Ranking the NFL's 32 offenses
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."
Everyone has power rankings. They are all over the internet. But how often have you seen an offense-only power ranking? Well, here it is! Also, check out last week’s piece doing the same thing on the defensive side of the ball.
Power Rankings
Offense | Defense
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
If any offense can overcome the suspension of a rare talent like Martavis Bryant it's the Steelers. Sammie Coates is ready to explode in Bryant's absence and the offense as a whole has to be healthier in 2016 than it was a year ago - and this group was already great last year. Oh yeah, and they will have Maurkice Pouncey back in 2016.
2. Arizona Cardinals
The line is better. David Johnson is more experienced. The Cardinals wide receivers remain as good as any in football. Carson Palmer is just a perfect fit for what Bruce Arians wants to do, especially as a downfield passer. Finding weaknesses with Arizona's offense is tough to do.
3. New England Patriots
Although Tom Brady will not attack outside the numbers and deep downfield all that much any more, he leads a surgical attack that exploits weaknesses in defense so incredibly well. Adding Martellus Bennett will pay off huge in many ways. As usual, the Patriots are just incredibly difficult to play against.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers' offense will be back. Aaron Rodgers is just too special of a player for anything different. Of course he can't do it alone, as we saw last season, but look at 2015 as the exception to the rule, especially with Jordy Nelson back with the Packs.
5. Carolina Panthers
This unit was fantastic last year and that was without Kelvin Benjamin. But the Panthers did basically nothing to improve at offensive tackle and running back. That puts a lot of faith in Jonathan Stewart. Still, Cam Newton is now evolved enough to overcome such potential hardships.
6. New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton and Drew Brees move the football and score points. They do it every year. Around them is one of the league's top offensive lines, a promising young group of receivers and Mark Ingram, who is coming off his best season.
7. Oakland Raiders
With the possible exception of the running back position, what isn't to like right now with the Raiders' offense? It might not be as proven as the units ranked above them on this list, especially at quarterback, but that will come. The Raiders are doing everything right.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles has an abundance of riches around him now, including an improved offensive line. The Jaguars can attack opposing defenses any way they like. Expect even more steady progress.
9. Dallas Cowboys
If, and this is a much bigger if than most seem to recognize, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant are healthy, this offense could be great with an outstanding running game and the league's best offensive line. But without Romo or Bryant, it all could crumble. Don't discount that distinct possibility.
10. Indianapolis Colts
This is a bit of a leap of faith that Andrew Luck truly is great and that the line might finally be fixed. There are a lot of weapons here, but the Colts also have placed a lot of faith in Frank Gore at his age.
11. Seattle Seahawks
On paper, the Seahawks might have the league's worst offensive line, but Russell Wilson outplayed every quarterback in the second half of last season. Although young, the running back position is now very deep. Maybe Jimmy Graham contributes?
12. Miami Dolphins
The league's most improved offense is right here. In Adam Gase we trust. Plus, Miami's front office has done a terrific job of reinforcing Ryan Tannehill's supporting cast with very good, young talent. Laremy Tunsil will be one of the NFL's best offensive linemen before long.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green is a ridiculous football player, but who else is going to catch the ball here if Tyler Eifert's injury is a long-term problem? Do we truly now trust Andy Dalton? Especially with Hue Jackson now in Cleveland? Still, the line and running back position are excellent.
14. New York Giants
Eli Manning has transformed himself and Ben McAdoo has done great things with New York's passing game. The drafting of Sterling Shepard will pay off huge and the same might be said for Paul Perkins. Still, the offensive tackles, tight ends, wide receiver depth, and running back position as a whole are subpar. Odell Beckham remains amazing.
15. Washington Redskins
Kirk Cousins was impressive during the second half of last season, but it wasn't long ago that he was turning the ball over at a remarkable rate. The line looks good and the weapons look great, but the Redskins sure seem to be putting too much faith in Matt Jones.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
This is an extremely well-coached unit and Andy Reid has maximized Alex Smith's abilities. The Chiefs are very weak at the guard position, but they do get Jamaal Charles back from injury. Expect similar results overall in 2016.
17. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson is a constant and Teddy Bridgewater (in a much lesser way) also might be a constant as well. But the Vikings thoroughly reinforced their offensive line and the drafting of Laquon Treadwell in the first round will pay off huge.
18. Houston Texans
The Texans clearly wanted to get much faster on this side of the ball and that was accomplished. Bill O'Brien now can attack his opponent in a far more diverse variety of ways. He also has done remarkable work with very mediocre quarterbacks. Is Brock Osweiler more than mediocre?
19. San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers is as great as ever. The offensive line should be quite a bit better with more depth and talent. Keenan Allen returns from injury and the receivers overall should be just fine. This running game has huge concerns though.
20. Chicago Bears
The Bears' running backs are pretty pedestrian, but their line has improved a bit and the pair of Kevin White and Alshon Jeffery will soon rival any wide receiver tandem in football. Gase is now in Miami though. How will that affect Jay Cutler?
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The wide receiver depth and the offensive line as a whole are big question marks right now. The trio of Jameis Winston, Doug Martin, and Mike Evans carry a lot of weight though. A breakout from Austin Seferian-Jenkins would go a long way.
22. Baltimore Ravens
All of a sudden, Baltimore has a variety of quality skill guys at all three positions. Their line should be fine now with Ronnie Stanley. How well does Joe Flacco return from his injury?
23. New York Jets
The Jets would get a spike if/when Ryan Fitzpatrick returns to the squad. Their running back situation is very strong, as is their top two wide receivers, but there are questions on the line, at tight end and with wide out depth, which is extra important on an offense that plays a ton of four wide sets.
24. Tennessee Titans
All of a sudden, Marcus Mariota has quite a bit around him and is in a good position to succeed. But all that change and youth should make for a difficult transition period. Still, things are looking up here. The Titans might just be ranked far too low, or even too high. We shall see.
25. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan is a better quarterback that many seem to think of late and Julio Jones is a total superstar. The line looks improved and Devonta Freeman has proven to be quite effective. Depth is a real problem and a key injury or two could totally derail the season.
26. Detroit Lions
Jim Bob Cooter did terrific things with this group and an improved offensive line should really help the ailing running game. There is just no making up for the loss of Calvin Johnson though.
27. Buffalo Bills
The Bills can run the football and Tyrod Taylor did a very nice job in his first season as Buffalo's starting quarterback. But the passing game is ultra reliant on the currently injured Sammy Watkins, which is very concerning.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia is much improved in the trenches, but their collective skill position talent is lackluster. The quarterback situation is both promising and confusing when analyzing the short-term prognosis.
29. Los Angeles Rams
Can Todd Gurley put this offense on his back as Jared Goff learns his craft? Perhaps, but that is asking a lot from any runner, even one as special as Gurley. There just isn't enough here yet for this offense to rank any higher.
30. Denver Broncos
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are a formidable pair of receivers and the backfield looks decent. The Broncos' offensive line also should be improved. But this quarterback situation is dismal for the short term.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Carlos Hyde could thrive in Chip Kelly's offense and San Francisco has a few wide receivers that could surprise. But let's just call this a "transition year" for the 49ers' offense.
32. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have some promising, young wide receivers, a decent stable of backs, the great Joe Thomas and well, maybe a quarterback if everything goes right, which it probably won't.