[CBFF] Sportsline Power Rankings Week 1

[Jerry Madsen]

POWER RANKINGS
Current	Team	Previous
	1	Steelers · Trends	-
They haven't lost much from a team that won it all last year. That's
why they start in this spot. As long as their quarterback can stay off
the motorcycle, and out of the hospital, they'll be close to the top
at the end.
	2	Panthers · Trends	-
This is a deep, talented team that made major improvements in the
offseason. They are the class of the NFC. They will be a fight every
week.
	3	Colts · Trends	-
In Vegas, they are still the favorites. That has to mean something.
Maybe the tough playoff loss, and the sting of it, will help get this
team to the Super Bowl.
	4	Patriots · Trends	-
Don't let all the losses the past few years fool you. This is still
one of the best teams. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the two
reasons why.
	5	Broncos · Trends	-
They've added deep speed in Javon Walker, which will help the offense,
and Mike Bell looks like another in the line of runners who can get it
done for the Broncos. Now it's time for Mike Shanahan to get to the
Super Bowl without John Elway.
	6	Jaguars · Trends	-
Looking for a rising team? This is it. There is plenty of good young
talent and a suffocating defense. If the offense makes a move forward,
this could be a Super team.
	7	Cowboys · Trends	-
The T.O. issues have hung over this team all summer, but they still
have a ton of talent. If Terrell Owens can put out on the field, none
of that other stuff will matter.
	8	Seahawks · Trends	-
Super losers usually have Super hangovers. Can they avoid it? We'll
see. Something says they slide down just a bit.
	9	Giants · Trends	-
This is the year Eli Manning breaks out. The Giants face a brutal
schedule that will make it tough to repeat last year's record.
	10	Eagles · Trends	-
Andy Reid will have this team bouncing back. As long as Donovan McNabb
can stay healthy, they should be in the mix to win the tough NFC East.
	11	Bengals · Trends	-
Carson Palmer looked great in his return to the field last week, so
don't worry about the offense as long he's there. The defense also
looks improved, which is a must. But something tells me they won't be
as good as in 2005.
	12	Dolphins · Trends	-
There are a lot of questions for this trendy team. Getting Daunte
Culpepper was a great move, but the line is so-so, the defensive front
has age and the secondary is inexperienced.
	13	Cardinals · Trends	-
Their offensive line will decide if they can make a playoff run. They
have the skill people and the defense is loaded with good players.
	14	Falcons · Trends	-
They will be a much better team on defense than a year ago. John
Abraham will make that happen. It's now on Michael Vick and the
passing game for this to be a Super contender.
	15	Buccaneers · Trends	-
This team that will go as far as the offensive line takes it. They
have all the parts, but the five guys up front have to play better to
make this a division winner.
	16	Chargers · Trends	-
Philip Rivers takes over at quarterback, and he'll be fine. The
Chargers will push the Broncos hard in the AFC West. If they don't
make the playoffs, a coaching change is coming.
	17	Ravens · Trends	-
Steve McNair gives the Ravens a legitimate threat at quarterback. The
issue will be how much he has left. The defense returns to the 4-3,
which is better for the players on the roster, especially Ray Lewis.
	18	Bears · Trends	-
That defense better be a lot like the 1985 group if this team is to
win more than its bad division. The passing game has to make a big
improvement, no matter who plays quarterback.
	19	Chiefs · Trends	-
The loss of left tackle Willie Roaf is a tough one for the Chiefs.
Plus, what type of offensive system is Herm Edwards going to use? If
he tries to shut it down, playing more ball control, the Chiefs could
have problems.
	20	Redskins · Trends	-
The offense was horrible in the preseason, but, hey, it's the
preseason. It has to be better once Clinton Portis gets back on the
field. How much better can it be?
	21	Vikings · Trends	-
It's hard to imagine this team going far with a too-old quarterback
and no real threat at receiver. The defense will have to carry this
team for a while.
	22	Rams · Trends	-
They will be good on offense again, but the key will be the defense.
New coordinator Jim Haslett will liven things up some, but it's the
players who have to make the difference. The offense will score.
	23	Raiders · Trends	-
Aaron Brooks has new life in Oakland and Art Shell is the right man
for the job. But there is not enough talent to push for a division
title.
	24	Lions · Trends	-
Matt Millen's wonderful reconstruction project continues to plod along
near the bottom of the league. It's going to take time for new coach
Rod Marinelli to fix this mess.
	25	Saints · Trends	-
New coach Sean Payton has his hands full trying to get this team to
.500. The offense should be okay, but the defense will struggle.
	26	Packers · Trends	-
Why in the heck did Brett Favre return? Okay, so he loves the game. He
had better, because it's going to be a long season.
	27	Texans · Trends	-
Can David Carr become a quality quarterback under Gary Kubiak? If he
can't, it will be a long season for the Texans, and maybe the end for
Carr in Houston.
	28	Bills · Trends	-
Here's a team that should be good on defense, but might struggle to
get good quarterback play. That's why they're down here. It's all
about quarterback play.
	29	Titans · Trends	-
They spent big on free agents, then let their quarterback go. That
doesn't make sense. Good luck with Billy Volek or Kerry Collins in
there.
	30	Browns · Trends	-
Losing your first- and second-team centers, one of them a marquee free
agent, isn't a good way to open the season. Plus, we still don't know
about Charlie Frye.
	31	Jets · Trends	-
What the heck has Eric Mangini gotten himself into? This team is a
mess, even if Chad Pennington can stay on the field the entire season.
	32	49ers · Trends	-
They will be a better team in 2006, but the record might not reflect
it. They are a good year away from coming close to .500.

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