2022 NFL Power Rankings: Rams, Bills look like teams to beat entering training camp
By Randy Gurzi
. Previous: 13th. Cleveland Browns. 16. team. 53.
16. Cleveland Browns
This offseason, the Cleveland Browns went all-in when they traded three first-round picks for Deshaun Watson and then sent Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. Watson is facing a suspension from the NFL which means the Browns will have to turn to Jacoby Brissett for a while.
The good news for them is that the early portion of the season is manageable — but the longer Watson misses, the tougher the schedule gets. Until we know for sure what his status is, it will be hard to rank this team.
With him, they’re legit contenders. They have elite players on either side of the ball in Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Amari Cooper. But they need a superstar quarterback to go from a talented team to a contending one.
New England Patriots. 15. team. 47. . . Previous: 17th
15. New England Patriots
Bill Belichick hardly ever tastes defeat, which is why the 2020 season felt so weird. But then, he landed Mac Jones in the draft and brought in a bunch of free agents and suddenly his New England Patriots were back in the playoffs.
They might not be back to the level they were with Tom Brady under center but they’re still a strong team that’s insanely disciplined and will never be an easy win for anyone.
They should once again hover around the 10-win mark this season, but with others in the AFC improving, it might be hard to get back in the postseason again.