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18 Jul 2009 |
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Tweet me!THESE RANKINGS ARE OLD - CHECK OUT OUR WEEK 1 POWER RANKINGS HERE --
2. New England Patriots (11-5) – The Patriots, who are one year removed from a 16-0 regular season that saw them finish within three points of a perfect season, did quite well to go 11-5 without their quarterback and 2007 MVP Tom Brady last season. If Brady comes back at anything close to full strength, and the six draft picks from the second and third round can contribute this year; the Patriots will have an excellent chance to be the best team in the AFC.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) – These are probably the highest expectations the Eagles have had since they entered the 2004 season when they acquired free agent receiver Terrell Owens. This could be the year for head coach Andy Reid and QB Donovan McNabb to finally win that elusive Super Bowl. They added WR Jeremy Maclin and RB LeSean McCoy in the draft, and veteran free agents OTs Jason Peters and Stacey Andrews to the offensive line. The defense is still very strong, and if RB Brian Westbrook and McNabb can stay healthy on offense, this team is in prime position to make another deep postseason run. 4. New York Giants (12-4) – The Giants used free agency to add DT Rocky Bernard, DE Chris Canty and LB Michael Boley to their already talented defense that ranked fifth in points allowed last season. The Giants are a wide receiver away from being the clear cut favorite in the NFC, evidenced by the struggles that QB Eli Manning and the offense had in December without WR Plaxico Burress. If first-round pick Hakeem Nicks can have a breakout rookie season, the Giants could easily be playing February football. 5. Carolina Panthers (12-4) – The Panthers had a dominant ground game in 2008 rushing for 2,437 yards and a league-high 30 touchdowns. They managed to keep DE Julius Peppers on the team in 2009 with the franchise tag. The biggest question is whether QB Jake Delhomme at 34-years old still has the talent to take this team on a deep playoff run. He has not put up the numbers he did from 2003-2005, when the Panthers were one of the best teams in the NFL. His poor play against Arizona was a major reason why the Panthers did not win a playoff game in 2008. Delhomme does not have to be great with that explosive running game they have, but he must play more consistently in 2009 if the Panthers want to win the very tough NFC South and advance deep in the playoffs. 6. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) – One of the most surprising 2008 teams in the NFL, Atlanta has a great young core on an impressive offense with QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White. That offense became more dangerous this offseason with the trade for TE Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City. If their defense can improve from 2008, the Falcons have the talent to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. 7. Tennessee Titans (13-3) – They have a great running game with Chris Johnson and LenDale White leading the charge, and QB Kerry Collins gives them veteran leadership at quarterback. They are still light at wide receiver and they no longer have one of the best defensive tackles in football, as Albert Haynesworth left in free agency for the Redskins. The Titans figure to be very good in 2009, but are probably a team that overachieved in 2008 that will have a hard time repeating that success with their best player from 2008 now elsewhere. 8. San Diego Chargers (8-8) – The Chargers will benefit from having Shawne Merriman back from knee surgery on defense, and LaDainian Tomlinson is hoping to rebound from a sub par season at running back. QB Philip Rivers is entering the prime of his career and the passing offense is among the most dangerous in the NFL. The pieces are there, but Norv Turner has to figure out how to put it all together. This team has underachieved in the regular season the last two years, which is one reason I do not have them higher in the rankings. 9. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – They had some losses on defense with defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, LB Bart Scott, SS Jim Leonhard and DE Marques Douglas all bolting for the Jets. They also lost WR Derrick Mason to retirement, although there is speculation about whether the Ravens front office can talk Mason out of it. The heart of the defensive front seven (MLB Ray Lewis, OLB Terrell Suggs and DL Haloti Ngata) remains intact, and QB Joe Flacco should progress in his sophomore season. Baltimore is still a dangerous team that lost some firepower in free agency. 10. Arizona Cardinals (9-7) – Even though they represented the NFC in the Super Bowl, they were still a 9-7 team in the regular season. They have a great offense with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin leading the receiving core. QB Kurt Warner had a fantastic year, but is turning 38-years old. The big questions are whether Tim Hightower and rookie Chris “Beanie” Wells can give them stability at running back, and whether the defense can play at the same level it showed in the playoffs that it had not displayed in the regular season. They will be a dangerous team in 2009, but probably not one of the elite squads. 11. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - There are a lot of question marks for one of the most stable franchises in the NFL. Coach Tony Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore, and offensive line coach Howard Mudd all retired (Moore and Mudd will be special consultants in 2009). WR Marvin Harrison is no longer a Colt for the first time in QB Peyton Manning’s career, although Manning won the MVP award with Harrison being average last season. This is a team that has underachieved in the playoffs the last two years, going 0-2 against the Chargers. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but some of the core players are turning 30, and there are a lot of changes with the coaching staff. 12. Dallas Cowboys (9-7) – If it were solely based on talent, the Cowboys would be in the top five. The question for them is whether the ridding of WR Terrell Owens and DB Adam "PacMan" Jones will improve chemistry and team spirit. The Cowboys are still loaded on offense with QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber and TE Jason Witten; all are among the best in the NFL at their positions. They also have one of the best pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware, who helped the Cowboys lead the NFL in sacks with 59 last year. The key is going to be whether the secondary is improved, and whether Roy Williams can fill the void left by Owens at the top receiver spot. 13. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) – While the popular story is whether QB Brett Favre will sign with the team, the bigger question is whether DTs Kevin and Pat Williams will be forced to sit out the first four games of the 2009 season. That is the main reason they are this low in the rankings; if they do sit out those four games, one of the strongest run defenses in the NFL just becomes easier to run against. The pressure will be even greater on star RB Adrian Peterson and the offense to carry the load. If the Favre from 2007 and the first 11 games of 2008 eventually signs, the Vikings are a possible Super Bowl contender. If the Favre from the last five games of 2008 shows up, the Vikings are going to have a major quarterback mess that could cripple the team’s playoff chances. 14. Miami Dolphins (11-5) – The Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5 in one season, thanks to the fewest turnovers in the NFL and a schedule that featured the AFC West and NFC West, easily the two worst divisions in football. The Dolphins draw the toughest schedule in the NFL this year, which should reduce their win totals slightly. This team still has a lot of talent on defense, and if RB Ronnie Brown can play more consistently, QB Chad Pennington will be in a much better position to have another big year.  15. Chicago Bears (9-7) – The good news for the Bears is that they finally added a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler, but the bad news is that they do not have an established receiving core for him. Matt Forte is going to be heavily involved in the offense both as a running back and as a receiver out of the backfield. If the defense can return to its 2005 and 2006 levels, the Bears will contend with the Vikings for the NFC North title for a second year in a row.16. New Orleans Saints (8-8) – If it were just about throwing the ball, the Saints would have the best team in the NFL. Drew Brees was the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards since 1984 and missed Dan Marino’s league record by just 16 passing yards. The running game has some promise with Pierre Thomas appearing to be the starting back, and Reggie Bush still a dangerous weapon in the passing game. The Saints used free agency and the draft to address the defense and, if they can improve on that side of the ball, they should be poised for their first playoff run since 2006. 17. Houston Texans (8-8) – The Texans have not had a lot to be excited about in recent years, but with the emergence of RB Steve Slaton, they have a nice offensive trio with WR Andre Johnson and QB Matt Schaub. Mario Williams is becoming a top defensive end, but does not have a lot of help. The Texans have been trying to improve on that side of the ball for the last three seasons, and if they can stay healthy and avoid some of the mistakes that cost them in close games last year, Houston could be a surprise team in the tough AFC South. 18. Washington Redskins (8-8) – In the first half of the 2008 season they went 6-2 behind a strong start by RB Clinton Portis. In the last eight games, they went 2-6 and were among the worst offenses in the NFL. They added a big defensive piece in DT Albert Haynesworth, who should increase sacks and turnovers, which ranked near the bottom in the NFL. The pressure is on QB Jason Campbell to step up this season and show he was worth the first-round pick the Redskins invested in him. If he struggles to make plays, the Redskins will have a hard time competing in the brutal NFC East. 19. New York Jets (9-7) – The Jets spent a lot of money upgrading a defense that was pretty good in 2008. MLB Bart Scott and CB Lito Sheppard should really help shore up a defense that was dominant against the run, but terrible against the pass. The “retirement” of Brett Favre clears the way for first-round pick Mark Sanchez or Kellen Clemens to take over as the starting quarterback, and the loss of Laveranues Coles leaves the receiving core very thin. The pressure is going to be on the run offense, led by Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene to give the defense the support it needs to survive in a very tough AFC East. 20. Green Bay Packers (6-10) – The Packers have a promising young offense led by QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Greg Jennings. The Packers were the only team to have a 4,000-yard passer, 1,200-yard rusher, and two 1,000-yard receivers in 2008. The real key is whether the 3-4 defense the Packers are implementing can take the defense back up toward its 2007 ranks, when the team went 13-3. That will help the offense do better in fourth quarter situations and could turn some of those close losses from 2008 into victories. 21. Buffalo Bills (7-9) – Bringing in WR Terrell Owens was a big move to help bolster a sluggish offense. If he can fit in with this team and return to his 2007 form, the Bills have the potential to score a lot of points through the air. QB Trent Edwards needs to take the next step, and they have to survive a costly three-game suspension to Pro Bowl RB Marshawn Lynch. It is a tough division and a tough schedule, so the Bills have a lot of work if they are to make the playoffs for the first time this decade. 22. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) – Once Mike Singletary took over the team last season; they went 5-4 and played a lot harder and smarter. Promising young LB Patrick Willis leads the defense, and the offense has a very productive back in Frank Gore. The big question is at quarterback. Can Shaun Hill lead this team to a winning season? Can Alex Smith live up to his first pick potential? If not, the 49ers are going to continue to struggle to move the ball through the air. Rookie WR Michael Crabtree should help whoever wins the starting job. 23. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) – The Jaguars have a prominent running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, and made rebuilding the offensive line a priority in the NFL draft. If they can get better play from their line, Jones-Drew could have a big year, and QB David Garrard could return to his 2007 form. That would really take the pressure off a defense that up until last year was one of the best in the league. The 2009 season will determine if the Jaguars had a fluke bad year in 2008, or if their window to compete in the AFC is already starting to close. 24. Denver Broncos (8-8) – One of the most dominant offenses from 2008 enters 2009 with many question marks. Jay Cutler was traded to Chicago ushering in the Kyle Orton era in Denver. Star WR Brandon Marshall is hurt and wants a trade, so Orton may not have the best weapon the Broncos had in 2008. That does not even address a defense that was among the worst in the NFL last season. The good thing is that even though the Broncos premiere at 24 in our power rankings, that is good for second in the AFC West, as many of the teams that are ranked this low are the clear cellar dwellers in their division. 25. Seattle Seahawks (4-12) – The key for them is for QB Matt Hasselbeck to stay healthy in 2009. When he is at full strength, the Seahawks have one of the best passing games in the NFL. T.J. Houshmandzadeh should be a welcome weapon to a receiving core that has underachieved in recent years, and LB Aaron Curry could have a nice impact on the defense that slipped quite a bit in 2008. If they stay healthy, they could compete in a weak NFC West. 26. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) – QB Carson Palmer’s lost 2008 season due to an elbow injury hampered an offense that scored a league-worst 204 points. If he can come back healthy, WR Chad Ochocinco can return to form, Cedric Benson can give them a running game and the defense can build on a decent season, the Bengals could surprise some people in 2009. This season’s hopes hinge on Palmer’s return to health. 27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) – The Buccaneers were a Week 17 win against Oakland away from qualifying for the playoffs, but a lot has changed since then. LB Derrick Brooks and several prominent defensive veterans are no longer with the team, Coach Jon Gruden has been replaced by Raheem Morris, and Luke McCown, Byron Leftwich and first-round pick Josh Freeman will be battling for the starting quarterback spot. It has all the makings of a rebuilding year. 28. Cleveland Browns (4-12) – New coach Eric Mangini has his work cut out for him and that starts with deciding if Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn is the best option at quarterback. WR Braylon Edwards is coming off a disappointing season, and starting RB Jamal Lewis is 30-years old this season. That does not even address the problems they have on defense. With the division they are in, they will be lucky not to finish in last place yet again. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) – QB Matt Cassel gives them excitement that the playoffs may be back in Kansas City for the first time since 2006. The draft class from 2007 was widely considered one of the best in the NFL. If the young players on defense can step up, and the offense can survive the loss of perennial Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs could compete in a pretty weak AFC West. 30. Oakland Raiders (5-11) – The Raiders are a team with some talented pieces but very little direction from ownership and the front office. They have a strong running game and a good pass defense, but cannot stop the run and were last in the NFL in passing yards in 2008. This is a big year for JaMarcus Russell, as he is entering his third year and has not proven he can be a star quarterback in the NFL. Hopefully for him, first round WR Darrius Heyward-Bey will be ready to contribute this year. 31. St Louis Rams (2-14) – The Rams are in complete rebuilding mode. Despite playing in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, they managed only two wins last season. Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson need to regain their 2006 form, and the defense has to start stopping offenses if they want to win more games in 2009. Former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was hired as coach to turn around the mess that is the Rams' defense. 32. Detroit Lions (0-16) – Until the Lions win a game, they are the worst team in the NFL. But there are hopes for Detroit with emerging star WR Calvin Johnson and promising second year RB Kevin Smith on offense. If QB Daunte Culpepper can regain his 1999-2004 NFL form, or Matthew Stafford can impress as a rookie, the Lions figure to win some games in 2009. The good news for them is that there is nowhere to go but up in 2009. It’s time FANTASY FOOTBALL FREAKS!!! FantasyPros911, the leader in World Class Customer Service, has its digital Draft Guide ready for you. For only $9.99 you’ll receive daily updates, rankings, tiers, profiles and more right up till opening kickoff.
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  written by Dean, July 30, 2009
I use power rankings every week during the NFL season and I wanted to reach out to some of the best power ranking writers. My website (www.jhbsports.com) is launching nationwide in time for the 2009 NFL season and I would love to know what you and your readers think of it. Briefly, it's a great "add-on" league for anyone who plays fantasy football but also a great game for those who have said "I love the NFL and would love to play fantasy football but never have the time." Please let me know what you think. Thanks! Dean
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1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) – The Steelers are the defending Super Bowl Champions and feature the best defense in the NFL. They did not make a huge splash in free agency, but they also did not lose any key contributors from last year’s team. Pittsburgh will be a force in the AFC, especially if the offense regains its 2007 form, when it was ninth in the NFL in scoring offense. In 2008, the Steelers ranked 20th in scoring offense and still won the Super Bowl. 
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