Kritik und Lob » from playoff contention. QB Ryan Fitzp

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the Green Bay Packers, its the start of another attempt to reach the top of the NFL mountain.For the Jacksonville Jaguars, its the start of a long journey toward respectability.With two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and Mike McCarthy as coach, the Packers enter their season-opening game at Jacksonville with a seven-year postseason streak -- tied with New England for the longest current run in the NFL. While they are considered Super Bowl contenders, they are surrounded by some nagging questions.First, can Rodgers rebound after the worst season of his career? The man who owns the best passer rating in NFL history ranked just 15th in that category last season. Rather than rounding into form throughout the preseason, Rodgers played two series and threw nine passes.Second, can receiver Jordy Nelson rebound after missing all of last season? In 2014, Rodgers won his second MVP on the strength of Nelsons stellar season of 98 receptions for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. Nelson, however, tore an ACL during the 2015 preseason. Without him, the Packers offense went from leading the NFL in scoring in 2014 to ranking 15th in 2015. Nelson is back, but he didnt play a single snap in the preseason.Third, how will the offensive line fare without two-time All-Pro guard Josh Sitton, who surprisingly was released on Saturday? Hell be replaced by fourth-year pro Lane Taylor, who has two career starts.Put it together, and this offense could be a work in progress to start the season.I think the identity kind of grows game to game, Rodgers said. You see it start to show itself this week. You have an idea where the ball is going to go or who is going to have opportunities in the game. But things happen out there. Theres broken plays and theres guys who show up and guys who make the most of their matchups. Defenses can sometimes dictate the way we end up adjusting. So, its always interesting to see which guys show up when it really counts.Jacksonville hasnt made the playoffs since 2007, which also happened to be the last time it finished with a winning record. In each of the past five seasons, the Jaguars have lost at least 11 games.However, the pieces are in place for a franchise that has given away home games to help the league expand its reach overseas. Fourth-year coach Gus Bradley and the Class of 2014, which includes quarterback Blake Bortles and receivers Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marquise Lee, will define where this franchise heads this season.Bortles was fantastic statistically last season. He ranked seventh with 4,428 passing yards and second with 35 touchdowns. He also was one off the league lead with 18 interceptions. That could be a sticking point against a Packers defense that year in and year out ranks among the NFL leaders in interceptions.Quit throwing the ball to the other team, Bortles said of the next step in his career. I think if I can eliminate that -- and I did a lot of stuff this offseason to try to help that out, whether it was mechanical stuff to be a more accurate passer and mental stuff to make faster, better positions. Hopefully, I can help us out on that side of things and not turn the ball over so much.While Rodgers stirs the Packers offensive drink, it will be up to Bradleys revamped defense to puts the brakes on their attack. Its a new-look unit. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson, safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Prince Amukamara were part of the Jaguars $220 million free-agent haul. Defensive end Dante Fowler, the 2015 first-round pick who missed his rookie season due to injury, is back. And the 2016 draft included first-round cornerback Jalen Ramsey, second-round linebacker Myles Jack and third-round defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Those are seven fresh faces to fix a defense that ranked 31st in points allowed last season.Weve got so much respect for Green Bay, Bradley said. Here is a playoff team that has had great success, a really, really good offensive unit, and itll be a great challenge for us. Great challenge, and were looking forward to that challenge. Any time you have a chance to play a caliber team like Green Bay, especially how they are as an offense, its a great challenge for our guys.Blake Swihart Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Bobby Doerr Red Sox Jersey . 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Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.For the fourth straight week, the Dallas Cowboys maintain their handle on the No. 1 spot in ESPNs NFL Power Rankings.ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) move the New England Patriots up to No. 2, bumping the Oakland Raiders down a peg to No. 3. Despite a Week 13 win at Jacksonville, the Denver Broncos fall out of the top five in favor of the surging Pittsburgh Steelers, who beat the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon.Methodology note: These rankings reflect which teams voters think would win head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. Coming off a win doesnt guarantee a jump, and coming off a loss doesnt guarantee a fall.Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.Previous rankings: Week 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | PreseasonESPN Stats & Information contributed the following research.1. Dallas Cowboys2016 record: 11-1 | Week 13 ranking: 1The Cowboys clinched a playoff berth in Week 13 and won their Thursday night game at Minnesota despite season lows in points, yards and third-down conversions. Dallas gets a chance to avenge its only loss this season when it takes on the Giants on Sunday night in Week 14.2. New England Patriots2016 record: 10-2 | Week 13 ranking: 3Tom Brady is now the career wins leader among quarterbacks. But New Englands defense continues to fall under the radar. The Patriots are tied for second-fewest points allowed this season. The team they are tied with? Their Week 14 opponent, the Ravens.3. Oakland Raiders2016 record: 10-2 | Week 13 ranking: 2Derek Carr gets the Raiders the lead, and Khalil Mack keeps it that way. Mack has three strip-sacks in the fourth quarter in his past four games, and he recovered the fumble each time. No other player in the NFL has done that (sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery) in the fourth quarter in that time.4. Seattle Seahawks2016 record: 8-3-1 | Week 13 ranking: 4The Seahawks running game seems to be back following their 240-yard effort Sunday night in a win against Carolina. Thats three straight games with 100 rush yards for the Seahawks after having two such games to start the season. Theyll look to keep it going in Green Bay in Week 14.5. Pittsburgh Steelers2016 record: 7-5 | Week 13 ranking: 9Ladarius Green is stepping up as yet another weapon at QB Ben Roethlisbergers disposal after setting a career high with 110 receiving yards against the Giants. The Bills are the next team that gets to figure out how to stop Green over the middle and Antonio Brown on the outside.6. Baltimore Ravens2016 record: 7-5 | Week 13 ranking: 13Dont fall too hard for Joe Flaccos four-touchdown game Sunday. It was only the third time this season he has thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game, and he still has only four more touchdowns than picks this season. If he does it again against the Patriots, then thats a different story.7. Kansas City Chiefs2016 record: 9-3 | Week 13 ranking: 6Some of the Chiefs wins this season seem as unlikely as winning the lottery, and with a pick-six and a pick-two in Week 13, that comparison might not be that far off. The Chiefs can take control of the AFC West with a win over the Raiders on Thursday night.8. Detroit Lions2016 record: 8-4 | Week 13 ranking: 7The streak is over. In Week 13 the Lions finally played a game in which they didnt trail in the fourth quarter. The heroics are fun, but the Lions are hoping to make it two straight without trailing in the fourth when they host the Bears in Week 14.9. Denver Broncos2016 record: 8-4 | Week 13 ranking: 5Paxton Lynch got the Week 13 win against Jacksonville with 104 yards passing on 12 of 24 completions. That kind of effort can get the job done against the Jaguars, but Lynch (or Trevor Siemian) will likely need to step up his game at Tennessee this week.10. Atlanta Falcons2016 record: 7-5 | Week 13 ranking: 8The Falcons rivalry with the Saints went a little too far Sunday. The Saints lost on a defensive conversion in a tie game a few weeks ago, so the Falcons one-upped them by losing on a defensive conversion when they had the lead. The Falcons hope to erase that bad taste in Los Angeles this week.11. Green Bay Packers2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 24If James Starks doesnt get going, theres a real chance QB Aaron Rodgers could lead the Packers in rushing this season (59 yards shy of Eddie Lacy). Hes using his legs to run and buy time, as he has 10 passing touchdowns from outside the pocket. Hell be running from the Seahawks pass rush this Sunday.12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2016 record: 7-5 | Week 13 ranking: 14Since declaring hes not a loser, QB Jameis Winston has led the Buccaneers to four straight victories, the teams first four-game win streak since 2012. Winston seeks the Bucs first five-game win streak since 2002 this week against the Saints.13. Washington Redskins2016 record: 6-5-1 | Week 13 ranking: 11The Redskins were generating some buzz, then they allowed 62 points with no takeaways in their past two losses. A loss this week against the Eagles would drop the Redskins to .500.14. New York Giants2016 record: 8-4 | Week 13 ranking: 10The 24 points allowed by the Giants in Week 13 were their most allowed in two months. The defense will keep them in games, but QB Eli Manning and his team cant have so many empty possessions, especially against the 11-1 Cowboys on Sunday night.15. Minnesota Vikings2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 18Theres no better cure for your ills than a game against the Jaguars, and thats exactly what the Vikings have this weeek.ddddddddddddSince Week 7, Minnesota is averaging 16.3 points per game, which ranks third worst in the NFL.16. Miami Dolphins2016 record: 7-5 | Week 13 ranking: 12Well that was a spectacular end to Miamis six-game winning streak. The Dolphins had more turnovers Sunday (3) than they did during the streak (2), and scored a season-low six points in the loss at Baltimore. Miami looks to get back on track against Arizona this week.17. Arizona Cardinals2016 record: 5-6-1 | Week 13 ranking: 23If the Cardinals were any better overall, David Johnson might be receiving MVP buzz. He has had 100 scrimmage yards in every game this season, and has accounted for 39 percent of the teams yards from scrimmage. Johnson takes his talents to South Beach in Week 14.18. Buffalo Bills2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 17Tyrod Taylor and the running game havent been bad, so how are the Bills 6-6? Theyve lost five games this season when scoring 24 or more points, most in the NFL. The defense will have its hands full again this week with the Steelers.19. Tennessee Titans2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 19The Titans leave their bye week tied for the division lead and are finally looking to get over the .500 hump. They are 0-5 this season when entering a game at .500, and the Broncos will not make it easy this Sunday.20. Philadelphia Eagles2016 record: 5-7 | Week 13 ranking: 20The wheels have come off the Wentz Wagon. The Eagles are averaging 14 points per game during their three-game losing streak, and Carson Wentz has three more interceptions than touchdowns in that stretch. The Eagles look to stop the bleeding against Washington this week.21. San Diego Chargers2016 record: 5-7 | Week 13 ranking: 15Philip Rivers has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. All three gave the Chargers opponents the lead. Those mistakes represent only a few of San Diegos league-leading 25 giveaways (tied with the Jaguars) this season, but they might be the biggest. The Chargers head to Carolina this week.22. Houston Texans2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 16After Week 9, the Texans were 5-3 and the Colts and Titans were each 4-5. After Week 13, all three teams are 6-6. The Texans head to Indianapolis this week, so if things werent interesting enough in the division, theyre about to get a whole lot more intriguing.23. Carolina Panthers2016 record: 4-8 | Week 13 ranking: 22Cam Newton has failed to complete 50 percent of his passes in three straight games, attempting at least 20 passes in each game. Josh Freeman in 2013 was the last quarterback to do that, and he was released by the Bucs shortly after. Newton looks to end that streak against the Chargers this week.24. Cincinnati Bengals2016 record: 4-7-1 | Week 13 ranking: 28The Bengals had lost three straight games while allowing 18.9 points per game, but a 32-point effort Sunday got Cincinnati back in the win column for the first time since Week 7. The Browns are next on the schedule for the visiting Bengals in Week 14.25. Indianapolis Colts2016 record: 6-6 | Week 13 ranking: 25The Colts find themselves in the logjam that is the AFC South following their monster victory against the Jets on Monday night. Next up are the Texans, who the Colts are 23-6 against all-time. Houston has recorded the two most recent victories in the series, though.26. New Orleans Saints2016 record: 5-7 | Week 13 ranking: 21The Saints just scored 13 points against a team that ranked 31st in defensive efficiency entering the week -- after scoring 49 points against a team that ranked 10th in defensive efficiency. Long story short: The Saints are weird. Who knows whats in store this week at Tampa?27. Los Angeles Rams2016 record: 4-8 | Week 13 ranking: 27Jared Goff is 0-3 with 169.7 pass yards per game and a 31.9 Total QBR. It hasnt been smooth sailing for the rookie quarterback, and it might not get any smoother as hell take on the Falcons and Seahawks the next two weeks.28. Chicago Bears2016 record: 3-9 | Week 13 ranking: 30Rookie Jordan Howard has been a bright spot for an otherwise disappointing Bears team. Howard is averaging 4.9 yards per rush, same as Ezekiel Elliott, and is 117 yards shy of 1,000. This week the Bears play at Detroit, a team Howard rushed for 111 yards against earlier this season.29. New York Jets2016 record: 3-9 | Week 13 ranking: 26The Jets worst home loss since the Butt Fumble game officially eliminates them from playoff contention. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick now has the worst touchdown-interception ratio in the NFL, and second-year QB Bryce Petty?will start the Jets remaining four games.?30. Jacksonville Jaguars2016 record: 2-10 | Week 13 ranking: 29Blake Bortles, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, has won exactly 10 games in his pro career. He has had 11 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Which will happen first: a Bortles win or another pick-six?31. San Francisco 49ers2016 record: 1-11 | Week 13 ranking: 31If you have two hands, you can count the net passing yards for the 49ers in Week 13 (a total of six). If you have one finger, you can also count the 49ers wins this season. Another potential barn burner against the Jets awaits in Week 14.32. Cleveland Browns2016 record: 0-12 | Week 13 ranking: 32Our Football Power Index (FPI) gives the Browns a 30.6 percent chance of beating the Bengals at home this week, their best odds to win a game the rest of the season. FPI gives the 0-12 Browns a 38 percent chance of completing the imperfect season. ' ' '