NFL Power Rankings: 5 Most Surprising Teams in ESPN Rankings

The latest ESPN NFL rankings have come out as we get set for exhibition games, and, as usual, many pundits and fans alike will be dissecting them like that frog in science class.

It could get ugly, but it's also fascinating.

There are five rankings that had me scratching my head at the end of the day and they didn't involve the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots or Philadelphia Eagles.

Here is a look at my top five biggest surprises in the preseason rankings.

1. Indianapolis Colts (No. 8)

The Colts may not even win the AFC South this season, but they're still ranked No. 8 in the league regardless. Let me list the ways they are headed for a down season: QB Peyton Manning is coming off two neck surgeries, they still haven't given Manning a No. 1 running back (sorry Joseph Addai fans), they lost linebacker Clint Session to the Jacksonville Jaguars and replaced him with Ernie Sims and, oh yeah, the Houston Texans. We all love Manning, but a man can only do so much...especially when he's more of an injury concern this season.

2. Buffalo Bills (No. 31)

OK, I understand that the Bills lost their top inside linebacker Paul Posluszny, but c'mon, No. 31?! Despite being 4-12 last season, this team made some strides. They found a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Steve Johnson, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ain't half bad, they signed multidimensional threat Brad Smith and former Packers linebacker Nick Barnett is not a bad consolation prize upon Posluszny's exit. I mean, the Bills were ranked lower than the Carolina Panthers. That's just cold.

3. New York Giants (No. 11)

Seriously, who in their right mind thinks the Giants are better this season than in 2010, or even the same? They lost their top center in Shaun O'Hara and replaced him with former San Francisco 49er David Baas, lost another starter on the O-line in Rich Seubert and they released backup guard Shawn Andrews. Less talent on the O-line and less depth. Sure, re-signing running back Ahmad Bradshaw and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka was key, but that doesn't make up for their losses, nor the fact that other teams "behind them" in the rankings have improved this offseason. It also doesn't help that they're in the same division as the Eagles, the same team that already surpassed them last season. 

4. Houston Texans (No. 17)

I guess the thinking here is that ESPN needs to see it to believe it, but how can a team that addressed so many key areas so well be ranked this low? Put it this way: The No. 1 reason the Texans disappointed last season was their defense, particularly their secondary. They didn't get top free agent corner Nnamdi Asomugha, but they got the third-best corner on the market in former Cincinnati Bengals star Johnathan Joseph. They also signed former Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning, who had a very good year last season. Re-signing Mike Brisiel to continue the O-line's run was also a very underrated move. You add in the fact that they drafted three very talented players (corner Brandon Harris and defensive ends J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed), what's not to like? The Texans are my pick to win the AFC South this season.  

5. Chicago Bears (No. 13)

I understand that the Bears lost Olin Kreutz on the offensive line and replaced him with Chris Spencer, which will undoubtedly hurt, and I understand they lost star tight end Greg Olsen, but my biggest problem with this is the fact that they're ranked below the Giants. For a team that made the NFC Championship Game last season, that seems a bit much. On top of that, Olsen may not hurt as much as it seems; Mike Martz has never been one for receiving tight ends that don't block well. Free agency acquisition Matt Spaeth, the ex-Steeler, will actually improve the team in the blocking area (hey, they need all the blocking they can get). Add the fact that the Bears addressed a key area in adding a physical presence at receiver in Roy Williams and I don't think the dropoff is going to be that significant. They're still going to have a solid defense with the loss of Danieal Manning, too.