NFL Power Rankings (1-11):
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Monday we gave you teams 23-32 in our 2010 NFL Power Rankings. Tuesday it was teams 12-22. Today, it’s our top 11. Let’s get started.
11. New England – Sorry Pats fans, they are not a top ten team in my eyes. Brady, Moss and Welker are super, but after that they are shaky. Their running game isn’t great and defensively they have more holes than swiss cheese. If this inexperienced and marginally talented defense plays like a top 10 defense this year, Bill Belichick will only enhance his reputation as a true football genius.
10. Cincinnati – It’s kind of ironic that the Pats and Bengals meet in week 1 given that both appear to be good teams with the ability to possibly be even better than good. If Carson Palmer can regain his form of old this offense could be dangerous with Chad Ochocinco on one side and Terrell Owens on the other. Like the Patriots, this team has questions in the secondary.
9. N.Y. Jets – This team is not, I repeat is NOT as good as their AFC Championship appearance last year would indicate. Their defense is certainly championship caliber, but we need to see a lot more from Eric Sanchez before we take the Jets seriously as Super Bowl contenders. Revis signing this week is a big plus. We’ll see if Rex and the boys can back up all of the talk in 2010.
8. Atlanta – Former BC Eagle Matt Ryan is improving by the season and some think that this may be a big year for him. Kevin Turner is a great runner and the Atlanta defense should improve off of last year’s mediocre performance.
7. San Diego – If Vincent Jackson were signed and in the fold, this ranking would be higher for the Chargers. They have all of the makings of a legitimate contender except for the head coach in my opinion. I have never been a huge Norv Turner fan and still think that they made a mistake firing Marty Schottenheimer a few years ago.
6. Minnesota – Can an older and more banged up Brett Favre perform at the same high level he did in 2009? If so, the Vikings will be a big factor again in the NFC. No Sidney Rice hurts a bit but that offense is stacked with weapons as is the defense with play makers. The Vikes should be solid again in 2010.
5. Baltimore – Pats fans can appreciate this pick after the butt-kicking the Ravens handed New England in the playoffs last year. Add to that new weapons for Joe Flacco in T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Anquan Boldin and the Ravens could be one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
4. Dallas – Is this the year the Cowboys finally realize their potential? That would be nice considering the fact that the Super Bowl is in Dallas next February. Like San Diego, this is an even more complete team on both sides of the ball. Also like the Chargers, I’m not sold on the head coach. Wade Phillips (or Son of Bum as I like to call him) just doesn’t make a true believer in this team and their ability to go all the way.
3. Green Bay – Don’t be shocked if Aaron Rodgers isn’t the league’s MVP this season. Add to that the NFC’s top-ranked defense from a year ago and the Saints will have some stiff competition in the conference this year.
2. Indianapolis – The defending AFC champs are still solid and Peyton Manning show no signs of slowing down. Disregard their 0-4 preseason record as they always mail it in in the month of August. The performance of the defense and the health of the offensive line will be key as to how far this team can go in 2010.
1. New Orleans – You know the old saying, “in order to be the man, you have to beat the man.” And the Saints are the man right now in the NFL. Their offense is virtually unstoppable and Greg Williams defense makes the necessary plays game in and game out when they need to. Repeating as champs is always tough, but the Saints have the talent to do it.
Related Articles
- 2010 NFL Power Rankings (12-22):
- 2010 NFL Power Rankings (23-32):
- Cordischi’s NFL News & Notes: Preseason
- NFL News & Notes
- It’s Never a Bad Time to Talk NFL
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