With just days to go before the start of the regular season, it's time for our first Power Poll. Take a look and see what you think. 
1. Patriots: Bill Belichick loaded up a very, very good team with a bunch of good free agents. He’s ready to make a run.
2. Chargers: Norv Turner has inherited a potential Super Bowl team.
3. Colts: Defending champs lost a ton in free agency, more than even Peyton Manning can overcome.
4. Eagles: As long as Donovan McNabb is right, Eagles are tops in NFC East.
5. Ravens: Steve McNair has another good year left in him, and so does the defense. Addition of Willis McGahee is huge.
6. Saints: Can’t get much better than last year, but Sean Payton will figure out a way.
7. Bears: We’re not nearly as critical of Bears quarterback Rex Grossman as the next guy, but we’re still convinced the loss of Thomas Jones will be huge.
8. Rams: Why so high? Because we think the Rams will be one of the surprise teams of the season. Great quarterback-running back tandem in Bugler-Jackson. Defense has to get it done against the run.
9. Bengals: This just in: No Bengals player has gone to jail in the last five minutes.
10. Broncos: If Jay Cutler takes a huge leap forward, and if Travis Henry invigorates the running game like he should, Broncos will be fun to watch.
11. Jets: Very, very tough schedule, but Eric Mangini’s preparation should yield positive dividends. A playoff run? With Pats in the division, only as a wild card.
12. Steelers: Huge task for rookie head coach Mike Tomlin, but he inherits a team that won the Super Bowl less than two years ago.
13. Panthers: Still a very, very good defense. And if the running game gets squared away, John Fox should have himself another playoff run.
14. Seahawks: If Rams take the next step, it would be at Seahawks’ expense.
15. Giants: A chance at a wild card if Brandon Jacobs is the real deal and the defense steps up. Philly the class of the division, but Giants second best.
16. 49ers: Made great strides last year, and Frank Gore turned into a star. Need to see another year of Alex Smith before we anoint the Niners ready for a playoff run.
17. Cowboys: Not convinced about Wade Phillips. Or Tony Romo, for that matter.
18. Bucs: Jon Gruden pins his coaching future on Jeff Garcia.
19. Bills: A quietly improved team, as J.P. Losman takes the next step.
20. Dolphins: An aging Trent Green tries to reinvigorate the offense, but he’s got an average running game and a defense that relies too much on older veterans.
21. Chiefs: Larry Johnson is back, but who cares if the quarterback is Damon Huard?
22. Jaguars: If Byron Leftwich doesn’t get it done this year, then Jack Del Rio is toast.
23. Titans: We love Vince Young, but he still doesn’t have enough around him.
24. Texans: Matt Schaub a big upgrade at quarterback, but it’ll take more than just one guy to turn it around for Texans.
25. Lions: Jon Kitna has predicted the Lions will reverse a string of double-digit losing seasons with a double-digit winning season. What’s he been smoking?
26. Packers: Brett Favre has a bunch of nobodies around him at running back and receiver.
27. Vikings: Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback? Long season, folks.
28. Falcons: This team was going nowhere with Michael Vick. Same holds true without him.
29. Cardinals: If Matt Leinart gets better, if Edgerrin James rushes for 1,300 yards, if the defense produces 50 sacks. If, if, if.
30. Redskins: If Redskins tank, then Joe Gibbs retires for good.
31. Raiders: While JaMarcus Russell sits, rookie coach Lane Kiffin stews.
32. Browns: Brady Quinn will have to wait … but not very long.
Comments (13)
Don't you watch the preseason? Eagles and Ravens at 4 and 5 Jets at 11 and Giants at 15? How do you figure that? Jags at 22? You are truly clueless. Giants are best of this bunch folowed by Jags, Ravens, Eagles and Jets. Just remember this order for later. I'll look you up.
Rush:
You really think the preseason actually means anything? Are you Rush Limbaugh or something?
Pre season does mean something, not in wins and losses, but it shows what problems may be down the road. If you telling me that it doesn't matter that Giants defense is completely different this season and is looking very good and that Jets offensive line can't pass protect against the blitz then why are you covering pre season? Did you see that game? Please explain to me how do you put Jets over Giants after watching that game and also comparing schedules of those teams ? What information are you analyzing?
I think the biggest oversight here is the Packers at 26. Bob - have you analyzed them at all? They have an up-and-coming defense with a VERY solid front 7, a strong offensive line, solid receivers (Driver is a nobody? - compare his numbers the past 5 years to the best in the league), a hall of fame qb, and they won their last 4 games last year to finish 8-8. AND they play in the worst division in football. Remember this post Bob, the Pack will contend for that division this year (and I'm not even a Packers fan). Go G-men!
You're right fulltime, teams front lines are key to their success. Thats where it all starts and over the course of the season line play is what wins or loses games for you. And from what I know Jags and Ravens front lines are far superior to that of the Eagles or Jets. To be honest I think Jets could be in very serious truble this season. They can't pass protect or run block on their left side. Dabrick is not that good he is too light and their D is not putting any pressure on QBs. This is not a good combination.
All things being equal you have to take Mcnabb over Eli in a close game. It would be nice to see them take that next step, but twice the Eagles found a way to win last year. what's the ove/under on how long before Tiki announces that the Giants miss him?
Rush:
I learned my lesson about not paying any attention to preseason results in 1992, when Browning Nagle's Jets went 5-0 in the exhibition games. Need I say more?
(For those of you too young enough to remember, the Jets went 4-12 in the '92 regular season.)
Browning Nagle. Ouch! Couldn't you have taken it easy on Jets fans and referenced a Pat Ryan-led team?
Pat Ryan was a warrior, La Monica. Would never insult him ... btw, why the space between "La" and "Monica?"
Wouldn't it have been easier without it?
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the pats are sooo awesome
Wow, I hope the Giants are at #15 this pre-season.
The Eagles are the class of the NFC East... HAHAHA
I love looking back at