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Rank2009 Record2009 Offensive Rank2009 Defensive Rank
2009 Record2009 Offensive Rank2009 Defensive Rank (32) (1-15) (29th)(29th)
(1-15) (29th)(29th)The Rams have their quarterback of the future. That makes the whole team beter, especially Steven Jackson. Now, all those defensive draft picks will have to pan out in order to improve.
(31) (6-10) (30th)(19th)
(6-10) (30th)(19th)Buffalo doesn't seem to be addressing there needs with enough effort. They chose a skill player in C.J. Spiller instead of a defensive prospect to help transition them to the 3-4. They also have the disadvantage of playing in a tough division.
St. Louis Rams
Team
Buffalo Bills
(30) (4-12) (25th)(30th)
(4-12) (25th)(30th)Kansas City did the right thing in drafting Eric Berry. If Jamaal Charles can stay hot from the end of last season, they'll increase there win total by a few games. The defensive front seven is still a problem as they failed to address some key positions in the off season.
Kansas City
Chiefs
(29) (5-11) (32nd)(31st)
(5-11) (32nd)(31st)Cleveland will be better down the road with Mike Holmgrem in front office, but they didn't improve in 2010 from a roster standpoint. They'll be around 4-6 wins again.
Cleveland Browns
(28) (3-13) (28th)(27th)
(3-13) (28th)(27th)Tampa Bay will improve on a defense that ranked 32nd in rushing yards allowed. They drafted two young studs at defensive tackle (Gerald McCoy and Brian Price) and have their quarterback of the future (Josh Freeman).
Tampa Bay
Bucs
(27) (2-14) (26th)(32nd)
(2-14) (26th)(32nd)Detroit could have had the best off season of any team in the NFL. They cleaned house last year and have filled some key positions with players like Matt Stafford, Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best, Louis Delmas, Corey Williams, Nate Burleson, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Rob Sims, and Amari Spievy. Look out for Detroit in 2010.
Detroit
Lions
(26) (5-11) (31st)(26th)
(5-11) (31st)(26th)Oakland will benfit with the addition of Jason Campbell and subtraction of Jamarcus Russell. They can run the ball and defend the pass. If they improve on their run defense, they could suprise.
Oakland Raiders
(25) (7-9) (23rd)(17th)
(7-9) (23rd)(17th)Chicago has added some big name players the past few years. Can Jay Cutler succeed with a below par offensive line? Will Julius Peppers live up to his contract? I say no.
Chicago Bears
(24) (5-11) (21st)(24th)
(5-11) (21st)(24th)Pete Carroll has his 2nd shot in the NFL. If he puts just as much effort into coaching as he does twitter tweets, he'll be fine. Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, and Golden Tate will be the building blocks for the Carroll era.
Seattle
Seahawks
(23) (7-9) (18th)(23rd)
(7-9) (18th)(23rd)Jacksonville has done a good job of building in the trenches the last couple years. In the 2009, draft they added their two starting offensive tackles in Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe. In 2010, they bolstered their defensive front by selecting Tyson Alualu.
Jacksonville
Jaguars
(22) (4-12) (22nd)(10th)
(4-12) (22nd)(10th)Washington's biggest job this off season was the subtraction of the inept Jim Zorn and the addition of the heralded Mike Shanahan. When you combine that with a highly talented left tackle (Trent Williams) and a pro bowl quarterback (Donovan McNabb), Washington could be a team to watch in 2010.
Washington Redskins
(21) (10-6) (14th)(20th)
(10-6) (14th)(20th)Why so low? This isn't the same team without Kurt Warner. They lost a pro bowl middle linebacker (Karlos Dansby) and a vocal leader on defense (Antrel Rolle). Time is up for Matt Leinert as Derek Anderson has to be breathing down his neck.
Arizona Cardinals
(20) (8-8) (19th)(8th)
(8-8) (19th)(8th)The biggest off season task was getting rid of turnover machine Jake Delhomme. Whomever does play quarterback will have the luxury of handing off to one of the league's most effecient rushing attacks. This could be a team to watch if Jimmy Clausen is ready to start.
Carolina Panthers
(19) (8-8) (8th) (14th)
(8-8) (8th) (14th)New York had big problems in the secondary last year. Jason Pierre Paul will help with the pass rush, but he won't be the entire solution. New York needs their defensive identity back. On a positive note, the offense will continue to improve with the plethora of young receivers.
New York
Giants
(18) (10-6) (24th) (4th)
(10-6) (24th) (4th)The Bengals are looking like the the NFL version of NWA. Some teams go after players with character, the Bengals seem to only sign a player if they have a criminal record. 2009 seemed like they played beyond they're talent level and I'd be shocked if I saw a repeat performance.
Cincinnati
Bengals
(17) (8-8) (12th) (28th)
(8-8) (12th) (28th)Derrick Morgan should help Tennessee get back to rushing the passer. Last year they couldn't and it showed by ranking 31st in pass defense. They better hope Chris Johnson will stay in shape during his contract holdout. He is the fuel that runs their engine. Actually, he's the entire car.
Tennessee
Titans
(16) (9-7) (7th) (5th)
(9-7) (7th) (5th)Pittsburgh will have to find a way to win without Rothleisberger for the first four games. Even if they can manage a split, they still play in one of the toughest division's in football. They also have to find a way to give their youth some playing experiance.
Pittsburgh
Steelers
(15) (7-9) (17th) (22nd)
(7-9) (17th) (22nd)The Dolphins are much improved from a roster standpoint in 2010. They filled a hole on the defensive front (Jared Odrick), linebacker (Karlos Dansby), and number one receiver (Brandon Marshall). Those three players make them contenders not only for the playoffs, but during.
Miami Dolphins
(14) (8-8) (15th) (7th)
(8-8) (15th) (7th)Denver can blame thir late season slide to a vacant downfield passing game. Teams could load up eight in the box with the noddle armed Kyle Orton at the helm. Can Tim Tebow solve the problem?
Denver Broncos
(13) (9-7) (16th) (21st)
(9-7) (16th) (21st)This is the year Matt Ryan could jump into the elite class of quarterback's. Atlanta wil go as far as he can take them. The defense still does need some work. They ranked 28th against the pass in 2009.
Atlanta Falcons
(12) (8-8) (27th) (15th)
(8-8) (27th) (15th)The 49ers are one of the up and coming young teams in the NFL. They should dominate in the run game with the addition of Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati. Look for Frank Gore to have a career year.
San Francisco 49ers
(11) (9-7) (4th) (13th)
(9-7) (4th) (13th)Im not sold on Ben Tate being the solution to Houston's running game problems. They finished first in passing yards in 09', and would have been hard to beat with a tailback like C.J. Spiller or Jahvid Best.
Houston Texans
(10) (11-5) (11th) (12th)
(11-5) (11th) (12th)2010 will be the year we find out if Eagles fans were right about Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb is in the same position Aaron Rodgers was in when Brett Favre was forced out.
Philadelphia Eagles
(9) (13-3) (10th) (16th)
(13-3) (10th) (16th)San Diego has had the luxury of playing in a terrible division the past couple years. They've lost their defensive identity and need to get it back. Ryan Matthews has more pressure to produce than any rookie should have to deal with. Denver is right on their heels for king's of the AFC West.
San Diego Chargers
(8) (11-5) (2nd) (9th)
(11-5) (2nd) (9th)Wade Phillips has one more chance to climb deep in the playoffs. Jerry Jones has to be getting impatient with a roster as talented as this one.
Dallas Cowboys
(7) (11-5) (5th) (2nd)
(11-5) (5th) (2nd)Bryan Buluga wil help right away with the offensive line isues. They will go as far as Aaron Rodgers wants to take them. That defensive secondary is getting old and needs to start winning now.
Green Bay Packers
(6) (10-6) (3rd) (11th)
(10-6) (3rd) (11th)Tom Brady recently told the media his team was not mentally tough in 2009. Then he went and said he won't be working out with the Patiots during OTA's. The hooded genius has to rally this team together to have a shot in 2010.
New England Patriots
(5) (9-7) (13th) (3rd)
(9-7) (13th) (3rd)Anquan Boldin will make the entire offense better in 2010, including an already stellar rushing atack. Joe Flacco needs to be more of a leader on offense for this team to reach the Super Bowl.
Baltimore Ravens
(4) (9-7) (20th) (1st)
(9-7) (20th) (1st)Rex Ryan proved he can back up all that talking. The Jets are a legit. They have talented, young players all of the field. Darrel Revis is a potential hall of famer at cornerback. Mark Sanchez needs to keep improving if they have a shot at winning a title.
New York Jets
(3) (14-2) (9th) (18th)
(14-2) (9th) (18th)Is there anyone you'd rather have in the fourth quarter more than Peyton Manning? This team would have no shot without him. If they can improve on that rushing defense and start pounding the ball like they did with Edgerrin James, they are the favorites to win it all.
Indianapolis Colts
(2) (13-3) (1st) (25th)
(13-3) (1st) (25th)That 25th ranked defense scares me. They ranked 26th in passing yards against and haven't done anything to
improve. Im not one for superstition, but the "Madden curse" has proved itself again and again. Watch out Drew
Brees.
New Orleans Saints
(1) (12-4) (6th) (6th)
(12-4) (6th) (6th)With Brett Favre, Minnesota is the best all around team in the NFL. Their defensive line dominates. They offense is dynamic. They get after the quarterback better than anyone in the league. Let me say again: with Brett Favre.
Minnesota Vikings
2010 NFL POWER RANKINGS
Ranking are in reverse order. Check back for Rothstein's 2011 mock draft based on these rankings.
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