USA TODAY International Edition
Fireworks: Five explosive NFL teams
These offenses are likely to soar in ’19
With the NFL world typically quiet around the Fourth of July, the only fireworks to look forward to are the ones coming on the field in the fall.
In 2018, teams throughout the league recorded a record 1,371 total touchdowns. That mark might not stand long, as the allowance of challenges on pass interference penalties could further accelerate an offensive surge. And while productive attacks can take many different forms, the ones capable of generating big plays seemingly at will are often the most difficult to defend.
Five offenses that look poised to rank among the NFL’s most explosive in 2019:
Browns
For Odell Beckham Jr., “airing it out” with the Giants too often referred to a complaint rather than a deep pass. After being traded to Cleveland, the threetime Pro Bowl selection need not worry about a dearth of downfield opportunities. Baker Mayfield appears to have coach Freddie Kitchens’ blessing to embrace his risk-taking side, and the approach has proved fruitful for the pair. In the eight games Kitchens served as offensive coordinator last year after Hue Jackson’s and Todd Haley’s midseason firing, the Browns averaged 6.9 yards per play — a mark that no team other than the 2000 Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf ” has exceeded in a full season since 1970.
While Beckham’s arrival amplified excitement surrounding the franchise, Mayfield is the true origin point for optimism. The No. 1 pick seems to be in lockstep with Kitchens after blossoming under his guidance in the second half of the season. His ability to extend plays will strain secondaries, and he’ll have one of the best crew of pass catchers alongside Beckham in wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, running back Nick Chubb and tight end David Njoku.
Chiefs
Maybe Patrick Mahomes won’t be able to match or improve upon his MVP output of 5,097 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. But in 2018, the rest of the NFL looked flummoxed by the no-look passes, unorthodox arm angles and narrow-window completions he made appear routine. And after Andy Reid’s group finished with the third-most points (565) of any team in league history, opponents will have to do more than hope for a regression from Mahomes in his second year as a starter.
Kansas City, however, could see a ripple effect if wide receiver Tyreek Hill is suspended after facing child abuse allegations this offseason. Beyond the value of his production (87 catches, 1,479 receiving yards and 12 TDs) as Mahomes’ primary target, Hill helps create opportunities for others by forcing defenses to account for his deep speed. But tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Sammy Watkins and running back Damien Williams provide Mahomes with more than enough options to power through a potential absence.
Saints
Sean Payton’s and Drew Brees’ approach might be more quick-hitting than some of the other high-powered schemes on this list, but the method lights up scoreboards. The coach and quarterback duo have led top-five scoring offenses in eight of their 13 years together and never finished lower than eighth in total yards.
Brees, however, might have something to prove after he threw seven TDs and five interceptions in his final six games last year, including the postseason, while eclipsing 250 yards just twice. The addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jared Cook should give the Saints the most dynamic threat at the position since Jimmy Graham was traded, as well as help diversify an offense that couldn’t establish a consistent complement to all-pro target Michael Thomas in the receiving corps. And while subbing in Latavius Murray for Mark Ingram alters the landscape of the ground game, all-purpose threat Alvin Kamara could take on a heavier workload in the passing game and push to eclipse 1,000 yards both as a runner and a receiver.
49ers
While the defending NFC champion Rams certainly warrant mention here as the only team other than the Chiefs and Saints to average more than 30 points per game last season, their divisional rival looks to be trending upward and could be the team to watch. Kyle Shanahan kept San Francisco’s offense afloat in 2018 despite losing Jimmy Garoppolo after three starts, and his ingenuity should go a long way with a healthy roster. Even while short-handed, the 49ers ranked fifth with 61 completions of 20 yards or more in 2018.
With Garoppolo expected to be a full go for training camp, San Francisco could have something special brewing. Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle ranked second in the NFL in yards after catch (784), and speedy wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis also can stretch secondaries. The backfield of Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida should also provide sparks.
Buccaneers
As the NFL’s oldest head coaching hire at 66, Bruce Arians is no doubt an outlier. That label, however, extends beyond his age, as the former Cardinals coach’s downfield passing attack stands out in an era of dink-and-dunk offenses. He arrives with a fitting focal point in Jameis Winston, whose audacious approach is reflected by a league-leading average of 10.7 air yards per attempt since 2016, according to Next Gen Stats.
The Bucs have proved they can generate long gains, as they trailed only the Chiefs in pass plays of 20-plus yards (71) in 2018. But a league-worst 35 turnovers proved to be a significant stumbling block, as an offense that ranked third in yardage (415.5 per game) finished 12th in scoring (24.8 points per game).
Learning to be more discerning while still embracing Arians’ “no risk it, no biscuit” philosophy could be the biggest challenge for Winston, whose 76 giveaways are tied for the most of any player since 2015.
Still, so long as wide receiver Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard step up following the departures of DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay could unearth the staying power that eluded it in 2018.