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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) shakes hands with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Take a look at the offensive rankings from worst to first heading into the 2017 NFL season.
Last February, NFL fans were fortunate enough to watch two of the league's top offenses in the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots square off against one another in Super Bowl LI. In fact, this game turned out to be one of the most exciting Super Bowls to watch in history after watching the Falcons blow a 25-point lead before eventually going on to lose to the Patriots in overtime.
At the moment, all signs point to Atlanta and New England having two of the top offenses in the league once again in 2017, but remaining near the top will be no easy task. From the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Green Bay Packers, there are plenty of other high-powered offenses that could give teams like Atlanta and New England a run for their money when it comes to being the best in the NFL.
Of course, everything will change once the regular season officially gets underway since that's when it will matter the most, but that doesn't mean football fans can't have some fun until Week 1 arrives. In order to help pass the time over the next months, here's a look at the rankings on offense for every NFL team heading into the 2017 season.
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
32. New York Jets
One year after falling just shy of earning a spot in the playoffs, the New York Jets were expected to make the jump last season to become contenders in the AFC, which obviously never happened since the team only managed to win five games. Clearly, Ryan Fitzpatrick was far from the answer at quarterback after the veteran threw just 12 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions in the 14 games he appeared in, and once again, the Jets head into 2017 with questions at quarterback.
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Bryce Petty certainly showed potential at times in the four games he started under center last year, but New York wasn't sold enough to hand him the starting job, as they brought in veteran quarterback Josh McCown to provide some competition. At the moment, McCown seems to be the favorite to emerge as the starter, but depending on how the next few months go, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Jets at least consider Petty.
Either way, no matter who the team decides to play under center, early signs indicate the Jets' offense could be in for a long season when looking at what both quarterbacks would have to work with. Between Matt Forte not getting any younger along with trying to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall at wide receiver, it may be painful to watch New York's offense during the 2017 season.
Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
31. Los Angeles Rams
After their offense finished at the bottom of the league in 2016 by only averaging 14 points per game, the Los Angeles Rams have done everything in their power to help make life easier for Jared Goff heading into his sophomore season. With that being said, just because the Rams improved the offensive line with the signing of Andrew Whitworth along with taking advantage of the receivers in this year's draft by bringing players like Gerald Everett and Cooper Kupp, but they still have plenty to prove.
Los Angeles took a big risk this offseason by making Sean McVay the youngest head coach in NFL history, and the organization hopes to see him bring the best out of Goff like he did over the last two seasons with Kirk Cousins. Not to mention Goff should also benefit from new Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, who spent the last two seasons as the quarterbacks coach for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.
In other words, it's going to be tough to defend Goff if his struggles continue next season when looking at what Los Angeles has done this offseason to improve the offense. Until Goff and the Rams show improvement from all of the changes made over the last few months, they will have to work their way up from the bottom of this list.
David Njoku 2017 NFL Mock Draft
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end David Njoku (86) reacts after a touchdown in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
30. Cleveland Browns
Believe it or not, the Cleveland Browns seem to finally be moving in the right direction after only winning one game all of 2016, as the team avoided the scare of becoming the second team in NFL history to go an entire year winless. But of course, it's going to be the quarterback position once again that determines what the Browns can accomplish during the 2017 season.
Despite using a second-round pick on DeShone Kizer, it's safe to say the former Notre Dame standout still has a long journey ahead when it comes to proving himself worthy of a starting spot in the NFL. Obviously, Cleveland would love to see Kizer develop sooner rather than later, but it seems like Cody Kessler, who still has plenty to prove himself, is going to be considered the favorite to earn the starting job head into September.
At least whoever ends up being the starter, the addition of David Njoku will hopefully make life easier on offense when it comes to having a reliable red-zone threat. The duo of Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt obviously puts the Browns in much better shape than a year ago, but the presence of Njoku as a rookie in the passing game will hopefully help the offense emerge from the bottom of these rankings early on in the 2017 season.
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
29. Chicago Bears
In what may have been the most surprising move of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears came out of nowhere to trade up with the San Francisco 49ers to select former UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. While many believed Trubisky would be gone by the time the first found came to an end, the reason why this move was such a surprise was due to the hefty contract the Bears signed Mike Glennon to during the offseason.
After making the right decision to part ways with Jay Cutler, Chicago signed Glennon to a three-year deal in free agency, and despite the controversial move, this situation gets even more interesting with the selection of Trubisky in the draft. The Bears seem to be set on making the Glennon no matter what heading into the 2017 season, but a team doesn't use a high draft pick in the first round on a quarterback just to have him sit on the bench for a few years, which could make the next year or two interesting in Chicago.
On a positive note, the quarterback position may have plenty of questions, but at least the Bears seemed to have one of the best surprises from the 2016 NFL Draft in Jordan Howard after the former fifth-round pick finished second in rushing yards last year (1,313). The former Indiana star was one of the few bright sides for Chicago's offense as a rookie, and hopefully Howard picks up right where he left off heading into his sophomore season to give this unit some excitement, especially after the team lost Alshon Jeffrey (Philadelphia Eagles).
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
28. San Francisco 49ers
Bringing Chip Kelly on board as the head coach last year was a terrible idea for the San Francisco 49ers after the team finished with a 2-12 recording in 2016, with both wins coming against the Los Angeles Rams. Luckily, the 49ers were wise enough to part ways with their former head coach after just one season, and with Kyle Shanahan on board, all signs point to an improved offense in 2017 with Brian Hoyer under center.
Don't let the fact that Hoyer has been on four teams over the last five seasons seem like a reason for concern, as the veteran quarterback seems like a reliable short-term answer for San Francisco to help get Shanahan's offense rolling in the right direction. After years of wondering whether he would finally land a gig, Shanahan becoming an NFL head coach seems long overdue. And even though he won't be fortunate enough to work with players like he had with the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers seem to be in much better shape on offense when compared to last year's squad.
Along with the addition of Hoyer after parting ways with Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco used free agency to provide their new veteran quarterback with better weapons in Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. Consider all of this with Carlos Hyde in the backfield, the 49ers' offense should hopefully help this team top their two-win mark from a year ago next season.
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
27. Baltimore Ravens
For years, the Baltimore Ravens have established a reputation for having one of the top defenses in the league, but unfortunately the offense hasn't always been the best. In fact, the argument can be made that with a better offense in 2016, the Ravens most likely would have earned a spot in the playoffs after missing out on the AFC North title thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, it's tough to imagine Baltimore's offense being much of a threat this upcoming season when looking at the lack of support Joe Flacco will be forced to work with. Flacco may be coming off one of his better seasons from a statistical standpoint after setting a career high with 4,317 passing yards (career high), but it should also be noted he only threw 20 touchdown passes.
In Flacco's defense, it would have been better on his end if the Ravens used this year's draft to bring better options on board for him to work with on offense. With all due respect to guys like Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman, it's going to be tough to fill the void left by Steve Smith in the passing game after the wideout decided to hang up the cleats and call it a career.
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
26. Buffalo Bills
Thanks to LeSean McCoy, the Buffalo Bills were one of the most successful teams on the ground during the 2016 season after averaging 164.4 rushing yards per game. If only the Bills were in better shape with their passing game, this team could have been a much better contender in the AFC.
One of the main reasons why Buffalo struggled so much last season was due to the fact that Sammy Watkins only appeared in eight games after dealing with a foot injury. For a player with numerous injuries throughout his career, it was understandable to see the Bills make the decision to decline his fifth-year option, but maybe this is just the motivation Watkins needs to finally begin living up to expectations at the NFL level.
If the struggles continue for Watkins, Buffalo is going to have no problem with parting ways with the wideout next offseason. At least for the Bills, the team was willing to use this year's draft to bring on another wideout with enormous potential in Zay Jones. After trading up with the Los Angeles Rams in the second round to land the former East Carolina star, there's a good chance Jones could turn into one of the biggest steals of the second round.
Nov 6, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after the Jacksonville Jaguars did not receive a pass interference call during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
25. Kansas City Chiefs
It's amazing to think how the Kansas City Chiefs ranked near the bottom of the league in overall offense and defense, yet still found a way to take home the AFC West title. The Chiefs realize defending the division crown certainly isn't going to be easy when looking at the high level of competition between teams like the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos, but they seem up for the challenge.
At least for an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league, Kansas City will always be considered for being a dangerous threat thanks to having one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends in Travis Kelce. Watching the Chiefs tight end haul in 224 passes over the last three seasons shows how quickly Kelce has become a star in the league, and the best part is he seems to have the best years still ahead of him.
Alex Smith has always proven to be one of the best game mangers in football, and expect the veteran to heavily rely on Kelce in the passing game once again to give Kansas City a fighting chance in the AFC. Watching the Chiefs lose in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last January despite keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers from scoring a single touchdown shows how frustrating the offense was last year, and they still have plenty to prove.
Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) carries the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. The Bills won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
When looking at the offense of the Jacksonville Jaguars on paper, one would think they would be much higher on this list. But when looking at all of the struggles surrounding Blake Bortles at quarterback last year, the former first-round pick seems to be the one thing holding this team back from making the jump to contenders.
Expectations hit a whole new level for Bortles prior to last season after throwing 35 touchdowns the year before, but the Jaguars quarterback took a step in the wrong direction in 2016 after the team finished with a 3-13 record. With Gus Bradley officially out of the picture, and Doug Marrone taking over the head coaching duties, Bortles will receive one final chance to prove himself worthy of the starting job for Jacksonville in 2017 with some extra help in the backfield.
Bortles is already fortunate enough to have a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, but using the fourth overall pick in this year's draft on Leonard Fournette should give the Jaguars the pound-for-pound running back they've desperately been searching for. Based off his production at LSU, Fournette finds himself in the perfect situation to have an immediate impact with Jacksonville's offense while hopefully helping Bortles finally reach that true potential.
Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
23. Detroit Lions
Not many people gave the Detroit Lions a fighting chance last year to be contenders in the NFC following the surprise retirement of Calvin Johnson, but Matthew Stafford somehow managed to help this team earn one of the Wild Card spots in the postseason. In fact, the Lions even found themselves in position to win the NFC North in the final weeks before allowing the Green Bay Packers to claim the title over the final weeks of the regular season.
Then again, the argument can be made that Detroit could have easily missed out on the postseason all together when considering eight of their nine wins happened to come by single digits. The Lions obviously deserve credit for pulling off some of those miraculous wins during the 2016 season, but it's going to be difficult to pull off that same magic again this upcoming season.
Having receivers like Golden Tate and Marvin Jones will certainly take some pressure off Stafford running the offense, but Detroit needs more from their ground game if they truly want to get the best out of their beloved quarterback. Only averaging 81.9 rushing yards per game like last year simply isn't going to cut it for the Lions this time around if they have any intention of making the playoffs for a second-straight season.
Nov 13, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) reacts after a catch against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
22. Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, the team found themselves in a tough position prior to the start of the 2016 NFL season when Teddy Bridgewater went down, and there was a gap left at the quarterback position. When looking at the level of talent on both sides of the football, the Vikings strongly believed they were capable of being one of the top contenders in the NFC, which is why the bold move was made to surrender a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Sam Bradford.
Minnesota had plenty of reasons to feel having a quarterback like Bradford would give them their best chance at winning the Super Bowl, but thanks to numerous injuries to key players, the Vikings didn't even make the playoffs after finishing with an 8-8 record. What made this situation even more frustrating is Minnesota seemed to be a lock to at least earn a Wild Card spot after a 5-0 start before going on to lose eight of their final 11 games.
Once again, Bradford will be back under center for the Vikings in 2017, but it will take a little bit of time to get used to not having Adrian Peterson, who was released by the team in the offseason, lining up in the backfield. Then again, Minnesota has to be thrilled over the new duo of Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook at running back, which should be a huge help when it comes to taking pressure off Bradford running the offense.
Dec 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) looks for an open receiver during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
21. Houston Texans
Similar to the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans were another team that seemed to be a reliable quarterback away from being capable of making a Super Bowl run. Of course, the main difference is the Texans still found a way to earn a spot in the playoffs after winning the AFC South, but the quarterback position was still a major issue.
Signing Brock Osweiler to such a hefty contract last offseason was a terrible mistake by the Texans, and watching him throw more interceptions than touchdowns during the regular season made the situation even more frustrating to deal with. Any other quarterback under center for Houston during the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots would have been able to help the team advance to the AFC Championship, but not Osweiler.
Thank goodness the Cleveland Browns were willing to acquire Osweiler just to land a second-round pick in this year's draft so the Texans can find themselves in a familiar position of trying to figure out their situation at quarterback. Tom Savage may be the early favorite to start under center in Week 1, but the former Pittsburgh star quarterback still has plenty to prove when it comes to being the long-term answer, especially after the team used a first rounder on Deshaun Watson.
Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
20. Philadelphia Eagles
If all goes according to plan, Carson Wentz is going to be extremely happy with the improvements made by the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason after seeing the lack of weapons he had to work with as a rookie. Not only were the Eagles able to lure arguably the top free agent wide receiver in Alshon Jeffrey, but the team was able to give Wentz a speedy deep threat to work with in Torrey Smith as well.
Take all of this into consideration with the recent surprise signing of LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia has done an amazing job when it comes to building a solid offense around their beloved quarterback. The Eagles felt confident enough to originally surrender a first-round pick just to land Wentz in the 2016 NFL Draft, and it was good to see the team realize they couldn't afford to waste more time improving the offense if they truly wanted to get the best out of him under center.
With that being said, the main reason why Philadelphia is so low on this list at the moment is due to the offense still needing to live up to the hype. An offense can only look so good on paper, but if this unit fails to deliver in Wentz's sophomore year, it's going to make it tough for the Eagles to compete in the NFC East.
Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) looks on from the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
19. Miami Dolphins
The 2016 season was filled with plenty of surprise contenders, and to see the Miami Dolphins earn a Wild Card spot in the AFC playoffs following a 1-4 start almost seemed impossible to accomplish at the beginning of October, but they did. If only it wasn't for a devastating knee injury to Ryan Tannehill towards the end of the regular season, the Dolphins would have put up a better fight against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opening round of the playoffs.
Still, at least the success from last year will give this unit plenty of confidence to make another run at the playoffs in 2016, with hopefully better results. How far this Miami team can go will heavily fall on the shoulders of Tannehill, but based off the quarterback's recovery from the last few months, he should return to his normal self once Week 1 rolls around.
Even if Tannehill struggles a bit at the beginning of the year while trying to get used to playing in games again, at least having receivers like Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills will help make the process easier. When considering all of the attention he was drawing from numerous teams in free agency, the Dolphins were thrilled to see Stills end up sticking with the team, as the wideout will play a big factor in helping this offense reach its true potential next season.
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
18. Denver Broncos
Now that he's officially got a year of experience under his belt, it's going to be tough to defend Trevor Siemian at quarterback if there are any signs of struggling in his second year as the starter for the Denver Broncos. Most quarterbacks would do anything to be in the situation Siemian finds himself in by having two of the league's most dangerous receivers to work with in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
All things considered, Siemian's first official season as the starter wasn't all that bad when considering he finished the year with 3,401 passing yards with 18 touchdowns in 14 games, but there's always room for improvement. Obviously, running the offense would have been a lot easier for Siemian with better support in the ground game, but the team hopes the signing of Jamaal Charles will help take some of the load off C.J. Anderson.
Just like a few other teams on this list, the Broncos seem capable of having one of the best offenses on paper, but until they prove themselves capable of living up to expectations, the unit is going to have to work their way up. Based off how things played out in 2016, there's a good chance the AFC West will be one of the most competitive divisions in football once again, and whether Denver has a fighting chance is going to come down to the performance on offense.
Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
17. Cincinnati Bengals
After an impressive streak of making the playoffs five years in a row, the Cincinnati Bengals turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments in 2016 after only winning six games, which was beyond frustrating when looking at the weapons they had to work with. Of course, the offense may not have struggled at much if it wasn't for the injuries surrounding A.J. Green (played in 10 games) and Tyler Eifert (played in eight games), but hopefully that won't be an issue this upcoming season.
When healthy, Green and Eifert have proven to be two of the best receivers in the league, as they give the Bengals one of the most dangerous offenses to work with led by Andy Dalton. Not to mention Cincinnati has been in good shape over the last few years thanks to a duo at running back in Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard.
And if having these key players wasn't good enough for the Bengals, the team spent their first two picks in the draft on two more playmakers in John Ross and Joe Mixon. Don't look now, but early indications point to Cincinnati's offense bouncing back next year, assuming Marvin Lewis can keep this sometimes controversial squad under control.
Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
16. Washington Redskins
To say the upcoming season for the Washington Redskins could be an interesting one would be a huge understatement when looking at all of the drama they've been dealing with over the last few months. From Kirk Cousins fighting for a long-term deal to watching DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon leave in free agency, the Redskins will look like a completely different team this year.
At least to help fill the void, Washington did manage to sign Terrelle Pryor to help fill the void left at wide receiver, but it's not going to be the same for Cousins when looking at what Jackson and Garcon brought to the table on a weekly basis. Pryor may have turned out to be quite the surprise for the Cleveland Browns on offense during the 2016 season, but keep in mind he basically was the only weapon they had to work with.
Obviously if Pryor's size and strength gives him an advantage compared to most receivers when seeing how difficult it can be for opponents to defend, and it will be interesting to see what type of production he brings now that he has a reliable quarterback to work with. Who knows, maybe another impressive year by Pryor will help convince Cousins to stick around if the Redskins can convince both players to stick around beyond the 2017 season if all goes well this year.
May 5, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs the ball during practice at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
15. Carolina Panthers
One year after falling just short of winning the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers took a major step back last season by finishing at the bottom of the NFC South with a 6-10 record. There's only so much Cam Newton can do on his own without the proper help and protection, but hopefully this year's draft will put the Panthers quarterback in a better position than he was last year.
For months, there was plenty of speculation surrounding Carolina hoping to land Christian McCaffrey in this year's draft, and luckily the former Stanford standout was still available when Ron Rivera's squad was on the clock at No. 8. Whether the Panthers need him lined up in the backfield or simply want to use him in the slot, the great thing about McCaffrey is the running back will do whatever he's asked to do to help make his new team serious contenders in the NFC once again.
With McCaffrey in the picture, hopefully Newton won't be feeling as much pressure to do everything on his own with the offense. Carolina was already lucky to have two big playmakers in Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen, but all eyes will be on all the ways Rivera uses his new beloved rookie weapon in McCaffrey during his first year in the big leagues.
Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs with the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Don't be fooled by the struggles surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers over the last two seasons since the argument can be made they would have been stronger contenders if it wasn't for so many injuries on both sides of the football. The good news for the Chargers is assuming everyone can stay healthy, there's no reason why Philip Rivers and company can't compete for the AFC West title in 2017, although it's certainly not going to be easy.
After a disappointing rookie season in which he failed to record a single touchdown, it was a huge relief for Los Angeles to see Melvin Gordon bounce back with a strong sophomore campaign by finding the end zone 12 total times in 2016. If the Chargers are going to have any shot being contenders next season, Gordon will need to prove that he wasn't just a one-hit wonder, and has what it takes to be a top running back in the league.
As for Rivers and the passing game, it was quite the surprise to see former Clemson standout Mike Williams fall to the Chargers at No. 7 in this year's draft when considering many believed he would have been selected in the top five. If all goes well, Rivers most likely won't waste any time with making the rookie one of his new favorite targets on offense to help keep Los Angeles competitive with the rest of the division.
Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) calls a play during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
13. Indianapolis Colts
When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, it's easy to understand the frustrations surrounding the team missing out on the playoffs each of the last two seasons when looking at all of the money invested in Andrew Luck. At times, Luck has proven to be one of the league's top quarterbacks, but if he doesn't get the Colts back on track in 2017, there's a good chance this team is going to be going through an interesting shakeup around this time next year.
Defense has proven to be the main concern for Indianapolis over the years, but everybody knows the best chance for this team to be successful is going to fall on the shoulders of Luck. Somehow, Frank Gore continues to be relevant for the Colts in the ground game despite the fact he's already 34, but it's only a matter of time before the veteran is forced to call it quits and retire.
If the last few years are any indication of what to expect, T.Y. Hilton should be in for another strong season with Indianapolis after setting a career high with 91 receptions in 2016. With that being said, it's up to the wideouts beyond Hilton, such as Donte Moncrief or Phillip Dorsett to step up their game by becoming
Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) celebrates with wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
12. Tennessee Titans
While the Cleveland Browns received heavy praise for the three key players they managed to land in the first round of this year's draft, the Tennessee Titans deserve just as much credit, if not more, for taking advantage of an amazing situation. Thanks to the Jared Goff deal made last offseason with the Los Angeles Rams, the Titans were lucky enough to earn an extra pick in the first round this year, which happened to be at No. 5.
For a team that fell just short of the playoffs in 2016 after finishing with a 9-7 record, it's scary to think how much more dangerous Tennessee is going to be this upcoming season when looking at the key additions made for Marcus Mariota on offense. Not only did the Titans use the No. 5 pick from the Rams on one of the top receivers from this year's draft class in Corey Davis, but they earned another steal in the third round with Taywan Taylor, who caught 37 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Western Kentucky.
The Houston Texans may have won the division title in each of the last two seasons, but Tennessee isn't a team to take likely heading into 2017. With Mariota getting better and better with experience, this upcoming season could be his best, assuming he doesn't have any setbacks from last year's crushing leg injury.
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) stretches and score a touchdown as New Orleans Saints cornerback B.W. Webb (28) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
11. Arizona Cardinals
Remember around this time last year when the Arizona Cardinals were considered one of the early favorites to make a run at the Super Bowl after reaching the NFC Championship the year before? It's amazing how quickly things can change after the Cardinals failed to overcome a poor 1-3 start, and missed out on the postseason after finishing below .500 during the regular season.
At least for Arizona, this team has enough talent on both sides of the football to hopefully return to being contenders in the NFC, especially since Carson Palmer may only have one or two solid years left in him. Seeing Larry Fitzgerald (107 catches for 1,023 yards with six touchdowns in 2016) continue to be this successful at this stage in his career is nothing short of amazing, but the biggest difference maker for the Cardinals on offense has been David Johnson in the backfield.
The fact that Johnson recorded 2,118 yards from the line of scrimmage to go along with 20 total touchdowns during his second NFL season in 2016 shows how lucky Arizona was to land him in the third round back in 2015. And to think Johnson still appears to have his best years ahead of him with the Cardinals gives this offense even more potential heading into next season while hopefully returning to the level of being contenders in the NFC.
Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts with teammates during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional playoff at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
10. Seattle Seahawks
Everybody had a strong feeling the Seattle Seahawks would struggle at first adjusting to life without Marshawn Lynch in 2016, but nobody could have predicted the ground game to look as bad as it did. To top it off, the offensive line struggled with their protection of Russell Wilson, but all of that should change heading into next season.
For starters, the Seahawks hope the signing of Eddie Lacy will provide the offense with a solid one-two punch at running back since his presence should take some of the pressure off Thomas Rawls. Lynch's retirement set the bar high for Rawls heading into his first full season as the starter, but unfortunately injuries prevented the youngster from living up to his true potential with the offense.
As for Lacy, the former Green Bay Packers running back finally seems motivated to keep his weight down when looking at the incentives the Seahawks were willing to give him as part of his deal. Between an improved ground game along with a healthy Wilson, it's safe to say seattle is the early favorites to repeat as division champions in the NFC, although the Arizona Cardinals could give them a run for their money.
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) gestures at the line against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
9. New Orleans Saints
Losing Brandin Cooks in a trade to the New England Patriots will certainly be a tough pill to swallow for the New Orleans Saints once the regular season officially gets underway, but at least the offense will still be in good shape like last year. Despite missing out on the playoffs each of the last three seasons, the Saints have still manage to continue having one of the league's most high-powered offenses thanks to Drew Brees running the show.
Throughout his career, Brees has always been the type of quarterback who makes the players around him better, as Michael Thomas proved as a rookie last year after finishing with 92 catches for 1,137 yards to go along with nine touchdowns. Cooks may no longer be part of the picture in New Orleans, but having Thomas along with the newest addition in Ted Ginn Jr. should help this offense continue to rank near the top of the league.
And if that wasn't already impressive enough, let's not forget the Saints hope to see Adrian Peterson return to his dominant form after joining the team following his release from the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson may be taking on a smaller role with Mark Ingram currently being the starter, but just imagine the possibilities surrounding this offense if the veteran still has that explosiveness in the backfield.
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks to wide receiver Mike Evans (13) before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How does an offense like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers improve in the offseason when they already had one of the league's top wideouts in Mike Evans? They use free agency to sign one of the game's most dangerous deep threats in DeSean Jackson while drafting an effective pass-catching tight end in O.J. Howard, that's how.
The Buccaneers had every reason to feel frustrated at the end of last season since they were in position to control their own playoff destiny before losing two key games against the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. After finishing the year with a 9-7 record, many considered Tampa Bay to be one of the teams to keep an eye on in the NFC when it comes to making the jump to contenders. And thanks to these key additions for Jameis Winston to work with next year along with Evans, the Buccaneers' offense is going to be extremely fun to watch.
Just like his draft classmate Marcus Mariota, Winston has proven to be the type of quarterback who seems to get better with experience, and if all goes well, 2017 will be his best NFL season yet. Nobody expected Winston to break the 4,000-yard passing mark in each of his first two seasons, but here he is shattering all expectations.
Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
7. Oakland Raiders
After months of rumors, the Oakland Raiders finally convinced Marshawn Lynch to come out of retirement to join the team for the 2017 season. Only time will tell when it comes to whether Lynch will seem a bit rusty after a year away from football, but at least the former Seattle Seahawks running back finds himself in a good position to be part of a high-powered offense.
Derek Carr elevated his game to a whole new level last year, as many believed he even deserved consideration for the MVP award, but the Raiders suffered a major blow when he suffered a devastating leg injury late in the regular season while missing out on the playoffs. Oakland fans had been waiting a long time to see their beloved team finally become contenders once again, and the argument can be made that if Carr was healthy enough to play, the Raiders would have defeated the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend.
Assuming all goes well with Carr's recovery this offseason, Oakland should be considered one of the teams to beat in the AFC, especially with a dominant duo at wide receiver with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Plus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see this offense play with a little extra motivation this season to give fans a special show before the Raiders eventually make the move to Las Vegas down the road.
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
6. New York Giants
It's actually terrifying to look at how the New York Giants managed to improve what was already a stacked passing game led by Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. But thanks to bringing Brandon Marshall on board in free agency along with using the draft to select Evan Engram, there's no reason why Eli Manning shouldn't be able to post MVP-type numbers in 2017 while making the Giants one of the toughest teams to play against in the NFC.
Thanks to their defense coming out of nowhere to be one of the best in the league, New York was considered one of the most dangerous teams in the conference last year, and were the only ones capable of handling the Dallas Cowboys during the regular season. While the defense is going to play a key factor when looking at how tough the NFC East is expected to be, the Giants' offense could be what separates them from the rest of the competition in the division.
It's only been three years, but Beckham has wasted no time becoming one of the most talented wide receivers in the league after catching 35 touchdowns since joining the league in 2014. Forget about his controversial behavior issues, as Beckham makes up for it with his production, and should be able to top double-digit touchdowns for the fourth year in a row this upcoming season.
Jan 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
If there's any team capable of taking down the New England Patriots in 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have the best shot when looking at their high-powered offense led by Ben Roethlisberger. As if having one of the league's most explosive wide receivers in Antonio Brown wasn't enough, the Steelers are also fortunate to have one of the most dangerous running backs in Le'Veon Bell, who is arguably just as dangerous of a receiver.
Many expected Pittsburgh to shatter numerous records on offense during the 2016 season, and while they may not have lived up to the original hype, Roethlisberger and company still came up big when it mattered the most. In fact, if it wasn't for Bell missing most of the AFC Championship due to an injury, it's tough not to wonder what could have been for the Steelers against the Patriots since they were forced to change their entire game plan.
Either way, even if Pittsburgh did fall shy of reaching the Super Bowl, all signs point to this squad being one of the toughest to beat in 2017 thanks to all of the weapons they have to work with on offense. Not to mention, the Steelers realize they may not have much longer with Big Ben under center, so the offense better take advantage of still having the veteran quarterback while they still can before he decides to call it a career.
Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the ball off to running back Ty Montgomery (88) in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
4. Green Bay Packers
Is anyone really surprised to see the Green Bay Packers this high on the list? When looking at how dominant this offense seemed at times in the second half of the regular season along with the first two rounds of the playoffs thanks to Aaron Rodgers, one can only imagine the type of numbers this unit will display in 2017.
So if this happens to be the case, why daren't the Packers ahead of other teams like the Dallas Cowboys or Atlanta Falcons? Well, the one area of concern for Green Bay heading into next year could be the ground game, especially with Eddie Lacy (Seattle Seahawks) no longer in the picture. Ty Montgomery certainly had a few bright moments at running back last season, but it's tough to see him as the answer for the Packers at running back for an entire season.
What Rodgers was able to do for Green Bay in 2016 was simply phenomenal to witness, and even though he's easily one of the best quarterbacks in the league, the chances of him being able to handle that type of workload again without a proper ground game almost seems impossible. At least if the ground game struggles again, Rodgers will feel confident in his elite group of receivers led by Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) talks with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
3. Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys seem to be in good shape for years to come after seeing what Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were able to accomplish as rookies during the 2016 season. One year after finishing with a 4-12 record, the Cowboys emerged as the top team in the NFC during the regular season, and even if their early playoff exit to the Green Bay Packers was a surprise, the team has every reason to feel confident about their level of dominance moving forward.
The offensive line may not be the same unit, but at least Dallas has even more reason to feel comfortable about where their offense is heading now that Prescott officially has a year of experience under his belt. Replacing Tony Romo was no easy decision for the Cowboys, but based off what Prescott displayed as a rookie, just imagine the level of potential surrounding this offense heading into his second year under center.
Along with having Elliott to help take some of the load off the offense, Prescott found himself in an amazing position to have dangerous receivers like Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley to work with. If last year was any indication of what's in store for the Cowboys in the future, this offense is going to be difficult to contain once again to help them remain one of the top contenders in the NFC for the second-straight season.
Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates with quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
2. Atlanta Falcons
After years of failing to live up to the hype on offense, the Atlanta Falcons finally accomplished their ultimate goal of reaching the Super Bowl with Matt Ryan at quarterback last season. And even though they ended up on the wrong side of history thanks to their collapse against the New England Patriots, this offense should be just as dangerous, if not more, as they were a year ago.
For a majority of his career, Ryan was always considered to be an elite quarterback, but he found a way to elevate his game to a whole new MVP level in 2016 after nearly throwing for 5,000 yards to go along with 38 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. Obviously, having a wide receiver as dangerous as Julio Jones played a big role in Ryan's monster season, but the weapons for Atlanta go beyond their No. 1 wideout.
Between playing with another speedy receiver in Mohamed Sanu to a reliable duo at running back in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, it's no wonder the Falcons were so successful on offense last season, and should rank near the top of the league once again in 2017. For the sake of Atlanta, here's to hoping what happened last February doesn't prevent them from living up to their offensive potential.
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells while running onto the field prior to the Patriots' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
1. New England Patriots
Don't act surprised to see the New England Patriots sitting on the top of this list not just because of the fact they're going to enter the regular season as defending champions, but due to the key additions made over the last few months. Watching a team like the Patriots earn another dangerous weapon like Brandin Cooks for Tom Brady to work with when he already has Julian Edelman and Rob Grownkoski almost seems unfair.
Speaking of Brady, it's amazing to see the future Hall of Fame quarterback continue to play some of his best football despite the fact that he's going to be 40 once the regular season officially gets underway is truly unbelievable. What makes this situation with Brady even crazier to think about is he still seems determined to continue playing football for another five years, which would be absolutely insane.
There's a reason why New England has appeared in the postseason each of the last eight years thanks to Brady, and assuming all goes well from a health standpoint, there's a good chance that steak will increase to nine once January rolls around. Even if the Patriots lost LeGarrette Blount to the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady will do whatever it takes to make sure this offense continues to be one of the best while defending their Super Bowl title.
