Missing Link: 9 teams one position group away from a title

The open of every NFL season brings Super Bowl dreams for teams across the country. While several of them are serious championship contenders, they aren't without their flaws.

Here are nine NFL teams that could raise the Lombardi Trophy, if they can overcome a glaring weakness.

Patriots - Offensive line

This could have been dedicated to New England's running backs, but the team has proven it can make do without a prolific backfield. The Pats tried taking the same approach with their offensive line in 2015, but ended up using 41 combinations. One only needs to look at their AFC Championship game defeat to see how a single unit can decide the season. Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo was fired the next day, before Bill Belichick brought former coach Dante Scarnecchia out of retirement and traded for starting guard Jonathan Cooper. But with Sebastian Vollmer expected to miss the season and the release of Bryan Stork, the O-line remains in flux.

Bengals - Wide receivers

A.J. Green and who? The Bengals allowed unspectacular yet reliable receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to depart in free agency without bringing in comparable replacements. Instead, journeyman Brandon LaFell and rookie Tyler Boyd are expected to pick up the slack. Cincinnati is a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, but who will quarterback Andy Dalton rely on when Green is blanketed? Considering star tight end Tyler Eifert will miss half the season and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has moved on, it's obvious the receiving unit will take a step back.

Vikings - Quarterback

Teddy Bridgewater's leg injury at the precipice of the season all but killed the Vikings' Super Bowl hopes. The Vikes were a popular pick to take a major leap forward, but even its most ardent supporters don't expect Shaun Hill will lead them to the promised land. The Vikings have all the other pieces in place, but the puzzle isn't complete without Bridgewater.

Steelers - Defensive backs

The Steelers own supreme talent at every position, except the secondary. Pittsburgh may be able to overcome suspensions, and proved last year they can excel despite injuries, but can the defense thrive with an unimpressive collection of defensive backs? William Gay is expected to start at corner opposite the nondescript Ross Cockrell, with Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden at safety. Pittsburgh's true test will come when the games are close and opponents take to the air.

Broncos - Quarterback

The Broncos won the championship last season despite the play of their starting quarterback, but the threat of Peyton Manning was enough in the playoffs. They won't be able to survive a full season with such anemic passing this year, unless they're winning games 6-0. Denver will need Trevor Siemian to be average enough, or Paxton Lynch to be game-ready, if the Broncos are to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Packers - Defensive tackle

B.J. Raji's impromptu retirement came at the most inopportune time for the Packers. For years, the team's Achilles heel had been its offensive line, which was at least partially responsible for preventing Aaron Rodgers from reaching a Super Bowl since the 2010 season. Miraculously, that line has since jelled and congealed into a trustworthy unit.

The Pack have the quarterback, the receivers, and a running game that is good enough. The defensive backfield is solid and Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers make the difference up front, but that gaping hole in the middle of the defensive line - the one Raji used to inhabit - just might be wide enough for opposing defenses to run through, gashing the Packers' Super Bowl aspirations.

Chiefs - Wide receivers

Kansas City has always had the defense to get it done, but the offense has never been steady enough to reach the pinnacle. That side of the ball has grown incrementally each season, but the Chiefs still lack talent in the passing game.

As the team waits for receivers to develop, they're wasting the prime years of Jamaal Charles and a defense that features Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, Eric Berry, and Justin Houston. Jeremy Maclin was a sound and necessary addition, and with one more outside threat - or even a speed demon - the Chiefs would have the weapons to reach the Super Bowl.

Panthers - Defensive backs

The Panthers cruised to Super Bowl 50 and while it wasn't the secondary that prevented a championship win, that could be the case this year.

With Josh Norman in D.C., the NFC champions will rely on three rookie cornerbacks and Bene Benwikere to shadow the league's deadliest weapons. Don't believe the Panthers are concerned about the unit? They signed veteran safety Stevie Brown as insurance. The secondary figures to be the only unit standing in the way of a potentially super season.

Jets - Quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick showed last year what he does, or doesn't do, with the season on the line. On the brink of a playoff berth, Fitzmagic dissolved in crunch time in embarrassing fashion. Well, the Jets brought him back for another try.

Matt Forte hopes to make the difference on the ground, while the defense - with standout linemen and a steady secondary anchored by Darrelle Revis - remains formidable. But Fitzpatrick is still at the controls. Can he pilot the Jets to Houston in February?