The NFL season is quickly approaching so I have decided that this year I am going to follow along and write a blog about it. I like writing, I like football, and so why not. Right now there really isn't a lot that I think is worth me writing about so am going to start out with some power rankings before we get to involved in pre-season games and the like. This list is pretty simple to follow, 1 is the team I think is the best going into the 2013 season and 32 is the team I think is the worst. If you have a difference of opinion that's fine and feel free to let me know in the comments section.
1: Denver Broncos
Okay so this might be a bit of a fanboy pick here but I actually have some solid reasoning for it. First, while I hate to admit it, Peyton Manning is actually still one of the best QB's in the league and can do some special stuff on offense. Not only do they have number 18 driving the offense but he is surrounded by some play makers with serious skills. Take a look at the receiving core, that is something that is going to be given Defensive coordinators fits.
While I actually believe the deserve the number one spot I do have a couple of concerns. The first is the O-line. With the loss of their penciled in starting center and having to go with a journeyman, I am a bit worried about Mannings protection. Also on the defensive side of the ball the loss of Dummerville hurts quite a bit but I think that Del Rio will find a way to make it work.
2: Seattle Seahawks
I know my buddy Brian is gonna be fuming about me putting the hawks at number 2 (after all he is a Seattle fan), but what can I say, I think the Donkey's are better. I was in love with Russel Wilson from the start and it looks like he is only getting better this year. While Wilson is as good a reason as any to root for the Seahawks, he isn't the entire show. In fact Seattle is going to win more games because of their defense and running game than people will think. If you watched those units last year you would know what I am talking about. That defense is serious and that running game can keep the game in slow motion which helps with stopping the high flying attack that a lot of NFL teams favor right now.
Where I have some concerns with the Seahawks is at wide receiver. While they did fine without the addition of having Harvin last year, i think that people are a bit more cued in on Wilson so having some weapons on the outside would be nice, but again their receiving core did fine. Really just putting something here for the sake of saying this team does have a weakness (though in all honesty I can't see one).
3: San Francisco 49ers
This team is actually a popular pick for making the super bowl and while I think they can do it, I don't think they have the depth of talent on their roster of either the broncos or the Seahawks. I am actually very curious to see how Kapernick does with a full season. If the game slows down for him even more this is going to be one dangerous guy, but at the same time if you look at Cam Newton (similar QB styles) he had a bit of a dip after his breakout rookie campaign. We will see we will see.
If there is one place I would say the Niners are the best in the league it is their linebacking core. I don't think any other team has anything like they do. If they manage to get a bit more production out of their secondary, this is a defense that could actually win games by itself.
4: Baltimore Ravens
I will be honest here, I actually don't know if I have them this high for any other reason than they are the reigning champs. This isn't to say the Ravens are a bad team, far from it, but I think the loss of Ray Lewis to retirement is going to be a factor. I still expect these guys to make it to the playoffs, but I just don't see a repeat appearance in their future this season.
Have to say that I love the Harbaugh's. Both brothers played in the NFL as quarterbacks but both are seriously defensive minded head coaches who prefer the ground and pound over the pass... go figure.
5: Houston Texans
I actually flipped a coin here between the Texans and the Patriots. While the Patriots have number 12 and probably the best head coach to ever call a game, I don't think they can overcome the problems they are going through with the Hernandez incident and I really think them letting Welker go is going to be a serious mistake. Enough about the Pat's though they are up next let's talk about the Texans...
GO GARY KUBIAK I WANNA SEE YOU WIN A SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!
Okay so maybe I am a bit of a fanboy for ole Kub's but hell he backed up John Elway and was the Offensive Cordinator of the two Bronco Super Bowl teams.... by the way the Texans are actually one awesome team, JJ Watt, Brian Cushing, Adrian Foster, and their QB.. um what's his name again?
6: New England Patriots
Like I said I flipped a coin and the Houston Texans wound up in the number four spot. The reason I actually think the Texans are going to be Super Bowl contenders this year is because they probably have the most complete team in the league, unlike the Patriot's. The one single draw back to them going all the way is that QB Matt Schaub. Now please don't get me wrong, I actually think Schaub is a lot better than people give him credit for, but I just don't know if he has the "it" factor that Quarterback's like Brady have.
7: Green Bay Packers
I actually probably should have these dudes rated a little higher, but I just get a bit pissy about how everyone wants to tout Aaron Rodgers as the second coming. I like him, have since he came out of college, but I don't think he is the best QB in the game right now and definitely don't think he is the best QB of all time (sorry but his name is not Elway, Marino, Montana, or even Ken Anderson) so yeah am knocking them down a peg because everyone else is hyping them up so much.
8: Atlanta Falcons
I know a lot of people are kind of overlooking what they did last year, but make no mistake the Falcons have a great shot at making it to the promised land this year. They have a mostly complete team, a damn good coach, and that guy Ryan ain't bad either. There one problem is that if they don't take first seed, I just don't see them taking the Lombardi home, they need home field to much.
9: New Orleans Saints
Okay so last year they looked like a team without a head coach, but that's probably because they didn't have one. Sean Peyton is back this year and he has to be a bit pissed off. I think Brees is going to light it up and I seriously think this team is looking to stomp on some people.
10: Cincinnati Bengals
It was either the Dalton, Green show here or the RGIII show and I opted for the combination versus a guy who got hurt in pre season. I think the Bengals are actually primed for a deep playoff run, but don't think they are quite ready to make it to the big show just yet.
11: Washington Redskins
This pick seriously depends on two factors. Can RGIII stay healthy and can Shannahan get over himself enough to actually change things up a bit and be a little less predictable. Now if these two things happen I actually think this is probably a number four or even number three team, but sorry been bit by Shannahan to many times to trust in him.
12: Indianapolis Colts
This pick is based off the brilliant play of Andrew Luck and a surprisingly awesome coaching staff. I don' think they have the talent to compete against the real big boys, but I do see them pulling off another playoff run.
13: Kansas City Chiefs
No your not having eye problems and no I am not insane (well I might be but that's not why I put the Chiefs here). I actually think this team is going to surprise a lot of people and might just make the playoffs. If you take a look at their team its got some real talent and with Reid taking over and the addition of Alex Smith at QB... I don't know just seems like this team is going to grab some attention this season.
14: Pittsburgh Steelers
Man I really actually want to rate these guys higher but there are two problems. First is the fact their defense is old and that just is hurting them. The second is that I think the Offensive Coordinator is trying to hard to make Big Ben play like a traditional QB instead of playing like Big Ben.
15: Philadelphia Eagles
This one is actually a bit of a stretch considering they just jettisoned Reid (which is one of those SERIOUSLY? kind of moves) and I don't know how well the new coaches scheme is going to mesh in the NFL.
16: Dallas Cowboys
This is actually a team that deserves a higher ranking if you go simply off of talent but they have a big problem and that's the fact their coach seems to be rooting for the other team more than his team. Also, while I think Romo is a hell of a QB, he just seems to have the luck of... hrm.. an unlucky guy I guess.
17,18, 19, 20: New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions
You get to a point where you just hit the whole performing under their potential category. Each one of these teams on paper actually could make it to the playoffs and even the big show, but for whatever reason they play way below their talent level.
21-32: The rest
With the exception of the Miami Dolphins who might surprise me, the rest of the teams in the league are really there just for us to make fun of for a season. While there are some bright players in there they just don't have a buzz with them at the moment. Now I totally expect one of "the rest" to shock the hell out of me and make a real play off run, but at this point in time, I don't want to put the effort into actually writing more than a single paragraph about all of them put together.
So there you have it, my first power rankings of the season. I know someone is going "but.. but... but" about this that and the other thing, but that is what the comment section is for. If you actually have a strong opinion or just want to call me stupid, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.
Bonus: My Super Bowl Picks
Each Season I like to pick who will make it to the Super Bowl and while I generally am wrong, I was actually right once (the Raiders and Buc's) so figure I will make a pick this year and if I am wrong, no biggie, it's not like I put money on it or anything.
I predict it will be a Broncos vs Seahawks Super Bowl.
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