32. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle was one of the best teams in the league last year with surprise rookie standout Russell Wilson at quarterback. It has a very good defense, anchored by the best defensive backfield in the NFL. They traded for Percy Harvin this offseason, but he is already hurt. He may have the chance to come back this season, but they aren't sure yet. They need their other receivers to step up this year and they might have the best roster in the NFL.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have made the playoffs in back to back season. Both seasons however, they lost in the opening round. So far this preseason, Andy Dalton has looked good. They added him some weapons in Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard. Mohamed Sanu has also looked very good at the No. 2 receiver position. If Dalton takes the next step, with the elite defense they have, the Bengals are one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
30. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are another hot name this offseason. They have a ton of weapons on offense and they added more, signing Steven Jackson. However, their offensive line has looked rough so far. If they want to be a real Super Bowl threat, their line is going to have to get better.
29. New England Patriots
Everyone is jumping off the Patriots ship, but people seem to forget two things. They still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. As long as those two are there this team will always compete for a Super Bowl. Rob Gronkowski should be back by mid season and they got some other good weapons this offseason. If the defense can step up, then the Patriots are as good as anyone in the AFC.
28. San Fransisco 49ers
Last year's runner up added some nice pieces this offseason. Anquan Boldin looks to pick up the slack left from the Michael Crabtree achilles injury. Colin Kaepernick looks to pick up where he left off last year, but after a year of tape will he be as effective. Also did the 49ers do enough to sure up their pass defense?
27. Denver Broncos
The Broncos seem to be the favorite in the AFC right now, but they have flaws of their own. They need to hope that a new starting running back can keep some pressure off of Peyton Manning. Also they lost Elvis Dumervil this offseason and Von Miller is suspended the first four games of the season. Miller also got arrested recently, so we don't know how that will affect his suspension.
26. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have yet to find an answer to their poor offensive line. They hope that an improved run game with Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin can take some pressure off of Aaron Rodgers. However, if the offensive line doesn't get better and open up holes for them, it could be another year of Rodgers running for his life.
25. Houston Texans
The Texans have become a consistent playoff team, but a team that hasn't taken that next step. They hope that DeAndre Hopkins can be the number two receiver that they have been looking for. The health of Arian Foster is the one thing that can really derail this team.
24. New Orleans Saints
The Saints should be back to their old selves now that Sean Payton is back on the sidelines. The Saints are going to have a new left tackle this year and will have to protect Drew Brees. On defense they are switching to a 3-4. Usually I would be worried about this, but I'm not sure their defense can be any worse than last year, plus Rob Ryan is a really good defensive coordinator.
23. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lost a lot of players in the offseason and even more to injury. They have a lot of new players they need to step up. On offense they need some weapons for Joe Flacco to come from somewhere. On defense they need someone to take over the leadership spots left by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
22. New York Giants
The Giants are the team in the NFC East I trust the most. Eli Manning has shown that he can be elite, though he is very up and down. They have a talented set of receivers and David Wilson showed flashes last year. They need their defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback to help cover up their poor secondary.
21. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are a team that could take a step back this year. They have to improve most areas on their team besides quarterback and wide receiver. Their line needs to improve significantly and new running back Ahmad Bradshaw needs to stay healthy, something he hasn't done recently.
20. St. Louis Rams (via Washington)
The Redskins could easily win their division this year, it really is wide open. However, it is all going to depend on Robert Griffin III staying healthy and their secondary getting a lot better. RGIII will have to learn to not take hits and coach Shanahan will have to keep him out of those situations as much as possible.
19. Chicago Bears
The Bears playoffs hopes ride on how good their offensive line can be. If they aren't any better than last year, Jay Cutler may want to file an attempted murder charge against them. If new coach Marc Trestman can't protect Cutler, it won't matter how good their defense is, they won't win.
18. St. Louis Rams
The Rams have to find weapons on offense. Steven Jackson is gone and Daryl Richardson steps in. They also drafted Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey at the wide receiver position. Sam Bradford has to show he can carry this team because if he can't, he may be looking for a new team here soon.
17. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are another team who switched what defense they run this year, going from a 3-4 to a 4-3. How good the Cowboys do this year will depend on how good that defense can be. They have the weapons on offense to put up points, but if they can't stop anyone it won't do them any good.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have as much talent as anyone in the league. The big question for them is going to be how good can Alex Smith be. The Chiefs have one of the best offensive lines and running games in the league. They have one of the better pass rushing duos in the league and one of the best cornerback trios in the league. It will all fall on Smiths shoulders.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a lot of new players stepping in and starting this year. Their biggest problem looks to be their offensive line and whether or not their new starters can step up and be what they need. You can never count the Steelers out though as long as Mike Tomlin is the coach and Dick LeBeau is the defensive coordinator.
14. Minnesota Vikings
The odds of Adrian Peterson having another season like last year is unlikely which means that Christian Ponder is going to have to do more. So far he hasn't shown me that he can do enough to lead them to the playoffs again. Playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson should help, but I'm not sure that Ponder can do enough to get them back to the playoffs.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles should be extremely exciting on offense this year. Even with the loss of Jeremy Maclin, they have a ton of weapons. However, their run defense has looked really bad so far. In the division they are, they will have to get a lot better against the run or be prepared for a long season.
12. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have one of the best young quarterbacks in the league in Cam Newton and one of the better running back trios in the league. However, they lack a number two receiver unless Brandon LaFell can really step up. The retirement of Chris Gamble also really hurt that defense because they don't have another cornerback with the talent to be a number one.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have the talent to be a playoff team. The big question is which Josh Freeman will show up this year. If they get the good Josh Freeman they can be a top 10 offense with the weapons they have. If the bad Josh Freeman shows up they will probably be looking at a new starting quarterback next year.
10. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been a hot pick to dethrone the Patriots this year, but I don't see it happening. The Dolphins added some nice weapons, but they still don't have a left tackle to protect Ryan Tannehill. They are also relying on Lamar Miller to carry the load for them this year. He has the talent, but hasn't had the chance to show whether he can be an every down back of not.
9. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have looked pretty good this preseason so far. Brandon Weeden is showing why he was a first round pick, but can I don't see him keeping that up during the regular season. Also how will the defense transition to the 3-4 defense in it's first year will determine how well they do. I expect some bumps along the way.
8. Detroit Lions
The Lions have a lot of talent on offense, but like the Cardinals they lack an offensive line. Add to that the lack of a number two receiver to take some pressure off of Calvin Johnson and you have an offense that can be game planned against. Their defense still isn't very good and will need a big contribution from rookie Ezekiel Ansah off the edge.
7. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made some good moves this offseason. They brought in Carson Palmer to play quarterback and Eric Winston to help try and sure up a very bad offensive line. Still with no run game and no real left tackle, they will have trouble keeping pressure off of Palmer, which will lead to disaster.
6. Buffalo Bills
E.J. Manuel has looked good so far, but you are still asking a lot of a rookie who considered very raw coming out. He also has some sort of minor knee issue that might keep him out of the last two preseason games. C.J. Spiller also has to stay healthy all year and with the way they are planning to use him, staying healthy is a big question.
5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans defense hasn't looked very good so far. They let the Redskins and the Bengals first team offenses drive down field on them. Jake Locker has been accurate but they have been playing it very safe with him. Unless he shows he can push the ball downfield teams will just stack the box and take away the short game.
4. San Diego Chargers
They have one of the worst offensive lines in the league and it's causing Philip Rivers to get killed. Add in that their number one running back can't ever stay healthy and their receivers keep getting hurt and you have a recipe for an offensive disaster.
3. New York Jets
The Jets offense just isn't any good. Mark Sanchez isn't a NFL quarterback and they don't have any weapons for him to throw too. Chris Ivory is a talented back when healthy, but he hasn't shown he could be in New Orleans. The Jets have some talent on defense, but it isn't enough to carry that offense.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a close second to the Raiders for worst team in the league. They too have to hope one of their quarterbacks steps up and their own star running back can stay healthy. Their edge over the Raiders comes from the talent on their offensive line to open holes for Maurice Jones-Drew.
1. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have the worst roster in the NFL. If Matt Flynn or Terrelle Pryor step up and Darren McFadden stays healthy they might be able to be better than the Jaguars, but the loss of Jared Veldheer really hurts.