Philadelphia Eagles Top NFC Preseason Power Rankings

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Very well-rounded team here. They have an extremely good offense, if Brian Westbrook is able to stay healthy, but still very good if not. Expect to see DeSean Jackson continue to enhance his stature and become a top-10 WR in the NFL.

The Eagles have a top 10 QB, top four RB, top 20 WR (at this point), along with explosive young draft picks in RB LeSean McCoy and WR Jeremy Maclin.

The defense shares something in common with the offense: It is nicely put together. No holes anywhere. B-Bunk and Patterson are a scary young DT combo, and should only improve next to the ferocious Trent Cole, who generates great blindside pressure on the opposing QB.

McNabb has finally got a legit receiving core, so no more excuses for the front office and "fans."

2. New York Giants

Stop talking to me about Plax.

When you have Brandon Jacobs on your team, you can afford sub-par receivers. With a running back that hard to bring down, defenses will be forced to put eight in the box, which also makes for a very effective play action game, and that isn't dependent on your talent at WR.

The offense will be fine.

The defense outside the D-Line is totally average, but guess what? They have the best line in the NFC that puts insane pressure on the quarterback literally every play.

Insane DT rotation with Robbins-Canty-Bernard after the recent signings, combined with two top five DEs and a shutdown CB? This defense will definitely be effective.

3. Atlanta Falcons

I think Matt Ryan is going to have an MVP-type year.

That can only improve the performance of those around him. The Falcons could very legitimately have four Pro-Bowlers from their offense alone—Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, and Roddy White. A young offensive group that GMs can only dream of.

Additionally, Michael Jenkins is one of the league's best possession receivers, although widely unrecognized.

Defensively, the important pieces are definitely there. Elite pass-rusher in Abraham, young stud and defensive leader in Curtis Lofton, and the imposing presence of Jonathan Babineaux on the defensive line make the Falcons a very formidable defensive unit.

Look for them to have their official breakout year and take power in the division from the Panthers.

4. Minnesota Vikings

The only position the team is even a little bit shallow in is QB, but honestly, I see no reason why Jackson won't be able to throw the ball accurately to the solid targets he's been provided, run the ball a little bit, and exist in the two seconds between the snap and handing the ball to AP.

Peterson can take the ball 20+ times a game, and I'm sure this team will be fine offensively.

Nothing to worry about on the other side of the ball. Allen and the Williamses compose an elite defense line and pass rush, who can play comfortably knowing that Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson have their backs.

Antoine Winfield is indeed declining though, but his age should be veiled by the intense pressure Allen will provide. It'll be a very interesting race between the Cutler-led Bears, and Favre's team that wasn't.

5. Carolina Panthers

I know Jake Delhomme didn't sleep well after "leading" (more like dragging) his team to a brutally humiliating loss to the Cardinals in the 2008 playoffs, and thus I'm sure he's going to do every single thing in his power to make it up to his teammates this year.

Even though the Panthers are going to begin phasing Delhomme out of the offense in favor of DeAngelo Williams, he'll still factor in heavily to the team's success with his intangibles and constant drive to win.

The question is, is Steve Smith willing to sit quietly while the old Carolina guard begins to see less and less of the ball? He's always had a big mouth. We shall see.

6. Arizona Cardinals

The Super Bowl runner-ups remain, for the most part, intact.

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