Weak spots: Every team's biggest red flag entering the NFL season

Teams are like people: they all have flaws. Here's the greatest red flag facing each team entering the 2019 season.

AFC | NFC

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Kicker

The Bears' kicking game remains unsettled in what's been one of the NFL's most highly scrutinized positional situations. Only Eddy Pineiro remains on Chicago's roster after the team had, at one point, eight kickers competing in training camp. However, Pineiro didn't exactly inspire confidence in Matt Nagy and Co. after shanking an extra-point attempt in the team's final preseason contest, though he also hit on all three of his field-goal attempts. Regardless, the Bears' kicking situation will likely continue to be up in the air through Week 1 and could impact the results of a game or two.

Detroit Lions: Linebacker

Matt Patricia's defense features plenty of talent in the secondary and along the defensive line, but linebacker remains its weakest spot. An already thin unit took a hit when Jarrad Davis was lost for an extended period of time with an ankle injury. Second-round rookie Jahlani Tavai will see snaps in Davis' absence but lacks the experience required for a full-time role. Veterans Christian Jones and Devon Kennard, the team's other starters, struggle in coverage, allowing opponents to exploit matchups with running backs and tight ends.

Green Bay Packers: Roster depth

The Packers find themselves in contention for the NFC North crown under new head coach Matt LaFleur, but they may run into trouble if they're hit with the injury bug. This is especially true on offense, where there's little proven depth at skill positions behind Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, and Geronimo Allison. All wide receivers behind Adams and Allison have a combined 40 career receptions. On defense, Green Bay will be sweating if Kenny Clark or Dean Lowry go down on the defensive line, and the team is already being tested at linebacker with Oren Burks expected to miss time. Depth issues aren't the worst concerns to have, but they could present a tall task for the Packers toward the end of the year.

Minnesota Vikings: Offensive line

General manager Rick Spielman did his best to improve Minnesota's blocking unit, but it's still a glaring weakness entering 2019. First-round pick Garrett Bradbury will upgrade the center position, moving Pat Elflein to left guard. At tackle, Riley Reiff struggled as a run blocker last year, while Brian O'Neill is still nursing an arm injury. Any starts Rashod Hill makes at right tackle likely won't end positively for Kirk Cousins. The line should be better in opening up running lanes for Dalvin Cook, but we simply didn't see enough changes from a unit that led the NFL in pressures allowed a season ago.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback

The Cardinals have major holes to fill in their secondary as Week 1 approaches. No. 1 cornerback Patrick Peterson will miss the first six games due to his suspension, while Robert Alford is out indefinitely after fracturing his leg. Peterson's absence will particularly hurt Vance Joseph's defense, as the veteran often shadows opponents' top receivers. Arizona is set to start journeyman Tramaine Brock and second-round rookie Byron Murphy at cornerback to begin the 2019 campaign. A pass defense that surprisingly ranked fourth a year ago should see a notable regression.

Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley's knee

Gurley and head coach Sean McVay insist the star running back is healthy entering 2019, but it's difficult to envision him at full strength for an entire campaign. The tailback's knee flared up late last year and appeared to impact his level of play during the Rams' Super Bowl run. Los Angeles even drafted Darrell Henderson in the third round this past April as potential insurance. One thing is certain - McVay's offense isn't the same without its catalyst. Gurley led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, compiling 40 total scores in that span. His health will be under a microscope as the Rams aim to repeat as NFC champions.

San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo

The 49ers' $137-million man is entering a make-or-break year. Garoppolo's first full season as a starting quarterback didn't go according to plan, as he tore his ACL in Week 3. Though he's fully recovered from the injury, the former New England Patriot was inconsistent in training camp and during preseason action. He'll need to be sharp in order for San Francisco is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. "Jimmy G" is talented, but he's yet to display an ability to lead his team for a long stretch. Seventy-four million dollars guaranteed is a hefty price to pay for a passer with 10 career starts.

Seattle Seahawks: Pass-catching options

It appears Russell Wilson won't have many players to target in the Seahawks' season opener. The team's receiving corps has been hit with the injury bug, leaving a handful of pass-catchers out for a variety of reasons.

Former third-round pick Nick Vannett figures to see plenty of snaps at tight end, while virtually unknown Malik Turner and rookies Gary Jennings and John Ursua sit behind Tyler Lockett on the depth chart.

Wilson must rely on Lockett early and often. The duo is among the league's best, but Seattle's offense might find itself in trouble if opponents shut down the Seahawks' top wideout.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott's contract

Although Elliot and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are reportedly close to bridging the gap in their ongoing contract dispute, the star rusher's absence will loom over the team until he puts pen to paper.

Dallas needs Elliott on the field. Dak Prescott and his offense are much more efficient with Elliott providing a threat out of the backfield. Zeke certainly deserves a raise, but he still has two years remaining on his contract and is putting the Cowboys in an uncomfortable situation. Breaking the bank for a running back could directly impact the team's ability to sign other stars to long-term deals. This is an ugly situation any way you look at it.

New York Giants: Loyalty to Eli Manning

Unfortunately for Giants and NFL fans alike, the Daniel Jones hype train has ended for the time being. New York took plenty of flack for selecting Jones No. 6 overall in April, but the Duke product silenced his critics this summer. The rookie's success makes Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur's decision to continuously stick with Manning all the more puzzling. Clearly over the hill, Manning's presence will likely hold the Giants' offense and Jones' development back for most, if not all, of 2019. The sooner New York turns to the future, the better.

Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz's durability

Blessed with all the talent in the world, Wentz is looking to play a full 16-game campaign for the first time since his rookie year. The Eagles' franchise pivot ended each of the last two seasons on the bench with ACL and back injuries but appears healthy and ready to return to his 2017 form. However, Wentz can be reckless, leaving him more vulnerable to big hits than most quarterbacks. The Eagles have Super Bowl aspirations in 2019, but, unlike 2017, won't get there without their star quarterback.

Washington Redskins: Left side of offensive line

Trent Williams doesn't appear set to end his holdout anytime soon, leaving a major red flag on Washington's offensive line. Veteran Donald Penn will start at left tackle and protect Case Keenum's blind side while Williams is away from the team. There are worse options, but Penn is 36 and coming off a season-ending groin injury. Former Giants first-round bust Ereck Flowers is penciled in at left guard for the time being, rounding out a mediocre left side. It's likely for the best that Dwayne Haskins isn't being immediately thrown into the fire.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Offensive line

Many believe the Falcons will rebound after an injury-riddled 2018, but Matt Ryan will need his offensive line to improve for that to occur. Left tackle Jake Matthews and center Alex Mack are stout blockers but there are plenty of questions surrounding the other three spots. Rookie first-rounder Chris Lindstrom will start at right guard, though the Boston College product has yet to stand out in camp. Meanwhile, Jamon Brown is locked in at left guard, though he was among the league's worst interior pass protectors in 2018. Either Ty Sambrailo or rookie Kaleb McGary will man the right tackle position in Week 1. McGary will start eventually, but he missed most of the preseason after undergoing a heart procedure. Two rookies on any blocking unit is certainly less than ideal for a veteran pivot.

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton's health

Few players' health are as linked to their team's success than Newton's and the Panthers. Already recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, the former MVP sprained his foot during preseason action. Head coach Ron Rivera is optimistic his signal-caller will be a full-go for Week 1, but it's fair to question whether he'll be playing at 100% to start the season. A tweaked throwing motion and hampered lower body have us concerned. Carolina fields a talented roster but must have Newton healthy and at his best in order to compete for the Lombardi Trophy.

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees' arm strength

The Saints are among the league's most talented squads, but Brees' arm strength, or lack thereof, may be their undoing. Though the future Hall of Famer remains deadly accurate, his arm strength and overall level of play faded toward the end of the 2018 campaign. He averaged 8.9 yards per attempt from Week 1-11, but that number dropped to 6.6 from Week 12 onward. The veteran's air yards per attempt dropped from 10.2 to 6.37 in that same span, according to Pro Football Reference. In addition, Brees was accurate on 55.3% of his deep passes prior to Week 13 and 41.7% afterward. Now 40 years old, it's worth speculating whether Brees' struggles were an anomaly or the beginning of a downward trend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass rush

The Bucs have multiple weaknesses, but none perhaps greater than their pass rush. Tampa Bay's pass defense ranked 27th and 32nd over the last two seasons, and the team's inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks played a big role. Shaq Barrett, Carl Nassib, and rookie Anthony Nelson will receive the lion's share of snaps on the edge after Noah Spence was cut and with Jason Pierre-Paul set to miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season. However, Barrett and Nassib have combined for just 16.5 sacks since 2017, while Nelson is a fourth-round pick. Bruce Arians' stop unit must keep pace with his offense in order for the Bucs to succeed. Due to a lacking pass rush, we won't hold our breath.

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