Power Rankings: #11-20
The top ten of our ridiculously early, meaningless, and subjective power rankings posted on Monday. Here goes 11-20.
11. Dallas Cowboys – Wade Phillips should know what to do with this defensive personnel. In a wide open NFC, they have a shot.
12. Denver Broncos – A few commentors called me out for ranking Denver so low, but I’d like to rank them even lower. I just can’t find many other good teams. Jay Cutler is going to have his growing pains, and there are question marks at every skill position. The defensive line and linebacker spots are hardly settled. A great system, coach, and secondary can take you a long way though.
13. Carolina Panthers – Strange team that better win now before they start declining. The defense has a chance to be very good, so it’s up to Jake Delhomme again.
14. New York Jets – They could go 8-8 and be a better team this year. The schedule is much more difficult.
15. Washington Redskins – I’ve convinced myself that this is the “sleeper” team of the NFC East. Year two of the Al Saunders/Jason Campbell combination should produce improved results. Once again, this team isn’t very deep.
16. Seattle Seahawks – Still the best of a bad bunch in NFC West. There are some legitimate reasons to expect improvement on defense.
17. New York Giants – The offense should be above average, but the defense doesn’t have much to hang their hat on.
18. Buffalo Bills – Very impressive coaching job by Dick Jauron last year, and all the offseason losses on defense were overrated. Just not a J.P. Losman believer yet, and the cornerbacks are awfully thin.
19. Green Bay Packers – Favre is going to have a quality defense just in time to lead a sub-mediocre offense.
20. Cleveland Browns – Closer than people think, especially on defense, but it’s hard to get excited about the quarterbacks and Jamal Lewis.
Comments
speaking of denver, champ bailey made some comments today that reinforce domenik hixon's status as my favorite darkest of dark horse receivers. i will definitely spend a flier on him in at least one league.
when champ bailey talks about a receiver being good, i listen.
Posted by: The Dox | August 8, 2007 09:40 PM
I think the Seahawks finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year....the Rams and one of if not both the Cardinals and 49ers should top them.
Posted by: J | August 8, 2007 10:00 PM
Very astute observations about the Bills- you're one of very few football/fantasy football experts who positions them in the top 20. Yes, the defensive subtractions are overrated- and keeping them, for it what it would have cost, was unreasonable (particularly Clements, who has attitude issues regardless). London's tenacity and leadership will be missed, but he made all his tackles about 8 yards downfield because he's the size of your average postman. Don't get me started on McGahee; there is not one NFL player who I like less. Baltimore had better hope that a Dave & Buster's chain doesn't open there.
In reality, though, the Bills still face the toughest schedule in the league. As a die-hard Bills fan, they still will not make the playoffs.
Posted by: Ben | August 9, 2007 12:30 PM