1. New Orleans Saints
With the league up for grabs this year, it feels like any of the top three teams can make a case for the title of “Best Team” heading into the regular season. The Saints currently field a better all-around roster than either participant of the AFC Championship Game, with more offensive weapons than the Patriots, a better defense than the Chiefs, and a better offensive line than either team. For this reason, Drew Brees’ unit should flourish the most despite the high expectations to begin the season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is the next AFC quarterback to make his team an annual Super Bowl contender with his presence. If Mahomes wasn’t enough, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, and Mecole Hardman should push the needle in the minds of most Mahomes doubters. The offensive line remains a work in progress, as well as the defense, but the latter looks improved on paper heading into Week 1.
3. New England Patriots
With the notable losses of two key offensive linemen (Trent Brown and David Andrews) and the loss of Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots are in a rougher spot than usual to start the season. That being said, they’re the Patriots and will find a way to right the ship as long as Brady stays healthy. Even then, Jarrett Stidham is looking solid as a backup to the GOAT. Sony Michel and James White in the backfield will continue to be lethal, as will Julian Edelman. Even with the handful of questions on the offensive side, the losses on the defense are less worrying due to Bill Belichick continuing to run the system he does.
4. Los Angeles Rams
This team is expected to take a few steps back after a season where the Rams won the NFC Championship. The pressure will be on Jared Goff and Todd Gurley’s knee offensively, and the team does not have C.J Anderson as a replacement. That being said, the receiving unit and offensive line continue to be among the league’s most envied. While the explosive offensive that L.A. fields will probably be forced to match unreachable expectations lofted by those trying to stretch the comparison to “The Greatest Show on Turf,” they will remain among the best. Defensively, the team lost a few names that they would prefer to keep in Lamarcus Joyner and Ndukamong Suh, but retain Aaron Donald and two Pro Bowl corners in Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles might have the most depth on their roster of any team in the league. They have been very well equipped to deal with injuries over the years, and that rings true more than ever at every position except one. Quarterback. Without Nick Foles as an insurance policy, if Carson Wentz gets hurt for the third year in a row, this team will be left with Josh McCown and Clayton Thorson. While I am a fan of both players, neither would be able to compete at the highest level against any of the quarterback-coach combinations above.
On the bright side, at any other position, this team is very well equipped for the worst-case scenario, which happens pretty often in an unpredictable league. The offensive and defensive lines are among the league’s best, while the skill positions might contain the most impressive depth beyond the starters.
6. Chicago Bears
If Mitchel Trubisky can take the next step in his development and put forward something close to a 2018-Jared Goff-esque campaign this season, the Bears will be pushing for a Super Bowl along with the Saints, Rams, and Eagles. That’s a big if, now that opposing coaches have a year’s worth of film on the team. The offense has talented pieces along the offensive line and in the receiving unit but will need Trubisky to lead them to the promised land.
That being said, the defense will be able to do most of the work for this team. Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, and Akiem Hicks are just a few of the notable names that appear in this unit. Despite playing in a division full of gunslinger quarterbacks, the defense will be able to keep this offense in any game against any team.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown definitely seems like an addition by subtraction during the offseason given the headaches, but his production will be missed on the field. Despite that, Big Ben Roethlisberger will be able to get solid production out of an offense that still fields James Conner and Juju Smith-Schuster. This team has finally found a replacement for Ryan Shazier as he recovers from his spinal injury, as Devin Bush looks the part of a top 10 pick in the preseason. The defense will finally be pulled back together, despite the secondary still missing a few pieces.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ poor injury luck continues with the news of Derwin James’ needing foot surgery. His recovery from the procedure will require a few months, but the defense should be able to hold its own in the meantime. Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Jerry Tillery, and Nasir Adderly will all play key roles while the second-year safety is on the mend.
Offensively, the Melvin Gordon situation has not settled itself yet. Regardless of Gordon’s intent to play this season, Austin Ekeler will be able to fill the hole left by the Wisconsin alumn. Philip Rivers has weapons to work with through the means of Keenan Allen, a developing Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry, who is returning from injury. The offensive line remains a question mark heading into the season, especially with Russell Okung’s injury. This team is too talented to not find a way to compete for a divisional crown.
9. Dallas Cowboys
This team has the pieces on the roster to put it all together and play meaningful January football, but contract disputes threaten to get into the way of Jerry Jones’ team. The Cowboys will have to figure out the lingering contract disputes between the team and Zeke Elliot, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper. The team is still capable of putting together a more-than-respectable unit on both sides of the ball, especially as key starters Demarcus Lawrence and Jaylon Smith did get contract extensions. It feels like playoffs or bust for Jason Garrett and the entire Cowboys squad this year.
10. Seattle Seahawks
I’m writing this as the news breaks of Jadveon Clowney being traded to Seattle. The Seahawks are capably able to replace edge rusher Frank Clark, who was traded to Kansas City for a first and second-round pick. Clowney was acquired for a third, which is a big win for Seattle. While the defense receives a big boost to a defense that already includes an all-world linebacking duo of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. The loss of Earl Thomas will be a huge loss, as will the retirement of Doug Baldwin, but Russell Wilson will be able to rely on an improved offensive line and running game. While D.K. Metcalf’s NFL debut will be put on hold temporarily due to injury, Tyler Locket will be looking to prove himself as a viable number one receiver.
11. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are among the league’s boom or bust teams entering the year. While the big names that decorate Cleveland’s roster, we’ve gotten excited over how teams stack up on paper before failing to reach expectations (see 2011 Eagles). The Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham connection will likely prove dynamic, regardless of expectations in the win column. Outside of the two faces of Cleveland’s offense heading into 2019, the unit will continue to improve throughout the year, if only through activating Antonio Callaway and Kareem Hunt from suspension. In the meantime, the entire roster is well rounded enough to hold their own with the league’s best if Freddie Kitchens is able to keep the spark lit. Jarvis Landry, Myles Garrett, David Njoku, Joe Schobert, and Denzel Ward are some of the mainstays that will be able to contribute to the unit regardless of the result of Cleveland’s other acquisitions.
12. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers has more help going into 2019 than he has had in recent years in the running game, thanks to Aaron Jones. That holding true, the receiving unit needs someone to step up outside of Davante Adams. One of the team’s many young wide receivers to develop as another viable option for Rodgers; many eyes are on Geronimo Allison to become that guy. The offensive line remains among the best and probably will remain among the league’s premier units as long as David Bakhtiari anchors the left side.
The team will miss Rashan Gary, especially with the unexpected release of Mike Daniels, but Green Bay will look to Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, and other first-rounder Darnell Savage to lead the defense to relevancy this year
13. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings look to have a better team than last year. Their biggest upgrade for Minnesota is Dalvin Cook’s return to the lineup after tearing his ACL last season. Kirk Cousins has more weapons than he’s ever had in his career. Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, and Irv Smith will be able to help Cook and Cousins, even if the line doesn’t succeed right away with the addition of Garrett Bradbury.
A Mike Zimmer led unit will never field too many questions from football fans, but the team needs Xavier Rhodes to return to pre-2018 form to ensure Harrison Smith has some help in the secondary. The front seven continues to scare opposing offensive lines, especially with linebacker Anthony Barr deciding to return.
14. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton’s return from injury is the biggest question facing the Panthers this season. If his shoulder can hold up for the duration of the season, this team could end up as Super Bowl contenders. Christian McCaffery is developing into one of the top running backs in the NFL, and Curtis Samuels’ reported development answers the question of who will be catching passes across from D.J. Moore. Ron Rivera’s defensive unit, led by Luke Kuechly, will be given a boost through the addition of Brian Burns on the edge; and while the secondary looks relatively middling, this defense will look to be among the league’s best again.
15. Atlanta Falcons
With the injury bug hitting the Falcons in 2018, this year looks to be a bounceback year for the team. The offense looks similar besides the offensive line’s two new first-rounders. Chris Lindstrom looks like an absolute find at guard, and will just add to the possibilities new (kind of) offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter replacing Steve Sarkisian.
The offense will be better due to the new playcalling, but the defense will improve due to the key returns of Deion Jones and Keanu Neal will make this team much more competitive and that side of the ball. If the team can settle their kicking woes before the season gets late, expect this team to be in contention for a playoff birth and possibly even a divisional crown if the cards fall right.
16. San Fransisco 49ers
Jimmy Garrappollo will have to face an uphill battle in order to win the NFC West against the Seahawks and Rams, but he at least gives them a fighter’s chance. The team needs to wait on new dependable offensive weapons to present themselves at running back and receiver (tight end is set with George Kittle), but the offensive line is developing into a top unit.
Defensively, this team has a potentially nasty defensive front, especially when Nick Bosa gets healthy. Fred Wagner can capably man the middle of the field, but the eyes will be on the secondary that lacks depth outside of Richard Sherman.
17. Indianapolis Colts
The retirement of Andrew Luck takes the Colts out of the top tier of Super Bowl contenders, but this team still looks to be the best team in this division if Jacoby Brissett can continue his plus-starter level of play that he has shown in the past. The roster is loaded with talent on both ends, and while the team could use more pieces on the defensive side, they might just be another superstar away from contending for the Lombardi Trophy again.
18. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson’s sophomore season is a major question mark for how the Ravens’ season will play out. If Jackson can continue developing into a professional quarterback with scary speed, then he will be able to lead this unit into competition against a loaded AFC North. However, if opposing defenses can learn how to stop the Louisville product and force him into relying on his arm, it will be a rough season upcoming for John Harbaugh’s crew.
19. Tennesee Titans
Matt LaFleur’s departure will shake up the offensive playcalling for Marcus Mariota’s Titans, but the defense is developing into a terrifying unit, especially when first-rounder Jeffery Simmons returns from injury. The edge-rushing group needs a little help, but Harold Landry looks ready to step up on a defense that already has Kevin Byard and Jurrell Casey leading the way.
Getting back to the offense, Mariota has a lot of weapons to work with. The combination of wily veterans such as Delanie Walker, Dion Lewis, and Adam Humphries, and developing stars Derrick Henry and Corey Davis will give the starting quarterback a plethora of options if the line can keep him upright during Taylor Lewan’s suspension.
20. New York Jets
Aside from the team directly below them, the Jets might have the biggest distance between their floor and ceiling. This team can show signs of becoming a perennial contender in the AFC under a developing Sam Darnold. Le’Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder, Kelechi Osemele, and Ryan Kalil all provide a boost to the sophomore starter. Defensively, the team lacks depth in the secondary and needs edge rushers, but the front seven is strong enough to carry the weaker points of this defense. If Jamal Adams and Trumaine Johnson can continue to play at a high level and mask any issues that might come up, the defense has the pieces to be just as scary as this revamped offense under Adam Gase.
21. Houston Texans
Pro: The Texans have Deshaun Watson. Con: The Texans can’t protect Deshaun Watson. Pro: The Texans have Deandre Hopkins. Con: The Texans don’t have a coherent running game. Pro: The Texans have J.J. Watt leading a stellar defense. Con: Jadveon Clowney is leaving that stellar defense.
The tie-breaking con? Bill O’Brien is seemingly nearing the end of his failed power play after failing to acquire Andre Dillard and settling for Tytus Howard during the draft. If the coach continues to send away talent and fail at protecting his franchise quarterback, it might be over in Houston for the former Penn State head coach.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nick Foles is certainly an upgrade over Blake Bortles, but the Super Bowl MVP’s acquisition made some forget that this Jaguars’ offense has a lot of other issues. Leonard Fournette quickly finds himself in threat of entering “bust” territory after a miserable second year in the league. The offensive line should be much improved with Cam Robinson returning and Jawaan Taylor arriving via the draft, which will help, but the names in the receiving unit look relatively unexciting. In a division that seems to be in turmoil after Andrew Luck’s retirement, the Jaguars have a chance to still not only fight for a wild card spot but win the division.
While Telvin Smith’s sudden retirement over the offseason casts some doubts on the Jaguars’ defense, Josh Allen will be able to replace his production, while the defensive line and secondary remain terrifying for opposing teams to face.
23. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a nasty edge rush in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, but otherwise, do not seem to stack up against other teams fighting for an AFC playoff spot. Joe Flacco is operating with a talented backfield and some intriguing pieces at receiver and tight end, but the offensive line is iffy at best. Opposing defenses will be able to test Flacco and this offense early and often.
24. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen was all over the place in terms of ball placement last year but still seemed to make Buffalo a better team when he was on the field. I expect more of the same this year, but with a better supporting cast. The Bills defense is scary from top to bottom. And while the offense is not close being among the best in the league yet, Buffalo has a lot of new pieces to tinker with at each offensive position. If one of their many runningbacks in tow can prove themselves a difference-maker, then this season will look so much better for Buffalo.
25. Detroit Lions
Matt Patricia has been bringing in a handful of former Patriots in order to instill the culture he’s looking for in Detroit’s locker room, but will that be enough? The team is lacking top-end superstars to lift the team in crunch time. What they lack in stars, however, they make up for in their depth. The defensive line consisting of Mike Daniels, Damon Harrison Sr., Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand, and A’Shawn Robinson is absolutely terrifying. Jarrad Davis will have more help on the front end in year two, and Justin Coleman will help behind in the secondary. Offensively, Matt Stafford is surrounded by talented teammates. Kenny Golladay, Kerryon Johnson, and T.J. Hockensen pair with a good-not-great offensive line in order to make the Lions feel like a middling team to everyone yet again.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Expect Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury contribute to an exciting offense in year one. I think saying this offense will be great is currently a stretch, but some solid pieces remain surrounding this team. Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and David Johnson all have something to prove going into the season. Similar things can be said on defense with Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy pairing up in the secondary, as well as having Chandler Jones and Jordan Hicks in the front seven. Things might take some time to come together, but this team has a chance to surprise the league if Kingsbury’s offense catches defenses off-guard.
27. Washington Theismanns
Case Keenum starting the season as the starter is a smart move if you’re looking at it from a week-by-week standpoint. Keenum has gotten it done before as a starter, but with Adrian Peterson fighting father time, Derrius Guice only being a year removed from tearing his ACL, and questions regarding Trent Williams’ availability for Washington this season, it might just be best for the team to let Keenum take the heat in case things go wrong this season. Dwayne Haskins is more likely than Daniel Jones to start this season, but starting on the wings will help Jay Gruden figure out the new cogs in this offense.
Defensively, the team looks a lot more exciting with Landon Collins and a fierce line. The team is still a star or two away from matching up from the Eagles and Cowboys (as well as Haskins developing), but the team helped themselves by not trading up/giving up assets for their rookie quarterback.
28. Oakland Raiders
Antonio Brown is already causing Jon Gruden and even the much tamer Mike Mayock headaches, which is a bad omen for the season. While the production will likely be on the field all season, it’s hard to not expect road bumps for a roster that is still in progress. The offensive and defensive lines are both improved AND need improvement. The entire defense could still use a few pieces before they’re ready to compete; unless Derek Carr returns to his prior MVP-level play
29. New York Giants
The Giants might not be in bad hands once Eli retires. Daniel Jones has been an absolute revelation in the preseason and has shown the necessary tools to avoid any way-too-early “bust” talk. The receivers look to be able to hold their own, and the offensive line will be improved with Kevin Zeitler. That’s all without mentioning Saquon Barkley, the engine of this entire offense.
However, that’s all also without mentioning Eli Manning’s arm will not be all too capable while Jones waits in the wings and learns the ropes of the offense. New York’s offense will be somewhat limited by that fact. The defense is also in rebuild mode still. Deandre Baker and Dexter Lawrence will be worth keeping an eye on, but I wouldn’t expect the Giants to achieve too much in the win column just yet.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While excited to see what Bruce Arians can do with a talented passer in Jameis Winston, this team lacks a lot of top-end talent outside of their receiving corps. Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber excite no one coming out of the backfield. Resigning lethargic left tackle Donovan Smith was a questionable move, which made the recent resigning of GM Jason Licht look more questionable. Besides Lavonte David, Devin White, and Ndukamong Suh, this team lacks plus-players on the defensive side of the ball.
31. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick will bring his magic into the opening week of the regular season, as he wins the positional battle against Josh Rosen. No one expects this to last throughout the season, given the Harvard product’s tendency to pull a disappearing act as the season progresses. In the meantime, expect a surprising win or two early (similar to last year when Fitz was in Tampa Bay) before the drama surrounding Miami’s rebuild and back-up quarterback drowns them again.
32. Cincinnati Bengals
The regular season hasn’t even started for the Bengals, yet it seems like it’s already over. A.J. Green is going to miss the first month of the season, Tyler Eifert is likely going to get hurt at some point during the first month of the season. Along with that, one of the worst offensive lines in the league already lost two starters for the season in Clint Boling and rookie first-rounder Jonah Williams. Some pieces are still there for the middling Andy Dalton in Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon, but the defense isn’t in a position to stop any of their AFC North rivals.
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