NFL 2020 PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS PART 2

BY ADAM GREENE

We’re rolling along with our Preseason Power Rankings, putting all 32 teams into exactly the places I’ve arbitrarily decided they should go before they play the actual games and screw everything up.

Onward.

5. Baltimore Ravens (last season: 14-2)

The Ravens put up the best record in football last season and Lamar Jackson passed and ran his way to an undisputed NFL MVP award. The trip was cut short in the playoffs, but Jackson did enough to land on the cover of Madden 21 even though he was somehow upset at getting a 94 rating. Considering he’s gone one-and done in consecutive playoff appearances, maybe he should be focused on other things.

6. New Orleans Saints (last season: 13-3)

Like the Ravens, the Saints playoff run left a lot to be desired. Specifically an actual victory, as this was supposed to be the revenge tour after they spent the offseason whining about a non-call for pass interference against the Los Angeles Rams in the 2018-19 NFC Championship game. Now they’ve got a whole new set of distractions thanks to Drew Brees inserting himself into the Black Lives Matter movement in the worst possible way, then begging forgiveness. This team’s fortunes might all depend on if his teammates buy it.

7. Tennessee Titans (last season: 9-7)

Tennessee’s epic postseason run fell just short, hitting the brick wall of Patrick Mahomes’ playoff prowess. It was nothing to be ashamed of, but this team will catch no one off guard this season. If Ryan Tannehill stays healthy, which was the main thing that derailed his career with the Miami Dolphins, they’ll be in the mix again.

8. New England Patriots (last season: 12-4)

Tom Brady might be gone, but the Patriots aren’t thanks to the addition of Cam Newton. They were punished for videotaping an opponent again, as happens every decade or so, but since the Pats breaking the rules and getting slapped on the wrist happens so often, you can hardly call it a distraction. If anything, getting spanked by the NFL makes them more formidable. It’s their own football version of BDSM.

9. Green Bay Packers (last season: 13-3)

If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t want his Super Bowl window to close, he better jump through it this year. He has three more seasons on his contract, but the Pack has an out in 2023 if they want to take it. They already drafted his replacement in Jordan Love out of Utah. The pieces are still there for Rodgers and Green Bay, but time is running out.

10. Buffalo Bills (last season: 10-6)

Since taking the head coaching job with the Bills, Sean McDermott has drug a team full of roster holes and deficient QB play to the playoffs twice. There’s no reason to think they won’t do it again, especially with their defense and an expanded playoff field. How far they can go is another matter, as Josh Allen has to make a significant improvement to get anywhere past the Wild Card Round.

We’re near the midway point and hit it in Part 3.

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