CNNSI rankings: Jets no. 1

[nj meadowlands]

Anyone else feel like Don Banks trying to jinx us? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/07/27/precamp.1/index.html?eref=sihp

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NFL Pre-Training Camp Power Rankings

1

New York Jets (2009 record: 9-7)

Normally I'm not the type to buy the hype, but with the Jets so clearly going all-in when it comes to their 2010 season, why not play along and add to the self-created pressure on which Rex Ryan and his players seem to thrive? Let's see if they thrive on it this year. That'll be the tricky part. Handling all the Super Bowl expectations that come with a roster built to win -- and win big -- now. Of this much we are certain: After the offseason personnel spree they went on, the Jets mercifully can't trot out that tired no respect/underdog spiel they rode so far last season.

2

New Orleans Saints (13-3)

If I had to, I could probably come up with some very cogent reasons why the Saints will never duplicate their success of 2009 as defending Super Bowl champions. For starters, few teams repeat these days. But there was nothing all that fluky about the Saints winning last season, so I don't see them suffering anything resembling the classic post-Super swoon. As camp convenes, I believe there's not a more confident squad in the league than Sean Payton's club, and I think New Orleans is going to ride that wave for quite a while longer.

3

Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

I liked almost everything about the Ravens offseason, from Anquan Boldin signing in March to Marc Bulger signing in June as a potentially shrewd insurance policy on the health of Joe Flacco. But what really has caught my ear is the sense of urgency that prevails on Baltimore's roster. It's a hungry team, with an intriguing blend of youth and experience in almost all of the right spots. Bigger things are in store this year for the Ravens than just the AFC's sixth seed in the playoffs and another January road trip.

4

Indianapolis Colts (14-2)

I can hear the Colts fans now: How can the Jets and Ravens, two teams Indy beat soundly in the AFC playoffs in January, start this season ranked ahead of the defending AFC champs? It's a fair point, and yes, I did see both of those games, thanks for asking. All I can say is that was then and this is now. The Colts' Super Bowl window isn't closed, so let's not overreact. And I'm not making the same mistake I made last preseason, believing that Indy would finally miss the playoffs. But I don't see where the Colts really improved this offseason, and the status quo can sometimes be the enemy in the NFL.

5

Green Bay Packers (11-5)

I like the Packers and I like them a lot, even though I strangely don't hear a ton of optimism coming from the Cheesehead fans I live amongst these days in Madison. True, there's not enough pass rush on hand and the age and health of Green Bay's cornerbacks is worrisome. But if the Pack can protect Aaron Rodgers, this team is going to score enough to overcome a lot of its issues. As the Saints proved last season, a high-scoring offense and opportunistic defense can earn you a parade.

6

San Diego Chargers (13-3)

Can't see the Broncos, Raiders or Chiefs making the Chargers sweat out the division title and that means San Diego will be back knocking on the door again in January. For all its talent, this is a team that needs to grow some guts in the playoffs, because the Bolts can't be wasting 11-game winning streaks against a lesser opponent like last year's 9-7 Jets. I'm looking for big things from rookie running back Ryan Mathews in San Diego, and it says here he'll produce from day one.

7

Minnesota Vikings (12-4)

Brad Childress's team has improved by two wins in each of the past three seasons, but that's an impressive trend that's about to end. The Vikings with Brett Favre back under center will again be capable of beating anyone. But I detect the balance of power in the NFC North shifting east toward Green Bay.

8

Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

If you're a Cowboys fan, you'd better hope Wade Phillips's guys don't get all caught up in the chatter about Dallas trying to become the first team to play a Super Bowl on its home field. Don't go there until its time to hoist the NFC title trophy. They'll be plenty of time to beat that topic to death after that. The Cowboys only concern should be building on last year's success, and popping in a tape of that playoff meltdown at Minnesota should be all the motivation they need.

9

Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

I wasn't surprised the Falcons look a step back last season after their big 2008, but I'm equally convinced the pieces are back in place for a rebound playoff run this year. Atlanta plays New Orleans very tough, and with a sense of health restored this year, the Falcons have the kind of talented roster that could cause a lot of problems for the defending champs in the NFC South.

10

New England Patriots (10-6)

The days of the vaunted Patriots being able to win six or seven games a year just by throwing their Flying Elvis-festooned helmets on the field are over. Perhaps they've never really been the same since the Giants peeled back the green curtain on them in the Super Bowl a few years back. But swagger or no swagger, the cupboard isn't exactly bare in New England. They've still got some playmakers, but the reality is they just don't do all the same little things that consistently added up to victory after victory.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/07/27/precamp.1/index.html?eref=sihp#ixzz0uuFTuBz4

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ./ It’s a trap!

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,-‘ : : : :::: :::: :: : : : : :

[greenerdaze]

LOL! ... at #10.

That's totally demented.

I'd put Philly and Cinci before NE.

[rillo]

[MadBacker Prime]

WooHoo!!

Take that Miami!! lol

[dolphann4life]

peanut butta jelly time

[villain_the_foe]

peanut butta jelly time

lmao....exactly what I thought!

[Integrity28]

New York Jets (2009 record: 9-7)

Normally I'm not the type to buy the hype, but with the Jets so clearly going all-in when it comes to their 2010 season, why not play along and add to the self-created pressure on which Rex Ryan and his players seem to thrive? Let's see if they thrive on it this year. That'll be the tricky part. Handling all the Super Bowl expectations that come with a roster built to win -- and win big -- now. Of this much we are certain: After the offseason personnel spree they went on, the Jets mercifully can't trot out that tired no respect/underdog spiel they rode so far last season.

3

Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

I liked almost everything about the Ravens offseason, from Anquan Boldin signing in March to Marc Bulger signing in June as a potentially shrewd insurance policy on the health of Joe Flacco. But what really has caught my ear is the sense of urgency that prevails on Baltimore's roster. It's a hungry team, with an intriguing blend of youth and experience in almost all of the right spots. Bigger things are in store this year for the Ravens than just the AFC's sixth seed in the playoffs and another January road trip.

For us its "self-imposed pressure" and "hype"... for the Ravens its "sense of urgency" and "hunger."

These two team mirror each other in many ways from a personality standpoint, yet only one of them dons the uni that says "New York" and therefore they must be hated on.

[Irish Jet]

I don't even know why they're playing out the season. We've already won.

[Blackout]

Colts

Vikings

Saints

Jets

Falcons

Packers

Patriots

Chargers

Cowgirls

Ravens

Steelers

top 10

[Thai Jet]

Why even bother to play the season ?

[jgb]

as a jets fan nothing makes me more pessimistic than optimism

[Blackout]

Why even bother to play the season ?

because they won't be playing in 2011