SoMnFan
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ESPN 2011 Power Rankings: Week 1 RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT 1 (1) Packers 10-6 Are we seeing an NFC Championship Game preview when the Packers host the Saints Thursday? (Walker) 2 (2) Patriots 14-2 I'm a little concerned how they match up against man-to-man coverage, but they are the AFC's top dogs. (Clayton) 3 (5) Steelers 12-4 QB Ben Roethlisberger could have his best statistical year in 2011. (Walker) 4 (3) Eagles 10-6 The Eagles will have new starters at four of the five offensive line positions, including at right tackle. They must keep Michael Vick upright for the season to be a success. (Fox) 5 (4) Saints 11-5 Turnover at running back gives the Saints' offense a new feel this season. (Sando) 6 (6) Falcons 13-3 The Falcons showed they're serious with the draft-day trade for Julio Jones. (Sando) 7 (7) Jets 11-5 Rex Ryan and the Jets face a tough ride back to the AFC title game. It's tough to do it three straight years. (Clayton) 8 (9) Ravens 12-4 We will find out right away where Baltimore stands in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. (Walker) 9 (8) Colts 10-6 When does Peyton Manning play, and how well can he do at the start of his season? (Kuharsky) 10 (10) Chargers 9-7 Time to turn talent and statistics into wins. Slow start and/or playoff fade are old scripts. (Kuharsky) 11 (17) Texans 6-10 Have depth at running back to compete minus (or with a limited) Arian Foster if they have to. (Kuharsky) 12 (12) Buccaneers 10-6 NFL's youngest team has one of the brightest young QBs in Josh Freeman. (Sando) 13 (13) Bears 11-5 A brutal schedule the first three weeks could lead to a slow start. (Walker) 14 (16) Cowboys 6-10 With no offseason to speak of, it might take awhile for the defensive players to get used to Rob Ryan's schemes. Once they do, the Cowboys could be scary good on defense. (Fox) 15 (11) Giants 10-6 No team suffered bigger preseason losses from an injury standpoint than the Giants, particularly in the secondary. At least they get the Redskins in Week 1. (Fox) 16 (18) Lions 6-10 The Lions (4-0) took the preseason seriously. Will it translate into the regular season? (Walker) 17 (15) Rams 7-9 Primary question is whether the Rams did enough to help Sam Bradford at WR. (Sando) 18 (14) Chiefs 10-6 It's often difficult to follow up a breakthrough season with a strong showing. That's Todd Haley's challenge. (Kuharsky) 19 (22) Jaguars 8-8 Not enough preseason progress on big issues: playmaking on offense and pass-rushing on defense. (Kuharsky) 20 (25) Vikings 6-10 Thanks to Chris Johnson, Vikes RB Adrian Peterson could be thinking dollar signs with every big rush this season. (Walker) 21 (21) Cardinals 5-11 Kevin Kolb's arrival gives the Cardinals renewed hope following a 5-11 season. (Sando) 22 (23) Raiders 8-8 Was 2010 division sweep a fluke? The Raiders need to be more consistent no matter the opponent. (Kuharsky) 23 (20) Titans 6-10 Add Chris Johnson and a healthy Kenny Britt to the mix and the offense could surprise. (Kuharsky) 24 (24) Dolphins 7-9 It amazes me that the offensive line is a problem with all the investments and work in trying to fix it. (Clayton) 25 (19) Seahawks 7-9 Decision to go with QB Tarvaris Jackson as starter has confounded NFL. (Sando) 26 (26) 49ers 6-10 49ers could have as many as six new starters on defense. (Sando) 27 (27) Broncos 4-12 Kyle Orton is better than people think. And the transition to John Fox's thinking could be too. (Kuharsky) 28 (29) Redskins 6-10 Mike Shanahan will have Rex Grossman start the season at quarterback, but in all likelihood John Beck will finish it. (Fox) 29 (28) Browns 5-11 Lack of quality depth will hurt the Browns. (Walker) 30 (31) Bills 4-12 The Bills look better stopping the run, but their defense will struggle against passing teams. (Clayton) 31 (30) Panthers 2-14 Panthers have an interesting mix with Steve Smith, Jeremy Shockey and a rookie QB. (Sando) 32 (32) Bengals 4-12 Coach Marvin Lewis says the 2011 Bengals are better than the 2010 Bengals (4-12). It should be a close race. (Walker)
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