Week 1 is, by far, the most scrutinized week when it comes to doing power rankings. That’s because every Ram, Brown and Bill fan still has a glimmer of hope that their team will compete this year.
Here’s my first crack at doing a power ranking of all 32 teams in the NFL. Criticize all you want – I just have one rule: If you’re going to criticize, tell me which team you would have higher or lower. Don’t be the tool that leaves a hit and run comment without sharing his opinion or else you will be mocked…relentlessly.
2010 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings:
1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts remain the team to beat in the AFC, although keep an eye on the interior of their defensive line because it could be an issue all season.
2. Green Bay Packers
This is honestly the most complete team in football to me right now besides the Colts. Remember, nobody on their offensive line has gotten hurt yet.
3. Baltimore Ravens
I may be a little higher on the Ravens’ expectations than most and I do admit that their secondary scares me. But I think Joe Flacco turns heads in his third year, especially now that he has a true No. 1 in Anquan Boldin.
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are loaded with talent, but let’s see whether or not Doug Free can protect Tony Romo’s blindside on a weekly basis.
5. New Orleans Saints
I know, I know – it’s almost unjust to rank the defending Super Bowl champions any lower than second. But while the Saints’ O is going to be explosive again this year, it’s their D that concerns me (especially the run defense). It’s also extremely difficult to repeat when you have a target on your back.
6. New England Patriots
This team has zero pass rush, but I have that feeling in the pit of my stomach that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are on a mission again. And the last time they were on a mission, they went 17-0 and while I can’t prove it, they also burned down a small village that got in their way.
7. New York Jets
I can’t decide what to do about the Jets. Their defense says they should be ranked higher, but Mark Sanchez says they should be ranked lower. (He didn’t literally say that of course – why would he say something like that?)
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Kevin Kolb question mark aside, this team is deep at nearly every position and doesn’t have many weaknesses. Although, can Shady McCoy produce in an expanded role? Hmm…
9. Minnesota Vikings
I’ll be honest: I don’t like the Vikings this year. Their secondary is weak and I think Brett Favre will be battling that bum ankle all year. That said, this is still a highly talented team and I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave the Saints everything they could handle on Thursday night.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Don’t fall asleep on the Bengals this year – they have a solid running game, more weapons in the passing game and one of the best young cornerback duos in the league.
11. Atlanta Falcons
I thought about moving the Falcons into the top 10 (with the Bengals moving down a slot) because I love this team’s potential. But Matt Ryan didn’t have a very good preseason and he’s the key (along with the secondary) to whether or not this team is a playoff participant or a Super Bowl contender.
12. New York Giants
I want to buy into the fact that since the Giants replaced Bill Sheridan with Perry Fewell that all of their defensive problems will just go away. But I’m going to let the G-Men prove it to me before I rank them any higher.
13. San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers, Ryan Mathews and the rest of the skill position players on offense are the only reason I have this team ranked as high as I do. The defense could be a mess this year and the Bolts are fortunate to play in such a crap division.
14. Miami Dolphins
Time to see if all the offseason moves (Karlos Dansby, Brandon Marshall, Mike Nolan) will pay off. I think they will and we’ll be seeing the Fish contending for a playoff spot this year.
15. Houston Texans
The secondary is still a massive question mark, but this team has the core to compete for a playoff spot. They just need to execute now.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Some in Pittsburgh don’t like the decision to start Dennis Dixon, but I do. Charlie Batch would have been the safe choice and that’s not how Mike Tomlin has run his team so far. He has a Super Bowl ring – I trust his decision-making.
17. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have to take advantage of the garbage that they play with in the NFC West. This isn’t a very complete football team, with question marks at quarterback and along the offensive line. But they’re still the team to beat in their division and now Mike Singletary has to find a way for this team to overachieve in some areas in order for the Niners to reach the postseason.
18. Tennessee Titans
I want to move the Titans up but their defense scares me. I worry about the secondary holding up and Vince Young is still a question mark offensively; I don’t care how good he looked last year. That said, I have a feeling this team will be moving up these rankings in a couple of weeks.
19. Chicago Bears
It seems like everyone is high on the Bears this year after the additions of Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Mike Martz. But the fact remains that the offensive line is still a liability and so is the secondary. I’m sure Chicago fans will find a way to spin what I just wrote (i.e. Jay Culter will get the ball out of his hands quickly in Martz’s system and therefore the O-line won’t be as bad as people think….Chicago sports fan spin magic at its best), but this team still has a lot to prove.
20. Carolina Panthers
I saw that Peter King had the Panthers making the playoffs and since I highly respect Peter King, he made me think that I had Carolina rated too low. Then I thought about John Fox, the youth on defense and Matt Moore and realized I had the Panthers in the right spot…Peter King be damned.
21. Washington Redskins
This is one of the more intriguing teams in the NFL because of the additions of Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb. But the Skins can’t seem to stave off controversy and they have issues at running back, receiver and along the O-line. I think McNabb will be running for his life most Sundays.
22. Arizona Cardinals
If Derek Anderson produces then the Cards are going to surprise people. But the bigger area of concern might be the offensive line, which is coming off a brutal preseason.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
This team lacks playmakers on both sides of the ball, yet it’s still good enough to be competitive every week. Jack Del Rio better be ready to coach his ass off, because he’s going to be on the hot seat all year.
24. Denver Broncos
Losing Elvis Dumervil was a crushing blow. Pass rush and the lack of playmakers on offense will be a problem all year for this team.
25. Oakland Raiders
I loved what the Raiders did this offseason, although they’re still a year or two away from competing. Jason Campbell will bring some consistency to the offense, but he’s going to be reminded of his days in Washington thanks to Oakland’s O-line.
26. Seattle Seahawks
I’ve said it all offseason and I’ll say it again – this is a mystery team. They can probably compete most Sundays, but the offensive line and lack of playmakers at the receiver position will hurt Pete Carroll’s squad.
27. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s now or never for Matt Cassel in Kansas City. He’s coming off a poor 2009 campaign and a lackluster preseason, so he and new OC Charlie Weis better figure it out quickly before things go downhill in a hurry.
28. Cleveland Browns
I’m tempted to move the Browns up higher than this because of their young defense, but Jake Delhomme won’t allow that. He may have looked good in preseason and he may come out in the first couple of weeks and play well, but at some point the wheels will come off. I guarantee it.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The young defense is going to give opponents fits this year, but they’re going to be left on the field a long time unless Josh Freeman can make strides as a passer.
30. Detroit Lions
The Lions have the makings of a good young core, but they need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Still, I love what Martin Mayhew has done in his two years since replacing the worst general manager in NFL history.
31. Buffalo Bills
I don’t get what some people see in this team, but I’m intrigued to see if the Bills can prove me wrong. If they stay healthy, I like the defense but the offensive line is still inexperienced and Trent Edwards needs to start playing with confidence or else it’s going to be a long year in Buffalo.
32. St. Louis Rams
Good luck, Sam Bradford.
