8. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week's ranking: 15
My colleague Lou Scataglia and eye didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on every team in our most recent power rankings, but there was no bigger gap than this one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Here's what he had to say in last week's rankings:
"One team I would sell your stock on would be the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only is AJ Brown out of the picture, who was their best pass-catcher, but the team has yet another new offense thanks to hiring Sean Mannion as the new offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin Patullo."
- Lou Scataglia
I'm of the thinking that the Philly defense is way too good for this team to not enter the year as a top-10 team in the league. And the loss of AJ Brown is a significant loss of talent, but Dontayvion Wicks has been having a great camp, and we'll see how others step up for this team. Losing Kevin Patullo could be addition by subtraction.
7. San Francisco 49ers
Last week's ranking: 9
The bottom line with the San Francisco 49ers is pretty simple and straightforward: If this team can stay healthy, they are going to be a threat all year, and perhaps the best team in the NFC.
If there's one NFC team that's flying under the radar, at least among teams generally considered contenders already, it would have to be the 49ers. This 49ers team is so good on both sides of the ball with a great combination of star power and coaching.
And wouldn't you know it: De'Zhaun Stribling looked great in the preseason opener. The 33rd overall pick and wide receiver prospect out of Ole Miss was one of the most criticized picks in the entire league, and his debut (63 yards on 7 receptions) was exactly what this team needed to see.
6. New England Patriots
Last week's ranking: 6
Even though the perception of the Patriots is a little more negative because of the way they played in the Super Bowl, as well as Mike Vrabel's offseason news, this is still a team I'd be holding stock on for this upcoming season.
A tougher schedule might reveal a bit more about this Patriots team, but it's going to be exciting to see them in tougher situations week after week. They were still really good in situational football last year when they needed to be, winning three straight playoff games despite historically bad playoff numbers from Drake Maye.
Maye can bounce back, and the Patriots are still a very well-run team with a great combination of veterans and youth. And now, AJ Brown is in the mix.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 3
I feel bad about pushing the Seahawks down a couple of spots this week, but my NFL Power Rankings aren't based on the team's accomplishments last season. I still think you have to have some proper reverence for a team like Seattle after winning the Super Bowl, but some Power Rankings will put them in the #1 spot until they are dethroned.
I wouldn't say this team is the best on paper in the NFL right now, but they are going to be extremely tough. They need to figure out a way to cut down on the giveaways on offense, and they'll have to do it without Klint Kubiak pulling the strings.
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