2007 Preseason NFL Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots
Adding Moss, Stallworth, and Welker to the offense along with the signing of Adalius Thomas to bolster the defense makes the Patriots my prohibitive Super Bowl favorites. I think this team will go 14-2 in the regular season and coast to another Super Bowl.

2. Indianapolis Colts
The addition of Anthony Gonzales will only make the Colts offense better. But the number of quality defensive players the Colts lost this off-season scares me (Cato June, Nick Harper, Jason David, Mike Doss). I think Peyton and company will be good enough to lead the Colts to the AFC Championship Game. However, the Pats will come out on top in this matchup by exploiting the Colts secondary with 4 and 5 wide receiver sets.

3. San Diego Chargers
LT, Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman, Phillip Rivers. The Chargers certainly have the talent to be the best team in the NFL, but they will have to quickly adjust to new head coach Norv Turner. The play of the Chargers top three wide receivers, Craig Davis, Malcolm Floyd, and Vincent Jackson, will help determine how far this team can go. And Shawne Merriman is temporarily stopping his “Lights Out” sack dance. At least we can still watch YouTube Videos of weird kids trying to imitate him (see below).



4. Chicago Bears
The Bears offense will be dynamic. Rex has another year under his belt, the Bears have two quality pass-catching tight ends in Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, and Cedric Benson (the bruiser) along with Garrett Wolfe (small speedster), will make for a devastating running back duo. Further, the signing of Lance Briggs means the Bears defense will again be one of the premier defenses in the league.

5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have all the key pieces back from last year’s team, which advanced all the way to the NFC Championship Game. Look for Reggie Bush to be more heavily featured in the offense than last season and establish himself as one of the premier offensive weapons in the game. The addition of Robert Meachem (and his 4.39 40 speed) only makes the Saints passing game that much better.

6. Baltimore Ravens
If Willis McGhee can stay healthy, watch out for the Ravens to have a great year. The Ravens always have one of the best defenses in the league (although the off-season departure of Adalius Thomas hurts) and Steve McNair has brought consistency to the offense.

7. Denver Broncos
The development of Jay Cutler in his second year with the Broncos will determine how far this team goes. Travis Henry will have an amazing year since his one-cut downhill running style meshes well with the Broncos zone-blocking scheme. When you add arguably the best cornerback duo in the league in Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, you have a team with a tremendous amount of potential that could really make some noise.

8. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals got a great value by drafting Leon Hall with the 18th pick in the draft. He will be able to step in and contribute immediately. The Bengals will go as far as their offense takes them and it looks like Carson Palmer is ready to lead the way. He is only going to improve and get better with this being his second year back from his ACL injury. Look for the Bengals’ explosive offense to get them into the playoffs.

9. Seattle Seahawks
Although the Seahawks didn’t get enough back trading Darrell Jackson away for only a 4th round pick, the Seahawks still have just as much talent as they did in their 2005 Super Bowl appearance. Look for the trio of Matt Hasselback, Shaun Alexander, and Deion Branch to lead the Seahawks to a solid year atop the NFC West.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers
With a healthy Big Ben, I love the Steelers chances this year. New coach Mike Tomlin has energized the organization and you can always expect Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau to put a great defense on the field (albeit the off-season loss of Joey Porter).

11. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are solid on offense (with Marion Barber/Julius Jones, T.O., Terry Glenn, and Tony Romo) and defense (Demarcus Ware has developed well). But the Cowboys will only go as far as Romo leads them.

12. Philadelphia Eagles
I’m a little down on the Eagles this year because I question Donovan’s ability to stay healthy. It seems the Eagles always get off to a great start until Donovan breaks down. I really like the free agent signing of Kevin Curtis but do the Eagles have enough weapons considering Donovan will be lacking his traditional scrambling ability?

13. St. Louis Rams
With Marc Bulger at quarterback, Stephen Jackson running the ball, and Tory Holt continuing to be one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the game, the Rams offense is going to be absolutely sensational this year. I think that Brian Leonard was a great pick in the draft and will provide the Rams with lots of flexibility. On the defensive side of the ball, Adam Carriker will be expected to contribute immediately.

14. Carolina Panthers
There is a reason the Panthers were Super Bowl favorites last season; they’re extremely talented. The Panthers suffered a disappointing 2006 campaign that was ravaged by injury, but the Panthers seem to have the pieces to challenge for the NFC South crown this year with the Bucs and Falcons expecting to have down years. Carolina Panther offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson’s new zone blocking scheme seems to fit well with the running styles of tailbacks Deshaun Foster and Deangelo Williams. If the Panthers start running the ball more efficiently, watch out for them to make a deep run.

15. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are a dangerous team. They have the fastest tight end in the league in Vernon Davis, acquired a great wideout in Darrell Jackson, and have a solid running back in Frank Gore. I think Alex Smith is a good fit in San Francisco and will have a great year. And watch out for linebacker Patrick Willis to be the defensive rookie of the year.

16. New York Giants
A lot of people have been down on the Giants but I think they could have a good year. I really think Eli is going to progress well this year and he certainly has a lot of weapons on offense to work with in Plaxico, Steve Smith, Shockey, and Brandon Jacobs.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars
I would have had the Jags higher if Coach Jack Del Rio hadn’t thrown Byron Leftwich under the bus. I think Leftwich is a solid quarterback and he now has a great weapon in Maurice Jones-Drew at running back. The Jags always have a formidable defense but the big question for me is whether or not their wide receivers will step up and play like the players they were drafted to be.

18. New York Jets
This might be a little low for the Jets but I think that a large part of last year’s success can be attributable to having the easiest schedule in the league. They will be better than last year but won’t have nearly as good of a record (first two games for the Jets this season are against New England and Baltimore).

19. Arizona Cardinals
Matt Leinart in year two with Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin surrounding him. The re-structured Arizona offensive line will play a key role in determining how well this team will do.

20. Washington Redskins
The Redskins are a total enigma to me since their success is dependent on the development of Jason Campbell. The Redskins will obviously have one of the league’s best running back duos in Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. With the addition of London Fletcher-Baker and Fred Smoot on defense, the Redskins might be able to make a run at the NFC East Title.

21. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a tremendous amount of talent on defense with Zack Thomas, Jason Taylor, and Joey Porter. But based on this weekend’s preseason game, Trent Green looks washed up. When Trent Green was in Kansas City he was able to take his time since his offensive line was perennially one of the best in the league. He doesn’t have that luxury in Miami and his ability to make good decisions and get rid of the ball quickly will ultimately decide the fate of this team. A second place finish in the AFC East is not inconceivable.

22. Kansas City Chiefs
After watching a Chiefs preseason game the other night I came away unimpressed with both Croyle and Huard at quarterback. I think losses on the offensive line will diminish the effectiveness of the running game as well. But if Dwayne Bowe, wide receiver out of LSU, can step up and contribute immediately, the Chiefs might be able to make some noise in the AFC West.

23. Detroit Lions
The Lions will have a dynamic offense next season with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson lining up as the team’s two starting wide receivers. The team also has depth at running back with Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones. If Mike Martz puts together another high-octane offense, the Lions could be a force to be reckoned with.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are going to have a hard time defending the run with the addition of two undersized starters in defensive end Gaines Adams and linebacker Cato June (although they will excel in pass coverage). I think that on the whole, the defense will have a good year but the two big questions I have are 1) whether the re-tooled offensive line will be able to give Garcia enough time and 2) whether the Bucs have enough talent and depth at the skill positions. Cadillac Williams has proven not to be especially durable and the Bucs don’t have a reliable wideout behind Joey Galloway. It could be a long year for the Bucs.

25. Green Bay Packers
Although the Packers looked great winning the last four games last season to finish at 8-8, losing Ahman Green to free agency is a big blow to the Packers running game.

26. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have done a terrible job surrounding Vince Young with talent. He doesn’t have any quality wide receivers or running backs and won’t be able to do it all (although he will try). And Vince Young pretty much sealed his fate by being on the cover of Madden 08.

27. Buffalo Bills
Although Buffalo had a great draft, they lost too many great players in the off-season (Willis McGhee, Nate Clements, London Fletcher, and Takeo Spikes) to make the playoffs next year. However, you can expect J.P. Losman and Lee Evans to have good year.

28. Houston Texans
The Texans made some solid acquisitions this off-season with the addition of Matt Schaub and Ahman Green. Unfortunately, these players can’t make up for that terrible offensive line. In theory, a big three of Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Ahman Green sounds devastating, but the offensive line is going to ruin the season yet again.

29. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are set to have a great running game with Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson running behind one of the best offensive lines (especially the left side) in football. I just don’t have any faith in Tavaris Jackson calling the shots at quarterback.

30. Atlanta Falcons
What if Joey Harrington shocks the world and has a great year? I’m starting to think it could happen. But I’ve learned that when in doubt, bet against Harrington.

31. Cleveland Browns
This will be a transition year as Brady Quinn takes over the signal calling duties within the first few games. Look out for the Browns in the next few years.

32. Oakland Raiders
Daunte Culpepper looks terrible and Jamarcus Russell is holding out. That makes Josh McCown your starting quarterback. It’s going to be another long season for the Raiders in the AFC West.