At 2, Patriots only AFC team to crack top seven
Now that every NFL team is officially in the throes of training camp, it’s as good a time as any to reassess the league with a fresh batch of power rankings — our first since the completion of April’s draft. (Note: Previous ranking noted in parentheses.)
1. Eagles (1): On paper (games evidently aren’t played there), the lineup looks stronger than the Super Bowl version, assuming Carson Wentz and Jason Peters are full go by Week 1 and Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata fully assimilate.
2. Patriots (2): No team more deserves the benefit of the doubt. Still, concerning that the Pats have so many new starters on offense and so few apparent upgrades on defense.
3. Falcons (3): Your fresh reminder that no team came closer to KO’ing the Eagles in the playoffs. Atlanta looks sufficiently loaded to reach the Super Bowl on its home field.
4. Vikings (4): Don’t be surprised if Dalvin Cook’s return has a more profound effect on the 11th-ranked offense than Kirk Cousins’ arrival.
5. Rams (5): Early to worry (much) about Aaron Donald given last year’s holdout didn’t ultimately hurt. Still, a lot of moving parts on a revamped defense.
6. Saints (7): Any more underrated player than WR Michael Thomas? He’s one key to a team with plenty of motivation to overcome 2017’s missed opportunity.
7. Packers (10): Aaron Rodgers’ return alone should vault them back to the playoffs. But the success of a new defensive philosophy could determine the Pack’s course.
8. Jaguars (8): Love the LOB-esque swagger, including DL Malik Jackson’s
16-0 prediction. Still, will lack of offensive balance prove their undoing?
9. Chargers (6): They’re already down two starters (TE Hunter Henry, CB Jason Verrett) yet still seem to have more than enough juice for a Lombardi push.
10. Steelers (9): Is Shazier-less D good enough? How will this preseason’s Le’Veon Bell distraction play out? Already, usual combo of talent and sideshows.
11. Texans (12): Offensive line is a question but perhaps the only one of major significance ... assuming Watt, Watson, Mercilus, et al. bounce back as expected.
12. Titans (14): Unheralded secondary emblematic of team again flying under the radar but poised to do plentiful damage in AFC South and maybe beyond.
13. Panthers (13): Cam Newton’s arm has plenty of whip, but is Torrey Smith enough of a vertical threat to keep defenses from packing in against Carolina?
14. Redskins (20): If first-round Alama products Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne can solidify the defensive line, as expected, Washington could be a dark horse.
15. Broncos (11): Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders seem like key beneficiaries of Case Keenum’s arrival. Run game, secondary in transition will be tested.
16. Raiders (26): Jon Gruden looks to have weapons he needs. But worth noting that reacclimating coach had one
top-10 offense during seven years in Tampa.
17. Cowboys (19): No mystery, but Ezekiel Elliott is key, both to opening up passing lanes for Dak Prescott and shortening games for the defense.
18. Ravens (21): Hard team to read. However, for all the talk about quarterbacks, depth along both lines might warrant as much scrutiny as Flacco, Jackson.
19. Chiefs (15): Patrick Mahomes couldn’t ask for a better arsenal around him. But will suspect defense put a young gunslinger into holes he can’t climb from?
20. 49ers (16): Garoppolo buzz is great. But preseason expectations should be tempered (for now) by a defense that’s ranked 24th or worse the last three years.
21. Cardinals (18): Why doesn’t a team that finished 8-8 in 2017 minus Da- vid Johnson or strong QB play for most of the year get more respect? Keep an eye on ’em.
22. Bears (25): Jordan Howard doesn’t move needle but might be main factor in Mitchell Trubisky’s arc. Only Elliott, Bell have more rushing yards since 2016.
23. Lions (22): Matthew Stafford is
40 TD passes away from overtaking Sonny Jurgensen (255) for most among quarterbacks who haven’t won a playoff start.
24. Giants (17): Obscure but revealing stat from 2017 offense — it produced a league-worst 1.2 points per drive. Pat Shurmur’s focus can begin right there.
25. Bengals (23): CB William Jackson III is one of the best young players you may not have heard of. He can’t do much if Cincy fails again to stop the run.
26. Dolphins (29): WRs Danny Amendola, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills seem like beautiful complements ... if Ryan Tannehill is ready to stand and deliver.
27. Seahawks (27): Russell Wilson has missed the playoffs one time (last year), the first time he wasn’t backed by top-five defense. Coincidence?
28. Browns (28): Belichick curse? The Brown Way? Their remarkable consistency counters New England’s, with Cleveland finishing in last 13 of past 15 years.
29. Buccaneers (24): Already unmooring from Jameis Winston? Might be best as former No. 1 pick takes thirdteam snaps and gives unsatisfying answers.
30. Jets (31): You won’t find AB or Julio here, but Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor, Jermaine Kearse and Robby Anderson are an intriguing mix of targets.
31. Colts (32): Really nice to see Andrew Luck practicing and, apparently, pain-free. Also great he’s scorching the defense in practice ... but he’s only the first who will do that this year.
32. Bills (30): LeSean McCoy doesn’t want to be a distraction to what seems an underpowered offense. His opening camp news conference shows he can’t really avoid it for now, though.