(Very) Early NFL Power Rankings

[jmt57]

I'm not sure if I should consider this good news or a jinx.

Power Rankings: Brady buoys Pats, but Philly's coming fast

Which is the most-improved team heading into the 2009 NFL season?
Hint: It's a trick question.
Think. It's really easy. It's the New England Patriots. For one reason: Tom Brady is back.

They get Tom Brady back. They have the deepest team in the league. Oh, and they have the best coach. Add it up, and it's no wonder they are Super favorites.

On a side note and twist of recent history, Steelers and their fans who read this column are surely pounding their fists and playing the disrespect card.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

The Steelers are lucky to be #2. They have nothing to whine about. In fact, the only reason they made it to the super bowl is because Brady didn't play the entire season. The only reason they won the super bowl is because Plaxico Burress decided to shoot himself in the leg. The Giants were clearly the super bowl favorites before Plaxico left the team. I can't wait to see New England smack around the Steelers in January.

 

[124]

As long as TBrades is on the field, New England is the best team hands down.

However, 21? Below Buffalo? Give me a break.

BTW, "HEY BRO, WHAT UP?".. Awesome signature, that is my favorite show by far!

 

[Deus Irae]

I have them ranked quite a bit differently at the top. I know it's early, but that's why we make lists....

Patriots
Eagles
Steelers
Giants (Will hop over the Steelers and Eagles if they get Edwards from Cleveland)
Chargers
Colts
Panthers
Falcons
Saints
Cowboys

Bonus notes:
1.) The Vikings could possibly jump into the top 10 if they signed Favre
2.) I could easily be convinced that the Falcons and Saints could flip flop
3.) I'm not particularly firm on any team below the Panthers being a top 10 team.
4.) When I break it down, I just can't put the Cardinals in the top 10. Strange...

 

[Deus Irae]

As long as TBrades is on the field, New England is the best team hands down.

However, 21? Below Buffalo? Give me a break.

BTW, "HEY BRO, WHAT UP?".. Awesome signature, that is my favorite show by far!

He's basing it largely on the rookie QB 'problem'.

 

[Kontradiction]

Argh. Why can't we just be the underdogs again?

 

[Deus Irae]

Argh. Why can't we just be the underdogs again?

They're worse than a 1:1 favorite (4:1 as I recall). I'm sure that'll be disrespect enough once Belichick is through with them.

 

[bostonia3333]

Lots of people getting excited about the Eagles and how they will take over the NFC East. The Eagles lost Sheppard and Dawkins, which are huge voids to fill. I expect them to give up lots of plays in the passing game. PHI may score alot, but they will give up lots too. They will be the NFL's version of the Golden State Warriors. They will keep the fans interested though, but heartbreak will be expected as playoff games are always won in the trenches.

 

[Deus Irae]

No way the Eagles should be considered the second best team in anyone's list. The Eagles lost Sheppard and Dawkins, which are huge voids to fill. I expect them to give up lots of plays in the passing game. PHI may score alot, but they will give up lots too. They will be the NFL's version of the Golden State Warriors. They will keep the fans interested though, but heartbreak will be expected as playoff games are always won in the trenches.

I don't consider Sheppard a huge void at all. Dawkins was a tough loss though, I'll give you that. I just think that they've enough to compensate for it. They signed Jones to replace Dawkins, upgraded their offensive line with Peters and Andrews, got themselves a real between-the-tackled sort of runner and added another wideout to the stable.

I could be wrong. I could change my mind in the next 4+ months.... it's early.

 

[jmt57]

I don't know how he ranks the Saints above the Chargers. How many years in a row are we going to hear about New Orleans' improved defense, and then see them once again fail to stop anybody?

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't know how he ranks the Saints above the Chargers. How many years in a row are we going to hear about New Orleans' improved defense, and then see them once again fail to stop anybody?

Jenkins, Greer, Morgan, Sharper..... he's probably expecting them to help quite a bit.

 

[jmt57]

Jenkins, Greer, Morgan, Sharper..... he's probably expecting them to help quite a bit.

True, but the Chargers also drafted Larry English and Vaughn Martin, and they get Shawne Merriman backas well; I'm guessing San Diego has a better season than New Orleans does this year.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Lots of people getting excited about the Eagles and how they will take over the NFC East. The Eagles lost Sheppard and Dawkins, which are huge voids to fill. I expect them to give up lots of plays in the passing game. PHI may score alot, but they will give up lots too. They will be the NFL's version of the Golden State Warriors. They will keep the fans interested though, but heartbreak will be expected as playoff games are always won in the trenches.

Actually it's the Eagles' inability to win close games. Whether it's a reflection of game day coaching or some other source, their record in games decided by 6 points or less is abysmal. It's something like 2-9-1 over the last three years while the Pats are 8-3 in the same time period and 17-6 if you go further back ...Just look at the tie vs Cinn last year for an example of why I'm not impressed at their coaching. They can draft well and sign quality FAs but game adjustments (remember the hurry up in SB39) leave something to be desired.......

 

[Deus Irae]

True, but the Chargers also drafted Larry English and Vaughn Martin, and they get Shawne Merriman backas well; I'm guessing San Diego has a better season than New Orleans does this year.

I've got them ranked higher myself. I was just looking to try answering your question without actually knowing Prisco's line of thought on the issue.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Is it my imagination, or did the Browns actually drop in the Power Rankings since Mangini came to town?

 

[Deus Irae]

Actually it's the Eagles' inability to win close games. Whether it's a reflection of game day coaching or some other source, their record in games decided by 6 points or less is abysmal. It's something like 2-9-1 over the last three years while the Pats are 8-3 in the same time period and 17-6 if you go further back ...Just look at the tie vs Cinn last year for an example of why I'm not impressed at their coaching. They can draft well and sign quality FAs but game adjustments (remember the hurry up in SB39) leave something to be desired.......

One of the big problems in Philly has been the inability to pick up a yard on the ground. They picked up Peters, Andrews, Wells and Pettigrew to deal with that, along with Britton and Brown. If those players pan out, we could see a Patriots/Eagles rematch of sorts in the Super Bowl.

 

[patsfan-1982]

The Steelers are lucky to be #2. They have nothing to whine about. In fact, the only reason they made it to the super bowl is because Brady didn't play the entire season. The only reason they won the super bowl is because Plaxico Burress decided to shoot himself in the leg. The Giants were clearly the super bowl favorites before Plaxico left the team. I can't wait to see New England smack around the Steelers in January.

i hate to say any thing good about the steelers but there D was ranked #1 lest yer #1 in points scored #1 vs the pass and #2 vs the run and they are a young team with all there starters comeing back so for them to be ranked only #2 says a lot about the pats

 

[ALP]

i hate to say any thing good about the steelers but there D was ranked #1 lest yer #1 in points scored #1 vs the pass and #2 vs the run and they are a young team with all there starters comeing back so for them to be ranked only #2 says a lot about the pats

i believe the avg of our offense and defense will be better then the avg of their defense and offense...

 

[supafly]

On a somewhat related note, we're also 10 pt favorites in game 1 vs. Buffalo--but all of this talk is way too early, IMO. Injuries etc happen, and I for one, will be very happy if we can just get to game 1 without any significantly bad news.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

i hate to say any thing good about the steelers but there D was ranked #1 lest yer #1 in points scored #1 vs the pass and #2 vs the run and they are a young team with all there starters comeing back so for them to be ranked only #2 says a lot about the pats

Their so called #1 ranked defense can't do squat against Tom Brady. In fact, he's the only QB that the Steelers can't phase. In their last meeting, the Steelers were the #1 ranked defense at the time and Brady went off for 4 Td's and 399 yards.