AMLoB Season 8 Power Rankings v1
by Ljdubzero | 6 years ago | 0 Comments
1.) Carolina Panthers
The reigning Super Bowl champs are starting the season at #1 as they look to defend their title. Capturing their 2nd title in 3 seasons has this team on the prowl looking to repeat. With the opening game being a rematch of the NFC Championship Game we will find a lot out early with this team. The talent has continued to get better as Howard was drafted to help at the LB spot. Dixon Cox put on a show last year and looks to continue to build upon that performance, Kizer looks to regain his efficiency, Curry and Sutton have been looking good leading up to the start, and the self proclaimed “CoreIV” secondary has had a shakeup as Langham has been moved to the slot CB spot. With everything happening this team looks to repeat for the first time in league history, but can they do it?
2.) Cleveland Browns
The Browns pulled off a first in league history last season by running the table in the regular season only to be let down in a tight AFC Championship Game in which they were leading late. The window for a championship is still wide open for this team as West, Godspeed, Mixon and Mach look to make it happen this season. The defense is coming back with a lot of strong pieces as well as they look to continue their dominance in being the stingiest defense for points allowed last season. This team looked the part of a potential super bowl champion last year but a series of events led to a loss. They look like they’re ready to return and take a shot at it again this season, maybe not quite the undefeated regular season like last year but we shall see if this team replicates that success.
3.) Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are looking to return on another championship run and capture a 3rd title in 5 seasons. Hangartner has mended his relationship with the organization and is now back at the helm in full capacity. This team is loaded with talent and after a great draft they will definitely be looking to compete at a high level. This team has won 5 division titles in the past few seasons as they look to regain it back from their heated division rival, San Francisco 49ers. Talking to this coach he said the team didn’t have the hunger they did the season before after winning their second title and they rested on their laurels. Well now this coach has them focused but can they regain that mentality that has won them championships or is it just not in the cards for this team.
4.) Detroit Lions
The Lions had a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic season last year with an exit in the wild card round after a very strong 13-3 season. Lewerke and Fairley look to continue the quick rapport they built early last season as Bachie and Davis look to keep this defense energized. On offense this team has shown that they have the weapons to put up points and on defense they’ve shown they have all the pieces necessary to make a run. After drafting a big red zone threat to compliment Fairley and his speed that adds another dynamic to this team. This coach has proven that he can get the job done as he’s done with 2 different teams in 2 different conferences but can he put it together to win a Super Bowl?
5.) San Francisco 49ers
The 9ers look to not only reach the NFC Championship game again but this time take it en route to a potential title. The 9ers have made it clear that they’re an elite team over the course of the past few seasons. The coach has said after watching this team early that this team is exactly how he wants it and is built to make a push as they look to take home a Super Bowl title. Tapia is coming in to his 2nd year as a starter and this team expects him to make big leaps on his way to becoming the type of QB that can win a title. A couple of really good guys drafted on defense and still some good guys on offense despite trading Chris Godwin this passed offseason. This team has potential to do great things as they have a rematch from their playoff loss last year in week 1.
6.) New York Jets
The Jets look to return back to the Super Bowl this season after a tough loss to the Panthers last year. The coach made sure this offseason that he would have the pieces he needs to repeat the performance from last season. Drafting a new QB, a new WR and adding other pieces around the team including a stellar rookie CB should help this team reach their destination at least they have the talent to. The development will be a big part as it’s a lot of young guys on this team that will be learning the ropes being a big part of a competitive team. After looking at this team early I think the rookies have what it takes to make an impact and keep this team winning games, but will their youth come back on them late?
7.) Kansas City Chiefs
This Chiefs team looked like they could be on a path to the Super Bowl last season until the eventual AFC champion Jets took control in the divisional round and didn’t relinquish it. That Chiefs team had a lot of young talent on it that is a year more experienced and after another great draft this team looks to have an even stronger chance of making things happen this season. Tarrant looks to make another statement after leading the league in receiving yards last season and Battle has shown that he is the top WR in the league after the offseason. This team has grown a lot and will need to continue to do so with so many new pieces coming into the season so it’ll be interesting to see. Do the Chiefs have what it takes to make a Super Bowl run this season?
8.) Cincinnati Bengals
This team is in a very precarious position, and that is dealing with a great defense with aging guys that it looks like their window is closing. For a long time the defense has been a staple of this team but Father Time might be catching up to them at this point. Even with that being said I think this team is built to make things happen and make one last strong run at a Super Bowl title that has escaped this team in its previous 2 attempts. Fiedler looks to improve upon his rookie campaign, Farley looks to validate his claim as one of the league’s top backs, and this O-Line has been nasty for years now. The defense may be aging but even with age these guys are playing great football and want to make at least one more push at a Super Bowl title, let’s see if they can get it done.
9.) Jacksonville Jaguars
This Jags team has talent everywhere and Huston looks to take another step forward for this team as he avoids a sophomore slump. This team has done great things by continuing to win division championships but can’t get over the hump in the playoffs to potentially win a title at the moment. This season the coach looks to change that as he shook it up with some changes on defense and plans to continue with how great this unit can be. The offense isn’t far behind though as Leonard Fournette looks to have a bounce back season since he got hurt and missed a lot of time last season. This team has a tough week 1 matchup as they play the Lions at home to start the season, but this team wants to make things happen this season, so let’s see if they do it.
10.) Green Bay Packers
This team was sneaky good last season and was a very tough out in the playoffs with an overachieving team. After a solid draft and a year under their young stars belt, as well as a year in the Packers coach’s system, this team looks to take another step forward. I think this Packers team has a good chance to make noise this season as the roster suits the coach’s style about as good as he needs at least on the offensive side of the ball. Worsley proved his elite status as a CB last year and wants to build on what he made happen last year. Trotter looks to lead this defense along with Worsley back to the playoffs and hopefully make enough noise to not only compete for the super bowl but win it. I think this team is another sleeper to watch so stay tuned to this team.
11.) New England Patriots
12.) Atlanta Falcons
13.) Houston Texans
14.) Baltimore Ravens
15.) Denver Broncos
16.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17.) Oakland Raiders
18.) Dallas Cowboys
19.) Chicago Bears
20.) New Orleans Saints
21.) Indianapolis Colts
22.) Philadelphia Eagles
23.) Los Angeles Rams
24.) New York Giants
25.) Pittsburgh Steelers
26.) Buffalo Bills
27.) Minnesota Vikings
28.) Seattle Seahawks
29.) Tennessee Titans
30.) Miami Dolphins
31.) Los Angeles Chargers
32.) Washington Redskins