We gave you the best 11 teams going into the 2009 NFL season. As the teams become closer in talent, the waters of separation become quite murky. How do you really tell if the 15th best team is really better than the 16th? I will show you and explain why each team has plopped in the spot is resides in.

Here are my 2009 NFL season power rankings with teams 12- 21.

12. San Diego Chargers: Most people probably have the Bolts a little higher. Merriman is coming back and LT will have two running backs to help him along and play well into their roles. But the defense was fifth to last in passing yards allowed and 25th in total yards. The Chargers are still too unpredictable under Norv Turner to allow them into the top-ten, although they have the talent. They will score points and allow them too, but because they have a fairly brutal schedule they will not break the 10 wins mark.

13. Washington Redskins: They got the best player available in free-agency when they scooped up big Albert Haynesworth. The Skins’ had one of the best defenses in NFL a year ago, not falling out of the top-ten in points, passing or running yards or total yards allowed. They also got the best defensive end in the draft when they got Brian Orakpo. They can run the ball and stop the run which are what they will need to do against the NFC East where they should surprise a few people. The only thing that keeps them from being higher on the list is their lack of receivers which end up being much ado about nothing. One of last year’s draftees Malcolm Kelly or Devon Thomas need prove their No.3 abilities and improve to at least a second option at receiver.

14. Chicago Bears: The acquisition of Jay Cutler shot the Bears up my list where they were going to be just cubs. The Bears have an aged but solid defense and put together a nice draft with what they had left. In the north they will have to stop the run, which they can do. They finished fifth against the run last season and with a much improved offense, although there are no wide-outs, the bears should move up the win column.

15. Dallas Cowboys: I don’t really believe in Tony Romo as a playoff quarterback, but when he went down last season they completely stunk, so if he can stay healthy they should have more wins than some people are predicting. And there may be addition by subtraction with the loss of T.O. and Roy Williams should now get the spotlight that will help him flourish. But the defense lost some key parts and the Boys’ did next to nothing in the draft. I don’t think the DRAMA IN DALLAS will allow for them to do much for a while but they should still be good.

16. New Orleans Saints: The Saints addressed their biggest need at cornerback with Malcolm Jenkins in the first round. I think it is safe to say that they will continue to have one of the best offenses in the NFL next season with Drew Brees slinging the rock. They still have leaps to make and have underachieved since getting to the NCF Championship game a few years ago, but after they get their running back situation settled they will show that they are still a powerful NFL team. The combination of Pierre Thomas and a healthy Reggie Bush should prove to be one of the best duos in the league.

17. Green Bay Packers: Here is a stat that most outside of cheese nation won’t know: the Packers lost seven games last season by a margin of four or less. They won’t be making the same sort of mistakes they did last year. They have a good team just a young QB and a running-back that takes a few games before he hits his rhythm. They also landed two great defensive players in the first round of the draft that should help them be competitive in the NFC North. Aaron Rogers will not throw almost half as many INTs as touchdowns this season and with a year of starting under his belt and the great YAC killing wide receivers they have the Packers will turn some heads and will probably prove that they belong higher than the 17th they are ranked here.

18: Miami Dolphins: I know, I’m in a little cage called “the moment” being held prisoner. But they did look good last season. And when all else fails, buy into “The Tuna” fixing a team and doing it fast. They lost some defenders and have no clue who will be the starting quarterback, but who cares? They run that crazy Wildcat offense and have two fantastic running backs and Pat White to throw in the mix. Ted Ginn has improved and will be a solid receiver this year. They will be held back by their ‘D’ but won’t fall into a one win season again for a while.

19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I fought with this for a very long time. They also have no idea who will be the QB when the season starts, but they finished with nine wins last season. A new head coach doesn’t usually look good but rookie head coaches have been great as of late. They lost a big defensive piece in Derrick Brooks, but were able to retain Antonio Bryant. Because they don’t have a great running back that is free of injury concerns they will struggle with whoever is the QB. They also lost long-time defensive coordinator Monty Kiffin which should hurt them as they have a lot of grey beards used to the Kiffin ways.

20: Denver Broncos: They lost Jay Cutler and have had some questionable decisions since the new head coach regime of Josh McDaniels got under way, but they should still be good. The Broncos may not have a Pro Bowl quarterback anymore but they do have an offensive line built to be the best in the league and in a year or two could be. They also greatly improved their defensive backfield through free agency and the draft but forgot that they need the most help on the D-line as the make the switch to the 3-4 and had only 26 sacks last season. The offense should go-go-gadget under whiz kid McDaniels and his new toys: Brandon Marshall, Knowshon Moreno, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn and Brandon Stokley.

21: New York Jets: They improved from a coaching standpoint as Rex Ryan comes in and brought Bart Scott with him. The Jets will have a good running game and will either suffer at quarterback or be declared genius for whoever they start. But the facts are the defense was in the process of being rebuilt before Ryan got there and he will get the most out of his natural side of the ball as he always has. The Jets may not win a ton of games but they are talented and have the coaching to stay relevant in the minds of NFL fans.