Pre-Season NFL Rankings

Today I enter into the NFL. I will admit freely that I am not a huge fan of the NFL. Honestly the only thing that keeps me watching is Fantasy Football. For most of my life I have not had a favorite team. I grew up initially with the St. Louis Cardinals but they moved to Phoenix. In the 90s my favorite city got another NFL team, the Rams. The Rams even won a Super Bowl with a backup QB.

The NFL, however did not want the Rams in St. Louis, they wanted them back in LA. This was never more clear than at the end of this season when the NFL bent over backwards to ensure that the Rams went back to St. Louis. They even went so far as trashing the city of St. Louis on the way out of the door. St. Louis will probably never have another NFL team and at this point I don't think anyone in the city wants the NFL back. They have the baseball Cardinals (one of the most storied MLB teams) and the NHL Blues. I think the city will be fine without the NFL.

So my "favorite" team of the moment is the Kansas City Chiefs. They probably will not stay that way but oh well. I always have college football.

Rankings

1. Carolina Panthers

They stormed through the season last year but their newness in the playoffs showed and they just could not stay with the Broncos. They should be back in the Super Bowl again this year.

2. Seattle Seahawks

The Panthers should make it back to the Super Bowl - unless the Seahawks get back to their winning ways which is entirely possible this year. The Seahawks and Panthers with be chasing each other all season and will more than likely face each other in the NFC Championship. Whoever has home field will be the odds on favorites to go on to the Super Bowl.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

With the Broncos taking major steps back with the retirement of Manning the Chiefs should fill the void left. Good coach, good QB, good defense. Everything points to the Chiefs getting to the Super Bowl.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The NFC West used to be the best division in the NFL, from top to bottom no one was ever surprised who came out on top. Now it is simply between the Cardinals and the Seahawks. The Cardinals have the talent to take on the Seahawks but will need some breaks to fall their way.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

The AFC will be contested at the top by several teams. The Bengals have a good team, top to bottom, if they can just stay out their own ways.

6. Green Bay Packers

They will be the best in North but will be looking up all season to the Panthers and Cardinals.

7. Houston Texans

It looks as if the Texans have decided on a Quarterback, which has been their downfall the last few seasons. With a great defense this should be a good year for them.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will compete with Cincy to win the North and they should make the playoffs but that will be about it.

9. New York Jets

They won 10 games last year and missed the playoffs, don't expect a repeat miss this year.

10. New England Patriots

The Patriots will be without Tom Brady for four games to start the season. He is suspended for the ridiculous Deflategate. It is completely stupid and he shouldn't be suspended, let alone four games. He is getting stricter punishment than football players that beat women. Let that sink in. Regardless, he's out for four games. Depending on how the team plays without him may determine how they do this season.

11. Buffalo Bills

The Bills will not win the East but will be in contention for a playoff spot. If they make it they will break an almost two decade drought.

12. Atlanta Falcons

The NFC South is the new NFC West. Quite the change from just a couple of years ago when they all fought for the worst record to make the playoffs. All four teams have a legitimate shot of making the playoffs. Not fully sold on Atlanta being the second best but they are the most experienced, young team. That should help.

13. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts turned their backs on Payton Manning and drafted his replacement, Andrew Luck, who could turn into the next Manning. However, they still have the same questions with Luck that they had with Manning. Not much of a run attack, and virtually no protection with a less than stellar line. They will do better this year and compete with the Texans for 1st in the Division and a spot in the playoffs.

14. Denver Broncos

The Broncos, after loosing Manning to retirement and their back up to the Texans, should take a huge step back this year. This year will probably be a rebuilding year. They could still back in to the playoffs.

15. Minnesota Vikings

Last year was a bit of an anomaly for the Vikings last year. Expect them to fall back to earth this year.

16. Washington Redskins

The NFC East is just a dumpster fire, period. Whoever wins the division will make the playoffs because the winner is guaranteed the playoffs. I don't really think that the winner will even have a winning record.

17. Detroit Lions

The Lions had one of the best second halves last season finishing 6-2. Do not let that fool you, they are not that good of a team.

18. Philadelphia Eagles

Someone has to finish second. The Eagles have a new coach and that could put some fire into them. Probably will not but I would not be surprised.

19. Miami Dolphins

Let us not kid ourselves here. Ryan Tannehill is not the answer for the Dolphins. who have been looking for a QB since Dan Marino retired. They had all kinds of targets last year and struggled. I do not expect a huge turnaround this year.

20. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are a talented team that plays well below their talent. Tony Romo is coming off an injury plagued season. He is one of the best QBs to ever play the game. However, his teams typically have to come back because of his mistakes. They could win the East but not much else.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another team that's place will be determined by their QB. Jameis Winston is in second year as a player. Will he suffer the Sophomore curse or turn into a beast. If he turns into a beast they could unseat the Panthers.

22. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are just too old at this point. They will be last in the South but that by no means they will be a horrible team, just not able to compete with the rest of the league.

23. Oakland Raiders

This team has no expectations, and it has been that way for years. About the only way to pump any life into the team is if they are allowed to move to Las Vegas.

24. Baltimore Ravens

About the same as the Saints, they just got old. Trying to rebuild but no success this year.

25. San Diego Chargers

A team most likely on the move to Los Angeles another story of a team that has just gotten old. They could be a dark horse this year.

26. Chicago Bears

This team actually has some talent but do not seem to have the coaches able to get them to play at or above their ability.

27. New York Giants

Do not expect much out of the Giants this year. The younger Manning (Eli) is a great QB but he has no protection.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

A young team that could be on their way up. Their major hurdle is playing the same division as the Texans and Colts.

29. San Fransico 49ers

Do not expect them to light the world on fire this year, but do not be surprised if they make some noise in a putrid West.

30. Rams

Seriously, this team has moved so much they do not really deserve to have a city. Do not be surprised if in a decade or so they move again. Anyways, the owner of the team made sure they were so bad that no one would go watch in St. Louis (to ensure the ease of the move) and they are still a dumpster fire. They had a good draft but it will be years before they are decent.

31. Tennessee Titans

They will not be very good this year but they have a great young QB and in the coming years they will see steady improvement.

32. Cleveland Browns

The last spot should just be reserved for the Browns. They have been awful since they came back into the league but their fans still love them. They are the Cubs of the NFL. Maybe next year, but more than likely not.