The NFL is not like any other professional sport. In the NFL a team like, say the Dolphins, can win one game in 2007 and beat out the New England Patriots for the division title the next. The NFL is the ultimate liquid league where after a couple of draft picks and a few free agent moves later, the worst teams can become the best and vice versa.

This year there are comeback stories like Tom Brady and Shawne Merriman, large scale rookie prospects like Michael Crabtree, Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford, new head coaches like Steve Spagnuolo and Rex Ryan and big name free agent moves including T.O., T.J. and possibly Brett Favre.

So, with all these players and coaches coming and going, who will be the best and, possibly more important in some areas, which will be the lousiest? Here are my predictions and power rankings for the top 11 teams going into the 2009 NFL season.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: They won the Super Bowl last year and until someone else can prove they are better, the Steelers will remain at the top. Plus they haven’t lost anyone they can’t live without and they have to play the NFC North and AFC West, both of which have not been stellar the past few seasons.

2. Arizona Cardinals: They also made it to the Super Bowl last season but that’s not why they're No. 2 in my book. They got Beanie Wells to improve the only part of their game that was lacking, running the football. They also still have Warner, the “Fitz”, a strong head coach and underrated defense that should get better with the personnel they have brought in.

3. New England Patriots: Tom Brady is back, so is Moss, Welker and Belichick. The Pats finished off the 2009 season with 11 wins and no playoff appearance; you can bet they will be hungry to get back to a Super Bowl now that Brady is off the stretcher. They will be just as effective as they have ever been on both sides of the ball and will prove to be a powerful team come January.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Some may believe that other teams have a more fitting place at this spot but the Vikings are just a few elements away from having the best offense in the NFL and they already a have the best rush defense in the league. Percy Harvin and possibly Brett Favre could make this team next year’s NFC champions.

5. Baltimore Ravens: Just shy of the AFC title last season, Joe Flacco will improve even more than he did in his rookie campaign and the running game that will undoubtedly be better this season with healthy Ray Rice. The defense may decline but the grit of the Ravens will shine through as the make a play for their second straight breakout year.

6. Tennessee Titians: The Titans were able to land last season’s best record but it is unlikely they will repeat that performance. The loss of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will surely set them back. The Titians will still run the ball better than most teams, but will struggle through the air once again this season. They can still make a run at the division and should be able to win it with a small amount of luck.

7. Carolina Panthers: We tend to forget about the Panthers because they fly under the radar so well. Last season they finished the season tied for the best record in the NFC and no one outside of Carolina seemed to notice. But they didn’t finish the season out of the top 20 in any meaningful offensive or defensive category. They will run the ball well and attack the offensive line proving they belong in the top 10 of the NFL.

8. New York Giants: Although they will struggle more this year on the offensive side of the ball the G-men are still a top 10 team in the NFL. Their defense and running game should be enough to get them to another playoff appearance.

9. Indianapolis Colts: This team to will be worse off offensively but with Peyton Manning having a full preseason and the defense that allowed only 18.6 points per game in 2009 back on the field, the Colts should be back to good form. They also addressed their biggest need at running back in the first round of the draft.

10. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan improved over the course of last season and the wide-outs came along with him. With the second best running back in the NFL behind him, the offense should continue to soar. The defense took some hits in free agency but should remain strong as they spent seven of their eight draft picks on the defensive side of the ball.

11. Philadelphia Eagles: The loss of Brian Dawkins won’t help the defense but now the chip on Donavan McNabb’s shoulder is gone and Any Reid is on the same page. Plus, Jeremy Maclin was added to the mix, so the Eagles should be explosive offensively. The Eagles have and will always find ways to be an irritating defense under the direction of long time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.