I think we'll continue to be ranked towards the bottom until we show something at QB
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479557/article/nfl-power-rankings-seahawks-rise-above-super-bowl-champs
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479557/article/nfl-power-rankings-seahawks-rise-above-super-bowl-champs
RANK
1
SEAHAWKS
Seattle is the new old No. 1. The Jimmy Graham trade certainly put this team a few nautical miles north of interesting. Now the pass rush could be bolstered if John Schneider can land Greg Hardy -- unless the Cowboys snag him first. Heck, Michael Bennett and Hardy would be quite the duo, and Bennett could teach him how to jump offsides as efficiently as he does -- unless, of course, Bennett ends up heading elsewhere. Meanwhile, the biggest move the Seahawks made -- and why they are at the top of these rankings -- was keeping Marshawn Lynch in house. He is truly a difference-maker, a modern-day John Riggins. Between him and Graham, who do you defend from the 1-yard line? Ricardo Lockette, of course.
RANK
2
PATRIOTS
Yes, despite winning the Super Bowl, the Patriots were leapfrogged by the very team they vanquished. To those of you who didn't pass Stats II, I'll explain that these Power Rankings represent a complex equation. Super Bowl-winning team - Darrelle Revis = 2. Losing Vince Wilfork hurts, as well. Ditto Shane Vereen. If I were the New England front office, I would've given Tramon Williams a long look. Bolster that secondary and play the kind of bubble defense that can keep you in games next season. I did like the Scott Chandler add, by the way. He makes up for Revis' exit.
Not really.
RANK
3
PACKERS
While other teams are out there making their big splashes in the free-agency pool, there sits Packers general manager Ted Thompson, reclining in his lawn chair, wearing Oakleys with the string wrapped around his neck, reading the 98th book James Patterson's written since 2004. Personally, I like that the Green Bay general manager tends to retain his own rather than going after tons of big-name players. Sure, there have been some smaller signings here and there by the Packers over the years, but Thompson's draft well-retain well strategy never gets old. By the way, with the money Bryan Bulaga is making now, he can afford those expensive Settlers of Catan expansion packs. They're pricey and you have to own the main game to play them. That's so unfair. #gamercomplaints
RANK
4
COLTS
Man, if they were getting the 2009 versions of their free-agent signees, the Colts would be going 15-1. Of course, even if they aren't exactly in their prime, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and Trent Cole should all help the team immensely. Let's make sure they have warm sweaters -- and pay no mind if they nap on the sideline. Actually, I'm all for signing older vets if they fill needs. The key here will be whether or not these guys can give GM Ryan Grigson full ROI, as in, a complete slate of games. That's the key with an older team. Gore will rush for around 800 yards and five touchdowns this year, which should be enough.
RANK
5
CARDINALS
You did not read this wrong; the Cardinals are No. 5. Sure, they lost Dan Williams, Darnell Dockett, Larry Foote (as a player, anyway) and Antonio Cromartie. But they'll also be returning, like, nine key guys that they were without last year at one time or another. Oh, and they signed the best offensive lineman on the market. With GM Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians locked up, happy and working in tandem, this team isn't going anywhere.
RANK
6
COWBOYS
DeMarco Murray's departure hurt, no doubt. But don't think for a second that Joseph Randle -- depending on what happens with the investigation of a recent off-the-field incident -- or Lance Dunbar or whoever they draft can't be productive behind the best line in football. Oh, and Darren McFadden should be productive as well, at least during the eight games he's healthy enough to play in. Alright, that wasn't fair ... McFadden wasn't hurt last year. He just wasn't good (534 yards, two touchdowns in 16 games).
RANK
7
STEELERS
As long as the Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger, they'll be in contention. Apparently, that is precisely how management feels, too. Meanwhile, though Pittsburgh has suffered some losses on defense, you have to be excited about the development at the skill positions. I'm predicting 1,000 yards for Martavis Bryant. I am also predicting that Le'Veon Bell has a better year than DeMarco Murray. And finally, I'm predicting the Browns blurb won't be coming any time soon in these rankings, so keep reading (for awhile, really), AFC North followers.
RANK
8
BRONCOS
Peyton Manning is back, baby! Wait ... why is no one excited?
Really, who's talking about the Broncos right now? Julius Thomas and Terrance Knighton will certainly be missed. Wonder if diehard Denver fans feel worse about the latter's defection than the stud tight end going to Jacksonville. (Thoughts? @HarrisonNFL.) Either way, I still like the Gary Kubiak hiring and what the Broncos can do on the ground. Expecting a lot of two-tight end looks with Virgil Green and Owen Daniels.
RANK
9
CHIEFS
The Chiefs are nipping at the Broncos' heels in the AFC West after adding Jeremy Maclin and Ben Grubbs. Now, we've certainly heard all the wisecracks about whether Maclin will catch a touchdown, and how no wideout in Kansas City reached the end zone last year. Not to worry; we won't exhaust that joke. No, I think Maclin's 80-1,178-0 stat line will make him a truly valuable draft pick in fantasy. As far as the real draft goes, I have the Chiefs taking a safety or wideout at 18th overall. Maybe an ILB in the early rounds, as well.
RANK
10
LIONS
Tough to rate the Lions. Wondering how their fans feel? You can't expect a team to lose a player like Ndamukong Suh and not have its supporters stomp their feet on something. It's frustrating. Nick Fairley going to the Rams didn't make it better. There is the newly acquired Haloti Ngata to ease matters. Yet, as big a force as he's been, Ngata is 31. I like Detroit to pick up another DT or a corner early in the draft. And I've noticed fans are less sad about the departure of Reggie Bush than they are about losing Suh. Shocking.
RANK
11
EAGLES
Chip Kelly sure was in the news a heckuva lot this week. Unreal how that roster has been made over in short order -- and the work continues. DeMarco Murray and Sam Bradford generated plenty of buzz, but one wonders how much the Green Bays, Dallases and Seattles of the world are quaking in their cleats about the prospect of facing Jordan Matthews and Riley Cooper at wideout. And with Evan Mathis on the block and Todd Herremans gone, will there be continuity up front? Will it be better than it was early last year, when the deck was reshuffled several times due to injury?
While everyone gets excited about Murray, and while Ryan Mathews takes his eighth tour of the facility, maybe we should focus on the defensive moves (which I think were stronger).
RANK
12
BENGALS
If re-signing Rey Maualuga and Clint Boling are the kinds of offseason moves that get you fired up, the Cincinnati Bengals are the team for you. Boy, that Marvin Lewis was right about his organization being aggressive in free agency. It's, uh, really been ... something. Did you hear Cincy signed A.J. Hawk? Oh, and the Bengals are paying a guy who got four sacks last year $20 million over the next four years. There's your $40 million of cap space at work.
RANK
13
RAVENS
Baltimore, despite being a quality playoff team that darn near knocked off the Patriots, is at 13. Why? Well, who's going to play on the defensive line? Who's even rotating in on the defensive line? The front seven lost several quality players this offseason. The offense lost Torrey Smith. How healthy is Dennis Pitta? These are tough questions.
You have to love Justin Forsett being re-signed, though. He merely asked for a team to "go" with him. He was tired of being stuck in the friend zone. You see, kids, this is why you don't take someone's -- I mean, a team's -- phone calls right after breaking up with them. Send it to voicemail. Make 'em wonder. OK, um, on to the Texans ...
RANK
14
TEXANS
Hard to gauge how fans feel about the Andre Johnson departure. Though he was one of the best players since Y2K, I didn't really hear the outrage over the Texans' top all-time player being cut. Still, I like the club not only re-signing Ryan Mallett but also taking a flier on Brian Hoyer. Getting Rahim Moore, Vince Wilfork and Cecil Shorts in free agency was nice, too. Besides, it's not like Houston let Johnson go to a division rival or anything.
RANK
15
PANTHERS
For the record, I think Carolina wins the NFC South this season. Not only did the Panthers become the first team in the history of the division (which was born out of realignment in 2002) to finish first back-to-back, now they will become the first to three-peat. All they need is a WR2, an RB2, O-line help, a DE and an SS. I would like an SS, as well. Give me a '68, blue with white stripes, man.
