We head into what is sure to be a very interesting NFL season, with numerous offseason coaching and personnel moves greatly affecting the prospects of numerous teams. It’s hard to remember any season in recent memory that had this much change, with huge names like Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Tyreek Hill and several other All-Pro-level players finding new homes. On top of that, we have 10 head coaching changes to deal with. Let’s take a look at how all of these moves have affected my different strength ratings heading into this week’s openers.
Note: In regard to injuries/suspensions, in the case of non-season-ending situations, I deduct points from each of the ratings sets on a game-to-game basis but DO NOT alter the team’s overall rating in each indicator until it is season-ending. For instance, because of Watson’s 11-game suspension at the start of the 2022 season, the Browns’ Power Rating will begin at 26 with a Game 1 adjustment of -3.5 points. I will continue to adjust off of that number. If Watson were to have been suspended for the entire season, I would have begun with Cleveland on a 22.5 Power Rating.
1. Jacksonville (+ 5 points)
The Jaguars’ improved Power Rating has as much to do with a coaching change as anything else. New head coach Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl in his second season with the Eagles. Some of the upward move was simply based on a return to normalcy. Not that Jacksonville is normally a lot better, but this franchise was such a trainwreck in 2021 that it’s impossible to see the Jaguars duplicating last year’s horrific campaign. Plus, they have last year’s top draft pick QB Trevor Lawrence at the controls and welcome back RB Travis Etienne, who missed all of his rookie season with an injury, plus several other roster additions.