Preseason NFL Power Rankings

1. Dallas Cowboys: Do they play anyone? Ever? Okay so their overall schedule is alright, but there's only so much they have to do to win the NFC... they're here even though the next three teams are all better than they are because of the conference they're in. And, by the way, they could probably beat some of those really elite teams on a given day.

2. New England Patriots: I don't think I need to defend this pick too much. They won't go 16-0 again- that's basically impossible, and I was upset that they lost because it means that I'll never see a 19-0 team before I die (I'm in college). Still, the NFC East doesn't have anything close.

3. Indianapolis Colts: They're still the Colts, and they still have Manning. They can beat anybody, especially with Freeney to screw things up for the other team on defense.

4. San Diego Chargers: This team is flat-out elite. The difference between the Chargers and the Pats/Colts is that their superstar is a RB, not a QB. And that, my friends, puts them below the Pats/Colts.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: They've got to play in Indy's division, but what a great team they have... great moves to get Harvey and Groves in the draft, even if they mortgaged the future to do it. They want to win NOW and I respect that.

6. New York Giants: After the top 5, there's a significant drop-off to #6. This team is missing one last element to put them with the elite- just because they got hot come playoff time doesn't mean they were elite for the rest of the season.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rough schedule to deal with, but Mendenhall and Parker will grind away at opposing teams' defenses 'til the Ravens have a good QB this season. The defense is solid, as always. The Steelers are better than the Giants on paper... but so is their competition, as I mentioned a second ago.

8. Seattle Seahawks: Both the offensive and defensive units are good, not great, but that'll be enough to win them some games, especially in the weaker NFC.

9. Philadelphia Eagles: With McNabb healthy and Samuel added to the defense, they should make some noise. How much noise remains to be seen, but I wouldn't want to play them this year.

10. Green Bay Packers: No Brett Favre, but they've still got a solid D and Rodgers has spent so long in Green Bay that he won't be a true rookie QB, even if he is by the stat sheet.

11. New Orleans Saints: A bit of a risk here, but I think Sedrick Ellis will be a rare 1st-year monster at DT, and that's exactly what the doctor ordered. Put 'em in the playoffs.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Look for another monster year out of Adrian Peterson, but that won't be enough to make the Vikings an elite team. They'll have to wait another 2 years or so.

13. Cleveland Browns: They're close- they proved it last year. But I don't know if Shaun Rogers is enough to help that defense, and they've got to play Pittsburgh twice.

14. Buffalo Bills: Big wide receiver to play with Lee Evans? Check. Running back to carry them to some wins? Check. Still a year or two from the playoffs? ...also, Check.

15. Tennessee Titans: ANY wide receiver for Vince Young to throw to? Bueller? Bueller? ...sorry boys, dumb move. Alge Crumpler will help, but you needed someone to stretch the defense, and not from the RB position.

16. Houston Texans: Tough luck- you're right in the middle of the league rankings and all of your division rivals are ahead of you. Ah well, just get Mario Williams to sit on top of their QBs for a while?

17. Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman won't help their chances... but the defense will. They'll be okay... just not great, unfortunately for them.

18. Carolina Panthers: Look for Jonathan Stewart to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Look for Jeff Otah to help pave the way. Look for them both to disappear in big games, as rookies tend to do.

19. Arizona Cardinals: Look for Matt Leinart to have

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