NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

The #1 ranked Patriots got knocked off this week by the surprising Buffalo Bills.  The Lions kept up their winning ways with an inspirational effort by Matt Stafford.  Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders upset the Jets.  The Eagles lost Vick and their game for the second straight week.  This all adds up to a major shakeup in the Power rankings:

Cream of the Crop 

 

1. Green Bay Packers (3-0): It didn't look hard for the Packers against the Bears Sunday afternoon.  Just in case you didn't see the game, Jermichael Finley is scary good when healthy.

2. New Orleans Saints (2-1): The New Orleans Saints defense didn't do its job, but the offense sure did.  The Saints scored last in a shootout with the Houston Texans to get the win.

3. New England Patriots (2-1):  4 picks from Tom Terrific?  When's the last time this happened?  First off, Brady threw all of four picks in the entire 2010 season.  Secondly, all the way back to November 5, 2006 against the Colts is when Brady threw four picks in a game.

4. Baltimore Ravens (2-1):  The Ravens did exactly what was expected of them.  Flacco had another huge game, and rookie Torrey Smith now adds to this offense.

5. Detroit Lions (3-0): Up 5 spots from last week, and how could I deny them top 5?  Matt Stafford and the defense showed great guts on Sunday with a 26-23 OT win, after trailing 20-0 after the first half.

6. Buffalo Bills (3-0): The sole undefeated team in the AFC.  The Bills are for real, but they have some sort of tough schedule ahead. Next 6 games: @CIN, vs PHI, @NYG, vs. WAS, vs NYJ, @DAL.

7. San Diego Chargers (2-1): It wasn't a pretty game for San Diego, but they got a divisional win versus the Chiefs.

8. Houston Texans (2-1): Tough road loss, especially after leading the whole game, but Houston showed why they will be a force in the AFC this season.

9. New York Jets (2-1): Lost on the road to a much improved Raiders team.  Run defense looked awful, and the offensive line isn't the same without C Nick Mangold.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1): The turnovers should make some Steelers fans worry.  Squeaked out a win against a helpless Colts squad.

11. New York Giants (2-1): Eli Manning looked very good against what some have called the best secondary in football.  Defense played great in the red zone, but gave up too many rushing yards out of it.

Best of the Rest

12. Oakland Raiders (2-1): Darren McFadden leads the league in rushing.  Oakland's front four played great in the second half against the Mangold-less offensive line.

13. Dallas Cowboys (2-1): Neither of their wins came easy or pretty, but QB Tony Romo has shown some fortitude with a broken rib and a punctured lung.  

14. Washington Redskins (2-1): tough divisional loss at home to the Cowboys.  The defense didn't allow a touchdown, but 6 field goals for the Cowboys were enough for the win.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1): Their running backs aren't playing well, their quarterback isn't playing well, Mike Williams has disappeared from this offense, but they're still 2-1.  Strange.

16. Atlanta Falcons (1-2): The Falcons opened the season with three tough games.  @Chicago, vs. Philadelphia, and @ Tampa Bay.  They should get to 2-2 next week @ Seattle.

17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2):  Broken or contused hand, whichever it is, Vick should sit next week vs. San Francisco.

18. Tennessee Titans (2-1): Hasselbeck looked good Sunday, but the loss of Kenny Britt is really going to hurt his game.

19. Chicago Bears (1-2): Can someone explain to me why Matt Forte only got 9 carries on Sunday versus the Packers? 

20. San Francisco 49ers (2-1):  Run Defense has been stellar only allowing 62.7 yards per game.  I also take that for what it's worth.  They stopped Marshawn Lynch, Felix Jones, and Cedric Benson.

21. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): I still think that the Cardinals are the team to beat out of the NFC Worst.

Mediocrity and Messes 

 

22. Carolina Panthers (1-2):  Carolina got its first win of the season in Cam Newton's worst game of the season.  Granted, it was bad weather, but Newton should start coming back down to earth.

23. Cleveland Browns (2-1): The Browns really missed Peyton Hillis last week, but they pulled out the win because the Dolphins are terrible.

24. Seattle Seahawks (1-2): Sidney Rice's return has upgraded the Seahawks offense from pitiful to ineffective.  Thankfully, the Cardinals couldn't score on Sunday either.

25. Denver Broncos (1-2): I really think that this team should be so much better.  Brandon Lloyd, Knowshon Moreno/Willis McGahee, and Kyle Orton make this a decent offense, but nothing works.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): There is no chance for the Jaguars this year.  Might as well let it fly with Blaine Gabbert.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2): Has any team had as many felons in the NFL as the Bungles?  Just go and play football for goodness sake.  

28. Minnesota Vikings (0-3): Another team who should be so much better than they actually are.  The most consistent running back in football, a possible hall of famer veteran at quarterback, and a young, explosive wide out in Percy Harvin.  Disappointing

29. Indianapolis Colts (0-3): Defense played good ball on Sunday, but the offense just wasn't there, and it won't be until 2012.

30. Miami Dolphins (0-3): It doesn't get any easier for Miami in the next 5 weeks.  4 road games @ SD, @ NYJ, @NYG, @ KC, and the fifth is a home game which they won't win because they're home.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-3): Lots of people loved the Rams this year to come out of the West, but with injuries to Danny Amendola, Stephen Jackson, and Sam Bradford, things are not looking good for the Rams.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3): 3 of their next 5 games come against teams that are winless (Minnesota, Indianaolis, and Miami).

NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Week 2 featured more of the same from week 1.  NFC North #3 Ravens were the victims of a huge upset at the hands of the Titans.  Tom Brady had another outstanding game.  Cam Newton threw for 400+ yards in his second consecutive game.  The Chiefs got blown out again, and in the process lost their pro bowl running back, Jamaal Charles.  The Buffalo Bills looked down and out in the 1st half, then Ryan Fitzpatrick led a furious comeback to continue the Oakland Raiders struggles on the road.  Some big changes this week, so let's look at the rankings:

Cream of the Crop

1. New England Patriots (2-0): The Patriots claim the top spot after a two week reign by the undefeated packers.  Tom Brady looks to be about the best quarterback that has ever played.  Brady is averaging 10.7 per passing attempt.
2. Green Bay Packers (2-0): Struggled a bit in the first half against Cam Newton and the Panthers who ran the ball for a grand total of 11 times.  It looks like Ron Rivera is placing this season squarely in the hands of his rookie QB.  Loss of Nick Collins is a huge hit to this secondary, but the Packers are used to winning with injuries.
3. New York Jets (3-0): Mark Sanchez didn't have the prettiest of games, throwing two picks, but the Jets did what they were expected to do.  Loss of Nick Mangold really hurts their running game.
4. New Orleans Saints (1-1): They jump three spots due to a few losses in 3-7.  A year after throwing for 22 interceptions, Brees has gone a perfect 6 TDs to 0 int's through 2 games. 
5. Atlanta Falcons (1-1):  Atlanta should be thanking God that Michael Vick was unable to play in the 4th quarter, because he looked unbeatable in the second half.  Still, Matt Ryan, who looked ordinary for most of Sunday night's game, staged a terrific rally to score three unanswered touchdowns. 
6. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1): The Eagles are hoping that Vick returns this week in a key divisional match up with the 1-1 New York Giants.  The NFL's new concussion standards are not going to make his return easy.
7. Houston Texans (2-0): Lots of experts have this team ranked higher, but they have not been thoroughly tested as of yet.  They blew out the Manning-less Colts and the hapless Dolphins.  They did, however, look great in both wins without, for the most part, Arian Foster.
8. Baltimore Ravens (1-1): How many people were knocked out of their Elimination/Knockout/Suicide pool this week when they picked the Ravens?  
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1):  Big Ben and the Steelers defense found their pride by shutting out the Seattle Seahawks this week.  No big surprise there. 
10. Detroit Lions (1-1): The Lions put a serious whooping on the Kansas City Chiefs this week.  Everyone's cinderella pick is looking smart.
11. San Diego Chargers (1-1): It's unfair that the Chargers have dropped this far because they lost to the Patriots, but I couldn't justify them any higher.  They could have taken a huge leap to a possible #1 if not for an ill-timed turnover.


Best of the Rest 

12. Chicago Bears (1-1): Even Jay Cutler wonders how long he can put up with the punishment he is undertaking right now.  The loss of right tackle Gabe Carimi to a separated knee cap does not help matters for the most porous offensive line in football.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1):  Trailed by 17 points in the first half to the Vikings, but with 24 second half points, Josh Freeman and the Bucs avoided an 0-2 start in the tough NFC South.
14. Washington Redskins (2-0): Although it looked like the Redskins wanted to start off 1-1, Rex Grossman shook off a terrible start to this game and came up huge with a 4th and 3 18-yard TD pass to Santana Moss.  They are the only undefeated NFC East team.  Surprise? Absolutely.
15. Dallas Cowboys (1-1): Tony Romo was hit hard and just as the Cowboys PR guy was announcing Romo was out for the game, you saw Romo jogging back out onto the field to lead the Cowboys to an OT win over the 49ers on the road.  With a punctured lung.  Fastest image rehab ever.
16. New York Giants (1-1): It wasn't pretty.  But the Giants got their first win of the season over the St. Louis Rams Monday night.  It was a tale of two Manning's in this game.  At one point he was 13/14 passing, and he finished the game 19/30 with 2 TD's and an interception.  They also lost Dominic Hixon for the second straight season to an ACL tear and Mario Manningham to slight concussion.  Injuries are piling up, again.
17. Buffalo Bills (2-0):  I predict that the Bills lose this week to the Patriots, but I will no longer use them as my knockout pool pick.  That's how much respect I have for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-1): Kevin Kolb looks fantastic, and he has the 5th best QB rating in the NFL.  Bad news is the defense cannot stop anyone.  I think they signed last year's Texans secondary.
19.Oakland Raiders (1-1): This team just cannot win on the road.  They are AFC West world beaters, but even with an 18 point lead, they cough it up.
20. Tennessee Titans (1-1): The Titans surprised many people this week, including myself.  There might be more to this team that I can't see right now, but I still think they are in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes.
21. San Francisco 49ers (1-1): Tony Romo's magic was a tough pill for the 49ers to swallow.  After this tough loss, a road game against one of the worst teams in football might be just what they need.  Good thing it comes in week 3.


Mediocrity and Messes

22. St. Louis rams (0-2): This was one of my sleeper teams, but with the injury to Danny Amendola which greatly impacts both the special teams and the offense, I don't think they will be a threat any longer in the NFC West.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1): Blaine Gabbert will get his first career NFL start on Sunday.  Expect to see a free fall in the coming weeks.

24. Miami Dolphins (0-2): The Dolphins record at home over the last two years is embarrassing.  They are 1-9 at home since the start of 2010.  Wow.

25. Denver Broncos (1-1): history shows that the Broncos can compete in the AFC West.  See Kansas City Chiefs 2010.  Then see Kansas City Chiefs 2011.

26. Minnesota Vikings (0-2): they had the Buccaneers exactly where they wanted them.  Then the offense went stale in the 2nd half and the defense ran out of steam.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1): Andy Dalton has quietly started his rookie campaign with a 105.7 QB rating.  Good for 8th in the NFL.  The Bengals defense will wind up hurting any chance they have to compete for the playoffs.

28. Carolina Panthers (0-2): Cam Newton threw for 432 yards.  He also threw three picks. Such is the life of a rookie quarterback with no running game.  Rivera has shown no faith in DeAngelo Williams.

29. Cleveland Browns (1-1): A nice balanced offensive game plan.  Hillis had a 117 total yards on 31 touches with two TD's.  They played the Colts though.

30. Indianapolis Colts (0-2): The Colts look lost without Peyton Manning.  I take back what I said about them last week.  I am already putting a nail in their coffin.

31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1): Jamaal Charles' season is over.  Eric Berry's season is over.  The Chiefs season is most likely over.

32. Seattle Seahawks (0-2): The Seahawks didn't step foot in the Steelers territory until the 4th quarter.  Like I said last week: Pitiful offense.  

 

NFL Week 2 Power Rankings

There are always a few surprises in week 1 of a new NFL season.  The biggest?  I'd have to say the Steelers getting walloped by the Ravens.  I didn't think either team would score 20 points, but man, oh man was I wrong.  Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, and Joe Flacco looked like they were in midseason form.  The Packers and the Saints lived up to their high billing.  If there weren't any defenses on the field, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers couldn't have thrown the ball better.  Let's get down to business, shall we?

Cream of the Crop

1. Green Bay Packers (1-0): Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns in the first quarter, setting the high scoring tone for the game in a shootout with the Saints.

2. New England Patriots (1-0): The performances of the top 3 quarterbacks in the league this week were astounding.  Tom Brady led the pack with 517 yards and 4 touchdowns.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): In my opinion, Michael Vick struggled a bit with his accuracy in week 1; however, his pure athleticism still took over the game. 

4. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): Big jump from last week to this week, but very much deserved.  The Ravens three biggest players (Flacco, Rice, Boldin) all had stellar to outstanding performances.  Defense forced 7 turnovers, and the offense dropped 35.  On the Steelers.

5. New York Jets (1-0): Mark Sanchez threw for 335 yards, taking advantage of in game injuries to the Cowboys secondary.  Huge special teams play by Joe McKnight, as the Cowboys kind of gave this game away.

6. San Diego Chargers (1-0): Battled the Vikings for a win.  Special teams was San Diego's number 1 concern in the off season, and on the very first play of the 2011 season, Percy Harvin goes 103 yards for a score on the kickoff.  Not good, but a win is a win is a win.

7. New Orleans Saints (0-1): Sure they lost.  But to the defending champs, and Brees put up one hell of a fight.  If this game was played in New Orleans, it probably would have been  a different outcome.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1): You think the Steelers are out for blood this week?  After last week's thumping, Seattle better be careful.

9. Houston Texans (1-0): Now the odds on favorite to win the AFC South, with absolutely no competition, barring the hand of God comes down to massage Peyton's neck.

10. Chicago Bears (1-0): They jump 6 spots after thoroughly beating down NFC South champion Falcons.  Maybe a 2nd year of Martz makes Cutler an elite QB.

11. Atlanta Falcons (0-1): I predict an 0-2 start for Atlanta.  I don't care about Matt Ryan's record in the Georgia dome.  It's Vick's previous home, and he still has fans there.

Best of the Rest

12. Detroit Lions (1-0): Week 2 and the Lions already have a road win in the bag.  Will this year's sleeper darlings keep it going against the Chiefs?  Probably.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1): they had the best chance of any NFC South team to start 1-0.  Good thing everyone in the South lost.

14. Dallas Cowboys (0-1): The 'Boys were primed for a road upset of the AFC runner-up.  Special teams and Romo couldn't keep a lead.......again.

15. New York Giants (0-1): I was cautiously hopeful of the Giants 2011 season, but there are so many injuries to this defense, I wonder how long they can hold up.

16. Arizona Cardinals (0-1): Defense is shoddy, at best.  Cam Newton lit them up in the air to the tune of 422 yards.

17. Oakland Raiders (1-0): Run DMC tore it up on the ground for 159 yards, but no scores.  No one in the AFC West can beat the Raiders.  I have no idea why.

18. Rex Grossman (1-0): The 'Skins defense has obviously improved.  Grossman looked good, but how long will that last?

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0): If Garrard was their quarterback, the Jags would have won handily.  Started off good against a bad team.

20. San Francisco 49ers (1-0): Blew out the worst team in the NFC West.  The 49ers are clearly going to contend for the weak NFC West. Thank you defense, because Alex Smith wouldn't have done it by his lonesome.

21. St. Louis Rams (1-0): Their loss to the Eagles was a lot closer than the final score of 31-13.  Let's see if Steven Jackson can get back soon, because Caddilac Williams' knee won't hold up for too long.

22. Buffalo Bills (1-0): Surprise! The Ryan Fitzpatrick led juggernaut offense destroyed the Chiefs.  They're not quite a juggernaut.  And the Chiefs lost Eric Berry.

Mediocrity and Messes

23. Indianapolis Colts (0-1): The Colts first game without Manning in 13 years went according to script.  The Texans script at least.  Don't count them out just yet.

24. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1): Like I said last week, there's just something about this team that I don't believe in this year.

25. Minnesota Vikings (0-1): Really Donovan?  You've aged this fast?  That was just a terrible showing San Diego. 7/15 for 39 yards is definitely how you plan to lose a game.

26. Miami Dolphins (0-1): Put up a decent enough fight on offense, but Miami's secondary was god-awful, or is Tom Terrific that good?

27. Tennessee Titans (0-1): The Colts guarantee of not finishing last place. 

28. Carolina Panthers (0-1): Carolina fans should all calm down about Cam Newton's numbers week 1.  They were possibly the most inflated numbers of the week.  

29. Denver Broncos (0-1): Can you guys just beat the Raiders please? 

30. Seattle Seahawks (0-1): This offense is just brutal to watch.  No star quality on the offensive side of the ball save for Sidney Rice, who won't be a star this year because Tavaris Jackson is at the helm of this pitiful offense.

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1): This team just hit it's high point of the season.  Andy Dalton got injured and they still squeaked out a win.

32. Cleveland Browns (0-1): This is Cleveland's punishment for losing to the Bengals.  Not that this team will finish anywhere near the top of the division, but they have a shot at beating the Colts this week. 

NFL Week 1 Power Rankings

After months of a lockout, a whirlwind free agency, and the another long preseason schedule, Week one of the 2011 NFL Season is finally upon us.  Much has been said about the high octane Patriots, the Jets vaunted defense, the self proclaimed Miami Heat of the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles.  And that has helped my number 1 team stay under the radar, get healthy, and concentrate on a repeat.

Cream of the Crop

1. Green Bay Packers: Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant.  Two pro bowlers that were injured for the Pack's Super Bowl run last year.  It makes them all the more dangerous now that they're back. One of the deepest wide receiving core in football, and a top 5 quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.  Tougher NFC North, but no one as tough as the Packers.

2. New England Patriots: Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, Woodhead, Green-Ellis, two trusted tight ends.  Not to mention the reigning MVP, Tom Brady.  Is there a better offense in football? Probably not.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin's approach is to trust his number 1 defense, and run the ball.  Ground and pound with a smash mouth defense. Old school football.  And Big Ben does nothing but win.  The passing game should open more with the emergence of Mike Wallace last season.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: No team was as active in free agency as the Eagles were this short offseason.  They signed pro bowler after pro bowler.  Most important?  The addition of Nnamdi Asomaough and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, makes their secondary the best in the NFL.  

5. New Orleans Saints: One of the best aerial attacks in the NFL.  Drew Brees has a plethora of options to feed the ball to starting with Marques Colston, and going on down the line to Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem.

6. New York Jets: 6th in opponent's passing yards, and 3rd in opponent's rushing yards.  The Jets lone weakness on defense is getting to the quarterback.  One more year and one more championship game under the belt of 3rd year quarterback Mark Sanchez.  Will the additions of Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason help Sanchez get to elite QB status? We should find out week 1 vs the Cowboys revamped defense led by Rex's twin brother, Rob.

7. Atlanta Falcons: Ranked last in the league in 2010 in plays over 20 yards.  With the addition of first round draft pick Julio Jones, Atlanta should be able to open up on offense.  

8. San Diego Chargers: Dissappointing season for the Chargers last year, but with Vincent Jackson back for an entire season, the offense should take a step forward, even if they were ranked 1st last year in total offense.  Special teams was a huge detractor to this squad in 2010. We'll see if it has improved.

9. Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco has taken the Ravens to the playoffs in each of first three years in the league.  Strong running game, stronger defense, but if the passing game improves enough, the Ravens can be a very dangerous squad.  Look for a big year from Anquan Boldin, which for me is the key to Baltimore's season.

Best of the Rest

10. Indianapolis Colts: Normally I slot 10 or 11 teams in the Cream of the Crop, but to start the season, I couldn't bring myself to do it.  The Colts potential loss of Peyton Manning for the first few weeks may be disastrous.  The Colts are where they are every year because of number 18.  This could mean the Texans first ever South division championship.

11. New York Giants: Non-existent and very frustrating offseason for the Giants.  The front office did nothing in terms of free agents, except that is to let them go elsewhere.  Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert.  All Giants of the past now.  Can Eli Manning overcome three huge losses in his pass protection?

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Strong South division is this team's only downside.  Josh Freeman leads an impressive young team full of upside.  Mike Williams and LeGarette Blount just to name a couple.

13. St. Louis Rams: Steve Spagnuolo made a very important offensive hiring.  The addition of quarterback guru, and offensive mastermind Josh McDaniels can take Sam Bradford, and an already established Steven Jackson to another level.  Eagles, don't sleep on this team in week 1.

14. Houston Texans: Have the Houston Texans improved enough on defense to really contend for the playoffs?  My simple answer is, absolutely.  With key acquisitions Jonathan Joseph and Daniel Manning, Houston's secondary is no longer the joke of the NFL.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Very good defensively, great running game, but.....I don't know what it is, but I just don't buy this Chiefs squad as a playoff contender.

16.  Chicago Bears:  Lots of experts are saying the Bears running game will take a down turn this year with the loss of center Olin Kreutz, but I foresee a big year for Matt Forte.  The question is can that offensive line protect Cutler, and can Cutler protect the ball?

17. Dallas Cowboys: The personnel hasn't changed so much, but the addition of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should have the Cowboys back to respectability this season.

18. Detroit Lions: Everyone's preseason darlings, but there is no established running game in Motown, just like there isn't a consistent QB.  If Stafford can stay healthy, and their young defense can perform, the Lions just may rattle some cages in the NFC North.

19. Arizona Cardinals: NFC West is by far the weakest division in football, so the Cardinals might have a shot to make the playoffs.  Their defense is weak, but with a competent QB at the helm, their offense looks stronger.  This is officially my 2011 sleeper.

Mediocrity and Messes

20. Seattle Seahawks: I love the acquisitions of Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, but who is going to pass to them?  Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst? Really? Next.

21.  Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard doesn't get enough credit.  He is an accurate passer with a career 85 QB Rating.  He can also elude the rush.  MJD should get about 85% of the touches at tail back now that Rashad Jennings is done for the year.  Wear and tear is not good news for MJD.

22. Oakland Raiders: New season, new coach, probably same reults.  8-8 at best.

23. Minnesota Vikings:  Aging quarterback in the twilight of his career.  Sounds familiar.

24. Miami Dolphins: Maybe they bring back the Wild Cat with new addition Reggie Bush.  Channing Crowder retired.  Chad Henne is still the QB.  This might be the first team in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

25. Tennessee Titans: Lost Jason Babin.  Lost Kerry Collins.  Threw away Vince Young.  Thank God Chris Johnson ended his holdout or this could have been a full blown disaster.

26. San Francisco 49ers: Will Alex Smith ever start being the guy everyone thought he'd be? I'd bet on never happening.

27. Washington Redskins: Defense much improved, but Rex Grossman as their Week 1 starter really hurts their ranking.  Tim Hightower was impressive in preseason. 

28.Denver Broncos: There should be no argument as to who should be the starting QB in Denver.  If Josh McDaniels had kept his mouth shut, it would still be Jay Cutler.  Now McDaniels is gone, they'll have to live with Kyle Orton, who isn't half bad.

29. Cleveland Browns: Mike Holmgren has a long way to go to restore the Cleveland Browns to even mediocre. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick may be the smartest QB in the game(Ivy Leaguer), but with Lee Evans now gone, he has one target.

31. Carolina Panthers: The Era of Cam Newton starts in Week 1.  I am not a believer in his abilities as a professional QB in the NFL, but I said the same thing about Mike Vick.

32. Cincinnati Bengals: Aging running back in Cedric Benson.  But growing pains for Andy Dalton and A.J. Green this year.  Should be a long season in Cincinnati.  The Bungles are back!