NFL Power Rankings: 5 Teams Too Low In First ESPN Rankings

ESPN is wrong and it's time to call them out.

The first official NFL power rankings have been released by ESPN and there are some pretty obvious choices.

The Green Bay Packers check in at No. 1 as they look to defend their Super Bowl run of a year ago. The New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers round out a very predictable top five.

But it’s the rest of the list I take issue with. There are five teams that have been severely underrated as we embark on the first week of the preseason.

Of course it’s incredibly early and things are bound to change, but as of now, here are five teams that have been given no respect by the staff at the mother ship:

1.) St. Louis Rams—(15)

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"Sam Bradford, Josh McDaniels a compelling combination for the Rams."

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The Rams weren’t expected to do much in rookie QB Sam Bradford’s first season. Instead, they were a few blown plays in Week 17 away from capturing the NFC West title.

This year the offense has been drastically improved with the additions of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and receiver Mike Sims-Walker.

McDaniels showed the entire state of Colorado that he isn’t head coaching material, but his offensive mind is still one of the best in the NFL. Expect a lot more throws down the field and expect Sims-Walker to catch a lot of them.

The reliable wideout coming from the Jaguars assumes No. 1 receiver status a year after the Rams were ravaged by injuries at the position. Bradford was forced to settle on check downs for a good part of the season.

Throw in a young and improving defense that will only get better and you have a playoff team that is more than capable of winning a game or two once they get there.

2,) Detroit Lions—(18)

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"The Lions have "sleeper" written all over them, but only if quarterback Matthew Stafford stays healthy."

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The Lions are the sexy pick this season to do some damage and potentially sneak into the playoffs.

This comes off the basis that both Stafford and rookie DT Nick Fairley stay healthy. Stafford has impressed early on in camp, and sounds poised to finally have the breakout year fans have been waiting for from the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.

Fairley on the other hand is already hurt and his pro career has gotten off to a rocky start. He likely won’t be very effective until the second month of the season, but his potential is there and the Lions have put together one of the best under-the-radar defenses in the league.

It will be tough to leapfrog the Packers and Bears, but regardless of if they make the playoffs or not—they will be one of the better teams in the league.

3. Miami Dolphins—(24)

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"If the Dolphins can't get Brett Favre to challenge Chad Henne, maybe they can ask Dan Marino."

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The Dolphins have an extremely solid team at every position but one. It’s just too bad that one spot is QB. Henne has already endured boos in training camp, and has a long road ahead of him.

Yet, people forget he won six games on the road last year including a victory at Lambeau Field. If he can cut down on the 19 INTs from last season, the offense will be serviceable.

The defense is one of the most disciplined and underrated units in the league and will keep the team in virtually every game.

Even if Henne has a similar season to last year…they will be better than 24.

4. Minnesota Vikings—(25)

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"Minnesota actually got younger at quarterback by acquiring 34-year-old Donovan McNabb."

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They sure are getting younger at QB and the questions around McNabb will be the big barrier for the team.

Did the Redskins give up on him too early? Or is he washed up?

His 2010 performance really didn’t give you a great idea either way. McNabb certainly upgraded his offensive arsenal with RB Adrian Peterson and WR Percy Harvin.

With a defense that still has the Williams’ brothers and Jared Allen—they can get after the QB.

The overall talent level of this team will vault them up to the middle of the rankings and maybe even further if McNabb comes through.

5. Carolina Panthers—(30)

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"Carolina came out swinging in free agency, but future hinges on Cam Newton."

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The Panthers aren’t going to make the playoffs this season; I think we can all feel safe with that statement.

But No. 30?

The Panthers have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 2-14 season and have a new regime with head coach Ron Rivera and QB Cam Newton. All of the reports from players early on are raving about the new offensive schemes and how much more freedom the offense will now have.

They won’t be going 2-14 and they won’t be going 14-2. But with the playmaking Newton set to throw off defenses for at least the first month until adequate tape is documented on him…the Panthers can steal a few wins early.

Once teams adjust, it will be Newton’s turn to adjust and figure out how to read an NFL defense. Every game won’t be pretty, but the Panthers roster is greatly improved and the energy level will be much higher.

They are going to be an exciting bunch to watch and are going to be a much better team than No. 30.