Tag: the back judge

KLEPP’S PRESEASON TIERS

At this point, it’s too early to do a ‘power-rankings’ in the traditional way. There’s still just too much yet that we do not know. However, I feel like I have a decent understanding of what each team is capable in the broader picture of this NFL season. That’s why I will be putting every single NFL team into 5 different tiers.

TIER 5 – Teams that if they made the playoffs, it would ABSOLUTELY stun me.

TIER 4 – These teams have some upside to them, but ultimately a playoff appearance this year is unlikely.

TIER 3 – I expect these teams to be in the mix for a playoff spot.

TIER 2 – I expect these teams to make the playoffs this year.

TIER 1 – These teams have a realistic chance to win the Super Bowl.

I wrote quick a quick sentence or two underneath each team explaining why I put them where I did. If you want to hear more in-depth reasoning as to why I put teams where I put them, listen to my “Free Solo” podcast here on Soundcloud and iTunes.

TIER 5

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Ultimately, there’s too much dysfunction and too little talent in Washington for them to make any noise this season.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

It’s no secret that they’re rebuilding in Miami. Rosen should start so this team knows what it has at the QB position heading into the 2020 Draft.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Passing on Sam Darnold is going to be remembered as one of the worst draft mistakes in history. Eli has been bad for years, the defense is missing a lot of pieces, and Pat Shurmur was a bad hire.

CINCINATTI BENGALS

Zac Taylor beings some unknown to this team, but the three other teams in their division are clearly better than the Bengals.

DENVER BRONCOS

I think Denver is the strongest of my Tier 5 teams, but a division with the Chiefs and Charges makes their path to the playoffs extremely difficult. Also, Joe Flacco.

TIER 4

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona barely makes it into Tier 4, but with Kyler and Kliff in the building this team is wildly unpredictable.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

The defense still needs a lot of work, but with some more star power and another year for Derek Carr with Jon Gruden I don’t expect the Raiders to be a bottom of the league team.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Perhaps my most controversial pick on this whole list, I see bad things in Green Bay’s future. LaFleur stinks, and so does their roster other than Rodgers and Adams.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

This team has the most potential to prove me wrong. Ultimately I’m not sold on Cam’s health as well as the secondary. If DJ Moore breaks out and Cam is SuperCam again, this team could get dangerous.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Lamar Jackson just isn’t a NFL QB. The defense will be good, but the offense is one dimensional due to #8.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Mariota just isn’t it guys. Low wattage offense.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Maybe I’m underrating the 9ers, but Jimmy G hasn’t proved anything and he has no legitimate weapons other than Kittle. The secondary looks pretty rough too. Fred Warner is good.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Winston and Arians could prove me wrong, but the defense in Tampa is still pretty brutal. The NFC South is tough sledding as well.

TIER 3

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Another controversial selection, I just see regression from NoLa this year. Brees is older, 2 straight devastating playoff losses; they missed the window.

BUFFALO BILLS

I like the Bills this year as a frisky out. The defense has a good opportunity to be a top 10 unit in the league. A lot depends on Josh Allen’s growth from year one to year two, but he’s a gamer.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Nick Foles is a heck of an upgrade over Blake Bortles. I think the defense will return to form. A lack of offensive firepower will prevent this team from doing anything more than appearing in the playoffs as a wild card.

NEW YORK JETS

Darnold should be getting just as much hype as Mayfield is. The additions of Jamison Crowder and Le’Veon Bell will help him immensely. The defense isn’t bad either with the two Williams, Mosely, and Adams.

DETROIT LIONS

I put the Lions in the playoffs this year. I like what Dark Horse Bevell has cooking, and the Hock is dominating camp.

CHICAGO BEARS

It’s all about #10. With more on his shoulders this season I see a natural regression out of this Bears team. Don’t be mistaken though, the rest of the roster is legit.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Somewhat the Patriots of the NFC, the roster doesn’t look that great, but I’ll never count out Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Not a huge fan of the organization, head coach, or roster. Just a huge fan of #4.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

They have the QB and the surrounding talent. The offensive line, secondary, and overall inexperience of the roster and coaching staff worry me. They’re not quite there yet.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Dallas has a more than solid roster and were originally a tier 2 team for me. Until Ezekiel Elliott is at camp, they’re a tier 3 squad.

TIER 2

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings are a major contender hiding in plain sight. I like them to have a more than good season in year 2 of the Cousins era.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

With distractions and detractors Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell out of town, this team can move forward. Don’t believe the Murray boys, Big Ben can still sling it.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

I don’t think this team can win a Super Bowl for a variety of reasons, but the roster is too talented for them to miss out on the playoffs.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams made it to the big game last year, and while I don’t believe in Goff when the lights are on, I think that it should be business as usual for LA’s favorite team.

TIER 1

ATLANTA FALCONS

It’s no secret that they’re my Super Bowl pick. I like this team a lot.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

With Foles out of the building and a new extension, Wentz knows he’s the captain of this ship. The roster is filled with difference makers, and getting DeSean Jackson back was a cherry on top.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Luck calf is concerning, but if he’s starting week one this train will be rolling just fine. The roster is stacked, and the people in charge like Reich and Ballard know what they’re doing.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs were a Dee Ford offsides penalty away from making the Super Bowl last year. Everything is in place again, and Mahomes is the NFL’s next All-Time great QB.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Brady is 42. Gronk is gone. The roster looks depleted. It never matters. Belichick.