Week 1 Power Rankings

It seems that these days, everyone is doing a Power Ranking of sorts,  so who would we be without one? We would be the site who doesn’t have one, that’s who, but we do, so we’re not.

Here are my pre-season power rankings of all 32 teams as we begin week 1 of the season.

1:

The defending Super Bowl champs start the year off 1-0 with a dismantling of NO.

2:

San Diego had the best record in football last year. Coaching changes will either help or hinder them.

3: The Pats’ went out and built through FA like they are trying to make one final run at the SB…could Belichick have a new plan after this season?

4:

The Bears have the 2nd best Defense in the league. They also have the most inconsistent QB as well.

5:

Seattle has been the team that should, but hasn’t. They will be in the mix again, but will they take the next step?

6:

Can new HC Wade Phillips have success where Parcells failed? Will TO be more productive than his mouth?

7:

The Ravens have the best D in the NFL. Unfortunately, their offense still leaves a bit to be desired. McNair has added a spark, but will it be enough. They should be ranked higher, but I want more out of their offense first.

8:

The Eagles have some questions, mostly with the health of McNabb. Wr’s are rather weak as well. We will soon see.

9:

The Broncos have their biggest question mark at QB. 2nd year Jay Cutler has to prove that he can take the Broncos to the top. Outside of SD, the division is rather weak.

10:

Last year they were one game away from their first SB. This year they opened the season looking like the Saints of old. For now they stay here.

11:

Pittsburghs’ defense has had some changes, but they are still good. They will battle for the division so long as they get production from Big Ben. Willie Parker is looking very good this pre-season.

12:

The Giants fall into the category of middle road teams. Most of the teams from 11 – 19 could all go either way. Eli Manning needs to start showing that he is a leader and stop trying to be Peytons’ little brother.

13:

The Bengals could climb this list or drop like a rock. Still they have Carson Palmer and some great WRs. It’s their defense that tends to let them down.

14:

You can not underestimate the Panthers. Last year, many thought that the Panthers were bound for the Super Bowl. They tanked early and could not recover. Steve Smith is back healthy and that will add that spark that was lacking most of last season.

15:

This spot makes me sick, mainly because I do not really believe that they will be here long. The Jets biggest question surrounds last seasons success by HC Eric Mangini and his motivational techniques. They traded away G Pete Kendall while not having anyone to fill in. There will be a weak spot on that line and it lies between C Nick Mangold and LT D’Brikashaw Ferguson.

16:

This is the team to watch in my opinion. Last year the offense showed improved signs of life and this year the defense has added some solid guys in rookie LB Patrick Willis and CB Nate Clements.

17:

They have one of the best front defensive lines in the league. They also have an offense that can’t seem to put up points when it matters. They play in a tough division having to face Indy twice and although they seem to be able to stay with them, they have not been able to move ahead of them. They are already down 1 game in the division….I know, I know, but it is true.

18:

Scott Linehan is starting to turn this team around, the question is, “is he there yet?” So far the defense is lacking structure and the offense is still very solid. At home, these guys are next to unbeatable. On the road, well, not so much.

19: The Miami Dolphins have as many questions as any other team…on the offensive side of the ball. The question here is can the defense keep the Phins winning while the offense once again tries to catch up?

20:

The Skins have a very good defensive backfield. What they do not have is a very good front 6 (London Fletcher gets excluded). On the offense it is all Jason Campbell which is not a sign of anything good…yet. The WRs’ really need to step it up, but more importantly their Oline needs to give him time to throw.

21:

Watch out NFC…this team could win enough to put them in a chase for a playoff spot. Matt Leinhart looked very good last year and this year he should look better. He still has two very solid receivers in Fitz and Boldin and E. James at RB. The oline made some improvements this off-season, now it will be the defense that will have to turn it up. They face the 9ers to start off the season. Should be a good test.

22:

JP Losman is entering his 3rd year at QB and at times looks very good and at others still struggles. The Bills are not quite there yet, but they are improving. With McGahee gone, the Bills will turn to rookie Marshawn Lynch.

23:

The Chiefs have more than a few questions. Early on, Larry Johnson could carry a lite load as he returns from a long hold-out. The defense is not all that good and their WRs’ are not that efficient either. Add to that the questions surrounding the QB position and let’s just say, it may be a long season for the folks in KC….and our sites administrators.

24:

The Falcons could be higher than this and probably should. They have a solid defense. But they also have Joey Harrington at QB and RB W. Dunn is starting while recovering from an injury.

25:

The Vikings have a good defensive back field, they have poor defensive front 7. They have a worse QB. Tavaris Jackson will determine the future of HC Brad Childress.

26:

Brett Favre needs to retire. They have a young RB but a line that is suspect. Still, they play in GB and that is definitely home field advantage.

27:

Vince Young. Nothing much else at this point.

28:

The Bucs’ could probably be a little lower, but this far down does a few spots really matter in week 1?

29:

The Texans can win football games, they just can’t do it with any real consistency. Until then, nothing.

30:

The Lions may have drafted the best prospect in the NFL Draft this past year, unfortunately for them, it was another WR. So far, Martz has not brought the “greatest show on turf” to Motown.

31:

The Raiders have a good defense, but until their offense can show they can block, they will be looking at a top 5 pick again next year.

32:

At least the Raiders have a defense and the Lions have WRs. The Browns have a lot of questions.