Preseason Power Rankings

These rankings are based on consistency, and new-found potency. [The major variable in the decision of close ranking teams is Quarterback.] This is the preseason, and the #20 ranked team could easily wind up at #1 in a few months. There are many scenarios that could play out, and these power rankings take those into consideration. To start off, here is a list of teams capible of winning the Super Bowl this season.

New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, that's almost half the league. The NFL is always a wide open competition at the beginning. (Who would of picked New England in 2002?)  

With that said, here are the rankings, divided into three sections: 

Section 3, unlikely to make the playoffs:

#32: Detroit Lions

Reasoning?  After last year, no reasoning is needed. 0-16 again? Probably not though. The team had a decent offseason, bringing in the likes of Julian Peterson, Maurice Morris, Louis Delmas, Matt Stafford, etc.

Prediction: 2-14

#31: Cleveland Browns

Reasoning? Well, the lack of defense, the lack of a starting QB, the lack of any big offseason moves continue the Browns' history of being a bad team.

Prediction: 3-13

#30: St. Louis Rams

Reasoning? The Rams did draft the best LT in the draft, that gives them one position of security, but, playing with a less-than-average D, having zero legit threats at WR, and relying completely on the oft-injured Steven Jackson make the team look like it is in a 10 year rebuilding process.

Prediction: 3-13

#29: Oakland Raiders

Reasoning? When the reaching pick of Darius Heyward-Bey at pick 7 sums up your team, then #29 in a power rankings should be a blessing. However, there is talent there, if McFadden, and Russel can pull something together, then this team might play .500 ball.

Prediction: 5-11

#28: Denver Broncos

Reasoning? The 'Josh McDaniels' Offseason. They lost Cutler, and they look like they will lose Marshall. That tandem is worth at least 2 wins for any team. They lost Mike Shanahan too. Hell, they even lost the future in a 2010 1st rounder to Seattle for the 37th pick overall. So, what did they gain? Brian Dawkins comes to mind. But, how much does that help a team that counted on their offense for almost every win? A little, now minus the impact of the stated losses. Stability does not describe this team.

Prediction: Anything in between 2-14 and 7-9

#27: Kansas City Chiefs

Reasoning? This team seems to have been in rebuilding for a while now, but the "building" hasn't really occured until now. They have added talent. Talent at QB in Matt Cassel, talent in head coach in Todd Haley, and a solid draft class that includes Tyson Jackson.

Prediction: 5-11

#26: Jacksonville Jaguars

Reasoning? This team is like the Broncos in the way they could wind up posting a variety of records: that means a lot of question marks. Does Garrad show up? Does the youth that was added in the offseason show up? etc.

Prediction: 4-12

#25: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Reasoning? Key losses. Jeff Garcia, Derrick Brooks, and Warrick Dunn were huge losses during the offseason.

Prediction: 5-11

#24: Cincinnati Bengals

Reasoning? Carson Palmer could be anything. A player on the IR, or a Pro-Bowler. The Bengals will fly and die with Palmer.

Prediction, Palmer healthy: 8-8

Prediction, Palmer hurt: 4-12

Section 2, playoffs? maybe?:

#23: San Francisco 49ers

Reasoning? It all comes down to the QB. If Shaun Hill pieces together a Chad Pennington type season or better the 49ers can become a division contender, but if not, then the team will suffer.

Prediction, solid at QB: 9-7

Prediction, weak at QB: 6-10

#22: Green Bay Packers

Reasoning? The Packers are solid on offense, but their defense remains a question mark for this season. It will either be a year in transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 or a seemless transition that leads them to the playoffs.

Prediction, year in transition: 7-9

Prediction, seemless transition: 10-6

#21: Buffalo Bills

Reasoning? Terrell Owens.

Prediction: 8-8

#20: New York Jets

Reasoning? Another team with issues at QB...if Sanchez comes through (because we all know he will be named starter with that kind of money being thrown at him) then the Jets have a shot at being a contender...a contender for the wild card...the #2 wild card.

Prediction, Sanchez = a Flacco or Ryan rookie year: 10-6

Prediction, Sanchez fails to produce: 6-10

#19: Houston Texans

Reasoning? The Texans are a solid team. They have an average defense and an offense that can light it up. Similar team include: Arizona, New Orleans, and Atlanta. So why 19? Indianapolis and Tennessee are in their division.

Prediction: 9-7 (that would be 1-3 vs Ten and Indy and 8-4 vs other teams)

#18: New Orleans Saints

Reasoning? Defense.

Prediction: 8-8

#17 and #16 (take your picks): Washington Redskins/Dallas Cowboys

Reasoning? Both teams have stellar RB(s) and WR(s), good QB, a good offensive line, and a good/great defense. But, once again, these are two teams in a division that should hold them back. When 6 of 16 games are against playoff-caliber teams it is a tough sell to put them higher than 17.

Prediction: 8-8 for the unlucky one, 9-7 for the lucky one

#15: Miami Dolphins

Reasoning? Chad Pennington and a less-than-stellar WR core.

Prediction: 9-7

#14: Baltimore Ravens

Reasoning? They aren't a every year team. In the past decade the Ravens defense usually follows a great year with a good year. What is the difference? About 4 wins. The Ravens looked poised for a defensive slide, albeit it may be a little, with their losses of linebacker Bart Scott and their defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Prediction: 8-8

# 13 and #12 (take your picks): Arizona Cardinals/Seattle Seahawks

Reasoning? For each team it comes down to quarterback healthiness.

Will Kurt Warner start 16 games for the second year in a row (2008 was the 1st time in the last six years)? And, will Hasselbeck be healthy enough to make use of his talented passing crew?

Prediction: Arizona 10-6 (YES), Seattle 7-9 (NO)

Prediction: Seattle 11-5 (YES), Arizona 7-9 (NO)

Prediction: Both 10-6 (YES)

Prediction: Both 8-8 (NO)

The "YES" and "NO"s refer to the questions in the reasoning.

#11: Carolina Panthers

Reasoning? Jake Delhomme. This team almost a shoe-in for the playoffs, but once they get there, the Delhomme comes out and throws to the wrong team.

Prediction: 11-5

#10 and #9: Chicago Bears/Minnesota Vikings

Reasoning? Quarterbacks, again. Will Cutler find a couple recievers to throw to? Will Farve return to form?

Prediction: Minnesota 12-4 (YES), Chicago 9-7 (NO)

Prediction: Chicago 11-5 (YES), Minnesota 9-7 (NO)

Prediction: Both 10-6 (YES)

Prediction: Both 9-7 (NO)

The "YES" and "NO"s refer to the questions in the reasoning.

Section 1, the playoffs are a sure thing

#8: Tennessee Titans

Reasoning? One of the best running teams in the NFL with a game manager at QB. Chris Johnson and LenDale White should provide their contrasting effect on defenses well into January. On a side note, the defense is isn't too bad.

Prediction: 11-5

#7: Atlanta Falcons

Reasoning? Tony Gonzalez. The NFC South should be interesting.

Prediction: 11-5

#6: San Diego Chargers

Reasoning? This team is stacked at almost every position. If they can pull together some chemistry then they could find a Super Bowl in their near future.

Prediction: 12-4

#5: New England Patriots

Reasoning? Defense. The LBs and DBs are suspect to say the very least. Tom Brady is a small question mark as well.

Prediction: 13-3 

#4: Indianapolis Colts

Reasoning? The running game needs to chip in just a little more. Not much though. The rest of the team is solid as long as Peyton Manning keeps his undersized defense resting on the sideline, which should be much of the year.

Prediction: 13-3

#3: Philadelphia Eagles

Reasoning? One of the best offseasons was had by an already contending team. 

Predictions: 12-4

#2: Pittsburgh Steelers

Reasoning? They just came off a Super Bowl win and that might feeling might be too good. Will they have the drive in January?

Prediction: 11-5

#1: The New York "Football" Giants

Reasoning? Amazing defense, amazing offense.

Prediction: 13-3