Dave B’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 1
It’s finally here – a new season of NFL Football. So relax junkies, your fix begins Wednesday when the Giants play the Cowboys. Each week throughout the season Dave B will rank the 32 teams for your viewing pleasure. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
So without further adieu, let’s get on with the inaugural version of Dave B’s NFL Power Rankings 2012!
1. GIANTS – They are the champs and deserve the #1 spot to start the season because of that. There are questions with Ahmad Bradshaw’s health, Hakeem Nicks’ health but until it all comes unraveled (which it very well might) the G-men are the top dogs heading into the season.
2. PATRIOTS – Almost impossible not to love the Patriots this year. Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd – what else can I say? Oh ya – the Pats drafted some defensive starters this year to fill some enormous holes from last year’s terrific team.
3. PACKERS – Like the Pats, the Packers are all about offense. The defense was an issue last year but the offense improved with the addition of Stud Cedric Benson and should make up for any defensive liabilities on the team. Green Bay will win a lot of shoot-outs for sure this year and prove that they are a worthy Top 3 team on the Power Rankings!
4. 49ERS – The Niners are the polar opposite of the previous two – defense will have to remain strong to keep the team in a Top 5 spot on the Rankings. San Fran did add Randy Moss to a sketchy passing attack but it will ultimately be up to Alex Smith to get the ball to the hands of his receivers. If defense wins championships this could be San Francisco’s year.
5. TEXANS – Defense and the best running game in the league allow the Texans to fit into the Top 5 this year. The defense should be a top unit again this year and Arian Foster is in a different league. Their status this year depends on the health of Andre Johnson.
6. RAVENS – This team has a small window for success – Terrell Suggs is out for an extended period and Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are aging on what should still be a formidable defense. Ray Rice and Joe Flacco are good enough to make Baltimore a contender this year for sure.
7. SAINTS – The Saints are tough to figure out after one of the most tumultuous offseasons any team has ever had. But the one thing they do have – Drew Brees who set records last year. The Saints are also deep at running back and make up one of the scariest offenses in the league.
8. BEARS – Added Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush in the offseason to significantly upgrade the offense. We all know that the defense will do their jobs! A lot of people are down in the Bears heading into the season. Not me – no reason they don’t get in the playoffs where anything can happen!
9. EAGLES – The Eagles are another difficult team to figure out. The huge determining factor here is the health of Michael Vick who has already been dinged up in the preseason. Vick has weapons and the underachieving defense from last year will be looking for a bounce back! They are top 10 for now but just barely!
10. STEELERS – Not a lot of love for the Steelers and rightfully so. The offensive line is still a major issue and the running game is second rate until Rashard Mendenhall returns. The defense is also aging but there is no doubt that if they play to their potential the Steelers are a Top 10 team. And then there is Big Ben who can will his team to victory.
11. FALCONS – are a sexy pick to be the breakout team of the NFL this year. The passing game should be elite, the running game will likely take a step back and who knows what to make of an average defense. The Falcons should rise in the Rankings but we will need a week or two to see if this team can live up to expectation. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
12. BRONCOS – I am starting to buy into the Broncos especially after seeing Peyton Manning take a hit and keep on clicking. The defense is strong, the rushing attack is solid and Manning appears to be the X-Factor.
13. BENGALS – the Bengals are a well rounded team – second year players Andy Dalton and AJ Green could realistically elevate to that next tier this season and Leon Hall will be back to claim his spot as one of the best corners in the AFC after missing all of last season with injury.
14. LIONS – if the Lions can stay out of jail, there is hope! Matt Stafford, Megatron and Kevin Smith make up a good offensive attack but the defense has to show improvement in order for them to take the next step. Are you listening Mr. Suh?
15. COWBOYS – The Cowboys enter the season with a ton of promise… again! They shored up some major defensive issues with the signing of Brandon Carr and the drafting of Morris Claiborne in the secondary. There are some injury issues heading into the season as well – Myles Austin, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray are major question marks. Still, the Boys have to be considered to be in the top half of the league – don’t they?
16. CHIEFS
17. SEAHAWKS
18. TITANS
19. THE TEBOWS
20. RAIDERS
21. CHARGERS
22. BILLS
23. PANTHERS
24. CARDINALS
25. REDSKINS
26. BUCCANEERS
27. DOLPHINS
28. RAMS
29. JAGUARS
30. BROWNS
31. VIKINGS
32. COLTS
