NFL Power Rankings Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs set the tone
By Will Lomas
16. Indianapolis Colts
-Are the Colts good? No, right?
I mean, sure they have some great players like Quenton Nelson, Darius Leonard and Deforest Buckner, but I just keep finding myself asking, “So?” How often do guards and inside linebackers really change games and drive teams to win divisions?
These power rankings are based a lot around how good teams are at the most important places like head coach, quarterback, offensive tackle, EDGE, and cornerback. Well, they get good grades at head coach, but:
-The quarterback is learning a new system and coming off of his worst season.
-Their left tackle thought about retiring well into the offseason.
-Justin Houston is carrying the water for their EDGEs and he isn’t getting any younger.
-Cornerback is a mess other than Kenny Moore and he was banged up in training camp.
That isn’t a recipe for success, so how good can the elite players and position with little value really help? We are going to find out I guess.
15. Green Bay Packers
-Aaron Rodgers has to be furious as the Packers go into another season with just one weapon in the passing game. Still, they are high on these power rankings because they have talent at the premium positions.
The biggest concern has to be Matt LaFleur and his clear love for a strong running game over a strong passing game, and that conflict has to come to a head eventually. However, until then the pass rush is just too good to make me worry about the defense and Aaron Rodgers has shown he will do everything he can to pull this offense out of mediocrity despite the front office’s best efforts.