About Football's NFL Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots
Facing an easy schedule, the Pats should roll through the regular season again this year.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Recent playoff failures have to be on the minds of each player and member of the coaching staff, which should be a huge motivational factor for 2008, but could also bring added pressure.
3. San Diego Chargers
A solid core of talent returning for a second year under head coach Norv Turner offers a lot of continuity heading into the 2008 season, which is something that is often overlooked during evaluations.
4. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts return 20-of-22 starters, which means with Peyton Manning leading the way they should remain a dominant team.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
With the quarterback position settled, the Jags are poised to give the Colts a run for their money in the AFC South.
6. New Orleans Saints
When Reggie Bush was drafted a couple years ago to pair with Deuce McAllister, it seemed the two would become a devastating force on the ground. But now there are questions as to whether or not the duo can carry the load.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
2008 could be Donovan McNabb’s last shot at winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles.
8. Cleveland Browns
With the Phil Savage-Romeo Crennel regime in its fourth season, it’s time for this club to turn the corner and become a true contender.
9. New York Giants
I know... the defending Super Bowl champions at No. 9? I must be nuts, right? Maybe, but I do know the Giants will have a target on their backs each and every time they take the field, and will not be able to sneak up on anyone this time around.
10. Tennessee Titans
Last season’s playoff appearance was a bit of a surprise, but this team isn’t likely to make a repeat showing unless quarterback Vince Young and the offense become more effective.
11. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are built to win it all now... except at quarterback. Last season Tavaris Jackson had perhaps the worst mechanics of any starter. It'll be interesting to see how much he improves in 2008.
12. Green Bay Packers
General manager Ted Thompson might want to invest in a disguise just in case Aaron Rodgers flops and he has to get out of town before being strung up irate Packers fans.
13. Seattle Seahawks
With Mike Holmgren entering his final season, the Seahawks would love to send him off with their fifth consecutive division championship.
14. Buffalo Bills
Before losing their last three games of the 2007 season, the Bills were in playoff contention. After beefing up their defense a little during the offseason, they could be primed to get to the postseason this time around.
15. Washington Redskins
How quickly Jason Campbell adapts to the new offensive system being installed by head coach Jim Zorn could determine how quickly the Redskins get out of the gate.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Under Marvin Lewis, who comes from a defensive background, isn’t it ironic that the Bengals’ defense has ranked better than 27th just once during Lewis’ tenure?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are coming off a 10-win season that netted them the AFC North crown, but this year they face the league’s toughest schedule.
18. Houston Texans
The other three teams in the AFC South combined for 34 wins in 2007, which means that even though the Texans appear to be better, they are going to have a tough time escaping the division cellar.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs were just 4-6 outside their division last year, and it’ll be a tough task taking five out of six within the division again this year.
20. Denver Broncos
Keeping Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall on the field is critical to the offense’s success. Problem is, Marshall has already been suspended three games.
21. St. Louis Rams
With New England, Seattle, and the entire NFC East on the Rams’ schedule over the first seven games, 2008 might not get off to a much better start than 2007's 0-8 beginning.
22. Arizona Cardinals
With just 20 wins in the previous four seasons, last year’s 8-8 record has to be considered a success by then first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
23. Carolina Panthers
This team failed under high expectations in 2007, but could bounce back this year if Jake Delhomme stays healthy and Steve Smith quits beating up teammates.
24. Chicago Bears
The football world waits with baited breath for the outcome of the Orton-Rex Grossman battle for the starting quarterback position. Or maybe not.
25. Detroit Lions
Detroit’s defense gave up more points and yards than any other team in the league, but the unit has been revamped and should be improved. It may, however, take a while for everyone to get on the same page.
26. Baltimore Ravens
Despite posting a 5-11 record in 2007, the Ravens actually had a winning record against NFC teams, going 3-1 in those contests.
27. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders filled some holes during the offseason, and appear to be a better team on paper. But to challenge for the playoffs in 2008, not only must they get better against the run, they have to get improved play from quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
28. New York Jets
Rumor has it Chad Pennington has a slight lead over Kellen Clemens for the starting QB position, but the battle will be for naught if the Jets can swing a deal for Brett Favre.
29. San Francisco 49ers
Mike Nolan should consider himself lucky. Never before in the history of the 49ers franchise has a head coach been retained after three consecutive losing seasons.
30. Miami Dolphins
Turning this club around is going to take some time and a lot of turnover on the roster, but the Dolphins picked up one of the best in the business at turning teams around in Bill Parcells.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City was near the bottom of the league in yards rushing in 2007, and better production from the run game would take a lot of pressure off their young quarterback.
32. Atlanta Falcons
The offensive line has been revamped. The quarterback situation is unsettled at best. The new franchise running back has never carried a full load. Ad to that a new head coach who has never been a head coach at any level and you’ve got a lot of transition to deal with.