Here are my Pre-Training Camp Power Rankings for 2014.
1. Seattle Seahawks- Seattle is the best team in the NFL at the moment. Most of the band is returning from last seasons Super Bowl team. Some people feel that distractions are abound for cornerback Richard Sherman and quarterback Russell Wilson because of the growth of their popularity.
2. Denver Broncos- Despite losing the Super Bowl in a beating fashion, Denver remains the AFC's best team with the additions they made this offseason on both sides of the ball. As long as quarterback Peyton Manning is healthy, Denver has a shot to go back to the Super Bowl for redemption.
3. San Francisco 49ers- San Francisco is in an interesting spot right now. Tight End Vernon Davis is looking for a contract extension As well as head coach Jim Harbaugh. They're still a talented team but there are many question marks surrounding the team including quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
4. New Orleans Saints- Since New Orleans finally resigned tight end Jimmy Graham, this team can make a Super Bowl run. They're the odds-on favorite to win the NFC South for sure.
5. New England Patriots- Quarterback Tom Brady is in the twilight years of his Hall of Fame career. New England made great additions in the offseason such as Darelle Revis and Brandon Browner.
6. Green Bay Packers- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be back healthy. Green Bay is no lock to win the NFC North but they should be back in the playoffs with a healthy Rodgers.
7. Indianapolis Colts- Indianapolis could be some peoples sleeper pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this February. This team is going to be a fun team to watch this upcoming season with quarterback Andrew Luck improving his game.
8. Philadelphia Eagles- The reigning NFC East champions will be the favorites to win the division again, even with the departure of DeSean Jackson. Some people are calling for a drop-off from quarterback Nick Foles after the career year he had last season.
9. Arizona Cardinals- Arizona is a very intriguing team for this upcoming season. They're in a tough division, but it would not be surprising to see this team in the postseason this January.
10. Cincinnati Bengals- Cincinnati is facing a critical season ahead of them. Their is a lot of talent on the roster,but their is uncertainty around quarterback Andy Dalton and head coach Marvin Lewis. Dalton and Lewis are facing make or break seasons.
11. Chicago Bears- Chicago is an interesting team this season. They resigned quarterback Jay Cutler this offseason, which they had to do in order to be relevant. The defense is aging but the offense will put up the numbers.
12. San Diego Chargers- San Diego is another intriguing team this upcoming season. Quarterback Philip Rivers got rejuvenated last season and had a career year. They should be a playoff team this upcoming season.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers- Pittsburgh quietly had a nice offseason. They're another interesting team to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Baltimore's offseason was a bit tumultuous but they improved at the same time. Running back Ray Rice is facing a possible suspension, which can ultimately cost them their season.
15. New York Giants- The Giants had a quietly nice offseason. There are questions surrounding quarterback Eli Manning and whether he can return to forum or not. If San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers can return to forum with a new offensive coordinator, why can't Eli Manning?
16. Kansas City Chiefs- Many people are expecting a huge drop off from Kansas City. They lost some impactful players in the offseason and they did not improve at all.
17. Carolina Panthers- Carolina is another team people are pointing to as a regression team. They lost some key contributors from last season.
18. Atlanta Falcons- People are expecting Atlanta to turn it around this season after last seasons disaster. Head coach Mike Smith is on the hot seat.
19. Detroit Lions- Detroit could be some peoples sleeper pick to win the NFC North. Let's see if new head coach Jim Caldwell can elevate this team to the next level or not.
20. Dallas Cowboys- Dallas got worse this offseason, especially after linebacker Sean Lee tore his ACL. Quarterback Tony Romo is what keeps this team relevant.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tampa Bay are big offseason winners. They improved on both sides of the ball and they hired former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith.
22. New York Jets- The Jets grossly overachieved last season. They improved on the offensive side by adding quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson, and wide receiver Eric Decker. The very good defense is what makes this team interesting.
23. St. Louis Rams- St. Louis had a nice offseason. People are overrating this team though and there will be media attention and turmoil around defensive back Michael Sam, who publicly came out as gay.
24. Washington Redskins- Many people are pointing to Washington as the team to have the worst to first turnaround. The honey moon for quarterback Robert Griffin III is over and he is facing a critical make or break season ahead of him.
25. Houston Texans- Houston is another team people are nominating as a worst to first (or at least a playoff spot) candidate. We seen Kansas City go from 2-14 to the postseason last season and Indianapolis do the same thing two seasons ago. Wide receiver Andre Johnson wants out of Houston, which is something to keep an eye on.
26. Minnesota Vikings- Minnesota is a team on the rise, but it will take a couple of years. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could end up being the best quarterback from this draft.
27. Buffalo Bills- Buffalo is also a team on the rise. Quarterback EJ Manuel and wide receiver Sammy Watkins will be a fun quarterback-receiver duo to watch.
28. Cleveland Browns- People are overrating Cleveland because of the presence of quarterback Johnny Manziel, who there will be distractions abound for. Wide receiver Josh Gordon's suspension will cost this team.
29. Miami Dolphins- Miami is another team people are overrating. Distractions will be abound for this team yet again in the wake of the bullying scandal that cost them their season last year. Head coach Joe Philbin is on the hot seat.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jacksonville is quietly on the rise, but it will take a while. Head coach Gus Bradley has some work to do with this team if they want to make the leap.
31. Tennessee Titans- Tennessee needs to go into a complete rebuild mode. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt has a lot of work to do with this team.
32. Oakland Raiders- Oakland signed a lot of veteran players and overpaid them this offseason. The problem is that most of the guys they signed are passed their prime.
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