Finally, pro football.
With NFL training camps shortened and the preseason canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, most fans will get their first look at their favorite team when the regular season kicks off in mostly empty stadiums around the league.
The Buffalo News’ Week 1 power rankings for what promises to be a season like none other:
Rank Team (2019 record)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4).
Reigning Super Bowl champs signed Patrick Mahomes to the richest contract in the history of North American pro sports.
2. Baltimore Ravens (14-2).
NFL MVP Lamar Jackson knows regular-season dominance means little without playoff success.
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3. New Orleans Saints (13-3).
Drew Brees could end his 20th season with his second Lombardi Trophy.
4. San Francisco 49ers (13-3).
Only two of the last 10 Super Bowl losers failed to make the playoffs the following season.
5. Buffalo Bills (10-6).
Josh Allen is set up for success, with a loaded offense and one of the top defenses in the league.
6. Seattle Seahawks (11-5).
Bolstered the secondary with Jamal Adams and Quinton Dunbar.
7. Green Bay Packers (13-3).
We'll see how Aaron Rodgers responds to the Packers drafting his potential successor.
8. Minnesota Vikings (10-6).
Adam Thielen is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver with Stefon Diggs traded to Buffalo.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7).
Jason Peters reportedly wants a pay raise to move from right guard back to left tackle.
10. Los Angeles Rams (9-7).
Jared Goff was 22nd in passer rating and 19th in completion percentage last season.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9).
They've built an old fantasy football team. Will it work in real life?
12. New England Patriots (12-4).
Bill Belichick refused to confirm reports Cam Newton was named the starting QB.
13. Houston Texans (10-6).
Deshaun Watson will try to drag the revamped Texans back to the playoffs.
14. Indianapolis Colts (7-9).
Philip Rivers should help the Colts contend for the AFC South title.
15. Dallas Cowboys (8-8).
Dak Prescott has one playoff victory in four seasons and is playing on the franchise tag.
16. Tennessee Titans (9-7).
Gave big money to Ryan Tannehill. We’ll see how that works out.
17. Atlanta Falcons (7-9).
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said Todd Gurley could get 15 to 25 carries a game.
18. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1).
DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald give Kyler Murray a pair of future Hall of Fame receivers.
19. Chicago Bears (8-8).
How long until Mitchell Trubisky is replaced by Nick Foles?
20. Carolina Panthers (5-11).
Teddy Bridgewater gets the chance to prove he's still franchise QB material.
21. Denver Broncos (7-9).
Paired Melvin Gordon with Phillip Lindsay and drafted receivers with their top two picks.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8).
Ben Roethlisberger returns from a season-ending elbow injury.
23. Cleveland Browns (6-10).
Kevin Stefanski takes over after Freddie Kitchens’ lone season as head coach.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9).
Jon Gruden called Zay Jones the team’s most improved player.
25. New York Jets (7-9).
Sam Darnold is being subjected to another season under Adam Gase.
26. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11).
Tyrod Taylor gets to start under former Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn.
27. Detroit Lions (3-12).
Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn have managed nine wins in two seasons.
28. Miami Dolphins (5-11).
How long until Tua Tagovailoa replaces Ryan Fitzpatrick?
29. New York Giants (4-12).
Saquon Barkley could make a run at Chris Johnson’s single-season yards from scrimmage record (2,509).
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14).
No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow gets a boost with the healthy return of A.J. Green.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10).
The Jags’ once-elite defense was dismantled, and they just keep purging talent.
32. Washington Football Team (3-13).
Speaking of disasters ...
At least four prime-time games, including two at home, highlight this year's Bills schedule.
