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Week One Power Rankings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers- (last season: 12-4, Super Bowl Champs)

Second Super Bowl championship in the last four years, and the defense is still stacked. They were able to win it all in spite of their offense line, but how long can that last?

2. New England Patriots- (last season: 11-5, missed playoffs)

How does a team that did not even make the playoffs last season start the 2009 season as the #2 team? When that team loses their star quarterback on the first series of the 2008 season, the backup steps in and (start for the first time since high school) still win 11 games.

3. Philadelphia Eagles- (last season: 9-6-1)

The enigma that is the Eagles. This team is talented enough on offense and defense to win it all this season.

4. Arizona Cardinals- (last season: 9-7)

This may be a little high for a team that only won their division last season because someone had to. But making it to the Super Bowl is no small feat, and with Warner back at quarterback, the Cardinals will reside here (for now).

5. Indianapolis Colts- (last season: 12-4, lost wild card round)

Enough with the Colts having a new head coach, new defensive coordinator and new starting wide receiver. When they have a new quarterback, then I'll worry.

6. Carolina Panthers- (last season: 12-4, lost divisional round)

Speaking of starting quarterbacks...as long as they rely on their running game and defense, they should be fine.

7. Atlanta Falcons- (last season: 11-5, lost wild card round)

They found their quarterback much quicker than expected and added another playmaker on offense to keep him from slumping. If the defense is rebuilt as quickly, this team could be dominant.

8. New Orleans Saints- (last season: 8-8, missed playoffs)

This is the year the Saints, in particularly Sean Payton, proves this team wasn't a one-hit wonder in 2006.

9. Chicago Bears- (last season: 9-7, missed playoffs)

The Bears barely missed the playoffs without a franchise-type quarterback. Convential wisdom would suggest that adding a Jay Culter should put them over the top.

10. San Diego Chargers- (last season: 8-8, lost divisional round)

They are still among the AFC elite, especially if Tomlinson proves that last season's performance, which would have been considered respectable for most other running backs, was a fluke.

11. New York Giants- (last season: 12-4, lost divisional round)

They are up here due to their immense talent on the defensive side of the ball, particular in the front seven. But they may not stay here for long.

12. Houston Texans- (last season: 8-8, missed playoffs)

I put them here based on their talent and potential on both sides of the ball. If they can put it all together, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

13. Dallas Cowboys- (last season: 9-7, missed playoffs)

Sorry Cowboy fans, but they are not even paper champions anymore.

14. Miami Dolphins- (last season: 11-5, lost wild card round)

Despite their success last season, this is the highest I can honestly put an NFL team that relies on collegiate plays on offense. If this was the NCAA top 25, it may be a different story....

15. Minnesota Vikings- (last season: 10-6, lost wild card round)

To be honest, I was prepared to drop them further after the Brett Favre signing due to the obvious desperation ploy.

16. Baltimore Ravens- (last season: 11-5, lost conference round)

This team was impressive last season, but it is difficult to repeat unexpected success in consecutive seasons.

17. Green Bay Packers- (last season: 6-10, missed playoffs)

Respect for Rodgers' passing skills should help the pedestrian running game, but such a drastic change in defensive philosophy is naturally a cause for skepticism.

18. Cincinnati Bengals- (last season: 4-11-1, missed playoffs)

Don't laugh...seriously, don't laugh. I have a good feeling about this team. The talent is there, for the most part. And their schedule (outside of their division) isn't exactly brutal. This team will surprise, one way or another.

19. Tennessee Titans- (last season: 13-3, lost divisional round)

Losing Haynesworth will expose their secondary, especially being in the same division as the Colts and Texans.

20. San Francisco 49ers- (last season: 7-9, missed playoffs)

Not sure if end of season momentum means anything for an average roster with an intense Hall-of-Fame player-turned head coach, but we will soon find out.

21. Washington Redskins- (last season: 8-8, missed playoffs)

Too much talent on this roster to rank them any lower. Not enough chemistry on this team to rank them any higher.

22. Oakland Raiders- (last season: 5-11, missed playoffs)

Another team most will question about being ranked ???too high', but this team as its share of talent. If they fight as hard as their coaches, they could surprise.

23. Seattle Seahawks- (last season: 4-12, missed playoffs)

It is hard to gauge this team. There were a lot of injuries last season, which meant a lot of backups received playing team. The problem with injured starters is you never know what you'll get when they come back.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- (last season: 5-11, missed playoffs)

Garrard should bounce back, and the running game should improve. In the AFC South, neither will matter.

25. New York Jets- (last season: 9-7, missed playoffs)

Even when facing adversity in the preseason game against the Ravens, Sanchez was able to bounce back. The regular season is a whole different monster, though.

26. Buffalo Bills- (last season: 7-9, missed playoffs)

After watch their offense this preseason, maybe I'm ranking them too high.

27. Denver Broncos- (last season: 8-8, missed playoffs)

Too much drama this off-season for a team in transition.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- (last season: 2-14, missed playoffs)

This team is in a panic over Matt Cassel's injury??? That's one of many reasons they will remain down here.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- (last season: 9-7, missed playoffs)

Scoring may be hard to come by with this team.

30. St. Louis Rams- (last season: 2-14, missed playoffs)

On the road for the first two games of the season is not a good way for a rebuilding team to regain confidence.

31. Cleveland Browns- (last season: 4-12, missed playoffs)

Do you suppose on opening day the Browns will have a separate coin toss to decide who will start at quarterback?

32. Detroit Lions- (last season: 0-16, missed playoffs)

Will their 24-game regular season losing streak end with their opening day trip to New Orleans? Maybe at home against the Vikings or Redskins? Oh well, at least they can claim at least two preseason wins for now.