2008 NFL Power Rankings

By Derek Lofland & Antonino Buccellato, founder of Fantasy Football Maniaxs

These are my power rankings to open the 2008 season. I want to be clear about one particular point. These rankings do not mirror my 2008 NFL predictions. This is where I would rank the teams to start the season. My predictions take into account how I believe those teams will progress during the season

1. Patriots

This team has a tradition of recycling players and incorporating new ones without missing a beat. The one thing to watch with this team is whether they have been able to rebuild a defense that lost a number of starters in the secondary. 

It hasn’t looked very good in the preseason, although veteran teams tend to look worse in preseason than young teams. At 16-0 last year, and four Super Bowl appearances in seven years, they are light-years ahead of the closest competitors, and thanks also to a docile strength of schedule in 2008, are deserving of opening the season in the top spot.

2. Cowboys

This is a team that returns most players from last season, minus WR Terry Glenn, who wasn’t a factor in 2007 due to injury. Gone is also their backup RB Julius Jones, to Seattle, replacing him with another Jones, rookie Felix, who will be Marion Barber’s main backup.

Their schedule doesn’t look too favorable, but a great team will overcome that rather easily. Chemistry is this team’s biggest question mark.

3. Giants

The loss of Michael Strahan to retirement will affect this team negatively on the field; he was the vocal leader of this team. That, combined with Saturday’s season-ending injury to Osi Umenyiora, furthers those doubts.

There are also questions abound about which Manning is going to show up for the Giants this season. The Giants ranked fourth last year in rushing and again will capitalize on the running game this year. They are planning to use a three-headed running monster consisting of a capable trio of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw. 

Talent-wise I couldn’t put them in the top two spots, but as defending Super Bowl Champions, they are deserving of a high ranking to start the season.

4. Jaguars

The Jaguars are one of the few teams that used the draft and free agency to patch their 2007 holes efficiently this offseason. The addition of Jerry Porter, a bona fide No. 1 receiver, which the team has lacked in years past, solidifies their offense and catapults them into an instant contender not only for the division, but for the Super Bowl as well. 

Of the four power teams in the AFC last season, they enter the 2008 season with the fewest injury concerns. Brady’s foot, Manning’s knee, and Merriman’s knee are all major question marks for the other big three AFC teams, much bigger than the dinged up receivers of the Jaguars.

5. Chargers

Many experts have crowned this team the deepest team in the NFL. They are going to need that depth more than ever. Merriman’s knee is in severe question, and Tomlinson, Rivers, and Gates are coming back from major injuries.

Even with all the alarming concerns, San Diego is capable of winning the division by riding their tough defense until those concerns vanish. They are a solid and established team, unlike most of the rest of their division rivals that are in the midst an ongoing rebuilding process.

6. Colts

Marvin Harrison is looking good for a return, but Peyton Manning has the NFL world concerned with his knee. I’d have this team ranked No. 3 if I was certain he was going to be at full strength to open the season.

I don’t doubt he will be in the lineup Week One, but at what percent of his healthy self? A solid team at every position should be good enough to contend for the division an ulterior time. The Jaguars will pose a realistic threat for the South’s crown. How far they go rests on Manning’s knee, no question about it.

7. Steelers

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