Worst to first rankings

[The Legend]

So every year seemingly a team goes from worst to first in their division. The questions I'm asking is if you were to rank the 8 teams that finished last a year ago, what order would you pick them to be up to the top?

[Everlong]

Well here are our choices:

New York Jets
Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans
Oakland Raiders
Washington Redskins
Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
St. Louis Rams

I don't like the odds of any of these teams honestly, but if I had to rank them in order of most to least likely to jump to the top of their division it'd go like this:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The NFC South was the weakest division in the league last year. If Jameis Winston turns out to be even a middle of the road QB, they at least have a shot at jumping to the top of the division because of some other strong areas of their team.

2. Cleveland Browns. Really, all the Browns are missing is a good quarterback, and they'd be one of the powerhouses of the league. That defense is legit, and they have enough tools on offense that a decent QB could actually make work. If they are going to jump to the top of their division though, it'll essentially have to be from crushing the lif eout of teams with their awesome defense.

3. Oakland Raiders. Watch out for these guys. I don't expect them to be major players, but they've been getting increasingly better every year for the last few years, even if it's not showing up in their record. They've been drafting really well and have a solid young nucleus to build around. Plus, Denver is on the decline, you never know what San Diego is going to do and Kansas City isn't an elite team.

4. Chicago Bears. They're probably the 3rd-best of all the last place teams. However, they're stuck in the same division as probably the league's best team heading into the year as well as a solid Lions squad and an up-and-coming Vikings team. In wha tcould be the league's most competitive division, I don't see the Bears making waves, but they do have at least some of the pieces in place to be interesting.

5. Washington Redskins. Basically their only chance at jumping to first is if RGIII regains his rookie form, but it's more realistic than some of the other options in here, haha.

6. St. Louis Rams. I'd give them a better shot if they didn't have Arizona and Seattle in their way. The Rams are capable of making some improvements but because of the other teams in their division they just don't have much of a shot.

7. Tennessee Titans. They're thoroughly mediocre and it's hard to believe Mariota is going to make much of an impact. Plus they're behind the Colts, who will cruise to the division title, and the Texans, who are going to be much improved.

8. New York Jets. Not only are they a bad team, but they're in an absolutely brutal division with the defending champion Patriots, the Bills (who I see making th eplayoffs under Rex Ryan), and the Dolphins, who have the potential to be really good as well. Really tough defenses in this division, and the Jets have absolutely no offense. They stand zero chance.

[The Legend]

8. Bears - Honestly, I don't like their chances at all. They don't have anything to hang their hats on. their defense sucks, their quarterback is worse. Matt Forte is a nice piece, but he can't carry the team himself.

7. Browns - I could just be a hardened and untrusting Browns fan at this point, but I have very little optimism for this season and that won't change unless they prove it to me and surprise me early in the season. Last year they had Brian Hoyer and didn't think he and his third worst QB rating was good enough, so they go out and replace him with Josh McCown who had the second worst QB rating last season. Their running backs are OK, but they won't make anyone think of DeMarco Murray or Marshawn Lynch. The defense is good, but defenses can't hold opponents to negative points.

6. Titans - The Titans odds suck. Basically, it's can Marcus Mariota shock everyone and adjust to the NFL game right away and ball out?

5. Redskins - I don't like the Redskins chances, but the thing I come back to is of the eight teams on this list they are the only ones to have had success in recent years. It's possible RGIII finds his rookie season form. It's not likely, but it's possible and if the quarterback isn't turning the ball over that defense is pretty good.

4. NY Jets - Can the Jets ride their defense to a division championship? Maybe. Brady's suspension still being 4 games helps them here as well. I don't trust Miami or Buffalo to fill that void necessarily, so the Jets have a chance.

3. St. Louis Rams - We come upon the first team that I don't have to dream up a totally crazy scenario to win their division. The Rams have good defense, a decent running game and if Nick Foles can stay healthy they may finally get the quarterback play they don't receive when Sam Bradford gets hurt. It's a tough hill to climb with Seattle and Arizona in the division, but anything is possible.

2. Oakland Raiders - Peyton Manning is the key to the division. If he can't stay healthy and play at a high level then it's anybody's guess what happens in the AFC West. Carr could progress off a decent rookie year and the defense could also evolve as they jell together.

1. Buccaneers - The NFC South sucks. Winston has a chance to play great this season. If he plays great this is the best team in the NFC South.

[DBSoT]

1. Tampa Bay. The Bucs have arguably the best WR duo in football with Evans and Jackson. That is a pretty good safety net with a rookie QB. Add that they have a good defense and play in a crap division, you have a recipe for early success.

2. St. Louis. I know people will say that Seattle is in their way, but if your going to be successful in this league you need to be good in the trenches. St. Louis has arguably the best D-line in football and their O-line is pretty solid as well. Add a healthy-ish QB and the best offensive player in April's draft (Gurley). They have a chance to be good for the years to come. I also don't fear Arizona.

3. Oakland. Their young nucleus is pretty good and should do really for them going forward. The division is also not as strong as in the past. Manning is showing signs of age, San Diego is constant choke mode, and KC is one Charles injury away from a top 5 pick.

4. Washington. This all hinges on the glass shards that are RG3's knees. If he can make in through a season and play well, this team could very over take Dallas at the top. I also don't trust Dallas or Philly to be consistent.

5. New York. This has a lot more to do with their defense being very good more then anything. The division is very tough on paper, but just like St. Louis, great players in the trenches can do wonders.

6. Tennessee. If I had to pick which team plays in the easiest division it would be the Titans, but unfortunately Tennessee really is that bad. I like to think of Tennessee as this year's Oakland. Basically replace Carr with Mariota (as rookies).

7. Browns. Another team with good defensive pieces, but no really QB help. Unfortunately they play in a very tough division with 3 other playoff contenders.

8. Bears. The Bears have the perfect storm of shit. They have average QB play, no defense to speak of, and play in a competitive division. I actually laughed pretty hard when they drafted Kevin White. How do you have the worst defense in football and draft a WR? The one bright spot is that they have Jon Fox now. That's something.

[Everlong]

St. Louis has arguably the best D-line in football

They're definitely up there, but I don't think anyone tops Miami at this point, especially with Suh there now.

[DBSoT]

St. Louis has arguably the best D-line in football

They're definitely up there, but I don't think anyone tops Miami at this point, especially with Suh there now.

That is very true. I would also add the Jets in there after drafting Leonard Williams.

[The Legend]

St. Louis has arguably the best D-line in football

They're definitely up there, but I don't think anyone tops Miami at this point, especially with Suh there now.

That is very true. I would also add the Jets in there after drafting Leonard Williams.

We'll see about the Jets. Have to see Williams play and it looks like he'll end up just replacing Richardson as opposed to being added to him.