I have created a list according to my analysis of all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2014 season, I will be writing eight separate articles which contain four teams in each. Each piece will have analysis of every team and this “series” will end on August 31st, a week before kickoff. Let’s begin!
NFL Pre-Season Power Rankings
#32 Jacksonville Jaguars
2013 Record: 4-12
Predicted 2014 Record: 3-13
Notable Additions: none
Notable Losses: RB Maurice Jones-Drew, a 3x Pro-Bowler and a former NFL rushing leader. Jones-Drew was the leader of this Jaguar team and his loss is the biggest reason the Jaguars will struggle next season.
Notable Draft Picks: QB Blake Bortles, a conventional quarterback from UCF. The Jaguars picked Bortles with the third pick and are hopeful he will be there starter and their franchise tag for many seasons to come. WR Marqise Lee, a 6’0 receiver from USC who the Jaguars selected in the 2nd round. He will immediately become a starter and a primary option for rookie QB Blake Bortles.
Predicted Wins: vs Browns, vs Texans, vs Titans
Predicted Losses: @ Eagles, @ Redskins, vs Colts, @ Chargers, vs Steelers, @ Titans, vs Dolphins, @ Bengals, vs Cowboys, @ Colts, vs Giants, @ Ravens, @ Texans
#31 Cleveland Browns
2013 Record: 4-12
Prediction 2014 Record: 4-12
Notable Additions: WR Miles Austin, a 2x Pro-Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys and has posted 301 catches, 4,481 yards and 34 touchdowns in his seven year career. RB Ben Tate, a 5’11 speedster from Houston. Tate has posted career numbers of 421 carries, 1,992 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Texans. HC Mike Pettine, a great defensive mastermind from Buffalo. Though is mostly recognized as being Rex Ryan’s right hand man in establishing a lockdown defense in New York.
Notable Losses: WR Josh Gordon, though he is still on team, Gordon will be suspended for the 2014 season due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Gordon is coming off of a career year where he was a Pro-Bowler and led the league in receiving yards with 1,464.
Notable Draft Picks: CB Justin Gilbert, (from Oklahoma State) the Browns selected Gordon with the 8th pick in the draft. Gilbert is a savvy 6’0 corner who is known to make big plays. QB Johnny Manziel, every team in the league was shaky on drafting Manziel until the Browns pulled the trigger with the 22nd pick. Manziel was my favorite pick in the draft, he is a 6’0 playmaker who has the athleticism to tuck and run and rifle in from the pocket. IF Cleveland puts Manziel in the starting lineup watch out because Cleveland might just boost up the power rankings, a lot!
Predicted Wins: @ Jaguars, vs Raiders, vs Buccaneers, vs Texans
Predicted Losses: @ Steelers, vs Saints, vs Ravens, @ Titans, vs Steelers, @ Bengals, @ Falcons, @ Bills, vs Colts, vs Bengals, @ Panthers, @ Ravens.
#30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 Record: 4-12
Predicted 2014 Record: 3-13
Notable Additions: Head Coach Lovie Smith, former head coach of the Chicago Bears. Smith led the Bears to a Super Bowl and has a career record of 84-66. QB Josh McCown, in 2013 McCown replaced Jay Cutler in the second half of the season. McCown had a career year and passed for 1,829 yards with 13 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Notable Losses: CB Darelle Revis, considered by many the best corner in the game. Revis is a 5x Pro-Bowler and has 344 tackles and 21 INT’s in his career.
Notable Draft Picks: WR Mike Evans, a 6’5-230LB product from Texas A&M was a All-American. He totaled 2,499 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons.
Predicted Wins: vs Rams, vs Vikings, @ Lions
Predicted Losses: vs Panthers, @ Falcons, @ Steelers, @ Saints, vs Ravens, @ Browns, vs Falcons, @ Redskins, @ Bears, vs Bengals, @ Panthers, vs Packers, vs Saints.
#29 Oakland Raiders
2013 Record: 4-12
Predicted 2014 Record: 5-11
Notable Additions: LB LaMarr Woodley, a Super Bowl champion who recorded 36 combined tackles and 5 sacks in 11 games last season with the Steelers. Woodley will add great experience to a young draft pick Khalil Mack. DE Justin Tuck, a huge athletic 6’5-270LB defensive end from New York. Tuck is a 2x Pro-Bowler and a 2x Super Bowl champion, he is coming off a career year and is still in the prime of his career. QB Matt Schaub, a 6’5 pocket passer. Oakland has finally found a pretty decent quarterback for their future. He was a 2x Pro-Bowler with the Texans. CB Carlos Rogers, a NFC Champion and a 1x Pro-Bowler with the 49ers. Rogers was a huge piece in a great defense in San Francisco, as he had a great year in 2013 with 47 tackles and 2 interceptions. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, a 3x Pro-Bowler and a former NFL rushing leader. Jones-Drew is coming off a season where he rushed for 803 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Notable Losses: S Charles Woodson, a 8x Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion. Woodson at 37 is at the end of his career but still made valuable plays for Oakland throughout the 2013 season.
Notable Draft Picks: LB Khalil Mack, a All-American out of Buffalo who was highly considered as the best prospect in the 2014 class due to his high football IQ and big play making ability. QB Derek Carr, younger brother of NFL quarterback David Carr. Carr is a 6’3-220LB conventional quarterback with a rifle for a arm. He was considered a top 5 QB by many NFL analysts and was a “steal” for Oakland in the 2nd round.
Predicted Wins: vs Texans, vs Dolphins, vs Bills, vs Chiefs, @ Browns.
Predicted Losses: vs Chargers, vs Cardinals, @ Seahawks, vs Broncos, @ Chargers, @ Rams, vs 49ers, @ Broncos, @ Jets, @ Patriots, @ Chiefs.
Check back in a few days for our next four teams.
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