FanPost

Pre-Preseason NFL Power Rankings

Well, we are past the endless pre-draft talk, the endless wait for the actual thing, free agency, and OTA's. Training camps around the NFL are starting up, and the off season is finally gone. This is the time of year when we finally get to see where all that pre-draft talk and free agent additions have gotten us. And as the NFL's first preseason game is now just five days away, it is time for my first ever NFL power-rankings. Teams will be ranked according to the following guidelines: team talent, coaching, strength of schedule, and overall ability to have an impact on other NFL teams. It should also be noted that this is based off of how things stand RIGHT NOW, not later in the season. This is also NOT a prediction of the 2014 NFL standings, it's just where every team seems to line up against each other according to the guidelines above. The top teams are pretty clear-cut, save the top few spots. Then it gets to the bottom, however, room opens for some debate. The top five teams get a prolonged explanation, the rest get just a few sentences(unless I feel that they need more than that) I also ask you to not just look at the place your favorite team is placed, but to look at the teams ahead of it. And then explain to me in the comments why your team should be ahead of them. So, let's get to it.

1- Denver Broncos

The Broncos have, by far, the league's best offense. In fact, it was the best ever last year. It can probably be even better this season, with the return of all-pro left tackle Ryan Clady and a (hopefully) improved Montee Ball. The defense has also improved greatly, with the additions of DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward. This all adds up to them being the best team in the NFL.

2- Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks also have a valid case for the number one spot. After all, they did dominate the Broncos during the Super Bowl, a rare feat these days. So why are they ranked one spot lower? First of all, as I said above, the Broncos improved a lot during the offseason. Second, the Seahawks are due for a bit of a Super Bowl hangover and have lost a few guys in the offseason. It really comes down to this: The Broncos offense is a lot better, at least when it comes to passing and scoring, and while the Seahawks defense is still better, it isn't by enough anymore to make up for the offensive difference.

3- San Francisco 49ers

If they were in any other division, except maybe the AFC West, the 49ers would almost surely win it. They are more talented than almost any other NFL team. There is not much more that needs to be said. They have virtually no glaring needs. They have a young, play-making quarterback in Colin Kaepernick and an experienced, consistent running back in Frank Gore. The 49ers have an overall good team that contends every year and this year should be no different.

4- New Orleans Saints

The Saints have both a top ten offense and a top ten defense, as with most of the teams in the top five. They have some young pieces in Brandin Cooks and Cameron Jordan. They also added play-making safety Jairus Byrd and great but possibly over-the-hump cornerback Champ Bailey. The Saints appear to have good all-around depth and one or two major injuries can't ruin their season. And I haven't even mentioned Drew Brees. The Saints look primed to make a run in 2014, and having home field advantage in the playoffs would help that greatly.

5- New England Patriots

The Patriots might not be the most talented team, but they always win. They have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick back once more, and they also added Darrelle Revis in free agency. Rob Gronkowski hopes to finally be healthy for more then a few games, which is good news for Brady, who seems to be at his best with Gronkowski at his side. He also looks to have better chemistry with the other receivers. To recap: Brady is here, Belichick is here, Patriots win 12+ games. Moving along.

6- Green Bay Packers

The Packers were hit hard by injuries last season, and 8-7-1 won't cut it this year. They appear to finally have a running game, plus Aaron Rodgers and his receiving core. The defense should also be a little better in 2014.

7- Cincinnati Bengals

There is no doubt that the Bengals are one of the most talented teams in the league, and I don't expect the new coordinators to be as much as a disadvantage as some think. However, for this team to reach it's full potential, the passing game will have to be more consistent.

8- Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles should have one of the best offenses in the league again, but is Nick Foles the real deal? And can the defense improve?

9- Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer will look to protect the football better this season, and Andre Ellington will look to have a breakout sophomore season. The defense will be headlined with one of the NFL's best corners, Patrick Peterson.

10- Indianapolis Colts

The Colts minus Andrew Luck are ranked in the bottom half of the league. Good thing they have him. While they might have less talent than a lot of teams, being in such a weak division allows them to win in the playoffs, thus giving them power.

11- Chicago Bears

The Bears are set up to have one of the league's best offenses, with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall,Martellus Bennett, and Alshon Jeffery. They also should be much improved on defense, adding veteransJared Allenand Lamarr Houston while hoping rookie defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton are able to improve that terrible run defense sooner rather than later.

12- San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have a solid offense with Phillip Rivers and Danny Woodhead leading the way, and the secondary should be much improved with the additions of cornerbacks Brandon Flowers from the Chiefs and rookie Jason Verrett.

13- Detroit Lions

The Lions have been a story of wasted talent in the past few seasons. Can new head coach Jim Caldwell make the most of this roster? And can he finally clean up Matthew Stafford's game?

14- Pittsburgh Steelers

Believe it or not, the Steelers' offensive line was one of the NFL's best over the last 8 games in 2013. That was the Steelers' main issue early in the season last year, and combine that improvement with the new, younger, speedier defensive rookies, and the Steelers could be ending their two year playoff drought in 2014.

15- Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs will have two new offensive line starters in 2014 and still have little elite receiving help for Alex Smith on offense. The defense will be healthy again, but with a harder schedule, this team looks like a borderline playoff team at best.

16- Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' offense was far from it's 2012 form in 2013, with the running and passing games both taking a major step back. The two game suspension of Ray Rice won't help to get it back on track in 2014, but the addition of receiver Steve Smith should. If Gary Kubiak can fix the offense, the 2012 Super Bowl champs could find themselves back in the playoffs.

17- St. Louis Rams

The Rams will have one of the NFL's best, if not the best, defensive lines in 2014. But can Sam Bradford and the rest of the offense step up in 2014? It also doesn't help to have three other playoff worthy teams in the same division.

18- Carolina Panthers

The Panthers' main issues going into this season are the receiving core and the secondary, with the O-line also a concern. They lost receivers Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, safeties Mike Mitchelland Quintin Mikell to free agency and offensive linemen Jordan Gross, Geoff Hangartner, and Travelle Wharton to retirement. None of their respective replacements are particular improvements, and that could lead to a very disappointing season for Carolina.

19- New York Giants

The Giants need Eli Manning to improve in 2014 for the season to be any good.

20- Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons made big improvements on both the offensive and defensive lines in the offseason, and the return of Julio Jones and Roddy White will surely help, but, at this point, the Falcons still have some things to prove before I rank them anywhere higher than 20th.

21- Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins' offensive line was completely rebuilt in the offseason, with five new starters that hope to take the pressure off of Ryan Tannehill in 2014. Fortunately, I think that can happen.

22- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have a lot of people excited about the 2014 season, but Josh McCown hasn't yet proven himself in a full time starting job, plus he will be throwing to some unproven receivers.

23- Dallas Cowboys

There is little doubt surrounding Tony Romo and the Cowboys' offense, but can the defense pull it together even after all the offseason losses?

24- New York Jets

The Jets added weapons on both sides of the ball, but I am not fully convinced that Geno Smith can lead this team to a winning record.

25- Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' have loads of offensive talent, but will the starting quarterback bring all that talent together? And what can the off season additions and Mike Zimmer do to improve this defense?

26- Washington Redskins

The Redskins' offense is primed for a rebound this year, and defensive additions could propel them to a winning record. But that's also what people were saying about them last year at this time.

27- Houston Texans

The Texans had talent last season, but they still stunk up the NFL. Can Bill O'Brien and Ryan Fitzpatrick, along with rookie Jadeveon Clowney, make the Texans back into contenders?

28- Cleveland Browns

The Browns will enter the year with a solid defense, but their receiving core(assuming Josh Gordon gets suspended), runningbacks, and quarterbacks are still unproven.

29- Buffalo Bills

An unproven quarterback throwing to unproven receivers with a below average offensive line. Not really a recipe for success. The defense also might take a step back with two key losses this offseason (Jairus Byrd and Kiki Alonso).

30- Tennessee Titans

The Titans are hard to figure out. Some have them close to 10 wins, I personally have them much lower. They lack an identity or a real superstar player. They lost Chris Johnson and Alterraun Verner, their two biggest names and two of their best players (though Johnson has declined steeply over the past few seasons). Their most proven skill position player is quarterback Jake Locker, and he can't even stay healthy for half a season. The Titans have a solid offensive line though, and will hope for breakout performances from wide receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter along with rookie running back Bishop Sankey. This season depends mostly on the young talent for Tennessee, but I think that talent will not fully manifest until next season.

31- Jacksonville Jaguars

Even after a productive offseason, the Jaguars just aren't primed to win now. A 6-7 win season could be a good building point to the 2015 season.

32- Oakland Raiders

The Raiders may have more talent than some other teams above them, but their schedule will be brutal this year. And I am still not so sure about Matt Schaub coming back this year.

I will re-release these power rankings after the preseason and then after every week of the regular season. Remember to share any differing opinions in the comments. Thanks for reading!

This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.