FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Here are my preseason NFL rankings for 2009 as of today. These rankings are based for team talent, not necessarily how each team will finish. Here it is:

1. New England Patriots- The Patriots will be back atop the NFL elite after missing the playoffs last season despite Matt Cassell's great play and an 11-5 record. With that offense pretty much still entact from that memorable 16-0 season ( and if not, its better with Fred Taylor), the Pats improved and made a younger defense that will dominate.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- The Super Bowl winning roster is still together and that means a repeat of 12-4, or better, is possible in 09. Big Ben has come a long way and is now one of the league's best, and most most conservative quarterbacks. With Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall healthy, the offense will be more balanced. The defense is what wins them games though, and its still scary.

3. Atlanta Falcons- This might surprise alot of people, but I feel the Falcons are the team to beat in the NFC. The offense will put up points behind Matt Ryan, Micheal Turner and Roddy White. The defense is shaky, but if the secondary can hold up and John Abraham puts up numbers like he did last season, the 25th ranked D from 2008 could find itself between 10th and 18th.

4. Indianapolis Colts- The loss of Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison will hurt, but not enough to stop Peyton Manning. Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez will become a great recieving duo and Dallas Clark is still great. Drafting Donald Brown was a great move because Joseph Addai has not been reliable the past two seasons. The defense is still good, led by Bob Sanders and a revitalized Dwight Freeney.

5. Green Bay Packers- Aaron Rodgers is my pick for NFC MVP and he will lead the Packers to the NFC North crown. The Packer's disaster of a 2008 season was the defense's fault 100%. The offense's NFL rank-8th, the defense- 20th. Only 4 teams scored more points than Green Bay, and Rodgers will only improve, as will Ryan Grant. BJ Rali gives the Pack a big man on the d-line as Green Bay moves to the 3-4.\

6. Philadelphia Eagles- The McNabb Era will be over in Philly if the Eagles don't make the Super Bowl. Thats enough pressure to make this team win games.

7. San Diego Chargers- A healthy LT is a great LT, but which LT will we see?

8. Baltimore Ravens- The defense lost leaders in Rex Ryan and Bart Scott, but Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed remain. Plus, they talked their offense into coming back, Derrick Mason. (Thank God he did)

9. Dallas Cowboys- Tony Romo may be a baby and a pretty boy, but he'll get your team to December. He just won't get you past there.

10. Minnesota Vikings- They didn't get Brett Favre, but the management made it pretty clear he was better than any QB on their team. Now with Jackson and Rosenfels, this team will be lucky to contend, but with that D and Adrian Peterson, it will.

11. New Orleans Saints- The offense is great, but that defense is holding this team back from going real far.

12. New York Giants- The G-Men have a tough schedule, so they will miss the playoffs, but they have a pretty good team still. The recievers are not deep or good, but the defense is.

13. Arizona Cardinals- The offense will be great again, if Boldin sticks.

14. Seattle Seahawks- Hasselback should be healthy, but if not, look for them to sign, oh, maybe a Micheal Vick.?

15. Chicago Bears- Jay Cutler and Matt Forte are great and so is the defense, but recievers would help.

16. Tennessee Titans- Earth to Tennessee, your not winning a Super Bowl with Kerry Collins!

17. Washington Redskins- Albert Haynesworth helps the defense, but the offense could use some tweaking (HELP WANTED- QB,WR,O-LINE,BACKUP RB)

18. Miami Dolphins- The Fins have a good offense to build around, but they might be a year away from contending again.

19. Buffalo Bills- The TO Show heads to Buffalo, but so do the double teams and revenue.

20. Cincinnatti Bengals- Chad Ochocinco needs to man up and realize that if he doesn't perform, the Bengals will lose more than ten games again.

21. Carolina Panthers- Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams/Jonathon Stewart is good. But beyond that, this team is nothing great.

22. San Fransisco 49ers- If the offense can generate points with Micheal Crabtree, the Niners might vie for a playoff spot.

23. Kansas City Chiefs- Matt Cassell can't be as good as he was in New England when his best threat, Dwayne Bowe, would be the No. 3 guy on the Pats.

24. Houston Texans- Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will be fun to watch, but the Texans need a defense. Watch out for Steve Slaton!

25. Jacksonville Jaguars- The Jags got Torry Holt, but I've heard alot that he is washed up. I dont think this team looks that good anyway.

26. New York Jets- The Jets need to not start Mark Sanchez right away, theres no need to rush him. Besides, Kellen Clemens looked good a few years ago.

27. Tampa Bay Bucs- No matter who plays QB, not having a deep recieving corp and an old defense will kill the Bucs.

28. Oakland Raiders- The Raiders are close to competing but they need JaMarcus Russell to step up and prove he was worth that No.1 pick.

29. St.Louis Rams- The Rams do still have Steven Jackson. But thats about it.

30. Cleveland Browns- You can't win when you don't know who your QB will be.  

31. Denver Broncos- No QB. No defense. Unhappy Stud WR. Bad coach. Bad season.

32. Detroit Lions- They wont go 0-16 again! Probably.