Preseason NFL Power Rankings

This is the inaugural week of the NFL Rankings on Associated Content. Teams' records, performance, statistics, personnel, injuries and other intangible factors are used to rank all 32 teams in the NFL.

It is always hard to rank teams without a single meaningful snap being played on the season. To come up with the preseason rankings, the team's offseason moves, last year's finish and other factors were used to make the first ranking list. It is a little "what have you done for me lately, what will you do for me." Here are the preseason NFL Rankings:

1. Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 12-4)

The Indianapolis Colts are the defending Super Bowl champions and they start out the year ranked number 1 on the chart. They have lost some key players but they should have an easy path to the playoffs this season.

2. New England Patriots (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 12-4)

The Patriots added Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and some nice rookies to a team that almost made the Super Bowl. They should be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC and are the favorites to make the Super Bowl this season.

3. Chicago Bears (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 13-3)

The Bears were the best team in the NFC last season and they were the Super Bowl runner-up. With the Bears standing pat and the rest of the NFC looking better, the Bears will be in for a tough challenge. Look for Cedric Benson and Garett Wolfe to be an electrifying backfield.

4. San Diego Chargers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 14-2)

San Diego's early exit from last year's playoffs doesn't instill much confidence this year. Also, dumping Schotenheimer and replacing him with Norv Turner isn't much of an upgrade. Bet the Chargers wish they had Cam Cameron right now.

5. New Orleans Saints (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 10-6)

New Orleans had an amazing season last year and it appears they have the tools to win the NFC South again. Brees, Colston, Bush and company should put some points up on the board all season but it is their defense that will be needed to step up.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 10-6)

Philadelphia fans feel that this is the year that they have to get something done. With Donovan McNabb getting older, the window for a Super Bowl is getting smaller. The Eagles need a number one receiver to step up after the departure of Donte Stallworth.

7. Denver Broncos (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 9-7)

The Denver Broncos should give the Chargers a run for their money in the AFC West. With a great running game and a good defense, this team will go as far as Jay Cutler can carry them.

8. New York Jets (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 10-6)

Eric Mangini is back for his second season at the helm of the New York Jets. He made some magic happen last season, but can he keep it up and get the Jets into the playoffs for the second straight year?

9. St. Louis Rams (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The Rams finally extended Marc Bulger's contract so they will not have a distracted quarterback on their hands. Except for Stephen Jackson and Marc Bulger, the Rams offense is getting old, but they should be good enough to compete in the NFC West.

10. Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 9-7)

The Dallas Cowboys have a new coach and it seems like they also have a new attitude about them. It has been months since we have heard something negative from Terrell Owens. The Cowboys have the tools to win the NFC East if there are no distractions.

11. Baltimore Ravens (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 13-3)

The Ravens were very unimpressive in the playoffs last season, but the addition of Willis MacGahee should help the running game this season. If a number one receiver can emerge in Baltimore, they should be division champs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 9-7)

The Seahawks really will depend on Shaun Alexander this season. They had a disappointing year last season with Alexander playing with a nagging foot injury, but if he is healthy this season the core of him, Hasselback and Branch should make for a nice offense and we all know that Seattle can bring the defense.

13. Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The Bengals still have an offense that will score some points this season, but their defense remains a little questionable. They will be in the mix in a competitive AFC North division this season.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The Steelers are only a full season removed from winning the Super Bowl but they are taking some more steps backwards. Ben Rothlisberger has not looked sharp and they have lost some key personnel, including coach Bill Cowher. They don't seem to have what it takes to make the playoffs.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The Jaguars would have been best served to go after Daunte Culpepper, but with that chance gone they are left with Gerrard. While Gerrard is a good quarterback, he does not have the best arm. Leftwich will be waiting for his chance if Gerrard falters. Also, the Jaguars defense doesn't look so intimidating without Donovan Darius at safety.

16. New York Giants (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The New York Giants are always an enigma. They have the personnel to make a deep run into the playoffs, but the team never seems to care when the big game is on the line. Also, Eli Manning is not the quarterback to trust with the game on the line. The Giants might make the playoffs, but they will have an early exit if they do.

17. Tennessee Titans (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

The Titans really made a run at the end of last season and Vince Young looked incredible when he finally was under center. If Young can keep it up, this team might make the playoffs. I see a little bit of a slow down from Young and company, but this should still be a better Titans team to watch than years past.

18. Carolina Panthers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

Carolina entered last season with many experts picking them for the Super Bowl. After an 8-8 season, no one is picking them again this season. With Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme, the team should be all right on offense, but the defense does not look as formidable. 8-8 should be about right for this season as well.

19. Washington Redskins (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 5-11)

The Redskins will be relying heavily on first-year starter Jason Campbell. Reports out of camp are that he has looked very impressive in the drills, but game situations are much different. With the addition of Leron Landry and the resigning of Fred Smoot, the Redskins defense should be among the best in the NFC.

20. San Francisco 49ers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 7-9)

The 49ers have a chance to be in contention for the NFC West this season. With Alex Smith and a nice young receiving core and defense their team is really coming together. If Frank Gore can return from his injury healthy and return to last season's form, they will put a nice win total up this season.

21. Green Bay Packers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 8-8)

This very well may be Brett Favre's last season since most of the quarterback records are in sight. Hopefully the Green Bay fans will be distracted by Brett Favre's setting of history because their team won't be much to look at this season.

22. Buffalo Bills (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 7-9)

The good news for Bills fans is that they get to watch Marshawn Lynch this season. He is the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the year this season and will be an electrifying back. The bad news? The Bills are in for another less than stellar season in the north.

23. Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 6-10)

The Vikings will be putting first-year starter Tavaris Jackson under center for this season. They have a lot of faith in him, but he is certainly a question mark at quarterback. Adrian Peterson should put on a show at running back and with the NFC North in such bad shape the Vikings could pull off some magic this season.

24. Arizona Cardinals (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 5-11)

The Cardinals begin every season with high expectations and this one is no different. The Cardinals have all of the offensive weapons, but the defense is a question mark. The Cardinals should have enough to compete in the NFC West.

25. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 9-7)

The Chiefs traded away starting quarterback Trent Green and now they are left with Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle to run the offense. Also, if Larry Johnson continues to hold out and miss games the win total will decrease even more. The Chiefs are in for a long season this year.

26. Miami Dolphins (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 6-10)

The Dolphins did not do themselves any favors by skipping Brady Quinn in the draft and picking Ted Ginn, Jr., a player who would have gone in the late-20's. That aside, the Dolphins should be improved having Trent Green under center for this season, but they will not compete for the division title.

27. Houston Texans (Last Week: No Rankings, Record: 6-10)

The Houston Texans finally dumped their franchise's first-overall selection David Carr. The problem is that they sign unproven former Falcons backup Matt Shaub to a huge contract. The Texans feel that he will get sacked less than Carr because of his mobility, but with such an awful offensive line, I doubt it. The Texans won't be a winning team for a long time.

28. Atlanta Falcons (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 7-9)

I expect Michael Vick not to play this season. If that is the case than Joey Harrington will be the starter in Atlanta. He could not make it work in Detroit or Miami and he will not make it work in Atlanta. If Vick does play, he might gain another 2 wins at most for the Falcons, but they will not go 7-9 this season, and they will not make the playoffs.

29. Cleveland Browns (Last Week: No Rankings, Record: 4-12)

The question that will start to be asked now and will be asked every week from here on out is this: Charlie Frye or Brady Quinn? It looks like the Browns will start Frye, but with what looks to be a long season ahead, Quinn will be taking snaps before the season is through.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: No Rankings, Record: 4-12)

It is musical chairs once again in Tampa Bay and when the music stops it looks like it might be Jeff Garcia in at quarterback for the Bucs. The inconsistency that the Bucs have shown over the past few years, especially at quarterback, is what will make them a loser this season.

31. Detroit Lions (Last Week: No Rankings, Record: 3-13)

Lions quarterback Jon Kitna promised more than 10 wins this season, but that won't even come close to happening. The Lions did luck out with picking Calvin Johnson with their second pick, but I expect that to show more dividends next year rather than this year. Receivers usually take at least a year to grow accustomed to the NFL.

32. Oakland Raiders (Last Week: No Rankings, Record Last Season: 2-14)

The Oakland Raiders were awful last season and they have not made themselves even better. They traded Randy Moss, one of the best receivers of this generation, for a fourth-round pick, and they won't pay JaMarcus Russell, their first-overall pick and possible savior, an extra $1 million to bring him into camp. I am not sure this team is serious about winning and they will be miserable for years to come.