Counting down NFL power rankings with season over
Super Bowl champion Chiefs followed by 49ers, Titans, Ravens, Packers in top five.
After watching the Chiefs surmount three double-digit playoff deficits, including their Super Bowl LIV win over the 49ers, it’s pretty obvious who tops our season-ending power rankings. The full list 1 to 32 (previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Chiefs (4):
With Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes emerging as league’s primary face, newly crowned champs appear to have staying power as long as young core – including free agent DT Chris Jones – and HC Andy Reid remain together.
2. 49ers (2):
Blowing a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead in the Super Bowl is a tough pill to swallow. But with ascending youngsters like DE Nick Bosa and WR Deebo Samuel, the Niners appear built for long run.
3. Titans (8):
They were a transformed outfit with Ryan Tannehill at the reins. But can they keep quarterback, RB Derrick Henry and RT Jack Conklin before trying to improve on late-season climb?
4. Ravens (1):
Startling to hear CB Marlon Humphrey say team’s identity was to “choke” in playoffs. But MVP Lamar Jackson promises to provide many more postseason opportunities at redemption.
5. Packers (5):
Strong debut for rookie HC Matt LaFleur. One more playmaker – receiver? linebacker? – on either side of ball might put Green Bay over top in 2020.
6. Vikings (10):
Just when it appears Minnesota is making serious strides, OC Kevin Stefanski leaves. Underrated secondary could be gutted by free agency.
7. Saints (3):
Typical New Orleans offseason – hold together a roster that currently includes unsigned quarterback Drew Brees while figuring out how to overcome yet another playoff heartbreak.
8. Seahawks (6):
Their average margin of victory in 11 wins was 5.6 points, and they collectively outscored their opposition by just seven all season – suggesting HC Pete Carroll got the absolute most out of a roster facing a significant rebuild in the trenches.
9. Eagles (12):
Hurdled quite a few obstacles to overtake Dallas for NFC East crown. With any luck, under-appreciated QB Carson Wentz and Co. are capable of going much further in 2020.
10. Texans (7):
HC Bill O’Brien has quietly maintained a stranglehold on the AFC South since 2015 ... but can he maintain it while officially tackling new general manager duties?
11. Patriots (9):
QB Tom Brady’s future has captured the headlines. But mainstays like S Devin McCourty, ST Matthew Slater and G Joe Thuney could defect, too.
12. Bills (11):
Team apparently poised for breakthrough in division long ruled by New England might now need to persuade other vets to come to Buffalo and buy in.
13. Steelers (18):
Admirably held it together – and defense even took off – for nearly entire season spent trying to compensate for loss to injury of QB Ben Roethlisberger.
14. Cowboys (13):
Before we learn whether new HC Mike McCarthy can fix talented team, we must first learn how many key players bolt in March.
15. Rams (14):
A team projected as long-term force just a few years ago may now be shackled with several unwieldy contracts that make reboot challenging.
16. Falcons (15):
Club that won six of final eight appears to have contender’s nucleus – provided it’s healthy and HC Dan Quinn capitalizes on deserved mulligan.
17. Buccaneers (19):
Another NFC South team that quietly surged late, but HC Bruce Arians must figure out whether it’s best to continue with QB Jameis Winston.
18. Bears (16):
They badly need another difference maker on offense, not to mention proof QB Mitchell Trubisky is actually a positive difference maker.
19. Jets (17):
Second-year QB Sam Darnold quietly went 7-6 for a team that fell from relevance during his mono absence. In his first offseason, can GM Joe Douglas maintain that progress?
20. Broncos (20):
Rookie QB Drew Lock won four of five starts, giving franchise needed shot in arm. Still, lot of work ahead in order to catch up to Kansas City.
21. Cardinals (21):
Young team led by offensive rookie of year Kyler Murray finished strong, but “Air Raid” would benefit from retention of RB Kenyan Drake, offensive line upgrades.
22. Browns (24):
Despite copious talent throughout roster, expecting HC Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry to turn this around in first year on job is a huge ask.
23. Raiders (22):
Officially the Las Vegas (LV) Raiders, they’re still a long way from battling for Super Bowl LV ... even if they somehow recruit Brady.
24. Colts (23):
A team built to win around retired QB Andrew Luck must decide if it can win long term with replacement Jacoby Brissett after running out of steam in 2019.
25. Lions (31):
Team that was competitive with QB Matthew Stafford was anything but when he went down. NFL’s worst pass defense also needs plenty of assistance.
26. Giants (25):
They appear to have some decent pieces in place. But how will salty GM Dave Gettleman mesh with inexperienced HC Joe Judge in a pressure cooker town?
27. Dolphins (27):
After dreadful start to 2019, they were 5-4 down the stretch. Armed with three first-round picks, they’re perched to get much better quickly.
28. Chargers (26):
With a divorce from longtime QB Philip Rivers appearing imminent, hard to foresee how Bolts will excite fan base as they move into new building ... unless Brady?
29. Jaguars (28):
As they continue to divest home games to London, is it going to get tougher to recruit major stars to come play (sometimes) in #DUUUVAL?
30. Bengals (29):
Would the presumed addition of Heisman Trophywinning quarterback Joe Burrow and possible return of WR A.J. Green vault them to respectability after two-win campaign?
31. Redskins (30):
Given enough latitude, HC Ron Rivera might actually point this franchise in positive direction. Luring LT Trent Williams back would also help.
32. Panthers (32):
They not only dropped the last eight games but did so by an average of nearly 17 points. Newly hired HC Matt Rhule has a lot to figure out, starting with what to do about lame-duck QB Cam Newton.