NFL Power Rankings: Rating All the Offenses in the League

We're a little over two weeks into the 2011-12 NFL preseason, and teams are already beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

Yes, I know it's just preseason, but this year's preseason could be even more important based on the limited amount of preparation time available due to the lockout.

Teams with returning veterans should have an advantage, at least early in the season.

With that said, come see if your team's offense ranks among the elite in the NFL.

No. 32: Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton leads a Bengals offense that is sure to struggle in 2011.

A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham will be his best options, but even those are stretches given their inexperience.

Tough to expect too much from this team. If only Carson Palmer were playing.

No. 31: Washington Redskins

Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman predicted the Redskins would win the NFC East. Interesting, to say the least, especially given the fact Grossman will be coming off the bench.

John Beck will be at the helm to begin the season, and I don't foresee that being a positive for Washington.

The pickup of Tim Hightower is nice, and Santana Moss is always a threat, but it's difficult to see the parts of this offense being enough to win the NFC East, or more than seven games for that matter.

No. 30: San Francisco 49ers

Frank Gore and Vernon Davis are excellent pieces to any offense.

Besides them, though, all you have left is Ted Ginn Jr., who brings a whole lot of speed with a whole lot of drops.

Add in a little bit of Alex "Every coach thinks he can fix me" Smith, and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

Hey, at least the defense is solid.

No. 29: Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson wants his money. The Titans don't want to give him what he wants.

The most electrifying player in football in my opinion, Johnson is not short of holding out the entire season, and if he does, the Titans season goes with him.

Kenny Britt looks to come back soon, and the addition of Matt Hasselbeck should bring some veteran savvy to this squad.

As said before, though, the loss of Johnson for the season would be devastating.

No. 28: Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton will most likely take the reins in Carolina, but that isn't necessarily a good thing.

He will bring some added dimension to the offense, but as with most rookie quarterbacks, there is always a learning curve.

The Panthers still boast one of the most impressive stables of running backs in the NFL with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson.

Jeremy Shockey adds a solid check-down, and Steve Smith is still a top-five receiver.

No. 27: Jacksonville Jaguars

Who's going to start at quarterback?

Evidently Blaine Gabbert is pushing for the starting position, but as of now it is still David Garrard's job.

Maurice Jones-Drew is still a top back, but recent injuries should have Jaguars fans concerned about the future and possibly this year as well.

Marcedes Lewis is a stud at tight end but will obviously need someone to throw him the football in order to be effective.

No. 26: Seattle Seahawks

It's never encouraging when the head coach names a newly acquired quarterback the starter prior to taking a single snap.

Well, that's what we have in Seattle, where Pete Carroll gave Tarvaris Jackson the nod despite having a QB in Charlie Whitehurst who clinched the team's playoff spot last season.

Jackson concerns me, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him falter early on.

It's a shame, because outside of that issue I am a big fan of the Seahawks' offseason moves.

Sidney Rice and Mike Williams will make for an impressive tandem on the outside.

No. 25: Miami Dolphins

Newly acquired Reggie Bush adds a nice wrinkle to an offense that could prove better than thought.

Chad Henne remains the starter, which should raise some eyebrows.

Brandon Marshall will look to improve on a relatively down year for him in 2010, and Davone Bess is a fantastic slot man. 

The offensive line must improve for this offense to move the chains, but the pieces are in place to keep this team in games.

No. 24: Cleveland Browns

Call me crazy, but it seems Colt McCoy has turned the corner.

The second-year quarterback out of Texas has methodically turned into a serviceable starter.

Pair him with Peyton Hillis, and it is a tandem that could lead to some wins.

Unfortunately for the Browns, Josh Cribbs and Brian Robiskie are the options outside. Ouch.

No. 23: Buffalo Bills

Ryan Fitzpatrick was a pretty solid decision-maker last season, and Stevie Johnson had a breakout year.

If C.J. Spiller can turn into a speedy complement to Fred Jackson, this offense may turn out to be pretty good.

Then again, it is still the Bills.

No. 22: Oakland Raiders

This could be my most underrated pick of the entire article.

Wow, never thought I'd be complimenting the Raiders.

Jason Campbell has proved that he can be a winner in the NFL, and anytime you throw Darren McFadden and Michael Bush into a backfield, you can cause problems for a defense.

Darrius Heyward-Bey needs to step up this year and provide the deep threat the Raiders need so desperately.

No. 21: Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson will continue to be the focal point for the offense, but the offense will run if Donovan McNabb can find the fountain of youth.

Granted, the Vikings still got younger at the position, but it's hard to see McNabb succeeding too much in Minnesota.

Visanthe Shiancoe and Bernard Berrian are nice weapons for him to use, but the loss of Sidney Rice is going to hurt more than people think.

No. 20: St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford is poised to break out in 2011 after a solid rookie campaign.

Steven Jackson struggled at times last season but should prove to be better this season.

Mike Sims-Walker is one of the most underrated pickups of the free agency period and will give Bradford that big target he's been looking for down in the red zone.

No. 19: Denver Broncos

I think it's safe to say we can finally put to rest the Tim Tebow saga and deem Kyle Orton the starter for the 2011 Broncos.

Thank goodness, because if Denver had screwed that one up, we would be talking about it for years.

Orton remains one of the most consistently overlooked quarterbacks in the NFL, and I think he will be on a mission to prove the doubters wrong in 2011.

Brandon Lloyd is poised to be a stud, and the addition of Willis McGahee should provide needed depth behind Knowshon Moreno.

No. 18: Chicago Bears

Roy Williams has the potential to take this offense to the next level, as he gives Jay Cutler a valuable option.

Devin Hester must become a better No. 2 receiver, but I don't think he's quite there yet.

Matt Forte will remain the best offensive player on the field, and if the revamped offensive line can open some holes, it will be a good year for the Bears.

Oh yeah, they also need to keep Cutler upright, something rarely seen in 2010.

No. 17: Arizona Cardinals

Rounding out the offenses of the NFC West is the Arizona Cardinals. (Is that a brutal division or what?)

Kevin Kolb steps in and is poised to improve on a horrific season for Cardinals quarterbacks.

Weapons are there with Larry Fitzgerald and new acquisition Todd Heap.

Beanie Wells will still serve as the running back.

No. 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As many know, Josh Freeman is one of the hottest young quarterbacks in the NFL.

After a great 2010 season, Freeman will look to take the Bucs one step further in 2011 and lead them to the playoffs.

Add in the fact LeGarrette Blount is the poised to turn into a top-10 NFL running back, and you've got the makings of a fantastic young offense in Tampa.

No. 15: Detroit Lions

It's been said for years, but if Matt Stafford can stay healthy, the Lions have the possibility to be one of the best offenses in the league.

As great as this sounds, I don't see the Lions ranking as high.

There are weapons all over the field with Nate Burleson, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew.

Jahvid Best is a wonderful running back and should turn in a great season, relieving some of the pressure put on Stafford's shoulders.

No. 14: Kansas City Chiefs

If Matt Cassel were a mobile quarterback, the Chiefs would create one of the greatest wishbone teams of all time.

But he's not, so we're stuck with Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster causing chaos all over the field.

The speedy Kansas City offense should be even more dynamic in 2011 after jelling for a year.

No. 13: Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is going to have a career year, as he is placed in a contract season with something to prove.

It probably doesn't hurt that the Ravens run the football every chance they get.

Ricky Williams is a compatible backup, filling the void left by Willis McGahee.

The addition of Lee Evans will help stretch the field for Joe Flacco, and Anquan Boldin will prove to be his reliable self.

No. 12: Dallas Cowboys

America's team gets Tony Romo back from injury and boasts one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.

Miles Austin is a star, as is Jason Witten, and Dez Bryant is figuring out how to play in the NFL.

Running back is thin with Felix Jones sure to get most of the carrying load.

No. 11: New York Jets

Most of the attention has been on the addition of Plaxico Burress, which is big, don't get me wrong, but the more important story is the maturation of Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez has led the Jets to consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship Game, but does he have enough to get them over the hump?

He's nowhere near an elite quarterback, but he has enough weapons to win some games this year.

LaDainian Tomlinson serves in a running tandem with Shonn Greene once again; however, I don't see him having as good a year as 2010.

The re-signing of Santonio Holmes should prove to be important moving into 2011.

No. 10: Indianapolis Colts

As badly as I wanted to drop the Colts outside the top 10, I couldn't find myself doubting Peyton Manning that much.

The problem will come down to how many, if any, weeks will Manning miss to start the season.

The recent pickup of veteran Kerry Collins gives them a solid bridge until that date.

The consistency of the receivers and backs will prove to help the Colts more than ever after this shortened preseason.

No. 9: New York Giants

Eli Manning highlights a phenomenal backfield that blends power and speed with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

The tandem works better than any I've seen in recent memory.

Mario Manningham is the consistent force the Giants need, and Hakeem Nicks is on the verge of being a Pro Bowler.

On a side note, did you know David Carr was New York's third-string QB? Awesome.

No. 8: Pittsburgh Steelers

This offense just knows what it's doing. Shoot, its members even win competitions during a lockout (Hines Ward).

Ben Roethlisberger simply wins football games, and with a backfield that also features Rashard Mendenhall, it's fairly terrifying.

Hines Ward is Mr. Consistency, and Mike Wallace gives the Steelers a deep go-to man. Heath Miller fills in all the voids in the middle of the field.

The offensive line continues to remain the vaunted pipeline of old, as relentless and physical as any around.

No. 7: New Orleans Saints

The Saints have loaded up once again, but one move that seems to go unnoticed is the addition of center Olin Kreutz.

Kreutz is a veteran that will bolster an improving offensive line.

Drew Brees will see some familiar faces with Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem all returning.

Jimmy Graham could step up and be a force at tight end, and the backfield has the potential to be deep with four solid backs.

No. 6: Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick has the keys to the Eagles' car and is looking to step on the gas in 2011.

After a breakout 2010 season, Vick is easily the most dynamic quarterback in the NFL with versatility unmatched by anyone in history.

However, I think he will take a small step back in 2011.

The Eagles should still put one of the top offenses in the league on the field, but Jeremy Maclin's health is a major concern moving forward.

No. 5: San Diego Chargers

If Ryan Mathews can step up and become the first-rounder he was selected as, this offense is scary good.

Philip Rivers is an MVP candidate, and Vincent Jackson may finally be happy, which will lead to even bigger production on the field.

Antonio Gates remains one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the game, consistently stretching defenses down the middle of the field and opening holes on the sidelines for Rivers to exploit.

No. 4: New England Patriots

The perfect model of systematic offense, the New England Patriots don't send out a team of All-Pros and stars.

Tom Brady happens to be one of them, but he is surrounded by perfect complements to the Patriot way.

Deion Branch, Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead return to serve as Brady's minions running in and out of each other down the field only to end up in the end zone.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis may not be a household name, but he is certainly serviceable behind Brady.

Did I mention Chad Ochocinco is now there to add the deep threat New England thrives with?

No. 3: Green Bay Packers

The defending Super Bowl champs could send out a more impressive offense than the one shown in the 2010 playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers gets all his weapons back, including Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley.

Ryan Grant also returns to bolster a makeshift backfield.

You can count on this Packer offense ranking among the elite once again.

No. 2: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans consistently rank among the best offenses in the NFL year in year out.

Matt Schaub has solidified himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and with an outside threat like Andre Johnson, who is arguably the best receiver in football, it makes for a pretty dangerous duo.

Add Arian Foster, a top-five running back, and Owen Daniels at tight end, and that is a recipe for offensive dominance.

No. 1: Atlanta Falcons

The offense is absolutely loaded with weapons.

For as good as Matt Ryan has been over his brief career, he is poised to be even better in 2011.

Roddy White has separated himself as a top-flight receiver, and Julio Jones is a a truly special talent. I could see them creating the top wide receiving duo over the course of the 2011 season.

Tony Gonzalez is still alive, which means he is still catching touchdown passes.

Did I mention the Falcons have a running back named Michael Turner?

Have fun, NFC South.