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NFL Power Rankings: Redskins fall, NFC South on the rise after Preseason Week 1

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Postseason Hopefuls

These teams could end up making the playoffs but also have some weaknesses that could prevent them from making the run this year.

17. New York Jets. Don’t sleep on the Jets this year. While other second-year quarterbacks (namely Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Rosen) have gotten more attention than Sam Darnold, he seems poised to grow under Adam Gase’s tutelage. Plus, the team has upgraded their offense by signing RB Le’Veon Bell, WR Jamison Crowder, C Ryan Kalil, OL Alex Lewis, and trading for LG Kelechi Osemele. That unit could see a spike in production as a result.

Meanwhile, the additions of LB C.J. Mosley, CB Trumaine Johnson, and No. 3 pick DL Quinnen Williams should be upgrades for the squad as well. Gregg Williams’ aggressive mentality could have a nice effect on the defense as well, so that’s a positive for the Jets. They may not quite reach the postseason this year, but they’ll have a chance to be effective playing in one of the league’s weakest divisions.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

18. Houston Texans. The Texans were the third seed in the AFC last year. This year, they may have a tougher time making the playoffs. Simply put, the Texans have an awful offensive line and have done little to fix it in recent seasons. They signed Matt Kalil, who is currently penciled in as a left tackle despite being woeful for Carolina last year, and overdrafted the raw Alabama State product Tytus Howard in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. If Deshaun Watson gets sacked another 62 times this year, expect the Texans offense to sputter despite their relatively strong receiving options.

Houston’s rock-solid defense should help them out a bit, but if they can’t block on offense, they will have trouble winning games. Bill O’Brien and company should have done a better job of building the offensive line and it will be an issue unless they trade for a guy like Trent Williams.

19. Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota clearly overpaid for Kirk Cousins, as he failed to get a stacked team to the playoffs last year. The Vikings have made some changes to their offensive line, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to protect Cousins enough to make a difference. Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and a strong defense will keep the Vikings competitive, but Cousins’ deficiencies should limit the squad playing in a tough NFC North.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars disappointed last season, but they should be in better shape ahead of the 2019 season. They have replaced the ineffective Blake Bortles with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles at quarterback. Foles hasn’t always succeeded in the regular season, but his postseason performance gives hope that he can become a solid starter. And he’s definitely an upgrade over Bortles. He can help keep the team’s strong defense fresh, though that unit isn’t as strong as it has been in the past due to the losses of Malik Jackson, Telvin Smith, and Tashaun Gipson.

21. Tennessee Titans. Marcus Mariota has yet to live up to his billing as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft as he has had injury issues during his career. The Titans almost made the playoffs with Blaine Gabbert starting last season but ultimately fell short. Ryan Tannehill will be better as Mariota’s insurance, but it’s unclear if he could elevate this team to playoff contention if Mariota is hurt or struggles. However, their receiving weapons are merely average so their Top-6 defense from last season will have to carry them despite being somewhat thin at the pass rusher position. Mike Vrabel is a good head coach, but he’ll have his work cut out for him this year.

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