ESPN First Power Rankings of 2007
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerr...on=2007&week=0

2007 Power Rankings: Offseason

RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT
1 (3) Patriots 2-4-0
Just one minute away from a trip to the Super Bowl, the Patriots were arguably the NFL's most active team this offseason, adding big-ticket items such as Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas.

2 (4) Colts 12-4-0
What, the Pats sign a receiver or two and everyone forgets about the defending Super Bowl champs? Fine. But let's see Randy Moss or Tom Brady do better than Peyton did on "Saturday Night Live."

3 (1) Chargers 14-2-0
Weird offseason for the Chargers. They're clearly one of the NFL's most talented teams and will be there in the postseason. But the way their season ended and the firing of Marty Schottenheimer has created some negative feelings.
4 (2) Ravens 13-3-0
If he's healthy, Willis McGahee is going to be a stud in Baltimore and will give the running game a boost over Jamal Lewis.

5 (5) Bears 13-3-0
Lance Briggs is unhappy. Cedric Benson is unproven. And Rex Grossman is still Rex Grossman. The good news is the Bears are still in the NFC North.

6 (6) Saints 10-6-0
A great offense added another weapon with first-round WR Robert Meachem. The Saints strengthened their secondary, but there are still concerns about a defense that couldn't stop the run last year.

7 (12) Broncos 9-7-0
After a disappointing end to the 2006 season, the Broncos were extremely busy this offseason, adding impact starters in TE Daniel Graham, RB Travis Henry and CB Dre' Bly. Denver should push the Chargers in the AFC West.

8 (7) Eagles 10-6-0
We can sort of understand why Donovan McNabb would be confused by the drafting of Kevin Kolb. But at the same time, should a franchise QB really be that concerned about a rookie second-round pick?

9 (11) Cowboys 9-7-0
The Cowboys' players sure seem glad to have Wade Phillips in place of Bill Parcells. But will he actually make them a better team?

10 (14) Bengals 8-8-0
While their tough schedule was partly to blame, the Bengals' 8-8 finish last season was a disappointment. Anything short of a trip to the playoffs in 2007 will be equally disappointing.



11 (9) Seahawks 9-7-0 Shaun Alexander's health. That's as simple as it gets for the Seahawks. Seattle needs a healthy Alexander to regain its spot among the elite teams in the NFC.
12 (8) Jets 10-6-0 It might not have made the same kind of headlines as the Patriots' grabbing Randy Moss, but the Jets' acquisition of running back Thomas Jones could end up being one of the best moves of the offseason.
13 (13) Steelers 8-8-0 It's pretty obvious for the Steelers. If Ben Roethlisberger returns to form, the Steelers are clearly a playoff contender. But if he's closer to the QB who struggled last season, the Steelers will be in trouble.
14 (17) Jaguars 8-8-0 So, do a quarterback (Byron Leftwich) and head coach (Jack Del Rio) need to like each other for a team to succeed? Guess we'll find out this year in Jacksonville.
15 (23) 49ers 7-9-0 In the wide-open NFC West, there's no reason the 49ers can't compete for a playoff spot this season.
16 (20) Panthers 8-8-0 The Panthers had a solid draft, but after falling in love with them last season (see Super Bowl predictions) only to get crushed, it's safer to take a wait-and-see approach for now.
17 (16) Giants 8-8-0 Brandon Jacobs might be the biggest risk/reward player in fantasy football for 2007.
18 (18) Rams 8-8-0 The Rams had a solid offseason and appear ready to keep moving forward in Scott Linehan's second season.
19 (22) Falcons 7-9-0 The Falcons have put their future in the hands of Michael Vick. Who could be so, umm, bold? We're drawing a Blank.
20 (10) Chiefs 9-7-0 Damon Huard played well last year and Brodie Croyle might have a bright future, but it's pretty clear that QB is a major issue in Kansas City right now.
21 (15) Titans 8-8-0 Didn't exactly add any playmakers to the offense, but they still have VY and offensive coordinator Norm Chow, and that's good enough. (BTW, how is Chow not a head coach somewhere yet?)
22 (28) Cardinals 5-11-0 Looks like the Cardinals are going to be a popular ''sleeper'' pick again. Will this be the year they actually wake up and make something happen?
23 (21) Bills 7-9-0 The Bills clearly wanted to get younger this offseason, waving goodbye to a number of key veterans. But will it make them better on the field? That's largely in J.P. Losman's hands.
24 (19) Packers 8-8-0 Justin Harrell may be a good player, but why not get Brett Favre some playmakers instead of supplementing a defense that returns 11 starters?
25 (26) Vikings 6-10-0 Adrian Peterson is the kind of player who can turn a franchise around. He'll make QB Tarvaris Jackson that much better and by the end of the year, this may be the best offense in the NFC North.
26 (24) Dolphins 6-10-0 With Trent Green as their starting QB, the Dolphins could be a solid team. With Cleo Lemon, not so much.
27 (29) Buccaneers 4-12-0 How many QBs does a team need? Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown and, just for fun, maybe Jake Plummer. Clipboards for everybody!
28 (27) Redskins 5-11-0 Obviously Jason Campbell will be in the spotlight in Washington. But the glare will be even brighter on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Regarded as one of the NFL's best defensive minds, Williams' defense ranked 31st in the NFL last season.
29 (25) Texans 6-10-0 Matt Schaub is doing all the right things early and adding Ahman Green will help. Just one small detail the Texans forgot: get a few big guys who can block.
30 (31) Lions 3-13-0 Greatest Show on Turf, Part II? With WRs Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Calvin Johnson, Mike Martz must be having flashbacks to his days in St. Louis.
31 (30) Browns 4-12-0 The Browns had a solid offseason, remaking their offensive line with the addition of Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach. But a solid offseason won't help Romeo Crennel if the Browns have another 4-12 season
32 (32) Raiders 2-14-0 The reviews on Lane Kiffin and JaMarcus Russell have been all positive. But as good as they might be, they're going to take a lot of lumps this year.

It is so much fun seeing the Saints at the top of every power ranking. And I can say the same for seeing the Saints players at the top of the player rankings.

Power rankings are kinda weak this time of year but it sure is nice to see them ranked high after sooooooooooooo many years of bottom dwelling.

Everyone still questioning are run d.... some people are gunna be surprised by brian simmons I think this dude will make the PRO BOWL >>>...!!!!

I think overall the team improved in the offseason, but people have every right to doubt our run defense until we prove otherwise.

If we avoid major injuries among our top starters,i don't think there is a team we can't play with and beat.i've never been able to say that before without adding with a lot of luck. we now have a very good,well coached team.

until we face the Colts right?

I agree with the Patriots being at the top of the rankings, Moss might be this and that and another but I think with him on the field with Brady will work out for the Patriots this season..
I'm picking the Pats to represent the AFC in the SB..

I disagree with the Bears, IMO you'll see a huge melt down this year for them, the NFC totally understands Grossman and that's bad if you're a Bears fan....

The Saints will be improved from last season and we all know that's going to be great..

The only thing I worry about with the Saints is the division they are in. Every year it seems like there's a team that comes out of nowhere to dominate. Last year it was us. The year before that the Bucs. Before that the Falcons. This is, IMO, the most competitive division in the NFC, and that makes it hard to repeat. But I definitely think we have the most complete team.

"Last year it was us. The year before that the Bucs. Before that the Falcons. This is, IMO, the most competitive division in the NFC"

I agree, the NFC South is the most competitive in the NFC, it's also the most exciting IMO.

I'm not worried about the Falcons this year, I am however always worried about the Panthers, the Bucs could have a decent year this coming season also...