Preseason NFL Power Rankings - Part 3

Could Go Either Way

The next group of teams I have titled “Could Go Either Way,” for the obvious reason that they could go either way. These are teams that performed well enough last year and either have reason to believe they could compete for the playoffs, or reason to believe that their window is closing and they might take a bigger than expected fall this year. This is the group with the biggest question marks, some of them are expecting big things after recent additions, but are still unclear, while others are wondering how they can cope with age and/or defections (or worst case, disgruntled players). I would say there is a 25% chance the Super Bowl winner comes from this group and I would guess at least 3 will surprise and make the playoffs.

22. Washington Redskins - They only reason they jump to this high after a dismal season last year is because of the Donovon McNabb Acquisition. On this team I think he's worth at least 4 wins and probably more. With Mike Shanahan in the mix this team could be in for a huge turnaround, but I'm not completely sold yet and it will have to be proved on the field. Was last year bad managment or just a dificient stock of talent? Only this years results will tell...

21. Chicago Bears - Don't think fleeing to Chicago has saved Jay Cutler from my spiteful wrath. Most people would have them higher than this and I can see their argument. However, there are two things working against the Chicago Bears in this scenario: (1) Until Jay Cutler proves he can be a consistenly top level QB then you will have a hard time convincing anyone he was worth the bounty paid for him and he can lead a team to the Super Bowl, (2) Let's get one thing out of the way, I think Lovie Smith is a talented coach and truly a class act who does things the right way. That being said, I think his tenure as head coach has slipped into acceptable mediocrity. Unless the Bears like being the NFL equivalent of Italy than they need to shake things up and do a culture change. One of my favorite sayings for the NFL is "If you're not getting better, you're getting worse" and despite their offseason additions I don't think this team is getting better, I think it's just staying pat/getting worse.

20. Carolina Panthers - I still think the Panthers have the talent to compete but with a lame duck coach and an overachieving, largely unproven QB, it will be tough. It will be tough to deal with the fans and media calling for Jimmy Clausen after every mistake Matt Moore makes, not to mention it will be interesting to see how this team copes with the loss of Julius Peppers, one of the best players in franchise history. However, they do still have Steve Smith and their young defense seems to have a solid foundation and developing well, one thing is for sure though, with John Fox, he always seems to surprise whenever you count him out so you can't count him out this year...

19. Tennessee Titans - An impressive finish after an 0-6 start saved this team from total embarassment last year. Vince Young came in and showed he has the ability to lead this team; however, he has had trouble when coming into the season as "the man" and dealing with that pressure, so we will see if he can figure things out and not have that or his off the field antics be a distraction. Also, the Titans need to find a way to make up for the loss of Albert Haynesworth and the underrated loss of Keith Bulluck before they can become the formidable defense they have been known for.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers - This organization is too tightly tied to Big Ben for them not to be a little distracted this year. Missing their top QB (2-time Super Bowl winner) for the first 4 games (at least) means this team could get off to a slow start and in their division it might be hard to recover from that.

17. Arizona Cardinals - It hurts to say, but the loss of Kurt Warner will be huge for this team. I have always been a Matt Leinart apologist but he has shown nothing that would make anybody think he's going to be a top flight QB in this league. He has a lot to prove this year. It's not as though he won't have help, with a decent defense and weapons like Larry Fitzgerald and Beanie Wells, Leinart should have all the help he needs on offense, we'll see if he can put it together.

16. Philadelphia Eagles - A little for a team that was 11-5 and went to the playoffs…I know. But, they did lose their franchise's best ever QB and replaced him with a young unproven (except against the Chiefs) QB. While Kevin Kolb may have the ability, until he proves he can lead this team and take them to the playoffs they will still be in this range.

15. Cincinnati Bengals - I know the Bengals had a great season last year and everybody thinks they are primed to do the same or better this year, I'm just not buying it. Nobody was expecting the Bengals to have such a great season last year and that's why they got off to a 7-3 start. Once people started to figure them out, they finished 3-3 down the stretch and got dominated in the playoffs. T.O. might help, but Carson Palmer just hasn't been the same since his knee injury and who knows if he will ever reach that level again. I think this team will drift back to the 9-7 to 7-9 category.

14. Miami Dolphins - You can count me as one of ones who are on the Dolphins bandwagon. No, that does not mean I am a Dolphins fan, but it does mean that Bill Parcells has showed his true football acumen by building this team the right way and turning them into a solid franchise. Just two years removed from a 1-15 effort they are primed to open a window of contention this year. I think Chad Henne can be a top tier QB in this league and with Ronnie Brown and now Brandon Marshall, I think this team has the talent to make things happen. While they will fight for the playoffs this year, I think they have a few holes to fill on the defense (especially the pass rush) before true contention.

13. New York Giants - Last year was a very disappointing season for the Giants. It is apparent after their failure in 2008 in the playoffs and last year just how important Plaxico Burress was to this team. They have had a year to figure things out and I think they are over it now and after Steve Smith's coming out party last year they are ready to show up to the dance with a date even hotter than their ex. I'm not completely sold on the defense though as it has seemed like it has fallen into disarray without Michael Strahan and no Osi Umenyiora last year, with Umenyiora back things should be better though.

12. New England Patriots - The Patriots windo has closed, but with Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck you can never count this team out. They are the consummate example of team bigger than the individual, they have a system and know the players they need and are able to find the players to fit that system year in and year out. For this reason the Patriots will remain a force until Belicheck or Brady (or both) leave.