UPDATE>>>> Week 2 Rankings
The NFL 2012-2013 season will soon kick off with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Super Bowl champion, New York Giants. But before the season gets started, here is the way we have the power rankings set up.
1. San Francisco 49ers
They gave up the second fewest points in the league last season. The 49ers have pass rushers and defense on the outside that defends the pass very well. There are weapons on offense that can catch for Alex Smith and Brandon Jacobs will toughen up an already decent running game.
2. New England Patriots
The Pats may have lost the Super Bowl, but they will still be a force out in the AFC and a favorite to make it to the big game again. Powered by Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, the offense will surely put up points once again. Brandon Lloyd will look to join the party in 2012.
3. Green Bay Packers
Similar to the Pats, the Packers had a great pass rush, but no outside defense which led them to giving up a lot of points. The Packers will still be a strong team in the NFC. This ranking can get shaken up immediately as the 49ers and Packers will meet in Week 1.
4. New York Giants
You down with JPP? The Giants might have questions on offense, but there is no doubt that their defense will create trouble for quarterbacks. Whatever the secondary lacked during the playoffs, the defensive line made up for it. Eli Manning proved everybody wrong, for the second time. Victor Cruz will have to step up as he is the team's healthiest and proven receiver since Hakeem Nicks is not 100 percent with a foot injury.
5. Houston Texans
They will get Matt Schuab back. Whatever points they may give up on defense after losing Mario Williams. The Texans play in a weak division, so look for Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, who is not 100 percent on being ready for the start of the season, to light up the scoreboard when they both start in the lineup.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Jay Flacco and the Ravens were so close to the Super Bowl, there is no doubt that this team will be competing late into the season. They seem to get better with age as their defense was "old," but still fearsome. Ray Rice is only going to get better, which might be hard to believe. Anquan Bolden and Torrey Smith will lead the way in receiving, providing trustful targets for Flacco.
7. New Orleans Saints
I get that Sean Payton will not be the head coach for a full year, but Drew Brees is such a leader in that locker room that the Saints will really depend on him to get them through this tough season. If there is a team that knows about adversity and being an underdog, it is the New Orleans Saints. Brees got a fat paycheck, so look for the quarterback to continue guiding the team when everybody considers them to be down and out.
8. Detroit Lions
A total believer in Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Their defense gave up an average two more points than the Packers and were fourth in the league in scoring in 2011. Johnson is only 26 and Stafford is only 24 and threw for over 5,000 yards in his first complete season in the NFL. With a below average running game, Stafford connected with more than four receivers, including Johnson for over 600 yards.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' defense is still strong and only allowed just over 14 points a game. Ben Roethlisberger gets Mike Wallace back, mixed in with Antonio Brown as the deep threats. Both receivers caught over 1,000 yards last season. Look for the Steelers to bounce back from their surprise loss to the Denver Broncos in last season's playoffs.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner has back-to-back 1,000 rushing season seasons. Matt Ryan took the Falcons to the playoffs again. They still have fire power on the outside with Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones, who combined for over 3,000 yards receiving. Their defense is their weakness, but they should have another winning season in 2012.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles had a disappointing 2011-2012 campaign to say the least. Michael Vick was once again injured, this time during the preseason, but the Eagles have a, what looks to be, good enough back up in Nick Foles, just in case Vick goes down. They were 10th in scoring and 8th in points allowed, if they get it together in 2012, they might quickly find themselves at the top of this list.
12. Chicago Bears
They had an average defense and offense, but their offense will surely pick it up in 2012 with the addition of Brandon Marshall. Matt Forte will rush for over 1,000 yards as the Jay Cutler will now have the luxury of running a balanced offense.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals had an above average defense in 2011 and their offense surprised many as they made their way into the playoffs. The connection of A.J. Green and Andy Dalton will be unstoppable in 2012. Might be a little too son, but they remind me of Johnson and Stafford at times.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys have a revamped defense and have weapons on offense. We will have to wait and see if they will flop as they can never get it together.
15. Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning will provide the Broncos with something they have not had in a while, a true quarterback. He has weapons on the outside and a defense that can keep his team close if trailing.
16. Carolina Panthers
Many are prognosticating a huge season for Cam Newton. Steve Smith is still dominant and they can put up points. If the Saints are not going to be in the hunt, then the Panthers may have a chance.
17. Tennessee Titans
Playing in a weak division might give this team a push. They gave up the 8th fewest amount of points and with Chris Johnson ready to bounce back, the offense should pick it up.
18. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are said to be the second place team out of the NFC. Even then, they are still an 8-8 or even possibly 7-9 team. Their defense will come up big as usual, but their offense has to gel before this team convinces me they are serious.
19. Washington Redskins
The Redskins are in a tough division, but Robert Girffin III has targets in his first season. If the hype is true, the Redskins might be fighting in 2012.
20. Kansas City Chiefs
If the Chiefs are the real deal they will need Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston, Dexter McCluster and Matt Cassel to be on the same page. Bowe took some heat for being too precautious last season, he will have to step it up.
21. San Diego Chargers
They do not have big time receiver Vincent Jackson, but have a decent set of receivers around Philip Rivers. The AFC West is up for grabs, but the Chargers might be looking up at the other teams.
22. Oakland Raiders
Carson Palmer and the Raiders did not look good last year after he joined the team. They will have to start producing if they want to get out of the cellar.
23. Jacksonvill Jaguars
The Jacksonvill Jaguars will not win a lot of games, but they have the chance of having a strong offense with Blaine Gabbert, Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Blackmon will have to prove he is ready for the NFL.
24. New York Jets
The Jets do not have the offense that it will take to finish at the top of the AFC East. The Jets look lost with both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow at the quarterback position.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck will have a lot of pressure on his shoulder, but at least he will not replace the Colts after a Peyton Manning season. There will be bumps on the road this season, but they will at least get more than two wins.
26. Cleveland Browns
The Browns had a strong defense and now with Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson, at least fans will want to watch the team play.
27. Buffalo Bills
The Bills started 2011 on fire. Then they cooled down. They helped their defense with Mario Williams, but they do not stand a chance in the AFC East against the Patriots.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They provided Josh Freeman with a target in Vincent Jackson, but it will take more than a big playmaker to turn the fate of this franchise around.
29. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have the best wide receiver in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald, but that's about it.
30. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill will fill up some seats, but once the team goes into their losing funk, the Dolphins will just be the same old Dolphins.
31. St. Louis Rams
They have Sam Bradford back again for his third season. They got him young receivers and former Giant and Eagle Steve Smith, but the Rams are still looking at a mediocre season. Jeff Fisher has a lot of work to do.
32. Minnesota Vikings
When your team gives up 30 points per game in the NFL, it is very difficult to be taken seriously the following season. Needless to say the Vikings still have a few years left before they become contenders in the NFC North.
