Steelers

 11-5

 Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl run last year was incredible. And so is Roethlisberger’s winning percentage, and their defense. The defense will have to step up big Thursday night with Big Ben out.

2

Broncos

 13-3 

 Top of the line offense, defense and coach. Denver sure didn’t miss by much in 2005.

3

Cowboys

 9-7 

Three short missed kicks from going 12-4 in 2005. If LT Flozell Adams wasn’t injured, the record could have been even better. Now they add T.O. Assuming he plays.

4

Patriots

 10-6 

 New England dramatically out yarded Denver in a divisional playoff loss on the road.

5

Colts

 14-2 

 Indianapolis finally got a defense to go with their offense and it nearly made them perfect in 2005.

6

Seahawks

 13-3 

 One word to describe Seattle, “balance”.

7

Panthers

 11-5 

 Carolina scored 132 more points than they allowed in 2005, playing in the tough NFC South.

8

Giants

 11-5 

New York scored 108 more points than they allowed in 2005, playing in the even tougher NFC East. (See above).

9

Jaguars

 12-4

 The only AFC teams to beat Jacksonville in 2005 were Indianapolis, Denver and New England (playoff loss).

10

Redskins

 10-6

Washington tied Seattle and Chicago for the best conference record in the NFC last season at 10-2… If only they could have won at least one game versus the AFC.

11

Buccaneers

11-5

 Tampa  Bay set their team up at the QB position last season. But they can’t afford upset losses like they had last season to the Jets and 49ers because this season’s schedule is pure brutality.

12

Chiefs

10-6

 Kansas City barely missed the playoffs in 2005. If Herm Edwards can get the defense playing anywhere close to the offense, look out. Fans hope for Willie Roaf to come out of retirement.

13

Bengals

11-5

Cincinnati’s offense is exciting to watch. But great defenses can help get postseason wins, even if the starting QB goes down with an injury. 

14

Bears

11-5

Chicago only surrendered 202 points in 2005. That was 45 less than the next best team. Any improvement on offense and the Bears could bounce well into the top 10.

15

Eagles

6-10

Philadelphia was 6-4 outside of the division, and 3-1 versus the AFC. Unfortunately, they’re in the toughest division in the NFL along with the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys, which resulted in six in division losses.

16

Dolphins

 9-7

 Strong finishers in 2005. Can Culpepper get them over the hump and into the playoffs?

17

Chargers

9-7

San Diego scored over 100 more points than they surrendered in 2005, yet finished at only 9-7. Now they have to endure a QB change.

18

Falcons

8-8

 Went from the NFC championship game in 2004 to 8-8 in 2005.

19

Rams

6-10

 Swept Seattle two seasons ago when Bulger was healthy. Can Bulger stay healthy for an entire season?

20

Vikings

9-7

 A very capable QB. But another year older. Adding Steve Hutchinson was music to Brad Johnson’s ears.

21

Ravens

 6-10

 6-2 at home last season, but 0-8 on the road. Steve McNair should help improve the road record.

22

Cardinals

5-11

 If Edgerrin James can be productive behind Arizona’s offensive line, things could get exciting.

23

Browns

6-10

 The most respectable defense of all the teams in the bottom ten. But the offense needs to hold up its end of the bargain.

24

Packers

4-12

 With a future hall of fame QB at the helm it can be difficult to admit some rebuilding is required.

25

Saints

3-13

Having two great running backs can only do so much for stopping opposing teams’ offenses. Especially when the schedule holds 11 games versus teams finishing 2005 above .500.

26

Bills

5-11

Math problem… Losman + Nall + Holcomb still doesn’t equal Bledsoe. For future reference when replacing a future hall of fame quarterback, be sure you have another one ready to go like the Patriots did.

27

49ers

4-12

If you’re wondering why San Francisco isn’t at the bottom, they at least beat a playoff team last season (Tampa Bay) and gave Seattle a run for their money in week 11.

28

Lions

5-11

 How about those Tigers?

29

Raiders

4-12

 Why not ranked in the 30’s? They beat a playoff team on the road in 2005 (Washington)… At least it’s a bright spot.

30

Jets

4-12

On average New York allowed 1 TD/game more than they scored in 2005. Regardless of popular opinion, rebuilding the offensive line was probably the best place to start.

31

Texans

2-14

 Houston allowed the most points in 2005. Repeat this to yourself over and over when you think back to draft day.

32

Titans

4-12

The 4 playoff appearances from 1999 – 2003 are becoming a distant memory in Tennessee for those who remember the Titans.