2010 NFL Power Rankings

People call rankings like this useless, sort of like anything Kara DioGuardi has to say on American Idol. I agree actually. Fun to read though - I hope. A quick calendar check explains why I am engaging in such a fruitless exercise. Thanks to the uncapped year we do not even have the June 1 cuts to talk about. Just because I am a World Cup soccer fanatic does not mean I want to spend the next month ignoring the NFL altogether. If you have FFL questions, send them to me at greg@thefootballexpert.com and I will often give you analysis with my advice.

My primary focus is still on the draft so ultimately this is another way for me to make a more measured guess at the draft order for my 2011 mock. I have already picked winners once for all 256 games, which resulted in my initial draft position indicated in parentheses below. Sometimes my opinion held (the top three, for example) and other times (Seattle) not so much. This will be geared towards which teams I believe are the best regardless of their schedule or division. It is June and as always this for entertainment purposes so keep that in mind when emailing in. Enjoy.

#1 Green Bay Packers (32)
Anyone who has read much of what I write knows I could care less about shock value. I legitimately believe this is a team equipped to finish atop the NFL. Their passing game is potent and their defense, already stout against the run, will improve overall in year two running the 3-4. The only issue in 2009 was beating the Vikings. Had they swept them instead of getting swept the NFC title game would have been at Lambeau Field.

#2 Indianapolis Colts (31)
Death, taxes, no major sports titles in the Bay Area, and the Colts win a dozen games. Peyton is in his extended prime and until that ends it is easy to predict a lofty record. Adding a healthy Anthony Gonzalez to the fold seems unfair. Defensively, if rookie Jerry Hughes can add a little pass rush it could go a long way.

#3 Dallas Cowboys (30)
Tony Romo might play in the U.S. Open before he reaches a conference championship game. Fans of "America's Team" are probably less miffed by this distraction than his dating escapades, but should be rewarded at season's end when he carries them a step closer this season. They have arguably the most balanced talent on both sides of the ball in the NFL.

#4 Baltimore Ravens (26)
Some teams just get it. Others bang their head against the wall like Russell Hantz wondering why the Survivor jury never votes for him. Anyway, their glaring weakness was at wide receiver. Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth are not going to put up great statistics in their offense, but at least now Joe Flacco has options when the running game is not working. Their biggest hurdle will be wrestling home field from the Colts to get Peyton out of his comfort zone.

#5 Atlanta Falcons (24)
The most volatile division is the NFC South and while I have stated these rankings are not based on division affiliation it's hard to ignore that fact here. Matt Ryan took a small step back from his rookie campaign, but the team also lost both of the games he missed which ultimately cost them a return spot in the playoffs. They still managed consecutive winning seasons for the first time ever. Make it three in a row with a bullet.

#6 New York Jets (29)
I am not a gambler because if I was I would have to call myself a degenerate every time I mentioned it. However, when I saw they were given early 25-1 odds to make the Super Bowl I thought to myself it was a great value bet. The numbers have since dropped dramatically with a slew of splashy additions. My concern is the running game being as effective with Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca out in favor of two unproven rookies. Lost in the euphoria of a title game run is the fact that Sanchez tossed 20 picks in the regular season. Don't buy the hype just yet because chemistry could spoil the soup.

#7 Minnesota Vikings (27)
Brett Favre is addicted to media attention as he was once hooked on pain killers. People only care while you are playing and that is why he is unable to let go. Can he possibly play up to the level of his adrenaline spurred first year in purple? I doubt it. The running game could improve with Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart supporting AD, and thanks to court delays their Williams Wall should avoid suspension. I think Pat Williams will be 50 by the time his kicks in. Anyway, it's tough to repeat a magical season.

#8 San Diego Chargers (25)
Like a lost dog following any random stranger with a treat, tet again I bought into them finally getting over their playoff hump. A lot of others did too on the heels of them reeling off 11 straight wins. Obviously they believe rookie running back Ryan Mathews is the missing piece, as if inserting him into their lineup and screaming, "By the power of Grayskull" puts them over the top. I see a fading defense and an offense one key injury away from disaster.

#9 New Orleans Saints (20)
I take the "Madden Curse" very seriously. Drew Brees should too, playing in the nation's black magic capital. Actually, I don't care if he stays healthy all season, they would still be ranked here. This team overachieved and was gifted a trip to the Super Bowl by the generous Vikings and a now extinct overtime policy. Usually the loser has a hangover, but in this case I expect their defense to regress a lot and the offense to slip a little as well.

#10 Houston Texans (19)
After opening with a 24-7 loss to the Jets, they never lost again by more than 8 points while finishing 9-7. Their playoff hopes were undone by division rival Jacksonville as part of a 1-5 record in the AFC South. Some teams have trouble developing a killer instinct for whatever reason. Ben Tate was a savvy addition at running back in the second round and for my money will provide first round value on the field. The time has finally come for a trip to the playoffs. Even Susan Lucci eventually won an Emmy right?