Last year I posted my own personal power rankings. As we gear up for next season its never too late to look back and review 2007 power rankings. Below are my pre-season personal rankings and the actual SFL Power Rankings after week 17.
Lets take a look at which teams I had ranked too low!
New Orlean Saints #10 | Actual #3I had the Saints break my top ten. They had a top ranked defense in 2006 and thought that the improvements they?ve made on offense would pay off this year. They continued to play a running offense and it payed off big! Having the toping rushing offense in the league and a top defense to keep the ball, the Saints had a dream season including a trip to the Super Bowl and they were crowned SFL champions! The Saints make my too low rankings with a difference of 7 spots.
Tennessee Titans #13 | Actual #1The Titans finished the #1 SFL power ranked team, which was one of many surprises this last season. After giving up on the Philip Rivers project, Tennessee made a trade for Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe finished with a top QBR but it was HB Steven Jackson that helped the team complete their offense. Terrell Owens finished 2nd in TDs for WRs and Steven Jackson finished tied at #1 with 15 TDs. The scoring powerhouse lead the league in points scored. I predicted the Titans to finish as the 13th ranked team, but they shocked the league finishing at #1. The Titans make my too low rankings with a difference of 12 spots.
Dallas Cowboys #14 | Actual #8I placed the Cowboys right behind the Titans. In reality 2007 was the Cowboys magical season. They finished the season top of their division and even got a win vs Washington. It was all roses for the Cowboys. Much credit goes to QB Kurt Warner and WR Andre Johnson?s best season. The Cowboys ended up with the best record of the league, but despite all their success was #8 in the power rankings. The Cowboys make my too low rankings with a difference of 6 spots.
Arizona Cardinals #19 | Actual #6The Arizona Cardinals was a bit of a mystery in preseason. Apolo was the newest GM and the NFC West wasn?t sure how the team would transition after selling parts of the team. Apolo?s reputation of being a great manager jumps their team up from my original ranking of 18 all the way to number 6. QB Carson Palmer finished the 6th highest passer and a big contribution from rookie WR Robert Meachem. There were some questions surrounding Meachem in the draft, but concerns are long gone after finishing the 2nd leading WR in the SFL. Both Meachum and WR Drew Carter finished the season over 1,000 yards. The Cardinals make my too low rankings with a difference of 12 spots.
Houston Texans #24 | Actual #2The Houston Texans made a last minuet trade for QB Brian Griese just after my articles were published. Prior to that, they made considerable success at upgrading their offensive line and it looked to be the resurrection series for LeDainian Tomlinson. Well, Texans make an upgrade at QB and Griese is back in a Houston uniform and BAM! Griese finished the #4 QB in yards, #3 in QBR, and #1 in TDs thrown (probably some regrets from both Arizona and Carolina they weren?t able to tap into this kind of potential). HB Tomlinson did have a resurrection finishing #9 in rushing yards. Through the air WRs Donald Driver and David Terrell lead the team with 9 and 8 TDs caught. The Texans finished the season behind the Titans but helped knock out divisional rival the Jackson Jaguars to make their 2nd playoff appearance since 2005. I originally placed the Texans 24th at preseason, but the actual power rankings placed them at #2. The Texans make my too low rankings with a difference of 22 spots!
Atlanta Falcons #25 | Actual #19Big questions surrounded the Atlanta Falcons after an offseason of change. The NFC South was up for grabs after Trent Green retired and there was a big vacancy to fill. The Falcons looked to free agency and their prayers were answered by Tyrone Calico. Calico, TE Tony Gonzales, and HB T.J Duckett led the team in TDs with some impressive high scoring games vs the Jaguars, 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks. I originally had the Falcons ranked at 25, but the power polls put them at #19. The Falcons make my too low rankings with a difference of 6 spots.
San Diego Chargers #29 | Actual #10Never have we seen a rookie performance like the Chargers?s QB Brady Quinn. Quinn becomes the only rookie QB to finish with a winning record and playoff appearance. The chargers shook things up when they traded Charlie Whitehurst for a #1 draft pick and selected QB Brady Quinn in the first round. Big time acquisitions of HB Thomas Jones, MLB Jamie Sharper, and CBs Tory James and Fred Thomas. The Chargers were stacked on defense and their run first offense played really well with Quinns skill set. The combination of Westbrook and Jones combined for 16 TDs. I originally put too much weight into rookie QB performance and ranked the Chargers at #29, but SFL power polls puts them at #10. The Chargers make my too low rankings with a difference of 19 spots.
Carolina Panthers #32 | Actual #24Carolina received a lot of crap for their offseason moves, but they remained steadfast at playing their rookie QB. QB Bruce Gradkowski finished with a positive TD to INT ratio and a 73.8 QBR. Rookie Marshawn Lynch saw most of the season finished over 1000 yards and 4.50 YPC. Finally Maurice Stovall continues to be their best weapon finishing with 11 TD. The Panthers best games include wins vs the Texans and Titans. I originally had them ranked at 32, but some competitive play helped them finish #3 in the division and #24 in the SFL power rankings. The Panthers make my too low rankings with a difference of 8 spots.
