NFL Preview: Power Rankings By Division

by Rodney Fisher

2013-14 NFL Preview Power Rankings

Now that the NFL season is upon us, it is now time for our NFL Power Rankings to return. We take a look at each division for our first list. The NFL has grown into a league of parity, which for fans is the best case scenario. In no other league can a bad team turn into a championship contender over one offseason. See the Washington Redskins last season for evidence.

For this list, we took a close look at the preseason for what it is worth. We took into account injuries, new coaches, new coordinators, and returning power teams.

Lets get to the 2013-14 NFL Preseason Power Rankings:


NFC North:

1. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers may not just be the best quarterback in this division, he may be the best in the league. The addition of power back Eddie Lacy will help their anemic running game. The secondary is a big question along with protecting Rodgers
2. Detroit Lions - Call me crazy, but I think the Lions will be a big surprise to most this season. I am in love with the addition of Reggie Bush to the offense and the defense has some new blood.
3. Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings are in for a struggle at the start of the season. Missing their fullback Jerome Felton for three games due to suspension will not help their best player Adrian Peterson at all.
4. Chicago Bears - The combination of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall is great, but with a new head coach their are too many questions.

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens - They are the returning champions, although they don't have many returning players. They have done a good job getting their new defensive players in their scheme, but can Joe Cool get on the same page with his receivers? Do they have a #1 receiver?
2. Cincinnati Bengals - The "Hard Knocks" team will be back in the playoffs with another year of experience. 
3. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson will have a 1200 yard season, not just because he is on my fantasy team, but he will have a great year. The defense will be surprisingly good  upfront.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers - Big Ben is a tough guy, but I don't know if he will be tough enough to withstand a bad offensive line, young backs, and old defense.

NFC East:

1. Washington Redskins -  The NFC East champs get better this year in RGIII's second season. The division as a whole will go down to the last game as always.
2. New York Giants - The Giants always find a way to bounce back and this season will be a bounce back year. There are still questions about their secondary defense.
3. Dallas Cowboys - Everyone thought I would have them ranked #1, being that I am a die-hard Cowboys fan. I still don't think they can run the ball. Every Cowboys team that has been a real Super Bowl contender has been ranked in the top five in the NFL for rushing the ball.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - New head coach and a plethora of questions on both sides of the ball equals a rebuilding year.

AFC East:

1. New England Patriots - Easy to rank the Pats high in this division with the other teams being so bad regardless of the lack of offensive weapons for Brady.
2. Miami Dolphins - The Fins have been pretty mediocre during the preseason, but this is a weak division.
3. New York Jets - Don't laugh, this is solely based on their defense.
4. Buffalo Bills - E. J. Manuel will be a good breathe of fresh air for the Bills, but when will he be able to play?

NFC West:

1. San Francisco 49ers - The NFC champs get the #1 spot by default, but it will be interesting to see the new receiving core work with Kaepernick. During the preseason, we could not get a real sense for the type of offense they will run. The defense is still stout.
2. Seattle Seahawks -  This team could be #1B. Russell Wilson will be better and more confident this year. Their defense will be on point this year again.
3. Arizona Cardinals - I am not expecting fireworks with Carson Palmer at quarterback, but their defense will keep them in games.
4. St. Louis Rams - The Rams keep adding offensive weapons for Sam Bradford, but will he finally be able to use them to win games?

AFC West:

1. Denver Broncos - Denver is in similar situation in this division as the Patriots in their division. Broncos are head and shoulders above their counterparts.
2. San Diego Chargers - I have them #2 right now by default.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - They have looked better during the preseason, but it all remains to be seen in a real game.
4. Oakland Raiders - I think we can all agree on this rank.

NFC South:

1. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons look to have moved Stephen Jackson into the running back role with no problem.
2. Carolina Panthers - The Panthers defense has been the most improved this preseason.
3. New Orleans Saints - Now that they will have their coaching staff fully intact, the Saints will attempt to resurrect their power of old, but they will not be as good.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Coach Schiano will have his hands full with this team. Doug Martin my be a great fantasy football player, but he will not be enough to handle the scoring by himself. Revis island may have reloacted to off the coast of Florida, but with no true pass rush he will be flooded with tourists.

AFC South:

1. Indianapolis Colts - The Colts take back control of this division this year. Too many positives to ignore.
2. Houston Texans - They may have a top five defense in the league, but I question if they will be able to hold up offensively to outscore a team like the Colts.
3. Tennessee Titans - Only because they are better than the #4 team.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - I saw nothing in preseason that would signal any real improvement.

You feel differently? Leave your comments below are we will read then live on RFSN