NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Climb After Week One

With Week 1 of the 2012 NFL regular season commencing Wednesday, September 5, the excitement over the first installment of the preseason power rankings is palpable.

After a week there will be wholesale changes to the list, but for the most part, this is where most squads deserve to start the season.

If the following teams play as solid as most experts believe they can and will, there is little doubt that the biggest change will come in the form of these organizations climbing the rankings.

Indianapolis Colts

Week 1 Matchup: at Chicago, Sun, Sep. 9 at 1 p.m. ET

After going 2-14 in 2011, the Indianapolis Colts have revamped their offense and improved their defensive schemes in hopes of returning to prominence with new quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck.

With a solid group of wide receivers, Donald Brown looking to lead the charge out of the backfield and a defense looking to rebound from one of the worst seasons in their franchise’s history, the Colts are a sleeper in 2012.

Their Week 1 matchup against the improved Chicago Bears will be a perfect litmus test for how well the team has come together, but an upset win will send the young Colts up the power rankings.

Carolina Panthers

Week 1 Matchup: at Tampa Bay, Sun, Sep. 9 at 4:25 p.m. ET

The Carolina Panthers had a solid 6-10 season last year under rookie QB Cam Newton, but they are ready to stay healthy and make a push for the playoffs.

That effort starts in Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers are not a great team and may have taken steps backwards this offseason; with that being said, the Panthers must play their best if they want 2012 to start on the right foot.

As if Newton wasn’t enough, the defense is revamped with rookie Luke Kuechly and the return of injured Jon Beason, while the offense has added Mike Tolbert to the running game. With so much talent, Carolina will win at least nine games this season, including Game 1.

Seattle Seahawks

Week 1 Matchup: at Arizona, Sun, Sep. 9 at 4:25 p.m. ET

While the Seattle Seahawks were verbally destroyed by critics that questioned who they drafted this year (me included), there have been some pleasant surprises in Pete Carroll’s latest draft class; including new starting quarterback Russell Wilson.

With an already talented defense that can keep the Seahawks in NFC West contention, the improved offense will focus more on running the ball with Marshawn Lynch and sustaining drives; two things the team could have done more of in 2011.

The easy NFC West will live up to that billing Sunday, and Seattle will destroy whatever team the Arizona Cardinals present.

Whether it’s Kevin Kolb or John Skelton at the end of the game, the Seahawks will crush them.

NFL Power Rankings

Team	2011 Record
1. New York Giants	9-7
2. Green Bay Packers	15-1
3. San Francisco 49ers	13-3
4. Houston Texans	10-6
5. New England Patriots	13-3
6. Baltimore Ravens	12-4
7. Philadelphia Eagles	8-8
8. Atlanta Falcons	10-6
9. San Diego Chargers	8-8
10. Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
11. Detroit Lions	10-6
12. Dallas Cowboys	8-8
13. Tennessee Titans	9-7
14. Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
15. New Orleans Saints	13-3
16. Chicago Bears	8-8
17. Kansas City Chiefs	7-9
18. New York Jets	8-8
19. Denver Broncos	8-8
20. Seattle Seahawks	7-9
21. Buffalo Bills	6-10
22. Arizona Cardinals	8-8
23. Washington Redskins	5-11
24. Carolina Panthers	6-10
25. Oakland Raiders	8-8
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-12
27. Miami Dolphins	6-10
28. Jacksonville Jaguars	5-11
29. Cleveland Browns	4-12
30. Indianapolis Colts	2-14
31. St. Louis Rams	2-14
32. Minnesota Vikings	3-13

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NFL page to get your fill of all things football.

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