Los Angeles Rams

2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 1: Where Do the Los Angeles Rams Currently Rank?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17), running back Todd Gurley (30), quarterback Sean Mannion (14) and quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke react on the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings during a NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams started off the preseason on a good note following two-straight wins against the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, but the last two games have made it clear this team still has plenty of areas in need of improvement heading into Week 1.

Todd Gurley has already become one of the league’s top running backs and while the Rams have played it smart by limiting him in the preseason, fans are anxious to see what type of numbers the former Georgia star displays in his second season. With Case Keenum entering the regular season as the starter at quarterback over Jared Goff, the presence of Gurley in the backfield will make life much easier for the veteran quarterback.

Jeff Fisher made it clear that one of the main reasons behind his decision to go with Keenum is due to the fact that Los Angeles is talented enough to compete at the moment and not going through a rebuilding mode. With that being said, this doesn’t mean the Rams still don’t have plenty of work cut out for them and it’s time to see where they stand heading into Week 1 of the 2016 NFL Power Rankings.

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) hands the ball off to running back Jacquizz Rodgers (35) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

32. Chicago Bears (32)

For most of the preseason the Chicago Bears have sat at the bottom of the Power Rankings and sadly, it doesn’t look like things are going to get better for this team any time soon.

To say this team has looked terrible at times throughout the preseason would be a huge understatement and it’s a shame when considering all of the talent Chicago has on offense. Not only has Jay Cutler proven to be one of the league’s toughest quarterbacks when considering all the hits he takes, but Alshon Jeffery seems capable of emerging as one of the league’s top wideouts.

Of course, the main problem for Jeffery will be staying healthy after the wide receiver was limited to playing in just nine games in 2015. Not to mention it may be tough for this team to adjust to life without Matt Forte–who is now a member of the New York Jets.

Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) look to pass as Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (74) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

31. Cleveland Browns (31)

Over the years, the Cleveland Browns have established a reputation for a team unable to find a consistent starter at quarterback. With a fresh start with a new team, the Browns hope to have finally found the quarterback they’ve desperately been looking for in Robert Griffin III and despite the offense’s overall struggles in preseason, fans should be excited about the former first-round pick.

Not only has Griffin looked sharp throughout camp, but he’s seemed to develop a surprise chemistry with Terrelle Pryor–who is entering his second season with Cleveland as a wide receiver. Pryor has always been known for his speed and the two have put together some impressive plays during practices, but the challenge now becomes finding that success in the regular season.

Along with Pryor, the Browns hope to see Josh Gordon–who will miss the first four games due to suspension– and Corey Coleman make the same type of impact with Griffin under center. Isn’t it weird to be talking about an offense with potential linked to Cleveland?

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the football against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Levi

30. San Francisco 49ers (30)

Just when it seemed like the San Francisco 49ers couldn’t seem like more of a mess, this whole controversy with Colin Kaepernick happens.

If the reactions by fans in the preseason finale is any indication, Kaepernick could be in for a long 2016 season thanks to his actions as the booing will most likely stick when the quarterback throughout road games. The sad thing is Kaepernick hasn’t even made a strong case to win the starting job at quarterback as his shoulder was bothering him a few weeks ago.

At this point, the smart thing for San Francisco seems to be making Blaine Gabbert the starter heading into Week 1 over Kaepernick when considering how much practice he’s had with the first team in the offseason. Then again, it doesn’t really matter who wins the starting job at quarterback since it seems unlikely the 49ers will be in the conversation of contenders.

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Drew Brees (9) and Luke McCown (7) on the bench in the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

29. New Orleans Saints (28)

After finishing at the bottom of the league in defense, early signs point to the New Orleans Saints taking a similar path in 2016 if the preseason is any indication of what’s to come.

Obviously, the Saints will have the potential to display monster numbers on offense thanks to a all of the weapons surrounding Drew Brees, but one of the main reasons why this team finished with a losing record in 2015 was due to their pathetic defense. There’s only so many points Brees can help New Orleans score on a weekly basis and unless this defense sees any sort of improvement, this team could be in for another long year.

Then again, Brees has thrown for more than 4,800 yards in each of the last five seasons. Maybe if Brees stays healthy and finds a way to put up similar numbers, the Saints could find themselves in better position to be contenders in the NFC.

Aug 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) warms-up before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Lions won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

28. Detroit Lions (29)

Nothing against any of the current wide receivers for the Detroit Lions, but no player is going to be able to fill the shoes of Calvin Johnson–who announced his retirement in the offseason.

Between the addition of Anquan Boldin and Golden Tate recording at least 90 catches over the last two seasons, the Lions’ offense certainly seems capable of displaying big numbers during the 2016 season. Of course, the only way this is going to happen is if Matthew Stafford continues playing at a high level.

After battling numerous injuries over his first two seasons, Stafford has started every game for Detroit since 2011 and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Stafford has always been the type of quarterback who is capable of making the players around him better and while it may take some adjusting at first, the Lions’ offense should be just fine in the long run.

Aug 28, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) hands the ball off to running back Chris Ivory (33) in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (26)

If it weren’t for a collapse by the backups of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jacksonville Jaguars would have finished winless in the preseason.

On paper, the Jaguars seem capable of having one of the best offenses in football thanks to Blake Bortles having weapons like Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Julius Thomas in the passing game. But living up to the hype appears to be the biggest concern for Jacksonville heading into the regular season as this team looks for its first winning season since 2011.

Bortles didn’t hold back in an interview last week when discussing how bad the first team looked against the Bengals and the question now becomes whether the quarterback can finally lead this team on a playoff run. After winning five games or less in each of the last five seasons, Bortles and the Jaguars should be able to finally put an end to that streak if all goes well this year.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

26. Los Angeles Rams (24)

The good news for the Los Angeles Rams is Jared Goff has plenty of time to adjust to playing in the NFL after the rookie quarterback saw plenty of highs and lows during the preseason.

For now, Jeff Fisher realizes the smart thing to do is have Case Keenum run the offense this upcoming season as the team finds themselves in a good position to be contenders. While the offense ranked near the bottom of the league in 2015, the defense was considered one of the most underrated in the league thanks to a rising star in Aaron Donald.

The defense should be considered one of the best once again, but the only chance this team will have at being contenders in the NFC is with improvement on offense. Good thing having a running back with the talent level of Todd Gurley will make life easier for Keenum on offense.

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase (L) talks with Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones (R) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

25. Miami Dolphins (25)

Can Adam Gase finally get the Miami Dolphins to the competitive level they’ve been fighting to reach for so long?

Gase has received plenty of praise over the years for being an offensive-minded genius and the organization hopes he can finally be the one to help Ryan Tannehill reach his true potential. Miami has been patient with Tannehill over the last four years and even though he’s started every game in that time, the Dolphins are still waiting to see him hit the next level–which would be a playoff run.

2008 was the last time Miami reached the postseason and the talent is certainly there heading into Week 1; it’s just a matter of whether the Dolphins can turn that potential into success. Tannehill has faced plenty of pressure throughout his career and this season is no different as the former first-round is running out of excuses if he has any intention of being around for the long run.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) looks on from the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

24. San Diego Chargers (27)

While the San Diego Chargers are obviously pleased to have finally reached an agreement with Joey Bosa, the team has to be frustrated over the fact that he won’t be in tip-top shape after missing crucial practices and preseason games.

Bosa needed all of the experience he could get in training camp and the challenge now becomes making sure the former Ohio State star doesn’t look rusty now that the regular season is getting underway. Despite last year’s disappointing finish, San Diego was a team that could have easily won more games if it wasn’t for so many injuries on offense and defense.

With key players returning to full strength, expect Philip Rivers and the Chargers to bounce back and make a run in the division. Whether Bosa ends up being one of the factors to help this team bounce back after his long holdout, only time will tell for that story.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter pats quarterback Jameis Winston (3) on the back against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23)

Expectations are high for Jameis Winston heading into his sophomore season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and after shedding 20 pounds in the offseason, the former Florida State standout seems ready to flourish under center.

Winston exceeded his rookie expectations after throwing for 4,022 yards with 22 touchdowns and even managed to rush for six touchdowns on the ground as well. And if shedding all of that weight wasn’t impressive enough, Winston also spent his offseason working with Michael Jordan‘s trainer.

In other words, the Buccaneers should be excited about what’s in store for Winston in 2016 as the quarterback looks to make this team one of the top sleepers to watch in the NFC. There’s plenty of competition in the NFC South and it will be important to see how they stack up against the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.

Otherwise, the Buccaneers won’t stand a chance at all.

Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

22. Buffalo Bills (20)

Between LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins, one would think the Buffalo Bills would have no problem with recording big numbers during the 2016 season. Unfortunately, Rex Ryan‘s squad appears to have a lot of work to do based off their struggles from the preseason as the head coach is already facing plenty of pressure to win now

The Bills ended up losing three of four preseason games and after rewarding Tyrod Taylor with a hefty extension, it will be interesting to see how this team performs now that the regular season is here. Buffalo fans have been waiting for a playoff appearance since 1999 and as much as they don’t want to hear it, ending that streak this year isn’t going to be easy.

When looking at all of the competition in the AFC, the Bills just don’t seem like the team to stack up against the rest of the contenders, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to prove doubters wrong.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks towards the sideline during a break in the action against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

21. Tennessee Titans (22)

Before anyone flips out over the Tennessee Titans being too high on this list, just take a look at the success this team’s had in the preseason and how quickly Marcus Mariota is developing into a top-10 quarterback.

The odds certainly aren’t in the favor of the Titans when it comes to winning the AFC South with other teams like the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts expected to make a strong run, but they could easily make things difficult for their opponents. Mariota seems to have taken his game to a whole new level and it’s shown in the preseason as the second-year quarterback should benefit from an upgraded running game along with better options in the passing game.

There’s something special about Mariota and Tennessee realizes how lucky they are to have him at quarterback. Now, it’s just a matter of how long it takes Mariota to get this team to the next level and whether he can make it happen this season.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

20. Oakland Raiders (21)

If all goes well, the Oakland Raiders hope to put an end to their disastrous streak of non-winning seasons for the first time since 2002–which happened to be the year they lost the Super Bowl to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Derek Carr has already proven to be the type of quarterback who improves with experience and based off the last two seasons, the former first-round pick could be in for his best year yet. The Raiders came up big when making the decision to use their first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on Amari Cooper to give their quarterback a reliable weapon on offense.

And with a year of experience playing together under their belts, expectations are high when it comes to the duo of Carr and Cooper. If Oakland does end up making a playoff run this season, they will have these two stars to thank for it.

Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals during the first quarter of the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

19. New York Giants (18)

Back-to-back 6-10 finishes have the New York Giants anxious to turn things around in 2016, but it’s not going to be easy if the offensive line continues to struggle the way they did in the preseason.

It’s amazing to think Eli Manning has started every game for this team dating back to the 2005 season and the quarterback’s protection should be the top priority as the Giants look to return to the playoffs for the first time in five years. That was the season New York won their second Super Bowl under Manning and with the NFC East wide open , anything seems possible for this squad heading into the start of the regular season.

The Giants already know they have one of the league’s best players in Odell Beckham Jr. and the third-year wideout looks to add to the 25 touchdowns he’s already caught at this stage in his career.

Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

18. Baltimore Ravens (19)

The argument can be made the Baltimore Ravens would have been strong contenders last year if it wasn’t for numerous injuries on both sides of the football. Instead, the team finished with a disappointing 5-11 record as the team missed the playoffs for just the second time since the 2008 season.

After finishing the preseason with an undefeated record, the Ravens appear determined to bounce back in 2016 and compete for their first AFC North title since 2012. Between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore knows making a run for the division title isn’t going to be easy, but they seem to be ready for the challenge.

If this is going to happen, the Ravens better hope there are no complications from Joe Flacco–who missed the end of last season with a torn ACL. The quarterback may not always post big numbers, but he’s always been a valuable leader for Baltimore throughout his career.

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops back to attempt a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

17. Atlanta Falcons (17)

Hopefully, the ankle injury Julio Jones is dealing with won’t prevent him from playing in the season opener for the Atlanta Falcons against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the wide receiver is going to be an important piece to this team’s success.

When looking at all of the talent on offense, the Falcons always seem to be one of those early contenders at the beginning of the season, but that ended up backfiring for this team in 2015 as the team hopes for better results this time around. After a 6-1 start, Atlanta seemed to be a lock for the playoffs last year before losing seven of their final nine games to finish the season with a disappointing 8-8 record.

Matt Ryan and Jones will always be considered one of the league’s top quarterback-receiver duos and these two will be the deciding factors behind whether Atlanta has what it takes to make a run at the division title.

Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) hands off to running back Bilal Powell (29) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

16. New York Jets (16)

For the sake of the New York Jets, let’s just say the team should be thankful to have Ryan Fitzpatrick back under center when looking at the sloppy play at backup between Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg.

After falling just short of the playoffs last year in their first season under Todd Bowles as head coach, the Jets have enough weapons on both sides of the football to at least make the New England Patriots a little nervous in the AFC East. This team has always been known for their strong play on defense, but it’s the offense that should have fans excited about what’s in store heading into the regular season.

The addition of Matt Forte just makes New York even more dangerous as this offense should be fun to watch heading into the 2016 season. And to think this team was already dangerous with one of the top wide receiver duos in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.

Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano on the sidelines in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

15. Indianapolis Colts (14)

Last year was the perfect example of just how important Andrew Luck is to the Indianapolis Colts after the team failed to reach the postseason for the first time during the quarterback’s four-year career.

Now that Luck is healthy and motivated more than ever, the Colts are ready to bounce back after finishing 8-8 in 2015 and give the Houston Texans a run for the division title. The defense may have plenty of areas in need of improvement, but a healthy Luck is the most important factor heading into Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

As long as Luck remains healthy, Indianapolis has the potential to display one of the league’s top offenses as the team hopes to see their quarterback return to his 2014 form when he threw for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns. If he can return to that level, don’t be surprised to see Luck in consideration for the MVP award when the time comes.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

14. Washington Redskins (15)

Do the Washington Redskins have what it takes to repeat as division champions? It’s been a long time since any team in the NFC East went back-to-back, but there’s every reason to believe the Redskins will do so after finishing 3-1 in the preseason.

Not only will Kirk Cousins be motivated to build off last year’s strong play as the quarterback looks to make a case for a long-term deal, but the team picked up one of the biggest free agent signings with the addition of Josh Norman at cornerback. The videos of Norman struggling in practice shouldn’t fool anyone as this thing tends to happen when players are adjusting to a new team.

With an improved defense and plenty of speedy weapons for Cousins to work with in the passing game, Washington will be another NFC team to keep an eye on as they look to defend their division title.

Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws the ball during the first quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

13. Minnesota Vikings (10)

While the Minnesota Vikings put together one of the most impressive playoff runs from last year thanks to a strong defense, Teddy Bridgewater also played a big role managing the game on offense. And there’s no question losing the quarterback for the season is a major slap to the face for this Vikings team.

With Bridgewater out, Minnesota will rely on Shaun Hill at quarterback and while the veteran has plenty of experience throughout his career, it certainly won’t be the same on offense. The last time Hill started at quarterback came during the 2014 season as a member of the Rams when he finished with a 3-5 record.

It may take time for the Vikings to get used to playing without Bridgewater, but this team is still talented enough to be strong contenders in the NFC. If the defense can play as well as they did during last year’s playoff run, it will take some of the pressure off Hill on offense.

Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) hands off the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

12. Philadelphia Eagles (13)

The Philadelphia Eagles invested a ton of money in Sam Bradford over the next two years and if things don’t go according to plan, they could be even more trouble since they won’t have a first-round pick in next year’s draft.

While the defense has looked amazing at times during the preseason, last year is the perfect example of how success in the preseason doesn’t always carry over to the regular season. Philadelphia certainly seems capable of making a run at the division with the NFC East being up for grabs, but now comes the challenge of performing at a high level with the games being meaningful.

Bradford has looked sharp at times during the preseason and knows it’s only a matter of time before the team hands the job over to Carson Wentz–who was selected by the Eagles as the No. 2 pick last May. With the lack of receiving corps, Bradford will have quite the workload cut out for him on offense.

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) makes the call form the line against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

11. Dallas Cowboys (12)

If the Dallas Cowboys are in contention for the playoffs when Tony Romo returns from his back injury, it could put Jason Garrett in a difficult situation depending on how well Dak Prescott looks.

The rookie has been nothing short of phenomenal during the preseason as the Cowboys appear to have found their quarterback of the future once Romo’s time in the NFC comes to an end, but Prescott still has a long way to go. Dallas knows they can’t determine Prescott’s true ability based off one preseason and the true test will be whether he can carry the success over to the regular season.

Luckily for Prescott, the fourth-round pick has plenty of weapons on offense to work with and will benefit from having one of the league’s most athletic wide receivers in Dez Bryant. Isn’t it crazy to see how quickly Prescott has become a fan favorite when the Cowboys seemed so desperate to sign another quarterback a few weeks ago?

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

10. Kansas City Chiefs (11)

Even if Jamaal Charles fails to return to his dominant level right away, the Kansas City Chiefs are one of those teams to keep an eye on in the AFC and depending on how things pan out, they could find a way to win the division.

Of course, winning the AFC West won’t be easy when considering it may turn out to be one of the most competitive in football. All hope seemed lost when the Chiefs started off the 2015 season with a 1-5 record, but ending the year on a 10-game winning streak helped them reach the playoffs and even earn a win over the Houston Texans during Wild Card weekend.

Based off his performance from the preseason, Alex Smith looks ready to lead the charge once again on offense as the quarterback has only thrown 20 interceptions during his three seasons in Kansas City. Don’t sleep on the Chiefs as the defense should be one of the best in the league once again and will make this team very difficult to play against.

Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

9. Cincinnati Bengals (9)

One of the most interesting situations in the NFL is Marvin Lewis and how the head coach has managed to keep a job with the Cincinnati Bengals despite his inability to win a playoff game.

Lewis has reached the playoffs seven times with the Bengals since taking over the coaching duties in 2013 and what’s even more sad is Cincinnati has reached the postseason in each of the last five seasons well. So when taking all of this into consideration, it’s amazing to still see Lewis as the head coach of this team.

Making the playoffs is always an accomplishment, but Lewis has nothing to show for it from his years in Cincinnati. While the Bengals are expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC once again, it’s not going to mean anything unless Lewis’ inability of winning in the playoffs comes to an end.

Otherwise, Bengals fans are just setting themselves up for another year of heartbreak.

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks on during the second half against the Denver Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

8. Arizona Cardinals (4)

If there’s any team capable of moving up this list fast over the first few weeks of the regular season, it’s the Arizona Cardinals.

After suffering an embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship, the Cardinals entered the offseason as one of the early favorites to win this year’s Super Bowl. While there’s no reason to worry just yet, Arizona didn’t do much in the preseason to prove they have what it takes to represent the NFC in this year’s big game.

It took until the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos for the Cardinals to finally start playing significant football and that doesn’t even count since none of the starters were playing in the game. What’s most important is the previous three games in which Arizona looked flat-out awful and let’s hope Carson Palmer gets his act together to help this team reach the high level of playing everyone expects them to be at.

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) makes a throw against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8)

First off, let’s give the Pittsburgh Steelers credit for rewarding wide receiver Antonio Brown with a restructured deal before the official start of the 2016 season. With 265 receptions over the last two seasons, it’s easy to see why Brown is considered one of the top players in the league and he’ll certainly make it easier for Ben Roethlisberger on offense.

It’s still way too early for any bold predictions, but many believe the Steelers are capable of posting record-breaking numbers on offense in 2016 and whether that happens will come down to the numbers displayed by Brown and Big Ben. Pittsburgh is always considered a strong contender at the beginning of the season and with the potential on offense, it’s easy to see them as early favorites in the AFC North over the Bengals.

Plus, let’s not forget about how this offense will be even more dangerous once Le’Veon Bell returns from suspension.

Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) makes the call at the line during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

6. Houston Texans (6)

Whether he wants it or not, Brock Osweiler will be analyzed for every move he makes during his first season under center with the Houston Texans when looking at all of the money invested in the quarterback. But if the preseason is any indication of what’s in store for the regular season, it appears the Texans have finally found the quarterback they’ve spent years waiting for.

The only reason why the Texans even won the AFC South last year was because of their defense and with an improved situation at quarterback, they could become one of the league’s top overall teams. DeAndre Hopkins (111 catches for 1,521 yards with 11 touchdowns in 2015) has emerged as one of the league’s top players at wide receiver and Houston hopes to see the fourth-year star quickly develop chemistry with his new quarterback.

If all goes well, the Texans may not only win the division for the second-straight season, but fight for the top seed in the AFC.

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and free safety Darian Stewart (26) and linebacker Shane Ray (56) and cornerback Aqib Talib (21) react to a tackle during the second half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

5. Denver Broncos (7)

After winning the Super Bowl thanks to their stellar defense, the Denver Broncos could be even more dangerous in 2016 thanks to an upgrade on offense.

As great as Peyton Manning was throughout his career, the future Hall of Famer only threw nine touchdowns in 10 games last year and now it looks like the Broncos will rely on Trevor Siemian to run the offense. Siemian may not have any starting experience heading into his second season, but the former Northwestern standout has shown potential in the preseason with a canon of an arm.

However, just because Siemian’s capable of throwing the deep ball doesn’t mean his accuracy has been on point. Once he gains more experience as the starter, Siemian should be comfortable running the offense in no time–especially with all of the weapons in the passing game.

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shakes hands with wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

4. Green Bay Packers (5)

Since taking over the starting job at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in 2008, Aaron Rodgers has thrown double-digit interceptions only twice during the regular season. In fact, Rodgers has only thrown 13 interceptions over the last two seasons and with one of his favorite targets in Jordy Nelson (ACL) returning for the 2016 season, the Packers quarterback should be in for another monster season.

Despite all of their struggles displayed throughout the 2015 season, Green Bay was on the verge of reaching the NFC Championship last January before losing in overtime to the Cardinals. Between the return of Nelson along with a slimmer Eddie Lacy, the potential is high for the Packers’ offense to display big numbers, as they should be considered favorites in the NFC North heading into Week 1.

With seven-straight playoff appearances, don’t be surprised if that number moves up to eight for the Packers.

Aug 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks corner back Richard Sherman (25) prepares for play during the first quarter in a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

3. Seattle Seahawks (3)

How weird is it going to be watching the Seattle Seahawks this season without Marshawn Lynch lining up in the backfield?

After deciding to call it a career during the offseason, the Seahawks will heavily rely on Thomas Rawls on Christine Michael in the ground game as both running backs look to play larger roles with the team in 2016. While Rawls is coming off a broken ankle and torn ligaments suffered in Week 13 of last year, Michael has looked impressive in the preseason as the team hopes to see these two emerge as one of the league’s top duos at running back.

As impressive as the offense was last year at putting up points, it was the defense that was the main reason behind the team’s success once again after finishing at the top of the league by allowing just 17.3 points per game. When taking all of this into consideration, expect the Seahawks to be one of the tom teams in the NFC for the fifth-straight season.

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera talks with an official during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

2. Carolina Panthers (2)

The Carolina Panthers flirted with history last year with a 15-1 record during the regular season before falling to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl and even though it’s never easy to replace a cornerback like Josh Norman, Ron Rivera‘s squad may be the team to beat in the NFC once again.

Cam Newton took home MVP honors in 2015 after throwing for 3,837 yards with 37 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, but the quarterback enters the regular season with an extra chip on his shoulder. After a disappointing outing in the Super Bowl against the Broncos, Newton took most of the blame for what happened and knows the pressure is on his shoulders if this team is going to have any shot at making another deep run.

And with the return of Kelvin Benjamin (ACL) at wide receiver, Carolina’s offense has the potential to hit a whole new level in 2016 as they look to make a second-straight appearance in the Super Bowl.

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Patriots win over the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots (1)

With the preseason officially out of the way, the challenge for the New England Patriots becomes adjusting to life without Tom Brady over the first four games of the regular season.

Jimmy Garoppolo will run the Patriots’ offense while Brady deals with his suspension and based off the performances from the preseason, Bill Belichick has every reason in the world to feel confident with his third-year quarterback. Even if he’s only appeared in 11 regular season games over the last two years without a single start, Garoppolo looked sharp in the preseason, but the real challenge is just getting underway.

When looking at the four games Brady will miss, the New England Patriots could easily go 2-2 with tough matchups against the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills. It certainly won’t be easy at times, but at least life will be easier for Garoppolo with all of the weapons on offense.

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