nWo34Life
05-04-2005, 02:24 PM
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8441273
Pete Brisco
CBS Sportsline.com Senior Writer
POWER RANKINGS
May 3
1 New England Patriots
The champs have actually improved in the offseason, adding key veterans like David Terrell and Duane Starks. Taking them down won't be easy.
2 Indianapolis Colts
We know the offense will be good, and adding Marlin Jackson in the first round will help upgrade the defense.
3 Philadelphia Eagles
A deep, talented team again looks like it will be the class of the NFC. Are there any challengers?
4 Baltimore Ravens
This is a team we're really high on this year. If Kyle Boller can develop, watch out. The feeling here is he will.
5 Pittsburgh Steelers
They will push for the AFC title again, and the key to getting to the Super Bowl will be the improvement of Ben Roethlisberger.
6 Atlanta Falcons
Will Michael Vick improve his passing? If he does, they can unseat the Eagles.
7 Jacksonville Jaguars
They were a trendy team to watch last year, but this year they are a legit playoff team. They do need to keep Fred Taylor healthy.
8 San Diego Chargers
Was 2004 a fluke? Not likely. But they will be hard-pressed to have the same record in an improved division.
9 Denver Broncos
It's time for Jake Plummer to take this team to a playoff victory. If not, the heat gets hotter on The Teflon Coach.
10 Minnesota Vikings
They will miss Randy Moss, despite what they may say, but the improvement on defense may make up for that.
11 Carolina Panthers
They've made some nice moves in the offseason, but there is still some uncertainty as to who will be the feature back. That's not good for the style of ball their coach prefers.
12 New Orleans Saints
This is the year. It's time for this talented group to play as it did in the final four weeks last season.
13 Oakland Raiders
Can't wait to watch all the 38-35 games this team plays. Kerry Collins to Randy Moss will be explosive.
14 New York Jets
If Chad Pennington's shoulder is fine, they'll be competitive. If not, they'll be drafting in the top 10.
15 Buffalo Bills
The defense will be good again, but the team's fate rests with J.P. Losman. Is he this year's Roethlisberger?
16 Kansas City Chiefs
Once again the main question is the same: Have they done enough to help the defense?
17 Seattle Seahawks
I don't know why, but I have a feeling they will slide some this season. They'll be competitive, but slide just a bit.
18 Green Bay Packers
There are a lot of holes on defense, which might force Brett Favre to play like the old Favre. Is that possible?
19 St. Louis Rams
Will push the Seahawks and the Cardinals for the NFC West title. If they don't, there will be big changes next year.
20 Arizona Cardinals
This team starts here for now, but look for them to be higher as we move closer to the season. Watch out for this group.
21 Dallas Cowboys
Can Drew Bledsoe take the offense a notch up from a year ago? The defense will be better with the addition of more talent.
22 New York Giants
They will be better than a year ago, but they're still a year away from pushing the Eagles. Look out in 2006.
23 Cincinnati Bengals
They are this year's trendy pick. The offense will be fun to watch, but the defense has to make strides for this to be a playoff team.
24 Houston Texans
This is a huge year for this franchise in terms of making a playoff push. Have they done enough to do so?
25 Tennessee Titans
Coach Jeff Fisher will have this team playing hard and Steve McNair makes them a threat. But they've lost so much the past couple of years.
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carnell Williams will enliven the running game, but the line is still suspect, and is Brian Griese the long-term answer at quarterback?
27 Detroit Lions
It's all on Joey Harrington. If he grows as a player, the Lions will be much improved. If Jeff Garcia is playing, they'll be out of it by November.
28 Washington Redskins
The staff doesn't believe in Patrick Ramsey, yet he will be the starter at quarterback. The offensive system is also outdated. The defense might have to carry this team again.
29 Chicago Bears
They better hope like heck that Rex Grossman is 100 percent healthy. If not, it's going to be a long year.
30 Miami Dolphins
Nick Saban will be a heck of a coach. It just won't show for two or three years.
31 Cleveland Browns
The last regime left behind a mess that will take time to clean up. But Phil Savage will make that happen.
32 San Francisco 49ers
Taking Alex Smith with the first pick was a step in the right direction. Mike Nolan will turn this team around. It will just take time.
Pete Brisco
CBS Sportsline.com Senior Writer
POWER RANKINGS
May 3
1 New England Patriots
The champs have actually improved in the offseason, adding key veterans like David Terrell and Duane Starks. Taking them down won't be easy.
2 Indianapolis Colts
We know the offense will be good, and adding Marlin Jackson in the first round will help upgrade the defense.
3 Philadelphia Eagles
A deep, talented team again looks like it will be the class of the NFC. Are there any challengers?
4 Baltimore Ravens
This is a team we're really high on this year. If Kyle Boller can develop, watch out. The feeling here is he will.
5 Pittsburgh Steelers
They will push for the AFC title again, and the key to getting to the Super Bowl will be the improvement of Ben Roethlisberger.
6 Atlanta Falcons
Will Michael Vick improve his passing? If he does, they can unseat the Eagles.
7 Jacksonville Jaguars
They were a trendy team to watch last year, but this year they are a legit playoff team. They do need to keep Fred Taylor healthy.
8 San Diego Chargers
Was 2004 a fluke? Not likely. But they will be hard-pressed to have the same record in an improved division.
9 Denver Broncos
It's time for Jake Plummer to take this team to a playoff victory. If not, the heat gets hotter on The Teflon Coach.
10 Minnesota Vikings
They will miss Randy Moss, despite what they may say, but the improvement on defense may make up for that.
11 Carolina Panthers
They've made some nice moves in the offseason, but there is still some uncertainty as to who will be the feature back. That's not good for the style of ball their coach prefers.
12 New Orleans Saints
This is the year. It's time for this talented group to play as it did in the final four weeks last season.
13 Oakland Raiders
Can't wait to watch all the 38-35 games this team plays. Kerry Collins to Randy Moss will be explosive.
14 New York Jets
If Chad Pennington's shoulder is fine, they'll be competitive. If not, they'll be drafting in the top 10.
15 Buffalo Bills
The defense will be good again, but the team's fate rests with J.P. Losman. Is he this year's Roethlisberger?
16 Kansas City Chiefs
Once again the main question is the same: Have they done enough to help the defense?
17 Seattle Seahawks
I don't know why, but I have a feeling they will slide some this season. They'll be competitive, but slide just a bit.
18 Green Bay Packers
There are a lot of holes on defense, which might force Brett Favre to play like the old Favre. Is that possible?
19 St. Louis Rams
Will push the Seahawks and the Cardinals for the NFC West title. If they don't, there will be big changes next year.
20 Arizona Cardinals
This team starts here for now, but look for them to be higher as we move closer to the season. Watch out for this group.
21 Dallas Cowboys
Can Drew Bledsoe take the offense a notch up from a year ago? The defense will be better with the addition of more talent.
22 New York Giants
They will be better than a year ago, but they're still a year away from pushing the Eagles. Look out in 2006.
23 Cincinnati Bengals
They are this year's trendy pick. The offense will be fun to watch, but the defense has to make strides for this to be a playoff team.
24 Houston Texans
This is a huge year for this franchise in terms of making a playoff push. Have they done enough to do so?
25 Tennessee Titans
Coach Jeff Fisher will have this team playing hard and Steve McNair makes them a threat. But they've lost so much the past couple of years.
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carnell Williams will enliven the running game, but the line is still suspect, and is Brian Griese the long-term answer at quarterback?
27 Detroit Lions
It's all on Joey Harrington. If he grows as a player, the Lions will be much improved. If Jeff Garcia is playing, they'll be out of it by November.
28 Washington Redskins
The staff doesn't believe in Patrick Ramsey, yet he will be the starter at quarterback. The offensive system is also outdated. The defense might have to carry this team again.
29 Chicago Bears
They better hope like heck that Rex Grossman is 100 percent healthy. If not, it's going to be a long year.
30 Miami Dolphins
Nick Saban will be a heck of a coach. It just won't show for two or three years.
31 Cleveland Browns
The last regime left behind a mess that will take time to clean up. But Phil Savage will make that happen.
32 San Francisco 49ers
Taking Alex Smith with the first pick was a step in the right direction. Mike Nolan will turn this team around. It will just take time.