Moorhead’s NFL Power Rankings

Oh how sweet it is to be back! Welcome back everyone to the NFL Power Rankings for the 2020 season. Let’s dive on in to see how these are gonna go this year!

#32

Jacksonville Jaguars

Poor Gardner. All he wants to do is play football, drink beer, and look good doing it. Sadly, his team doesn’t look good around him with virtually every player under the sun shipped off somewhere else. Look for Gardner to throw often without some run help, and if you’ve got D.J. Chark, congratulations, and good luck losing to the Colts this week!

#31

Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team (man that is hard to say) is really confusing me with their running back room. You let go of Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice and then draft a stud in Antonio Gibson only to have J.D. McKissic be the starter. They have a solid matchup on paper with the Eagles this week, but Dwayne Haskins has to connect with Terry McLaurin, and the defense has to shut down Carson Wentz.

#30

Carolina Panthers

Carolina made a lot of changes to their unit this offseason. They got rid of Cam Newton, and signed Teddy Bridgewater. They got a new head coach in Matt Rhule. They also got more depth at wide receiver by signing Robby Anderson. The question is will it be enough? The other question is how good is McCaffrey going to be again this year? We’ll find out this week when the Panthers take on the Raiders.

#29

Detroit Lions

The Lions are a weird one yet again, but they’ve done some interesting things this offseason. They lost Darius Slay which was huge, but were able to pick up Trufant via free agency and Okudah with the draft. Speaking of the draft they picked up a great running back addition in D’Andre Swift and also signed the ageless veteran Adrian Peterson. To me this team has a shot of doing well this year as long as Stafford can stay healthy. They take on the Bears this week.

#28

New York Giants

The Giants find themselves in yet another possible mediocre season. Maybe I just have no faith in ownership and coaching (hell they even got Jason Garrett and that is supposed to be good?), but who knows. They start off with Jones this year and hope to fill all the mouths need filled with Barkley, Slayton, Shepard, and Tate. Their first challenge is a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers…yikes.

#27

New York Jets

Speaking of mediocre teams from New York; Enter the Jets. I don’t know man, I don’t trust Adam Gase at all. He constantly has proven he can’t handle pressure and has issues with using his running backs. Also now that Robby Anderson is gone, is Jamison Crowder still going to live up to his hype last year? Will Sam Darnold see ghosts again? Who knows man? We’ll find out when they take on the Buffalo Bills.

#26

Cincinnati Bengals

One of the worst teams last year could possibly be a little less worse going into this year. Joe Burrow is now the man with the head stripes, and A.J. Green appears healthy and ready to work alongside the youngster. Given time Cincy could prove themselves to be a good team and by good team, I mean one that can win more than two games. They’ll try to prove that against the Chargers this week.

#25

Chicago Bears

Chicago is a weird place man. They’ll take on Nick Foles’s massive contract, but not make him the starter. A land where hundreds of tight ends can go to play, but many might not even see the field. Man I just don’t trust the offense at all this year. Something makes me think the defense will step it up again though. We’ll have to see when they take on the Lions.

#24

Miami Dolphins

Miami gets a nice restart button with some fine new additions to their team in the form of Byron Jones, Kyle Van Noy, Matt Breida, Jordan Howard, and of course Tua. While he won’t be the starter this week against the Patriots, he will soon become a threat to everyone else. Will this be enough to stop the watered down New England Patriots? We shall soon see.

#23

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders fall a little down the rabbit hole as they lose two players for the season already in starting wideout Tyrell Williams and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The offense pretty much stays the same though with Henry Ruggs III being thrown into a number two wideout role with tight end Darren Waller being the primary target yet again. The defense will have to be ready for the Panthers and McCaffrey this week.

#22

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers drop off a little bit when I found out that Derwin James got injured yet again. His efforts would have made the Chargers defense a powerful wall to try to get through. Now they are just a decently good defense. The offense will be the interesting factor as they will be led by Tyrod Taylor. How long he will stay the starter before Herbert takes over will remain to be seen. They’ll take on the Bengals this week.

#21

Denver Broncos

The Broncos were higher on my original list before what happened to Von Miller. A season ending injury for a defensive stud like that makes this defense less valuable even with Bradley Chubb and A.J. Bouye. The Denver offense is about to make some headway though with the additions of Melvin Gordon, Jerry Jeudy, and K.J. Hamler. All will be revealed when Drew Lock and the Broncos take on the Tennessee Titans.

#20

Philadelphia Eagles

Philly is in trouble early as their wide receiver core has been downplayed immensely. Alshon Jeffery has been taken off the PUP list, but will likely miss the first week, newly drafted rookie Jalen Reagor has been sidelined after suffering an injury in practice, and DeSean Jackson is a little older than I would like. This means JJ Arcega-Whiteside is likely to be the best receiver. Even against the Washington Football Team, I do not like those odds.

#19

Cleveland Browns

Gross poop stuff aside, the Browns have a great opportunity at trying to prove why they are the best in the AFC North. The additions of Austin Hooper, Jack Conklin, and Jedrick Wills should help Baker Mayfield out especially this week when they go up against the hugely popular Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson.

#18

Atlanta Falcons

I love Atlanta this year, and maybe that is because of some good acquiring of talent including Todd Gurley and Dante Fowler. The offense will still be solid with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley as their two-headed wide receiver weapon. I am just not sure if I am completely sold on the defense after what they did last year. Time will tell as they come face to face with the Seahawks for week one.

#17

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have a hard task this week as they start the year against the Dallas Cowboys. In order to accomplish a goal here, they have to establish a number one running back which most likely won’t happen this week although Cam Akers should be the best one available. With a great receiving core still available with Kupp and Woods, Jared Goff should be good to throw some zingers that turn into six points for the Rams. Let’s also not forget Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on the defense.

#16

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona finds themselves with a great opportunity to thrive in 2020. Kyler Murray will have a great year mark my words. Also, with the additions of DeAndre Hopkins and Isaiah Simmons to the roster, it is only a matter of time that the Cardinals get recognized as having a great offense and a great defense. The first opponent they’ll have to prove that against are the Super Bowl runner-ups; the San Francisco 49ers.

#15

New England Patriots

New England is shaping up to look a lot different than what it used to be. A more mobile quarterback in Cam Newton will be interesting to see. Not only that, but a good majority of the Pats defense and offensive weapons have opted out of the season due to COVID. This will be one interesting Patriots team indeed. Let’s see what they do against the Miami Dolphins week one.

#14

Houston Texans

The Texans are going to have to convince me a lot to move them up from any further than what they are now. Hopkins is now with the Cardinals, and Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and David Johnson make their way into the organization. After getting paid, Watson should show us good results, but for now I am holding my breath especially since they go up against the Super Bowl Champions in the Kansas City Chiefs.

#13

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are coming off an interesting off season of acquirements and problems solved. For instance, they signed veteran Philip Rivers to a one year deal and even drafted studs like Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr to hopefully make their way into the starting lineup. Can Hilton and Rivers get it going and how good will the defense be? Their first test comes to them in the form of a very vulnerable Jacksonville team.

#12

Green Bay Packers

Seems odd that Green Bay is this low after just missing last year’s Super Bowl, but I just don’t see this being a positive year for Green Bay because they don’t have a number two option in the receiving game outside of Davante Adams. Plus, you have the internal struggle this year between Rodgers and LaFleur. I don’t envy that. The running group might be good this year between Jones and Dillon, but other than Davante Adams, I really don’t trust Green Bay this year.

#11

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota lands further up on the list after they were able to secure Yannick Ngakoue from Jacksonville. A huge matter like that cannot be overlooked. Even with the departure of Stefon Diggs, they now have a number two wideout in Justin Jefferson. With that applied with Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook healthy once again makes this team good to go again with Kirk Cousins handling it.

#10

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have the chance to finally take back the division from the Baltimore Ravens. With the return of Big Ben and how impressive this defense is, it is only a matter of time until the Steelers finish with an 11-5 record and make the playoffs. The addition of Chase Claypool on the offense should do well in situations along with other receivers JuJu, Johnson, and Washington. This defense will be top tier, and hopefully lead them to major success. Stopping Barkley from the Giants will be their top goal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You have to figure with how many names that were added to this team, why they would only be ten in the top ten. Look names on paper are great, but seeing them in action this week against the Saints is going to tell us everything. Brady, Fournette, Gronk, etc. All these individuals and more will be decided for what they will be worth when they take on the Saints. Don’t forget about Godwin and Evans in this offense either. It will be interesting to see.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle comes in at eight, and honestly it is right where they belong. They would have been lower, but they acquired Jamal Adams and that means so much to this crippled defense. Wilson shouldn’t have any issues at the quarterback position especially with the running room of Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde, and the wide receiver core of Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and the returning Josh Gordon. They’ll need it all when they take on Atlanta’s star studded offense this week.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has everything in their power to have a terrific season this year and make the playoffs. Who knows if that will actually happen though. Dallas is a strange one. Every year they have the talent to make it, but they can never get it done. With the addition of CeeDee Lamb to the offense, Dallas should be a three headed receiving beast with Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb. The defense has to stay healthy, and Prescott and Elliot have to ball out. If those things transpire, then the Cowboys should rise up this list quite a bit especially when they face the Rams week one.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo proved last year they were contenders once again making the Wild Card against the Texans. Now with Tom Brady out of New England, the Bills have a shot at claiming the division for the first time in years. With the addition of Stefon Diggs, Josh Allen should finally get the receiving options he needs to put the team on his back yet again. Look out for Zack Moss too. If Devin Singletary slips up, look for Moss to get a better role in the offense. They’ll take on the Jets week one.

Tennessee Titans

Well…Clowney finally got signed to a team; The Tennessee Titans. Honestly this is a huge fit for a guy that is looking to prove himself. He should do quite well in this system. Another notable signing was Stephen Gostkowski the former Patriots kicker. Other than that, they retained Derrick Henry, and signed Ryan Tannehill to a boat load of money so they should be ready to go for the 2020 season when they take on the Broncos week one.

New Orleans Saints

On paper, the Saints look to be an unstoppable force this year. Alvin Kamara and the team are close to a contract extension, they signed Emmanuel Sanders as a great number two for Drew Brees to throw too, and the defense looks better than ever. Look for Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Drew Brees to thrive this year on their way to the Super Bowl. They’ll have a daunting task week one when they take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens land in the top three and they have a good shot at making the Super Bowl this year if they can handle the pressure of expectations of what happened last year. Can they handle the heat? The loss of Earl Thomas is no doubt a hard one, but I have a feeling their defense will rebound. The offense is what matters and how Lamar handles business. We’ll see how it works when they take on the Browns week one.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers take the runner up spot simply because they were the Super Bowl runner ups from last year. They improved their defense with the addition of Javon Kinlaw who I love dearly along with his story. Then they went out and got a number one receiver in Brandon Aiyuk. Whether or not he’ll be ready for week one because of injury is another question, but it is a start. They’ll take on the Arizona Cardinals week one. Will Garoppolo do nothing? Will the run game be the “whole” game? Find out this week.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Super Bowl Champions in the Kansas City Chiefs end up at number one, and honestly it’s hard to argue why not? I firmly believe that rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire and what he will bring to the table. And come on, if you don’t think Mahomes is going to ball out after making millions (and millions) of dollars, then you are dense in the head. They are gonna be hard to stop this year, but they’ll have the first game of the 2020 season on Thursday against the Texans.