2011 NFL Power Rankings for All 32 Teams: How the Chicago Bears Stack Up

Once the lockout ended, teams were forced to move quickly to fill rosters and get training camp going. To that end, there have been a lot of changes in a very short period of time.

Keeping track of those changes is the key to any power ranking, for some teams closed up gaping holes while others basically stood pat.

With that in mind, I've taken a first look at how the teams in the NFL stack up against each other, separating the wheat from the chaff, the weak from the strong, the...well, I think you get it.

For the most part, teams that did well in 2010 were given respect, but, as you will see, there were teams that took a step forward and ones that moved back.

So, let's get to it—it's the first preseason ranking of NFL teams. Man, it's good to have football back!

32. Buffalo Bills

The Bills finished the 2010 season at a miserable 4-12 and face a fairly tough schedule in 2011.

After opening in Kansas City, who surprisingly notched 10 wins last season, they face New England in Week 3, play an improved Eagles team, followed by a road trip to the New Meadowlands Stadium in consecutive weeks. 

They also face the Jets twice, of course, travel to San Diego in Week 14 and end the season in Foxboro. Not a lot of gimmes in this schedule.

Meanwhile, the Bills are a mess. They weren't very active in free agency, though Nick Barnett was a good addition and they re-signed Drayton Florence to what should be a solid secondary.

But they lost the leadership of Paul Posluszny, have no pass rush and could use an upgrade on the offensive line.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

The Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco era is over and young players often take time to develop, so it could be another long year for a team that went 4-12 last season.

Since the lockout ended, the Bengals lost Johnathan Joseph, though they replaced him with Nate Clements. But QB Bruce Gradkowski, despite being a tough guy, is just holding down the fort until Andy Dalton is ready.

Re-signing Cedric Benson made sense, if he can stay out of trouble, and I liked bringing back Brian Leonard. Thomas Howard could be good at outside linebacker, but there just isn't enough to expect improvement.

30. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made good moves since the lockout, but how much improvement can be expected from a 2-14 team? I'll say that they at least double their win total, but four-to-five wins still leaves them awfully short of contention.

They selected Cam Newton in the draft, but he will need time to develop. They did bring back four of their own free agents, paying Charles Johnson a lot of money, and they added tight end Greg Olsen in a trade with Chicago.

Olsen is like having an extra wideout on the field, and away from the Mike Martz system, he should shine. But they are still lacking a real good DB, DT and could use another wide receiver.

I give them good marks for what they accomplished so far, and they appear to be a team on the rise, but need some time.  

29. Denver Broncos

The Broncos have a quarterback controversy, and didn't have a lot of money to spend in free agency. If Kyle Orton is traded, that could free up some cash, but what's left at this point?

Jeremy Jarmon should be a fit for the 4-3 defense in Denver, and they did improve their interior defensive line.

But the first year of the John Fox regime will likely be spent with a lot of controversy about Tim Tebow.

28. Cleveland Browns

The Browns better hope that QB Colt McCoy is the answer or it will be another rough season in Cleveland.

Meanwhile, this is a team that hasn't accomplished much since the lockout. The trade for John Greco will provide stability at the right guard position, and Brandon Jackson should help, but this team lacks difference-makers.

27. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners made wholesale changes on defense, which could mean that they will need time to adjust and mesh as a unit.

Braylon Edwards was a good addition, despite the drops. This was a huge problem for San Francisco last season. But Alex Smith is still the QB, so it may not matter who is running downfield.

Maybe they will get a boost from Colin Kaepernick if he takes over for Smith, but the offensive line is young, and while the addition of Jonathan Goodwin was a positive, he isn't a stud.

Meanwhile, Carlos Rogers wasn't a bad pickup at corner, and they did well to bring back Ray McDonald, who can get after the quarterback.

But they will do well to match last year's win total (six).

26. Washington Redskins

Washington did a nice job of rebuilding since the lockout ended, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

The defense should be better, with Barry Cofield if he doesn't have to play the nose. That's where Anthony Bryant is key.

Stephen Bowen is a good young player and Josh Wilson was a good corner for the Ravens last year. They also signed  O.J. Atogwe before the lockout began.

But on offense, it will be a chore to sort out all the new running backs and wide receivers, though bringing back Santana Moss was a solid idea.

Mike Shanahan may actually miss Donovan McNabb before long.

25. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are a team on the rise, but I just don't believe that Jason Campbell can play consistently enough at QB for this team to be a winner in 2011.

The loss of Nnamdi Asomugha cannot be understated, although it was hardly a surprise. And though they brought back Michael Huff, will he be as good now that he isn't in a contract year?

Yet it's the offensive line where many of the questions remain. Instead of adding a sure-fire stud, they re-signed Kamerion Wimbley, who was another guy who hit it big in a contract year.

The line is still not solid enough to take that next step to contention in my opinion.

The front seven is really good, however. But it may not be enough to push them over the .500 mark.

24. Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Kolb arrives to save the day for Arizona, but is he really the answer? Well, they had better hope so. Personally, I'm not buying it.

Overall, the Cardinals did okay since the lockout ended, but I think the mostly undersized offensive line is still questionable, especially in this system. The exception is Deuce Lutui, of course, who failed his physical in Cincinnati.

Defensively, they will be better, but still could use another edge rusher.

Arizona will improve on its 5-11 mark from last year. But to take that next step, a lot rides on the arm of Kolb.

23. Minnesota Vikings

The joke around the league is that the Vikings added a 34-year-old QB in Donovan McNabb, and got much younger at the position.

It was a solid move, and it will allow them to bring Christian Ponder along slower.

But they lost Sidney Rice to throw to, and while Devin Aromashodu showed flashes in Chicago, he and Michael Jenkins are less-than-inspiring replacements, though they have good size.

The offensive line and safety positions could use more improvement, however, if the Vikes want to improve on their 6-10 finish from last year. 

22. Tennessee Titans

I sort of like the Titans as a bounce-back team, but after a 6-10 season in 2010, it's hard to pick them any higher on this list.

Jake Locker may not be ready to start immediately, but Matt Hasselback is not going to overwhelm anyone at QB.

Barrett Ruud will help the linebackers by showing leadership to that young group, but the defense is still a question mark.

21. Houston Texans

It seems every year the Texans are one of the favorites to surprise the league, but they fall short. Well, I feel that this year will be no different, though they will improve on that 6-10 record.

Houston had a good offseason so far, as they seem to have improved on the defensive side of the ball.

Danieal Manning was a solid safety for the Bears last season, and his return skills, even with the new rules in place, will be a plus.

Add Manning to Jonathan Joseph, and the Texans have really gotten better in the secondary.

The offensive line is stellar, and the re-signing of Mike Brisiel was the right move.

Losing Vonta Leach will hurt the rushing attack, however.

20. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins finished 7-9 last season, and while they had a decent offseason, a lot comes down to the play of Chad Henne.

But wait—could Brett Farve be coming to Miami? Or is that Dan Marino we hear? No matter what, the supporting cast around Henne should be better.

How good will Reggie Bush be in this offense? I'm thinking not as good as Miami hopes. I like the additions of Matt Moore and Marc Columbo also.

Miami could be better than many people think.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags had money to spend, and linebacker Paul Posluszny was expensive but a nice addition to the team. Overall, the linebacker corps is solid.

Safety Dewan Landry was another good addition. Still, the Jags will be vulnerable to the pass, and while they traded up to select Blaine Gabbert in the draft, they did not look like a team going young after the lockout ended.

18. Seattle Seahawks

The additions of Sidney Rice and Zach Miller will help the passing game, no question, but Tarvaris Jackson may not be the answer at QB. He's not accurate so it's difficult to see Seattle going far with him at the helm.

17. Detroit Lions

The Lions continue to improve, doubling their win totals from 2009 to 2010, so perhaps again this year? No, I don't think so. But they are on the upswing.

The biggest question mark, of course, is can Matthew Stafford stay healthy? If so, they could be on the fringe of contending in 2011. If not, they won't—it may be as simple as that.

Still, that front seven is good and the pass rush could offset some problems in the secondary. But they should have improved that offensive line.

16. St. Louis Rams

You have to love Sam Bradford, and the Rams did have a very good offseason.

Harvey Dahl was a tremendous addition to the offensive line and Mike Sims-Walker could take a step forward at wideout this season, if he stays healthy.

Defensively, Quintin Mikell is one of the top safeties around. The Rams are the best team in the NFC West now, but will that mean more than an 8-8 season? I think 10-6 isn't out of the question, actually.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay was an under-the-radar 10-game winner last season but they had a poor offseason in my opinion.

But Josh Freeman is an underrated quarterback who is really good. But with the moves that the Falcons and Saints have made, I don't see the Bucs contending for the division title this season.

14. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs added Steve Breaston to help Matt Cassel's passing game, but they just didn't step up in free agency, other than tagging the outstanding Tamba Hali.

13. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys had a very disappointing year in 2010, so they fired their head coach and brought in Jason Garrett, who has infused some life in the team.

This offseason, they re-signed their own guys, while releasing players to make salary cap space.

Still, the secondary looks suspect, though Abram Elam helps.

This is a team that will live and die by the pass.

12. New York Giants

Tom Coughlin will be under a lot of pressure to make the playoffs this year, but they didn't really impress that much since the lockout ended.

11. San Diego Chargers

Every year, the Chargers look great but they fail to meet expectations. But any team with Philip Rivers as its quarterback has to be taken seriously.

San Diego locked up a lot of its own players in free agency, and Vincent Jackson, if happy, could be in for a monster year.

Takeo Spikes was a solid addition, and I like Travis LaBoy as an edge rusher to complement Shaun Phillips.

Bob Sanders staying healthy would be a big plus in the secondary.

10. Chicago Bears

A lot of people forget that it was Chicago, not Green Bay, that won the NFC North last season. They won 11 games and made it to the NFC Championship game.

While the Bears did not obtain a true No. 1 wideout, Roy Williams could excel in Mike Martz's system. The last time the two paired up resulted in his only 1,000-yard season.

The biggest questions are how will the talented, but enigmatic Jay Cutler bounce back from controversy and criticism, and will the offensive line block better for him? Cutler was dropped 56 times in 2010.

Drafting Gabe Carimi was a plus for the O-line, but losing veteran center and leader Olin Kreutz hurts.

9. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts won 10 games in 2010, and they still have Peyton Manning, of course, but I am hesitant to rank this team any higher on this list.

They brought some of their own players back in free agency, and they should be healthier this year, so those two things will be a plus.

The Colts used two draft picks to help fix up their offensive line.

8. New York Jets

Re-signing Santonio Homes was smart, and was a must for Mark Sanchez to have any hope of being better than he was last year.

I view Sanchez a lot like Jay Cutler—less talent, but both are QBs who need to play better if their teams are going to contend again in 2011.

They lost Braylon Edwards, so they hope that Plaxico Burress can revive his career. That is a gamble.

7. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are always known for defense, but this team will go as far as QB Joe Flacco takes them.

They have to hope that cutting some older vets and replacing them with younger players won't disrupt the chemistry and leadership of this team following a 12-win season last year.

6. New Orleans Saints

Now the rankings get very difficult. The Saints are a solid team, of course, yet I am ranking them sixth  because the remaining teams are so good too. But make no mistake, the Saints are a Super Bowl contending team.

And they've been very busy since the lockout, and have done extremely well, re-signing their own and adding Darren Sproles to the mix.

Shaun Rogers should help improve the pass rush, and Aubrayo Franklin is a huge run-stopper.

With Drew Brees at the helm, this should be another interesting season for New Orleans.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers made it to the Super Bowl last year, yet come in ranked fifth in my poll. Hopefully, their off-field distractions are behind them and they can focus on winning again.

Pittsburgh did a good job bringing back their own players and look headed for another run at a title.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

I know the Eagles had the best offseason perhaps of any team in the NFL, but I am just not ready to rank them any higher. But they are gearing up for what could be a championship season in Philly.

The Eagles obviously solved their cornerback problems with the signing of Nnamdi Asomugha and they added a pass-rusher in Jason Babin.

Vince Young is a capable backup to Michael Vick, who I just don't see as a Super Bowl-winning QB yet. But he could prove me wrong.  

3. Atlanta Falcons

Adding Ray Edwards to the pass rush and bringing back most of the offensive line were great moves by the Falcons, though losing Harvey Dahl hurts.

This Atlanta team had a terrific offseason and the team that many felt was the best team in the NFC during the regular season last year only got stronger.

Drafting Julio Jones will help Matt Ryan.

2. New England Patriots

Any team with Tom Brady at QB has a good chance, of course, and while the Pats brought in some risky players, the upside could be huge.

Albert Haynesworth can get after the QB if he wants to, so that would help a deficiency in this team. Meanwhile, Chad Ochocinco could be motivated like Randy Moss was in his first season with Brady.

But even if those moves do not pan out, the Patriots will once again be contenders.

1. Green Bay Packers

I firmly subscribe to the theory that the champs are No. 1 until they prove otherwise. And the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champs, and they are No. 1 on my preseason ranking.

While the Packers didn't impress in free agency, I like the drafting of Derek Sherrod with the final pick in the first round, though he is struggling with the switch to guard.

Remember, the Packers had a ton of injuries last season and still won, so they must be the favorites again this year, especially with Aaron Rodgers at QB.