons, the team struggled to stop the run and only four teams in the league allowed more yards per game rushing.

2019 Turning Point: The Jaguars split their first eight games and were hanging around in the AFC South. In Week 2, the club lost a heartbreaker at Houston, 13-12. A rematch with the Texans took place in London (Week 9). But Marrone’s team was pushed around, 26-3 – the start of a crippling five-game losing streak.

2020 Priorities: Marrone will be back for another season. However, the franchise did part ways with executive Tom Coughlin. The team’s new offensive coordinator is one-time Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden. And the primary goal for this club is to settle on a starting quarterback – be it Foles or Minshew.

25. Cleveland Browns (6-10)

3rd Place, AFC North

Season Review: It was an offseason of major moves and plenty of bluster. But when it was all said and done, it added up to another losing campaign for a franchise. First-time NFL head coach Freddie Kitchens appeared overwhelmed at times. Second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield digressed as he failed to complete at least 60 percent of his passes and had more turnovers (23) than TD passes (22). The offensive star was running back Nick Chubb, who racked up 1,494 yards on the ground (8 touchdowns). Defensive end Myles Garrett excelled when available but this unit was exploited on the ground far too often in 2019.

2019 Turning Point: The Browns’ season was marked by disappointment and it’s worth noting that they were the last team to defeat the Ravens during the regular season. Unfortunately, Cleveland followed that up by being humble at San Francisco, 31-3, on a Monday night and were never able to fully recover.

2020 Priorities: Yet another attempt at stability. The team’s 12th head coach since ‘99 is Kevin Stefanski, late of the Vikings. The offensive coordinator is Alex Van Pelt, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. And former Eagles’ vice president of football operations Andrew Berry is the franchise’s new general manager.

Next: Nos. 24 and 23

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