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NFL Power Rankings 2019: Raiders have helmet issues, Browns hype grows

By Randy Gurzi

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 08: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the New York Giants during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 08: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the New York Giants during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

30. New York Jets (32)

Sam Darnold had a good first drive for the New York Jets as he led them 75-yards down the field in just over three minutes. Darnold ended the drive with a touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder, who was a wise addition in the offseason. The second-year quarterback then took a seat and watched the rest of the game.

As impressive as that was, it was almost a complete disaster. Darnold’s first throw of the game was a bad pass that should have been intercepted by safety Jabrill Peppers. He deserves credit for bouncing back but turnovers were a huge concern for Darnold throughout his collegiate career and it continued into his rookie campaign, which makes that throw a bit concerning.

Even if Darnold continues the good play, this team is hard to believe in. They’ll run everything through Le’Veon Bell as he’s their main offensive weapon, but head coach Adam Gase reportedly didn’t even want Bell. That’s not hard to believe as the former Miami Dolphins coach didn’t get along with many of the star players on his team during his first coaching tenure.

The key to their season will be Gase and whether or not he learned from his mistakes with the Dolphins. Considering he got the general manager fired right after snapping at reporters who suggested there was a problem between the two suggests that’s not the case.

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