NFL power rankings, post free agency: Chiefs, Ravens loom

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 4. team. 42.

After coming so close to fulfilling the prophecy set forth when Kyle Shanahan traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers have the weight of history working against them. Rarely does a team not from New England play in the Super Bowl one year and return to it the next.

Just making the playoffs is often a challenge, and the questions being raised about Jimmy G’s ability to lead his team to the promised land will become louder until he can finally silence them.

15. . . Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 3. team

With the Brady-Belichick divorce finally official, our next greatest head coach-quarterback tandem is Sean Payton and Drew Brees. And they’re both infinitely more likable.

The Saints, despite winning a Super Bowl with the duo, seem more defined by how cursed they are than how legendary their run this past decade-plus has been. Three straight seasons have ended with painful playoff heartbreak and a team already bristling with Super Bowl-level talent got even better and more focused this offseason.

Baltimore Ravens. 2. team. 26. . . Previous:

The Ravens entered the playoffs in the top spot, but cede control to the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore remains a strong No. 2, though, adding Calais Campbell via trade this offseason. However, the loss of future Hall of Fame guard Marshal Yanda is significant.

The main question in Baltimore is whether the team can largely have another injury-free year, and if Lamar Jackson can approach the numbers he put up to become the 2019 MVP. If he does, perhaps it’s championship time in Charm City.

1. team. 124. . . Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs

The Super Bowl Champs pick up right where they left off; on top.

The Chiefs have lost some supporting players in free agency but nobody irreplaceable. The team still has Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid. If the Chiefs can find a way to keep Chris Jones long-term, they may be atop these ranks for years to come.

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