2011 NFL Power Rankings and Ratings – Preseason Edition: Patriots Top the List

2011 NFL Power Rankings and Ratings – Preseason Edition: Patriots, Eagles and Packers Top the List: The preseason edition of our 2011 NFL Power Rankings and Ratings is now posted on NSAwins.com below. Please check out our website weekly during the regular season for weekly updated NFL Power Rankings and Ratings in addition to free NFL picks, live vegas NFL odds, NFL game previews and more. Enjoy…

2011 NFL Power Rankings and Ratings – Preseason Edition

Yes, yes, and yes. Although we are only through the first slate of games for week 1 of the preseason, some things can be said about the prospects of each club thus far. The journey to Indy starts when the ball is kicked off in week 1 of the preseason and the praise and scrutiny begin shortly there after. That being said, here is the power rankings after week 1 of the preseason.

1. New England Patriots – If their 2nd and 3rd units can hang up 47 points who knows what the first unit offense can accumulate?
2. Philadelphia Eagles – The “dream” team sure looked sweet early and that defense is next to none.
3. Green Bay Packers – The first team offense and defense came out of the gates slow and mundane, but both units looked in Super Bowl form in their second at bats.
4. New Orleans Saints – Reggie who? The Saints looked solid on both sides of the ball and Mark Ingram’s 14-yard spat might be a sign of things to come.
5. Baltimore Ravens – Take away Mike Vick’s opening touchdown drive and the defense shined, no surprise. Ricky Williams and Lee Evans might be the x-factors to get this club over the hump, or more blunt, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
6. Atlanta Falcons – With Julio Jones in the mix the sky is the limit for this Georgian offense. The defense still needs a little work to be able to compete in December and January.
7. San Diego Chargers – If the Chargers can jump out of the gate fast, which has been an issue in prior seasons, they could have their division wrapped up by late October.
8. Indianapolis Colts – This ranking will improve when Peyton is under centre and not Lions and Texans cast off Dan Orlovsky.
9. Houston Texans – Defense wins championships, but the Houston Texans offense can too.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben and crew looked sloppy and off rhythm against the Redskins and they have yet to find a legitimate second string pivot.
11. New York Jets – Starting units on both sides of the ball looked impressive, but depth may be the falling point with this hyped club this year.
12. Detroit Lions – The restoration of the roar may finally be complete. This team has the makings to challenge the Packers for the NFC North crown in late December.
13. New York Giants – The G-men surely missed Osi on the outside pass rush on Saturday night, but they held their own and looked solid on the offensive side as well.
14. Tennessee Titans – On the outside looking in, this club has no chance in competing for the AFC South crown, but an inside glance reveals another prospect. It is imperative for the Titans brass to get Chris Johnson under wraps before the 2011 regular season slate commences.
15. Washington Redskins – Rex Grossman looked solid, but he is not the answer under centre, neither is John Beck. The defense will be relied on heavily this season and they looked fantastic on Friday night.
16. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings may suffer the largest set back this season. They looked dazed and confused on both sides of the all against the Titans on Saturday night, hopefully just a bi-product of a long lay off.
17. St. Louis Rams – The Rams will go as far as Sam Bradford will take them and if Saturday night was any inclination then they will be playing in January.
18. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton looks as though he will be playing as the starter sooner, rather then later. Carolina made a lot of “under the radar” acquisitions this off-season and many should be weary of this club this season.
19. Chicago Bears – Until the offensive line struggles can be patched up they will be a lower echelon football club.
20. Cleveland Browns – If Colt McCoy can be the type of force he once was at the University of Texas and if Peyton Hillis was rekindle his game from last season then there is no reason to believe that this Browns club cant compete for a wildcard birth this season.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Hanging up 25 points on a highly overrated Chiefs football club is not entirely impressive. Josh Freeman and company may have the toughest schedule in recent memory, but they will be competitive.
22. Seattle Seahawks – Pete Carroll is gambling on ex-Vikings Jackson and Rice, but the risk/reward is not significant. The Seahawks will have to rely on their defense and home field advantage to guide them through the 2011 campaign.
23. Dallas Cowboys – The Boys’ still fail to impress and Tony Romo may be the most overrated player in the league. They held their own against the Broncos on Friday night but the starting units are a ways from running on all cylinders.
24. Denver Broncos – John Fox will foster an attitude of accountability and effort throughout the entire organization. Will Tim Tebow be the catalyst behind a playoff birth?
25. Oakland Raiders – One of the more quiet clubs this off-season, the Raiders biggest loss might not be Namdi, but actually tight end Zach Miller.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Larry Fitzgerald will most definitely be gone if Kevin Kolb fails to live up to his billing. There were issues all over the field for Arizona on Friday night and they, too, might see a setback.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert looked solid, but David Garrard will be the starter come week 1. The defense was torched by the Patriots second and third string units, definitely not a good start.
28. Miami Dolphins – Kyle Orton would have propelled this club into the mid teens in this preliminary power ranking, Chad Henne is just not the answer.
29. Buffalo Bills – Lee Evans for a fourth round pick??? Any more ridiculous front office moves like this and the Bills could be playing in Toronto for good sooner, rather then later.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Jim Harbaugh has his work cut out for him. Not a bad idea to tank this season and pick up Harbaugh’s old pivot in Andrew Luck.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Arrowhead should be Arrowdead by late September. This club will definitely not be making the postseason like last year.
32. Cincinnati Bengals – Say what you want about Chad Ochocinco, at least he brought fans to the stadium. The Bengals will be a hard team to watch this season.

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2011 Vegas Odds to Win the NFC South – 2011 NFL NFC South Division Odds
Atlanta Falcons +125
New Orleans Saints +125
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +405
Carlina Panthers +405