NFL 2009-10: Preseason Power Rankings

Well, with the first NFL game since February kicking off tomorrow, it appears time to get back into the national addiction and start kicking off our own picks and predictions.

It's too bad that the Hall of Fame game doesn't have better teams...it might get more views than the Super Bowl if it was a good game. I'll tell you what, though, I'm as impatient as ever for football to begin. And I'm also impatient to finish this stupid introduction and get on with the rankings!

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were in the NFC Championship last year, and they could go even farther this year.

The defense lost some key players but remains solid. With a solid runner in Brian Westbrook (and even if he does get injured, enter LeSean McCoy), a veteran QB with Donovan McNabb (even if he doesn't know about ties), and an improved receiving core featuring rookie Jeremy Maclin as well as DeSean Jackson, this is a balanced, talented team.

2. New England Patriots

Tom Brady turns this team from an above-average squad into a dynasty. The running game will have a few questions, though, and who knows how a year out of football will have changed Brady. Still, a very solid team here.

3. San Diego Chargers

If Norv Turner can prove himself to be a decent coach, this could be a dangerous force in the AFC.

Darren Sproles has almost proved himself to be an excellent pairing with LT. With Phillip Rivers and a solid receiving game, the Chargers may have the best offense in the league.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan. Roddy White. Michael Turner. Jerious Norwood. Tony Gonzalez. How about that offense!?

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers go into this season coming off a Super Bowl win, but how effective will it be? Roethlisberger has had his problems this offseason, and Willie Parker is showing his age, too. The good thing is, it's always the defense that makes the plays anyway!

6. Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is still a top-three quarterback, and he won't be lacking in targets. But will slipping Joseph Addai and rookie Donald Brown be enough to carry the running game? And how about the defense, or the tightening division?

7. Carolina Panthers

Despite a brutal schedule, one of the hardest of the decade (the worst team they play had a 7-9 record last year, and with the NFC East and AFC East on the schedule), the Panthers are still looking good.

Delhomme has had his moments, and is not the QB that we all saw against Arizona. The running duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has the capability to once again be the league's best. The defense has also grown younger, faster, and is more balanced.

8. New York Giants

This is another talented team with a brutal schedule, a mediocre QB, and a powerful running game. This should be a huge season for the Giants.

9. Minnesota Vikings

If they could only find a quarterback...imagine the possibilities!

10. Tennessee Titans

I hope Kerry Collins is ageless, or the Titans will certainly suffer a fall. But the defense and running game can carry this team to the playoffs.

11. New Orleans Saints

If the offense can continue to dominate, the Saints may finally get that playoff berth they've been looking for. Still, they have a very hard schedule to endure.

12. Dallas Cowboys

The running game is declining, the defense is no longer anything special, the schedule is very difficult, and Tony Romo is...well, Tony Romo.

13. Houston Texans

The Texans are one of the brightest spots in the league right now. Andre Johnson is a superstar receiver and Matt Schuab can deliver the ball. Steve Slaton is also a good back, and the defensive line is overpowering.

14. Baltimore Ravens

I'm serious when I say I have my doubts about the Ravens. Joe Flacco wasn't a superstar last year, an it's not happening now. The running game is an oddly assorted bunch, and the defense has begun it's "aging out" period. This could be a tough battle for a playoff spot!

15. Arizona Cardinals

A long way from the NFC title, isn't it? Kurt Warner just doesn't have another season like last year in him, and the running game is questionable, too. But then again, how bad can a team with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston as their top-three WRs be?

16. Green Bay Packers

If the defense holds its ground and Aaron Rodgers emerges as a balanced QB, this team could improve from last season. A bounce-back year from Ryan Grant is needed, though.

17. Chicago Bears

Beware, Jay Cutler is here. Beware, Jay Cutler, there's nothing to throw to!

18. San Francisco 49ers

Mike Singletary has turned the 49ers into an improving team. But they still aren't solid enough on the depth chart to compete.

19. New York Jets

The defense got a huge makeover that has turned it into a top-10 unit. Unfortunately, the offense still has issues.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This would be an above .500 team if not for a terribly talented division. The running game should be excellent, but Brian Griese, Byron Leftwich, and rookie Josh Freeman is not exactly who you want competing for the starting QB job.

21. Miami Dolphins

It's going to be very hard to repeat anything like last year's season. Pennington just is not going to achieve consistency, and the defense could be heading slightly downhill, too. Ronnie Brown will handle the running game fine, but he's no stud.

22. Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer may not be a top-flight QB, but he's better than Ryan Fitzpatrick. A lot better. And I also have a good feeling about Cedric Benson and the running game...so the Bengals could be an improved team. However, he is still not the one the team is looking for.

23. Seattle Seahawks

Read above. It's not just Palmer replacing Fitzpatrick, it's Hasselbeck replacing Wallace. And the running game may not have quite the same outlook. However, it is a very easy schedule for the Seahawks to devour.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew is an elite RB, and hopefully Garrard can establish any sort of foothold. The problem is, Jacksonville is inconsistent on being inconsistent, but by no means can they compete with this roster.

25. Washington Redskins

Clinton Portis has "bust potential," Jason Campbell is not even a mediocre QB, and the receivers are low in talent. The defense is a strong point, but even that unit is overpaid.

26. Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel will make sure the Chiefs aren't quite as bad as last year's team, but 6-10 seems to be about the ceiling for KC right now.

27. Buffalo Bills

Terrell Owens is not an improvement, he is a disaster. The team will lose wins because of him, not gain them. And the rest of the team isn't too great, either.

28. Denver Broncos

What a mess this team has turned in to! I feel bad for Kyle Orton!

29. Oakland Raiders

They could even get in the upper half of the division standings, but that's no great achievement. Darren McFadden carries too much weight for Oakland to progress.

30. St. Louis Rams

Torry Holt is gone, Marc Bulger might as well be gone, and Steven Jackson has big-time injury issues. Hang up the cleats for another year, Rams fans.

31. Detroit Lions

There is no way another winless season is possible, but the Lions will still be out of it for at least another several years. Kevin Smith should be fine carrying the runs, though, and Calvin Johnson is quick and explosive. However, they just lack too much experience to improve past 4-12.

32. Cleveland Browns

If the Lions can't go winless, the Browns can. Oh boy, Cleveland, let's hope Brady Quinn can survive this torture!