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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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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

22. Denver Broncos (7-9)

2nd Place, AFC West

Season Review: Veteran coach Vic Fangio made his NFL debut as a sideline boss in 2019 and the club certainly took its lumps early one. But when it was all said and done, there were definitive strides made slowly but surely. At quarterback, it began with veteran Joe Flacco, morphed into Brandon Allen and finished with rookie Drew Lock. The offense got big years from second-year pros in running back Phillip Lindsay and wide receiver Courtland Sutton and rookie tight end Noah Fant had his moments as well. But the once-proud Denver defense was inconsistent at best and had some issues in the fourth quarter.

2019 Turning Point: Considering the club got off to a 0-4 start, a 7-9 record and a second-place finish in the AFC West doesn’t look so bad. As for a turning point in, it could be the decision to start Lock in Week 13. The club won four of its final five games, including a stunning rout of the Texans at Houston.

2020 Priorities: General manager John Elway has some decisions to make in terms of three key defenders, all who could hit the open market in mid-March. Safety Justin Simmons was Denver’s second-leading tackle in 2019 and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and defensive end Derek Wolfe are mainstays of the club.

21. New York Jets (7-9)

3rd Place, AFC East

Season Review: Adam Gase’s club wound up utilizing three different quarterbacks in its first two games. Starter Sam Darnold opened the season but was felled by mononucleosis and Trevor Simeon wound up making start in Week 2. But he was injured in that game and Luke Falk took over and would then start the next two games. Darnold would return and after shaking off some rust, performed very well as the Jets won six of their final eight contests. And veteran defensive coordinator Gregg Williams – with help from talented All-Pro safety Jamal Adams – helped revive a unit that had fallen on hard times in recent seasons.

2019 Turning Point: Off to a 1-7 start and riding a three-game losing streak, Gase’s club was technically the home team in a 34-27 win over the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 10. It was the beginning of a strong 6-2 finish, which unfortunately also included an inexplicable 22-6 loss at Cincinnati in Week 13.

2020 Priorities: General manager Joe Douglas has a lot of work ahead in determining which 22 potential unrestricted free agents will return to the club. That includes wide receiver Robby Anderson, who could command a big market if not re-signed. The Jets may want to address the offensive line early in the draft.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19

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