I scorn any type of rankings prior to a season starting, but what the hell, I got nothing better to today today.
#1 SAN DIEGO – Is there any doubt that if Drew Brees was still the QB, they would have already been to the Superbowl already? Ryan Leaf could make it to the playoffs with this team. It’s Rivers time to step up.
#2 DALLAS – Does the Regular season even really matter. The Cowboys could go 15-1 and all the talk would still be about Romo’s inability to win the big one.
#3 NEW ENGLAND – The defense looks old and the offense will not put up numbers like they did last year. Doesn’t matter, they’ll still win 14 games.
#4 PITTSBURGH – The defense is a little hit-and-miss, but the offense should strike a solid balance between run and pass this year. Also, can someone give Rashard Mendenhall a nickname so I don’t have to type so damn much.
#5 INDIANAPOLIS – Everyone is predicting Anthony Gonzalez as a perfect breakout sleeper. Wrong. Here you go: 800 yards, five touchdowns. If you start that in your fantasy team, your season is already over.
#6 NY GIANTS - The Giants defense has lost 22 sacks thanks to retirement (Strahan) and injury (Umenyiora). That’s a lot to over come, especially for a team that basically won a Superbowl thanks to its pass rush.
#7 NEW ORLEANS - Drew Brees must wet his pants when he sees all his options out there in the passing game. Too bad none can play corner.
#8 GREEN BAY – I love Aaron Rogers. I thought he was a steal for the Packers when they drafted him. After watching Rogers shred up the Dallas D last year in GB defeat, I think I might be on to something here.
#9 MINNESOTA – If Tavaris Jackson can be a decent QB, the Vikings are the team to beat in the NFC. However, how effective can he be with Berrian and Rice as his wide outs, with no solid TE to speak of?
#10 SEATTLE – The could lose half their roster to injury and still be the best team in their division.
#11 JACKSONVILLE – A off-season crime spree drops them from the top ten. Can Garrard turn into a pro bowler?
#12 CLEVELAND – The Browns are the team most destine to have an important player have an ACL injury, thus destroying their season. I’m talking to you, Edwards, Winslow, Anderson and/or Lewis.
#13 DENVER - Ten bucks Selvin “2,000 yards” Young will not be the leading rusher for the Broncos when the season is over.
#14 NY JETS – Yep, having Brett Favre will improve them this much. I”m thinking 8-8.
#15 ARIZONA – Come on, can Kurt Warner really start all season long? Is Matt Leinart really this much of a bust?
#16 CINCINNATI – Cutting Rudi was a smart move, but not trading Chad was not. They still can’t play defense.
#17 CAROLINA – Delhomme will not survive the season, Smith will punch out a mascot and DeAngelo Williams will rush for over 1,200 yards.
#18 PHILADELPHIA – Brian Westbrook will remain the most under appreciated player in the league, as he totals over 2,000 yards in rushing and receiving.
#19 HOUSTON – Can they stay healthy? That’s the only problem. Except for Ahman Green. Texans’ fans should be hoping he gets hurt, allowing Slaton to start.
#20 BUFFALO – I don’t want to disturb the football gods, but Trent Edwards is not the second coming of Joe Montana. However, he is still better than Losman.
#21 WASHINGTON – Can a new coaching staff save Daniel Snyder’s Superbowl dream? Nope.
#22 TAMPA BAY – You know you’re desperate for help when you drag Warrick Dunn back into the fold. At least Gruden will only have seven quarterbacks on his roster this season.
#23 DETROIT – Thanks Matt, thanks for bringing in Rudi to steal carries away from Kevin Smith, my second starting running back. Bastard.
#24 TENNESSEE – Will someone just let Vince be Vince. Each offensive call should be the same. Dog, Right, Blue…Vince do whatever you can…On two.
#25 ST. LOUIS – Bulger and Jackson are suppose to rebound this year, huh? Won’t happen, the O-line still sucks and both should receive a solid pounding.
#26 CHICAGO – If I’m the Bears, I tank the season so I can land Tim Tebow with the first pick in the 2009 draft.
#27 BALTIMORE - Ray Lewis wanted Troy Smith to start. He’s not. You don’t make Ray Lewis mad.
#28 MIAMI – So let me get this straight, Pennington is the starting QB, Ted Ginn is their top receiver and Ricky ‘Night School’ Williams will be their top rusher and this team is suppose to win more than four games?
#29 OAKLAND – If Al Davis wasn’t their owner and their coach wasn’t a 15-year-old kid, I’d put them much higher.
#30 SAN FRANCISCO – They bring in Mike Martz…yep, that worked so well in Detroit.
#31 ATLANTA – Growing pains, baby.
#32 KANSAS CITY – And the first pick in the 2009 draft is…
And finally, only because I have to, I’ll give a Superbowl prediction. Actually, I’ll give you two; one with my head, one with heart.
HEAD: Cowboys over Colts, 24-20
HEART: Packers over Raiders, 28-19
