1

Steelers

  15-4†

  The defending champions possess the league’s top defense. Roethlisberger has a knack for escaping the rush at key moments in big games. Mike Tomlin is the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl.

2

Patriots

  11-5  

  Brady is back. Their defensive line is stacked. Their secondary appears improved. They return a top notch offensive line. And they may have found another Wes Welker in 7th round pick Julian Edelman.

3

Eagles

11-7-1†

The Eagles came so close last season. They beat most of the major players during the regular season including both Super Bowl teams, plus they won two games at Giants Stadium. Now they add Maclin and McCoy to the mix.

4

Giants

  12-5†  

The Giants were number one in the rankings heading into last postseason when they got bumped by division rival Philadelphia. Questions at receiver, but not much else stands in their way. Sack machine Umenyiora returns after missing last season.

5

Colts

  12-5†  

  Dungy retired. But the Colts return a solid team. Last season with a record of (12-4) the Colts had to play a road playoff game at the (8-8) Chargers. This season the Colts add Donald Brown at running back. And they attempted to beef up the interior of their defensive line.

6

Panthers

  12-5†  

  The Panthers had a terrific regular season last year, but a disastrous postseason. They are solid up and down, and can contend with the best of them.

7

Ravens

  13-6†

  The Ravens couldn’t get past the Steelers last season, though they almost beat them in 2 of their 3 meetings. The loss of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is huge. But the defense is stacked. And their running game is tremendous.

8

Titans

13-4†

The Titans could have easily won it all last season. It’ll be harder to get as close this season without Albert Haynesworth plugging the middle.

9

Vikings

10-7†

  A phenomenal rushing offense & defense says it all… The Vikings add WR Harvin to the mix. It’s hard to imagine Sage not succeeding with this offense… But this just in; they signed Favre… Doesn’t anybody remember how much trouble he had playing in domes throughout his career?

10

Chargers

9-9†

LT’s toe is healed and Sproles gives teams fits. Merriman returns. Add Larry English to the mix. Rivers leads a phenomenal passing attack. Can Norv make it happen?

11

Cardinals

12-8†

  What a playoff run (3-1) the Cards (otherwise 9-7) had last season. Not to be forgotten– they scored just 1 point more than they allowed during the regular season. Their defense needs to improve– or their running game has to get better and burn more clock to keep their defense off the field.

12

Falcons

11-6†

  Tony Gonzalez completes the Falcons’ offense. But is their defense complete?

13

Redskins

  8-8

Adding Haynesworth to this defense could make the unit as good as last year’s Titans. Can you say, “playoffs”?

14

Bears

9-7

The Bears lost several games they should have won early last season. They could have been (12-4) with Orton. Now they have Cutler.

15

Bills

7-9

Buffalo’s defense could be very good this season. Their offensive line is a question mark. Hopefully T.O. doesn’t mind a short passing game. They could excel in that department.

16

Dolphins

  11-6†

  Worst to first– it was a wild ride. It would be an even wilder ride if the Dolphins were to reverse course and go first to worst. It’s possible. Their schedule is brutal and teams in the AFC East are on the up and up.

Cowboys

  9-7  

Owens is gone. How will it affect Romo? There are pluses and minuses. Miles Austin looks to step in. Dallas certainly has the tools to run the ball more. But division rival Washington just added run stuffer Haynesworth.

18

Saints

8-8

The Saints lost a couple of close games last season in the closing moments which ruined their record and playoff hopes. If their defense ever comes around, look out.

19

Packers

6-10

  Fireworks on offense with Jennings and Rodgers… If nose tackle B.J. Raji and the new 3-4 can prevent the Pack from giving up 380 points like last season, they might have something.

20

Jets

9-7

The Jets have an underrated offensive line that can win games. Defensive guru Rex Ryan is their new head coach. Add linebacker Bart Scott to the mix, and of course, Mark Sanchez at quarterback… Fans hope David Clowney can produce in the regular season the way he does in preseason.

21

Texans

8-8

  Johnson, Slaton, Schaub and crew sport a great offense. But the Texans allowed more points than they scored last season… Welcome rookie defenders Cushing and Barwin.

22

Seahawks

  4-12  

  Hasselbeck’s back is good. Left tackle Walter Jones and defensive end Patrick Kerney are back. Add Housh to the mix and a new zone blocking scheme to play to Julius Jones’ strengths.

23

49ers

7-9

Even if the 49ers aren’t your team, you’re probably very curious to see how this squad performs under a full season with Mike Singletary as head coach.

Jaguars

  5-11

  The Jaguars are healthy and deep at offensive line, whereas last season the collapse of this unit played a major roll in destroying the Jags’ season. Tory Holt seeks a new beginning. But this defense isn’t what it used to be before they let Marcus Stroud shuffle off to Buffalo.

25

Bengals

4-11-1

Palmer is back but Housh is gone. Team defense must continue to improve.

Buccaneers

9-7

  Tampa virtually had a playoff spot in the bag last season before losing their final 4 games– as their defense collapsed… Gruden is out. Garcia, Galloway, and Brooks are gone… Morris is in, along with Derrick Ward, Kellen Winslow, Byron Leftwich, and Josh Freeman. The offensive line carried this team last season. But now they are going with a new system.

27

Raiders

5-11

  We don’t see JaMarcus Russell giving the Raiders the best chance to win. Jeff Garcia is the better quarterback for this team. (In last year’s preseason rankings we made the same comment about Warner and Leinart– and the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl)… You don’t suppose it could happen again?

28

Broncos

  8-8  

  Do you know any Bronco fans who’d like to call a “do-over” on the entire Broncos’ off-season, beginning with the firing of Mike Shanahan? Well, it’s time to get on with the show. Denver returns a very good offensive line, and has plenty of weapons on offense despite the downgrade at QB. However, the first two rows of their defense leave a lot to be desired.

29

Browns

4-12

  Eric Mangini is in… Job #1; figure out who the quarterback will be. Job #2; figure out how to make Braylon Edwards produce again.

Chiefs

2-14

  Scott Pioli, Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel… They’re almost the Patriots already… They just have to climb 28 more spots.

31

Rams

2-14

  Holt and Pace are gone marking the end of an era. BTW, the Rams gave up twice as many points as they scored last year. Even Detroit can’t say that.

32

Lions

0-16

  Encore anyone? I don’t think so. Detroit’s defense improved during the off-season… Especially at linebacker with the addition of Julian Peterson. But their first 6 games are nasty, which might make people nervous… They should probably be ranked ahead of the Rams, but coming off (0-16) I just can’t.