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

10. Cleveland Browns

The Browns always catch the eye of media outlets ahead of the season, and then the speculation, is off and running.

The team is loaded with talent and most seem to believe that they have a legitimate franchise quarterback under center. But, for whatever reason, it never seems to work out how people expect.

And, here we are again. By all accounts the team had a good draft; and more than one outlet has already anointed them amongst the biggest sleeper teams for 2020. We’re just not buying it.

Yes, they’re talented. But, they also have to play Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice, and likely finish ahead of one of them to make the playoffs.

9. New England Patriots

While there are reasons to believe in the Patriots continuing to be among the top teams in the AFC — Bill Belichick — there are equally legitimate reasons to think we might see the first down year since 2002.

A very large piece of the rebuild argument is the team seems committed to starting an unproven quarterback in Jarrett Stidham (or are they?). If that’s how they enter 2020, the team is in for its first losing season since the 2000.

The defense will be good – Belichick is the greatest defensive mind in football history. But in a division featuring the Buffalo Bills, and a conference with the last two league MVPs – the offense will have to do something.