The AFC teams may form a coalition and ask the NFL to look at bringing back the old Stanley Cup playoff structure in the near future. Prior to 1993, there were no conferences in hockey; instead, playoff spots were awarded to division champions and wild cards with the best records among the rest of the field. That approach, on the other hand, may help the AFC's quarterback-heavy power structure, where even ten victories may not be enough to guarantee a playoff place. Here are The Arias Journal's Top 15 NFL power rankings after free agency and the draft:
1. Buffalo Bills
If the defending Super Bowl champs had just won an overtime coin toss in Kansas City, they may have a chance. The signing of Von Miller, a two-time Super Bowl winner, felt like the last piece of the jigsaw. The Bills minimized disturbance by elevating Ken Dorsey, who will be the first time QB Josh Allen adjusts to a new play-caller.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs made a bold move by trading wide receiver Tyreek Hill. QB Patrick Mahomes will very certainly be happy throwing to imports Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Skyy Moore instead. Three rookies are expected to start on defense in Week 1. Andy Reid has led the Chiefs to a 31-5 record against the AFC West.
3. Green Bay Packers
QB Aaron Rodgers, like Mahomes, has lost his primary receiver. The Packers, like the Chiefs, used both of their first-round choices on defense. It appears to be a simple road to the NFC North title, but after two years of losing as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, their next important game is in mid-January.
4. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams made their hallmark splash by acquiring MLB Bobby Wagner and WR Allen Robinson after retaining coach Sean McVay and DT Aaron Donald from retirement. However, LT Andrew Whitworth and WR Robert Woods will not be back. Odell Beckham Jr., the wide receiver, might be in the same boat. Since 2004, no team has won the Super Bowl twice.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For a brief period, it appeared like Bruce Arians might be the coach of a club without Tom Brady. Brady will now lead a club coached by Todd Bowles, who was too conservative with the Jets and not the G.O.A.T. when he was in charge. The Buccaneers used their first two draft selections to replace defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and offensive tackle Ali Marpet.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
At least one Super Bowl participant has failed to reach the playoffs in 14 of the past 22 seasons. The Bengals must demonstrate that their postseason run was not an aberration. Replacing turnstiles with three new offensive linemen was one of the main offseason priorities. FS Jesse Bates' unwillingness to wear the franchise tag, on the other hand, is a concern.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Combine the NFL's most daring coach (Brandon Staley) with a fast-rising quarterback (Justin Herbert), a touchdown machine (RB Austin Ekeler), and three key defensive signings (CB J.C. Jackson, DT Sebastian Joseph, and OLB Khalil Mack). However, the Chargers have failed to meet lofty expectations over the past two decades.
8. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers came just one-quarter shy of making their second Super Bowl trip in three years, and they aren't ready to take a step back by switching from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance at quarterback. Deebo Samuel, the offense's focal point, is essential, yet he's dissatisfied with his contract.
9. Denver Broncos
No more arguing the unprovable assertion that if the Broncos only had a quarterback, they'd have a championship-caliber group on both sides of the ball. Russell Wilson left Seattle's bad offensive lines behind to join the NFL's strongest division. Nathaniel Hackett is under the same kind of pressure as any new coach.
10. Baltimore Ravens
As injuries increased, a six-game losing run produced a misleading narrative. The Ravens aren't far behind, especially after dominating the first two days of the draft with a best-available strategy. The scheme, which features a bunch of running backs and tight ends, looks a lot like it did during QB Lamar Jackson's 2019 MVP season.
11. Dallas Cowboys
You've arrived in a unique type of no-land: man's Good enough to win the NFC East again, but not good enough to make a deep playoff run. Mike McCarthy is under fire, with two coordinators (Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore) poised to pounce if owner Jerry Jones loses patience.
12. Indianapolis Colts
Even when they make a disastrous transaction, like trading a first-round pick for Carson Wentz, the Colts mitigate the damage by snatching Matt Ryan and flipping Wentz. With a strong defense in place, they used their first three choices on offense to help Jonathan Taylor, the NFL's leading rusher.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Last season, we discovered that if a club is excellent on both sides of the line of scrimmage, it can win while still rebuilding. In May's free agency, the Eagles used salary cap trickery to get CB James Bradberry to address one of their remaining large needs. Jalen Hurts is under the same amount of scrutiny as any other young quarterback.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders improved after returning to the playoffs by acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade. Their three competitors, on the other hand, did not. Could the AFC West become the first division in the league to send four teams to the postseason? It's incredible to consider what the Raiders may have been if the 2019 draft hadn't gone so badly.
15. New England Patriots
Bill Belichick takes pleasure in making fools of people who dispute his unconventional choices. However, entrusting offensive play-calling to one of the two sacked head coaches, former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia or former special teams coordinator Joe Judge, is a major risk. The Patriots' first- and second-round draft choices appeared to be significant gambles.
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