NFL Power Rankings

By Travis Stahl

                Mini-camps across the NFL have begun as teams across the league are swimming in optimism.  The summer is the season when every team feels it has the tools to put together a run to the playoffs and potentially the Super Bowl.  The NFL is the league of opportunity, remember, every year since the league switched to four divisions per conference there have been at least four new playoff teams each year.  With that being said, here is a look at how the teams stack up as summer camps open and teams get a better look at themselves.

1. New England – A better defense to pair with a Tom Brady led offense is a scary thing for the rest of the league.
2. Green Bay – How does everybody forget how good this team was last year?  If the Packers even slightly improve the defense they are the best team in the NFC.
3. New York Giants – An aging offensive line and no running game could be problematic for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
4. San Francisco – If Randy Moss and Mario Manningham add anything at wide receiver the 49ers could be scary good.
5. Texans – Nobody remembers Houston made its run to the playoffs without quarterback Matt Schaub.  The Texans defense could be the best in football.
6. Baltimore – At some point the defense is going to start to slip and if the offense can’t make up the difference this team could slide quickly.
7. Pittsburgh – An improved offensive line puts the Steelers back on solid ground but the defense is still very old.
8. Philadelphia – If Michael Vick stays healthy would anybody be surprised to see the Eagles finish 13-3?
9. Denver – The Broncos offense was its weakest link last year but Peyton Manning will likely change that.
10. Detroit – Can the Lions keep enough players out of jail to have another successful season?  If so Matt Stafford is a star and can carry this team deep into the playoffs if they find a running game.
11. Cincinnati – The Bengals have quietly put together one of the better teams in the league.  Don’t be surprised at the end of the year if it’s Cincinnati sitting atop the AFC North.
12. New Orleans – At this point s does anybody really know what to expect out of the Saints?
13. Dallas – The Cowboys have as much talent physically as any other team in the league.  Mentally, Dallas would be much lower on this list.
14. Chicago – Did the Bears do enough to solidify the offensive line?  I didn’t think so, good luck staying healthy Jay Cutler.
15. Atlanta – If Julio Jones turns in to a top five receiver the Falcons are going to shoot up this list.
16. Kansas City – The Chiefs are poised for a big comeback season if everybody returns healthy.  People forget how dominant Jamal Charles was before he got hurt.
17. San Diego – Philip Rivers can throw them in or out of any game but if the defense isn’t better the Chargers have no chance of keeping up with Denver.
18. Carolina – This team could easily finish ahead of the Saints and compete for a wild-card spot.
19. Seattle – The Seahawks defense is unbelievably good but the same can’t be said for the offense.
20. New York Jets – If Sanchez is playing quarterback, this ranking is too high.  If it’s Tebow, this ranking might be too low.
21. Arizona – If Kevin Kolb ever puts it all together the Cardinals will be back in the playoff picture.  Running back Ryan Williams could be a star by the end of the season.
22. Buffalo – The Bills defense could be a top-five unit.  The team’s offense is lacking too much at receiver, tight-end and maybe quarterback to give the Bills a legitimate playoff shot.
23. Tampa Bay – The Buccaneers could easily be one of those new playoff teams this year with receiver Vincent Jackson added to the mix.
24. Tennessee – At some point the Titans are going to have to turn this team over to Jake Locker and play for the future.
25. St. Louis – The Rams always seem right on the verge of putting it all together before the train comes off the tracks.  Maybe this is the year?
26. Washington – If the Redskins were in any other division things would be different but fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC East is brutal.
27. Oakland – Maybe Carson Palmer plays better and maybe Darren McFadden stays healthy but the defense is still really bad.
28. Cleveland – Quarterback Brandon Weeden could push the Browns up in the rankings.  But with the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals in the division the Browns aren’t going too far.
29. Jacksonville – If Maurice Jones-Drew doesn’t show up until August it’s going to be a bad year for the Jags.
30. Indianapolis – Building the team around the strengths of Andrew Luck is brilliant.  This team could sneak in five or six wins this year.
31. Minnesota – No Adrian Peterson, no wide receivers and a defense that can’t stop the pass.  Good Luck Christian Ponder.
32. Miami – Ochocinco doesn’t change the fact this is a really bad team.