| 2009 Power Rankings: Offseason |
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RK (LW) |
TEAM |
REC |
COMMENT |
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1 (1) |
Steelers |
12-4-0 |
They won the Super Bowl. What else do you need to know? (Chadiha) |
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2 (2) |
Patriots |
11-5-0 |
Tom Brady won't throw for 50 TDs, but he has too much firepower to throw for fewer than 30. (Clayton) |
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3 (3) |
Giants |
12-4-0 |
So who is Eli Manning's go-to WR now that Plaxico Burress is gone? Maybe Michael Irvin can offer to make a reality show out of that search. (Clayton) |
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4 (4) |
Eagles |
9-6-1 |
Eagles' ownership did the right thing giving Donovan McNabb a contract extension. (Clayton) |
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5 (5) |
Colts |
12-4-0 |
Reports of the Colts' demise are exaggerated. Bill Polian and Peyton Manning remain in place. (Kuharsky) |
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6 (7) |
Chargers |
8-8-0 |
The Chargers could have the easiest path to a division title of any team in the league, and that's just being polite. (Kuharsky) |
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7 (8) |
Titans |
13-3-0 |
The second year of Mike Heimerdinger's offense can provide jump needed to offset defensive losses. (Kuharsky) |
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8 (11) |
Falcons |
11-5-0 |
With a healthy line, this offense should know no bounds with Tony Gonzalez joining Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Co. (Sando) |
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9 (14) |
Vikings |
10-6-0 |
They're ranked this high in anticipation of Brett Favre joining them. (Chadiha) |
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10 (6) |
Ravens |
11-5-0 |
The Ravens lost OLB Bart Scott, WR Derrick Mason and D-coordinator Rex Ryan. Expect a decline. (Chadiha) |
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11 (10) |
Panthers |
12-4-0 |
Power-rankings voters still trying to shake visions of Jake Delhomme tossing all of those INTs in the playoffs. (Sando) |
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12 (9) |
Cardinals |
9-7-0 |
The defending NFC champs barely crack the top 12 and that came only with an assist from their generous divisional blogger. No respect. (Sando) |
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13 (12) |
Bears |
9-7-0 |
Jay Cutler can't do it alone. The Bears need to show they have legitimate WRs before they enter the top 10. (Chadiha) |
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14 (13) |
Cowboys |
9-7-0 |
Tony Romo dumped Jessica Simpson. Jerry Jones dumped T.O. Maybe the Cowboys can concentrate on football. (Clayton) |
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15 (15) |
Dolphins |
11-5-0 |
Many teams that go from worst to first experience a three-game drop the next season. The Fins are fighting the odds favoring an 8-8 record this fall. (Clayton) |
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16 (18) |
Texans |
8-8-0 |
The Texans have made defensive upgrades, but the secondary remains a concern. (Kuharsky) |
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17 (17) |
Packers |
6-10-0 |
A lousy defense in 2008 is switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this fall. Don't expect a quick turnaround. (Chadiha) |
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18 (22) |
Seahawks |
4-12-0 |
Matt Hasselbeck's back held up through minicamps and OTAs, the first small step toward Seattle moving up in the rankings. (Sando) |
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19 (16) |
Saints |
8-8-0 |
One of the NFL's oldest teams needs better luck with injuries to rebound and contend for the division crown. (Sando) |
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20 (19) |
Redskins |
8-8-0 |
The Redskins made the best free-agent signing in DT Albert Haynesworth. They need a better offense to make the playoffs. (Clayton) |
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21 (21) |
Bills |
7-9-0 |
T.O. should be good for double-digit TDs. Trent Edwards must cope with double-digit headaches and one-sided shouting matches. (Clayton) |
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22 (26) |
49ers |
7-9-0 |
First-round draft choice WR Michael Crabtree gets a training camp crash course after rehabbing a foot injury. (Sando) |
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23 (20) |
Jets |
9-7-0 |
New coach Rex Ryan will make the defense better, but expect the offense to struggle as the Mark Sanchez era begins. (Clayton) |
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24 (23) |
Bengals |
4-11-1 |
Big question: Can Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco become a dangerous duo once again? (Chadiha) |
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25 (24) |
Jaguars |
5-11-0 |
Jags made good strides in adding youth and character, but that will take a while to translate into victories. (Kuharsky) |
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26 (27) |
Buccaneers |
9-7-0 |
Bucs have fallen faster than any team this offseason, but they don't have to be this bad. Steady play at QB would fix a lot. (Sando) |
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27 (25) |
Broncos |
8-8-0 |
Maybe the Broncos' changes actually are ingenious and they're on the upswing, but it's hard to see it. (Kuharsky) |
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28 (28) |
Browns |
4-12-0 |
The same Rob Ryan who dismal job of running the Raiders' D is in charge of the Browns' unit. This can't be encouraging. (Chadiha) |
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29 (29) |
Chiefs |
2-14-0 |
It's hard to forecast a quick turnaround, but it's happened before when there's good leadership in place. (Kuharsky) |
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30 (30) |
Raiders |
5-11-0 |
The Raiders seem dysfunctional on many levels, but Denver and K.C. might be in their range. (Kuharsky) |
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31 (31) |
Rams |
2-14-0 |
The Rams' projected starting O-linemen earned the highest average Madden 2010 ratings in the division. Hmmm. (Sando) |
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32 (32) |
Lions |
0-16-0 |
The Lions lost every game last season. What else do you need to know? (Chadiha) |
