NFL Power Rankings Preseason

Nothings better than some good ol' fashioned power rankings. Anyway, with the draft done, and most rosters getting settled, its time to see how it all played out.

32. Houston Texans: This decision was as predetermined as they come. As soon as they ditched both Dominic Davis and David Carr for unproven Matt Schaub and basically retired Ahman Green. There defense is getting stronger, but this team looks earily like last years Raiders, a team with a far way to go. Andre Johnson will continue to deal with these painful rosters around him. (Predicted Record: 3-13)

31. Oakland Raiders: I think they have some done some good this offseason, as they have started to put together a roster that could legitimately be a challenge in many games. There defense continues to be strong, and their offense can't possibly get any worse. Josh Mcknown will be a step up from Walters, but for this roster they just have to throw Russel into the fray as soon as possible, and hope that they didn't waste as much money on Rhodes as I think. (Predicted Record: 4-12)

30. Cleveland Browns: Can you possibly see how easy it would be to fix this roster. I mean, it glares right at you the obvious of it all, but it just won't seem to happen. Charlie Frye is a good starter, but he will be put on such a short leash he will be wasted. The line got better, but isn't superb, and the defence is mediocre at best. Braylon Edwards and Winslow are both decent for their positions, but not intimidating, and Jamal Lewis is way over his prime. Dallas should be excited to see a nice high pick next season. (Predicted Record: 4-12)

29. Greenbay Packers: Seems like a big fall from their 8-8 season last year, but hear me out. This team seems to extremely overachieve ever year, and it has to be the end of it this year. Their Quarterback is a decade past his prime, their current runningback is Morency, a decent back, but not starter material. The WR's are overrated, and the defence is porous. Somehow they will still pull out some wins, but not enough to impress me. (Pred Rec: 6-10)

28. Tennessee Titans: Another succesful team that I predict to make a big fall. My big problem with Tennessee is while I think they have a talented Quarterback, he got too big too fast, and I think he will fizzle the way Michael Vick did. Also their best defender is gone for the entire year, and their best Runningback was given to the Broncos. They drafted a horrible group of players, and they are going to fall out fast. Plus they are in the AFC, and if it weren't for the Texans they'd be right near the bottom. (Pred Rec: 5-11)

27. Kansas City Chiefs: I am just ripping on these borderline playoff teams. I don't think Huard will be nearly as succesful not coming from the backup role, I feel that they overuse their best player to the point of insanity, and once Larry Johnson goes down (you know he will), this team will lose the rest of its game. Their line isn't as strong as it once was, and their defence may be as porous as it was five years ago. All in all, I am not to up on the Cheifs (Pred Rec: 6-10)

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeff Garcia came in for the playoff Eagles, and made himself a ton of really undeserved money. I like Jeff Garcia, he knows what he is doing. The problem with him, is he can't take over a game like he did five years ago, and Caddilac can't do for him what Westbrook did for him last year. This team is mediocre, and a mediocre team in the NFL quickly becomes a bottom team. (Pred Rec: 6-10)

25. Minnesota Vikings: I want to be way up on this team. They have the best player in the entire draft in Adrian Peterson, they have a great talented speed reciever in Troy Williamson (similiar to a Lee Evans style), their defence is absolutely amazing against the run, and their offensive line is improving every year. The problem is Tavarius Jackson. Minnesota loves him for some unknown reason, and refuse to think about anyone else. Their backup, Bollinger, also won't help. So with such a weakness in a key position, I can't get to high on them. (Pred Rec: 6-10)

24. Buffalo Bills: I think they have alot of positives on their team. I think a legit top five QB-WR combo is Losman to Evans, and I think they have a strong defensive line. The problem is I absolutely despise their secondary, as it may be the weakest in the NFL, I am not as sold on Pulozny as a linebacker as everyone else is, and there offensive line didn't do much to improve. There is talent on this team, but the other lack of talent on other positions will drag them down. (Pred Rec: 6-10)

23. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons always seem to do enough to not be completely terrible, and I don't doubt that the same will be this year. Hopefully Harrington will get to start, but that will only happen if Vick is injured or suspended. Warrick Dunn is still a decent runningback, and the defence is decent enough. While not a terrible team, they are not top 20 in the competitive NFL (Pred Rec: 7-9)

22. New York Giants: I love Eli Manning, we all know this, but this team has been horribly mismanaged. Their coach will be every bit as terrible as last year, they are running two runningbacks that are exactly the same (Jacobs and Droughns) and they don't have a top 10 defence to get through those weaknesses. They should still be able to score points though without Tiki, and while I think they will have a worse record then the Falcons, its only because the Giants have a tough schedule. (Pred Rec: 6-10)

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Oh the poor AFC South. They have way too many weak teams to imagine. First off, Jacksonville can't make up their mind about their QB at all, and even considering Culpepper seems crazy to me, cause it is just going to create more conflict. Their defence will still be strong, but will hang them up to dry, and Taylor was basically healthy all last season, and there is no way that will happen again. So most of their wins will come at the expense of AFC South rivals, but in the end they will be no threat at all (Pred Rec: 7-9)

20. Miami Dolphins: What to say. Last year this team was completely overhyped because of their "big addition" in Culpepper (hmm, sound familiar to the Moss scenario this year). Now they are more under the radar, with a consistant QB in Green, and should be an improved year for Ronnie Brown. However, nothing is set in stone when it comes to this team, cause in paper they look real good once again, but I am not jumping on that bandwagon just yet (Pred Rec: 7-9)

19. Detroit Lions: There are many things I like about the Lions. I like how Kitna has put them on the spot, and is trying to give hope on the fans. I like their runningback situation more than you would expect by looking at the roster (although thats only if Kevin Jones can stay healthy) and I like the way their defence is formed. My problem is, that I have liked all of this before, and who's to say it will all change now. Calvin Johnson is not a savor, but in my mind an overated draft choice, and the line was not improved like it should have. A good team, but still not ready to make that step. (Pred Rec: 7-9)

18. Carolina Panthers: First off, I am sure there is some bias' here cause I have never liked Jack Delhomme as a QB, and while Steve Smith is explosive, you can just as easily double team him, as the other side is a liability. Julius Peppers is still a great defender (although I think he is losing a step here and there) and Deshaun Foster is a decent but not superb runningback. The team has a long way to go, but who knows. I am sure they will contend for a little bit. (Pred Rec: 7-9)

17. Cincinatti Bengals: Much lower than I bet you would've thought, but they have an absolutely atrocious defence in a tough division. I was worried about how to handle the Bengals, so I decided they will do the exact same thing they did last year, win 50% of their games. Rudi Johnson and Carson Palmer will steal them a ton of game, and even some against the best of the best, but that will just show the fans what they could be and not what they actually are (Pred Rec 8-8)

16. Dallas Cowboys: Never a big Cowboys fan, and I despise how overated Tony Romo is (although his fumbled snap, histerical). The cowboys are essentially the exact same team they were before. They don't overly impress me but they have enough balanced talent (particularily on defence) to easily go .500 in an easy division, and the easiest conference. (Pred Rec 8-8)

15. Arizona Cardinals: The first team to come out of sleeper division, the insanely good NFC West. The Cardinals are up and coming as always, but its just to difficult in their current division. Every one of these teams will absolutely beat up on each other, and it will be a tight battle to the end. Leinart is the future QB, and there is no better WR duo outside of Indy. This team should come together, but similiar to the Lions, people have been saying that for a while (Pred Rec: 7-9)

14. Seattle Seahawks: They won the NFC West last year, and they are decent team. Alot of people are predicting one last strong run for these Seahawks, but I just don't feel they are young enough to compete in this competitive division. Hasslebeck and Alexander should both bounce back strong from last season, but the Seattle dynasty outwest is over (Pred Rec: 8-8)

13. Chicago Bears: Yes, they just made the Superbowl, and yes this is a predicted playoff position, but there are some problems. Grossman is still their QB and that is still a huge liability. They let go of their biggest offensive threat in Thomas Jones for basically nothing, and who knows if Benson can carry the load. Also their second best defender, Briggs, is in an ugly hold out. All in all, it will be enough to push the Bears into the playoffs, but be concerned. It isn't the same team in Chicago. (Pred Rec: 9-7 *Win Division*)

12. New York Jets: I didn't know how to handle the Jets. Its hard to rank a team lower that was playoff bound the year before, and had gotten legitimately better, with an actual runningback threat in Thomas Jones. Yet I will anyway. Why, because their schedule was so rediculously easy last year, that they had only ONE upset last year, when they beat the Pats. They are still a good team, but they are my last team out of the playoffs, as they will fall JUST short. (Pred Rec: 9-7)

11. Pittsburgh Steelers: How did I, of all people, allow the Steelers to get this high. Because unlike last year, they won't start as completely bad. Defence can win games, and the Steelers have that, and Parker on offense is a force. Roethelisberger should return to his old, never do anything form, and they have a great backup in Batch. They also are fighting for the one AFC playoff spot up for grabs (as the others all sound pretty definite to me). In the end they will barely edge out the Jets (Pred Rec: 9-7 *Wildcard)

10. San Francisco 49ers: I love the way this team looks. They have rebounded and rebuilt in the perfect way. Unlike many teams who try to keep improving in the minimal way, the 49ers basically bottomed out a few years ago, got Alex Smith and Frank Gore, and then just side the Bills CB, and they have a real good team. They should survive the NFC West and edge into the playoffs. (Pred Rec: 9-7 *Wildcard)

9. Philadelphia Eagles: Westbrook. Do I need to say more? A healthy McNabb moving the ball, and the same strong defence. Now they aren't a superb overpowering team, and will lose a bunch of games here and there, but they will succeed and make hte playoffs once again. Something we have come quite used to. (Pred Rec: 10-6 *Wildcard)

8. New Orleans Saints: It's a slew of NFC Teams right now. The Saints defence is atrocious, but in the NFC that doesn't matter. They have a capable second corner in ex-Colt Justin David (which makes me oh so mad) and Brees is still Brees, the third best QB in the NFL if that. This team is good still, but not great. Enough to win their division though. (Pred Red: 10-6 *Division)

7. San Diego Chargers: Now people get angry. The Chargers are a talented team, no doubting that, and have one of the leagues best players in LT. They have a steroid fueled Linebacker, and a great TE. My problem is Rivers, if it weren't for LT, he wouldn't be able to win a game, and he quickly gives them away. Plus they choke in the playoffs, and the biggest reason why they are so low... They have an absolutely new crew of coaches, and that cannot possibly be a good sign for the future. (Pred Rec: 11-5 *Wildcard)

6. Washington Redskins: And now my rediculous out on a whim prediction... The Redskins will be real good. Ok, everyone calm now down, I am not on drugs, I just believe that this is the year. They may have the best safety duo in the NFL with Landry in the draft, their running game should be strong with Portis taking the handoffs, and Jason Campbell is my prediction for most improved player in the NFL this season. WR is still a concern, but on defence they look good. Can't help but pick them. (Pred Rec: 11-5 *Division/bye)

5. St. Louis Rams: My highest rated NFC team, I really like the way the Rams look for next season. Their WR's are extremely deep, and there is no one better at dilivering the ball in the NFC (besides Brees) than Bulger. Steven Jackson is easily an MVP candidate going into the season, and I actually like their defence. The NFC has problems, but the Rams don't have them (Pred Rec: 12-4 *Division/homefield)

4. Baltimore Ravens: McGahee instead of Jamal Lewis, and this team had a BYE last year. This team improved, and it just makes them scary. McNair, while not incredibly talented or dangreous anymore, can still win games, and with McGahee and their always strong defence, Baltimore will be good once again, and will win their division (Pred Rec 11-5 *Division)

3. Indianapolis Colts: My boys, but I won't put them on top just yet. Now their record is going to be great, cause the AFC South is an absolutely atrocious conference with no depth at all. Their defence lost both starting cornerbacks, their best linebacker, and are paying an inordinate sub for a good but not superb DE in Dwight Freeney. But its the Colts. Manning will be lights out, Harrision is still young, and they have the best offensive line in the NFL. And will Addai is a concern cause its the first point in his career he will be a lone back. Oh and they will beat the Patriots and get the bye, count on it (Pred Rec 13-3 *Division/bye)

2. New England Patriots: Why am I putting them ahead of Indy, despite having them concede the bye. Because in all likelihood its how it will go. The Pats bought alot of players, and because of that they will win alot of games, but they will choke away the one that counts. Their dynasty is over, and Moss will not give them the superbowl. (Pred Rec 13-3 *Division)

1. Denver Broncos: Best team in the NFL, I absolutely believe that right now. Travis Henry gives them their most talented Runningback sense Terrel Davis, Cutler has legit options, and the line is as good as always. And defence, the Cornerbacks with Bailey and Bly means you can't pass against them. They also have statistically a good run defence, so how do you score against them. You don't. While not my preseason Superbowl Champion, they will be the best regular season team. (Pred Rec: 14-2 *Division/homefield)