2011 NFL Power Rankings: Ranking All 32 Teams

As you probably know, the NFL season is just around the corner, and all 32 teams have gotten into camp.

Fans have also been treated to a frenzy of players signing with new teams due to the lockout delaying free agency. Many teams seem to have gotten better in the past two weeks, and they will all strive for the ultimate goal, which is to raise the Lombardi Trophy in February.

These are preseason power rankings breaking down the worst in the league to the best. Enjoy.

32. The Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a very bad football team. Plain and simple. Carson Palmer thinks they're so bad that he is threatening to retire if they don't trade him.

They shipped their go-to receiver, Chad Ochocinco, to New England for a fifth-round pick, and plan on starting a rookie second-round draft pick, Andy Dalton, at quarterback.

Aside from a few players added to the defense, the Bengals organization has not done anything this offseason to become a good football team. Cedric Benson is a good running back when healthy, and AJ Green has the potential to be a star in this league.

But don't expect more than four wins from Cincinnati this season.

31. The Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are also a bad football team. They haven't made any big moves to get better in free agency, and 2011 just isn't looking like a promising year for Buffalo.

They have good talent at wide receiver in Steve Johnson, and drafted a stud at nose tackle, but this team can only go as far as Ryan Fitzpatrick takes them, and that's not going to be more than five wins.

30. The Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are an organization that looks to be on the upswing.

They hired former Carolina coach John Fox, who took the Panthers to the playoffs multiple times. They drafted Von Miller, who should be a great player at inside linebacker.

But the biggest question that faces Denver is who their starting quarterback is. Kyle Orton has been named the starter after trade talks stalled, but it looked as if the job was Tim Tebow's to lose. It should be interesting to see how long it takes before the former Heisman trophy winner takes the snaps for the Broncos.

29. The Washington Redskins

The Redskins have signed a bunch of players this offseason, but none that can make a huge impact. They shipped Donovan McNabb to Minnesota and Albert Haynesworth to New England, which should hep both of those teams.

Washington plans to start John Beck or Rex Grossman at quarterback this season, so don't expect a good year.

28. The Carolina Panthers

This was the worst football team in the league last year. They hired Ron Rivera as their new head coach and have been loud in free agency, including bringing back running back DeAngelo Williams.

They also took a chance with the first overall pick by drafting Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. This team will make strides in 2011.

27. The Seattle Seahawks

This is a playoff team from a year ago, but they are so low on my list because of the loss of Matt Hasselbeck.

Tarvaris Jackson looks to be the quarterback of this team, but he is simply not the answer. They signed stud receiver Sidney Rice, but head coach Pete Carroll could be in for a long season.

26. The Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags were 8-8 a year ago, but could be on the decline. They still have David Garrard as their starting quarterback, but drafted Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert in the first round.

He is nipping on Garrard's heels in training camp, and could end up with the starting job by midseason if Garrard does not perform. This could be Jack Del Rio's last chance to take this team somewhere.

25. The Cleveland Browns

The Eric Mangini era didn't last very long in Cleveland, and it looks as if the Colt McCoy era is just beginning. This team has talent along the offensive line, with guys like Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and Eric Steinbach. They also have the Madden cover boy, Peyton Hillis, in their backfield.

This team should continue to get better under new head coach Pat Shurmur.

24. The San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers also hired a new coach this offseason, former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh.

It looks as if Alex Smith is once again going to start the season as the 49ers' quarterback.

This offense has potential to be very good after the addition of Braylon Edwards. The defense will always be in contention to be good as long as Patrick Willis is in the middle, but this team will only go as far as Smith takes them.

23. The Tennessee Titans

The Titans were not a very good team last year, and the Jeff Fisher era is over. They were inconsistent at the quarterback position, and their only strong points were Chris Johnson, who is holding out, and the defensive line, where they lost coach Jim Washburn and Jason Babin.

Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Titans and should give them a spark at QB, but don't expect big things from new head coach Mike Munchak and the Titans in 2011.

22. The Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals did what everyone expected them to do: win the Kevin Kolb sweepstakes. They have a good chance at bringing back receiver Larry Fitzgerald next year if Kevin performs up to the hype he has received.

Although the offense should be much better, the defense took a hit, losing Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

But they did draft a stud at corner in Patrick Peterson. This team could make a run at the playoffs.

21. The Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders looked very good at times in 2010, but also just looked like the Raiders that we have became accustomed to seeing in recent years at other times.

Nnamdi Asomugha is now in Philadelphia, and that will hurt Oakland on defense. Jason Campbell returns as quarterback, and Darren McFadden looks to have another big season out of the backfield. The loss of Zach Miller will hurt, but the Raiders should be in contention for an AFC West title this season.

20. The Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins fell out of the Kyle Orton race, and it looks as if they are going to ride or die with Chad Henne.

Head coach Tony Sparano is more than likely on the hot seat, and could be fired midseason if he doesn't meet expectations. The loss of Ronnie Brown will hurt this team.

On a good note, the defense should be pretty stout.

19. The Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings definitely upgraded their quarterback situation by adding Donovan McNabb, but if he doesn't perform up to expectations, they could be throwing first-round draft pick Christian Ponder to the sharks.

Adrian Peterson is still in the backfield, but the Vikings and head coach Leslie Frazier can only go as far as the quarterback position takes them. The loss of Sidney Rice was huge.

18. The Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys disappointed everyone a season ago. Tony Romo went down, Wade Phillips was fired, and the defense was second-to-last in the league in points allowed.

Now, Jason Garrett takes over as head coach, and the Cowboys look to be a much better squad. Romo has a huge monkey on his back, and he'll try to prove that he is as good as everyone says he is.

17. The Detroit Lions

This team seems to be on the rise. They have the best interior defensive lineman in the league in Ndamukong Suh, and added to his pressure by drafting Nick Fairley out of Auburn.

While this team could be very good, the biggest question is at quarterback. Matt Stafford has shown signs of being great, but can't seem to stay healthy. If the Lions can keep Stafford clean, this team could be scary in 2011.

16. The Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are another playoff team from a year ago. The reason they are so low on this ranking is simply because of their difficult schedule.

The loss of Charlie Weis will hurt the Chiefs' offense, and it looks as if Todd Haley will be in control, which might not fare well for Matt Cassel. The defense should be in the top 10 once again, but where will the points come from?

15. The St. Louis Rams

The Rams were a game away from the playoffs in 2010. A tough loss in Seattle on the last day of the regular season kept rookie quarterback Sam Bradford out of the playoffs.

The Rams look to be even better in 2011, and should score a lot of points under Josh McDaniels.

14. The San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are the weirdest team in the NFL. They are consistently one of the best teams on offense and defense, but always seem to be last in special teams.

Philip Rivers is an elite quarterback, and is in desperate need of a running game. They lost Darren Sproles to free agency, which could hurt, but look for this team to return to the playoffs in 2011.

13. The New York Giants

The Giants have had a disastrous offseason. They cut three offensive linemen, were spurned by Plaxico Burress, and first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara broke his foot in training camp.

Although the Giants always seem to be in the thick of things at midseason, they have crashed and burned the past couple of years. This could be Tom Coughlin's last ride as Giants head coach, and he could take Eli Manning down with him.

12. The Houston Texans

The Texans are still looking for that first playoff appearance. The offense was very powerful at times last year, but their pass coverage was absolutely horrid.

They added cornerback Jonathan Joseph to hopefully help them in that area. The Texans will be a tough team to beat in 2011, and look for them to compete with the Colts for an AFC South title.

11. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a very young team with loads of potential. Josh Freeman has been compared to Ben Roethlisberger, and the defense is pretty solid.

Playing in the NFC South is tough for this team, but look for them to compete in 2011.

10. The Chicago Bears

The Bears hosted the NFC Championship Game in 2010, and the game was famously noted for Jay Cutler sitting out in the second half.

A lot of people now question Jay's toughness, and he definitely heads into 2011 with big expectations. The additions of former Cowboys Marion Barber and Roy Williams certainly should help but, if Jay doesn't perform, Bears fans could be lobbying for his head.

9. The Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are that team that we just become used to seeing in the playoffs every year because of one player in particular.

Peyton Manning.

But last year he took a step back. He didn't have a bad year, but he did have a stretch of games where he didn't look good. He's now coming off neck surgery, and the Colts could find themselves battling Houston for the AFC South crown.

8. The New Orleans Saints

The Saints won the Super Bowl two years ago, and lost to a 7-9 Seahawks team in the first round of the playoffs a year ago.

What happened? Probably just over-confidence.

The Saints are still a great football team, and will continue to be as long as Drew Brees is taking the snaps. They drafted former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram to be their starting running back, and shipped Reggie Bush to Miami.

Look for a big season in New Orleans.

7. The Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were a good team a year ago, but they lost once again to division rival Pittsburgh in the playoffs. I believe if the Ravens are going to leapfrog the Steelers, its going to have to be because of Joe Flacco.

The Ravens have to let this guy throw the football. You're not going to run the ball on the Steelers defense; it's that simple. This is a make-or-break year for Joe Flacco, but expect a big year from running back Ray Rice, because of the addition of a great blocking fullback in Vonta Leach.

6. The Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a dream season last year, but it all came to an abrupt end when they ran into the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

They're a good offensive football team that got a lot better by trading up and drafting rookie wide receiver Julio Jones out of Alabama, but Matt Ryan is the key to all of this. He's a great regular-season QB, but when the game is on the line, he has not proven to be a guy that can go get it.

Expect another good year from Matty Ice and company, though.

5. The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were in the Super Bowl last year and lost to the Green Bay Packers. Many might say this team is getting old and losing it, but I hate to break it to you: they are always going to be in the hunt.

After a loud offseason, it should be interesting to see how James Harrison plays this year. He was almost silent in the big game a year ago, and recently called commissioner Roger Goodell an evil dictator.

Still, expect a strong season from the black and gold, and another deep run into January.

4. The New York Jets

Rex Ryan has guaranteed a trip to the Super Bowl this season, and he might finally have the team to do it. Like most other teams, the season depends on the quarterback, and for the Jets, that QB is Mark Sanchez, who seems to be getting better every year.

They missed out on the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes, but they brought back Antonio Cromartie. Signing Plaxico Burress is big for this team. Even though he's been in jail a couple of years, I still think he's an upgrade over Braylon Edwards.

Expect this team to be in the thick of things.

3. The New England Patriots

The Patriots had the best record in the NFL a season ago, and Tom Brady might have had his best season ever based on what he had around him.

This offseason, they have added Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, two troubled players who look to revive their careers under head coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots are the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

2. The Philadelphia Eagles

The loudest team in the offseason finally found its way into the rankings. They won the Asomugha sweepstakes, they signed defensive end Jason Babin and they traded for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Michael Vick is back to lead the offense, and this team looks as dangerous as ever. It's obvious that it is Super Bowl or bust for this Eagles team.

1. The Green Bay Packers

They are the champs. What did you expect?

The Packers are the most complete team in the NFL as of right now. They had 15 players on IR last year and still won the Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers will more than likely have a better year than he did a year ago, and if this team can develop a good running game, they have a strong chance of repeating. They are the best until they get beat.