Mike Chappell's power rankings
Source: www.indystar.com
1. New England Patriots: Consider the combustible mix of Tom Brady and Randy Moss with another year under their belts and facing the NFL's easiest schedule. Bombs away!
2. Indianapolis Colts: Circle Nov. 2 on your calendar. Two days before America elects its next president, the Colts and Pats once again will electrify the pro football world.
3. San Diego Chargers: We're just stubborn. Even though the Chargers have had Indy's number of late, the Colts still are better from top to bottom.
4. New York Giants: Sorry, guys. You'll have to be satisfied being the best in the NFC, not the best in the NFL as you embark on your bid to repeat your magical Super Bowl run.
5. Dallas Cowboys: For all the soaring expectations, keep in mind coach Wade Phillips has aide Jason Garrett looking over his shoulder and QB Tony Romo has yet to win a playoff game.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: One of these years they'll get over the hump in the AFC South. But are WRs Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson the best the Jags could do to upgrade QB David Garrard's arsenal?
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: The sky's the limit if S Troy Polamalu can stay on the field and QB Ben Roethlisberger continues to improve.
8. New Orleans Saints: The QB Drew Brees-led offense is loaded once again, and the addition of LB Jonathan Vilma and DT Sedrick Ellis should upgrade the defense.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Despite numerous changes, they are still the class of the mediocre NFC West and should give coach Mike Holmgren a nice parting gift -- a fifth straight division title.
10. Green Bay Packers: We are not sold on QB Aaron Rodgers being up to the task of replacing Brett Favre, but the Packers' overall talent level could keep Rodgers' head above water.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: It will be tough sledding in the competitive NFC East, but QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook give them a chance.
12. Minnesota Vikings: No team ran the ball better or was better at stopping the run in 2007. But how far can they go with QB Tarvaris Jackson?
13. Tennessee Titans: There still isn't a lot of flash, but it's hard to argue with coach Jeff Fisher's blue-collar approach.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They will have an elite defense as long as LB Derrick Brooks is around, but will the offense do its share?
15. Washington Redskins: Jim Zorn has a solid team in his first year as coach, and it will challenge for a playoff berth if QB Jason Campbell continues to progress.
16. Cleveland Browns: We are not on the Browns bandwagon, and don't see them improving on last year's 10-6 finish.
17. Denver Broncos: QB Jay Cutler is showing signs he's capable of leading the Broncos back to prominence, but WR Brandon Marshall's early suspension is not going to help.
18. Carolina Panthers: DE Julius Peppers is poised for a monster year, but so much is riding on whether QB Jake Delhomme can make a full recovery from elbow surgery.
19. Houston Texans: You have to like the strides the Texans have made under Gary Kubiak's direction. Now, if they can just get out of the ultra-competitive AFC South.
20. Buffalo Bills: They will challenge for a wild-card berth behind the sideline leadership of coach Dick Jauron and the on-field leadership of QB Trent Edwards.
21. Chicago Bears: Love that defense. Don't love that offense. Kyle Orton? Rex Grossman? Is there a third option at QB?
22. New York Jets: Broadway Brett Favre gives them a chance, but there was more wrong with the Jets than their QB situation.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: This might be a playoff-or-bust season for coach Marvin Lewis, who might welcome a divorce from Team Dysfunctional.
24. Baltimore Ravens: We will miss the personable Brian Billick, but maybe John Harbaugh will turn things around . . . if he can solve the Ravens' lingering QB problems.
25. Arizona Cardinals: They could contend for a playoff spot if their defense is respectable. The offense has pop with WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
26. St. Louis Rams: Good thing they decided to pony up for RB Steven Jackson. When healthy, he's a stud and gives QB Marc Bulger a two-dimensional attack.
27. Detroit Lions: QB Jon Kitna could not deliver on his 10-win promise in 2007, and the Lions won't approach that total this season.
28. San Francisco 49ers: They have to get their QB situation resolved, even if that means discarding former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith and turning things over to unheralded J.T. O'Sullivan.
29. Oakland Raiders: Just win, baby? Just when, baby? If QB JaMarcus Russell isn't the answer, it might be another decade or so.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: It promises to be a painfully slow rebuilding process for the proud Chiefs. It should test the loyalty of the Arrowhead faithful.
31. Miami Dolphins: There's nowhere to go but up for the 'Fins -- remember that nearly-historic 1-15 finish in '07? -- and that's where they're headed. Slowly, very slowly.
32. Atlanta Falcons: Here is one of the truly incredible facts in NFL history -- the Falcons have never had a winning record in consecutive seasons. Never.Mike Chappell's Power Rankings
1. New England Patriots: Consider the combustible mix of Tom Brady and Randy Moss with another year under their belts and facing the NFL's easiest schedule. Bombs away!
2. Indianapolis Colts: Circle Nov. 2 on your calendar. Two days before America elects its next president, the Colts and Pats once again will electrify the pro football world.
3. San Diego Chargers: We're just stubborn. Even though the Chargers have had Indy's number of late, the Colts still are better from top to bottom.
4. New York Giants: Sorry, guys. You'll have to be satisfied being the best in the NFC, not the best in the NFL as you embark on your bid to repeat your magical Super Bowl run.
5. Dallas Cowboys: For all the soaring expectations, keep in mind coach Wade Phillips has aide Jason Garrett looking over his shoulder and QB Tony Romo has yet to win a playoff game.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: One of these years they'll get over the hump in the AFC South. But are WRs Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson the best the Jags could do to upgrade QB David Garrard's arsenal?
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: The sky's the limit if S Troy Polamalu can stay on the field and QB Ben Roethlisberger continues to improve.
8. New Orleans Saints: The QB Drew Brees-led offense is loaded once again, and the addition of LB Jonathan Vilma and DT Sedrick Ellis should upgrade the defense.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Despite numerous changes, they are still the class of the mediocre NFC West and should give coach Mike Holmgren a nice parting gift -- a fifth straight division title.
10. Green Bay Packers: We are not sold on QB Aaron Rodgers being up to the task of replacing Brett Favre, but the Packers' overall talent level could keep Rodgers' head above water.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: It will be tough sledding in the competitive NFC East, but QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook give them a chance.
12. Minnesota Vikings: No team ran the ball better or was better at stopping the run in 2007. But how far can they go with QB Tarvaris Jackson?
13. Tennessee Titans: There still isn't a lot of flash, but it's hard to argue with coach Jeff Fisher's blue-collar approach.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They will have an elite defense as long as LB Derrick Brooks is around, but will the offense do its share?
15. Washington Redskins: Jim Zorn has a solid team in his first year as coach, and it will challenge for a playoff berth if QB Jason Campbell continues to progress.
16. Cleveland Browns: We are not on the Browns bandwagon, and don't see them improving on last year's 10-6 finish.
17. Denver Broncos: QB Jay Cutler is showing signs he's capable of leading the Broncos back to prominence, but WR Brandon Marshall's early suspension is not going to help.
18. Carolina Panthers: DE Julius Peppers is poised for a monster year, but so much is riding on whether QB Jake Delhomme can make a full recovery from elbow surgery.
19. Houston Texans: You have to like the strides the Texans have made under Gary Kubiak's direction. Now, if they can just get out of the ultra-competitive AFC South.
20. Buffalo Bills: They will challenge for a wild-card berth behind the sideline leadership of coach Dick Jauron and the on-field leadership of QB Trent Edwards.
21. Chicago Bears: Love that defense. Don't love that offense. Kyle Orton? Rex Grossman? Is there a third option at QB?
22. New York Jets: Broadway Brett Favre gives them a chance, but there was more wrong with the Jets than their QB situation.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: This might be a playoff-or-bust season for coach Marvin Lewis, who might welcome a divorce from Team Dysfunctional.
24. Baltimore Ravens: We will miss the personable Brian Billick, but maybe John Harbaugh will turn things around . . . if he can solve the Ravens' lingering QB problems.
25. Arizona Cardinals: They could contend for a playoff spot if their defense is respectable. The offense has pop with WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
26. St. Louis Rams: Good thing they decided to pony up for RB Steven Jackson. When healthy, he's a stud and gives QB Marc Bulger a two-dimensional attack.
27. Detroit Lions: QB Jon Kitna could not deliver on his 10-win promise in 2007, and the Lions won't approach that total this season.
28. San Francisco 49ers: They have to get their QB situation resolved, even if that means discarding former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith and turning things over to unheralded J.T. O'Sullivan.
29. Oakland Raiders: Just win, baby? Just when, baby? If QB JaMarcus Russell isn't the answer, it might be another decade or so.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: It promises to be a painfully slow rebuilding process for the proud Chiefs. It should test the loyalty of the Arrowhead faithful.
31. Miami Dolphins: There's nowhere to go but up for the 'Fins -- remember that nearly-historic 1-15 finish in '07? -- and that's where they're headed. Slowly, very slowly.
32. Atlanta Falcons: Here is one of the truly incredible facts in NFL history -- the Falcons have never had a winning record in consecutive seasons. Never.Mike Chappell's Power Rankings
posted by The Gryphon at 9:07 AM
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