My NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Your Team Stand?
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo on the field before the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Following the NFL draft, and as we begin OTA’s, I give you my NFL Power Rankings.
1. San Francisco 49ers: There just aren’t any weak spots on the roster, and they should be early favorites to host the next Lombardi Trophy. Unless of course, they have to play in Seattle during the playoffs.
2. Seattle Seahawks: There just aren’t any weak spots on the roster, and they should be early favorites to host the next Lombardi Trophy. Unless of course, they have to play in San Francisco during the playoffs. See what I did there?
3. Denver Broncos: The addition of Wes Welker should give another Peyton Manning a exceptional short range target on third down. If Manning’s health holds up, this team could be looking at home field advantage in the playoffs.
4. New England Patriots: Certainly the largest threat in the AFC along with Denver. Tom Brady gives the Patriots the upper hand in almost any contest, and will look to break a late round playoff-rut.
5. Green Bay Packers: As arrogant as he is, Aaron Rodgers’ talent at quarterback can’t be denied. He led a team without a great defense and devoid of a decent running back to the playoffs on a career year.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Well, Matt Ryan finally won Atlanta a playoff game. Do we start seeing a trend, or does his long stretch of playoff woes settle in again?
7. Cincinnati Bengals: With arguably the best overall defense in the NFL (outside the 49ers?), the Bengals have put themselves in a great position with young talent. They’ve also put themselves in a position to win their first playoff game since 1991, but that will ultimately fall on Andy Dalton in his third year.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Another top year defensively and a healthy Ben Roethlisberger will make the Steelers dangerous once again. Determining a starting RB in the offseason will be key.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Never has a reigning Super Bowl Champion been ranked so low before the start of the season. The fact of the matter is, I don’t put a whole lot of trust in Baltimore. Inconsistent Joe Flacco is still inconsistent Joe Flacco, and they lost quite a few veteran players this off-season.
10. Houston Texans: Defensively, this team will look to stop anyone from scoring 20 points. They have skill players on both sides of the ball, and a good mix of veteran guys with young talent.
And here are my power rankings outside of the top 10.
11. Minnesota Vikings
12. Washington Redskins
13. New York Giants
14. Indianapolis Colts
15. New Orleans Saints
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. Chicago Bears
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. St. Louis Rams
20. Kansas City Chiefs
21. San Diego Chargers
22. Miami Dolphins
23. Arizona Cardinals
24. Philadelphia Eagles
25. Cleveland Browns
26. Detroit Lions
27. Carolina Panthers
28. New York Jets
29. Tennessee Titans
30. Oakland Raiders
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
32. Buffalo Bills