2014 NFL Power Rankings- Week 1

By Kevin Gillikin, September 2, 2014

32. Tennessee Titans – There’s absoultely nothing going for this team other than a couple of Bronco rejects on defense. Likely Locker’s last season as an NFL starter.

31. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Cassel won a 3-way QB competition. That’s all you need to know.

30. Washington Redskins – They gambled everything on the hope that RG3 would be a sensational QB. Unfortunately for them, he’s not. In fact, he’s pretty bad. The ‘Skins are facing another rough year.

29. Oakland Raiders – They have a decent team that would probably go 7-9 in a normal division. But they’re in the jungle, baby. They’re gonna die.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars – I hate to admit it – Blake Bortles looks like the best QB of this draft. But that’s not going to save them, even when they finally start him.

27. Buffalo Bills – I like their first-round pick in Sammy Watkins. I think he may even win rookie of the year. But the rest of the team is toast.

26. Dallas Cowboys – When Jerry Jones says that this season might be rough for America’s Ex-Team, then they are seriously screwed. Usually he says they’re Super Bowl bound, before they get demolished in the first playoff game.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Meh. Solidly meh. Made some great moves, but they’re not going to pull a KC and make the playoffs after a 3-13 season.

24. Cleveland Browns – I really want the Browns to do well. But their (lack of) WR’s and QB’s will hold them back. Great D, though. Expect a lot of 13-7 games in Cleveland.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Still re-building. Big Ben won 2 Super Bowls riding a good defense, but he’s not good enough to carry this team by himself.

22. New York Jets – Who doesn’t like some Rex Ryan? Here’s to the Jets having another average season.

21. New York Giants – Offense continues to struggle. How long can Eli Manning ride his Super Bowls and last name before he starts being questioned as the undisputed starting QB?

20. Kansas City Chiefs – Here’s the good news: the Chiefs are a decent team. Here’s the bad news: they play in the AFC West.

19. Detroit Lions – I keep seeing the Lions projected to make the playoffs. No chance. Good numbers will be put up on both sides of the ball, but this is merely a team made for Fantasy Football.

18. Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens are so overrated. Kubiak is the only addition worth mentioning. They are going to miss the playoffs by a game or two.

17. Houston Texans – Yes, they were the worst team in the league last year. Yes, they have Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB. Yes, I think will have a winning season.

16. St. Louis Rams – Poor Rams. Poor Sam Bradford. They had so much potential.

15. Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins are an under-the-radar team that I think will squeak into the playoffs. An improving QB, a solid RB tandem, and a good defense will get them places.

14. Cincinnatti Bengals – Same old Bengals. They’ll make the playoffs by default due to their crummy division, and then fizzle out like they always do.

13. Indianapolis Colts – Luck’s got a lot of weapons, and a better-than-advertised defense. But he’d better hope the o-line gets their crap together.

12. Atlanta Falcons – Yet another high-powered NFC offense. They have their health back, and I think Matty will have his “Ice” back.

11. Arizona Cardinals – There is one weak link on this team, and it’s Carson Palmer. Put a top-10 QB in here, and watch out for the Cardinals!

10. Seattle Seahawks – Seattle’s going to fall back. They have not handled winning well, and it’s going to bite them big-time. They might even have a tough time getting back into the playoffs in a brutal NFC.

9. Carolina Panthers – No wide receivers? An underperforming O-line? No problem. Cam Newton is gonna join the elite QB crew this year.

8. San Francisco 49ers – This will be an unpopular pick for my host Kevin Gillikin. Sorry bro. The Niners, even with all their injuries and offensive problems, will still win the division. Don’t be a hater.

7. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers won a playoff game last year, and nearly beat the Broncos twice. San Diego is making it even farther this year. I’m going so far to say the AFC Championship game.

6. New England Patriots – I hate Tom Brady, but he’s still Tom Brady. Improved defense too. Is it strange that the second best team in the AFC is ranked down at #6?

5. Chicago Bears – Jay Culter, Brandon Marshall, Alshony Jeffery, Matt Forte. This team is frightening.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – I was wrong about Chip Kelly. I admit it. Last year, I pegged him as the next Josh McDaniels. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The Eagles are going to kick butt this year, aided by their trash division.

3. New Orleans Saints – The Saints will have the highest-flying offense this year. And their defense is scary good.

2. Green Bay Packers – Yes, that’s right. The team to beat in the NFC is Green Bay. The offense could very easily challenge the Broncos and Saints this year as the best in the NFL. Rodgers is an absolute beast.

1. Denver Broncos – Went to the Super Bowl last year, and got a whole lot better on both offense and defense. What can I say? The Super Bowl curse is going to end.