Juggernaut Rankings: Top 10 and Season Projections

Week One Juggernaut Rankings: 1-10

1. Chargers

This team was a few plays away from going to the Super Bowl last year, and that was with L.T. and Antonio Gates on the sideline. They have an outstanding running game and a very good defense. Put that with their improved passing game and kick returner Antonio Cromartie, and this team has it all rolling.

2. Colts

Payton Manning to Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, it's the same old' thing. Just try to stop it! Along with their menacing defense, the Colts will continue to give teams fits.

3. Patriots

The defense is still getting older. The linebackers and corners are not getting any better. This team can’ not keep it up forever, no matter how many touchdowns they throw, and if Tom Brady goes down, so will this team. 

4. Jaguars

Great defense, playoff experience, clutch QB, great running game, and good special teams, this team has it all, except a big-time receiver. Big-time contenders.

5. Cowboys.

Tough to put the first NFC team fifth, but if you look at the other teams, they have been to playoffs and won games against arguably better teams than the NFC has. The Cowboys look ready for another big season, but playing in the NFC East is no joke. Hard to see this team staying healthy all season long.

6. Vikings

If you can run the football and stop the run, you have an excellent chance at winning football games. The Vikings are excellent in both. They also have a very good pass defense and an improved pass game, since acquiring speedster Bernard Berrian and having QB Tarvaris Jackson come into his second full season as the team's general.

7. Giants

The defending Super Bowl Champs have lost quite a bit this offseason, starting with retired DE Michael Strahan, free-agent departure safety Gibril Wilson, and DE Osi Umenyiora gone for the season with injury.

However, this team is still to be considered in the top tier of the NFL. Eli Manning returns with postseason and Super Bowl experience, not to mention a whole truck load of confidence.

WR Plaxico Burress returns fully healthy unlike last season. Head Coach Tom Coughlin also returns poised to defend his crown.

8. Steelers

When opposing teams play the Steelers, they know they’re going to be in a dogfight. The Steelers are constantly one of the toughest teams in the NFL. They win by running the ball, throwing to the tight end, and playing fierce defense along with outstanding special teams.

QB Ben Roethlisberger is a player who plays best in the clutch and is one of the top QBs in the game. The tandem of RBs Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendanhall is sure to be one of the best in the league.   

9. Browns

Last season, QB Derek Anderson showed that he could be a great QB in the NFL, but this year, he must show that he can be consistent. The Browns have tremendous firepower on the offensive side of the ball in WRs Braylon Edwards, Donte Stalworth, and TE Kellen Winslow.

Kick returner Josh Cribbs can score a touchdown anytime the ball is in his hands. The defense, however, needs to become better if this team is to remain in the top 10.   

10. Saints

An explosive offense. QB Drew Brees and WR Marques Colston are sure to hook up a bunch this year, along with newly-acquired TE Jeremy Shockey. Shockey is determined to prove he’s still an elite player.

RB Reggie Bush is coming into his third year and is the main man in the backfield for the second straight season. He has yet to prove he can run in between the tackles and gain the tough yards needed by a No. 1 RB.   

Teams that just missed. Buccaneers, Eagles, Texans, Packers

Preseason Projected Division Champions and Postseason Projections

AFC West

San Diego Chargers (home-field advantage, bye)

AFC East

New England Patriots (bye)

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC Wild Cards

Indianapolis Colts

Cleveland Browns

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (bye)

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (home-field advantage, bye)

NFC South

New Orleans Saints

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

NFC Wild Cards

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Contending teams that just missed playoffs

Seattle Seahawks; Philadelphia Eagles; Green Bay Packers; New York Jets; Houston Texans; Tennessee Titans.

Surprise Team

San Francisco 49ers

In 2006, the 49ers were in the playoff picture late in the season, barely missing them by two games. Frank Gore had 1,695 yards rushing and average over five-yards a carry. Alex Smith had 2,890 yards passing along with 16 TDs and 16 INTs.

At the time, Norv Turner was the Offensive Coordinator (OC), and he left for San Diego after the season. The 49ers then hired an unproven (OC) that was overwhelmed and overmatched everyday.

Now the 2008 team is much better than that 2006 team. With improvements on the offensive line, at wide receivers, in the secondary, at the linebackers, on defensive line, and at the offensive coordinator.

This team is ready to step up and be the team everyone expected in '07.

The following notable players the 'Niners have now that they didn't in '06 include:

CB Nate Clements, LB Patrick Willis, WR Isaac Bruce, WR Bryant Johnson, LT Joe Staley, SS Michael Lewis, DE Justin Smith, LB Takeo Spikes, DT Aubrayo Franklin, and KR Allen Rossum.

Offensive Player of the Year

LaDainian Tomlinson

Defensive Player of the Year

Patrick Willis

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Darren McFadden

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Keith Rivers

Offensive Surprise Players of 2008

QB: Phillip Rivers

RB: Thomas Jones

RB: Rashard Mendenhall

WR: Jerricho Cotchery

WR: Bernard Berrian

WR: Jerry Porter

TE: Vernon Davis

Teams With the First Five Draft Picks of 2009:

Atlanta Falcons; Miami Dolphins; Chicago Bears; Kansas City Chiefs; Baltimore Ravens

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