2010 NFL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report's Season Opener Edition
The 2010 NFL regular season is nearly upon us.
There will be the ups and downs, the surprises and disappointments, and there will also be the weekly power rankings too.
I am Daniel Wolf and I am the AFC Team Leader and AFC Assignment Desk Editor here at Bleacher Report (B/R) and this will be B/R's official weekly power rankings for the 2010 NFL season.
Some will like the weekly updates and where I have their beloved team ranked and others will not, but I promise to be as non-biased as possible to give you an accurate depiction of the NFL power rankings.
Without further delay, here is B/R's first power ranking list prior to the NFL season starting.
This list is solely based on how teams finished in 2009 along with the move that were made in the offseason too.
32. St. Louis Rams
1 of 32
2009 Record: 1-15
This season really falls onto the shoulders of No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford and his progression and development into the role of being the Rams' team leader and field general.
Bradford's best friend in 2010 will be running back superstar Steven Jackson, who will get a ton of yards both running and receiving this season to help Bradford get comfortable behind center.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 of 32
2009 Record: 3-13
With a very young defensive line and two rookies at wide receiver with Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn, the Bucs will rely on second-year quarterback Josh Freeman to make plays and get the offense running smoothly early in the 2010 season.
If he hits some road bumps early, the Freeman and the rest of the Bucs could have another long season ahead of them while they continue to rebuild the roster.
30. Buffalo Bills
3 of 32
2009 Record: 6-10
Who isn't still on the fence with Trent Edwards at quarterback?
At least C.J. Spiller is be the weekly highlight reel for the Bills on ESPN.
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars
4 of 32
2009 Record: 7-9
The Jags have a lot to prove to not only their fan base, but the rest of the NFL too; some of their moves in the offseason could be questioned, but the bottom line is that Maurice Jones-Drew is the focal point of the offense and he will get the ball often.
Perhaps someone like tight end Marcedes Lewis might step up and have a break out year in 2010 to help move the Jags up this ranking list.
28. Seattle Seahawks
5 of 32
2009 Record: 5-11
Head Coach Pete Carroll step into the NFL for his third attempt and so far three times has been a charm, since Seattle had by far one of the best and most interesting drafts of any NFL team is recent memory.
Though Carroll has blown up this roster he is making this team of his quickly, but it might be too quickly with so many new faces that still need to play with each other to develop chemistry.
27. Cleveland Browns
6 of 32
2009 Record: 5-11
The 2010 Browns success really rides on the shoulders of veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme.
So far in the preseason, Delhomme has impressed by having a 110 quarterback rating and throwing zero interceptions.
You read that right.
If Delhomme can continue his preseason play in the regular season, then the Browns will surprise many by moving up this ranking list.
26. Detroit Lions
7 of 32
2009 Record: 2-14
This year is the year the Lions make major strides as a team and win more games than in the past few seasons.
With a strong young foundation that includes Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Jahvid Best, Ndamukong Suh, Louis Delmas, and Brandon Pettigrew, the Lions will shock a few NFL teams that do not properly prepare for the explosive talent Detroit brings to the football field this season.
25. Oakland Raiders
8 of 32
2009 Record: 5-11
Does Jason Campbell lead the Raiders out of the basement of the AFC West in 2010?
Thousands of fans in Raider Nation will be ready to cheer him on if he can do just that, but do not doubt that Raider Nation will boo him if he struggles too.
The former sounds a bit more like how Campbell will work out in Oakland though.
24. Kansas City Chiefs
9 of 32
2009 Record: 4-12
Can the coordinator combo of Charlie Weis on offense and Romeo Crennel on defense bring the same magic to the Chiefs that they brought to the dynasty that was the New England Patriots?
The Chiefs have a good mix of youth and veteran talent and could easily surprise in 2010.
23. Chicago Bears
10 of 32
2009 Record: 7-9
The key to the 2010 season for the Bears is Cutler's ability to buy into Mike Martz's offensive system and to stay away from turnovers too.
If Cutler cannot to both of these, then it could be a very long season for Chicago and "Da Bears."
22. Carolina Panthers
11 of 32
2009 Record: 8-8
This is the season that will define Head Coach John Fox and whether he stays or goes as their coach.
With that said, the pressure is all on their young starting quarterback Matt Moore to perform high and win games.
If he struggles, at least he has two work horse running backs in D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to bail him out.
21. Arizona Cardinals
12 of 32
2009 Record: 10-6
The Cardinals are really going into the 2010 season with Derek Anderson as their starting quarterback?
Did head coach Ken Whisenhunt not see Anderson's stats the past two seasons since hitting a huge slump after his 2007 Pro Bowl season in Cleveland?
Well, if there is anyone who can make Larry Fitzgerald look bad, it is Anderson—sorry, but it is true.
Cardinals fans better be ready for a very, very long year in 2010.
20. Denver Broncos
13 of 32
2009 Record: 8-8
All Tim Tebow talk aside, this is Kyle Orton's team in 2010—that is, so long as he doesn't struggle and the Broncos don't start losing games early in the season.
Head coach Josh McDaniels must improve on his record from 2009 and if he does not, then he will likely be on the chopping block sooner than later.
19. Washington Redskins
14 of 32
2009 Record: 4-12
With the acquisition of quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Redskins jumped up the power ranking chart more so than any other NFL team because McNabb is a proven winner in the league.
But he needs to come out of the gate strong like so many other quarterbacks already on this power ranking list and the season really lies on his shoulders.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
15 of 32
2009 Record: 9-7
Another team on this power ranking list, more quarterback talk.
If Big Ben doesn't make up for his offseason debacle with stellar regular season play, then most Steelers fans are really ready to show him the door.
17. Tennessee Titans
16 of 32
2009 Record: 8-8
The likelihood of Chris Johnson running for over 2,000 yards on the ground are slim to none.
But Vince Young's development is key for the Titans to get back to the playoffs.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
17 of 32
2009 Record: 11-5
Head Coach Andy Reid faces what might be his biggest challenge as a head coach—without the quarterback who has been with him since he got to Philly and he turns to not only a new quarterback, but new running back and many other new faces on the roster too.
Many will question Reid if the Eagles cannot continue their ways this year with all the changes.
15. New York Giants
18 of 32
2009 Record: 8-8
Eli Manning will be Eli Manning, so moving on to more interesting things with the Giants.
This season will lie heavily on both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw running the ball.
No running game, no playoffs.
14. Miami Dolphins
19 of 32
2009 Record: 7-9
Bill Parcells has stepped down and that is not the way to start a brand new season.
The Dolphins would have been ranked higher, but this will hurt the team throughout all aspects of the franchise.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
20 of 32
2009 Record: 10-6
The 2010 NFL season will forever be remembered as the first year of the Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco show on the field, but will it work?
If so, then the Bengals will have a high-flying offense and quarterback Carson Palmer will have huge stats.
If not, then the T.O. and Ocho show will only last this one season.
12. Houston Texans
21 of 32
2009 Record: 9-7
Receiver Andre Johnson has quietly cemented himself as one of the top two or three premier receivers in the game today.
He and the rest of the Texans will look to make their first ever playoff appearance in franchise history.
Will 2010 be that historic year in Houston?
11. Atlanta Falcons
22 of 32
2009 Records: 9-7
Running back Michael Turner kind of took the 2009 season off and let his body go a bit, but now he is refocused and ready to run over all defenses that oppose him in 2010.
Falcons look to push for a playoff spot this year as long as all cylinders are firing.
10. San Francisco 49ers
23 of 32
2009 Record: 8-8
Do not doubt that this is head coach Mike Singletary's team and not Michael Crabtree's or Vernon Davis' or even Patrick Willis'.
Singletary will get his team focused and disciplined to play every week and they look to come out on top of the NFC West are division champions in 2010.
9. Dallas Cowboys
24 of 32
2009 Record: 11-5
With the Cowboys' offense struggling in the preseason, it does not bode well for them as they enter the new season.
Hopefully, they were able to shake all the cobwebs off in those first four preseason games and are now ready to play as America's Team should play on the football field.
8. New England Patriots
25 of 32
2009 Record: 10-6
Quarterback Tom Brady has seen the ages of players surrounding him slowly starting to drop as head coach Bill Belichick has begun to rebuild the roster while still contending each year.
The Pats' really young defense could be a blessing in disguise or cause for alarm this season; Pats fans will have to wait and cross their fingers to see how their team plays.
7. New York Jets
26 of 32
2009 Record: 9-7
With all the talent the Jets have brought onto their roster in 2010, how can you not like them on paper?
That is the biggest question is if all these big names can put their differences aside for the common goal of winning a championship.
The entire NFL Nation will be sitting back eating their snacks while watching this team unfold this year.
6. San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
2009 Record: 13-3
So many changes in the offseason for the Chargers, but at least one of those changes still kind of looks the same on the field.
Rookie running back has huge shoes to fill with LaDainian Tomlinson gone, but it looks like he kept the dark visor thing as LT had, so it still appears to be the same back even though it is not.
5. Baltimore Ravens
28 of 32
2009 Record:9-7
Anquan Boldin, Donte' Stallworth, Dennis Pitta, Ed Dickson, and now T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Who wouldn't want to be in quarterback Joe Flacco's shoes?
He just walking into a Christmas present that will last 16 weeks and hopefully longer barring any injuries.
Oh yeah...don't forget Ray Rice too.
Such a scary offense, but their defensive secondary is the real question right now.
4. Minnesota Vikings
29 of 32
2009 Record: 12-4
With Brett Favre on the roster, the Vikings are No. 4.
Without Favre, probably somewhere in the teens.
Oh look...Favre is bored now so moving on.
3. Green Bay Packers
30 of 32
2009 Record: 11-5
Aaron Rodgers is scary good for how young he is, but the real story in 2010 will be tight end Jermichael Finley, who looks to absolutely explode on the NFL scene.
As if the Packers' offense wasn't already dangerous, now you add a highly-talented tight end.
This should be fun to watch in 2010!
Indianpolis Colts
31 of 32
2009 Record: 14-2
Peyton Manning will win games until the day he hangs up his cleats and calls it quits.
Until that day comes, the Colts will always be ranked at the top of the league.
1. New Orleans Saints
32 of 32
2009 Record: 13-3
Do you remember how scary good and entertaining it was to watch the Saints' high-octane offense in 2009?
How about their defense that outscored the Cleveland Browns' offense until the Browns started scoring points in Week 11.
The Saints only lost a few players and look to defend their Super Bowl championship with a repeat as only a select few teams have ever done before.
This should be a great 2010 NFL season!
Are YOU ready for some football?!
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