5 NFL teams facing championship pressure in 2019

The 2019 NFL Season will have a few surprises in store, as well as the usual reliables. Here we take a look at 5 NFL teams expected to be at championship level.

5. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings aren’t being talked about, but this is a team with one of the best rosters in the NFL . Only a year ago, Kirk Cousins was being seen as the final piece to a championship puzzle. Now, Cousins is being seen as liability who is still collecting on his $84 million, fully guaranteed deal. If Minnesota is going to get over the proverbial hump, this season needs to be it. If there’s another disappointment, there’s reason to believe head coach Mike Zimmer would be out along with ample veterans.

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4. Los Angeles Chargers

Philip Rivers is turning 38 years old. Once Rivers either retires or simply begins to fall off from a production standpoint, everything falls apart in Los Angeles. Much like the Vikings, the Chargers have one o the most complete teams in the NFL. While they have to figure out a way to win the AFC West for the first time this decade, it’s well within their grasp. Los Angeles is one of the stronger teams on paper, but to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994, Rivers has to lead the charge.

3. Los Angeles Rams

Only a few months ago, the Rams lost in the Super Bowl while only scoring three points. Considering Jared Goff is on a rookie deal and SeanMcVay is seen as the next great head coach, there’s pressure on Los Angeles to get back and win this time around. Of course, there are other factors at play as well. There’s a real chance that 2019 is the last time we see Andrew Whitworth, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters in Rams’ uniforms.

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2. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans should have been in the Super Bowl last year, but was robbed by the worst non-call in NFL history. Now the Saints are trying to bounce back, but the sand in the hourglass is shifting dramatically by the minute. Drew Brees is 40 years old, and while he still appears to be at the peak of his powers, there’s only so much left in that Hall of Fame right arm. If the Saints are going to win another title before Brees retires, this might be their last shot.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

When you are the Vegas favorite to win the Super Bowl, you have pressure. When you have a 50-year Super Bowl draught going, a 23-year-old MVP at quarterback and a head coach who needs one ring to become a Hall of Famers, it gets ratcheted up even more. Simple.