The Carolina Panthers will be in playoff contention this coming season. 

The emergence of superstar signal-caller Cam Newton under center has revived the franchise and will elevate them to the next level in 2012.

Newton smashed NFL quarterback rushing records (14 touchdowns) a season ago and promises to flip Carolina's record around this year (the Panthers went 6-10 in 2011). 

The Panthers aren't the only underrated NFL franchise that will rise in the weekly power rankings this season, though. 

Let's take a look at some under-the-radar teams that will make a push in 2012.

 

Carolina Panthers

As already mentioned, the Carolina Panthers are a prime example of a team that will rise considerably in 2012. With Tampa Bay coming off a dismal season in 2011, Atlanta fading and New Orleans dealing with the fallout from this summer's bounty scandal, Carolina looks to be in great shape in the NFC South heading into the preseason. 

The Panthers offense was above average in 2011, thanks to the sensational play of rookie quarterback Cam Newton, who threw for more than 4,050 yards and 21 touchdowns. Newton's ability to run the football also led Carolina to become the NFL's third-best rushing offense in 2011.

Carolina had to address their defensive deficiencies in the draft last spring, and they did just that, drafting Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly.

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft will certainly help make an impact on a defense that ranked 24th and 25th in the league against the pass and run respectively last season. I like the Panthers to challenge the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South in 2012. They have a franchise quarterback and have added to their struggling defense this offseason. 

 

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks will benefit late in the season from playing three of their last four games at home, where they hold a favorable advantage against their division rivals because of the raucous crowd and the potential inclement weather that comes rolling through CenturyLink Field. 

Seattle struggled to move the ball consistently in 2011, which led to a 7-9 season and a disappointing early offseason. The Seahawks' strength last season was their defense, which ranked 11th in the NFL defending the pass and 15th against the run. Seattle now has a franchise quarterback in Matt Flynn, who they signed this offseason.

Flynn showed glimpses of elite talent behind Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and will now get his chance to lead an offense for a full season in 2012. First- and second-round picks Bruce Irvin from West Virginia and Bobby Wagner of Utah State bolster the defense and will give the Seahawks a real shot at contending in the NFC West, which boasts beatable competition. 

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Although most people will argue that Philadelphia deserves to be one of the top contending teams to watch coming into this season, the Eagles' body of work in 2011 suggests that they have plenty to prove early on this fall in order to garner the respect of last season's playoff teams. 

With Michael Vick healthy again in 2012, and the pressure of being dubbed the "Dream Team" behind them, the Philadelphia Eagles will rise in the NFC East. Philly has loads of talent on its roster, and despite the hardship facing head coach Andy Reid and the team after the recent death of Reid's son at training camp, they will return one of the NFL's hottest offenses this season.

The Eagles ranked ninth and fifth in the league last season in passing and rushing offense, and managed five road wins despite a rocky start to the season. Expect the defense to be much better after an offseason of intense scrutiny. Philly drafted defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the first round, and shored up their interior defensive line, which will immensely improve their rushing defense in 2012. 

 

My Latest 2012 Preseason NFL Power Rankings

Rank	Team	2011 Record
No. 1	Green Bay Packers	15-1
No. 2	New England Patriots	13-3
No. 3	Baltimore Ravens	12-4
No. 4	New York Giants	9-7
No. 5	San Francisco 49ers	13-3
No. 6	Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
No. 7	Houston Texans	10-6
No. 8	New Orleans Saints	13-3
No. 9	Detroit Lions	10-6
No. 10	Denver Broncos	8-8
No. 11	Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
No. 12	Chicago Bears	8-8
No. 13	New York Jets	8-8
No. 14	Dallas Cowboys	8-8
No. 15	Philadelphia Eagles	8-8
No. 16	San Diego Chargers	8-8
No. 17	Seattle Seahawks	7-9
No. 18	Tennessee Titans	9-7
No. 19	Atlanta Falcons	10-6
No. 20	Arizona Cardinals	8-8
No. 21	Oakland Raiders	8-8
No. 22	Carolina Panthers	6-10
No. 23	Kansas City Chiefs	7-9
No. 24	Miami Dolphins	6-10
No. 25	Buffalo Bills	6-10
No. 26	Jacksonville Jaguars	5-11
No. 27	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-12
No. 28	Washington Redskins	5-11
No. 29	Indianapolis Colts	2-14
No. 30	Cleveland Browns	4-12
No. 31	Minnesota Vikings	3-13
No. 32	St. Louis Rams	2-14

 

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