Mac's NFL Power Rankings - 2008-09 Pre-Season Special

Pre-Season Week Three - Mac's NFL Power Rankings

Each week I will be offering up my thoughts on just where the power resides in the NFL among the 32 participants, and how they stack up in terms of power. Early last year the Colts were #1 and stayed that way until their first loss of the season, at home, to rival New England. The Patriots held that spot until the very last game of the year, which they lost. Unfortunately for them, it happened to be in the Super Bowl.

This year, with a new season before us and many expectations throughout NFL fandom as high as they will be all season, it's time to lay out who I think will ultimately have the best shot at being in Tampa at the end of the 2008-09 season. It should be a great, competitive season with many a thrill, not to mention some nail-biting endings.

So for now, here are my rankings of each of the 32 teams in the NFL as we enter the 3rd week of pre-season. Only two weeks away from opening day.


1. San Diego - This team is ready to make their move. Only serious injuries or a complete meltdown will keep this team from the AFC Championship. Only injuries can keep this team from at least the AFC Championship Game.

2. New England - So long as the offense can score at will, their defense is not a concern. If the offense gets stopped there'll be trouble.

3. Indianapolis - Hard to say early. If Sanders, Freeney, Manning & Harrison are 100% and everyone stays healthy, look out!

4. Dallas - It's put up or shut up time for the Cowboys. Anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl is a failure. They are what the Colts were pre-2006.

5. Jacksonville - Allowing Stroud to leave was mind boggling. And if Garrard can't duplicate last season's precision, it could prove fatal. Their pre-season hasn't looked too good. But then, these games don't count.

6. Pittsburgh - Could be the spoiler in the title hopes of the other 3 AFC teams. If Big Ben is hot, the Steelers could be in Tampa in '09.

7. NY Giants - Benefit of the doubt, championship rings give the Giants an early top ten berth here. But they're still not dominant.

8. Seattle - I hate putting Seattle in the top 10, because they play in almost as weak a division as New England. But not quite. Their defense will need to be good with the offense losing Engram for the early part of the season and having some question marks at running back.

9. Minnesota - Everybody's darling darkhorse with AP in the backfield. The man with more pressure on him is Tavaris Jackson.

10. New Orleans - Edges out the Titans early in the season "on paper", but injuries to the defense might cause a rough start.

11. Tennessee - Good, nasty, physical defense and it looks like Vince Young is primed for a banner year. He better be if the Titans look to challenge in the AFC South.

12. Cleveland - The question is "Can they do it again?" Or was it a one-year wonder, like New Orleans in 2006. The potential is there.

13. Carolina - This team has a chance, defensively, to get it to the playoffs. The offense is the key in 2008.

14.Green Bay - Many say the Favre-less Pack will be neck-in-neck with Minnesota for the division crown. I don't see it with Rodgers really in his "first" year as an NFL quarterback.

15. Baltimore - The Ravens are set at QB with Troy Smith, so no excuses there. Can the defense play solid/healthy for 16 weeks is the real question.

16. Philadelphia - With a defense that looks more formidable than last year, it will all be up to the offense. The NFC East will be a slugfest.

17. Washington - Watch out for this ballclub, especially if Jim Zorn gets Campbell to catch fire. Dangerous corps of receivers and a running game.

18. Tampa Bay - While the Bucs missed out on Favre, I've always thought Garcia was pretty good. But they still don't have that elite WR speedster.

19. Houston - This team was oh-so-close to their first above-500 season last year. If they can get out of the gate quickly, they might be a sleeper playoff team. No, really !

20. Arizona - Same for the Cardinals. The D in the desert is potentially deadly. Rattlesnake deadly. Now they need their offense to re-boot.

21. Denver - Not quite ready to make a run at the Chargers this year, though they could sneak into the playoffs if the Browns,Titans and Texans stumble.

22. Buffalo - Fans in Buffalo are stoked about the chance to battle for a wildcard playoff spot. Edwards needs to show he can lead them there.

23. NY Jets - If Favre gets the Jets to the playoffs, he may be voted into the Hall at the end of this season. And if he does, he should. But it's more likely the Jets would get there behind a super offensive line and a power running game. Not enough playoff spots to go 'round in the rugged AFC.

24. Cincinnati - Potential for an exciting season on offense, while the defense still remains in rebuilding mode. Even though Henry is an off-field problem, he is the main reason T.J. and Ocho Cinco are so deadly on the field. With the three of them, you can't concentrate on just one.

25. San Francisco - Last year was supposed to be their breakout year, but injuries took their toll. If healthy, the 49ers could make it interesting.

26. Chicago - This team has surprise written all over it IF the defense comes back strong and the O-line gives the QB time in the pocket. The backfield is potentially explosive, especially when Jones gets back to full-tilt!

27. Detroit - We've been expecting a playoff run for years out of this team. Kinda like expecting the Lion GM to be fired for years. Not sure if we'll see it this year. Either one.

28. Oakland - The Raiders will definitely get someones attention a time or two this year. Still need improvement along the offensive line and Russell will not be a QB to be worried about for another year or more.

29. St. Louis - This team, with the Stephen Jackson holdout, could be the team selecting #1 come next April. I feel bad for Howie's son.

30. Atlanta - Matt Ryan has been pretty solid in pre-season. With some good fortune, the Falcons may create some noise this season.

31. Kansas City - Just too many gaping holes to fill for this team to deal with this year. Still in rebuilding mode, but Croyle better improve or he's gone.

32. Miami - I would fully expect the Dolphins to move a little by the end of the year. In fact, I think Bill Parcells will insist on it.