Continuing my preseason power rankings, covering teams 11-20. There’s gonna be some controversy as all of these teams have potential to be top ten, but in my own personal rankings had some challenges to make the top of their division.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars saw some major changes this offseason, including a brand new GM Brad Barber. The teams transition started heavy with new starters at QB, RG, HB, TE, FB, LE, K and maybe more. The biggest names include QB Jon Kitna and HB Deshawn Foster. Kitna is coming off a 26 TD season and Foster, a veteran RB with multi-1000 yard seasons and only one season removed from 8/9 TDs a season. Combine that production with WR Kassim Osgood and WR Plexico Burress the Jags have assembled a good roster. The biggest reason they find themselves outside the top ten is because of the CB 3/4 position, not sure who they might slot there and the division is gonna be tough. This makes the Jags my number 11 team.
12. San Diego Chargers
The AFC Champions the San Diego Chargers make my number 12 spot. Their offseason includes a changing roster that said goodbye to HB Thomas Jones, WR David Boston and WR Travis Taylor, which leads me to believe that their offense may take a step back. That being said, the Chargers have proven they can surprise, QB Brady Quinn will look to continue his success in his sophomore season, but if trends persist (and its my own personal theory about sophomore QBs) Quinn is in for a regression with less weapons around him. They also acquired Steve McNair, so there may be a chance that Quinn is benched, but I have to believe this is just depth at the position. Still, thereis a real opportunity and their defense will give them a strong chance each week.
13. Detroit Lions
New GM Stephen Cook finds himself in Detroit for his first season in the SFL and frankly inherited a great team that mirrors the Cowboys of last year. If they are going to mirror Dallas, WR Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James. If they can continue success they can look forward to 1000 yards+ and 6/7 TDs. The other threat on this offense, WR Brandon Marshall has shown improvement year after year, now entering his 3rd season, this might be his best yet. I like their defensive roster of R.W. McQuarters and RE Calvin Pace. I think the mix of veterans and younger guys will be enough to keep up in the division and the lions might put some heat on the Vikings for top spot in the NFC North.
14. Tennessee Titans
Another year and another Quarterback. After much talk Eli Manning has finally been traded from Philly to Tennessee. The biggest move in their offseason the titans struck a deal to send QB Drew Bledsoe for QB Eli Manning and now Eli finds himself on his 3rd team. The 4 year QB is coming off his worst season so far posting a 79.9 QBR the titans will be looking to turn his performance around. The titans have gotten good QB play in the past that includes Drew Bledsoe putting them at #1 last year in SFL power rankings. This year the Titans will have to work to reclaim their spot at the top after losing HB Steven Jackson, RE Aaron Schobel and LE Greg Ellis. There is still a lot to like, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Terrell Owens, newly acquired HB Kevin Jones, MLB Cortney Jones, LB Takeo Spikes, and CB Lito Shepard. The Titans have a tough division though and I’ve ranked the top AFC South teams closely together.
15. Arizona Cardinals
It’s hard to figure out what kind of team the Cardinals will be after so, so, so many trades. CB Champ Bailey, LB Derrick Brooks, QB Rex Grossman, CB Carlos Rodgers, MLB Terry Pierce, LE Ty Warren, FS Sabby Piscatelli IN – SS Brian Dawkins, CB Sam Madison, QB Carson Palmer, DT Albert Haynesworth, FS Rodney Pool, TE Jerramy Stevens, MLB Albert Fincher, CB Allen Rossum OUT. Despite all these changes its really the guys that remained on the team that gives me confidence that the Cardinals can make the 15th ranking. WR Drew Carter, WR Robert Meachem, and CB Brandon Browner are all generational talent. Those talents are enough of a mismatch for any team that I believe the Cardinals are in for a favorable season. There’s been some trash talk about their run game, but Derrick Ward was their primary back in 2004 and still had a 1000+ 10 TD season. I don’t think they’re in as tough of a situation as some believe.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Big improvements for the Falcons this offseason. Last year included a mega contract for Tyrone Calico (13.3M this year). This year they’re putting even more money for QB Tim Couch (13.7M this year) and HB Ahman Green (7.5M this year). Given the landscape of the division, this should help in the success of the Falcons. Having a solid offense will go far in the NFC South and I can seen them even higher in the rankings if things work out. On the defensive side of the ball, I think there are guys with skilled stats, but im not sure how they might compete vs the elite offenses of the SFL it puts more weight on the offense to deliver. I expect the Falcons to be a stingy offense.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
The free agent signing of QB David Gerard was a big one. It marked the end of the Jon Kitna era and a stone turned for a new future. The writing has been on the wall for a few years and there was a shift toward younger players. Kitna was shipped to Jacksonville and Gerard will step in to lead the offense. I expect familiar names from last year like HB Tiki Barber, WR Charles Rodgers, MLB Angelo Crowell and CB Nathan Jones to lead the team. With Kitna gone this marks a significant shift in the landscape of the AFC North. The Ravens and Steelers will see an opportunity to get 6 wins to save their teams.
18. Washington Football Team
Unlike last year the Washington team had many changes to their roster. Where I don’t think their team’s identity has changed in the way they run their gameplan, the players have. Many trades have brought in QB Carson Palmer, LE Simon Rice, DT Warren Sapp, RE Antonio Smith, MLB Alfred Fincher, WR Chase Lyman, CB Ike Taylor. Familiar names like Champ Bailey, Eric Moulds, Rex Grossman, and others all find themselves in new uniforms. Their current roster isn’t the same Super Bowl winning team but on paper it’s a team with talent. I expect they will be a tough team to beat, but given the rosters of the Eagles and Cowboys, it might be harder to win their division.
19. Chicago Bears
The Bears have been drafting a team each year and appears to be a remarkable team on paper. The big trade for Matt Hasselbeck for Alex Smith is a great situation for the veteran QB to help boost this team into being strong competitors in the NFC North. I placed the Lions higher on my list, but I could see a scenario where Chicago is nipping at the heels of Minnesota for first in the division. The Bears have been building their team through the draft and right now they’re coming up to year 3, so I expect players like Cedric Cobb and Vincent Jackson will start to hit their stride for reliable players on the team and could find themselves with their best production this season. I think the Bears will be a sneaky pick to win the division.
20. Indianapolis Colts
I think a year ago we were talking about the AFC East as the top division in the SFL. I think this year the AFC South has taken that title Its hard for me to rank Peyton Manning and the Colts 20th on this list and a likely candidate to finish much higher on the list, but the AFC South is tough and when I look at their roster in comparison to the division, I think they’re missing some pieces to lead the division. I think there will be guys that will over perform and emerge as bright spots on the roster, but it seems like each season the roster talent keeps shrinking. Perhaps there will be opportunity to bring in an elite receiver to help round out the offense, or an elite CB to help out the backfield, but the Colts will have to keep their eyes open for a team selling out for the next draft.
So tell me, what teams are on your top 20? What teams do you think I have overrated, which teams are underrated. Look forward to ranks 21-32 coming next.
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