JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 1 2020 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are …
Rank. Team (record) | Comment
1.Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) | The champs are No. 1 until they show otherwise
2.Baltimore Ravens (14-2) | Easy choice for No. 2; could be No. 1 soon
3.San Francisco 49ers (13-3) | Dominant defense could let them overcome runner-up hangover
4.New Orleans Saints (13-3) | Oddly overlooked for a team this good – with a QB as good as Drew Brees
5.Green Bay Packers (13-3) | Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers
6.Seattle Seahawks (11-5) | Defense must improve to give QB Russell Wilson a chance
7.Houston Texans (10-6) | AFC South's team to beat until they show otherwise
8.Minnesota Vikings (10-6) | Is this the year they finally break through in postseason?
9.Buffalo Bills (10-6) | Solid choice for this year's breakout team
10.Tennessee Titans (9-7) | Can playoff magic translate to the regular season?
11.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) | The Brady Era begins … but what will that mean?
12.Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) | Haven't missed three consecutive postseasons in two decades
13.New England Patriots (12-4) | Start of post-Tom Brady Era makes this NFL's most fascinating team
14.Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) | QB Carson Wentz playing full season is the key here
15.Dallas Cowboys (8-8) | New coach, new era – and the usual big expectations
16.Indianapolis Colts (7-9) | Play of QB Philip Rivers could determine everything here
17.Atlanta Falcons (7-9) | Falcons, QB Matt Ryan have look of an improving team after late '19 surge
18.Los Angeles Rams (9-7) | Many questions for a franchise recently on the rise
19.Cleveland Browns (6-10) | This year has a more promising feel than last year's startup …
20.Chicago Bears (8-8) | Can QB position support a playoff-level roster?
21.Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) | Vegas, baby … Vegas
22.Denver Broncos (7-9) | It's all about QB Drew Lock
23.Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1) | Is QB Kyler Murray really the next great thing?
24.New York Jets (7-9) | Late '19 surge, QB Sam Darnold gives them hope of ending playoff drought
25.Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) | Defense could give this young team a chance
26.Miami Dolphins (5-11) | Five victories in last nine games means serious momentum for 'Fins
27.New York Giants (4-12) | Is Big Blue now headed in right direction?
28.Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) | Start 'em here and see where they go
29.Carolina Panthers (5-11) | The rebuild begins now
30.Detroit Lions (3-12-1) | Big pressure for HC Matt Patricia/GM Bob Quinn to improve – a lot
31.Washington Football Team (3-13) | Second-year QB Dwayne Haskins already facing early pressure
32.Cincinnati Bengals (2-14) | No. 32 until they're not
