The 2020 NFL season will begin Thursday, and the Detroit Lions open their season on Sunday. Here’s where all 32 teams rank to start the campaign:
1. Chiefs
As long as Patrick Mahomes stays healthy, the Chiefs will be the favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
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2. Ravens
Gutsy call by an AFC favorite to release starting safety Earl Thomas last month, but the Ravens are still an easy choice at No. 2.
3. 49ers
The 49ers play in the toughest division football, which could cost them playoff seeding. But as the defending NFC champs, they deserve to open the season No. 3 on this list.
4. Saints
The Alvin Kamara contract extension was a must to keep this offense functioning at an elite level.
5. Seahawks
Adding Jamal Adams to an already-good defense makes Seattle a legit Super Bowl contender.
6. Cowboys
My hunch is Dallas will be a good team this year. That Week 1 game in Los Angeles against the Rams will prove it right or wrong real quick.
7. Titans
I’m still not buying the Ryan Tannehill rebirth, but Tennessee’s defense has to count for something.
8. Vikings
They lost run-stuffer Michael Pierce to a COVID-19 opt-out, but added one of the NFL’s best pass rushers in Yannick Ngakoue.
9. Buccaneers
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski one spot ahead of Bill Belichick.
10. Patriots
Yes, Cam Newton is going to have a big year in New England.
11. Bills
So tempted to pick Buffalo to win the AFC East, but, you know, it’s the Bills.
12. Eagles
If I had any faith in Carson Wentz staying healthy, the Eagles would be higher on this list.
13. Packers
One day everyone will realize how tragic it was that the Packers let the offensive talent languish around Aaron Rodgers for the better part of a decade.
14. Colts
If Philip Rivers has anything left in his arm, the Colts will make the playoffs.
15. Texans
They have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and so little at the other offensive skill positions.
16. Cardinals
Can Kyler Murray do what Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson did in their second seasons and will his team to the playoffs?
17. Rams
So many people overlook this Rams team that might have solved its running back woes by drafting Cam Akers.
18. Lions
I think the Lions have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs this year, but I can’t put them any higher on this list based off last season’s failures.
19. Browns
The new, low-key Baker Mayfield has me thinking he’s headed for a nice bounce-back year.
20. Bears
So Nick Foles takes over as starting quarterback in Week 2, right?
21. Raiders
With a favorable second-half schedule, don’t sleep on the Raiders as a playoff contender in their first season in Vegas.
22. Steelers
It feels weird starting the Steelers so low, but until Big Ben proves he has something left, this is where they belong.
23. Chargers
The Chargers have their bye in Week 10, or about the same time Justin Herbert will be ready to take over as starter.
24. Falcons
Their quarterback is 35, their No. 1 receiver is 31, and their best running back has the knees of a 40-year-old.
25. Broncos
A lot of people think Drew Lock could be this year’s breakout quarterback. If that’s the case, the Broncos will finish a lot higher on this list.
26. Dolphins
The fact that Tua Tagovailoa has his own documentary has convinced me that the Lions made the right choice to pass on him in the draft.
27. Giants
I’m going over 1,250 yards rushing for Saquon Barkley this fall.
28. Bengals
Four first-round quarterbacks and Joe Burrow is the only one getting the starting nod in Week 1.
29. Jets
There are four truly bad teams in the NFL this year, and the Jets might be the most dysfunctional of all.
30. Washington
How long till the NFL forces Daniel Snyder to sell the team?
31. Panthers
Carolina won’t be very good this season. But at home, in Week 1, with no film to go on, they might be sneaky competitive Sunday vs. the Raiders.
32. Jaguars
Do Jaguars fans care more about Sunday’s season opener against the Colts, or how their future quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, does Saturday in his opener against Wake Forest?
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Lions content.