6. Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl Appearances: 2
Since the 28-3 debacle down in Houston, Atlanta has been trying to claw their way back to glory. Much like the past jokes, a majority of their stars could be past their prime days. For Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff, this could be a make or break season.
Matt Ryan will always put up the numbers to succeed, but can he close out games and pick up the close wins? The team added former Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley – a low-risk and high-reward runner in the backfield. Should Gurley regain his 2017 form, this could be a dangerous offense alongside Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Hayden Hurst.
Related | Gurley is a risky solution for the Falcons at running back
The defensive woes still will be concerning. Dante Fowler Jr. might be an upgrade from Vic Beasley, but will the pass rush continue to underachieve? Can the secondary remain healthy for a full season? There are too many question marks.
5. Houston Texans
Super Bowl Appearances: 0
Bill O’Brien might be insane for thinking Hopkins wasn’t worth a first-round pick, but results speak for themselves. Since taking over in 2014, Houston has won the AFC South four times and been past the Wild Card round twice. With year three under his belt, perhaps 2020 is finally the chance Deshaun Watson puts his name in the MVP race.
Related | Houston Texans 2020 Win Total: Can Deshaun Watson hit the over?
Hopkins’ production will be missed, but a decent receiver corp should pick up the broken pieces. Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks have speed, Kenny Stills has the size, and Randall Cobb is a reliable option in the slot. If David Johnson blows people away with his minor expectations, the new offense could be line for a breakout year in the stats book.
Houston’s problem will be defensively this season. With little pass rush, inadequate pass coverage, and holes in crucial positions, the 28th-ranked defense might only see their ranking diminish more before the end of the season. And in a somewhat even AFC South, that could be the thing to keep Houston at home come January.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl Appearances: 4
Maybe Minnesota would be higher than this if they had a full offseason. It’s hard to imagine all that young talent transforming into overnight superstars. Considered one of the top drafts, Rick Spielman might have the squad built to win long-term, yet you could see them struggle this upcoming year.
The Vikings traded Stefon Diggs to Buffalo for a first-round pick. Justin Jefferson is a perfect replacement, but also could be limited to remain in the slot. The same could be said for Jeff Gladney in coverage, who is expected to replace Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. Will the former Horned Frog be set to start Week 1 against several standouts in the division?
Keep a close on the Dalvin Cook holdout as well. While Alexander Mattison should find success, limited depth could lead to injuries and the lack of production from the backfield. For now, replacing six starters with rookies will be a tall task to ask for in a complicated offseason.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Super Bowl Appearances: 1
The Chargers have been a fan-favorite to break their curse for quite some time. Those expectations shouldn’t be going away thanks to a productive offseason overhaul. However, the quarterback decides all, and this could be what holds Los Angeles back to begin a new era.
Justin Herbert is set as the future of the position. The former Duck signal-caller impressed all season with his accuracy, natural throwing motion, and limited turnover ratio. He’ll battle it out with Tyrod Taylor, a journeyman, and consistent game-manger during training camp. Average play from one of the two in the competitive AFC West will likely only get you nine wins and at best and a wild card spot.
Chris Harris Jr. will complete an elite secondary alongside Casey Hayward and Derwin James. Linval Joseph should add starting mentality to the defensive line. The additions of Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga on the right side should at least mend the offensive line. For the Chargers, quarterback play will decide if they’re genuinely contenders or pretenders for the impending season.
2. Tennessee Titans
Super Bowl Appearances: 1
The Titans shocked the world last postseason by taking down the G.O.A.T. and the MVP on the road in January. Tom Brady’s final pass in Foxborough will be a pick-six while Lamar Jackson remains 0-2 in playoff appearances. And despite having average quarterback play and limited weapons, Tennessee still should be considered one of the favorites to take over the conference.
Ryan Tannehill‘s resurgence should provide a capable presence under center. Throwing for 3,500 yards and 27 touchdowns could be enough to get the job done in the passing game for the team should Derrick Henry continue his dominance. The league-leading rusher was near impossible to bring down on initial contact, playing the focal role in sending the Titans deep into the postseason. Should Isaiah Wilson be the perfect replacement for Jack Conklin, the offense shouldn’t miss a beat.
Related | Tennessee Titans: The top 5 defensive players 25 or under heading into the 2020 season
Defensively, so long as Jeffery Simmons can replace Jurrell Casey’s production, expect similar results. Rising stars like Rashaan Evans, Adoree’ Jackson, and Harold Landry should be fun to watch while All-Pro safety Kevin Byard commands the secondary. If any team proved they could hang with the big boys last season, Tennessee wins that battle 10/10.
1. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl Appearances: 4
Top five defense? Check. A rebuilt offensive line? Double-check. Three consistent weapons for your quarterback? Check, check, check. A franchise quarterback? To be determined; January 2021.
Whether you want to believe in Josh Allen or not, the Bills Mafia should be ready to celebrate. In his second season, Allen improved his passer rating, accuracy, and a touchdown to interception ratio. The 24-year-old gunslinger also brought the Bills to their second postseason appearance in three years, collecting their first 10-plus win season in 20 years. The addition of Stefon Diggs to pair with speedy John Brown and shifty Cole Beasley should only help him improve under center.
As for the defense, they still are the face of the franchise. Finishing top 10 in pass defense, yards per game, interceptions, and touchdowns, Sean McDermott’s squad is poised for another season of dominance in the AFC East. The pass rush could only improve with second-round steal A.J. Esperanza, while Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White could be dubbed the top secondary in the league.
After four disastrous Super Bowl appearances, it’s time to consider the Bills as contenders. And if Allen is the perfect wrench, expect them to be the next franchise to end the drought.
Cole Thompson is the lead NFL writer for Pro Football Network. Follow him on Twitter at @MrColeThompson and @PFN365 for all up to date NFL content.