NFL 2010 Bleacher Report Power Rankings: A Cut Above USA Today

Drew Brees has his eyes on another Super Bowl visit and an MVP-type season once more.

Last year, he had a monster fantasy football season as well. Huge numbers! I know. He carried one of my teams to win after win.

No. 1: New Orleans Saints

Healthy running backs and added help on defense in the draft and free agency should keep this team in the hunt for another Super Bowl win.

In New Orleans, when it rains, it pours. They could repeat. Until they lose a game or look uninterested, they are the number one team in football right now. Lose a game and everything changes in the 2010 rankings.

No. 2: Indianapolis Colts

This team has key improvements, younger developing players, good veterans, and of course, Peyton Manning.

Many experts have the Colts as the preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl in the 2010-2011 season.

Again, besides the Super Bowl loss, this is the second best team in football until someone beats them in 2010.

No. 3: New York Jets

Welcome to New York City and the 2010-2011 Jets. This team improved in many areas after a very nice run last season. I think youth will finally catch up to the New England Patriots this season, as the Jets and Miami fight it out for the AFC East.

No. 4: Baltimore Ravens

Adding Anquan Boldin to the receivers was a great move, and of course this defense should be wicked again this season. With steady improvement by Joe Flacco, this team could go a long ways.

No. 5: Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre will insure this team returns to the playoffs and perhaps can get hot at the right time—that is, in December and January.

Percy Harvin will be better, the defense should be adequate, and adding another quality running back really helps take the load off Adrian Peterson a bit.

No. 6: Green Bay Packers

Big offseason moves, the draft, and Aaron Rodgers' continued improvement all lead to Green Bay being back in the conversation to win that division this season. Many feel this team has unlimited potential and can win a Super Bowl.

No. 7: Miami Dolphins 

One big trade changed the dynamic of this team and makes everyone on offense better. This team's offense will be very fun to watch and extremely difficult to defend this season.

No. 8: San Diego Chargers

Again, this team will probably not live up to its full potential but offensively will win its share of ball games. San Diego will win this division and win a game in the playoffs. That's about it.

No. 9: Cincinnati Bengals

A wild card is probably what the Bengals will reach at the end of this season. The Ravens could very well play against the Packers this season in the Super Bowl.

The Bengals won't get past Baltimore when all is finished.

No. 10: Dallas Cowboys

Start strong and then all of a sudden, problems occur. Make the playoffs; win a game and then fold. Can anyone change the future?

No. 11: Philadelphia Eagles

Kevin Kolb will play decent, the tight end should have a big year, and the defense will be passable, so possible wild card or division winner, mainly competing with Dallas.

No. 12: Atlanta Falcons 

They'll fight to try to make a wild card berth this season. Good quarterback, good players, good defense. For the majority, everything is good, but not great in some cases.

No. 13: New England Patriots

As I said, age will be a factor this season for this team winding down as the new order in the AFC East takes shape. Jets win this division. Miami gets a wild card. This does not leave much wiggle room.

No. 14: Pittsburgh Steelers

These guys will beat the weaker teams but struggle against more talented foes. Big Ben Roethlisberger is out four to six games, so that's at least 2-2, maybe. Also, the Steelers can expect a minor rebuilding season for the roster.

No. 15: San Francisco 49ers

Big improvements in the overall makeup of this team are evident. They should make it to the playoffs winning that weak division.

No. 16: Houston Texans

Houston got that winning record finally last season but has to take the next step. A slow start always hurts this team. Fewer mistakes and they could be a force in 2010.

No. 17: New York Giants

Not enough decent moves in the offseason are the problem for this aging team as well. Major holes need to be filled for this team to be any kind of factor in the next couple of years.

No. 18: Tennessee Titans 

Vince Young is the quarterback again, and this team could be exciting. We will have to wait and see, but the surprise of the league? It could happen.

No. 19: Denver Broncos

8-8 last season and 8-8 this season. I see regression, not improvement in this franchise.

No. 20: Washington Redskins

Donovan McNabb should get this team to .500 ball. I would not expect much else.

No. 21: Jacksonville Jaguars

This team is still in a growing-type stage and is inconsistent at times. Give this team a chance to grow, and maybe 2011, some playoff action.

No. 22: Seattle Seahawks

Okay, I'm giving this franchise the benefit of the doubt and predicting competition with San Francisco for this division.

No. 23: Arizona Cardinals

Why so low, you ask? Two words become one name: Matt Leinart.

No. 24: Oakland Raiders

Why so high, you ask? That's easy: No JaMarcus Russell.

No. 25: Chicago Bears

Show me something this season, Jay Cutler, or keep sucking. Hard to say it matters. Packers and Vikings are too good for you.

No. 26: Carolina Panthers

Rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.

No. 27: K.C. Chiefs

This team has a long ways to go to make it to a competent level in the NFL on a week-to-week basis.

No. 28: Cleveland Browns

Congratulations, Cleveland. Because you won the last four games last season and have a new, competent GM, you are not the worst team in football.

No. 29: Buffalo Bills

You're just not going to be relevant for years.

No. 30: Detroit Lions

This team has the potential now to make it to around 8-8. They will move up to maybe No. 20 with some luck this season. No playoffs appearances for at least two or three seasons.

No. 31: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As I have stated in the past, misguided ownership will keep this franchise on its heels for quite a few seasons. It's the Rays' town now.

No. 32: St. Louis Rams

Welcome to football hell, Sam Bradford.

Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland