NFL PRESEASON RANKINGS

NFL PRESEASON RANKS

1. N.Y. Giants
2. New England
3. Houston
4. Baltimore
5. Green Bay
6. Philadelphia
7. Pittsburgh
8. New Orleans
9. Denver
10. Detroit
11. Chicago
12. San Francisco
13. Atlanta
14. Cincinnati
15. Carolina
16. San Diego
17. Tennessee
18. Dallas
19. Tampa Bay
20. N.Y. Jets
21. Indianapolis
22. Arizona
23. Seattle
24. Oakland
25. Kansas City
26. Washington
27. Minnesota
28. St. Louis
29. Miami
30. Cleveland
31. Buffalo
32. Jacksonville

The New York Giants are still the team to beat. They are the most consistent team in the NFL. They are solid on offense, defense, and special teams. As long as you have Tom Brady under center, you have a shot. The New England Patriots gave Brady plenty of targets and the team drafted defense in mind. Houston won a playoff game with a third string quarterback last season. With Matt Schaub back, they could be playing in New Orleans in 2013. The Texans may just be the team to beat this year. Baltimore failed to make it to the Superbowl last season by making crucial mistakes. The Ravens are solid again on offense, but they have questions on defense. Can this defense rank in the top five again without Suggs? It will be tough. The Green Bay Packers have the best quarterback in the league. Is that enough to win it all? Not quite. The defense ranked awful last season, but they did address the defense. We will have to watch to see if it will work.

There are a few teams that are rising and I see them doing it this year. With the addition of Payton Manning, Denver is an upgrade. If there are no major injuries on defense, the Broncos will win this division. The Detroit Lions are also on the rise. So are the Chicago Bears. The NFC North may be the best division in football. The Carolina Panthers are on the upside as well. Cam Newton had the best season of any rookie that has ever played in the NFL. They may be able to clinch a NFC wildcard or more this season. The Cincinnati Bengals may have the best young quarterback and receiver combination in the NFL right now with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. I look for big plays and big wins from the team.

As teams rise, others will fall. The first team I am calling out is the New Orleans Saints. I just don't think they are going to be able to get past the challenge that this year presents. On top of that, their defense is awful. They can still make a push and make the playoffs, but they will not become the first team to play a Superbowl in their own city. The Pittsburgh Steelers are falling also. The Steelers have been hit hard with injuries. Their offensive line was already questionable before DeCastro was injured. On defense, they are another year older. They still will compete, but making the playoffs won't happen unless they get healthy. The San Francisco 49ers finished 13-3 last season with an average at best quarterback. Sorry, luck don't strike twice. They will still make the playoffs, but they are not as dominant as last year.