2010 NFC Power Rankings: Training Camp Edition (With Videos)

Regular power rankings are just so boring, are they not?

Well, that's not entirely true, but I like the idea of splitting the power rankings into two conferences because it helps the playoff picture come into focus and see how some teams may be getting left out because of the divisions they are in.

I am sure that the list I have come up with is pretty accurate, but there are sure to be discrepancies between what I think and what you think, so feel free to comment below and I will delve into more reasoning for my list order.

This slideshow will feature videos for each team as well, sort of as a way to get you all pumped for the upcoming football season! I know it pumped me up watching like 15 videos on the Giants.

Enjoy!

1. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are coming off a magical 2009 run to the Super Bowl and didn't really sustain any huge losses. It will be interesting to see how the Reggie Bush scandal affects him personally, but it won't affect that brilliant offense.

Gregg Williams as the defensive coordinator makes up for a lot of the deficiencies they have on defense. Let's see if he can work his magic yet again.

2. Dallas Cowboys

NFL Network Dallas vs. New Orleans highlights

The Cowboys are the most popular pick to dethrone the Saints. In fact, it should probably be 1a and 1b for these first two teams, because even though the Saints won the Super Bowl, the Cowboys beat them at the Superdome.

3. Green Bay Packers

The Packers are another popular pick to go all the way in the NFC this year. They have all the tools, especially great QB play by Aaron Rodgers and a pass rush led by Clay Matthews from the 3-4 linebacker spot.

The retiring of Brett Favre (or so we thought) makes them the favorite in the NFC North for sure.

4. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are still a dangerous team without Brett Favre, but if he actually has retired, they drop a rank or two.

So long as they have Adrian Peterson and fantastic lines on both sides of the ball, they will be a top-tier NFC team.

5. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons dropped off from their 2008 season when Matt Ryan led them to the playoffs, but this year they are looking to prove they are here to stay.

With plenty of weapons and an improving defense, the Falcons are a popular sleeper selection to take the conference.

6. New York Giants

Go Giants!!!

The New York Giants had a terrible season by their standards and are out for blood this year. Dangerous team with a chip on their shoulder—sounds an awful lot like before the 2007 season.

7. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have turned around their team with the hiring of Mike Singletary and his no tolerance policy for any nonsense—most famously noted by him sending Vernon Davis to the showers in the middle of a game.

I love what he is doing for their defense, and the offense is coming around. They are nearly a lock to win the NFC West.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are at a crossroads. They traded away Donovan McNabb and handed the offense to Kevin Kolb. With a solid defense and an offensive line who can protect him, who could ask for a better situation?

That being said, they have a lot to prove.

9. Washington Redskins

Wow...the NFC is loaded this season. The Redskins have yet again piled on the free agents, but until they prove they have a coach who can actually bring them together for some success, they will still be placed below teams that have already proven themselves as playoff contenders.

10. Arizona Cardinals

Until Matt Leinart proves he can be a fixture in this offense, the Cardinals will have to prove a lot before moving anywhere on this list. Their offseason losses are too great for me to rate them any higher than this. They lost Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle on defense, as well as Anquan Boldin on offense.

That's too many big names lost to be given the benefit of the doubt.

11. Chicago Bears

The Bears are an interesting team because while they did go out and get Julius Peppers to shore up their defense, they still have questions on the offensive side of the ball.

If Jay Cutler can reduce the frequency of turnovers, I foresee the Bears moving up, and fast.

12. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks brought in Pete Caroll and hopefully are finally getting a healthy Matt Hasselbeck this season, but their season will depend a lot on the development of their rookies and young guys, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

13. Detroit Lions

The Lions are on the rise under Jim Schwartz and got a great young talent in Ndamukong Suh, but that division is so tough that they might go 0-6, which is nearly impossibly to overcome for a winning season.

Matthew Stafford had a valiant rookie season, but for their future to be bright, he will have to show improvement this year.

14. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers lost their best player in Julius Peppers and might actually look to hand over the starting job to rookie QB Jimmy Clausen at some point this season.

Matt Moore played well enough last season for them to have the confidence to release Jake Delhomme, but when teams get to study film on him and break down his tendencies, he won't do as well.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rookie QB Josh Freeman took over last season after Byron Leftwich failed to produce any results, and the young gun did not impress.

The Bucs defense is not the same it once was, and with a poor defense and virtually no weapons for the aerial assault, it looks to be another long season for Freeman and Co.

16. St. Louis Rams

I know this is just pictures...but I love this song

Throwing first overall draft pick Sam Bradford into the mix right away with a defensive-minded head coach is not going to be pretty in 2010.

The Rams are still far away from being successful and will probably be in contention for the first pick of the 2011 draft once again.