NFL power rankings, AFC edition: Chiefs, Ravens loom on top

12. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers will look back on the Phillip Rivers era and lament never winning the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for the team and their fans, that era is over.

The defense is still championship caliber and littered with playmakers. This includes new arrivals in All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. and first-round linebacker Kenneth Murray, and returning All-Pro pass rusher Joey Bosa. The defense can hang with many of the best offenses in football.

Unfortunately, the offense comes up short. While Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry are quality receiving options, the team will rely on either Justin Herbert, a potentially overrated sixth-overall draft pick, or veteran journeyman backup quarterback in Tyrod Taylor. This is not good news for LA.

11. Las Vegas Raiders

The AFC has a chance to be very competitive this year, and that starts with the 11th-best team in the conference.

General Manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden entered the draft with a clear vision for becoming more athletic and faster, and they succeeded. Do we agree with all of their picks? Not necessarily. But, had a plan and executed it – which is a step in the right direction.

The team boasts legitimate talent on the defensive side of the ball as well, highlighted by second-year players defensive end Maxx Crosby and strong safety Jonathan Abram.

The biggest puzzle piece missing in Vegas is also the most important one, the quarterback. the Raiders will be held back by inferior quarterback play in 2020, and Gruden will move heaven and earth to correct the position heading in to 2021. The team is on the way there, but are not there yet.