ESPN NFL Teams Rankings

[mtammen 0]

1. Panthers

2. Seahawks

3. Redskins

4. Patriots

5. Steelers

6. Ravens

7. Colts

8. Giants

9. Bengals

10. Broncos

11. Cardnals

12. Falcons

13. Dolphins

14. Cowboys

15. Chargers

16. Bucs

17. Bears

18. Chiefs

19. Jags

20. Vikings

 

The last 10 aren't that big of a deal. How big of idiots are these guys? The NFC hasn't been close to the AFC in strenght the last few years and now they are saying that the 3 best teams are in the NFC? How do these guys even have jobs anymore?

 

Also a few more things stick out.

- The Redskins at 3??

- The Ravens at 6!?!!?!?!? Steve McNair isn't THAT good. They were horrible last year.

- The Cardinals at 11?? Let the hype begin again.

 

Discuss.

[gatorbait7391 0]

1. Panthers

2. Seahawks

3. Redskins

4. Patriots

5. Steelers

6. Ravens

7. Colts

8. Giants

9. Bengals

10. Broncos

11. Cardnals

12. Falcons

13. Dolphins

14. Cowboys

15. Chargers

16. Bucs

17. Bears

18. Chiefs

19. Jags

20. Vikings

 

[Baby Jesus 0]

I saw it and thought the exact same thing.

 

Focking idiots.

 

What they don't mention is the FACT that Indy would be favored over any team in the NFL on a neutral field.

 

And they're ranked 7th.

 

[swamp dog 0]

i ignore team lists this time of year. they're completely meaningless and purposely controversial so that readers promote them and the site by talking about them.

 

like now.

[murf74 461]

Preseason rankings are stupid. Use them for entertainment purposes. Keep the list and post it after the season and watch how they miss 90% of their predictions.

 

And the NFC is a trendy pick now since all the big name player movements and draft picks.

[tecklc2112 7]

The Pats ranked as the top AFC team???? Their team is not improved from last year...Dillon is older, Givens gone...These guys need to rethink things, wow

[Da Bomb 0]

this rankings are mostly based on team depth. they ranked each team based on its depth at QB, RB, receivers, rush defense, and pass defense. the ranking you posted is the average of those 5 individual rankings. its a very oversimplified system.

[ellisonb11 0]

these ranks are ridiculous, i mean, the redskins at 3....i think they will be solid this year, but no way they are the 3rd best team in the NFL...and the ravens at 6? the jags at 19? well, the jags never seem to get respect, but o well.

[hellothere 1]

the fact that the Texans aren't listed #1 shows how ridiculous this list is

[shovelheadt 72]

1. Panthers

2. Seahawks

3. Redskins

4. Patriots

5. Steelers

6. Ravens

7. Colts

8. Giants

9. Bengals

10. Broncos

11. Cardnals

12. Falcons

13. Dolphins

14. Cowboys

15. Chargers

16. Bucs

17. Bears

18. Chiefs

19. Jags

20. Vikings

 

3. Redskins - why would this year be any different than the others where the've opened up the bank? Also, a lot has to be said for continuity, and this team has none. It seems like there's a new key piece arriving every year. And if I remember correctly, didn't they have very few draft picks the last couple of years? How do you build for the future like that?

 

4. Patriots - How is this team better than last year. Lost Givens and some linemen. Lost another coordinator. Dillon is older. Branch is pissed about his contract.

 

5. Steelers - Still one of the favorites, but this is a fairly safe ranking until everyone sees how they adjust to losing a couple of players.

 

6. Ravens - I see a lot of improvement for this team because of McNair and some defensive guys that were hurt last year. But all the way up to 6...doubt it.

 

7. Colts - Another safe ranking. They've lost Edge, who even Manning said was huge on that team. They've lost 2 or 3 defensive starters on a suspect defense.

 

9. Bengals - I can only assume this is because of Palmer's knee. I have them right behind the Steelers, until their defense proves it can stop my grandma.

[xenophobe 1]

You're going to see a lot of questionable projections this time of year. In all honesty, accurate projections would appear pretty rediculous this time of year. Take 'em for what their worth. Everyone has their opinion.

[Baby Jesus 0]

3. Redskins - why would this year be any different than the others where the've opened up the bank? Also, a lot has to be said for continuity, and this team has none. It seems like there's a new key piece arriving every year. And if I remember correctly, didn't they have very few draft picks the last couple of years? How do you build for the future like that?

 

4. Patriots - How is this team better than last year. Lost Givens and some linemen. Lost another coordinator. Dillon is older. Branch is pissed about his contract.

 

5. Steelers - Still one of the favorites, but this is a fairly safe ranking until everyone sees how they adjust to losing a couple of players.

 

6. Ravens - I see a lot of improvement for this team because of McNair and some defensive guys that were hurt last year. But all the way up to 6...doubt it.

 

7. Colts - Another safe ranking. They've lost Edge, who even Manning said was huge on that team. They've lost 2 or 3 defensive starters on a suspect defense.

 

9. Bengals - I can only assume this is because of Palmer's knee. I have them right behind the Steelers, until their defense proves it can stop my grandma.

Although I don't agree with everything here, shovelhead is a respected poster because of opinions like this. About 99% of you rookie jackasses should read and learn.

 

Film at 11.

[seattle_pt1 0]

9. Bengals - I can only assume this is because of Palmer's knee. I have them right behind the Steelers, until their defense proves it can stop my grandma.

 

I have actually heard from several "experts" that the Bengals will be a little worse this year due to Palmer's knee, the off-the-field distractions, and aparantly they have the toughest schedule in the NFL this year.

[murf74 461]

Bengals do have a ridiculously hard schedule. Besides the same opponents as the AFC North (playing AFC West and NFC South), they also have to play Indy and NE. While in comparison, Pitt plays Jags and Miami. That is a pretty significant difference.

[shovelheadt 72]

9. Bengals - I can only assume this is because of Palmer's knee. I have them right behind the Steelers, until their defense proves it can stop my grandma.

I have actually heard from several "experts" that the Bengals will be a little worse this year due to Palmer's knee, the off-the-field distractions, and aparantly they have the toughest schedule in the NFL this year.

 

A couple of months ago, I was just talking homer smack saying that Carson would be back by game 1. Lately, I actually believe it. I've been watching him go full speed (without hits) during the last minicamp and he's looked good. Palmer himself was saying the only thing he's worried about is the rust. He could tell he hadn't done any real throwing for the past few months.

 

You're right about the schedule, tied with the Giants for the toughest. And it's the opening stretch that kills me (especially with the Palmer injury).

 

At KC

Browns

At Steelers

Pats

At Tampa Bay

Carolina

Falcons

At Ravens

Chargers

 

C'mon, who the hell put that together? I know it's a manual process, and someone had to have thought/mentioned about Palmer's injury. If they can get to the bye at 2-2, I'd be damn pleased.

 

Bengals do have a ridiculously hard schedule. Besides the same opponents as the AFC North (playing AFC West and NFC South), they also have to play Indy and NE. While in comparison, Pitt plays Jags and Miami. That is a pretty significant difference.

 

And to top it off, the Pats game is early (Palmer healthy?) and the Colts game is on the road for Monday night football. Jeez.

 

Although I don't agree with everything here, shovelhead is a respected poster because of opinions like this. About 99% of you rookie jackasses should read and learn.

 

Film at 11.

 

Thanks for the props.

[Baby Jesus 0]

Thanks for the props.

No prob. I tell it how it is. Please just don't chokefuck me.

[shovelheadt 72]

No prob. I tell it how it is. Please just don't chokefuck me.

 

I can't help it that my biatches like the freaky shiz.

[titan20 0]

They said they ranked on depth, however during most of the discussions, they only considered the starter, which takes away from any purpose of ranking teams depth. And yes these are upsurd.

[Baby Jesus 0]

upsurd

I'm pretty sure this is the best word posted on the forearm.

 

Evah.

[waterwolves 0]

I totally agree with the rankings!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Code Redskin fan.

[SoloMatisse 0]

What exactly have the Ravens done to deserve to be ranked 6th?? And then Dallas 14th? Those two teams were clearly misplaced. Those guys at ESPN dont honestly know anything more than any of us. Theyre clearly not making the most out of whatever inside information they do have. But that's not really a shocker considering Golic and Salisbury are likely the 2 most responsible for this bogus list.

[Taylor36 0]

3. Redskins - why would this year be any different than the others where the've opened up the bank? Also, a lot has to be said for continuity, and this team has none. It seems like there's a new key piece arriving every year. And if I remember correctly, didn't they have very few draft picks the last couple of years? How do you build for the future like that?

 

I have to disagree with your continuity statement. Only 3 starters have been replaced from last season where they were only one game away from the NFC championship. The 3 new guys starting are Brandon Lloyd or Randle El, Adam Archuleta and Andre Carter. The O-line is the same, which IMO is one of the most important groups to keep together. To have 19 of the 22 players returning and upgrading their major weakness of WR is pretty good. As far as the draft picks, the FAs they have been picking up are still pretty young and have a lot of football left in them.

 

Now I am not saying they should be #3 but I do think they have continuity within the players they have on the field. It will be a new offense but since Gibbs and Saunders come from the same background the terminology is very similiar so hopefully it will not be a difficult transition. The NFC east is going to be tough so they could still be one of the better teams of the NFC and still not make the playoffs.

[Boston 0]

The Pats only lost one starter from offense and one from defense (Givens and Willie which is their biggest loss). There is a very large misconception that they lost more than that. Also, their injury situation last year was beyond brutal. They pretty much lost three units to injuries (RB, Dbacks and O line) as well as Seymour and Bruschi for sustained periods of time (Brady was also hurt for a good portion of the year). I'm always amazed at how much people discount the fact that this squad could have such a bad injury situation but still win a division title as well as a playoff game.

 

The Pats still have a lot of questions. No doubt about it. Yet, so do the other AFC powers (Pittsburgh, Indy and Denver also had big losses). While I can see why someone may like another club over the Pats there's no question in my mind they are still an elite team that has just as good a chance to go the distance as anyone else.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

They said they ranked on depth, however during most of the discussions, they only considered the starter, which takes away from any purpose of ranking teams depth. And yes these are upsurd.

 

 

Agree completely. Not trying to be a smart azz or anything, but it's absurd.

 

I'm still trying to figure out how the Eagles got buried AND ranked behind the focking Texans.

[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon 0]

These rankings suck.

 

The Redskins are clearly #1

[waterwolves 0]

These rankings suck.

 

The Redskins are clearly #1

 

 

 

Couldn't agree more. How in the hell are the skins all the way down to #3!!!!!! For god's sake man who the hell made this list.

[dcholland1 0]

Salisbury probably put this thing together. He is such a joke.

[murf74 461]

C'mon, who the hell put that together? I know it's a manual process, and someone had to have thought/mentioned about Palmer's injury. If they can get to the bye at 2-2, I'd be damn pleased.

And to top it off, the Pats game is early (Palmer healthy?) and the Colts game is on the road for Monday night football. Jeez.

 

Your the returning AFC North Champs....enjoy the first place schedule.

[shovelheadt 72]

Your the returning AFC North Champs....enjoy the first place schedule.

 

I need a 2-0 start. KC doesn't scare me, even on the road.

[murf74 461]

I need a 2-0 start. KC doesn't scare me, even on the road.

 

K.C. on the road scares me. It is a tough stadium (noise wise) to play. I think they only lost 1 time at home last year and that was the Eagles game that they really should never have let Philly back into.

[Ignignokt 0]

I'm pretty sure this is the best word posted on the forearm.

 

Evah.

"upsurd"

[FlaHawker 24]

Ridiculous!! How could Seattle not have the top spot!

[culboarder11 0]

Focking idiots.

 

What they don't mention is the FACT that Indy would be favored over any team in the NFL on a neutral field.

 

Maybe if this were last year and the Colts still had Edgerrin James, this MIGHT be true. But not this year bud..

[mggoilers 0]

Booyah, and there goes their credibility.

 

Redskins at #3 is a joke, they barely have a QB

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Maybe if this were last year and the Colts still had Edgerrin James, this MIGHT be true. But not this year bud..

 

The loss of Edge is huge in the play action scheme of things for Peyton and Co..

 

Think about it: Peyton is money when he's faking a handoff to Edge. Does anyone really think that play action to Dominic Rhodes is gonna put the fear into opposing defenses?

 

No way, Jose!

 

Teams will do exactly what the Steelers did to them last year, and what the Patriots have always done to him: bring the blitz up the middle and right in his face.

 

Colts finish 11-5, but should not be considered a favorite in the AFC, not without Edge.

 

Huge, huge loss.

[skins1967 0]

The Redskins are underrated !

[WhiteWonder 3,026]

i love how the jets come a FG away from the AFC championship game in 2004 and then get mad props in the offseason as a playoff team and SB threat. Then they have a horrible season and they get ranked 31st...

 

reasons the Jets fell to a 4 win team in 05- penningtons injury, martins injury, herms poor clock management, mawae's injury, fabinis injury, kendall playing out of position, blaylocks injury

 

reasons the jets should be ranked higher than 31 (at least 30 )..... Martin back healthy, Mawae and Fabini are gone but were getting old, Ferguson and Mangold will start from day 1 and even tho they are rookies it has to be a better o-line than 05. Mangini will be a better coach if only for the fact that he will have his head in the game. Lastly, even if Chad never returns to form which i doubt he will, Jets have a better backup plan in place. MUCH better than Vinny Testaverde. and i will add this on, they get 2 games against buffalo, and games against tennessee, houston, oakland, cleveland and greenbay.

[ocramfan 0]

Rams will be in the top 15..........bet on it

[BigE47 0]

This is even getting more absurd with the Patriots being in the Super Bowl. How in the world can this be? They are worse than last year team

[devildog 0]

This is even getting more absurd with the Patriots being in the Super Bowl. How in the world can this be? They are worse than last year team

 

How do you figure? They were decimated with injuries last year. The losses in the offseason are minor compared to the players they lost last year.