I know its extremely early, but this is how I feel the NFL teams stack up as of right now (I'll have 17-32 up later).
1. New England Patriots: The Pats have made all the smart moves so far this off-season. Tom Brady has tons of weapons and Super Bowl XLII is theirs to lose.
2. Indianapolis Colts: The Champs have lost Rhodes, June, and Stokley but still have Manning, Dungy, Harrison, etc. They should make a return trip to the AFC Title game.
3. San Diego Chargers: I expect a transition year for the league's most talented team under Norv Turner. Especially Philip Rivers because he's losing his OC in Cam Cameron.
4. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens still have the league's top defensive unit and Steve McNair is a winner. The addition of Willis McGahee really makes the Ravens dangerous to the other top teams in the NFL.
5. New Orleans Saints: Finally, a NFC team! The Saints should have a very good running game, but their a litte thin at reciever. Still, Drew Brees can guide the Saints to a NFC Championship.
6. Chicago Bears: The Bears D is right up there with Baltimore's, but the uncertainty of the Lance Briggs situation will probably keep the Bears out of the Super Bowl. Oh, yeah, they have Sexy Rexy, too!
7. New York Jets: The Jets some how, some way made the playoffs a year ago. The addition of Thomas Jones and Mangini's improving defense should keep them in the postseason if Pennington stays healthy.
8. Denver Broncos: Denver will go as far as Jay Cutler can take them. The defense is great and the rest of the offense is good. If he can avoid mistakes, Denver is postseason bound.
9. Cincinnatii Bengals: The Bengals offense is second to none, but the defense is one of the league's worst units. If they can improve there, this team has a shot at the wild card.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Much like Denver, the 'Boys will go as far as their young QB can take them. If Romo can play consistently good, then Dallas may replace Chicago as the NFC's second best teamm.
11. St. Louis Rams: The Greatest Show on Turf is back with Bulger, Jackson, Holt, Bruce, Bennett, and McMicheal. They should win the NFC West this season.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville has to sort out their QB problems before they can be considered threats in the AFC. The D and running game is awesome, though.
13. San Francisco 49ers: San Fran needs to find some wide reciever help. Other than that, Frank Gore is a legit MVP candidate and I think Willis will be Defensive Rookie of the Year.
14. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers should bounce back after a rough 2006. Steve Smith is one of the league's best recievers and the defense is as good as its ever been.
15. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle will be wild card contenders, but the West is improving while they seem to be staying the same...if not getting worse. Holmgren and Alexander may still have one more run left in them.
16. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles will be fine if McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy. The recievers aren't as good as they were last season, but McNabb will still keep Philly in playoff contention.
Kim Cloutier
Kayla Oberg
Sled Hockey
Heisman Moments: Closest Finishes
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The Saints are definitely not thin at wide receiver. Let me name just a few: Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Jamal Jones, Terrance Copper, Reggie Bush, and just about anybody else that Payton wants to put in at WR.
Big Ben68
Total Comments (20639)
I dont see how the saints are below the ravens. And McNairs a winner, did he win the super bowl last year?
Preisfree
Wilmington, DE
Total Comments (163)
I love the baltimore D, but losing Thomas has gotta hurt.
Tracy00214-Is back!
Total Comments (32396)
No way that the Chargers weigh in at #3, even with how talented they are. Norv Turner is a classic underachiever as a head coach...great coordinator, very poor head coach. The Chargers have too much in transition this season to even make it past the Wild Card game.
Newt
Orem , UT
Total Comments (43)
I think you have the Rams and 49ers rated too high. I know everyone loved the 9ers off-season, but I think they're going to disappoint everyone by staying below average. The Rams just haven't been good since Warner and Faulk's heyday. They've got decent skill players this year, but O-Line and Defense will sink their ship again.
And I think the Panthers are going to be a threat to win the NFC this season, and I'd have them ranked up with Dallas, and at least above those other two. They're solid all over, and I think David Carr will step in early in the season and revive his career.
MNfan09
Total Comments (190)
The possible loss of Briggs lands the Bears at #6 AND out of the Super Bowl? Come on, you could put almost anybody next to Urlacher and they're going to rack up Lance Brigg's numbers.
Plus this is going to be Rex's season...no for real this time.
And sorry, the Pats are going to smoke everybody.
paulfrancisj
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (29)
Huge bears fan here, but don't hold your breath for Rex to have a spectacular season. All I want is for him to cut down his turnovers from 30+ a season to 16. Thats all i want from him.
PDS
Carpentersville , IL
Total Comments (94)
If you really think that St Louis and the niners are better than the Seahawks, you need to stop writing about sports. It is awful how the rest of the country sees the Seahawks. They've improved there team with Kerney, Grant, Russell, and the draft was good considering they picked up Deion Branch for their first round pick plus another corner and another 300lb DT. Jets top 10 you must be a Jets fan, Mangini is doing well but they're certainly not the 7th ranked team in the league. Your Top 5 are good, the rest is off.
Hawk51
Kirkland , WA
Total Comments (7)
Please. To not have the Pittsburgh Steelers in your top 16 invalidates your whole list. Oh well, you can always go back to the drawing board and consider the Ravens cant count on squeaking out games all year against teams like the Browns, the Bengals are an organizational train wreck, and the Jaguars are a headless snake. Pitt will hang with NE and Indy and SD all year, but our lack of a 2006 Steeler defense that took us to the Bowl will most likely get us one and done in the playoffs. Still, we are a top ten team. 8-8 record last year included bizarro losses to teams like the Raiders, Falcons and unexplainable shutout at Jax 9-0 and last minute losses to Chargers and Bengals at home. Easily could have been 12-4. Dont expect Big Ben and Willy Parker and Hines Ward and Co. on offense to stumble along like last year as they are over the loss of the Bettis lockerroom leadership void, and our new coach is out to impress with an impact similiar to what Payton did w/Saints last year.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Yo Big Ben you also forgot Devery Henderson who is a beast.
Majpain
Anniston, AL
Total Comments (281)
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