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Tabeek's NFL Power Rankings: Falcons in top 10 heading into 2019

Sep 03, 2019 at 08:42 AM

Matthew Tabeek

Digital Managing Editor

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A lot has changed since I last rolled out an edition of my power rankings. For one, all 32 teams have trimmed their rosters down to the 53-man limit and we've got a pretty good sense of who's starting (and who's not) come Week 1.

But, as we all know, so much can – and will – change in the coming weeks and months.

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There will be teams that go from worst to first in their division (seems to happen every year) and there will be teams we all thought were contenders who'll fade into the cellar (the 2018 Jaguars come to mind).

So, without further ado, it's time for the Week 1 edition of my Wildly Important NFL Power Rankings. Enjoy.

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1. Patriots	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	As long as Belichick and Brady are there, the defending champs will be a threat.	vs. Steelers, Sept. 8

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2. Chiefs	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They just added LeSean McCoy to an offense with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.	at Jaguars, Sept. 8

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3. Chargers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They're always in the mix with Philip Rivers, and they'll be a force once again in the AFC.	vs. Colts, Sept. 8

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4. Saints	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They’re dangerous with Drew Brees, but the passing game slipped last December. Is it fixed?	vs. Texans, Sept. 9

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5. Rams	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They’re talented and coming off a Super Bowl run. But how is Todd Gurley left knee?	at Panthers, Sept. 8

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6. Seahawks	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They were a playoff team a year ago and just bolstered the defense with Jadeveon Clowney.	vs. Bengals, Sept. 8

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7. Eagles	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	It’s the Carson Wentz Show (or bust). Can their franchise QB stay healthy an entire season?	vs. Redskins, Sept. 8

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8. Browns	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	The Browns are fun and have a lot of parts, but can they make it call come together and work?	vs. Titans, Sept. 8

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9. Falcons	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They’ve addressed their two biggest needs – offensive and defensive lines. We’re about to find out if it was enough.	at Vikings, Sept. 8

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10. Bears	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	This team needs Mitchell Trubisky to take his game to the next level. Can the defense do the same?	vs. Packers, Sept. 5

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11. Steelers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	The distractions appear to be gone, for now. Will they live up to their potential for a change?	at Patriots, Sept. 8

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12. Packers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	There are a lot of question marks with this team, but … they still have Aaron Rodgers.	at Bears, Sept. 5

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13. Panthers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Rookie Brian Burns has been a head-turner, but it always comes back to Cam Newton. How is the shoulder?	vs. Rams, Sept. 8

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14. Vikings	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They needed to bolster the offensive line and add some parts. They did. Can they take the next step?	vs. Falcons, Sept. 8

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15. Cowboys	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Without Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield this offense won’t scare anyone. The defense, however, will.	vs. Giants, Sept. 8

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16. Jaguars	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	They had a solid draft and landed a capable quarterback in the offseason. This team is talented. Will they deliver?	vs. Chiefs, Sept. 8

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17. Ravens	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	No one questions Lamar Jackson’s athleticism and ability to run, but he needs to work on the deep(er) ball.	at Dolphins, Sept. 8

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18. Jets	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	The Jets landed the best player in April’s draft class when they got Quinnen Williams. Keep your eye on them.	vs. Bills, Sept. 8

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19. Texans	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Taking Tytus Howard at 23 surprised me. Feels like a boom-or-bust move. So does trading Jadeveon Clowney.	at Saints, Sept. 9

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20. 49ers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	It’s time to get an answer on Jimmy Garoppolo. Can he bounce back from his injury and play a full season?	at Buccaneers, Sept. 8

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21. Bills	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	The Bills went and got some receivers and had a very good draft haul (Ed Oliver and Cody Ford).	at Jets, Sept. 8

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22. Titans	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Same old question: Can Marcus Mariota progress and take this offense to the next level?	at Browns, Sept. 8

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23. Colts	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Love a lot of the moves they’ve made during the last two drafts, but with no Andrew Luck they’re a completely different team.	at Chargers, Sept. 8

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24. Broncos	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Joe Flacco brings some stability but is it enough to contend in the AFC West?	at Raiders, Sept. 9

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25. Buccaneers	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	I keep hearing how Bruce Arians is going to be good for Jameis Winston. Time to find out.	vs. 49ers, Sept. 8

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26. Raiders	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	How quickly can AB and David Carr develop chemistry? I liked what they did in the draft (going heavy on defense).	vs. Broncos, Sept. 9

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27. Giants	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	I love Saquon Barkely, but not much else here. At least they have less distractions (and drama).	at Cowboys, Sept. 8

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28. Bengals	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	A.J. Green is still wearing a boot and that doesn’t bode well for Andy Dalton and Co.	at Seahawks, Sept. 8

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29. Redskins	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	Case Keenum is the starting quarterback, for now. I did like what I saw from Derrius Guice though.	at Eagles, Sept. 8

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30. Lions	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	It was a rough first year for coach Matt Patricia and he appears to be on the hot seat. That didn’t take long.	at Cardinals, Sept. 8

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31. Cardinals	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	All eyes will be on Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. This should be interesting (and fun) to watch.	vs. Lions, Sept. 8

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32. Dolphins	TABEEK'S TAKE	NEXT
	The Dolphins are clearly in a rebuilding mode. The question is, how rough will it get in 2019?	vs. Ravens, Sept. 8

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