2007 Pre-season NFL Power Rankings

Michael Vick, there I brought him up. Now let's never speak of him again, I'm tired of seeing his ugly mug all over the news, what a bum.

With the NFL season beginning in a little over two weeks, training camps nearly over, and after two meaningless weeks of pre-season, it's time for my first power rankings of the year. Keep in mind these rankings will be different than Certane's Madden Power Rankings because these are actual rankings of real teams, you know, in reality, as opposed to fake virtual teams, with fake virtual players.

So without further ado:

1) Indianapolis Colts - With Peyton still at the helm, I don't care who there defense losses. Until someone knocks them off, I'm keeping them at the top.

2) New England Patriots - With the newly loaded WR core, and the addition of Adalius Thomas, I could very easily see this team winning it all...again...kill me. Concerns with the aging defense and injuries in the backfield could possibly hold them back.

3) San Diego Chargers - People tend to forget that this team went 14-2 last year. And what has changed? Nothing really, besides the Marty Schottenheimer firing. Another year under Philip Rivers belt, and oh yeah, LTD.

4) New Orleans Saints - Powerful offense, suspect defense. Still think last year was a little bit of a fluke (plus deep down I want Drew Brees to tear every ligament in his shoulder so it burns a little less) but maybe Sean Payton and that offense will prove me wrong.

5) Baltimore Ravens - Yes they lost Thomas, but that defense was still scary when no one knew who he was. Plus they added McGahee. Hate their QB/WR situation and passing game in general or I would have put them higher.

6) Chicago Bears - "Defense wins championships", not for this team though, don't see enough offense. Although Devin Hester should provide some highlights in both the kicking game and at WR.

7) Seattle Seahawks - Some might think #7 is high for Seattle, I don't. This team was in the Super Bowl two years ago, and with a healthy Matt Hasslebeck, Shaun Alexander, and an improved receiving core, I don't see why this team can't do it again this year. Especially if they can get a home playoff game or two.

8) Cincinnati Bengals - The most explosive offense in the NFL will need to forget about the off the field issues of last year and carry their defense to make any sort of push.

9) Denver Broncos - Solid all around, upgrade at RB, devastating injury to Ebenezer Ekuban in the pre-season. Jay Cutler won't take them to the playoffs by himself, but he could prevent them from getting there.

10) Dallas Cowboys - Quiet off season (even with TO on this team), with Bill Parcells gone, they could sneak up on a lot of people during Tony Romo's first full season.

11) Philadelphia Eagles - Donvoan McNabb. Nothing else left to say. Healthy = playoffs. Injured = top draft pick.

12) Carolina Panthers - That's right. With a solid draft and a healthy Steve Smith, this team can go places.

13) St. Louis Rams - Marc Bulger is one of the most efficient QB's in the NFL. Stephen Jackson is one of the best players in the NFL. NFC West is one of the most wide open divisions in the NFL.

14) San Fransisco 49ers - Speaking of the NFC West, this team is slowly but surely coming together with young talent and a solid defense.

15) NY Jets - Not a very exciting team, but the Thomas Jones pick up was big, and I think this could be the year Chad Pennington really starts to hear the footsteps of Kellen Clemens. Don't see them competing with the Pats though.

16) Pittsburgh Steelers - A game controlling Ben Rothlisberger can take this team a long way as shown in 2005.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars - This team has all of the right pieces to be 11-5 or even 12-4, except the QB.

18) Arizona Cardinals - Every year it seems like these guys are supposed to turn the corner, it won't be this year either but they will be improved.

19) NY Giants - I honestly have no clue, #19 seems like a good spot. Could go anywhere from 5-11 to 11-5.

20) Buffalo Bills - What can I say? I like these guys. Just like the 49ers, this team is slowly coming together, still about two years away though.

21) Tennessee Titans - Have a feeling they will take a major step back this year. Very little passing game, and only running game is through the QB.

22) Minnesota Vikings - Yet another team that lies in the hands of their QB and could land them anywhere between first and last place.

23) Detroit Lions - Passing game will flourish, will anything else?

24) Green Bay Packers - Farve should break all the records, don't really see much more than that.

25) Kansas City Chiefs - Just really don't like anyone they have behind center, and LJ might just be a little more than worn out.

26) Houston Texans - If this team could just patch up their offensive line, they could have something here in the near future.

27) Miami Dolphins - Blah. Talk to me in 3 years.

28) Atlanta Falcons - Could this finally be the year for Joey Harrington? Doubtful.

29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Nothing exciting here either.

30) Washington Redskins - Playing in a tough division won't help there cause, but a healthy Clinton Portis and a decent Jason Campbell could.

31) Oakland Raiders - I can't wait to see Daunte Culpepper show flashes of his old self while I throw things at my TV.

32) Cleveland Browns - Decent amount of very, very young talent.