2020 Power Rankings: Teams 17-24
24. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are a better team than they have been playing. But results are what matters, not potential. Dalvin Cook going down with an injury hurts the Vikings offense a ton. The secondary is getting better every week, but is still not very good. This week against Atlanta will be a very important game if Minnesota wants to salvage their season.
23. Detroit Lions
The Lions are an interesting team. The stigma is that they’re a bad team, but something about this squad gives me sleeper vibes. Their record is 1-3, but they’re a De’Andre Swift dropped pass from being 2-2. They also lost to a tough Saints team and a Super Bowl contending Packers team. Detroit beat a very good Arizona Cardinals team. Detroit comes in at 23, but could be a surprise team on the rise.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have kept every game close until last week against the Ravens. The teams they’ve lost to have all been quality teams capable of winning any given week. The tie to the Eagles was due to a lack of experience. This teams only going to get better. They’re not turning the corner yet, but there is hope for the Bengals and they could make some noise down the line.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are a much better team than their record indicates. They have been in every game, and each game has been against some stellar competition. After another tough loss, the bye week is much needed. Facing a Jaguars team that’s been getting torched consistently should help them as well. The Chargers won’t be a playoff team this year, but they are a team that could beat virtually anyone.
20 .Dallas Cowboys
The top team in the NFC East is coming in at number 20. They would have been a bit higher, but I don’t see the offensive being anywhere near as explosive under Andy Dalton as it was under Dak. The defense for Dallas is a major problem, they can’t stop a nosebleed. However, perhaps going back to controlling the clock and feeding Zeke will at least help the defense by keeping them off the field.
19. San Fransisco 49ers
The reigning NFC Champs are getting destroyed by injuries. Fully healthy they would be much higher on the list. Losing to the Eagles with your backup QB on Sunday night is forgivable. Getting blown out by the Dolphins last week is not. The 49ers shouldn’t panic, but they should reevaluate. They have a very tough schedule going forward. These next few weeks will make or break their season.
18. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been competitive in every single game they’ve played. They nearly beat the Bills and Seahawks, two of the leagues top teams. They destroyed the reigning NFC Champs last week. Miami is a very scary 2-3 squad that could make a playoff push. They still have the Jets twice, the Broncos, the Bengals, and the Chargers on their schedule. I could see them stealing some wins away from the likes of the Rams and Cardinals. They last time the Patriots swept them was in 2012. Miami can beat anyone when things are clicking.
17. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are a team with a lot of potential. However, they just lost their best defensive player Chandler Jones to injury. The Cardinals have a few losses to some bad teams. They have a quality win against the 49ers, but we’ve seen they aren’t looking like the dominant team we saw last season. Kyler Murray must take better care of the football. Arizona could be a playoff team, but there’s still too many unanswered questions.
