Will It Be a Steel City Or a Giant Overthrow

This season was nothing short of surprising. The Cardinals in the Super Bowl, Cowboys controversy, Patriots miss playoffs with 11-win season, Detroit’s dismal year, Miami’s miracle, and a lot more. I could rank those events from great to best, but you have to forget the past. So here’s an early look at next year’s power rankings.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are a gutsy pick, but they’re too good not to pick. If it’s not a good year, then expect them to be at the bottom of the standings.

Prediction: 8-8

14. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans has a high-powered offense. With Drew Brees at quarterback, an explosive running back, and a solid receiver, they’re capable of scoring 40 points or more every game. They just need to stay healthy. It could be the best offense in the league, but their defense is just not that good. All they need is some adjustments to that defense and they’re ready to go.

Prediction: 9-7

13. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota has all the pieces to be a contender; they just have to fit them together. Adrian Peterson is going to have a good year, their defense is going to lock down other offenses, but the only thing that bothers me is their quarterback, Tavaris Jackson. He just makes too many mistakes and you can’t have mistakes to win a game. Look for this to be his breakout year, both passing and rushing.

Prediction: 9-7

12. Miami Dolphins

Miami won’t have the year they had last season, but it will be good. They have a good defense, just not a great one. This will be one of the best teams in the sacks, but it will fall on the secondary. The front line will support them in a few games, but not all. And as a result they will give up some points. They will put up some points too, just not enough sometimes.

Prediction: 9-7

11. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and Roddy White are a spectacular tandem, Ryan with his quarterback skills and White with his great hands. Look for them to have an even better year this year than last year. Add Michael Turner to the mix and wow! Those players won’t perform every game, so they’ll lose some vital games.

Prediction: 9-7

*10. Washington Redskins

I know Washington hasn’t done well the last few seasons, but they have too much talent. When you think about it, they have one of the best teams in the NFL. You have Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Laron Landry, Jason Taylor, Jason Campbell, DeAngelo Hall, and Chris Horton, who had a dream rookie season. I just don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s chemistry, maybe this star power doesn’t work—just ask Dallas—or maybe they’re anxious to win the big game.  Whatever it is they have to fix it and they will, which will result in a good year and maybe the playoffs.

Prediction: 10-6

*9. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee had that great season last year. The key was their defense and their rushing game. This year Chris Johnson needs to perform and their defense needs to show up and a little quarterback play won’t hurt. After that, there’s nothing else to say.

Prediction: 10-6

*8. Carolina Panthers

DeAngelo Williams. That’s what it comes down to, right? I don’t think so. Their season will depend on the defense. Defense is always the key. The draft and free agency will supply them with the parts they need defensively. This is still a good team.

Prediction: 10-6

*7. New England Patriots

The Patriots offense is back, or Tom Brady at least is back. Will it be the same offense we saw in 2007? They need their offense in order to succeed because their defense is old. No offense will leave this team in a big hole. Look for them to make the playoffs.

Prediction: 10-6

*6. Indianapolis Colts

MVP! MVP! MVP! Can Peyton Manning lead his team to the Super Bowl? If he plays like he did last season, then it looks like you’ll be seeing them in the big one. The only thing that is scary about this team is the letdowns in the playoffs.

Prediction: 11-5

*5. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona is living on high ground, but that loss in the Super Bowl will hurt them somewhat. But they leave us some questions. Like, will their offense be explosive, will their defense improve, and can they get to the playoffs again? The answers are yes, yes, and yes. Now, I don’t know if they’ll be effective in the playoffs, but who knows.

Prediction: 11-5

*4. Baltimore Ravens

You can say a lot about the Ravens and their offense, but do you really need an offense with this hard-hitting, dominating, lock-down defense? Not after what they did last season. They’re a force to be reckoned with.

Prediction: 11-5

*3. Dallas Cowboys

So what, the Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs. So what, they lost humiliatingly. Anyway, with the right coaching and talent they’ll be better next season. A good draft will get them started. Offensively they have the talent. They just need to get disciplined and coached better.

Prediction: 12-4, but I’m just not sure.

*2. New York Giants

Yes, the New York Giants will be one of the best teams in the league once again. They will struggle early in the season, but will find their composure in time to win 12 games. If Plaxico Burress doesn’t come back next year they’ll struggle, but not too much. It will be a good year to be a Giants fan.

Prediction: 12-4

*1. Pittsburgh Steelers

How can the Steelers not be the best team? They will sit atop the NFL again, after winning the Super Bowl. Is it possible to even score on them? Well that’s going too far, but still they will have the best defense in the league again.

Prediction: 13-3

* Will make playoffs