The Best and Worst NFL Teams of 2016
Rest easy, National Football League fans. The 2016 football season is rapidly approaching. The 2016 NFL Draft came and went, and training camp is in session. Aside from a few roster moves involving veteran players who we will inevitably see before and during training camp, every team’s roster for the upcoming season is set.
With that being the case, we put together our post-draft power rankings, which reflect every team’s offseason moves. Here’s what we came up with.
10. Washington Redskins
The Redskins surprised everyone on their way to winning the 2015 NFC East title. After their impressive offseason, they should be even better in 2016. As we previously mentioned, the NFC East will be wide open this year, but this time around the Redskins won’t sneak up on their opponents.
9. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have everything in place to contend in the NFC in 2016. They proved that they can play with anyone in the league last year, and were actually a shanked 27-yard field goal from knocking off the Seattle Seahawks in the 2015 NFC Playoffs. A lot of their 2016 season will depend on the development of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but as long as Adrian Peterson is healthy and their defense is at the top of its game, the Vikings will be competitive.
8. New England Patriots
Don’t fly of the handle here. This ranking reflects the Patriots without quarterback Tom Brady, who as of now is suspended for the first four games of the season. If we knew Brady was going to have his suspension overturned, the Patriots would be the No. 1 team in our power rankings.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Will this be the year that the Bengals finally get over the hump and win a playoff game? They have everything in place to be one of the top teams in the AFC (again), but it will be all for naught if they make a sixth-straight early playoff exit in 2016 (again).
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers may have the best offense in the league, which should be enough to keep them in every game they play this season. If their defense comes together, this could be a Super Bowl-caliber team.
5. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers will again be one of the top teams in the league, but we actually see them taking a small step back in 2016. Here’s why. They lost All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman and failed to adequately replace him, and they did little to improve their lackluster offensive line.
4. Arizona Cardinals
When it comes down to it, the Cardinals may actually have the most complete roster in the league. They proved in the past that they can play with and beat anybody, but they will have to stay healthy to do so in 2016. This team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
3. Denver Broncos
Most people are worried about the Broncos’ quarterback situation, but in reality, their quarterback play in 2015 was nothing short of disastrous and that wasn’t even enough to keep them from winning the Super Bowl. Despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, the Broncos should have one of the best defenses in the game again. As they proved last year, it is all they need to compete for a world championship.
2. Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a great offseason thus far. They will be one of the top contenders to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LI next February. They should be better on defense, and the return of wide receiver Jordy Nelson will definitely boost their offense. And, of course, they still have the best offensive player in the game in quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
1. Seattle Seahawks
As long as the Seahawks can keep their nucleus (Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, Jimmy Graham, and Kam Chancellor) intact during the prime of their respective careers, they will be legitimate Super Bowl contenders. As of now, the Seahawks are the team to beat in the NFC.
EmoticonEmoticon