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Rank |
Team |
Comment |
| 1(1) |
 |
The Panthers were ranked as our top team heading into the preseason, and they didn't do anything wrong to change that. The combination of Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson will be too tough to handle, and rookie running back DeAngelo Williams has shown positive signs so far. The defense will always be consistent, and is still the strong point of the team. |
| 2(3) |
 |
Teams have shown that they may be able to throw Peyton Manning off his game if they come up with the right blitzing scheme. Unfortunately, that only happens once or twice a season it seems, and every other game, Manning will tear about any defense that he finds. When it's all said and done, the Colts will not miss Edgerrin James too much. The only question will be if the defense can repeat what it did last year after a few changes. |
| 3(6) |
 |
Earlier in training camp, the Bengals were ranked sixth due to the question mark next to the name of Carson Palmer. Although he's only played in the preseason, he has been unbelievable. Even when Palmer didn't play for the Bengals, Anthony Wright was able to move the football with ease. The Colts' offense won't drop in production this year, but with how good the Bengals are, they could surpass them. |
| 4(2) |
 |
If Ben Roethlisberger did not suffer an appendix injury all of the sudden, the Steelers would still probably be ranked No. 1. Yes, Charlie Batch won two games last year, and the Steelers don't win games just because of the quarterback, but this team needed stability in Roethlisberger. There are those who are doubting the Steelers' receiving crew and the bulk of carries Willie Parker will have to handle, meaning the Steelers didn't want to suffer this type of a setback heading into the opener. |
| 5(4) |
 |
It's good to see that the Broncos have settled on a running back, but people need to stop looking ahead to Jay Cutler. There will and should not be an issue regarding the quarterback situation in Denver until Plummer's contract is up. Cutler was impressive in the preseason, but Plummer was impressive all of last season. |
| 6(5) |
 |
For a team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl, they don't have the ranking it would seem they deserve. They'll definitely miss Steve Hutchinson, but their offensive line still has enough contributors to allow Shaun Alexander to run the football well. I'm hesitant with their receivers though; an if they could have acquired Deion Branch, they may have moved up a spot. |
| 7(7) |
 |
The Patriots have a chance to be the team people look at mid-way through the season and say "man, this is the best team in football". The team's defense is better than last year and they have a much better running back situation. The Branch fiasco could have hurt them, especially after losing David Givens in the offseason, but acquiring Doug Gabriel definitely helps them in this area. |
| 8(11) |
 |
This is Eli's time to shine, and he'll have a chance to do that by trying to beat his big brother in the first week of the season. While I don't think he'll be able to accomplish that this year, the offense and defense of this team are very much improved. The linebackers on the Giants will be the biggest difference, but they still have some questions with their defensive tackles. |
| 9(8) |
 |
Some people are claiming that the Dolphins will be legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but I don't see that happening. They definitely have a good team, and I think Daunte Culpepper will turn out to be an adequate pickup by the end of the season. A playoff berth is probable, and they have a great chance to win the opener with Roethlisberger out. |
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| 10(14) |
 |
Don't worry about all of the controversy already surrounding Terrell Owens. As long as the team doesn't suspend him, he will produce. With Terry Glenn already having chemistry with Bledsoe from last year, this should be the best receiving group that Bledsoe has had in years. |
| 11(9) |
 |
I wouldn't read too much into the winless preseason for the Redskins, but they do have to be concerned about the fact that the first-team offense could not score anything. The reason they made some additions of average receivers was to boost the offense, but after the struggles of Mark Brunell and the injury to Clinton Portis, this team better hope that its defense is as good as it was last year. |
| 12(10) |
 |
The running game will be the best part of the Chiefs, and don't be surprised if Larry Johnson breaks the rushing record this year. I hesitate to compliment the Chiefs' defense, because every year that they "improve", they still end up giving up 30 points a game it seems. Hopefully, Herman Edwards can get the defense to do what Dick Vermeil couldn't get it to do. |
| 13(13) |
 |
Carnell Williams will be the most important player on the Buccaneers roster. He was the key to a strong start last season, but the team wasn't as sharp when he began struggling. Their lack of depth at the receiving position remains a problem, but that can be fixed if Michael Clayton can break out of the sophomore slump he experience last year. |
| 14(15) |
 |
There are people who claim the Chargers are overrated, and those who claim they are underrated. Personally, I feel they're underrated. The only major change they are experience is the change to Phillip Rivers. Drew Brees lifted this team out of the cellar, but he wasn't able to be a difference maker last year. There's no reason this team can't contend for the playoffs just because Rivers is in charge. |
| 15(12) |
 |
I'm not comfortable with the lack of improvements the Jaguars have made offensively. They are counting too much on young players to make the difference, and they don't have enough veteran help offensively. Once Fred Taylor goes down with an injury again, they'll be taking a chance without a proven running back. |
| 16(17) |
 |
I realize that the Falcons lost Brian Finneran for the season, but really, the passing game has been so bad the past couple of years, there isn't a need to miss him. Adding Ashley Lelie could turn out to be a "Peerless Price" acquisition for the Falcons, which is why he'll be better suited in the slot to begin the season. Jerious Norwood showed big play potential in the preseason, and the defensive line hopes to return to its form. |
| 17(18) |
 |
Give credit to the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff for cutting their No. 1 receiver, Koren Robinson, about a week before the start of the season. Robinson's conduct is what the team is trying to finally move away from, and he won't be missed very much. The addition of Todd Pinkston will fill that gap in, and it's time to see if Chester Taylor can give this team stability at the running back position. |
| 18(25) |
 |
The Eagles made an enormous leap in the rankings compared to the other teams in the league. McNabb looks to be back to himself, and the defense will play well together. Cutting Pinkston was somewhat of a surprise, but trading for Donte Stallworth is the best move the Eagles could have made. Stallworth has been very underrated on an underachieving Saints team, and has a chance to flourish with Philadelphia. |
| 19(16) |
 |
The Bears took a fall due to continuous poor offensive showings and injury concerns at the running back position. Remember, the Bears defense always seems to be good. Last year was the first time that was able to carry them to the playoffs compared to recent years, and considering they play in a weak division, things can fall apart rather quickly. |
| 20(20) |
 |
The Rams have underachieved the past couple of seasons due to injuries on offense and a lackluster defense. We'll see now the new coaching offense operates, considering the team is still stacked offensively. With the Seahawks having their number last year and the Cardinals improving, they better have their act together early in the season. |
| 21(19) |
 |
Steve McNair has shown positive signs, simply because he's talented. However, the issue has been with the Ravens' system that they still have in place, which has probably been the real problem all of these years. Thankfully, if Jamal Lewis goes down, they have the depth at running back still, and the defense is much healthier than they were midway through last season. |
| 22(21) |
 |
After weeks of problems at the center position, they are still better off at the position than they have been the past couple of years after acquiring Hank Fraley for a rather cheap price. Injuries in the secondary have raised concerns, and if Charlie Frye goes down with an injury, the team could be doomed. |
| 23(22) |
 |
Kurt Warner. Larry Fitzgerald. Anquan Boldin. Edgerrin James. Matt Leinart. With that type of talent on a team, you'd think the Cardinals would be ranked higher. Unfortunately, I thought the same thing last year, and the team was a huge disappointment. Until they prove they can get it done in the regular season, they won't be able to move up. |
| 24(23) |
 |
Does having Brett Favre, Donald Driver, a young receiver(Greg Jennings), Ahman Green, and Bubba Franks sound familiar? Isn't that the same offensive approach that took the Packers to the postseason two years ago? The team may not seem impressive overall, but just about anyone can be a contender when you're playing in the NFC North. |
| 25(24) |
 |
Bringing in Kerry Collins to "let him sling it" still seems awkward to me. Vince Young will be taking over this season anyways, so why waste the money on Collins, rather than letting Billy Volek fill that role instead? This team has a lot more weapons than last year, and should only be a year away from contending for the wildcard again. |
| 26(28) |
 |
Jon Kitna is a definite upgrade over Joey Harrington, but the rest of the team is pretty much the same. This may be Kevin Jones final year to prove himself as a game changing running back, because although he's been "ok", he's not turning heads. Maybe a new quarterback and coaching staff will allow the Lions to finally capitalize on a weak division. |
| 27(27) |
 |
How is Aaron Brooks going to improve this team any more than Kerry Collins did last year? At the moment, I'm projecting the same type of season for the Raiders that they had last year. |
| 28(26) |
 |
J.P. Losman is the Bills starting quarterback. The sad thing is, all three of the quarterbacks in the Bills' competition would not have been good enough to start on any other team in the league. They'll lack production at the position all year long. |
| 29(29) |
 |
It's tough to read how well the Saints will be this year. Reggie Bush is bound to make the highlight reel, and Drew Brees is the stable quarterback this team needed to move them in the right direction. |
| 30(30) |
 |
Besides Mario Williams, how is this team dramatically different from the losing seasons we've seen the past couple of years? They've added Eric Moulds, but on the same note, just lost Dominick Davis for the season. |
| 31(31) |
 |
Chad Pennington was the right decision for the quarterback position, but with a young offensive line and questionable group of running backs and receivers, this team still has a lot of things they need to work on. |
| 32(32) |
 |
Hopefully Alex Smith will be able to throw some touchdowns this time around. Vernon Davis and Antonio Bryant will help the rookie out, but it'll be another long season for the 49ers. |
