La Presse today offers the second part of its general ranking of the NFL, to find out which are the best and the worst teams in the league, a few days before the start of the season.
In a division as takeable as theirs, the Saints want to finish in first place at all costs. Veterans Derek Carr, Jamaal Williams and Jimmy Graham all moved to Louisiana. Added to Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave and Taysom Hill, the Saints will be intractable by running and passing. Versatility and abundance. Now everything has to work and the sauce has to set. Otherwise it would be a real mess.
The Steelers will be the biggest upset of the season for two reasons: Kenny Pickett and George Pickens. Two huge potentials. The two sophomores had fun during preseason games. Thanks to their brilliance, head coach Mike Tomlin will post another winning season. Their defense was already one of the most dangerous, and with several additions, like Patrick Peterson, the Steelers should be detail.
Once again, everything will go through the attack at the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence silenced his critics last season. On the ground, Travis Etienne is on the right track. Through the pass, the Jags will be stunning. Calvin Ridley, back from suspension, joins receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk. Explosive, fast and unpredictable, this line could allow Lawrence to play with even more confidence.
We tend to underestimate them, but the Vikings have a lot of resources. Justin Jefferson, rookie Jordan Addison and the very good T. J. Hockenson will delight the fans. The number of options through the air is terrifying. Although not unanimous, quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​remains one of the most consistent, season after season, at his position. It will nevertheless be interesting to analyze the performance of the defense in time and place.
Many fans fell in love with the Lions last season. And their numbers could well increase by winter. Even though running back Jamaal Williams left the team, the Lions went after David Montgomery and drafted Jahmyr Gibbs. Wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr also returns to Michigan. Alongside him, Amon-Ra St. Brown will continue to wreak havoc. The Lions also got their hands on safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the leader in interceptions in 2022.
Surprising last year, the Giants could reach ten wins this season. Despite a disagreement with star player Saquon Barkley during the summer, everything seems to be in good shape with the Giants. They repaired a major roster gap with the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller. Young safety Isaiah Simmons, from Arizona, will solidify an already extremely gifted defense.
The three-headed monster from the Chargers will be a threat again this season. Quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Keenan Allen can carry this team. The depth of the roster has allowed the Chargers to make few changes this summer. With their experienced defense, anything goes for the Chargers in 2023. Head coach Brandon Staley will just have to find a way to convince his players to stick together in the face of adversity.
The Dolphins have the most explosive receiver duo in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa arrived at training camp stronger and bigger. He has not yet shown the full extent of his talent. Only a ball carrier worthy of the name is missing from the Miami attack. Newcomer Jalen Ramsey will be absent for several months, but Xavien Howard and Eli Apple will take care of the tertiary.
Lamar Jackson is back, Odell Beckham Jr has arrived, rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers is full of promise… There will be electricity in the air in Baltimore! If tight end Mark Andrews can play like in 2021, the Ravens offense could be a scoring machine. They also added linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. With Patrick Queen, Raquon Smith and Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens defense will be tough to crack.
The Bills have been title contenders for three years. However, they have not won anything yet. They can still rely on a very interesting core of players, starting with quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Stefon Diggs, safety Jordan Poyer and linebacker Matt Milano. But Buffalo is the only team in its division that hasn’t improved. Tight end Dalton Kincaid could be a nice surprise, however. Despite everything, a place in the playoffs is not guaranteed.
Aaron Rodgers, Dalvin Cook, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb… The Jets pulled out all the stops to go all the way. Like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Tom Brady arrived, this reunion of star players will sparkle. But the Jets’ additions are even better than those of the 2021 champions. Not to mention of course receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, named offensive and defensive rookies of the past season, respectively.
After a questionable management of the quarterback file, the staff of the 49ers must now comfort Nick Bosa. The best quarterback fighter of his generation is still sulking and this already controversy-ridden team needs its young leader to win. The number of weapons in attack is counted on two hands. On defense, the addition of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, dominating last year with the Eagles, confirms the assumption that the Niners will play a lot of football this season.
Joe Burrow has done enough to end up just behind Patrick Mahomes in the NFL quarterback hierarchy. His state of health is still undetermined. One thing is certain, the Bengals represent one of the best teams in the league with the 26-year-old in uniform. With receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, the options are limitless. If the offensive line can hold up, with Orlando Brown Jr, the Bengals can aspire to top honors.
The Cowboys have everything to win the Super Bowl. Quarterback Dak Prescott is back healthy. Otherwise, newcomer Trey Lance is ready to take over. The waltz of ball carriers is over, Tony Pollard is the man for the job. Often unable to break through the opposing secondary last year, the Cowboys got their hands on wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Aside from the arrival of veteran Stephon Gilmore, the NFL’s best defense, led by Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, remains unchanged.
The most recent Super Bowl finalists lost some feathers this summer with the departures of running back Miles Sanders and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The Eagles can, however, count on enough depth to compensate for their loss. They attracted excellent running back D’Andre Swift. He will bring a new dimension to the attack. The offensive line is still one of the best in the league and it will allow quarterback Jalen Hurts to have fun like crazy.
The Chiefs are the defending champions and they will still be the team to beat this season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce are the best players in the league at their position. With running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco hatching, the Chiefs’ offense will be even more threatening. This team has no flaws. It only remains to be seen whether their best defensive player, tackle Chris Jones, can find common ground with the team and stop sulking.
