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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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Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Carolina Panthers

2015 record: 15-1

The Panthers are on a quest to prove that 2015 was not a fluke and Cam Newton is trying to bounce back from a bad Super Bowl performance. The return of Kelvin Benjamin gives him another offensive weapon, but the loss of Josh Norman will hurt them defensively. Luke Kuechly is still the dominant force on the defense, so we can still expect it to be among the league’s best. I don’t think the Panthers will go 15-1 again, but they can repeat as division champs. They are no longer the best team in the NFC, and I don’t see them as NFC champions this year.

3. Seattle Seahawks

2015 record: 10-6

The Seahawks got hot towards the end of last year and will look to maintain their momentum this year. The offense lost Marshawn Lynch, but Thomas Rawls established himself as a power running back in 2015. Doug Baldwin torched opposing defenses in the second half of the year and if he plays anything like that again, this offense will put up a lot of points. Jimmy Graham is back from his injury and will try once again to gel with the offense. The Legion of Boom is always dangerous to face and the defensive line improved since last year. I think the Seahawks are the only team in the NFC that scares Arizona.

2. New England Patriots

2015 record: 12-4

The most difficult challenge for the Patriots in the regular season will be to survive the first four weeks of the season without Tom Brady. If Jimmy Garoppolo and Bill Belichick can go at least 2-2, Patriot fans would be thrilled. The Pats added Martellus Bennett to help them in two tight-end sets to pair with Rob Gronkowski. Their offense was top-notch a few years ago with Gronk and Aaron Hernandez, and Gronk-Bennett have the potential to be even better. The defense took a hit by trading Chandler Jones, but leave it to Belichick to minimize his loss. The Pats will once again be a Super Bowl contender, and will feast once Brady returns.

1. Arizona Cardinals

2015 record: 13-3

The Cardinals are the most complete team in the league. The addition of Chandler Jones improves the weakest link of their defense, and the secondary is back to full strength with Tyrann Mathieu expected back Week 1. The offense, led behind QB Carson Palmer, will rely on Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson to carry the load. Jarron and Josh Brown add depth to the WR corps, and if Michael Floyd steps up, the Cardinals offense will be almost impossible to stop. Arizona has an elite offense and defense, which position them well for a successful season.

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