1) LAC
- Elite EDGE rushers (Bosa, Ingram)
- Elite players at DB (James, Hayward & King)
- Great all around at the skill positions (Allen, Williams, Henry & Gordon)
- Mediocre OL paired with overrated QB play (although that doesn't apply here)
Summary: Elite cover 3 zone defense with an all around pretty good offense. I like them vs. almost anyone in the NFL but vs. NE. Running an undersized version of the Seattle defense is one of the last ones you want to use to get by the Pats. Otherwise, I like them vs. the rest of the AFC contenders.
2) NE
- Elite OL (Wynn can get them to #1)
- Elite talent & depth at DB (Seven starting caliber players not counting Williams)
- Respectable front seven with surprisingly strong depth at LB
- WR/TE remains weak & unproven. WR does have upside.
Summary: Elite man coverage defense with an above average offense lacking firepower at the skill positions. If you removed Brady & gave NE an average QB they'd start to resemble some of the Ravens teams of years past: ground control with a strong run game paired with a high level man defense (they may still aim for this style if WR flops).
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3) IND
- Elite OL
- Respectable talent at the skill positions (Hilton, Funchess, Ebron & Mack)
- An overall good defense that lacks high level talent at DL & DB
Summary: A team without many weaknesses but lacks the talent on defense of the first two teams. An antiquated cover 2 defense with question marks in the secondary. A typical tier 2 contender type roster IMO.
4) CLE
- Flashy talent at the skill positions (Beckham Jr, Landry, Njoku & Chubb)
- Mediocre OL with liabilities at both tackle spots
- Talented DL with multiple stars (Garrett & Richardson)
- A secondary with question marks
Summary: Could be higher or lower depending on your preference. IMO the offense is overrated but the defense has upside if the CB play can come together.
5) HOU
- Arguably the best WR trio in football when healthy (Hopkins, Fuller & Coutee)
- RB/TE nothing to right home about
- OL remains a mess with talent approaching bottom of the league
- Same story on defense with elite front seven talent paired with a questionable secondary
Summary: Houston is another team based on personal preference. I'm not a big fan of bad OL play paired with great skill position players nor a defense reliant on front 7 play. The Texans remain weak at areas you shouldn't be in a passing league but do have elite talent on both sides of the ball.
6) PITT
- Elite OL
- Respectable talent at the skill positions (Smith-Schuster, Washington, McDonald & Conner)
- Elite talent at DL including IDL & EDGE (Hayward, Tuitt & Watt)
- Question marks at LB & DB
Summary: The roster takes a step back losing a first ballot HOF WR. The defense can be great at times but lacks the necessary secondary talent to be elite IMO.
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Bonus - 7) KC without Mahomes & Hill
- Average OL
- Average talent at the skill positions (Watkins, Hardman, Kelce & Williams)
- Talented DL (Jones & Clark)
- Mess at CB
Summary: I'm not a fan of this offense without Tyreek Hill & removing the QB makes it forgettable. This team lacks the talent to be a SB contender IMO if Hill gets suspended but Mahomes will always be the X factor.
8-12) BALT/TENN/JAX/BUFF/NYJ
Summary: Teams that lack talent on offense but have pretty good talent on defense. QB play is also a question mark on all of them. Pick your favorite of the bunch.
13-16) OAK/DEN/CIN/MIA
Summary: These teams lack the talent on both sides of the ball to compete this year IMO.
