1. Pittsburgh Steelers: They return basically the same team that won the Super Bowl ... and might be better. With their schedule, they have the best chance in the league to go 16-0 (but still unlikely).
2. New England Patriots: They have a few questions on the defensive side of the ball after this week, but any Tom Brady-led team will usually be in the top 3.
3. New York Giants: Don't forget how good of a season they had last year. They could have the best defense in the NFC.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Donald Brown should get the running game going again, and they should put up more points because of it.
5. Philadelphia Eagles: They could be in the running with the Patriots and Saints for the best offense in the league. A historically stout defense could be a weakness this year, though.
6. San Diego Chargers: Enough talent to be in the top 3. Will it all actually come together this year?
7. Baltimore Ravens: They don't need a huge year out of Mark Clayton/Demetrius Williams/Kelley Washington. They just need them to stretch the field.
8. Tennesee Titans: It will be hard to duplicate their success from last year with a quarterback who's only gotten older and minus their best defensive player.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo needs the playoffs this year to be taken seriously as a top-flight NFL quarterback.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Plenty to love about their offense, but their lack of defensive leadership (losing Keith Brooking and Lawyer Milloy) is troublesome.
11. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers may have the best fantasy year of any quarterback in the league. Will the transition to 3-4 on defense work?
12. Chicago Bears: Gave up a ton, but are counting on Cutler to pay huge dividends this year. To go all the way, though, they will need a better defensive performance than last year.
13. Arizona Cardinals: I had them as the 12th best team out of 12 heading into the postseason last year. I guess I don't learn from my mistakes.
14. Carolina Panthers: Seemingly way too low for a team with a first round playoff bye last year. The NFC South is too tumultuous to think they will duplicate that success.
15. Miami Dolphins: If the Dolphins are successful this year, it will be because Pat White has revolutionized the already revolutionary Wildcat.
16. Minnesota Vikings: I don't believe in Brett Favre. At all. At least Tavaris Jackson could scramble.
17. New Orleans Saints: My pick to win the NFC South at the end of the year. There's a lot to like about their defensive improvements.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars: A common sleeper pick for the postseason this year. David Garrard is a better quarterback than he is given credit for being.
19. Washington Redskins: Optimism abounds in D.C. - again. I think nothing about their offense, but I think Brian Orakpo will be the defensive rookie of the year.
20. Houston Texans: Will this be the year? They have a young, talented front seven on defense, but the secondary could be a liability.
21. New York Jets: Rex Ryan runs a high risk, high reward defense. It works when you have two future hall of famers playing up the middle. Memo: Jenkins/Scott/Rhodes does not equal Ngata/Lewis/Reed.
22. Seattle Seahawks: I think the world of Matt Hasselbeck, and I love the Houshmandzadeh signing. The offensive line is beyond bad, though.
23. San Francisco 49ers: Talent abounds in every position except for quarterback ... the most important position.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: If Palmer is healthy, Cincy could make some noise this year. They need him upright, though, because they won't be able to run the ball.
25. Buffalo Bills: Questions abound. TO's health? New offensive coordinator? How will the holdout affect Maybin? Are they moving to Toronto?
26. Denver Broncos: Their defense didn't get much upgrading, and they downgraded significantly at quarterback.
27. Oakland Raiders: Essentially wasted 2009 and 2011 first round choices on a second round talent and a guy they should have traded a third rounder for. Thanks Oakland.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They may be able to run the ball between Cadillac, Graham and Ward ... but that's about it.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: With Cassel in, they could win a few games. Without Cassel, they may be number 32.
30. Cleveland Browns: No running game. No quarterback. Scant receivers. No defensive line. No secondary. At least they have Joshua Cribbs.
31. St. Louis Rams: The Rams - with Sam Bradford - will be a team to watch ... next year.
32. Detroit Lions: They just didn't do much to a defense that gave up 30+ points 11 times last year.
And, of course, the division rankings ...
1. NFC East: 9.00
2. AFC South: 12.50
3. AFC North: 15.50
4. AFC East: 15.75
5. NFC South: 17.25
6. NFC North: 17.75
7. AFC West: 22.25
8. NFC West: 22.50
3 comments:
I believe the Raiders traded their 2011 first-round pick, not the 2010 pick.
thank you, correction noted
Pat White isnt going to be the reason the dolphins will succeed this year. hell be just ok. mistake-less, parcells football will again win games games this year for the dolphins. but thanx for the good ranking. everyone else is saying a couple spots lower!
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