Because there isn't much to talk about until the season starts ESPN ranks teams based on their "watchability". Based on big plays, close games, star players. Based on last season
1. Commanders
2. Ravens
3. Lions
4. Bengals
5. Eagles
6. Falcons
7. Bucs
8. Jags
9. Raiders
10. Packers
The Packers are tricky to place here. The good includes 74 plays of at least 20 yards last season (fourth most in the league), 21 scoring drives in the fourth quarter (most) and 10 games within one score (tied for ninth most). Jordan Love was seventh in air yards per attempt, as the Packers play an explosive brand of football, push the ball downfield and score late. And oh, I almost forgot: Green Bay was third in takeaways per drive on defense. The Packers create big plays on that side of the ball, too.
The bad: They underwhelmed against key opponents last season, going 0-4 against the Vikings and Lions, and 0-2 against the Eagles across the regular and postseason. They were down 28-0 in the first Vikings game, which I turned off ... then turned back on late when they got it to 28-22. They went down 20-3 in the third quarter of the second Vikings game before again crawling back in the fourth quarter. And they were down 24-3 against the Lions the first time around, too. These big deficits in the third quarter lose my attention, even if I eventually come back to see their failed comeback efforts.
Vikers are 12, Bears, 21. Bottom 3 were Chiefs, Saints, Browns. Chiefs surprised me a bit but...
The Chiefs were not very fun to watch last season, as was exhaustively covered. Kansas City ranked 28th in explosive pass rate and 30th in explosive rush rate. The Raiders were the only other team in the bottom five in both areas. Kansas City was also fourth in explosive pass rate surrendered and third in explosive run rate surrendered. The 49ers were the only other team in the top five in both of those areas. The Chiefs drew blood from the stone of every drive with barely-there third-down conversions chased by just-enough fourth-down conversions, over and over and over again. Their 6.5 plays per drive led the league.
Even Patrick Mahomes' magic was not enough to make those games enjoyable to view. But this season should be better if Rashee Rice is back to full strength after his suspension. If Xavier Worthy takes the next step as a deep threat. If Marquise Brown is healthy. And if Travis Kelce can turn back the clock and recover some explosiveness. Just four big "ifs" for the Chiefs to be watchable again.
I'm against picketing but I don't know how to show it.
