Thread: Early Power Ranking by Peter King

After busy offseason, an early look at how the 32 teams stack up now

by Peter King

So before I go out this morning, let me embarrass myself by ranking the NFL one through 32. That's not being overly modest -- just realistic. I stink at this. In fact, my recommendation if you really want to find out what's going to happen in the NFL this year is to take a bye on this column.

I don't like these rankings. It's nice that he's trying to do something different, but I just can't see it playing out like this at this point.

Minnesota at 13 is crazy. Even without Favre I think that you're better than that. You could get to the play-offs on your running game and defense, alone. Although he does make a good point about the O-line.

Seattle at 11? Even if this is a play-off simulation, rather than a power ranking, I'd go with the 49ers.

What have the Giants done to improve, all of a sudden? I'd take both Dallas and Philly over them right now.

Carolina at 8 seems like a stretch with that awful D-line. Without Peppers, their defense gets even more mediocre than it already was. I bet you can't name one playmaker on that defense.

Miami at 6 is a stretch. Henne hasn't done enough to show that he'll, somehow, become an elite QB all of a sudden. Both of their starting DE/OLBs from last year are gone and Koa Misi isn't going to be a force (in his first year).

And lastly, Green Bay at 1 is pretty crazy right now. The article itsself says it already, we don't have anyone opposite of Matthews, who's a little overrated, anyway. I hope that Brad Jones has bulked up and will show something, but I doubt that very much. The O-line still isn't great. Clifton will be on the ground at some points during the season and Bulaga will have to step in, who's a big unknown and is, I think, still more of a RT, anyway.

We'll see how it plays out, though. There's a few surprises every year and he's bound to have some right.

I think he should have said,

I, along with any other fool sports hack that tries to do this this early in the offseason, really really really really stink at this

Marrdro wrote:

I think he should have said,

I, along with any other fool sports hack that tries to do this this early in the offseason, really really really really stink at this

Lol.

It's pretty much a crapshoot at any point.

I can't remember one ranking that had the Packers going to the play-offs going into week 10 last season.

It's just... fun to speculate about these things. Especially if they're as eccentric as this one.

This list is idiotic.

Yeah ... that looks absolutely looney bin to me. Seattle and Carolina that high?

Green Bay at No. 1? Seems a little high for me.

I cannot see how anyone can logically rank the Giants, Seahawks, Panthers, Steelers and Dolphins ahead of the Vikes.

I have a hard time arguing whether you should rank the Packers, Jets or Cowboys ahead of the Vikes as well, though you could at least make better arguments for these teams.

Just a very odd set of rankings. He is trying to "go out of the box" and hit on something and "look good" later. Of course, he will hit on one and not point out how stupid the other 25-31 look.

Mr Anderson wrote:

This list is idiotic.

This is direct proof that I made the correct decision when I opted to quit giving that rag my money.

SI sure has slipped in its standards IMHO.

I'm perfectly fine with GB at #1. Awesome offense on the rise, #1 overall defense with another year in their system, and an improved o-line. Only suspect parts are running game and CB, but they have a good enough passing game to overcome the mediocre RBs and a good enough overall D to compensate for the CB issue.

After that.... not so much.

I think Jets should be top 5 easily with the best D in the league and Sanchez getting more experience and some weapons.

Seattle ahead of the vikings!?!?!? thats absoluetly ridiculous.

This list was overall a joke, but its May and he just put some random crap out there. We all know these sports writers suck

Z,is your staff still on the payroll during the offseason? Commission them to do an updated power ranking before these asshats get out of control.

[url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/16/ranking/index.html]

...13. Minnesota. Whether old What's His Name comes back or not will determine Minnesota's fate. Brett Favre or no Brett Favre, the Vikings have an offensive line in decline...

At least come up with a better reason. An offensive line in decline? Best I can tell the offensive line was composed of 40% rookies. McKinnie is a lazy bastard and is in decline because of attitude, but, that is assuming he ever was that great in the NFL. The offensive line has some work to do, but, in decline isn't the way to describe it.

Prophet wrote:

Z,is your staff still on the payroll during the offseason? Commission them to do an updated power ranking before these asshats get out of control.

Thy will be done.

=Z=