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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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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Devin White (45) laughs after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game versus the Atlanta Falcons on December 29, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 29: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Devin White (45) laughs after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game versus the Atlanta Falcons on December 29, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

3rd Place, NFC South

Season Review: The Bruce Arians Era began in Tampa and despite some signs of promise, there were no playoffs for this franchise for the 12th consecutive year. A 3-7 start was followed by four straight wins and the team was back at .500. But consecutive home setbacks added up to another losing campaign. Quarterback Jameis Winston led the NFL with 5,109 yards through the air and connected for 33 scores. But he was picked off 30 times and lost five fumbles as the Bucs committed a league-high 41 turnovers. Wide receiver Chris Godwin had a breakout year but Todd Bowles’ defensive unit was inconsistent at best.

2019 Turning Point: It was another year of ups and downs. But late in the season, the Buccaneers put together a four-game winning streak and at 7-7, still entertained postseason hopes. On a Saturday afternoon at home against the visiting Texans, Arians’ mistake-prone club fell short by a 23-20 count.

2020 Priorities: While Winston is in the team’s plans for 2020, it remains to be seen what the potential free-agent quarterback will get in terms of a contract. NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett could also test the market after a career year. And will unsung running back Peyton Barber get a new deal this offseason?

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

2nd Place, AFC North

Season Review: The Steelers got off to 0-3 start and dropped four of their first five games. As it turned out, each of those early setbacks were to 2019 playoff teams. In Week 2, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the season with an elbow injury. But thanks to an opportunistic defense – which came away with an NFL-high 38 takeaways – Mike Tomlin’s team slowly found its way back into the postseason race despite using inexperienced quarterbacks in Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges. Injuries to running back James Conner and wideout Juju Smith-Schuster hampered the offense, as did a perplexing lack of balance.

2019 Turning Point: A miserable 1-4 start put the Black and Gold in a big hole. Tomlin’s squad rebounded with seven wins in their next eight games and at 8-5, hosted the formidable Buffalo Bills. A 17-10 home setback in Week 15 was the start of a three game skid and no playoffs for the second consecutiveear.

2020 Priorities: Tomlin returns for his 14th season but as of this writing, there’s been no changes at either coordinator spot. The club did hire a new quarterback coach in Matt Canada, who has spent his share of time in the college ranks. Will the Steelers re-up with standout pass rusher Bud Dupree off a career year?

Next: Nos. 16 and 15

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