NFL Power Rankings: Bold Predictions for Every Top 10 Team

It's time to get bold. We have seen enough from NFL teams to know what their strengths and weaknesses are. As we head into a pivotal part of the season, we give predictions on the elite teams that will rise, fall and always amaze. 

NFL power rankings are a fluid entity. The great thing about the top 10 is that it is never the same on any given week. 

This is a league that is built on parity and upsets. One week the Baltimore Ravens are trouncing the 2010 Super Bowl's runners up, the next they are getting embarrassed. 

The Ravens loss to the Titans is testament to the fact that nothing can be taken for granted. I was ready to hand them a title after their spirited Week 1 win. Now we know better. 

The following teams all have the ability to stay in the top 10 all year long. The interesting part is that some of them will plummet at some point in the next 14 games. 

We will give you a breakdown on the best the NFL has to offer after a couple of weeks of play. The playoff landscape will not be set for some time. 

So I give you a heads up on what to expect from now until the postseason hunt. The one crucial thing you have to make note of is that no team is safe from injuries and malaise. 

As you will see, there are various reason to be fearful if you call yourselves fans of teams like the Packers, Eagles and Patriots. 

Just because a team is stout in September, doesn't mean they will remain so as the season continues. 

Leave the cookie-cutter predictions at the door. It is time to get brutally honest about some of these alleged elite teams. 

Here is the top 10 as I see it. 

The Rankings

Here is the state of the NFL after two weeks of play. Some teams that began the year as contenders for their respective divisions were trounced on opening day. 

We have seen enough to make some assumptions and predictions about what this list will look like a couple of months from now. 

The greatest thing about these power rankings is that they will never be stagnant. I look forward to these teams proving their worth on a weekly basis. 

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

10. Atlanta Falcons

Prediction: Falcons Will Win 10 Games 

The NFC South will come down to two teams, the Falcons and Saints. A week ago, it was laughable to think the Falcons could figure things out this season. 

They were shaky on offense, looking ill-prepared to win the big games on their schedule. Then came their Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Granted, Michael Vick was unable to finish the game, but the Falcons showed a lot of grit in beating one of the most talented teams in the NFL. 

With Matt Ryan back to form, and Julio Jones emerging as a star, the Falcons will go down to the wire fighting for the division. 

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Steelers Sniff Super Bowl 

The Steelers took a hit after they laid a Week 1 egg to the Ravens. They will continue to use defense and a rushing attack to muddy games and notch victories. 

This is largely the same team that went deep in 2010, coming up short to the Packers. I will take their defense and measured offensive approach over any other AFC team when all is said and done. 

8. Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Second-Class in Division 

It will be more of the same from the Baltimore Ravens. They have taken to the air, and the results were lackluster. At least, they were when Joe Flacco tossed two interceptions in a loss to the Titans. 

They beat the Steelers in an emotional win in Week 1, but titles are not won in September. I have no faith in Flacco being the guy that can win the big game. This team will end up one notch below the Steelers in 2011. 

7. Chicago Bears

Prediction: NFC Title Game Bound 

The Chicago Bears get no love. It is easy to see why though. They are a defensive machine that are stout, but hardly as flashy in their schemes as the Steelers or Eagles. 

There is also the obvious note that Jay Cutler plays like the game is a chore. Fans would rather talk about a team helmed by a guy that plays with some passion. 

All of those things are superficial though. This is a great team that will once again be in the top four at the end of the season. The obvious note is that they will get little media run along the way. 

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: The Eagles Will Disappoint

The Eagles loaded their roster with Pro Bowl players on both sides of the ball. Before the first snap of the season, the Eagles were crowned as Super Bowl shoe ins. 

In fact, we all proclaimed that anything less than a Super Bowl berth would be a disappointment. Well, the Eagles will disappoint. 

Michael Vick has proved two things since he returned to football; he is an electric player that makes the Eagles a better team, and he cannot stay on the field. 

The latter makes Vince Young and Mike Kafka all the more valuable. The fact is neither are the type of player that you want to rely on in big games. And believe me, the Eagles will have to call on both a few times this year. 

5. Houston Texans

Prediction: The AFC South Belongs to Texans 

Even if the Colts had a healthy Peyton Manning, I would still give the division over to this year's success story. 

Ben Tate has stepped up big time, allowing Houston to win without a healthy Arian Foster. This team is a treat to watch on both sides of the ball, allowing an average of 162.5 yards through the air. That is good enough for first in the league. 

In an NFL that is going vertical more and more, the Texans have talent where it counts most. This is a team that will continue to get better as the season continues. 

4. New Orleans Saints

Prediction: Cream of the NFC South Crop

This division was supposed to be the Falcons' for the taking. New Orleans looked to be on their way out as they were embarrassed by the Seahawks in the 2010 playoffs. 

They then went out and drafted youth and signed free-agent stalwarts. When healthy, there is hardly a more talented roster. 

This team is much better than their current 1-1 record shows. Drew Brees is well on his way to a MVP-type season. 

3. New York Jets

Prediction: Super Bowl Not in the Cards

The Jets have been the poster children of playoff disappointment. This will not be the year they get over the hump. 

They once again have a stout defense, but I am unconvinced of their offensive acumen moving forward. An elite team needs to have a well-rounded attack. The Jets are lacking a top-notch rushing attack after two weeks of mixed results. 

Rex Ryan will be calling for better luck next year once again. 

2. New England Patriots

Prediction: Super Bowl Bound 

Things are getting a little out of hand as it pertains to the Patriots offense. Tom Brady has laid claim to greatest of all time with the start he is having to 2011. 

The only real deficiency I see is in the secondary. The Patriots just give away too many yards by air, and that will bite them at some point this season. 

The good news is that the Patriots are destined to win every single shootout as long as Tom Brady is leading them. 

1. Green Bay Packers

Prediction: Super Bowl Champs 

The Green Bay Packers were my favorites to win the Super Bowl before the season, and they have given me no reason to change that thought. 

They battled with a Panthers squad lifted by a Cam Newton that is playing out of his mind at the moment. Green Bay was still able to put up great offensive numbers in a hostile environment. 

Their defense took a hit as Nick Collins is lost for the season, but this team is deep. This is a well managed organization that has talent and versatility on both sides of the ball. 

Aaron Rodgers with a plethora of weapons is a deadly thing. I will enjoy the Packers defending their title all the way into next year.