32. New York Jets – Lets face it, the Jets stole this spot from the Browns with their… interesting offseason and… quarterback play in the preseason. The Jets’ front office trust in Christian Hackenberg wilted this preseason when he showed off his ability to be completely inept in the huddle. Now it’s obvious that the Jets are unofficially partaking in the biggest rebuilding the NFL has ever seen. This seems like a scheme to win the Sam Darnold/ Josh Rosen lottery next offseason… if they decide to leave college, which for their best interests would probably not be the brightest idea.
31. Cleveland Browns – The next two spots seem like a virtual tie, but I’ll give the nod to the Browns due to the fact that they have slightly less talent on the roster than our next pick. The decision to start DeShone Kizer could turn out to either be the leading cause of another 1-15 season, or it could finally bring the organization some hope. Also, Myles Garrett, the number one pick, has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, which could leave him off the field for an extended amount of time.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars – Unlike our first two teams, this team only has one main reason that they’re in this spot… quarterback. Blake Bortles showed us all in the season why he is most likely the worst starting QB in the league… well, behind any Jets QB. Leonard Fournette is a bright spot for the Jags, as it seems he could be the Adrian Peterson, carry the team, type of running back.
29. San Francisco 49ers – When looking at this team, there are many bright spots. On offense, Kyle Shanahan will bring the explosiveness they need, and on defense, the combination of Reuben Foster, Solomon Thomas, and DeForest Buckner has the potential to be the real deal. Carlos Hyde also will have the chance this season to prove himself as a franchise running back. There will be lots of heavy lifting at the quarterback position for Brian Hoyer. With all this said, they are still a long way from any sort of success in the playoffs, etc.
28. Indianapolis Colts – Without Andrew Luck, the Colts are a dismal team… and thats just why they are ranked here. Luck is out, Tolzien is in, and the Colts still do not have a stable front office, a reliable offensive line, or steady running back play. They did recently trade away former first round WR, Phillip Dorsett for the Patriots third string QB, Jacoby Brissett, who did has a stand out performance during week four of the preseason vs the Giants. Is he the intermediate answer for the Colts while Luck is out? We’re going to have to wait and see.
27. Buffalo Bills – Sammy Watkins, Ronald Darby, Stephon Gilmore are gone (to only name a few…), Tyrod Taylor doesn’t seem cool as he did last season, and it just doesn’t seem like the Bills have any identity this season. The defense is still strong, it definitely took big hits when their two star cornerbacks left. While there is absolutely no chance of a playoff run, it also does not seem like there is any urgency to pull a Jets and go for the Darnold/ Rosen lottery.
26. Los Angeles Rams – This feels like a very temporary spot for the Rams as their entire season seems to be hung on hope that Jared Goff can prove he was worth the number one pick. While there are many doubters, the Rams camp seems to be optimistic as they brought in the offensive coordinator who worked with Kirk Cousins in Washington, Sean McVay. Also, their new acquisition of Sammy Watkins from the Bills gives Goff a high caliber target this season. If the offense can match their defense the Rams are going to be a team to look out for this season.
25. Chicago Bears – Just like the Rams, this is a season that now not only depends if Mitchell Trubisky can play, but will he play? Mike Glennon was named the week one starter, which puts a damper in Bears fans expectations for their new quarterback. This also means that if the Bears front office decides that Trubisky may not be ready to play, he could sit for at least half the season, possibly the entire season. Another team with a lost offensive identity.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – The question still lingers… is Andy Dalton a franchise quarterback? With offensive weapons like top five wide receiver A.J. Green and very dangerous tight end Tyler Eifert, he should be able to at the very least compete for a top two spot in his own division. With a shaky defense the Bengals seem like another team stuck in the middle of monotony.
23. Carolina Panthers – This is a team filled with questions. Can Cam Newton bounce back from an average season after winning MVP two years ago? Is the secondary still feeling effects from Josh Norman’s departure to the Redskins last year? Can Greg Olsen keep up his high level of play at age 32? Will Kelvin Benjamin be able to finally break through and become a true number one receiver and legitimate threat for Cam Newton? If the answer to most, or all, of these questions is positive, then Panthers fans will definitely have a lot to look forward to this year… if not, then they may want to look away.
22. Denver Broncos – I can see a lot of Broncos fans being upset at a low ranking, and right they should, but even with an elite defense, a team cannot succeed with a lackluster offense. Their biggest issue is no doubt at the quarterback position. It turns out based on inside information of the Broncos camp that Paxton Lynch will not turn out as the solution to their Peyton Manning hangover. Trever Siemian is an average player who looks slightly better due to their defense prowess.
21. Baltimore Ravens – Defense is elite with aging stars, Joe Flacco is still not an elite quarterback, and he needs a lot of help. And while I do know how hard it is to find a great head coach in the NFL, it amazes me that John Harbaugh is not in the hot seat one bit. Their season really depends if Flacco find a way to pull out some wins, because the rest of the offense is definitely not going to do it.
20. Los Angeles Chargers – The Chargers are a very interesting team this year. I see a lot of people do believe that they will compete for a wildcard spot. Their defense is a very touchy subject… I see the dominance of guys like Bosa, Ingram, and Verrett, but I still can’t get over the huge hole, not only at safety, but as the leader (and play caller) of the defense, Eric Weddle left when he departed to Baltimore two season ago. Phillip Rivers has a new target in Mike Williams, the only question now is can that connection be enough to finally push the Chargers, along with the newly improved defense, into a contending spot in the AFC.
19. Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins got a bad break, along with the Buccaneers, this week as it turns out they will have to skip their week one matchup due to Hurricane Irma. That results in this matchup being pushed to week eleven, which means that both teams will be playing sixteen straight games… thats right, no bye week. With the injury to Tannehill, who knows how Jay Cutler, aka Smokin’ Jay, will perform. Luckily for him, he has powerhouse running back, Jay Ajayi, to carry the load. Even with a strong defense, in a puzzled AFC, where any team can show out and steal a wildcard spot, I do not see a playoff run in the Dolphins’ future.
18. New Orleans Saints – There is no question the Saints got worse after the Brandin Cooks trade, but will emerging star Michael Thomas be enough for Drew Brees to carry them once again. Their defense has been lackluster for years, which is why Brees is such a sought after fantasy option for what seems like forever. With new pickups at cornerback the defense may start to pick up pace, which would be a good sign for the aging Brees.
17. Washington Redskins – Their offense just got weaker, and the defense didn’t improve at all. The Redskins are in a tough position, they are just a middle of the pack team, in the hardest division in football. While I think its obvious that they will come in last place in the division, they do not feel like a last place team. All I see are signals that Kirk Cousins is going to San Francisco due to his personal relationship with Kyle Shanahan. It’s only a matter of time before his problems with management come to an end in Washington an he sets the franchise free to take a complete downward spiral into the bottom part of the league.
16. Philadelphia Eagles – Another team that has all of its hopes based on the performance of their young quarterback. If Carson Wentz turns outs to be a franchise quarterback, then with their stellar defense and new pickups like Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith on offense, the NFC East has the possibility to have three teams in the playoffs.
15. Minnesota Vikings – This team is on the cusp of being the real deal. Newly drafted running back Dalvin Cook is the perfect replacement for Adrian Peterson, assuming he can do what he did in college in the pros, which is easier said than done. They also have an elite defense that unlike some other top defenses, does not seem to really have any holes. If Sam Bradford can just be a game manager this season, which with that roster, is all they need him to do, the Vikings could be very scary turn postseason.
14. Detroit Lions – With the new draft pick, A’Shawn Robinson, and elite cornerback Darius Slay, the Lions have the cornerstones for an above average defense. Unfortunately, with a heavily competitive NFC I do not see the Lions making the playoffs. They are going to need a lot more on offense. While a stat padding Stafford is great for all those fantasy owners out there, it is not great for winning games.
13. Arizona Cardinals – David Johnson is the best running back in the league, he may very well be the best non-quarterback in the league… best player in the league? Ok, maybe I’ve gone to far. Anyways, what I’m saying is while DJ is a once in a generation player, he cannot carry an offense. Both sides of the ball on this team seem to have the same problems. They both have top tier players, but cannot fill in the holes and piece it all together. On offense, we’re not sure what to think about Palmer and Fitzgerald, as they are both aging and showing deterioration. On defense Peterson and Mathieu are both A level players, but the question is, can the rest of the defense get on a similar level?
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – James Winston is an elite quarterback, and with that you can never be too far off success. With the additions of DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard Winston now has even more high caliber targets to throw to besides Mike Evans. T.J. Ward was also just signed from the Broncos. He will add some needed stability to that defense. Look out for this team come playoffs.
11. Houston Texans – The Texans have everything going for them, talent at receiver, running back, offensive line, defensive line, secondary, and linebackers. There just seems like there is one thing missing… quarterback! If they can find a franchise quarterback, expect the Texans to immediately become a serious contender, and that is what their first round draft pick DeShaun Watson is supposed to fill. They are a win now team, which is why they put all their marbles into one basket when they signed Brock Osweiler. Unfortunately that didn’t turn out as planned, but they have been given another chance with Watson, now we all sit back and wait to see what happens.
10. Tennessee Titans – This is a team that recently came out of nowhere, all thanks to a young quarterback by the name of Marcus Mariota. With a top five offensive line, a solid receiving core, and two, yes two, elite running backs, Mariota will have a break out year. Only one question remains… Will their defense be enough to win the division or at least grab a wildcard spot. For that, we will have to wait and see.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – This is one team where I can look at almost every position and see talented, high level players. Their offense is all about speed, with Tyreek Hill leading the pack, and the defense, lead by Justin Houston, is one of the most menacing in the league. There is still one main question… will Alex Smith be able to break out of his game manager form and finally show us who he really is?
8. Dallas Cowboys – Dak and Zeke. They put on repeat performances and the Cowboys are officially serious contenders. The defense, while still shaky, did get better this offseason. We are still not sure what the final result of the suspension will be for Elliot, but we do know he will play week one, but most likely, he will miss weeks two through seven if the NFL decides to uphold the suspension.
7. New York Giants – This team is stacked, especially the defense. They have the chance to take the spot this year for top defense in the league. They signed Brandon Marshall this offseason, who gives them a taller deep threat, along with OBJ, who will not be 100% due to a preseason injury. The only questions that remain is will Eli lead the league in interceptions, will the offense line hold (not literally), will their indecisiveness at running back be solved?
6. Oakland Raiders – We all know about how great Derek Carr is. The receivers are playing at top notch levels. They have arguably the best offensive line in football. Marshawn Lynch’s comeback to the NFL is going to really, really fun to watch. There’s just one thing… defense. Khalil Mack is their best play by far, but after him there is a huge drop-off. If they gain some stability on defense they will definitely move up a few spots.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers – Le’veon Bell is going to be very fun to watch this season, with his one of a kind running style that is taking fans and analysts aback, he is sure to carry the load this season. Antonio Brown is the best receiver in the league and nobody can tell me otherwise. Now with a top 5 offensive line, will Big Ben avoid injury and bring the Steelers to another division win and a deep playoff run? My answer: As long as he avoids injury, yes.
4. Atlanta Falcons – This is a team looking to prove themselves after a horrible break down in the Super Bowl. With an offense as high powered as this one, and a defense that is as athletic and young as they come, look for Atlanta to take down a number one or two seed in the NFC.
3. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers is the most talented quarterback in the NFL, and that gets you very far in terms of success. He manages to get 8-9 seconds in the pocket, and he lets either his feet or Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davonte Adams do the rest. Their defense, lead by the insanely underrated Mike Daniels and Nick Perry, is very good and is definitely good enough for a top playoff spot.
2. Seattle Seahawks – This team is in the conversation to go to the Super Bowl every year, and this year is no different. Their defense has some of the most talented players we’ve ever seen at their position, and at quarterback, Russell Wilson, who is an early MVP candidate, is enjoying Jimmy Graham, even though it has been a struggle to integrate him into their offense. Doug Baldwin has proven himself as a top receiver, even while standing at 5’11” and only weighing 189 lbs.
1. New England Patriots – The defending champs just keep getting better, and it seems almost unreal. The 40 year old Tom Brady just seems to get better every year. With the addition of Brandin Cooks, the Patriots now have their best deep threat since Randy Moss. They also have an abundance of above average running backs. Unfortunately, they will have to manage without Julian Edelman, who is, on offense, their most important player, the than Tom Brady. Hopes are high for the defending champs to repeat what they did in the ’03 and ’04 seasons, now it is time to leave it all out on the field.
(Week one, Thursday Night Football (Patriots vs. Chiefs, 9/7) game did not effect the rankings because these are “pre season” rankings. That game’s result will take in effect in next weeks “week two” edition of rankings.)
(Also, apologies for the lack of media, such as pictures, this was rushed to be released before the season began (with exception of TNF). We will try our best to make sure that this will not happen again.)