power rankings

1 (1)Patriots16-0-0A healthy Tom Brady and a happy Randy Moss make the Patriots championship contenders this season and for years to come. (MS)
2 (2)Colts13-3-0They haven't had a lot of offseason turnover and they already were very good. Continuity means a lot. (PY)
3 (6)Chargers11-5-0If the Chargers can get over their injury issues, they could be in the Super Bowl mix all the way to Tampa. (BW)
4 (3)Cowboys13-3-0Felix Jones should help the running game immediately. But who will emerge as the No. 2 receiver? Patrick Crayton wasn't up to the task in late '07. (MM)5 (4)Jaguars11-5-0They sometimes get overshadowed by division rival Indianapolis, but the Jaguars have an elite roster and an elite coach in Jack Del Rio. (PY)
6 (9)Giants10-6-0Teams other than the Patriots aren't supposed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Will Michael Strahan retire? Can they compensate for free-agent losses at LB? (MM)
7 (8)Steelers10-6-0A very strong draft catapults the Steelers into Super Bowl contenders. RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall should be one of the best 1-2 punches. (JW)
8 (7)Seahawks10-6-0New O-line coach Mike Solari stands out as the Seahawks' top offseason acquisition, perhaps allowing them to keep their edge in the NFC West. (MS)9 (13)Browns10-6-0The 2007 darlings face high expectations. The offense will score. Can the D, anchored by additions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, hold up its end? 10 (5)Packers13-3-0This is an unpredictable team in the wake of the retirement of Brett Favre. Who will step up and make the big plays this year? (JW)
11 (18)Saints7-9-0The offense already was very good. Defensive improvements will make the Saints one of this year's biggest turnarounds. (PY)
12 (15)Vikings8-8-0If they settle on a QB, the Vikes could become a playoff team. RB Adrian Peterson is at the top of the list for MVP candidates. (JW)
13 (14)Eagles8-8-0Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous. (14 (10)Redskins9-7-0Too many questions: a new coach, young QB and a pair of rookie WRs. Hard to get a good read. (MM)
15 (12)Buccaneers9-7-0They didn't make any splash offseason moves. But RB Warrick Dunn's return is going to help more than many recognize. (PY)
16 (11)Titans10-6-0They didn't get as much help from QB Vince Young as they should have. But he's going to become good enough to carry the offense. (PY)
17 (17)Cardinals8-8-0Ken Whisenhunt and staff changed the culture in Arizona. Kurt Warner provides top-notch insurance at QB. Depth along the O-line and on defense in general remain the question. (MS)
18 (23)Panthers7-9-0The return of QB Jake Delhomme might be enough to get them to the playoffs. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. (PY)
19 (19)Bills7-9-0Marcus Stroud turns 30 this summer and his starts have declined over three seasons. Will he be healthy enough to help the Bills in December? (MS)
20 (16)Texans8-8-0They reached respectability in 2007. Improving will be difficult because their division is so tough. (PY)
21 (30)Jets4-12-0An offseason spending spree upgraded the roster without answering the Jets' most pressing question: Do they have the right QB? (MS)
22 (25)Ravens5-11-0Are the 2008 Ravens more like the 13-3 team in 2006, or the 5-11 unit last season? This is certain: QB play is key. (JW
)23 (21)Broncos7-9-0This is the second-best team in the AFC West. That is an indictment of the division, not a pat on the back for this team, which has many holes. (BW)24 (20)Bears7-9-0Seems like ages ago the Bears were NFC champs. For better or worse, fans will have to endure another season of good Rex Grossman and bad Rex Grossman. (JW)
25 (22)Bengals7-9-0If WR Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals will suffer. If Johnson shows, he's a distraction. Neither situation is good. (JW)
26 (27)Raiders4-12-0The Raiders' offense won't make people sick anymore, but their defense might. (BW)
27 (26)49ers5-11-0New offensive coordinator Mike Martz provides credibility on offense, but head coach Mike Nolan still must prove he can manage the team more smoothly. (MS)
28 (29)Rams3-13-0Quietly, Jim Haslett has turned the defense into a respectable unit. The Rams could contend for a playoff spot if their offensive line can keep Marc Bulger healthy. (MS)
29 (24)Lions7-9-0QB Jon Kitna says it will be a disappointment if the Lions don't win 10 games this season. Perhaps he doesn't realize Detroit hasn't won 10 games since 1995. (30 (28)Chiefs4-12-0The Chiefs' rebuilding project has begun, but it's unrealistic to believe they will become contenders anytime soon. (BW)
31 (32)Dolphins1-15-0A rookie head coach and an unsettled QB situation add up to growing pains, even though the Dolphins have upgraded their talent base. (MS)

 

I can't believe they ranked us under the Cards. That just sucks.

 

I still say, had they started Matt Moore instead of David Carr those few games, the Panthers would've made the playoffs LAST year, and I'm not saying Moore is football's savior. He's simply a competent QB. I hope he turns into a pretty good starting QB in the future.

 

Carr wasn't the only reason we were getting blown out, though.

 

I agree with that too. I just think the team sorta gave up without a decent QB. I think Carr was THAT bad. Moore at least inspired them to play some. While I will admit that's total bullshit that grown assed men getting paid millions need motivation, it still happens.

 

We might have been a little better on offense, but Moore wouldn't have fixed our pass rush on defense.

 

no so sure. when the offense kept going 3 and out, the D was wearing down. Would it have made them SuperBowl champions? No, but it'd give the defense some rest to allow them to play a LITTLE better.

 

We'll never know, I guess. Maybe we did start Moore in a parallel universe and made the playoffs.

 

Maybe we would have done something better but let's not forget we had Vinny taking up starts too, not just Carr.

Moore wasn't even in camp, I thought then that he probably wasn't ready; it could have been bad throwing him out there like that and I see no reason to change my mind about it in hindsight. He turned out okay, so I feel like they handled it right.

Anyhow, this Clayton "surprise" and preseason ranking shit is for the fans and betting public. I don't believe the teams we're going to face are going to look at the schedule and pencil us in as a win.

 

Whoo hoo. 6-10 here we come!!!!