Sporting News Preseason Power Poll

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:52 pm

A look at the NFL teams, from top to bottom, as training camps open:

1. Broncos. This team won 10 games a year ago and made some bold moves in the offseason that should pay off.

2. Seahawks. Defensive improvements should make the Seahawks a better team, and they were pretty good a year ago.

3. Patriots. On paper, they're better than last season's Super Bowl club. But it's almost impossible to repeat no matter how prepared a team is.

4. Vikings. The defense should be improved enough for this team to take it to the next level in Mike Tice's third year.

5. Eagles. A team that has been so close for three straight seasons added two difference-makers but lost some leadership.

6. Colts. If the Colts can get home-field advantage in the playoffs, Peyton Manning and Co. are capable of running the table.

7. Panthers. This team was absolute magic last year, but the Super Bowl runner-up will find it difficult to duplicate that success.

8. Packers. With the incomparable combination of Brett Favre and Ahman Green, pencil in the Packers as automatic contenders.

9. Ravens. A great running game and a stifling defense is a tremendous combination, but will the passing game improve?

10. Chiefs. Hiring Gunther Cunningham to run the defense was a great move, but will that be enough?

11. Rams. The offense should be fantastic, as usual, but the defense might allow as many points as the offense produces.

12. Titans. As long as Jeff Fisher is the coach and Steve McNair is the quarterback, the Titans will be contenders.

13. Cowboys. They passed on some opportunities to improve themselves, but they will remain a tough team to beat in every game.

14. Redskins. Could Joe Gibbs have the same kind of impact on the Redskins that Bill Parcells had on the Cowboys a year ago?

15. Dolphins. Ricky Williams' loss is a huge blow, but a veteran defense and an easier schedule down the stretch will keep the team in playoff contention.

16. Falcons. With a healthy, improving Michael Vick and more offensive weapons, the Falcons can't help but contend for the division title.

17. Bengals. They are a mystery team because Carson Palmer is their starting quarterback, but they have Jon Kitna to fall back on.

18. Saints. The offense remains explosive, but the concern is whether the defense will be sufficiently improved to make a difference.

19. Buccaneers. Massive changes have made it hard to know what to expect. This team will be unlike any previous one in Tampa.

20. Jaguars. In Jack Del Rio's second year, this team has as much potential for improvement as any team in the league.

21. Steelers. The Steelers never stay down for long. If they can get the running game going again, they will contend.

22. Lions. This is a team with as much young talent as any team in the league, and the Lions will begin to show it this year.

23. Bears. The Bears could take a year while Rex Grossman matures and the team gets used to Lovie Smith's systems.

24. Jets. A healthy Chad Pennington will give this team a boost, but the defense might not be good enough to hold up its end.

25. Raiders. This is a tough team to figure. The Raiders could bounce back big or continue to look like a team of has-beens.

26. Texans. This is a team on the rise, but the Texans still have a lot of young players who are learning what it takes to succeed.

27. Bills. The Bills have some talent, but they face an adjustment period on offense with a new head coach.

28. Cardinals. Dennis Green should give this team a kick in the right direction, but the Cardinals still don't have enough juice.

29. Browns. Jeff Garcia to Kellen Winslow will be a nice combination, but the Browns still have a lot of questions.

30. Giants. The acquisition of rookie Eli Manning was great, but the Giants and new coach Tom Coughlin will take some lumps.

31. Chargers. The Chargers have a lot of holes on offense and defense, and a lot of young players learning as they go.

32. 49ers. This is a rebuilding year after the departures of Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens, and it should be very evident on most Sundays.

AFC playoff teams: Broncos, Chiefs, Colts, Patriots, Ravens, Titans.

NFC playoff teams: Eagles, Packers, Panthers, Rams, Seahawks, Vikings.

AFC championship game: Broncos over Patriots.

NFC championship game: Seahawks over Vikings.

Super Bowl XXXIX: Broncos over Seahawks.

Senior writer Dan Pompei covers the NFL for Sporting News.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2646222

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:29 pm

I'm not being a homer here....but I cannot believe they have the Cowboys ahead of the Redskins!

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:15 am

Exactly. You may as well throw out the entire rankings of anyone who ranks the 'Pies in the top half of the NFL in a power poll.

gambit187 · Post by **gambit187** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:33 am

Justice Hog wrote:I'm not being a homer here....but I cannot believe they have the Cowboys ahead of the Redskins!

D'OH

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:02 am

I dont like this guys opinion. Foxsports Sucks!

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 9:32 am

I'm not being a homer here....but I cannot believe they have the Cowboys ahead of the Redskins!

But lets be realistic, the Cowboys no matter how we feel proved that they were a good team last year. Why should we be ahead of them? We have proved nothing yet. Yea, we win the battle on paper all the time, but that has got us where? 5-7. I'm grateful to be ranked as high as we are.