2019 EDITION –
PATRIOTS FINISH ON TOP, AGAIN
The NFL season ends with the New England Patriots defeating the Los
Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. Hence the final edition of the 2018 Power
Rankings.
With Sunday’s 13-3 victory in Super Bowl LIII, the New
England Patriots captured their sixth Lombardi Trophy and also became the first
team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to win the Super Bowl one year after losing
it.
It also means it’s a total wrap on the NFL’s 99th season.
Hence the final NFL Power Rankings for 2018, with a minor look ahead to what
should be a fascinating ‘19.
NOTE: WIN-LOSS RECORDS INCLUDE PLAYOFFS.
32. ARIZONA
CARDINALS (3-13)
4TH PLACE, NFC
WEST
Season Review: The Cardinals were the first team
since the 1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to finish dead last in the league in total
yards gained, rushing yardage and passing yards. The club managed only 24
offensive touchdowns and scored an NFL-low 225 points. Rookie quarterback Josh
Rosen showed his mettle but took a beating. Running back David Johnson totaled
a quiet 10 TDs, while Larry Fitzgerald led the club with 69 grabs – six for
scores. Chandler Jones had another outstanding season and led the club with 13
sacks. But first-year head coach Steve Wilks was let go after a three-win
season.
2018 Turning Point: When you win only three
games all season (2 vs. the 49ers), pinning down when things went wrong is a
little difficult. But in Week 7, there was an embarrassing Thursday night home
loss to the Denver Broncos (45-10) that cost offensive coordinator Mike McCoy
his job.
2019 Priorities: New sideline leader Kliff
Kingsbury must bring some creativity to the league’s worst offense in ‘18. It’s
a big challenge for the first-time NFL sideline leader. Fitzgerald will be back
for a 16th season. Getting defensive end/outside linebacker Markus Golden
re-signed would be a good move.
31. NEW YORK JETS
(4-12)
4TH PLACE, AFC
EAST
Season Review: For the third consecutive year,
the Green and White lost at least 11 games and both sides of the football
deserve plenty of blame. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold appears to be the
long-term solution. But the reported concerns regarding ball-security were
certainly realized throughout the year as the former USC standout hit on only
57.7 percent of his throws and had just as many touchdown passes as turnovers
(17) in his 13 appearance. There wasn’t much consistency from the ground game
or help from the offensive. And the once-proud Jets’ defense was substandard
once again.
2018 Turning Point: The club got off to a
rousing start on a Monday night at Ford Field and after six games; Todd Bowles’
club owned a 3-3 record. The Jets would drop their next three games, but an
embarrassing 41-10 home setback to the Bills in Week 10 showed how quickly this
team has fallen.
2019 Priorities: The new head coach is Adam
Gase, who spent the previous three seasons in Miami and led that club to the
playoffs in 2016. Fixing a defense that was a disappointing 25th in yards
allowed will be up to new coordinator Gregg Williams. The team must address
both sets of trenches this offseason.
30. OAKLAND
RAIDERS (4-12)
4TH PLACE, AFC
WEST
Season Review: Given the turnstile that was the
team’s roster dating back to last offseason, was it any surprise the Jon
Gruden’s squad won only four games? Just before the start of 2018, the team
dealt pass-rushing standout Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. In late October,
the Silver and Black traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback Derek Carr made far too many mistakes, totaling nearly as many
turnovers (17) as TD passes (19), while being sacked 51 times. Tight end Jared
Cook had a solid year, but the Oakland defense was once again a liability.
2018 Turning Point: The Raiders didn’t win their
first game of the season until they beat the Browns in overtime in Week 4. Up
until that point Gruden’s team had been extremely competitive. But after a
tough road loss to the Chargers, the team stunk it up royally in a 17-3 loss to
the Seahawks (Week 6) at London.
2019 Priorities: Former NFL Network analyst Mike
Mayock was hired to be the club’s general manager. It will be interesting to
see how he and Gruden co-exist. It appears that Carr is the team’s quarterback
of the foreseeable future. The Raiders must get the most out of their three ‘19
first-round picks.
29. JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS (5-11)
4TH PLACE, AFC
SOUTH
Season Review: Doug Marrone’s club won half as
many games as it did in ‘17 and returned to the AFC South basement for the
second time in three seasons and the fourth time since 2008. After showing a
year of progress in terms of taking care of the football, quarterback Blake
Bortles slowly digressed in this area and was eventually sat down in favor of
Cody Kessler. Injuries to second-year Leonard Fournette and disappointing play
from the offensive line resulted in the league’s top-ranked ground attack in
2017 sliding to 19th. And Jacksonville’s talented and big-play defense lost its
opportunistic touch.
2018 Turning Point: The Jaguars won their first
two games and owned a 3-1 mark at the quarter pole. Then came a humbling 30-14
loss at Arrowhead Stadium to the potent Chiefs. It was the start of a crippling
seven-game losing streak that helped land Marrone’s team in last place in the
division.
2019 Priorities: By all indications, the team
will look for a new starting quarterback. There has already been a change at
offensive coordinator with the January hiring of John DeFilippo, cut loose by
the Vikings late in the season. Marrone’s team could also certainly use some
help at wide receiver and tight end.
28. SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS (4-12)
3RD PLACE, NFC
WEST
Season Review: Given the fact that the team had
won its final five games in 2017, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the
Niners in Kyle Shanahan’s second season. But quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was
lost in Week 3 and the 49ers wound up using three different starting
signal-callers by year’s end. On the other side of the ball, San Francisco’s
defense did little to help the team’s cause, setting dubious NFL records for
fewest interceptions (2) and fewest takeaways (7) in an NFL season. But one big
bright spot was George Kittle, who set a league record for receiving yards by a
tight end (1,377) in a season.
2018 Turning Point: It’s somewhat easy to pinpoint
exactly when things really began to go wrong. In that Week 3 loss at Arrowhead
Stadium to the Chiefs, Garoppolo went down with a knee injury late in the
contest and was lost for the rest of the season. It was the beginning of a
six-game losing streak.
2019 Priorities: The club could use some
play-makers on both sides of the football, in particular at wide receiver and
most notably at linebacker and the secondary. The 49ers have close to $60
million in cap room to play with and could be quite aggressive during free
agency.
27. TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS (5-11)
4TH PLACE, NFC
SOUTH
Season Review: It wound up being yet another disappointing
year for a team that has now finished last in the NFC South in seven of the
past eight seasons dating back to 2011. The Buccaneers got off to a 2-0 start
thanks to some serious passing numbers from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
However, the Tampa defense continued to be a major disappointment and
coordinator Mike Smith lost his job during the season. Once again, there was
little semblance of a running game (29th in the NFL) and the team wound up
committing a NFL-high 35 turnovers – 30 of those by Jameis Winston (17) and
Fitzpatrick (13).
2018 Turning Point: At 5-7, the Buccaneers were
still in the NFC playoff race. In Week 14, the team owned a 14-3 halftime lead
over the Saints in Tampa. But the team’s penchant for self-destruction struck
again in a 28-14 loss. It was the first of four straight losses to close ‘18
and the end for head coach Dirk Koetter.
2019 Priorities: There’s already a long of
excitement surrounding a club that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2007. Can
new head coach Bruce Arians cure what ails Winston? Can the defense finally get
its act together under new coordinator Todd Bowles? Finding a reliable running
game would help as well.
26. DETROIT LIONS
(6-10)
4TH PLACE, NFC
NORTH
Season Review: The season got off to a miserable
start on a Monday night as Matt Patricia’s debut as an NFL head coach resulted
in a 48-17 loss to the Jets. Things didn’t get much better after that, although
there were some promising moments via early season wins over the Patriots and
Packers. Rookie Kerryon Johnson flashed some big-time promise when healthy but
the Detroit ground game disappointed once again. Quarterback Matthew Stafford
had a rollercoaster year and in October, the team dealt wide receiver Golden
Tate to Philadelphia. Patricia’s defense showed occasional flashes (10th in the
NFL in yards allowed) but the Lions totaled only 14 takeaways – down
considerably from the previous year (32).
2018 Turning Point: A 0-2 start was followed by
three wins in the next four games. The Lions hosted the Seattle Seahawks but
came away with a disappointing 28-14 loss. It was the start of a stretch in
which Patricia’s club dropped five out of six games, including a pair of losses
to the NFC North champion Bears.
2019 Priorities: In 2018, the Lions slapped the
franchise tag on defensive end Ziggy Ansah. But he was limited to only seven
games and finished with four sacks. Will the team opt to give him a long-term
deal or let him test the market? The team could still use some more help on the
offensive front.
25. BUFFALO BILLS
(6-10)
3RD PLACE, AFC
EAST
Season Review: Sean McDermott’s second season as
the Bills’ sideline leader saw the team utilize four different starting
quarterbacks during the season for various reasons. While Nathan Peterman was
the team’s Week 1 start, it was just a matter of time before 2018 first-round
pick Josh Allen got his chance. He showed his mettle and wound up doing as much
with his legs than he did with his gifted arm. The rookie signal-caller led the
team in rushing yards (631) and touchdowns scored (8). Only the Ravens allowed
more total yards than McDermott’s club but the Buffalo defense remained spotty
against the run.
2018 Turning Point: The Bills’ season got off to
a dubious start as the team was rolled by the Baltimore Ravens (47-3) and Los
Angeles Chargers (31-20) by a combined 78-23 score. The team was 2-3 after five
games. But that would be followed by four straight losses in which the club
combined to score 33 points.
2019 Priorities: This is a team that won’t be
getting any better until it can bolster both trenches. The Bills don’t have a
lot of potential unrestricted free agents but many of them reside on the
offensive line (John Miller, Jordan Mills, and Ryan Groy). And the team must
replace retired defensive tackle Kyle Williams.
24. CINCINNATI
BENGALS (6-10)
4TH PLACE, AFC
NORTH
Season Review: A club that had missed the
playoffs two straight years after reaching the postseason five consecutive
seasons from 2011-15 would win four of its first five games. But even before injuries
derailed quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, the Cincinnati
defense was having issues. Marvin Lewis’ team wound up 32nd in the league in
both total yards and passing yards allowed, 30th in points surrendered while
only three teams in the league gave more rushing yards. And after 16 seasons
and seven playoff appearances (without a win) with the franchise, the team
moved on from their head coach.
2018 Turning Point: At 4-1 and with a 21-20 lead
with 1:18 to play over the visiting Steelers in Week 6, the Bengals were on the
verge of putting themselves in prime position in terms of playoff contention.
But Pittsburgh would rally for the win, the start of a 2-8 finish for a team
headed to the AFC North basement.
2019 Priorities: Rams’ assistant Zac Taylor will
be named the Bengals’ new head coach now that their season is over. There will
be a new offensive coordinator (Brian Callahan) as well. The team could be
looking for tight ends and offensive line help during free agency and in the draft.
23. NEW YORK
GIANTS (5-11)
4TH PLACE, NFC
EAST
Season Review: New head coach Pat Shurmur and
the club opened 1-7 before settling in and splitting their final eight games –
including an overtime victory over the playoff-bound Bears. The team was
without wideout Odell Beckham Jr. for much of the year again but NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley was exceptional. He led the NFL in total
yards from scrimmage (2,028), was second in rushing yards (1,307) and scored 15
of the team’s 36 offensive touchdowns. Eli Manning again had his issues but was
sacked 47 times. The Giants’ defense remained iffy but the team did make
strides overall.
2018 Turning Point: What could have been for Big
Blue? New York bounced back after losing seven of their first eight contests
with a 4-1 midseason run. But it was the loss in the middle of that stretch, a
25-22 setback at Philadelphia, in which Shurmur’s club squandered a 19-3
second-quarter lead.
2019 Priorities: It will be interesting to see
if general manager Dave Gettleman continues to unload some of the team’s
defensive talent, as was the case with Damon Harrison and Eli Apple last
October. Can the team get talented strong safety Landon Collins re-signed or
would the Giants use the franchise tag?
22. CAROLINA PANTHERS
(7-9)
3RD PLACE, NFC
SOUTH
Season Review: As has been well documented, the
Panthers have still never experienced back-to-back winning seasons in their
24-year history. This season, Ron Rivera’s club squandered a 6-2 start to
finish below .500 for the third time in five years (although the team won the
NFC South with a 7-8-1 mark in ‘14). Quarterback Cam Newton had his up and
downs but Christian McCaffrey had a tremendous second year – leading the team
in rushing yards and setting a new NFL single-season record for receptions by a
running back (107). But the usually steady Carolina defense proved to be a
major disappointment.
2018 Turning Point: Rivera’s team was riding a
three-game winning streak and headed to Pittsburgh for a Thursday night clash
with the Steelers. But the Panthers were overwhelmed by a 52-21 count. It was
the start of a crippling seven-game skid that ensured the team would not return
to the playoffs in ‘18.
2019 Priorities: ESPN’s Adam
Schefter reported the team feels Newton (shoulder surgery in
January) could be ready by training camp. Could Carolina seek quarterback help
in free agency? Will potential free agent wideout Devin Funchess be back in
’19? And defensive end Julius
Peppers retired after 17 NFL seasons.
21. MIAMI DOLPHINS
(7-9)
2ND PLACE, AFC
EAST
Season Review: The Dolphins were arguably the
NFL’s most unpredictable team in 2018. The club got off to a 3-0 start before
losing nine of their final 13 games. There were wins over the playoff-bound
Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. But far too often the team was
overmatched by the opposition. The club lost eight games by 10 or more points.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill started the season but injuries once again became an
issue and he missed some action, with Brock Osweiler filling in. Despite some
new faces on the defensive side of the ball, this unit picked up where it left
off in ‘17 when it faded late in the year.
2018 Turning Point: After wins over the Titans,
Jets and Raiders to start the season, the Dolphins headed north to Foxborough
and were manhandled by the Super Bowl-bound Patriots, 38-7. Adam Gase’s team
was never really the same after that even though it owned a winning record
(7-6) after 13 outings.
2019 Priorities: Patriots’ defensive whiz Brian
Flores will be the Dolphins’ new sideline leader on Monday. And the Miami
Herald’s Armando
Salguero says the team will be parting ways with Tannehill.
Besides a new quarterback, the Dolphins still need a lot of help on defense.
20. GREEN BAY
PACKERS (6-9-1)
3RD PLACE, NFC
NORTH
Season Review: For the second consecutive
season, the Packers finish with a losing record. It’s something that hasn’t
happened to this franchise since the 1990 and ‘91 seasons. If not for a Week 16
victory at MetLife Stadium over the Jets, the club would have finished winless
on the road in 2018. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took his share of heat and some
of it was warranted. But the lack of commitment to the running game and the
continued failures of the defense were major contributors as well. Wideout
Devante Adams had a Pro Bowl year. But Green Bay ranked as one of the league’s
disappointments in ’18.
2018 Turning Point: The Packers hung around in
the NFC North despite the team’s inability to win on the road. At 4-6-1, the
team returned home to play the struggling Arizona Cardinals. An embarrassing
20-17 loss was the club’s third straight and the end of the Mike McCarthy Era
in Green Bay.
2019 Priorities: The team has a new head coach
(Matt LaFleur) as well as a pair of first-round picks in April’s draft and the
team could use help in a number of areas, especially on the defensive
front-seven. Also, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and wide receiver Randall
Cobb are potential free agents.
19. DENVER BRONCOS
(6-10)
3RD PLACE, AFC
WEST
Season Review: For the sixth consecutive you’re
dating back to 2012, the Men from Mile got off to a 2-0 start. But for the
third straight year, it would not result in a playoff appearance. Too often,
the Broncos looked like an overwhelmed football team, especially on offense as
veteran quarterback Case Keenum failed to impress in his first season with the
club. On the plus side, undrafted rookie running back Phillip Lindsay ran for
1,037 yards and nine scores and was named to the Pro Bowl. And first-round pick
Bradley Chubb racked up 12 sacks. But it was another up-and-down year that lost
10 of its last 14 contests.
2018 Turning Point: Despite all their problems,
the Broncos strung together three straight wins in late November and early
Decembers to draw even at 6-6. But the offense disappeared down the stretch as
the team combined for only 53 points in dropping their final four games.
2019 Priorities: And a team that went a combined
11-21 under Vance Joseph the past two seasons will have a new sideline leader
in 2019 in Vic Fangio. The former Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator was the
’18 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. As for free agency, re-signing cornerback
Bradley Roby is important.
18. WASHINGTON
REDSKINS (7-9)
3RD PLACE, NFC
EAST
Season Review: During the first half of the
season, Jay Gruden’s attack more resembled Dean Smith’s “Four Corners” offense
as the Redskins played stall-ball with rejuvenated Adrian Peterson in the
backfield and veteran signal-caller Alex Smith. When the team was able to play
its game, it resulted in wins. But when things went wrong, it all went south in
a big way. Smith would go down with a broken leg and eventually, so would
backup Colt McCoy. The ‘Skins were limited to 16 or fewer points in each of
their final five games. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense played very respectable
football for the most part.
2018 Turning Point: The ‘Skins were 6-3 as they
hosted the hot Houston Texans. As previously mentioned, Smith would wind up
going down for the season and the club would fall, 23-21. It would be the first
of four straight losses and six setbacks in seven games for Gruden’s battered
team.
2019 Priorities: NFL Network’s Ian
Rapoport reported in late January that the team would be
“pleasantly surprised” if Smith was ready for the start of 2019. Could the team
bring back quarterback Josh Johnson, the team’s main starter down the stretch
after Smith and McCoy went and Mark Sanchez was ineffective?
17. ATLANTA
FALCONS (7-9)
2ND PLACE, NFC
SOUTH
Season Review: The Falcons entered 2018 as the
only team in the NFC to reach the playoffs each of the previous two seasons.
But there would not be a third straight postseason appearance as a series of
major injuries on defense saw the team dig itself a hole early in the season.
Not having running back Devonta Freeman for a long spell hurt the club as well.
Quarterback Matt Ryan put up the kind of numbers that more resembled his 2016
NFL MVP season, throwing for 4,924 yards, 35 scores and only seven picks. But
Dan Quinn’s club wilted down the stretch often, allowing 144 points in the
fourth quarter and overtime.
2018 Turning Point: A battered Atlanta defense
was a big reason Quinn’s team got off to a 1-4 start. The Falcons rallied with
three straight wins to get back to the .500 mark and headed to Cleveland to
face the Browns. But the team was humbled, 28-16, the first of four straight costly
setbacks.
2019 Priorities: A year ago, the franchise did
very little in free agency and in retrospect; the team is in need of depth on
defense. The Falcons also have some big-time questions to answer in terms of 19
potential unrestricted free agents in running back Tevin Coleman and defensive
tackle Grady Jarrett.
16. MINNESOTA
VIKINGS (8-7-1)
2ND PLACE, NFC
NORTH
Season Review: There were a lot of high
expectations for a team that had finished 13-3 the previous year. And the
addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins seem to “guarantee” those sentiments. But
the former Redskins’ Pro Bowler, while hardly without fault, received little or
no help from the ground attack (30th in the NFL) and Minnesota’s offensive line
failed in a big way. Meanwhile, Mike Zimmer’s defense simply was not as stout
as it was in ‘17. It all added up to this team being outclassed again some of
the more physical clubs in the league and a failure to return to the playoffs
for a second consecutive year.
2018 Turning Point: It was a very uneven year
for the defending NFC North champions. But all the Vikings had to do was hold
serve in Week 17 at home against the Chicago Bears. But the club was pushed
around, 24-10, and there would be no return to the playoffs for Zimmer’s
talented squad.
2019 Priorities: Could general manager Rick
Spielman and the organization slap the franchise tag on talented outside
linebacker Anthony Barr, a potential free agent? The team may also want to hang
onto running back Latavius Murray as an insurance policy for oft-injured Dalvin
Cook.
15. CLEVELAND
BROWNS (7-8-1)
3RD PLACE, AFC
NORTH
Season Review: It was a big year for a team that
could not win a game in 2017. While the latest edition Browns failed to finish
with a winning record, the club’s seven victories were its highest total since
2014. Quarterback Baker Mayfield would eventually be the team’s starting
quarterback and he provided a spark for a club that had struggled to score
points in recent seasons. The first overall pick in the ’18 draft set a new NFL
rookie record with 27 TD passes. But there were also 17 turnovers. Fellow
rookie Nick Chubb led the ground attack with 996 yards. And only the Bears (36)
forced more turnovers (31) than the Browns.
2018 Turning Point: A 33-18 loss at Pittsburgh
in Week 8 proved to be not only the final game for head coach Hue Jackson but
the last for offensive coordinator Todd Haley as well. Interim head coach Gregg
Williams led the club to a 5-3 finish. And now the team is ready to embark on a
new era…again.
2019 Priorities: Freddie Kitchens, promoted to
offensive coordinator to take over for Haley, is now the team’s 11th different
head coach since 1999. The team doesn’t have a lot of players to re-sign but
may want to bring back one-time Ravens’ first-round wideout Breshad Perriman,
who was a pleasant surprise.
14. TENNESSEE
TITANS (9-7)
3RD PLACE, AFC
SOUTH
Season Review: For the third consecutive year,
the Titans finished with nine victories. But for the second time in three
seasons, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. It was a season of
streaks for Mike Vrabel in his NFL head-coaching debut. The club put together
stretches of both three and four wins during ’18. But there was also a
three-game skid. Fourth-year quarterback Marcus Mariota had problems staying
healthy while the offense was carried down the stretch by power running back
Derrick Henry. Tennessee’s defense was a bit sporadic and really struggled down
the stretch, especially vs. the Texans and Colts.
2018 Turning Point: After an up-and-down start
to the season, the team put together quite the seven-day stretch with a Monday
night conquest of the Cowboys at Dallas, followed by a 34-10 rout of the
Patriots. But in Week 11, the Titans were humbled at Indianapolis, 38-10, the
first of two losses to the Colts.
2019 Priorities: With offensive coordinator Matt
LaFleur moving on to become the Packers’ head coach, the Titans promoted tight
ends coach Arthur Smith to fill his position. Will outside linebacker Derrick
Morgan be allowed to test free agency? He finished with .5 sack despite playing
in 13 games in ’18.
13. PITTSBURGH
STEELERS (9-6-1)
2ND PLACE, AFC
NORTH
Season Review: One year after finishing 1-3,
Mike Tomlin’s club stumbled out of the gates courtesy of a 1-2-1 start. The
club would settle in and reel off six consecutive victories. But all was not
well in the Steel City and the team’s numerous issues bubbled to the surface
down the stretch (and now beyond). Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led
the NFL with 5,129 through the air but was also picked off a league-high 16
times. James Conner did his best to fill the void left by the season-long
absence of running back Le’Veon Bell. But the defense was shaky again and this
was a team prone to turnovers (26).
2018 Turning Point: The team had to rally for a
20-16 win at Jacksonville in Week 11. And it was in that game that the
once-balanced Steelers’ offense began to take on a one-dimensional quality. The
result was four losses in the next five games and the team would miss the
playoffs for the first time since 2013.
2019 Priorities: Who knows what the future holds
for Brown and Bell? What’s evident is that this is an organization that has
lost seemingly its way. And the current issues can hardly be blamed on any one
individual. Priority one is for this team is taking a hard look at itself and
that means from top to bottom.
12. BALTIMORE
RAVENS (10-7)
WON AFC NORTH
Reached AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Season Review: Joe Flacco and company got off to
an erratic start and nine games into the season, the Ravens owned a 4-5 record
and were in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The veteran signal caller
was injured and in came rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, the club’s second
first-round pick in 2018. The offense was revamped to cater to his running
ability and the club went on a late-season run. Baltimore’s defense, less
dependent on takeaways than in recent seasons, rebounded after a shaky and
inconsistent start. And when it was all said and done, the club captured its
first division title since 2012.
2018 Turning Point: It’s a bit of a broken
record to what had already been stated. But John Harbaugh’s club went 6-1
(losing in overtime at Kansas City) after losing five of their first nine
games. And perhaps the real turning point is the fact that Jackson is apparently
the team’s quarterback of the immediate future.
2019 Priorities: Outside linebacker Za’Darius
Smith led the Ravens with 8.5 sacks and ageless Terrell Suggs was tied for
second on the club with seven QB traps. Both can become unrestricted free agent
in March so stay tuned. And could the team re-sign wide receiver John Brown,
who led the club with five TD grabs?
11. HOUSTON TEXANS
(11-6)
WON AFC SOUTH
Reached AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Season Review: For only the sixth time in NFL
history, a team overcame a 0-3 start to reach the playoffs. Bill O’Brien’s
Texans rebounded from three straight losses to win nine consecutive games and
eventually the club’s third AFC South title in four years. It took second-year
quarterback Deshaun Watson a few games to settle in and get comfortable (after
injuring his knee the previous November) and the Texans put their share of
points on the board, with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins having huge year.
Defensive end J.J. Watt was another great comeback story. But the club’s postseason
stay lasted only one afternoon.
2018 Turning Point: It would easy to say it was
the start of a nine-game winning streak that would propel the Texans to the
playoffs. But it was actually a 24-21 home loss to Indianapolis in Week 14 that
would be the first of two to the Colts at home in the span of five games,
making for a short postseason experience.
2019 Priorities: Will the Texans put the
franchise tag on outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney or get the first overall
pick in the 2014 NFL Draft under contract before free agency starts? The Texans
would also surely love to retain talented safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was solid
in his first year with the team.
10. SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS (10-7)
2ND PLACE, NFC
WEST
Reached NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Season Review: Back in 2015, Pete Carroll’s club
rebounded from a 0-2 start to capture a Wild Card berth. And it was déjà vu all
over again as the Seahawks fell at Denver and at Chicago to begin the season
and won 10 of their final 14 contests. The turnaround was sparked by a ground
attack – led by unsung Chris Carson – that led the NFL in yards gained.
Seven-year quarterback Russell Wilson was his usual steady self, hitting on
65.6 percent of his throws and five times as many scores (35) as interceptions.
This Seattle defense was suspect all season and certainly benefitted from the
team’s ability to control the football.
2018 Turning Point: This was a Seattle team that
owned only a 4-5 record after nine games. Carroll’s club managed to get back to
the .500 mark with a Thursday night home win over the Packers. But the ‘Hawks
rallied for a crucial 30-27 victory at Carolina in Week 12 that really
propelled the team forward.
2019 Priorities: It was supposed to be a
rebuilding year in the Pacific Northwest. But this team has now been to the
playoffs six times in the last seven years. And if the Seahawks’ young players
continue to develop, this could be a dangerous team again. So what’s the future
hold for free safety Earl Thomas?
9. DALLAS COWBOYS
(11-7)
WON NFC EAST
Reached NFC Divisional Playoffs
Season Review: For the second time in three
years, running back Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards. But the
Dallas’ offense was still sporadic, even though the midseason addition of
one-time Oakland Raiders’ wide receiver Amari Cooper was a huge plus.
Quarterback Dak Prescott came up big on more than one occasion but also
disappeared at times, as did the Cowboys’ attack in general. Jason Garrett’s
defense was solid and linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch were
standouts. But this unit was also pushed around by some of the league’s better
offensive lines and could still use some help.
2018 Turning Point: Some may make the argument
that the trade for Cooper was the pivotal moment. But look no further than a
27-20 Sunday night win at Philadelphia (Week 10), the start of a five-game
winning streak and the first of two victories over the Birds as the team would
capture the NFC East.
2019 Priorities: Less than one week after their
playoff loss to the Rams, the team opted to part ways with offensive
coordinator Scott Linehan and the Cowboys promoted Kellen Moore in the process.
The club will look to get potential free agent defensive end Demarcus Lawrence
under contract sooner than later.
8. PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES (10-8)
2ND PLACE, NFC
EAST
Reached NFC Divisional Playoffs
Season Review: It was an uneven and ultimately a
disappointing year for a club that won 13 games in 2017 and put up big numbers
on the way to a Super Bowl title. But the team also managed to shake off a 4-6
start and won five of its final six games to secure a wild-card berth.
Quarterback Nick Foles started and ended the season, with a lot of Carson Wentz
in between. The lack of a running game was a big issue as the team would be
without Jay Ajayi for most of the season. Philadelphia’s secondary once again
was very suspect and the defense was slowly pushed around in the NFC Divisional
Playoffs by the Saints.
2018 Turning Point: At 6-7, the Birds would
likely have to run the table to have a shot of getting back to the playoffs to
defend their NFL title. Foles would spearhead a 30-23 Sunday night win over the
Rams at Los Angeles to get the team back to .500. And the team closed the
season with two more victories.
2019 Priorities: One of the team’s first moves
after the season was to re-do free safety Rodney McLeod’s contract. And now
there’s talk that Foles could receive the franchise tag and be used as trade
bait, via NFL Network’s Ian
Rapoport. What does the future hold for Tate and defensive end Brandon
Graham?
7. LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS (13-5)
2ND PLACE, AFC
WEST
Reached AFC Divisional Playoffs
Season Review: Although Anthony Lynn’s team was
pushed around by the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, it
was still a very successful season for a franchise that made its first
postseason appearance since 2013. The team was able to overcome key absences
all season, from defensive end Joey Bosa to running back Melvin Gordon. The
club won 12 games and also snapped a nine-game losing streak to the rival
Chiefs during the season. Resilient quarterback Philip Rivers continued to lead
the way. But he didn’t play his best football down the stretch and was far from
sharp in the playoff loss at Foxborough.
2018 Turning Point: The Bolts were in Pittsburgh
for a Sunday night tilt with the Steelers and fell behind 23-7 by intermission.
But the Chargers came all the way back for a scintillating 33-30 triumph at
Heinz Field. A huge 29-28 Thursday night win at Arrowhead Stadium would follow
less than two weeks later.
2019 Priorities: The club would likely want to
re-sign potential free agent wide receiver Tyrell Williams. One-time first-round
cornerback Jason Verrett, who missed the entire 2018 season, could also be
allowed to test the market. The team could also look to the future in terms of
Rivers’ eventual successor.
6. CHICAGO BEARS
(12-5)
WON NFC NORTH
Reached NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Season Review: It was quite a turnaround in the
Windy City as a team that finished in the NFC North basement four consecutive
years rebounded to win 12 games and claim their first division title and
playoff berth since 2010. While it was one-and-done in the playoffs for 2018
NFL Coach of the Year Matt Nagy and his team, his first season at the helm was
a major success. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky showed big improvement in his
second NFL season, while general manager Ryan Pace did a superb job providing this
team with talent via free agency, the draft and a major trade that brought
Khalil Mack to Chicago.
2018 Turning Point: It may be forgotten by some
that after six games, Nagy’s team owned a 3-3 record and was coming off
consecutive losses to the Dolphins and Patriots. The team finished with nine
wins in their final 10 outings, the eye-opener a 15-6 prime time home victory
over the Rams in Week 14.
2019 Priorities: The Bears don’t appear to have
any real pressing needs in terms of their 13 potential unrestricted free
agents, although retaining defensive backs Adrian Amos and Bruce Callahan may
be on the list. But there’s little doubt that the Nagy’s team will be searching
for a new placekicker.
5. INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS (11-7)
2ND PLACE, AFC
SOUTH
Reached AFC Divisional Playoffs
Season Review: Thanks to nine wins in their
final 10 games, the Colts claimed their first playoff berth since 2014. Kudos
to first-time NFL head coach Frank Reich, who pushed all the right button after
six weeks of growing pains. The team got a big year from quarterback Andrew
Luck, who got better as time wore on and captured NFL Comeback Player of the
Year honors via 39 TD passes (15 interceptions). Om the other side of the ball,
linebacker Darius Leonard was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. On the
other hand, an often-maligned unit was much-improved under coordinator Matt
Eberflus.
2018 Turning Point: Off to a 1-5 start, Luck and
company was coming off an ugly 42-34 road loss to the Jets. The Colts would
start by taking out their frustrations on the visiting Bills (37-5). But it was
a 27-0 shutout of the Cowboys at Indianapolis (Week 15) that opened a lot of
eyes around the league.
2019 Priorities: Heralded general manager Chris
Ballard had quite the draft in 2018 and does has three selections in the first
two rounds this April to add to the team’s talent base. The Colts also have a
lot of cap space at their disposal. However, the NFL’s all-time scoring leader
(Adam Vinatieri) will return in ’19.
4. NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS (14-4)
WON NFC SOUTH
Reached NFC Championship Game
Season Review: Off last season’s heartbreaking
playoff loss at Minnesota, Sean Payton’s team kicked off 2018 at home with a
stunning 48-40 loss to the Buccaneers. But that was merely a bump for the
eventual NFC South champions as the Saints would not lose a game until late
November. Veteran quarterback Drew Brees was sharp (74.4 completion percentage)
and threw for 32 scores compared to only five interceptions. Payton’s club
finished third in the NFL in points scored (504) thanks to a balanced attack.
But the season would end in controversial fashion in overtime at home vs. the
Rams in the NFC title game.
2018 Turning Point: Obviously, the team saw its
10-game losing streak snapped on a Thursday night at Dallas (13-10) in Week 13.
But there has been speculation that Brees may not have been healthy late in the
year. Conspiracy theories aside, the Saints did appear to lose a lot of steam
down the stretch.
2019 Priorities: Despite being winners of two
straight division titles for the first time in franchise history, this is a
team strapped with some salary cap issues and without picks in the first, third
and fourth rounds in this April’s draft. Will the team allow veteran running
back Mark Ingram to test free agency?
3. KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS (13-5)
WON AFC WEST
Reached AFC Championship Game
Season Review: Led by second-year quarterback
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs rolled up a NFL-high 565 points in 16 outings
(third-highest total in league history) and managed exactly 31 points in each
of their postseason contests. The young signal-caller threw for 5,097 yards and
50 scores (12 interceptions) on the way to being named both the league MVP and
the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. But the defense proved to be the club’s
undoing as Bob Sutton’s unit allowed 524 yards on 94 plays in the 37-31
overtime loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game. And it ultimately cost the
defensive coordinator his job.
2018 Turning Point: Kansas City was the AFC’s
top playoff seed for the first time since 1997. Still, it didn’t result in a
Super Bowl appearance. Ultimately, the team’s failures on defense were what
cost the club. And the Chiefs did lose to the Patriots twice in ’18, including
at home in the conference title game.
2019 Priorities: It will be interesting to see
if the Chiefs re-up with outside linebacker Dee Ford, who could test the
free-agent market if the team doesn’t slap him with the franchise tag.
Regardless, the team’s new defensive coordinator is Steve Spagnuolo, who has
made his rounds in the league.
2. LOS ANGELES
RAMS (15-4)
WON NFC WEST
Lost Super Bowl LIII
Season Review: Sean McVay’s team was the last
NFL club to lose a game in 2018 and would not only finish with 13 wins and a
second straight NFC West title but the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance
since 2001. Only the Kansas City Chiefs scored more points than this club,
which was led by a variety of offensive weapons such as quarterback Jared Goff
and running back Todd Gurley. Relentless Aaron Donald (20.5) totaled exactly
half of the team’s 41 sacks was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year for the
second straight season. But the year did end in disappointment with a tough
13-3 loss in Super Bowl LIII.
2018 Turning Point: You could argue that McVay’s
gamble early in the second quarter of the NFC title game at New Orleans was
huge. The Rams converted on a fake punt (Johnny Hekker to Sam Shields),
overcoming a 13-0 deficit to win at overtime at the Superdome, 26-23.
2019 Priorities: The team has a lot of veteran
players to re-sign should they choose, such as defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh,
safety LaMarcus Joyner and guard Rodger Saffold. Veteran running back C.J.
Anderson was a late-season pickup and could return to the club in 2019.
1. NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS (14-5)
WON AFC EAST
Won Super Bowl LIII
Season Review: It was a somewhat-erratic year
for Bill Belichick’s team, which had all kinds of issues on the road during the
regular season (3-5). But the Patriots managed to make it to the Super Bowl for
the ninth time in the last 18 seasons after all. Tom Brady was in command of a
team that finished fourth in the NFL in points scored. Rookie running back Sony
Michel brought some power to the Patriots’ ground attack. Linebacker Kyle Van
Noy and All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore keyed the defense. And wide receiver
Julian Edelman won Super Bowl LIII MVP honors in the club’s 13-3 victory over
the Rams.
2018 Turning Point: Following a 17-10 loss at
Pittsburgh in Week 15, the Pats just didn’t look like their usual reliable
selves. It really took a dominating performance in the AFC Divisional Playoff
against the Chargers to jumpstart the club. And the team played smashmouth
football on the way to a title.
2019 Priorities: Obviously, there are no
questions surrounding Brady’s return in 2019 as the veteran passer has already
made his intentions known. The Patriots’ most notable potential free agents
include kicker Stephen Gostkowski, defensive end Trey Flowers and wide receiver
Chris Hogan.
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