
The results are in and the final 11 teams that round out JOCKlife.com’s NFL Power Rankings are here. Numbers 22-32 are certainly going depress a few fans. But there is always the possibility that your squad moved up the ranks because of the draft, coaching and free agent pick-ups.
It’s always hard to tell how terrible teams will bounce back, but as the end of rankings come close it’s hard to determine if one team really is worse than the other. However, just for you, I sat under my sheet with a flashlight in one hand and papers, computers and scouting reports scattered across my bed all night to bring you the most accurate predications possible. Enjoy.
22. Houston Texans- This is probably Gary Kubiak’s last chance to turn the team around and he won’t waste it. Steve Slaton proved to be the game-day back the Texans needed and Matt Schaub has proven his worth as a QB under the tutelage of Kubiak. The reason they start off the final list is their offensive firepower that landed third in total yards last season, but also the fact that they drafted Brian Cushing to help out a mediocre defense. The changes on defense, the decline of the division and Kubiak’s desire to keep his job will make them a strong team this season, or at least stronger than ten other teams.
23. Seattle Seahawks- Having a healthy Matt Hasselbeck is everything to the team who plays in the rain. Seattle was 29th in pass yards last season and was only able to win four games. But those losses and bad play got the team Aaron Curry, maybe the best defensive player in the draft. The Hawks’ were also able to sign the best free agent receiver this offseason when they snagged T.J. Houshmandzadeh. A healthy QB, a weak division, upgrades on defense and offense and a new coaching perspective from Jim Mora Jr. will help the Seahawks move up in the win column from last season.
24. Kansas City Chiefs- This team has had some great drafts the past few years and now that they have brought in a new GM and new head coach along with a new quarterback, they have to be better than two wins right? I think so. Matt Cassel is not a bargain DVD --I’m not sold on him yet—but he should be an upgrade. Anyone can get the ball to Dwayne Bowe, but Cassel can get it to him better than most. They still stink on the offensive line and their running back situation still has dust that needs settling. However, a solid defense is being built in KC and though they may not be consistently great this year they will have flashes of brilliance. Also, they have a good home crowd and play well at home in a weak division; they should surprise a few of you.
25. Buffalo Bills- T.O. is in town and that has to count for something. Look, the Bills are a team that is in a small market with small wins, but since they pulled in Owens they have gotten a lot better. When Marshawn Lynch was suspended for four games they got a lot worse. But they were middle-of-the-pack last season on defense and with the addition of Aaron Maybin on the D-line they should get better, especially with Paul Posluszny having a full year under his pads. The Bills will have good throwing power and could shock a few folks, but they play in a very hard division and they get slaughtered by their opponents in turnovers (25-38) and sacks (24-38). The Bills may have the ability to make an opposing team sweat but not shake in fear and T.O. or no T.O. the Bills will have a lot to prove before they can wiggle out of the last seven teams.
26. San Francisco 49ers- You can play with em’ you can coach with em’—now that the line has been drawn and the best receiver in the draft happened to have fallen into their laps. The Niners have issues on the O-line, at QB and on defense but their slowly turning that around thanks to head coach Mike Singletary. Michael Crabtree will help Frank Gore and vice versa. This should mean that now under a new O-coordinator the City by the Bay will have some points to look forward to. They also have been building a defense that requires other offensive coordinators to purchase Rogaine. Patrick Willis may be the best linebacker in the NFL and the defensive backfield, though injury prone, could help keep the scores down to a level Gore and Crabtree can handle. The NFC West is hardly a gritty division and a new team hell-bent on being physical and coached by a man who takes no guff could make a surprising run at the playoffs. Singletary went 5-4 last season after being named the head coach and will be looking for the same kind of success with the team completely under his control this season.
27. Cleveland Browns: Well, with the drama one of their star players has had this season and the trade talks surrounding Braylon Edwards and the bashing he took for his numerous dropped passes the Browns should decline offensively. Since they were ranked last in passing and total yards last season it doesn’t look good for the Dog Pound. But they had a different coach and four different guys at QB last season. They will still be a little stinky but Eric Mangini is known for having a good first season. They don’t really have the greatest personnel and their off season hasn’t been pleasant although they should be able to win some games as everyone fights for a roster spot under the new regime.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars- They still have the biggest team in the NFL and a running back that is harder to get to the ground elevator stuck on level 10. The inconsistencies felt in David Garrard’s game last season stems from all the problems on the O-line. The Jags addressed that in the first round of the draft and will be looking to get back to the ‘big ugly’ form the team once took. Still no wide receivers, but the team that plays for Jack Del Rio will play hard and has the ability to shut down teams defensively. The Jags won’t surprise anyone or make a big splash but they have the people to raise them above unnoticed.
29. Cincinnati Bengals- The worst team offensively last season lost their biggest weapon in T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Not good. The Bengals were already ranked 30th or worse in total, rushing and passing yards as well as points scored. Their defense was okay, not good not terrible but okay. Carson Palmer is healthy and the Orange and Black stripes look like they finally had a good draft. But they still have “character issues” with some players and a loud moth receiver who seems more interested in making headlines than touchdowns. But their defense will improve with USC linebacker Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers having a full season. But the Bengals are still a joke when it comes to the win column and they will keep that up into this season.
30. St. Louis Rams- They have lost everyone from the days when they were the “the best show on turf” but they still have Steven Jackson and a new head coach that took a Giants defense that was merely underrated and turned them into the best in the NFL. Looks good for the D-line made up of Howie Long’s son Chris, first-rounder Adam Carriker and 12-year vet Leonard Little. They also got a taste of what Donnie Avery can do last season. They lost as many games as they did last season because of O-line problems and a bad coaching situation they were unable to correct even after a firing. The Rams are not a good football team and they’ll prove it, but they are better than two others—so rejoice Rams fans.
31. Detroit Lions- They lost every single game they played last season. What else is there that needs to be said. But why are they not last then? They had a good draft getting Stafford and Pettigrew and also they didn’t have that horrible of a team; just bad coaches, a bad line and no QB who knew what was going on. This year all but the O-line is different. Kevin Smith will continue to prove he is an NFL running back and make the run happy NFC North feel it too. With Calvin Johnson still snatching the ball and a defense that will improve as they age, this team who has put up with being pathetic for so long will flourish, as much as the talent on the team will allow, under new leadership both in the front office and on the field.
32. Oakland Raiders- Someone has to be last and it really isn’t unfortunate because they put themselves into the position they’re in. I believe the head coach Tom Cable is smart and will be able to get the team moving in the right direction-then I wake up and realize that Al Davis is still in-charge. The Raiders will run the ball behind a bad O-line because they have enough backs to make it work, but they still have a QB who is about as sure of a thing as a flip of nickel. Is Javon Walker around? Will Hayward-Bey be able to live up to that high of a pick? Will the defense finally come around? No. Not this year. The Raiders were miserable under Kiffin and Cable last year, what makes anyone think it could be different with more bad players on the team?
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