NFL Power Rankings Heading into the First Week of the Preseason

With free agency settling down, football is set to begin. We are less than a week away from the first week of preseason games. Here is the first set of power rankings of the 2011 NFL season.

1. Green Bay Packers

There may be other teams that did more during the offseason, but the Packers are the champs. At least until the season starts they have to be No. 1.

2. New England Patriots

The Patriots head into every season a Super Bowl favorite. Now with the additions of Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, this team will be an even tougher out in the AFC. 

3. New York Jets

Adding Plaxico Burress is a huge upgrade and gives Mark Sanchez a solid weapon to throw the ball too alongside Santonio Holmes. Maybe they'll actually take the handcuffs off of him and let him lead the Jets.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles went wild during free agency and put themselves in the early conversation for Super Bowl contenders. I just have questions with Michael Vick's durability. If he can stay healthy, they're dangerous—if the injury bug catches up to him, not so much.

5. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were already a great team, but with the additions of Ray Edwards and Julio Jones, this team on paper is ready for another NFC South division crown.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

We all know Pittsburgh isn't going anywhere and they will be hungry after losing the Super Bowl last season.

7. New Orleans Saints

Saints lose Reggie Bush but gain Darren Sproles, which isn't bad at all. This team remains one of the top teams in the NFC.

8. Baltimore Ravens

Is this the season Joe Flacco takes that next step and leads the Ravens to a Super Bowl? Now is the time.

9. San Diego Chargers

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will be in the lineup Week 1. That should help the Chargers get off to a faster start and prevent an early slump.

10. Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning got his money, now the question is: how's the neck? He could take this entire preseason off and not miss a beat once the regular season starts. I'm not worried. 

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Josh Freeman is really maturing before our eyes and developing into a solid quarterback. The Buccaneers remain the NFC South's best team, but are dangerous.

12. Dallas Cowboys

When will the Dallas Cowboys live up to the hype? Every year people say this is the season they will win the Super Bowl. We're still waiting. No more excuses, this team is too talented to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

13. New York Giants

The Giants could be a sleeper this season. Great defense, Eli Manning just needs to play a little more like his brother and limit the interceptions and they'll be fine.

14. Houston Texans

Is this the year the Texans make the playoffs? One of the most talented offenses in the league, it's going to come down to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and him fixing that god awful defensive from last season.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

I really enjoy watching the Chiefs team play with their flashy running game and special teams. With the additions of Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston, this offense can be really legit. Right now the Chiefs are the real threat to the Chargers in the AFC West.

16. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders lose Nnamdi Asomugha which is probably the biggest free agency loss of any team. Still remain a threat in the AFC West but need to upgrade at the quarterback situation.

17. Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler and the Bears finally got a legitimate receiver in Roy Williams. If that offensive line improved from last year, maybe Cutler can fulfill some of that potential and fans in Chicago will get off his back.

18. Detroit Lions

The Lions are a lot of people's favorite to make the playoffs this season. They're in a tough NFC North, but it all depends on if Matt Stafford can stay healthy.

19. Minnesota Vikings

The addition of Donovan McNabb will really help this Minnesota team. If everything goes right, they could have a solid chance at a wild card spot in the NFC and really surprise some people.

20. St. Louis Rams

Will be interesting to see how Sam Bradford improves off of last season's success. The Rams have a nice young receiving corp, including added Mike Sims-Walker.

21. San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh is great at working with quarterbacks, but can he make Alex Smith good enough to compete? Remains to be seen.

22. Tennessee Titans

Matt Hasselbeck is the leader of the Titan team now after Kerry Collins and Vince Young left. Problem is, they are still going to lean heavily on Chris Johnson. 

23. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals could make that leap this season and win the NFC West. They got their man in Kevin Kolb, and if he produces what people say he is capable of, this team could shock some people.

24. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have a very solid team on both sides of the ball, they just need a quarterback. They were supposed to get Kyle Orton, but now there are reports of possibly a Brett Favre sighting. What a mess this has turned into.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

David Garrard is probably the starter heading into the regular season, but expect Blaine Gabbert to take over sooner than later once the Jaguars fall out of contention.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is a lot like the Miami Dolphins—have good pieces on offense, but who's your quarterback? Next year we will truly see the potential of this team once they answer that question.

27. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are surrounding Colt McCoy with offensive weapons, but the loss of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan may end up hurting them the most. Is Peyton Hillis really a one-year wonder?

28. Denver Broncos

Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow, that is the question. But does it seriously matter who is playing quarterback for this team, this season?

29. Carolina Panthers

Carolina is doing everything in their power to provide weapons for rookie Cam Newton with the re-signing of DeAngelo Williams and other players. It will definitely be fun to watch Newton play.

30. Buffalo Bills

Getting Brad Smith from the Jets was a steal for the Bills as they head into the preseason with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter. They should be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes once the season is over.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

The addition of Bruce Gradkowski will at least buy time until Andy Dalton is ready to take over. Bad thing is this team will be growing through a ton of growing pains until then.

32. Washington Redskins

Tough division and doesn't get any easier with John Beck leading your team at the quarterback position. Until he shows us something, this team will stay in this spot.