It’s here! It’s finally here. The NFL is back. No more behind-closed-doors baseball, basketball or soccer (apologies to my compatriots).
Instead, we get to watch football on our televisions this weekend — some lucky folks will get to watch games in a stadium, which feels like a minor miracle given how the last few months have gone.
It’s been a while since our last rankings, and as we all know a lot can change in just a short amount of time. These Week 1 rankings certainly represent that.
This week’s voters were Matt Stagner, Pete Sweeney, Ron Kopp and myself:
Now I know that 2020 has been a bad year for 99.9% of the world’s population, but the Kansas City Chiefs have probably had the best year in the franchise’s existence.
In hindsight, the Chiefs probably dodged a bullet in missing out on Earl Thomas. We doubt that losing Thomas makes much of a difference in the Ravens’ title chances.
The Saints tried to add Clowney but the NFL put the brakes on a two-part trade with the Browns which would have cost the Saints a second round draft pick and the Browns $5M in cap space -$5M which would have been paid to Clowney to play for the Saints. Too creative for Roger’s liking.
This team is still really good. George Kittle got paid a little more than Travis Kelce this offseason, which is probably about right given where they are in their careers right now.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th) | This week’s high risers
The closer it gets to the season, the more I worry about the potential of this team. Would not be surprised to see them win the Super Bowl in front of their own fans. LeSean McCoy said that Tom Brady is the best quarterback he has ever played with. Insert Travis Kelce ‘pfftshh’ GIF here.
Dak Prescott for $31M or Andy Dalton for $3M? Just saying.
They’ve gone all-in on Jamal Adams and Russel Wilson. Is there enough to get them back to the promised land?
This team remind me a lot of the Chiefs in the early Reid years. How far can a limited quarterback take them?
I can’t help but think this team may have already peaked. Love the signing of Jadeveon Clowney - he could be a real difference maker.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (11th)
Injuries on the offensive-line has to be a concern here. I think we all agree the NFL is a better place when Carson Wentz is playing.
So it turns out Aaron Rodgers is being a good mentor to Jordan Love. Who’d have thought it?
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (13th)
This team isn’t being slept on anymore. They could give the Ravens a real run for their money in the North. That’s good news for the Chiefs, of course.
Great offensive line, an exciting young running back and some good young receivers. No excuses for Phil Rivers now.
14. New England Patriots (15th)
Cam Newton being on the Patriots makes them likeable? What is happening?
A huge deal for Deshaun Watson, which further highlighted how good the Mahomes deal is for Kansas City.
The media darlings of the 2020 offseason.
17. Minnesota Vikings (10th) | This week’s big fallers
Got a feeling that anyone that drafted Adam Thelan in their fantasy leagues might be patting themselves on the back. Love the move for Yannick Ngakoue.
Was high on them for a couple of months, however, on the cusp of the season, it’s hard to see a way out of a tough NFC West division for them. They might benefit from the added playoff spot.
Talking a lot less than last season, which can only be a good thing.
Who designed their new logo?
21. Los Angeles Chargers (19th)
Great new stadium... that won’t host fans this season. Insert your obvious pun here.
They traded a fourth-round pick to get Nick Foles and his huge cap number, so obviously they named Mitch Trubisky the starter. Thank yourselves daily for Brett Veach, Chiefs fans.
Todd Gurley has returned to the state of Georgia. A bounce-back year for him?
Remember when the Lions ran the Chiefs real close last September? If they can reproduce at that level, they’ll be frisky.
David Carr picked his brother to win the MVP and the Raiders to win the West...
Not being talked about at all, but there are a lot of hungry young players in Carolina. A team to watch in the future,
The Josh Rosen experiment is over in Miami. Kansas City hero Ryan Fitzpatrick will start, but how long until Tua Time?
Such a shame this team is in the toughest division in the AFC. Otherwise, it could have made some noise. I expect the Bengals to steal some games.
Isn’t the only relevant thing about the Giants is what Saquon does for fantasy owners?
Have you seen the size of their left tackle? I bet Adam Gase is happy there aren’t any fans in stadium this year. Patience with him is wearing thin.
31. Washington Football Team(31st)
Just play Alex once, please.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (32nd)
They’re tanking for Trevor Lawrence.