NFL Power Rankings are here!

It's never too early to start talking football. So, here they are: my first edition of NFL power rankings.

1. New England Patriots - Last year they were one bad half away from another Super Bowl. And that was with the equivalent of the Three Stooges at receiver. This offseason, the Pats were more active than anyone. Adding Adalius Thomas on the defense gives the most creative defensive mind in the game, Bill Belichick, the most versatile weapon in the game. Oh, and the Pats also completely revamped their receiving core by adding Dante Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss.
2. San Diego Chargers - This team simply has too much talent to be any lower. I am a little concerned about the change in coaching staff, but Marty was a waste when it mattered most anyway. Phillip Rivers should only continue to get better in his second full season.
3. Baltimore Ravens - I wanted to put the Colts here, but I really like the addition of Willis McGahee at RB. Losing Adalius Thomas will hurt, but this defense is still the best in the game; and defense still wins championships
4. Indianapolis Colts - I know, what am I thinking has the Super Bowl champs ranked as the fourth best team in the league? Well, I'm simply not convinced that defense is as good as the unit who put on an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" act during last year's playoffs. Enough can never be said of Peyton Manning, but that defense was atrocious las season for a reason. They were very talented and they got worse this past offseason.
5. New Orleans Saints - Finally an NFC team. This offense is almost as fun to watch as the Colts'. And with Drew Brees a full season removed from shoulder surgery and Reggie Bush with a full season of experience under his belt, they may be even better this year. If the defense can match the yeomen work they did last year, then last year will be proven to be no fluke.
6. Philadelphia Eagles - A healthy Donovan McNabb will lead what has become one the best offenses in the game. And a healthy Jevon Kearse, along with key additions at linebacker and defensive line, should greatly improve a defense that vastly underperformed last season. If Andy Reid continues the balanced offense that prevailed when Jeff Garcia took over for an injured McNabb, the Eagles could easily be the NFC favorite.
7. Denver Broncos - I'm not ready to crown Jay Cutler as the next John Elway, but he certainly looked better than Jake Plummer in his limited experience. Combine that improvement with at the most important position with a solid running game and defense, and you've got a playoff team with the potential to do damage when they get there.
8. Chicago Bears - Defending Super Bowl champs at #4 and the defending NFC champs at #8? What's with this guy? Nothing, I was just never a believer of this team, and all the offseason issues they've had with Tank Johnson and Lance Briggs will not help. Not to mention they lost their defensive coordinator. And I am not a believer in Rex Grossman or that offense in general, especially after letting Thomas Jones walk to New York. But in a weak NFC, and even weaker NFC North, the Bears should cruise to the playoffs again.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - They look like they've gotten a few of their off the field problems resolved and Carson Palmer still leads one of the best offenses in the AFC. It's time for that young defense to step up and play well on a consistent basis.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jags return an absolutely fantastic defense. And the emergence as Maurice Jones-Drew as a game breaking back adds an explosive element to that offense. If they can get reliable play from the QB position, the Jags will be dangerous.
11. Dallas Cowboys - The 'boys have a new coach who still will not be able to control T.O. However, that will not be their biggest concern. First, Tony Romo showed major signs of coming back to earth the latter part of the season. Second, that defense completely imploded around the same time. If no one other than DeMarcus Spears can make plays on defense, its going to be a long season. But again, the NFC hides a lot of weaknesses.
12. New York Jets - The Jets outperformed everyone's expectations last year by being unspectacular in every aspect of the game. However, they remind a lot of their coach's mentor's team, the Patriots. And that means that last year was no fluke. By adding Thomas Jones behind a young and talented offensive line, look for the Jets to be a difficult team to play against once again.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers - This team fell so hard so fast las season its easy to forget about them. Its a lot like what happend to the Eagles after their Super Bowl loss in 2004: they had a lot of things go wrong in 2005 and were able to start fresh in 2006 and return to the playoffs. The Steelers are still a solid team and should bounce back well. But they are in a tough division and conference.
14. Seattle Seahawks - Their division will be much tougher this season. And Shaun Alexander is still having foot problems apparently. But they are a solid team on both sides of the ball, and should have one more season before the rest of the west catches up with them.
15. Carolina Panthers - Aside from the Saints, the Panthers are suddenly in a weak division. DeAngelo Hall, barring injuries, should be ready to take control of that offense. And that defense is still very talented. They just need some help from the offense.
16. Buffalo Bills - JP Losman started to show some real signs of progressing and gelling with Lee Evans last season. Rookie Marshaun Lynch should be able to make up for some of the offense McGahee is taking with him to Baltimore. The Bills boast a young aggressive defense and they still have a dangerous special teams unit that is second possibly only to the Bears
17. St. Louis Rams - The Rams have the most underrated QB in the game. Marc Bulger continues to hit targets Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, and Stephen Jackson has emerged as one of the top 5 weapons in the game. I have faith that Coach Linehan can continue to improve that defense.
18. Arizona Cardinals - While I like the direction this team is going, I have made the mistake too many times in recent years thinking they would have a breakout year. The weapons are there on both sides of the ball, but they still lack the skill where it counts: in the trenches on offensive and defensive line.
19. SanFransico 49ers - Much like the Cardinals, the Niners are heading in the right direction, but are not quite there yet. Watch out for Vernon Davis though; he is poised for a big year after being injured much of his rookie year.
20. Green Bay Packers - If the Packers don't get it done this year, it may be a few years before they do. I still believe that, given the right tools, Brett Favre can lead the Pack to the playoffs. Being in the NFC North always helps too.
21. New York Giants - This team is on the edge of a very high cliff. If they couldn't do better than 8-8 with Tiki Barber, it could be scary how bad they do this year. Unless Eli Manning can make the progress he has thus far shown he is incapable of doing, the Giants have no hope in a relatively strong NFC East.
22. Detroit Lions - With the addition of Calvin Johnson, the Lions will have one of the best offenses in the NFC. But what has that defense done to show they can improve as a team?
23. Tennessee Titans - I buy the Vince Young hype; but not as much as the Titans front office. The rookie QB did an amazing job leading a team with very little talent on offense, and they let some of that talent walk away this offseason. That defense is still a work in progress.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - This may be my worst positioning in all the rankings if all the talent on this team can stay healthy and play together. The offense has many weapons with a QB in Jeff Garcia who knows how to use it. And the defense is getting a little younger, but still has the veteran leadership.
25. Miami Dolphins - This team is a mess. And I totally do not buy that Trent Green is the answer; long term or short term. Did anyone else see him after he came back from injury and in the playoffs. Him and Herman Edwards set offensive football back 50 years.
26. Kansas City Chiefs - I repeat the last sentence I wrote. Now the team is getting older except at QB, where they will most likely go with the untested Brodie Croyle.
27. Atlanta Falcons - It doesn't matter how good your running game is. When you have the worst passing game in the league, your offense will not be successful. And with Michael Vick's continued immaturity, he will not be able to improve that.
28. Washington Redskins - Joe Gibbs should get out now. The game has passed him by. Clinton Portis continues to be hampered by injuries and I don't know where all the Jason Campbell hype came from.
29. Minnesota Vikings - There defense took some hits this offseason and QB Tavaris Jackson certainly didn't look like he was ready to take over the starting job last year. Chester Taylor and 1st round pick Adrian Peterson better get ready for a busy season, because they will be pounding the rock constantly.
30. Cleveland Browns - Will the Brady Quinn era start this year? That's about the only interesting story line coming out of Cleveland.
31. Houston Texans - I find it very funny that the Texans think that Matt Schaub is the answer at QB. While I feel he was an improvement over Vick in Atlanta, he was average at best in relief. And he doesn't exactly have the best supporting cast in Houston. But hey, this is the same team that picked Mario Williams over Reggie Bush and Vince Young.
32. Oakland Raiders - Despite a surprisingly good defense, this offense is so bad in all aspects that it might kill JaMarcus Russell's career before he even gets going.