OPS Inaugural NFL Power Rankings

-Kyle Langston

@kylelangston49

In honor of the Hall of Fame Game last night, the crew at Open Period Sports has decided to bless you all with our first set of power rankings. A quick disclaimer that these guys are the best of the best and we can guarantee that these power rankings will be perfect, but if you disagree please let us know in the comments! 

Our Panel

- Gus Martin - OPS NFL Writer - @gusmartin321
- Fabrizio Salerno - OPS General Sports Writer - @fabriziosa1erno
- Jake Fernandez - OPS Manager of Writers - @fernywaffles
- Kyle Langston - NFL Power Ranker - @kylelangston49

Without Further Ado...

32. Colts

Highest Ranking: 31

Lowest Ranking 32

It's getting to the point where now the entire NFL fan base wants Andrew Luck to be healthy so the Colt's fans don't have an excuse for why they are usually power ranked worse than the Browns. Luck's return is looking promising and reports say he and T.Y. Hilton look "in sync", but the guys on our crew need to see it before we can believe it. 

31. Bills

Highest Ranking: 29

Lowest Ranking 32

Head coach Doug McDermott made the curious decision of turning a playoff team into the next season of 'fixer upper'. It's semi-understandable considering the only play maker on the team is 30 year old Lesean McCoy, but coach McDermott must feel pretty comfortable with his job to let quarterback Tyrod Taylor and center Eric Wood go this offseason. The Bills will now be headed by either A.J. McCarron, who has just 3 starts in his career, or 1st round pick Josh Allen who has had a rough start to training camp to say the least. 

30. Jets

Highest Ranking: 27

Lowest Ranking: 30

This is going to be another rough season for the Jets. They have finally figured out a contract that works for 1st round pick Sam Darnold, but luckily Todd Bowles wont be forced to start him week 1 if he doesnt think the rookie is ready. This is because the Jets finally have something that they have been lacking since the pre-civil war era, competition at quarterback. Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater have reportedly both looked good in camp, and not having to ruin Darnold's career this year is good news for everybody involved. The Jets are trending in the right direction, but don't expect this season to bear any fruit.

29. Dolphins

Highest Ranking: 26

Lowest Ranking 31 

As fans of the NFL, we all pray for the health of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, should he go down again, the Dolphins will turn back to the analyst booth to re-sign Jay Cutler (or God forbid Tony Romo). The Dolphins don't believe in what they have had on the field and are looking to shake things up over the next few years. This was made obvious when Miami let go of their best offensive (Landry) and defensive (Suh) players in the offseason. The Dolphins will start the rebuild, but who knows whether they will do it like the Browns or the Astros. 

28. Bengals

Highest Rank: 25

Lowest Rank: 30

Finally the Browns aren't the worst team in Ohio, and you could even argue they are the third worst if we include the Cavs and their fearless leader Tristan Thompson. Anyways, the Bengals look decent on paper every year. We have seen Andy Dalton play well under center, AJ green is a top fantasy option every year, these paired with Tyler Eifert, John Ross III, Joe Mixon, and Giovani Bernard means that the Bengals should be a decent team, but they should always be a decent team and they haven't been in recent memory. For this reason, we won't rank them higher until they prove something on the field. 

27. Buccaneers

Highest Ranking: 23

Lowest Raning: 29

The Bucs knew what they were getting in to when they drafted Jameis Winston number one overall back in 2015, and here it is finally catching up with them. Winston is suspended for the first three games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, but with solid backup Ryan Fitzpatrick to step in that alone would not put them this low in the power rankings. Tampa Bay's real issues lie on the defensive side. Dead last in the league in sacks last season, something will have to change before they can be compete in a pass heavy division like the NFC South. 

26. Bears

Highest Ranking: 22

Lowest Ranking:28

Mitchell Trubisky showed some flashes of stardom in his rookie campaign (though he will never be able to live up to the ransom he was traded for). The bears made some solid moves in the offseason, most notably picking up Allen Robinson, who will make Trubisky's life a whole lot easier. Chicago also made a serious improvement at the Linebacker spot by drafting Roquan Smith, and they may be ranked higher if Smith wasn't still holding out. If this team reaches their potential, be sure to circle that rivalry game in Green Bay on your calender.

25. Ravens

Highest Ranking: 18...uhh

Lowest Ranking: 29

Is the Joe Flacco era over in Baltimore? Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson has already jumped Robert Griffin III on the depth chart. If Jackson can become a solid starter over the next few seasons, then he will be far and away the steal of the draft. I am still skeptical of how well Jackson's abilities will carry over to the NFL, but if RG3 is a good teammate he will express how important it is for players like him to be pass first in the league of 6'3" 210 pound safeties. The addition of Michael Crabtree will also help out, but when the best player on your team is the kicker, we can't put you higher than 25.

24. Browns

Highest Ranking: 19

Lowest Ranking: 28

Whether it be Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield under center, the Browns offense is going to be unrecognizable this season. The previously winless squad added Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde to go along with Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon. If this offense can manage to live up to its potential, the browns will finally be bearable to watch this season. (Don't tell anybody, but I might even enjoy it).

23. Giants

Highest Ranking: 19

Lowest Ranking: 26

This season will be Eli Manning's final shot at rising up from the ashes. The return of a healthy OBJ and the addition of Saquon Barkley to go along with an improved offensive line means this offense has no excuse to not be competitive. The defense has shown that they can be tough on opposing offenses, but it is up in the air how well that will carry over to this season. The Giants don't have a plan for Manning's successor, so this season depends heavily on how well he performs.

22. Lions

Highest Ranking: 21

Lowest Ranking: 23

The biggest question here is whether or not the additions of LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson can revive Detroits run game for the first time in a long time. If the Lions can put together any type of a run threat it will allow Stafford to do what he does best, throw the ball deep. New head coach Matt Patricia may have revived Stafford's career with these offseason moves, hopefully it shows on the field.

21. Broncos

Highest Ranking: 15

Lowest Ranking: 23

Ahh the question remains, is Case Keenum actually good. We all thought we had an answer to this question until a tremendous run last season with Vikings. Now with the Broncos, Keenum will be playing behind a significantly less talented offensive line, and he will also be playing against significantly better pass rushers in the AFC West. The Broncos defense will do its job. Their success hinges on the offensive line's ability to keep Keenum protected, and on Keenum's ability to take advantage when he does have a clean pocket.

20. Cardinals

Highest Ranking: 18

Lowest Ranking: 21

The Cardinals picked up Josh Rosen in the first round of the draft this season. This means new head coach Steve Wilks wants Rosen to be 'the guy' for the red birds in the future. This season it will be Sam Bradford under center with a decent defense to back him up. Very rarely does a team have a significant season in the wake of losing their quarterback and head coach, but a team with Grandpa Larry on it can only be so bad. 

19. Redskins

Highest Ranking: 14

Lowest Ranking: 24

The dissent in our panel's rankings looks to be pretty representative of the football community as a whole. This is a team with a solid defense, and a new quarterback that has had success in the past. Alex Smith will be lacking the weapons he had in Kansas City and the play calling from Andy Reid, but after being kicked to the curb Smith may come back with a vengeance this season.

18. Seahawks

Highest Ranking: 13

Lowest Ranking: 27

The legion of boom is no more. The last piece to the once feared squad is in a holdout and it is very possible he ends up playing somewhere else this season. With defensive backs gone, the Seahawks are suffering a serious identity crisis. There is no real run game, the receiving corps is average at best, and Russell Wilson can only do so much behind a struggling offensive line. Pete Carroll is sitting on a very hot seat and barring something special happening this season his future in Seattle doesn't look promising.

17. Cowboys

Highest Ranking: 17

Lowest Ranking: 17

It only makes sense that the Cowboys are our panels first point of agreement. Dak Prescott is ready to pick up exactly where Tony Romo's legacy left off, by going 8-8. Zeke will do his thing again (to clarify, I mean running the football well, not beating women), but Dak will struggle with a lackluster receiving corps. The defense has some playmakers, but also some duds. Cowboys fans will talk about winning the division for the first few weeks like they always do, but those hopes will be shot down sooner rather than later.

16. Raiders

Highest Ranking: 15

Lowest Ranking: 16

We will see if head coach Jon Gruden still has it in him. Obviously this was big time for revamping a fan base that was very disappointed in Oakland's on the field performance last season. Unfortunately, Gruden has made some poor decisions in the offseason. Replacing Michael Crabtree with Jordy Nelson is the main issue that comes to mind. Crabtree was the only reason the Raiders offense was able to stay above water last season after the abysmal year Amari Cooper had. Derek Carr is going to have to earn all that money he just made this season if the Raiders want to make it above .500

15. Chiefs

Highest Ranking: 14

Lowest Ranking: 19

The Chiefs will be good no matter who their quarterback is, they have a strong defense, and potentially the most offensive fire power in the league. Exactly how good they will be is dependent on how well Patrick Mahomes plays. After letting go of the quarterback that took them to the playoffs last year, Andy Reid will look like a genius or an idiot this year. Patrick Mahomes has every reason to succeed this year, but the expectation of a playoff appearance can weigh heavy on a young quarterbacks shoulders. Anything less than winning the AFC west this year should be looked at as a disappointment.

14. 49ers

Highest Ranking: 11

Lowest Ranking: 20

Yep, we are on the Garroppolo train just like the rest of you. I'm not saying it isn't going to crash spectacularly, but we will be crawling out of the flames just with everybody else. The two major additions are CB Richard Sherman and wideout Dante Pettis. Kyle Shanahan looks like he knows how to win, and the guys in the locker room believe in what he is doing. That alone could lead to an impressive season for San Fran. 

13. Chargers

Highest Ranking: 9 (chargers fan)

Lowest Ranking: 20

Phillip Rivers went back to throwing the ball like a champ last season, and he still has quite a few weapons on the offense. The offensive line will immediately improve upon the return of offensive guard Forrest Lamp from a knee injury that side lined him all of last season. Unfortunately what looked to be one of the NFL's better defenses lost one of its biggest pieces when Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett went down with an achilles injury a few days ago in training camp. The cornerback is expected to miss the rest of the season, dealing a serious blow to the Chargers chances of winning the AFC West.

12. Titans

Highest Ranking: 12

Lowest Ranking: 15

The Titans fired head coach Mike Mularkey after making it to the second round of the playoffs last season. It was a tough decision, but it is hard to say it was without merit. Marcus Mariota made a serious regression last season despite the addition of many solid weapons to the offense. It was apparent Mariota needed change. That change came in the form of new head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel seems to be making all the right moves this season in drafting Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans and re-signing veteran tight end Delanie Walker, but the Titans have a long season ahead of them in a division that is shaping up to be one of the league's best.

11. Panthers

Highest Ranking: 11

Lowest Ranking: 13

Every year the panthers seem to look pretty thin on paper, but every year we like to think they will be successful. Why? Cam Newton. Cam took a step back over the last couple seasons, but there is no reason he can't return to MVP form this year and carry this team on his unnecessarily muscular shoulders. A healthy Greg Olsen and another year of experience for Christian McCaffrey should help with that. The defensive side of the ball is heavily dependent on if Luke Keuchley can stay healthy, but I wouldn't count on that. Hopefully the Panthers can go back to playing playoff football because when Super Cam and Captain American are firing on all cylinders, this team is fun to watch.

10. Texans

Highest Ranking: 8

Lowest Ranking: 11

The Texans are a tough team to gauge. After seeing what quarterback Deshaun Watson did in his first six starts, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that the Texans could be competing for the Super Bowl 7 months from now. Watson's play reminded us just how good receiver Deandre Hopkins can be, and the defensive will look stout at the beginning of the season once again. If we could guarantee that the Texans would stay healthy this season, then they would be ranked a lot higher. Unfortunately, the Texans haven't been able to shake the injury bug that last few seasons. Could this be the year?

9. Packers

Highest Ranking: 7

Lowest Ranking: 9

As usual, the Packers are looking painfully average in almost every facet of the game. As a matter of fact, I bet you can't even name their starting running back. The addition of Jimmy Graham helps a little bit, but with pretty much every quarterback in the league this team would be happy with 7 wins. Luckily, the Packers don't have pretty much every quarterback in the league. If he can stay healthy, Aaron Rodgers will once again lead his team to a number of miraculous wins and probably a trip to the playoffs. 

8. Rams

Highest Ranking: 5

Lowest Ranking: 10

Sean McVay probably already deserves a statue in LA. After turning the Rams into playoff contenders after just one season, he decided to go big this offseason. The Rams added Ndomukong Suh, Aquib Talib, and Brandin Cooks to go along with an already star studded team. Todd Gurley is playing at MVP level and Aaron Donald will continue being a force to be reckoned with. Super Bowl expectations by the fan base are certainly not unreasonable.

7. Jaguars

Highest Ranking: 5

Lowest Ranking: 7

Placing the Jaguars this high hurts me more than you know, but there is no way around it after the way they played last season. Fournette had no trouble disproving the skeptics. The defense, headed by CB Jalen Ramsey, outperformed even the highest of expectations. Yeah, Bortles was fine too. This is the exact opposite case of the Packers, any average quarterback on this team would look really good. Yes, I know Bortles played pretty well last season, but I am a registered hater and refuse to give him credit even where it may be due. I will concede that if he plays the way he did last season they should be in a good spot to win a competitive AFC South.

6. Falcons

Highest Ranking: 3

Lowest Ranking:10

This Falcons team is still largely made up of members of the 2017 offensive power house that went to the super bowl. Julio Jones has ended his holdout, and Devonte Freeman has looked good in training camp. The defense is alright, but with a plethora of weapons surrounding Matt Ryan the Falcons are poised to return to the super bowl any given year. 

5. Steelers

Highest Ranking: 4

Lowest Ranking: 10

Much like the Falcons, the Steelers have a powerful offense and a mediocre defense. Big Ben seems like he could retire any morning he doesn't feel like getting out of bed, and its a miracle Le'veon Bell hasn't thrown a any punches in the Pittsburg front office. Despite all these troubles, the Steelers have enough playmakers on both sides of the ball to make them playoff contenders every year. 

4. Vikings

Highest Ranking: 3

Lowest Ranking: 6

SKOL! SKOL! The 'Minnesota Miracle' was one for the history books, but it is certainly not the ceiling for this team. The Vikings still have the leagues most terrifying defense, worthy of the comparisons to the fabled purple people eaters. The quarterback situation also got a serious upgrade with the addition of Quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins played well in Washington last year with very limited playmaking around him. Put him on the field with this Vikings offense, and this team is going to be scary.

3. Saints

Highest Ranking: 1

Lowest Ranking: 6

Ah, what could have been. The last thing I want to do is bash Marcus Williams, but I am going to use it as justification for placing the Saints ahead of the Vikings. Who knows how everything would have shaped up had the Saints gone on to face the Eagles in the NFC championship, but there is no point in wondering about that now. What matters is that the Saints went from being one of the best one dimensional teams of all time behind the arm of Drew Brees, to one of the most well rounded teams in the league. The best part is that aside from Brees, the core of the team is only going to get better. Offensive rookie of the year Alvin Kamara will only improve as he continues to learn the offense, and Pro-bowler Michael Thomas is shaping up to be one of the premier receiving options in the league this season. It would be tough to keep up with this offense against a mediocre defense, and the Saints can do you one much better than that. The Saints are going to be tough to beat, and are my personal favorites to win it all. 

2. Patriots

Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 2

TB12 and coach Belichick once again have a pretty lackluster squad on paper, especially at the receiver spot. Signing Eric Decker should do wonders for both sides of that deal, as Decker fits the mold of a Pats wideout better than most and will be a sufficient replacement for Edelman. We can sit here all day and give you reasons the patriots may not be contenders this year, but that would just be pointless. We know that you could pair Belichick, Brady, and a bunch of 2nd graders and they would make a serious run at the title. Luckily the crew they will be playing with is at least physically more dominant than a group of second graders, I cant speak for the comparative abilities above the shoulders (yes, I am looking at you Gronk).

1. Eagles

Highest Ranking: 1

Lowest Ranking: 3

Ain't this what they been waiting for? You ready?

The Eagles were the best team in the league last year and made two huge offseason additions in Carson Wentz and Meek Mill. Wentz was the MVP favorite 3/4 of the way through the season before tearing his ACL, then quarterback Nick Foles stepped in for the team's playoff run. Props to Foles for winning Super Bowl MVP and then reassuming the backup role, shows a lot of character. The Eagles offense always seemed to score when they needed to, but it was really the defense that won it for this team last year. It was a defense that took a lot of teams by surprise. Now that they have a target on their back, it will quickly become apparent just how good they really are.