1. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing you will not see me do is predict injuries. I think Desean Jackson will show up this season. Mike Vick is ready to do phenomenal things aided by Shady McCoy. The addition of DeMeco Ryans is huge. The subtraction of Asante Samuel is colossal (allowing the Eagles' secondary to play more man coverage). After an offseason in which fans and media alike were calling for head coach Andy Reid's head, I expect the Eagles to be as focused as any team.
2. New England Patriots
Tom Brady is surgical so we'll just talk D. They've added two rookie first round picks (Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower) to the front seven. The secondary also really came around at season's end. If the defensive unit can get key stops, there's no reason to think they won't be right back in the Super Bowl.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The '9ers have the best defense in all of football. The rushing attack led by Frank Gore behind a brutal and malicious offensive line puts fear in other defenses. Alex Smith showed he is not afraid of the biggest stage. They've added Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins to aid their lackluster passing game. If the new pieces on offense don't disrupt the cohesiveness and/or balance, this team will be as scary as any.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Ed Reed and Ray Lewis aren't getting any younger. Terrell Suggs is expected to miss at least part of the season but this Ravens defense is still loaded with talent starting with Haloti Ngata and cornerback Ladarius Webb. Offensively, Flacco showed he's capable of winning in the playoffs but will not put the team on his back like other franchise quarterbacks. That doesn't make him the weak link, but is does put an emphasis on things such as turnovers, running game and special teams. Baltimore can win a Super Bowl this year but they need to survive their brutal division first.
5. Green Bay Packers
League MVP Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers feel quite short of their goal of winning a championship after falling in the divisional round to the New York Giants. After a hot start, Rodgers seem to cool down considerably at the end of the regular season and in the first half of their lone playoff game. Their defense never regained their 2010 form. They were gashed repeatedly last season. That will need to change to have a chance at the Lombardi Trophy this season.
6. NY Giants
So the Super Bowl champs are at #6? Well, here's why: Somebody had to be. No, seriously. The Giants are a good team who got hot at the right time. They still have offensive line and running back questions. I do like draft picks David Wilson and Rueben Randle for their offense. They made picks in the '11 draft that should benefit them this year, defensively as well. I have no doubts another miraculous playoff run is possible but when you play with fire, you eventually get burned.
7. Houston Texans
This team is hard to peg. They will almost certainly be a playoff team. But are they Super Bowl contenders?
They lost quarterback Matt Schaub and pass rusher Mario Williams for the year while still making the playoffs. They did not bring Mario Williams back (price tag was too great). They also traded MLB DeMeco Ryans away. Playing in a poor division helped them last year, and will help again this year. I don't see a Super Bowl from Houston but they are still a quality football team.
8. New Orleans Saints
With "Bounty-gate" still on-going, I expect an up and down year from the Saints. They're still the most talented team in the divison and with a top 3 quarterback, winning the South is attainable. I don't expect a team to lose its head coach and win a Super Bowl, however. A playoff berth in New Orleans is a success. Anything else is bonus.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
This is a young team. They take gambles in the draft and free agency. Lately, those investments have yielded a quick return. The offense has incredible upside behind A.J. Green and Andy Dalton. The defense is relentless at all levels. There is a real team concept that's obvious. I don't know if they have enough playmakers to win it all but they have a chance, if healthy.
10. Buffalo Bills
I think Buffalo improved more than any team in the NFL this offseason. The upgrades at defensive end (Mario Williams and Mark Anderson) can not be overstated when you notice Marcel Dareus and Kyle Williams on the inside. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore could become something special in a ball-hawking Bills' secondary. I would like to see another option at receiver emerge other than Steve Johnson. If they get protection from the offensive line and get 'Fitz-magic' some more tools, Buffalo will compete with the big boys of the AFC.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
This team competed last year. They lost their two best players, Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry, early in the season. They charged late, and ultimately fell short of the playoffs. I expect, with a healthy roster and good draft, for the Chiefs to take the wide open West.
12. Chicago Bears
Much like the Chiefs, minus two key injuries, the Bears may have found themselves postseason bound. Forte is back from injury. Cutler is back as well. With a new/old toy in Brandon Marshall, who comes over via trade from Miami. They still have a stout defense so I expect them to earn a wild card spot in the NFC.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
As much as the Tebow-haters want to call it an aberration, the Steelers' D is old and slow. Yes, they were banged up and short several starters. At some point, you have to ask "Are we better?" If the Steelers answer that honestly, they say no. And in this league, if you aren't moving forward, you might as well be moving backward. They have enough talent to make the playoffs and a QB to lead them through tough stretches but with other teams getting better, the door may not be closing. It might be closed.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Every year, the Cowboys field one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. This year is no different. Their roster is top heavy with talent. The depth isn't there in certain areas but I expect another excellent year from Romo and I think they will challenge the Bears for the final wild card spot in the East.
15. New York Jets
As the Jets miss the playoffs, they decide to improve their team with a backup quarterback who doubles as a goal line back and triples as a punt protector (if you believe the reports). Rex Ryan is a good coach who's message seems to be wearing thin on both the media and his players. I do expect Rex to return to the ground and pound attack but I don't know if the defense is what it once was. And Rex, get a pure pass rusher, please.
16. Detroit Lions
I'm a huge Megatron fan. He's the most freakish athletic player in the league. I can not reasonably expect him to put up those same ridiculous numbers again. Ndamukong Suh should be focused more but I don't think Nick Fairley will ever live up to the hype. What is clear: This ain't Matt Millen's Lions. They are building a team that isn't there yet. If things fall in place, similar to last year, they will be a playoff team again.
17. Tennessee Titans
They added Kam Wimbley to give them a pass rush. That will help their secondary. I expect Jake Locker to win the job in training camp. The receiving will begin without Kenny Britt, but still is a deep and talented group. And surely "CJ1K" won't have the dismal year he had last year.
18. Seattle Seahawks
If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. So if you have three, you have... the Seahawks. Pete Carroll has done a great job assembling talent, but this is not Southern California. These are grown men. He is in danger of losing his locker room this season if he doesn't play his cards just right. If he does, Seatttle will have a shot at the playoffs and an apology from me (not that they should need or want it).
19. Washington Redskins
Robert Griffin III will have an excellent rookie season but he's in the wrong division for it to translate to wins and losses. The 'Skins time will come. They will need to settle on a running back and fix there woes in the secondary for any shot this season.
20. Atlanta Falcons
Most think I'm crazy to have an offense with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Julio Jones this low. They'd also point out the acquisition of Asante Samuel. Until the Atlanta pass rush is boosted, they won't be contenders. I'm looking at the teams in front of them and the quarterbacks they have. A zone scheme won't slow them down unless you can get contact on the opposing QB.
21. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders had a top to bottom change like no other team. New owner, new GM, head coach. The philsophy on both sides of the ball have changed. There has been a roster purge thanks to bad contracts. Which Palmer will Oakland fans see this year? Will McFadden finally be healthy? There are so many questions, this team is nearly impossible to predict. I think Allen and company can get them on the right track but there still isn't enough talent to make the playoffs just yet.
22. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton had a marvelous season. I don't expect a sophomore slump from Cam. Too bad his defense was roasted to perfection. I'm not sure too much changes on that end. Maybe Luke Kuechly mans the middle for the Panthers and changes there fortune but I don't think it's a quick turn around.
23. Denver Broncos
A lot of people are picking the Peyton-led Broncos to win the West. I, for one, am of the belief that even if Peyton is completely healthy, he will come out guns blazing. There will be rust and continuity issues. I don't see Denver gelling soon enough to catch the Chiefs.
24. San Diego Chargers
Chargers are talented, no doubt. You have to wonder what it is that gets them off to such a slow start seemingly every year. I don't see improvement on either side of the ball. They brought in Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal but I don't think it out-weighs the losses of Vincent Jackson and Mike Tolbert. Gaither went down with a lower back injury (thought to be minor) the first day of training camp which is not a good sign.
25. Arizona Cardinals
There are various reports that Kevin Kolb will be the starter once again. There are also reports out there suggesting the majority of the team would rather John Skelton get the call. If you have two quarterbacks you have.... Ok next.
26. Miami Dolphins
Even the team's owner knows he could be in for a struggle this season. I was glad to see Reggie Bush have a quality season last year. Doubt he repeats it, however, the offensive line is upgraded via the draft, so it's not out of the question. There's a camp battle at quarterback brewing between David Garrard, Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill when he signs his deal. Not good for a new coaching staff. Also, the defense will be seeing a major change up front, moving back to a 4-3.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Was Freeman elevated to "franchise" QB prematurely? Was that just a sophomore slump? Either way, they added to big-time studs to boost him, offensively. New head coach Greg Schiano has his work cut out for him defensively. Although there's talent at all levels, there aren't many proven players and there's and incredible amount of youth. Don't look for the Bucs to be in 2010 form.
28. St. Louis Rams
St. Louis fans were probably happy to have a veteran coach in Jeff Fisher hired. They'd be happier to see Roger Saffold make it through sixteen games. If the Rams have any hopes of being a contender, they will have to keep quarterback Sam Bradford healthy. Steven Jackson will be a huge piece as well. Defensively, they filled needs in the early going of the NFL Draft. But will the rookies be ready in year one? We'll soon find out.
29. Cleveland Browns
When all else fails, blame the... quarterback? That's what the Browns did by selecting Brandon Weeden in the bottom of the first round. He won't be asked to save the franchise like most first round QBs (at least not this year). They'll leave that tall order up to Trent Richardson. He's a throwback guy who will need to be ready in the rough, though AFC North division.
30. Indianapolis Colts
Nobody is looking for the Colts to have any huge success. With the jettison of future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, Indy just wants to remain relevant while the heir apparent, Andrew Luck, gets his feet wet. They'll look to strike in the next couple of years. New head coach Chuck Pagano's switch to a 3-4 and how pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis take to it, is something to keep an eye on as well.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
If I said Jacksonville had one good player, I'd have a valid argument. If said player chose to hold out, then Jacksonville's season could be over before it started. While I fully expect Maurice Jones-Drew to be back before the start of the season, I expect the holdout to take a toll on the locker room. 2012 could be a brutal season for each of the seventeen Jaguar fans.
32. Minnesota Vikings
I watch ESPN. I get it. Adrian Peterson is working extremely hard to recover from a torn ACL. Jared Allen almost broke the single-season sack record last year. Christian Ponder has put his rookie season behind him. That's great. However, the Vikings are stuck at the bottom of a talented NFC North division. Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith won't save this season. Just sit back and enjoy the next batch of quality picks to rebuild this franchise.
