NFL Rankings Week 1: Predicting Biggest Movers and Shakers of Week 1

I have it in my mind that the first week of the 2011 NFL season will be the most watched in recent memory. It is a good thing, too, because a few of these teams are going to shake up my power rankings with stirring results.

The lockout has given us a renewed hunger for the NFL season. If you are anything like me, you are chomping at the bit to see some football that matters hit the screen.

Sure, I have poured over every last modicum of my fantasy league–all four of them. I have even created a near Carpal Tunnel Syndrome scare in my household from all the Madden 12 nonsense occurring.

None of it will satiate me, but these games will.

1. St. Louis Rams

 Oh, I know. How ridiculous would it be if the "dream team" came stumbling out of the game? Well, I submit that it would be a ridiculously awesome occurrence.

The Rams play very well at home and are a much different team than last year. This game is a barometer of how much the Rams have grown in the offseason.

The defensive line has the power and speed to deal with most of what the Eagles can dole out. I look for this to be a very close game. Regardless of the outcome, the Rams are back on the scene.

2. Houston Texans

  I love the look of the Texans coming into the season. I still like them to thrash the Colts this weekend, with or without Arian Foster.

It is clear that the Colts are nothing without Peyton Manning, and the Texans will exploit that at every turn. The Texans will enter the realm of the top 10 as early as next week.

3. Dallas Cowboys

 The more that I think about this marquee matchup, the more I get enamored with the Dallas Cowboys beating the New York Jets.

I am no Cowboys honk, but I know a talented team when I see one. With a new regime heading into their first full season and a defensive guru in Rob Ryan, this team is destined to rebound in a big way. I am still not sold on Mark Sanchez as a big-game arm.  

My 2011 NFL Rankings
1.Green Bay Packers
2.New England Patriots
3.Philadelphia Eagles
4.New York Jets
5.Pittsburgh Steelers
6.Atlanta Falcons
7.New Orleans Saints
8.Indianapolis Colts
9.San Diego Chargers
10.Baltimore Ravens
11.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12.Arizona Cardinals
13.Houston Texans
14.Kansas City Chiefs
15.St. Louis Rams
16.Dallas Cowboys
17.New York Giants
18.Chicago Bears
19.Seattle Seahawks
20.Detroit Lions
21.Denver Broncos
22.Oakland Raiders
23.Minnesota Vikings
24.Jacksonville Jaguars
25.Cleveland Browns
26.San Francisco 49ers
27.Tennessee Titans
28.Cincinnati Bengals
29.Carolina Panthers
30.Buffalo Bills
31.Miami Dolphins
32.Washington Redskins