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
7 of 16
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts directs his team in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts directs his team in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

20. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)

3rd Place, AFC South

Season Review: The organization was rocked a bit when quarterback Andrew luck opted for retirement roughly two weeks before the start of the regular season. But led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett and an emerging defense, Frank Reich’s team seemed to pick up where it left off a year ago. Nearing midseason, the Colts owned a 5-2 record. But there would be only two more victories the rest of the season as injuries and erratic play caught up with the club. While pass-rusher Justin Houston was a solid addition, wideout T.Y. Hilton struggled to stay healthy. And legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri has a forgettable 2019.

2019 Turning Point: Reich’s 5-2 team had won three straight games and made its way to Pittsburgh to take on the battered Steelers. The Colts were in position to steal a win. But Vinatieri pushed a 43-yard field goal wide left in the closing seconds and the 26-24 setback was the start of a rough 2-7 finish.

2020 Priorities: Will Vinatieri return for a 25th NFL season? It’s an interesting decision for the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. And will the Colts welcome him back. Not in the team’s plans for 2020 is tight end Eric Ebron. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo and defensive end Jabaal Sheard are both potential free agents.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)

3rd Place, AFC West

Season Review: It was definitely a season of progress for the Silver and Black, who are officially now the Las Vegas Raiders. Youth was served in a big way as rookie Josh Jacobs ran for a team-high 1,150 yards and seven scores and 2019 fourth-round defensive Maxx Crosby totaled 10 of the club’s 32 sacks – a big jump from a year ago when the Raiders finished with an NFL-low 13 quarterback traps. Quarterback Derek Carr connected on 70.4 percent of his throws, good for 21 scores and only 11 turnovers. Tight end Darren Waller was the team’s top pass-catcher. But Oakland’s improving defense still has some things to iron out.

2019 Turning Point: Winners of three in a row, Gruden’s 6-4 squad headed east to take on the up-and-down New York Jets. But the Raiders were rolled, 34-3, and it began a meltdown that saw the club lose four straight games by a combined score of 136-49. It added up to another losing season for the franchise.

2020 Priorities: Not surprisingly, the Raiders once again have their share of veteran players who could become unrestricted free agents. That includes former first-round safety Karl Joseph and cornerback Daryl Worley. The franchise not only has Chicago’s first-round pick but three third-round selections come April.

Next: Nos. 18 and 17

Home/NFL Power Rankings