Tag: PFT

Minnesota Vikings continue their ascent up NFL power rankings

The Minnesota Vikings are definitively one of the best teams in the NFL after four weeks, and their ascent up NFL power rankings shows that.

Very few people anticipated the Minnesota Vikings being one of just two undefeated teams after Week 4 when the NFL season started. Yet, that’s where quarterback Sam Darnold has the team sitting. Add in a sweltering defense commanded by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and it’s undeniable that the Vikings are one of the best teams in the league this season. This stance is reflected in many outlets’ power rankings heading into Week 5.

ESPN: No. 2 (Up three spots from last week)

Brian Flores’ defense has been one of the NFL’s best stories this season, and there are no glaring issues. But after the group allowed 22 points in the fourth quarter to the Packers, it’s worth thinking about age and snap counts. Of the 10 defensive players who have started all four games, three are 30 or older and six are 28 or older. So far this season, the Vikings’ defense has played the league’s third-most defensive snaps (272). Safety Harrison Smith (35), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (34) and No. 3 corner Shaq Griffin (29) constitute one of the NFL’s oldest secondaries. — Kevin Seifert

Pro Football Talk: No. 3 (Up four spots)

Between the players and the coaching on both sides of the ball, they’ve got the most balanced team in the league. — Mike Florio

The Sporting News: No. 2. (Up two spots)

Sam Darnold has maximized the offensive pop with Justin Jefferson and the rest of the receivers. The defense continues to dictate terms with big plays, sacks, and takeaways. Kevin O’Connell easily has the best team in the NFC so far. — Vinnie Iyer

Seahawks No. 22 in latest PFT power rankings

Seahawks No. 22 in latest PFT power rankings

Like clockwork, the Seattle Seahawks are being counted out to begin a season. What’s new? In the latest power ranking from ProFootballTalk (PFT) to start Week 1, NBC’s Mike Florio seems to have the Seahawks down in the lower echelon of teams in this league.

Right now, Florio and PFT have Seattle sitting at the lowly No. 22 position. As of now, only the Arizona Cardinals rank below the Seahawks.

https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/1831000074031341610

Understandably, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams rank higher than Seattle. The Seahawks went 0-4 against both of those teams last year, as they also made the postseason. San Francisco, being the reigning NFC Champions, is among the top five.

But this is nothing new for the Seahawks, or for the 12th Man to read about. Pick a season in the last few where they didn’t think Seattle was going to be one of the worst teams? Most notably prior to the 2018 and 2022 seasons, where all the “experts” predicted the Seahawks were going to be picking towards the top of the next draft. Instead, in both years, the Seahawks made it to the playoffs.

With a new head coach, a returning defense that has been abysmal for a few years, and plenty of new pieces, I can see why there are those who think Seattle might be headed for a rebuild. But full-blown rebuilds are not in this team’s nature. There is simply too much talent on both sides of the ball, as well as strong coaching, for the Seahawks to crater if they are healthy.

Seattle will get their first opportunity to prove the doubters wrong (again) on Sunday, when they host the Denver Broncos.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks to wear royal blue throwbacks against Broncos in Week 1

Pete Carroll and Marshawn Lynch discuss ending to Super Bowl XLIX

Updated Seahawks win/loss record by uniform headed into 2024

Seahawks won’t allow Geno Smith contract to be a distraction

NBC Sports has the New York Jets near the bottom of their NFL power rankings

The New York Jets are in a lowly spot in the PFT power rankings.

The big concern about the New York Jets is being highlighted by NBC Sports in their NFL power rankings.

In their late-June power rankings update, Pro Football Talk and Mike Florio have the Jets at No. 25 in the NFL. That puts the Jets third in the AFC East rankings with only the Patriots (No. 31) worse in the power rankings.

Their reason, according to Florio, is because “They’re counting on way too many injured veterans to stay healthy.”

And while Jets fans may not like the ranking, it is a valid concern expressed by Florio. Is the ranking a bit too low? Maybe. But the concern is there.

Consider that last year, quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not make it out of the first quarter of the first game of the year without suffering a season-ending injury and it is clear the risk here. The Jets are rolling the dice that Rodgers can and will make it through the regular season in 2024 relatively unscathed.

Given that Rodgers has had a remarkably healthy NFL career for much of his 19 years in the league, it is a reasonable gamble by the Jets to assume that their quarterback can make it through the season and perform at a high level.

But, it is still a risk and a gamble, one upon which the whole season invariably centers on for the Jets.

Last year without Rodgers, the Jets finished 7-10 and with the second worst offense in the NFL.

PFT’s Mike Florio sounds off on Falcons’ tampering violations

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio sounds off on Falcons’ tampering violations after NFL’s ruling

The Atlanta Falcons landed one of the top available players on the opening day of free agency, signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. While the Minnesota Vikings attempted to retain Cousins, the Falcons’ offer was too enticing for the veteran QB to pass up.

However, Cousins’ comments after signing with Atlanta led some to believe the team broke the NFL’s tampering rules during his free-agent recruitment.

“I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting — calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of PR. I’m thinking, we got good people here,” said Cousins during his introductory press conference.

After a long investigation, the Falcons were found guilty of tampering with Cousins and two other players (Charlie Woerner and Darnell Mooney). These violations resulted in the NFL docking a 2025 fifth-round pick from Atlanta and making the organization pay a $250,000 fine.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was also fined $50,000 for his role in the violations. While teams are allowed to negotiate with players prior to the start of free agency, these conversations cannot involve the player directly but rather a certified agent or representative.

The NFL found that the violations committed by the Falcons were logistical and administrative, including “discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”

Mike Florio, the creator of NBC’s “Pro Football Talk” program, had a different opinion on the NFL’s handling of the tampering violations:

“Why would Falcons talk directly to players about travel arrangements and risk tampering violation when they were already legally talking to their agents and could have just done it through them? Hint: They weren’t talking about travel arrangements.”

There’s no evidence to show anything other than travel arrangements being discussed, but it is somewhat naive to think that nothing else comes up during these conversations. Florio even noted that another unnamed team executive sees it as the cost of doing business and indirectly said it will be in their back pocket for future free agents.

“Said a high-level executive with another team about the Falcons’ tampering punishment: “If I can land the top QB in free agency for a fifth-round pick and $250K, I’ll sign up for that any day,” stated Florio on a followup post on Twitter.

While Florio’s comments come off as bitter, he may have a point. Perhaps Atlanta created the blueprint for how to secure a top free agent while only getting a slap on the wrist for tampering.

If Cousins can lead the Falcons to the playoffs and beyond this season, the team certainly won’t be upset about losing a fifth-round pick in 2025 and an extra $250,000.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1360]

NFL teams to begin ‘Pre-Phase One’ of the offseason

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a voluntary ‘Pre-Phase One’ of the offseason which includes virtual learning and training for players.

Things are wildly different around the National Football League as the coronavirus outbreak drastically impacts all facets of life across the nation. The league, however, has been committed to going forward whenever possible, including hosting the 2020 NFL Draft in a virtual format.

Teams with new head coaches were slated to start their offseason programming on Monday, but with facilities closed, the logistics still need to be sorted out. Per Pro Football Talk, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a “Pre-Phase One” as they continue to finalize the details of a virtual offseason.

“The NFLPA has been in discussions with the NFL over the possibility of establishing rules which would allow for clubs to conduct classroom instruction and workouts on a virtual basis, until it is determined that it is safe to open the facilities and begin in-person training at the facilities,” reads the memo that was sent to players Monday night.

The memo makes it clear all activity will be voluntary with strict rules in place regarding initiating contact with players.

For more details and to read the complete memo, click here.

[lawrence-related id=58886]

5 Broncos make PFT’s list of top 100 NFL free agents

The Broncos have five players on this list of top 100 NFL free agents.

Ahead of the start of the new league year on March 18, Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com has released the website’s list of top 100 NFL free agents. The Denver Broncos have five players — four defenders and one offensive player — on the list.

Cornerback Chris Harris (No. 10) is the highest-ranked Bronco on the list, followed by safety Justin Simmons (No. 16). Defensive lineman Shelby Harris (No. 57), center Connor McGovern (No. 67) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (No. 73) also made the cut.

Chris Harris has drawn interest from many NFL teams — Denver will let him test the market before potentially making him an offer. The Broncos will also likely let Shelby Harris see what kind of market he has during free agency.

Denver will negotiate with Simmons and place a one-year franchise tag on him if they can not reach a multi-year agreement before March 12. The Broncos will talk with McGovern but there’s no guarantee he will return.

Denver spoke with Wolfe’s agent at the combine last week and those talks were deemed “positive,” perhaps a sign that he might be re-signed.

[vertical-gallery id=634085]