Time to unveil our NFL power rankings at this point of the preseason. We will update the rankings before the season if any earth-shattering developments happen. Otherwise, look for updated rankings each week once the regular season kicks off.
Heavyweight Division
1. Pittsburgh– The champs are still the champs until we see evidence otherwise.
2. New York Giants – They were dominant until the Plaxico fiasco, we see them re-grouping.
3. San Diego – They have their best players back from injury and should waltz to the playoffs.
4. New England – Brady’s back and should light it up, but is their defense good enough?
5. Baltimore – Can they overcome Rex “bigmouth” Ryan’s departure? I think so.
6. Philadelphia – The circus is officially in town. Will the defense suffer without Jim Johnson?
7. Indianapolis – Manning is healthy to start season, but will they be the same with new coach?
8. Tennessee – Solid on both sides of ball, not spectacular, but solid.
9. Arizona – Watch out for superbowl loser jinx. Will offense be same without Haley?
10. Minnesota – This was a solid team even before Favre signed on. Get ready for many picks, however.
11. New Orleans – Offense is excellent, they just need the defense to step up.
12. Seattle – Ravaged by injuries last year, look for them to have a good year.
Middleweight Division
13. Atlanta – They won’t sneak up on anybody this year, can they avoid sophomore jinx?
14. Green Bay – If defense improves under Capers, they should contend for the division
15. Buffalo – T.O and Evans a good combo at WR. See them as 2nd best in AFC East.
16. Miami – Benefited from Brady’s injury last year and see things more difficult in 2009.
17. Carolina – Solid group but inconsistent and streaky at the QB position.
18. Dallas – Underachieving Cowboys will try again without the drama this year.
19. Jacksonville – Physical team, but lacking play makers.
20. Houston – A trendy pick for the playoffs, but they play in a tough division.
21. Chicago – Cutler is viewed as the savior, but he’s already throwing his WR’s under the bus.
22. New York Jets – Let the Rex Ryan and Sanchez era begin for better or worse.
Lightweight Division
23. Washington – This once proud franchise is a mess, from owner to coach to QB.
24. Cincinnati – Only reason they’re ranked this high is Carson Palmer.
25. Tampa Bay – This franchise is headed in the wrong direction.
26. St. Louis – They have some talent if Spagnuolo can light a fire under them.
27. Denver – Has any coach ever started his first job with no honeymoon period?
28. San Francisco – No QB’s on roster, can’t play with them, can’t win with them….
29. Cleveland – Lousy owner, lousy coach, lousy players, not a good combo…
30. Oakland – I told you Cable looked like a bouncer at a bar! What a franchise…
31. Kansas City– Will take a little while to purge the stench of King Carl and Herm the Worm…
32. Detroit – 0-16 will earn you this spot until you can put a “W” on the board.