NFL power rankings, post free agency: Chiefs, Ravens loom
By Staff
48. . . Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 8. team
The Buccaneers are essentially the Paul Rudd ‘Who Would Have Guessed’ meme come if it were a football team.
A franchise that most fans forgot existed has landed a top-notch head coach and Hall of Fame quarterback. Bruce Arians and Tom Brady have a chance to write one of the most unexpected chapters in football history, primed with a defense that could end up part of a team that becomes the first to win a Super Bowl in its own stadium.
. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 7. team. 49.
The Packers were overachievers last year when they went 13-3, and should take a step back this year due to regression. Aaron Rodgers still doesn’t have enough weapons to fully flourish. Aaron Jones is a great back but Davante Adams needs someone to draw attention away from him in the passing game. The Packers could find that in the NFL Draft. They’re still the top team in the NFC North but not by much.
Philadelphia Eagles. 6. team. 54. . . Previous:
The reigning division champions remain the favorites in the NFC East, which is really only a two-team race. The Eagles added Javon Hargrave in what may be one of the shrewdest moves made in free agency. He’s a perfect compliment to Fletcher Cox in the middle of the defensive line.
Philadelphia also traded for Darius Slay to fix a glaring weakness. Next, the Eagles should be able to add a receiver like Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk or Denzel Mims in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
36. . . Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 5. team
The first rule of predicting the NFL season? Never count out the Seahawks.
Countless times over the last decade, Pete Carroll willed his team into playoff runs, fueled by the power of the wildly under-appreciated Russell Wilson. Until the playoffs start and Seattle isn’t involved, it’s impossible to argue against a well-coached team with a franchise quarterback asserting its place as a top-tier contender.