Power Rankings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are the defending superbowl champions. Even with a few losses they still are the best team in football until they are beat.
2. New England Patriots
They are the best team on paper but since they didn't win the superbowl they have to be #2. With the return of Tom Brady next season and the numerous additions in the draft and free agency, this could be the team to beat in 2009.
3. New York Giants
The Giants have made some key additions in the offseason that will help immensely in the 09 season. It seems the team has moved on with Plax and look to give Eli a few new targets with Nicks and Barden.
4. Arizona Cardinals
The losers of the super bowl... they would be ranked higher but in my opinion they got hot at the right time and coasted to the superbowl. I may eat my words next season but it won't be likely due to the fact Anquan(sp?) Boldin might not be suiting up.
5. Baltimore Ravens
I honestly believe the Ravens are one of the top five teams in the league. They are just in a tough division. Flacco will have one year under his belt and should be able to play more mistake free and smarter. This could be an underdog team that may make a run for the superbowl.
6. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers had a few problems last year, Merriman was out and Tomlinson had an off year. If Merriman is healthy and Tomlinson bounces back with Sproles this could be a good team to watch.
7. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a rookie head coach but Manning does most of the offensive coaching anyway. The loss of Harrison is going to be an almost non factor and the addition of Donald Brown, the running game might be a little more effective this year.
8. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons made a nice move in picking up Tony Gonzalez. He is going to give Matt Ryan another option and take a lot more pressure off of Roddy White and Michael Turner.
9. Chicago Bears
With the addition of Jay Cutler I believe the Bears became the best team in the NFC North. They still lack a true threat at WR but the defense is still stout and Matt Forte knows exactly what he is doing.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles did everything in their power to make McNabb happy. They added a great WR in the draft and gave Westbrook some time to rest by drafting McCoy. The defense is still good and should challenge the Giants for the NFC East.
11. Tennessee Titans
Oh how the mighty have fallen... The loss of Haynesworth is going to hurt this team even though they drafted another DT. The defense is aging and Collins is getting old and is destine to have a bad year. But if the running game stays on track and the corners keep causing turnovers, this could still be a good team.
12. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are in the middle of the Favre fiasco and even if he does come to the team I think Favre is washed up. The way he played towards the end of the season last year was not a good sign. Without Favre the team still has a poisonous running game and a good defense. With or without Favre this team could still get to the playoffs.
13. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have T.O. That is either a huge upgrade or a cancer. If it works out great this could be a serious contender for the Patriots but if not the defense should be good but the offense may stall with Trent Edward's blindside being in murky waters.
14. Carolina Panthers
This is a bit of a shocker but from what we saw from Jake Delhomme in the playoffs, there could be a major problem on offense. Stewart and Williams will still be a nasty 1-2 punch at running back but if Delhomme can't make the passes he needs to make there will be huge hurdles to leap.
15. Houston Texans
The Texans are no longer the laughing stock of the AFC. They have a good QB in Schaub, an excellent RB with Steve Slaton and a great WR in Andre Johnson. The defense has gotten a lot better with the addition of Brian Cushing. The Texans could be looking at either a 7-9, 8-8 or 9-7 record this year.
16. Miami Dolphins
I'm sorry, I know the Dolphins won the AFC East last year but with the improvements the Bills have made and a healthy Tom Brady in New England, this could be a down year for the Dolphins and Dolphans. The addition of Pat White to the offense is going to make the Wildcat more deadly and the value pick of Vontae Davis should help shore up an OK secondary.
17. Washington Redskins
The Redskins did a lot in free agency to help the team out. BUT!!! Jason Campbell is unhappy with Jim Zorn and the WR's are still suspect. If the Redskins are going to win this year they''re going to have to rely heavily on Clinton Portis. Expect to see the Redskins struggle at times this year especially in all the NFC East games.
18. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks could jump out and surprise the shit out of everyone next year. Injuries killed the season last year and the addition of TJ Who's your momma is going to help a lot. The addition of Aaron Curry in the draft is going to jump start the defense. If all goes well the Hawks could be looking at the playoffs again but that is a big if.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars pretty much addressed the major needs on the offensive line and added a pro bowler with Torry Holt. If injuries don't happen like they did last year, the Jaguars might contend again. Questions still remain about Garrard bouncing back, MJD being an every down back and the secondary having holes like Swiss Cheese.
20. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have fallen to 20 on my power rankings mainly due to the fact that their defense is still suspect. The secondary is still a major problem but Malcolm Jenkins may be able to turn some heads. The offense can score but Pierre Thomas may have been a one hit wonder and Reggie Bush doesn't look like an every down guy.
21. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are making the switch to the 3-4 and it may take a full season to get the defense to where it needs to be. The offense is looking good and Aaron Rodgers looks like he will remain the future at QB. This is about the year after next.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
Even with the loss of TJ Housh. the 2009 Bengals look to be better than the 2008 Bengals. They made a lot of moves in Free Agency and built a good team through the draft. They're in a tough division so they'll be battling to have an 8-8 season. This team is only going to get better with a healthy Carson Palmer.
23. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are starting fresh in a new stadium this year. But a new stadium won't help a lot of question marks on the team. The WR position is kind of shaky after Roy Williams. The secondary is so-so with Hamlin and Davis at safety. I don't expect the Cowboys to have a great year in 09.
24. New York Jets
The Jets have moved on since Brett Favre and put all their stock into Mark Sanchez. Sanchez is a year or two away from making a big impact at the QB position but Thomas Jones looks like he'll have another spectacular year and the defense looks to be even more dangerous with Rex Ryan as the head coach. Look for Vernon Gholston to break out big time this year.
25. San Francisco 49ers
If whoever at QB can make logical throws this year and get the ball to Michael Crabtree as much as they can, the 49ers might win a few games this year. Frank Gore still looks good and has plenty of big games left on his plate. The defense needs to step it up a little to win more games.
26. Denver Broncos
The Broncos pretty much guaranteed themselves a shitty season when they traded away Jay Cutler and didn't address the need at defensive line in the the first round of the draft. The Broncos are gonna be in a tough way this season and Orton will not be the answer at QB.
27. Tampa Bay Bucs
The Bucs made an absolute bonehead move by taking Josh Freeman. This guy is not going to be an NFL QB. They had plenty other positions to address yet went for a QB after they released the motherload on defense. The bottom of the NFC south they go.
28. St. Louis Rams
The Rams finally got their tackle they wanted and picked up a linebacker worthy of starting too. If the Rams can stay healthy, their offense should do well this year. The defense is another story. It may take a year or two to fix the problems on defense. 2009 will not be the year of the Rams. Too many losses at key positions to contend.
29. Detroit Lions
I really don't think the Lions will be the worst team in the NFL. They got themselves a franchise QB and another target for him to throw to. They made excellent moves in free agency that will shake 0 win season. I see them winning 4-5 games next season.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
I hope to god Pioli is running a Spread Offense. If he isn't... Matt Cassell will be booed out of Kansas City so fast. The team is switching to a 3-4 pretty much shitting on Tamba Hali and Glenn Dorsey. Prepare for a loooooong season Chiefs fans.
31. Oakland Raiders
Al Davis needs to GTFO of Oakland. He is seriously hurting his chances of winning a championship before he dies. He is wasting talent with Nnambi Asamoguha. Jamarcus Russell better have a big year or Oakland is going to have to go back to square one and rebuild.
32. Cleveland Browns
WTF is going on in Cleveland. They gave away their picks like they were Halloween candy. Who is gonna start at QB? Does Jamal Lewis still have it in him? Is their defense going to stop anyone? Cleveland will be in the cellar of the NFL.
Let the hating begin.
