The NFL kicks off this weekend. Who will win each division? Predictions and notes for each team and division.
AFC East preview: Bills look to break Patriots' division dominance
1. Buffalo Bills
2019 - 10-6, 2nd in East
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Even though they had two one-possession losses to the division-rival New England Patriots, the Bills finished 10-6 and made the playoffs for the second time in three years. They lost by a field goal in overtime to Houston in the first round, extending their drought without a playoff victory to 25 years.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Josh Allen. The third-year quarterback took a big step forward with his accuracy last season, yet still has work to do on his down-the-field passing. He does a better job of protecting the football, and is dangerous when he tucks the ball and runs.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The receivers. The Bills added former Vikings star Stefon Diggs, giving them a corps that includes speedy John Brown and sure-handed Cole Beasley and forming one of the NFL's best and most versatile receiving trios. Allen will have plenty of options.
2. New England Patriots
2019 - 12-4, 1st in East
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Patriots started 8-0 for the third time in history, but the cracks began to show in the second half of the season when they lost to three of the AFC's better teams: Baltimore, Houston and Kansas City. New England finished 12-4, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Tennessee.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Bill Belichick. With Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, the Patriots are banking on their Canton-bound coach to figure a way to win without the quarterback. That's more than solving the QB riddle. It's also getting the defense right after some key fixtures opted out.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Cam Newton. Assuming Newton wins the starting quarterback job from Jarrett Stidham, it will be fascinating to see how the Patriots change their offensive approach to best take advantage of his skills. Then again, in light of all his injuries, this isn't the same Newton we saw in his Carolina Panthers prime.
3. New York Jets
2019 - 7-9, 3rd in East
Last year in playoffs - 2010
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Under new coach Adam Gase, the Jets got off to a 1-7 start - their worst in 12 years - but bounced back in the second half of the schedule and won six of eight. That 7-9 finish wasn't good enough, however, and they missed the playoffs for the ninth year in a row.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Sam Darnold. The third-year quarterback from USC is still looking to play an entire season. He missed three games as a rookie because of a foot injury, and three more last season with mononucleosis. But he has shown steady progress and has new targets in Breshad Perriman and rookie Denzel Mims.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Le'Veon Bell. Reality for Bell fell drastically short of expectations, as he averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry in his first season with the Jets. A reshuffling of the offensive line could help, and the Jets also added the ageless Frank Gore, who lightens Bell's load and is an excellent influence.
4. Miami Dolphins
2019 - 5-11, 4th in East
Last year in playoffs - 2016
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
In their first season under Brian Flores, the Dolphins started 0-7 and looked to be tanking for the No. 1 pick. But they rallied behind their coach and won five of their last nine games, showing a lot of grit for a team that basically everyone had written off.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Flores. The rebuilding is underway in all areas, but this much is consistent: The Dolphins play hard for their coach. Flores has tapped into his New England roots and has imported Patriots players, coaches and philosophies. There's nowhere to go but up, and this team is headed that way.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins used the No. 5 pick on the dynamic Alabama quarterback with a surgically repaired hip, the idea being he is the future of the franchise. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a capable bridge to the future in that regard. Miami can win some games with Fitzpatrick.
AFC North preview: Pittsburgh Steelers look to reclaim the division
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 - 8-8, 2nd in North
Last year in playoffs - 2017
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Steelers started 1-4, including an embarrassing 33-3 loss to New England in the opener, and the loss of Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2. They won seven of their next eight games, but ended the 8-8 season with a three-game losing streak.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Roethlisberger. Can a 38-year-old quarterback come back from elbow surgery and still sling it the same way? We'll find out, as Roethlisberger gets in sync with new targets Eric Ebron and rookie Chase Claypool. Early word is, Big Ben has something left in the tank.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Defensive backs. After years of hand-wringing, it looks as if the Steelers have the secondary fixed. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was a terrific addition last season, and now Steven Nelson is a bookend to Joe Haden at corner. The back end of the defense gives the front seven a little more time to get to the quarterback.
2. Baltimore Ravens
2019 - 14-2, 1st in North
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Ravens were 2-2 after the first month of the season, although that mediocrity didn't last. They ran the table the rest of the way, winning their final 12 games of the regular season behind the play of eventual MVP Lamar Jackson. Then ... they lost their opening playoff game at home to Tennessee.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Jackson. The third-year quarterback reminded people last season that he can get the job done with his arm, regardless of what's happening with the running lanes. Now that opponents have plenty of tape to study Baltimore's run-pass option, will the defensive looks change?
KEEP AN EYE ON
Calais Campbell. The Ravens traditionally are built around their defense, and the 6-foot-8 Campbell is a key addition on that defensive line. He's among the NFL's best interior pass rushers, and now has Derek Wolfe to attract some of the blocking attention.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
2019 - 2-14, 4th in North
Last year in playoffs - 2015
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention by the end of Week 11. That's because, for the first time in history, they lost their first 11 games. It got slightly better after that, as the team finished 2-14 and landed the No. 1 pick in the draft.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Joe Burrow. It's hard enough with all the expectations piled on a quarterback drafted first overall, but consider that Burrow, the former Louisiana State star, has gotten relatively little work during the pandemic, particularly with a compressed training camp and no preseason games.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The opponents' ground game. The Bengals were the worst in the league at stopping the run last season, giving up a whopping 4.7 yards per carry. The team has taken some steps to avoid that this fall, in part by signing free-agent nose tackle D.J. Reader, who figures to have his hands full.
4. Cleveland Browns
2019 - 6-10, 3rd in North
Last year in playoffs - 2002
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Familiar story. The Browns had a lousy season and wound up firing their coach and general manager. In this case, they went 6-10 (despite winning four of five games during one hot stretch) and said goodbye to first-year coach Freddie Kitchens and GM John Dorsey.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Baker Mayfield. After he had a breakout rookie season, Mayfield saw his numbers drop dramatically last year, with his passer rating going from 93.7 to 78.8. Maybe new coach Kevin Stefanski, who came from the Minnesota Vikings, can get him back on track.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Myles Garrett. The defensive lineman taken No. 1 in 2017 was living up to that draft status last season until a Thursday night football game on Nov. 14, when, during a skirmish late in the game, he ripped the helmet off Pittsburgh's Mason Rudolph and used it to hit the quarterback over the head.
AFC South preview: Titans poised to build off strong playoff run
1. Tennessee Titans
2019 - 9-7, 2nd in South
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Behind the play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, the Titans finished 9-7 for the fourth consecutive season and returned to the playoffs. They then upset New England and Baltimore before falling to Kansas City in the AFC championship game.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Tannehill. Now that they've signed him to a lucrative extension, the Titans are banking on their quarterback to continue playing at the lofty level that distinguished him last season. Naturally, they'll need the running of league leader Henry to set up the passing game.
KEEP AN EYE ON
A.J. Brown. As a rookie last season, Brown burst onto the scene with 52 receptions for 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns. Those were Randy Moss-type numbers for a first-year wideout. Now, he's expected to take another step forward, and Tannehill is more than capable of getting the ball in his hands.
2. Indianapolis Colts
2019 - 7-9, 3rd in South
Last year in playoffs - 2018
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Despite the surprising retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck just before the start of the season, the Colts got off to a 5-2 start. The wheels eventually came off, however, and the Colts lost six of their next seven games to finish a disappointing 7-9.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Philip Rivers. The longtime Chargers star parted ways with that team after last season and plans to finish his career playing for Frank Reich, who coached him in San Diego. Other quarterbacks have discovered a career resurgence in their late 30s, so why not a 38-year-old Rivers?
KEEP AN EYE ON
The offensive line. Finally, Rivers has a unit blocking for him that's solid across the board. The Colts are particularly strong in the interior, with left guard Quenten Nelson and center Ryan Kelly leading the way. This is an especially deep line too, and it's hard to overstate the value of that.
3. Houston Texans
2019 - 10-6, 1st in South
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The 2019 Texans followed an interesting pattern: lose one game, win the next two. That happened five times last season, with the Texans going 10-6 (they lost their finale) and winning the AFC South for the fourth time in five years. They lost a divisional playoff game at Kansas City, collapsing under the weight of a big Patrick Mahomes-led comeback.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Deshaun Watson. One of the NFL's most talented and exciting quarterbacks will have to get the job done without departed All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who accounted for 104 catches last season. At least Watson will be playing behind an improved offensive line.
KEEP AN EYE ON
J.J. Watt. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year missed half of the 2019 regular season with a torn pectoral muscle. The Texans are being extra careful to manage his workload, knowing if he's healthy, he's a game-changer.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 - 6-10, 4th in South
Last year in playoffs - 2017
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The hopes were that Nick Foles would lead the Jaguars to prosperity, but the quarterback suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the season. Rookie Gardner Minshew stepped in and performed surprisingly well, yet the club still finished out of the playoff mix at 6-10.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Minshew. He did a respectable job in 12 starts as a rookie, going 6-6 with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21-6. Jay Gruden replaces John DeFilippo as offensive coordinator and figures to bring in more of a timing-based, quick passing game.
KEEP AN EYE ON
K'Lavon Chaisson. With Yannick Ngakoue traded to the Minnesota Vikings, the Jaguars need to develop another relentless pass rusher. Chaisson was among the most talented defensive linemen in the 2020 draft class and figures to be an impressive bookend to rising second-year star Josh Allen.
AFC West preview: Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs will be tough to topple
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2019 - 12-4, 1st in West
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Chiefs got off to a slow start, losing three of their first four home games. They would rally back and assemble a season for the ages. They went 12-4, had comeback victories over Houston and Tennessee in the playoffs and toppled San Francisco for their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Patrick Mahomes. He's been an NFL MVP, a Super Bowl champion, has a record-breaking contract extension and is the face of the league. The Chiefs have done a good job of keeping their roster largely intact, and paying their quarterback. This is the team to beat.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Clyde Edwards-Helaire. This 5-foot-7 rookie running back from Louisiana State could help give Kansas City the ground game it lacked last season. Edwards-Helaire, the last selection of the first round, gained 1,414 yards rushing and caught passes for 453 more in his final season with the Tigers.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
2019 - 7-9, 3rd in West
Last year in playoffs - 2016
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Fresh off a 4-12 season, the Raiders got off to a respectable 6-4 start before the wheels came off. They wound up losing five of their final six to finish 7-9, although they weren't eliminated from playoff contention until the last week of the season.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Josh Jacobs. As a rookie last season, the running back ran for 1,150 yards despite missing three games. Coach Jon Gruden plans to increase his workload this season, and Jacobs is capable of shouldering that load. He's running behind an excellent offensive line too.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Henry Ruggs III. The Raiders used the No. 12 pick on this Alabama star, a blistering-fast wideout. He joins a receiving corps that includes Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, and allows the Raiders to attack defenses at all three levels. Tight end Darren Waller gives Las Vegas even more receiving options.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
2019 - 5-11, 4th in West
Last year in playoffs - 2018
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
A year after finishing 12-4, the Chargers took a big step backward. They went 5-11 with nine of those losses coming by a touchdown or less. The team could never get into a rhythm, and the losses came in spurts of two, three, three and three in a row.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Pass rush. The Chargers have a devastating tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram coming off the edge, and that sets the tempo for a secondary that can feast on opportunities. This could be a big year for defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, last year's first-round pick, who has played some end in camp.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Justin Herbert. With Philip Rivers in Indianapolis, No. 6 pick Herbert gets the keys to the offense. But that transition might not be immediate. The Chargers have a good bridge quarterback in Tyrod Taylor, who can make plays by running and has pinpoint accuracy on deep passes.
4. Denver Broncos
2019 - 7-9, 2nd in West
Last year in playoffs - 2015
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Broncos sputtered on offense and started 0-4 for the first time since 1999, when the team was adjusting in the aftermath of John Elway's retirement. But Denver recovered last season and went 7-5 the rest of the way, winning every division game except the two against Kansas City, the eventual Super Bowl champion.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Drew Lock. A second-round pick in 2019, Lock spent the bulk of his rookie season on injured reserve with a thumb injury but came back to go 4-1 as a starter and infuse the fan base with hope. He threw for 1,020 yards and completed 64.1% of his passes in those games.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Defensive line. Von Miller is a superstar, and Bradley Chubb knows how to get to quarterbacks too. Defensive tackle Derek Wolfe is gone, having signed with Baltimore, but the Broncos replaced him with former immovable Titans fixture Jurrell Casey.
NFC East preview: Eagles look for more consistency after disappointing season
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2019 - 9-7, 1st in East
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
With offseason acquisitions that included DeSean Jackson and Jordan Howard, the Eagles had high hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. Instead, they sputtered along - lose two, win two, lose two, win two - although they did get some traction at the end of the season despite having to go deep into their depth chart. But they were one-and-done in the playoffs.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Carson Wentz. Wentz got hot at the end of last season - guiding the Eagles to four consecutive victories - and will be looking to carry that momentum into this fall. The Eagles added versatile Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts to the mix, so they have some interesting options when they get down near the goal line.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Miles Sanders. As a rookie, he led the team with 818 yards rushing and showed explosiveness, turning one carry into a 65-yard touchdown. He improved as the year went on.
2. Dallas Cowboys
2019 - 8-8, 2nd in East
Last year in playoffs - 2018
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
An 8-8 finish spelled the end for coach Jason Garrett, as the Cowboys were a mediocre team in a middling division. They lost four of their last six games, although they did finish with a home win against Washington. In Dallas, that counts for something.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Mike McCarthy. The former top man in Green Bay, McCarthy is the eighth coach under owner Jerry Jones but only the second with a Super Bowl victory to his name. Even though the head coach is new, the offensive coordinator is the same. The Cowboys are sticking with Kellen Moore.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Dak Prescott. Is Dallas going to back up the Brinks truck for its quarterback? Prescott is 40-24 as a starter and put up bigger passing numbers last season, but he has yet to prove he can carry that consistency into the postseason. Andy Dalton is now peering over his shoulder.
3. Washington
2019 - 3-13, 4th in East
Last year in playoffs - 2015
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Washington stumbled out of the gate by losing its first five games, the club's worst start since 2001. That led to the firing of coach Jay Gruden, who was replaced by interim coach Bill Callahan. The rest of the housecleaning came at the end of the 3-13 season.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Ron Rivera. Although his time had run its course after 8 1/2 seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2016, Rivera is a widely respected coach looking to bring some stability to a wobbly franchise. His first move was to hire Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator, one of several areas in need of an overhaul.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Alex Smith. Smith is the early front-runner for comeback player of the year considering the way he has returned from a cover-your-eyes gruesome leg injury. Washington sure needs to figure it out at quarterback.
4. New York Giants
2019 - 4-12, 3rd in East
Last year in playoffs - 2016
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Over the last three seasons, the Giants have won 12 games - and that includes a 4-12 campaign last year that cost Pat Shurmur his head coaching job. In comes former special teams coach Joe Judge, who will look to build around quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Barkley. He cooled last season after a sensational rookie year, but Barkley remains an elite talent. He was slowed by ankle problems in 2019 but finished strong, with 301 yards rushing and 121 receiving in his final two games.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Andrew Thomas. With starting left tackle Nate Solder opting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a vacancy at that critical position for Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick and outstanding tackle from the University of Georgia. He'll get the difficult task of protecting the blind side of Jones.
NFC North preview: Will Aaron Rodgers and Packers be Super Bowl contenders?
1. Green Bay Packers
2019 - 13-3, 1st in North
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
In their first year under coach Matt LaFleur, not only did the Packers rebound from back-to-back losing seasons, but also they won the NFC North and finished 13-3. All that, and Aaron Rodgers was nowhere close to as accurate and efficient as he can be.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Aaron Jones. The other Aaron takes the snaps, but Jones, the No. 1 running back, has become increasingly important in this scheme. He was eighth in the league with 1,558 total yards last season and tied for first with 19 touchdowns. He's a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, and that should really help his quarterback.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jordan Love. In a surprise move, the Packers traded their fourth-round pick to move up four spots and take Love, the Utah State quarterback, with the 26th pick. He has some Patrick Mahomes-like qualities and can learn at the elbow of Rodgers.
2. Detroit Lions
2019 - 3-12-1, 4th in North
Last year in playoffs - 2016
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
After a 2-0-1 start, the Lions lost 12 of their last 13 games and felt that familiar feeling - eliminated from the playoff picture by Thanksgiving. Quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered broken bones in his back in Week 9, and the team limped the rest of the way with journeymen Jeff Driskel and David Blough.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Stafford. Quietly, he was among the best in the league last season before his injury. Everything hinges on him. He has a rising superstar in receiver Kenny Golladay, who led the league in receiving touchdowns last season. And don't forget about second-year tight end T.J. Hockenson.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jeff Okudah. The No. 3 pick in this year's draft, Okudah, a standout at Ohio State, widely was considered the best cornerback in the class. The Lions are desperate for that, having traded Pro Bowl corner Darius Slay to Philadelphia. With Desmond Trufant, Detroit is set at corners.
3. Minnesota Vikings
2019 - 10-6, 2nd in North
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Vikings finished 10-6, but back-to-back losses to end the season knocked them out of division-title contention. They upset the Saints in overtime of a wild-card playoff game, then lost at San Francisco in the divisional round.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Eric Kendricks. A former UCLA standout, middle linebacker Kendricks has led the Vikings in tackles each of the last five seasons. He'll need to continue that pace this year, especially with the way the defensive line has been parted out for financial reasons. Much like Bobby Wagner in Seattle, Kendricks is the glue in a defense now co-coordinated by Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Justin Jefferson. The 22nd pick in the draft, Jefferson figures to pick up some of the slack left by Stefon Diggs, who's now in Buffalo. Quarterback Kirk Cousins isn't overflowing with receiving targets but has good tight ends in Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.
4. Chicago Bears
2019 - 8-8, 3rd in North
Last year in playoffs - 2018
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Bears went 3-1 in the first quarter of the season, then plummeted back to earth with a four-game losing streak. They finished 8-8, and among the teams they beat, only Minnesota ended the season with a winning record.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Nick Foles. The Bears, perpetually looking for an answer at quarterback, made a trade with Jacksonville for Foles, who's likely to do a better job of running Matt Nagy's offense than Mitch Trubisky. Then again, Trubisky was named the Week 1 starter and Foles has flamed out in places too. Foles needs to prove he can get the job done somewhere other than in Philadelphia.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Khalil Mack. He was such a force two years ago, among the NFL's most dominant defensive players. He drew constant double teams last season, however, and his production dropped off accordingly. He had 8 1/2 sacks, four fewer than in 2018.
NFC South preview: Tom Brady transforms Buccaneers into a contender
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 - 7-9, 3rd in South
Last year in playoffs - 2007
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Buccaneers made an incremental step forward from their 5-11 finish in 2018 by going 7-9 yet missed the playoffs for the 12th season in a row. Jameis Winston became the first quarterback with at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Tom Brady. The six-time Super Bowl winner left New England and signed a two-year, $50 million deal with the Buccaneers, where he'll have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a lured-out-of-retirement Rob Gronkowski as targets. What's more, he's playing for Bruce Arians, and no coach is better with quarterbacks.
KEEP AN EYE ON
The offensive line. Tampa Bay desperately needs help there, and used a first-round pick on Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs. He's slotted as the right tackle, but he is the team's likely left tackle of the future. Of course, now's not the time to have him step in and protect Brady's blind side.
2. New Orleans Saints
2019 - 13-3, 1st in South
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
For the second season in a row, the Saints went 13-3 - this time despite losing Drew Brees to a thumb injury for five games. Teddy Bridgewater went 5-0 as the replacement starter. They played host to the Vikings in a playoff opener, and lost in overtime.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Cam Jordan. Sure, Brees is the captain of this ship, but the Saints need Jordan to keep the pressure on opposing passers. He had a career-best 15 1/2 sacks last season, making the Pro Bowl for the third season in a row, and anchors a line that ranked third in sacks with 51.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Emmanuel Sanders. The Saints had been searching for a secondary receiving threat to take some of the pressure off Michael Thomas. With San Francisco last season, Sanders burned them for seven catches and 157 yards, but this year he could bring New Orleans luck. After all, he has reached the Super Bowl with the Steelers, Broncos and 49ers.
3. Atlanta Falcons
2019 - 7-9, 2nd in South
Last year in playoffs - 2017
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
After a 1-7 start, the Falcons turned it around and went 6-2 in the second half. Consecutive 7-9 seasons, however, have tested the patience of owner Arthur Blank. Coach Dan Quinn needs to win or box up his office.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
The defense. Rahim Morris, who was coaching receivers, moved to the other side of the ball and took over as defensive coordinator midway through last season. He got back to basics, cutting out the exotic schemes and going with a more straightforward zone. That worked, but can he keep it up in a division with Drew Brees and now Tom Brady?
KEEP AN EYE ON
Todd Gurley. The former Rams and Georgia star is trying to reinvent himself after his knee deteriorated by the carry during his last chapter in Los Angeles. As long as Matt Ryan is slinging the ball, Gurley won't be the focal point, but the Falcons still need him to establish something of a ground game.
4. Carolina Panthers
2019 - 5-11, 4th in South
Last year in playoffs - 2017
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Panthers got off to their first 0-2 start since 2013 but recovered and were 5-3 at the midway mark. Then the bottom dropped out, and they lost their final eight games. They had lost quarterback Cam Newton to a foot injury two weeks in, and fired Ron Rivera in early December.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Brady, 30, the onetime New Orleans Saints offensive assistant, overhauled Louisiana State's scheme and guided No. 1 pick Joe Burrow to a Heisman Trophy. Can he have the same effect on new Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater?
KEEP AN EYE ON
Christian McCaffrey. This is one of the few NFL offenses built around a do-everything running back. Last season, the former Stanford star became the third player in league history with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. But all those touches can take a toll. Ask Todd Gurley.
NFC West preview: Jimmy Garoppolo and 49ers the team to beat
1. San Francisco 49ers
2019 - 13-3, 1st in West
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The 49ers started 8-0 for the first time since 1990 and in Week 15 clinched their first playoff berth since 2013. They made the most of it, getting all the way to the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
George Kittle. Strange to put that much emphasis on a tight end, but that's the kind of impact player Kittle is. San Francisco gave him a five-year, $75 million extension, making him the highest-paid tight end in history. He's coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Trent Williams. With All-Pro Joe Staley retiring, the 49ers got a star to replace him at left tackle. Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowl player with Washington, will be Jimmy Garoppolo's blind-side protector and already is getting rave reviews after holding his own against Nick Bosa in practice.
2. Seattle Seahawks
2019 - 11-5, 2nd in West
Last year in playoffs - 2019
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
The Seahawks started 5-1, with their only loss during that stretch coming to New Orleans at home. After a loss to Baltimore in Week 7, they kept rolling with five wins in a row. Seattle cooled at the end of the season, however, losing three of its final four games and ultimately falling to Green Bay in the divisional round of the playoffs.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Russell Wilson. Year after year, Wilson is an MVP candidate. He's coming off a season in which the running game disintegrated, and he had to carry extra weight to keep his team in a lot of games. In the last three seasons, he's thrown 100 touchdown passes.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jamal Adams. The Seahawks made a blockbuster trade in July, acquiring the All-Pro safety from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round picks and more. Adams gives the Seahawks a second quarterback on defense, along with linebacker Bobby Wagner, and an elite talent in the secondary.
3. Los Angeles Rams
2019 - 9-7, 3rd in West
Last year in playoffs - 2018
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Even though the Rams got off to a 3-0 start, the air hissed out of the balloon pretty quickly with the three-game losing streak that followed. Todd Gurley was a shell of himself, and the team couldn't recapture the offensive rhythm that marked Sean McVay's first two seasons.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
Aaron Donald. He's the most dominant defensive player in the league and someone who commands double teams on virtually every snap. Having A'Shawn Robinson next to him could help him be even more productive in coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jalen Ramsey. Acquired in Week 7 of last season, Ramsey established himself right away as the shutdown corner we saw in Jacksonville. He's a graceful, dynamic talent who can stick like Velcro to any receiver in the league - but does he have a capable bookend on the other side?
4. Arizona Cardinals
2019 - 5-10-1, 4th in West
Last year in playoffs - 2015
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON
Their 5-10-1 record doesn't look great, but the Cardinals had a lot of reasons for hope with the flashes they showed last season. Kliff Kingsbury's offense was intriguing, No.1 pick Kyler Murray was exciting ... yet the team missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
PINNING THEIR HOPES ON
DeAndre Hopkins. The four-time All-Pro wideout from the Houston Texans has infused a ton of excitement into this fan base, and who better to eventually take the baton from Larry Fitzgerald? This makes a terrible red-zone team a pretty dangerous one.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Chandler Jones. Arizona's defense is a desert when it comes to elite players, but Jones is a standout. He had a career-high 19 sacks last season - a half-sack fewer than league leader Shaq Barrett - and forced eight fumbles. Simply put, he scares quarterbacks.
