NFL Power Rankings: True Sleepers That Can Win Their Divisions

Teams like the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers seem like obvious division winners in 2012. 

However, history tells us we must be careful with our "sure-fire" picks. 

Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were the supposed class of the NFC East, but needed a four-game winning streak to end the year to get back to .500. 

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers were expected to battle it out in the AFC West, but a polarizing figure named Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos on a historic run to the division title. 

These four teams are true sleepers and have a legitimate shot at winning their respective divisions this season. 

Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings

1. New York Giants

2. Green Bay Packers 

3. New England Patriots

4. Houston Texans

5. San Francisco 49ers

6. Baltimore Ravens

7. Cincinnati Bengals

With a rookie quarterback and wide receiver leading their offense in 2011, many expected the Bengals to struggle in the competitive AFC North. 

They dramatically exceeded expectations and signal-caller Andy Dalton pieced together a fine first year, with nearly 3,400 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Cincinnati had the seventh-best overall defense last year, led by Geno Atkins on the interior, Rey Maualuga at the second level and last line of defense Reggie Nelson.

This year, they added a fine draft class that includes wideout complements to Green in Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis was acquired in free agency, and he'll become the team's reliable downhill running back.

With Terrell Suggs gone for what should be most of the year, the youthful but talented Bengals certainly have the makeup to battle for the AFC North crown in 2012.  

8.  Pittsburgh Steelers

9.  Atlanta Falcons 

 10. Chicago Bears

11. Detroit Lions

12. Philadelphia Eagles

13. New Orleans Saints

14. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs weren't a horrible team last season, and entering the draft, they didn't have a ton of glaring holes for a 7-9 team. 

Everything hinges on the health of running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry. 

All are set to return at the start of the regular season. Charles has averaged more than six yards per rush in his career. Moeaki caught 47 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns in 2010. 

Berry exploded onto the scene in his rookie year with 92 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions that earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. 

With free-agent acquisition Eric Winston holding down the right side of the team's offensive line, Charles and new addition Peyton Hillis could be in for huge 2012 seasons. 

Derrick Johnson is the team's stalwart middle linebacker and this year's first-round pick Dontari Poe provides a new mammoth anchor for the defensive front. 

In a division that's been wide open over the last few seasons, the Chiefs certainly have a shot to win the AFC West this year. 

15. Denver Broncos

16. Dallas Cowboys

17. Buffalo Bills

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers are the trendier picks to upset the Saints atop the NFC South in 2012. However, there are many reasons for Bucs fans to believe. 

In Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount, this team has a running back tandem to match DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Both Martin and Blount will be a huge part of the team's offensive plans in 2012 with Greg Schiano as the head coach. 

Josh Freeman is coming off a season in which he drastically regressed from an impressive 2010 season, but he's got the talent to become one of the better, more reliable quarterbacks in the NFC. 

The defense has a ways to go, but Mark Barron's size, speed and collegiate experience make him a safety ready to impact the NFL from day one. 

In a tightly contested division that will be all about scoring points, don't count out the Buccaneers on being the most consistent and well-balanced group that could lead to a surprising NFC South title. 

19. San Diego Chargers

20. Arizona Cardinals

21. New York Jets

22. Carolina Panthers

23. Tennessee Titans

24. Oakland Raiders

25. Washington Redskins

26. Seattle Seahawks

The San Francisco 49ers, on paper, are the new class of the NFC West. Their defense should, once again, be among the league's elite after finishing fifth in total yards allowed last season. 

The front office did what it could to add more weapons for Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith. 

However, don't sleep on the Seahawks. 

They had the ninth-best defense in 2011 and gave up a meager 3.8 yards per carry. Seattle's secondary allowed the sixth-lowest quarterback rating average, as well, at 74.7.

Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson were brought in to improve the quarterback situation and running back Marshawn Lynch was re-signed in the offseason. 

If first-round pick Bruce Irvin can wreak havoc as a speed rusher off the edge, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons—two relative unknowns—will have huge seasons. 

While I don't expect them to steamroll the rest of the division, they'll certainly battle with the 49ers just like they did in a narrow Week 16 defeat last year. 

27. Cleveland Browns 

28. Miami Dolphins

29. St. Louis Rams

30. Indianapolis Colts

31. Minnesota Vikings 

32.  Jacksonville Jaguars

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