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NFL Power Rankings: Where Do Jets and Giants Start the Season

By Nikhil Potpally

Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals during the first quarter of the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals during the first quarter of the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Indianapolis Colts

2015 record: 8-8

Andrew Luck is back, and he has a better offensive line to protect him. The defense remains the weakest link of the team, but Luck has overcome that in the past to lead the team into the playoffs. The young receiver corps will develop on the fly with Luck throwing them the ball instead of Matt Hasselbeck. Fans should be concerned about their defense, but it is good enough to stop the offenses within their division. Luck’s poor play in 2015 prior to the injury should be overlooked because of his track record. Luck will again show the league why he was the No. 1 overall pick and will pick up where he left off in 2014.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

2015 record: 12-4

The Bengals were a top team before Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury last year. With him back at full strength, I expect A.J. Green to be a top five WR this year.  If Jeremy Hill plays like he did two years ago, the offense can overcome the losses of Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Cincinnati boasts a top defense and can slow down any opposing offense. The Bengals are a playoff team, but they will have their hands full with the Steelers for the division title.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

2015 record: 10-6

The Steelers had the opportunity to have the best offense in the league. Suspensions to LeVeon Bell and Martavis Bryant and a serious injury to Ladarius Green affected those projections. They still have Big Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, so I wouldn’t count out the offense completely. As long as the secondary isn’t Swiss cheese, the Steelers are once again a playoff team in 2016.

6. Green Bay Packers

2015 record: 10-6

The Packers almost made it to the NFC Championship Game last year without Jordy Nelson. Free agent signing, Jared Cook, adds a dangerous receiving threat alongside Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. The offensive line took a hit when the team cut Josh Sitton, but they should still play well enough for Rodgers to find open receivers. The defense got better with rookie Kenny Clark joining Julius Peppers, Letroy Guion and Mike Daniels, while the secondary is good with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett and  Quinten Rollins. The Packers will make some noise in the playoffs, and will have a good 2016 season.

5. Denver Broncos

2015 record: 12-4

You don’t normally see the defending Super Bowl champions starting their next year without their No. 1 or 2 QBs on the roster. The Broncos found themselves in a unique situation, in which Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler bolted for more money. The intended replacement, Mark Sanchez, brought back memories of his years with the Jets, and was cut. The Broncos are entering 2016 with Trevor Siemian as the starting QB, with draft pick Paxton Lynch learning behind him. No matter how good the Broncos defense is, the offense will still have to function for the team to do well. The Broncos have good weapons in Demaryius Thomas, C.J. Anderson and Emmanuel Sanders, but their performance hinges on how well the QB plays. The 2016 Broncos will try to disprove the notion that the QB is the most important position on an NFL team, with Von Miller leading the way instead.

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