1. Carolina: The top spot usually is reserved for the defending NFL champion, but it says here the Panthers will win it all.
2. Indianapolis: The best team in the AFC to start the season.
3. Pittsburgh: The defending champion Steelers are strong, but have some issues.
4. Denver: This team is better than last season’s, but it still may not match 13-3.
5. Seattle: Could be Mike Holmgren’s last season. Also could be a Super Bowl season.
6. Cincinnati: Carson Palmer is back. The Bengals should be, too.
7. Miami: This team is for real.
8. New York Giants: Better than many believe.
9. New England: Tom Brady has led more talented teams, but the quarterback’s name still is Tom Brady.
10. Dallas: T.O. or no T.O, the Cowboys are solid.
11. Jacksonville: The Jaguars are boring, but they win games.
12. Atlanta: Ashley Lelie could have gone to a worse team.
13. Kansas City: The Chiefs have holes, but remain dangerous.
14. San Diego: If Philip Rivers flows, the Chargers will grow.
15. Chicago: Worst of the division leaders.
16. Tampa Bay: Chris Simms needs to flourish for Bucs to make the playoffs.
17. Baltimore: The Ravens are fired up about Steve McNair. We’ll see.
18. Arizona: Maybe this is the season the Cardinals aren’t the Cardinals.
19. Washington: Don’t expect the Redskins back in the playoffs.
20. Philadelphia: Finally, life without T.O.
21. St. Louis: The Broncos’ biggest task will be silencing the crowd noise.
22. Cleveland: The Browns could be greatly improved.
23. Minnesota: The choirboys are back to work.
24. Detroit: Watch for the Lions to be much more disciplined.
25. Houston: The Texans are Denver South – as in far below the Broncos.
26. Buffalo: The league gets really bad at this point.
27. New Orleans: It’s time for Reggie Bush to become Mr. New Orleans.
28. Oakland: Can the Raiders match their preseason total of four wins?
29. New York Jets: At least Eric Mangini can remember his days with the Patriots. Fond memories are all the new coach has.
30. San Francisco: The 49ers will be good in 2008. Too bad it’s 2006.
31. Green Bay: Yes, Brett Favre, the 49ers are better than your team.
32. Tennessee: Just a really bad team.
ON THE MOVE
Miami
The Dolphins are ranked among the league’s elite in the early going and are likely to stay there all season. This team will make a big run. The Dolphins have bypassed New England as the AFC East’s best team. The addition of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who appears healthy, will have a major impact, but coach Nick Saban is the main reason for their climb. He won nine games with little talent last year. With an improved core, the Dolphins could win 12 games.
