Causion's NFL Power Rankings 2016: Pre - Week 1
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 1 of the 2016 season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers lost a tough Superbowl to a great defense last year. But they get their number one receiver back and they have redemption in their heart. They are dangerous.
The Panthers lost a tough Superbowl to a great defense last year. But they get their number one receiver back and they have redemption in their heart. They are dangerous.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is back to reclaim their spot as the baddest team in the NFC, but life without Beastmode will be interesting.
Seattle is back to reclaim their spot as the baddest team in the NFC, but life without Beastmode will be interesting.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are my pick to win the Superbowl this year and getting Jordy Nelson back will play a major role in that reality.
The Packers are my pick to win the Superbowl this year and getting Jordy Nelson back will play a major role in that reality.
4. Arizona Cardinals
The way they lost to Carolina in the playoffs aside, this team is still one of the most dangerous in the league, and loaded.
The way they lost to Carolina in the playoffs aside, this team is still one of the most dangerous in the league, and loaded.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were hot at the end of 2015 and they have a lot to build on. Question remains about Jamal Charles, but that defense is the real deal.
The Chiefs were hot at the end of 2015 and they have a lot to build on. Question remains about Jamal Charles, but that defense is the real deal.
6. Denver Broncos
The defense lost some pieces and they are starting a rookie QB. They will be good, but how good will have to be determined.
The defense lost some pieces and they are starting a rookie QB. They will be good, but how good will have to be determined.
7. New England Patriots
Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games, so until he is back, this team can't be judged fairly, Once he's back they will be back at the top of the AFC.
Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games, so until he is back, this team can't be judged fairly, Once he's back they will be back at the top of the AFC.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
They are talented and will win games. But being without Tyler EIfert for four games may hurt the offense. Plus they lost many receivers in the off season.
They are talented and will win games. But being without Tyler EIfert for four games may hurt the offense. Plus they lost many receivers in the off season.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is always considered a strong contender at the beginning of the season and with the potential on offense, it's easy to see them as early favorites in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh is always considered a strong contender at the beginning of the season and with the potential on offense, it's easy to see them as early favorites in the AFC North.
10. Washington Redskins
With an improved defense and plenty of speedy weapons for Cousins to work with in the passing game, DC will be another NFC team that may defend their division title.
With an improved defense and plenty of speedy weapons for Cousins to work with in the passing game, DC will be another NFC team that may defend their division title.
11. Houston Texans
The Texans are banking on Brock Osweiler to be their future and he just may be. That defense is dangerous, and I can easily see them running away with the division.
The Texans are banking on Brock Osweiler to be their future and he just may be. That defense is dangerous, and I can easily see them running away with the division.
12. New York Jets
The addition of Matt Forte just makes New York even more dangerous as this offense, to add to one of the top wide receiver duos in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.
The addition of Matt Forte just makes New York even more dangerous as this offense, to add to one of the top wide receiver duos in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.
13. Indiannapolis Colts
As long as Luck remains healthy, Indianapolis has the potential to display one of the league's top offenses. They missed him last year.
As long as Luck remains healthy, Indianapolis has the potential to display one of the league's top offenses. They missed him last year.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta's offense is always the driving force for their ranking, but if they ever want to reach major success, that defense has to improve. Easier said than done.
Atlanta's offense is always the driving force for their ranking, but if they ever want to reach major success, that defense has to improve. Easier said than done.
15. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are looking to bounce back from the worst season they have had which was littered with injuries. This years offense looks to be dangerous, but the defense is key.
The Ravens are looking to bounce back from the worst season they have had which was littered with injuries. This years offense looks to be dangerous, but the defense is key.
16. New York Giants
This is a make or break year for Eli Manning and that offense, as the turnovers have to decrease if they want to win anything. They have the weapons to be serious contenders.
This is a make or break year for Eli Manning and that offense, as the turnovers have to decrease if they want to win anything. They have the weapons to be serious contenders.
17. Buffalo Bills
If the Bills are going anywhere this season, they'll have to do it with offense. Maybe Tyrod Taylor takes the next step if LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins stay healthy,
If the Bills are going anywhere this season, they'll have to do it with offense. Maybe Tyrod Taylor takes the next step if LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins stay healthy,
18. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams don't have a good offensive line and by trading up for Alex Goff, they ignored all their other needs. I worry about Todd Gurley getting run into the ground by Jeff Fisher.
The Rams don't have a good offensive line and by trading up for Alex Goff, they ignored all their other needs. I worry about Todd Gurley getting run into the ground by Jeff Fisher.
19. Chicago Bears
They have weapons on offense. But they always do. The key is rebuilding that defense. I need to see it first.
They have weapons on offense. But they always do. The key is rebuilding that defense. I need to see it first.
20. Minnesota Vikings
The defense is loaded with talent, the offense still has Adrian Peterson and even the special teams figure to be among the best in that category again. But Sam Bradford???.......
The defense is loaded with talent, the offense still has Adrian Peterson and even the special teams figure to be among the best in that category again. But Sam Bradford???.......
21. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have one of the most complete teams in the AFC, but they’re young and history has never really been on their side.
The Raiders have one of the most complete teams in the AFC, but they’re young and history has never really been on their side.
22. Dallas Cowboys
Even without Tony Romo, I still think the Cowboys will be pretty good. Dallas could win the NFC East. Or Dak Prescott’s preseason could have been fools gold. We shall see.
Even without Tony Romo, I still think the Cowboys will be pretty good. Dallas could win the NFC East. Or Dak Prescott’s preseason could have been fools gold. We shall see.
23. Tampa Bay Bucs
Winston is ready to lead this team to the next level and I believe he can do it. That defense has to be his support, because they will score points.
Winston is ready to lead this team to the next level and I believe he can do it. That defense has to be his support, because they will score points.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nobody had a better off-season than the Jaguars. They have the kind of talent to win 12 games this season. Watch out for those rookies on defense. One name, Myles Jack.
Nobody had a better off-season than the Jaguars. They have the kind of talent to win 12 games this season. Watch out for those rookies on defense. One name, Myles Jack.
25. Miami Dolphins
Miami’s defensive front looks capable of giving the Patriots headaches, on paper. But their best hope t rests on yet another attempt to get the most out of Ryan Tannehill. Shaky.
Miami’s defensive front looks capable of giving the Patriots headaches, on paper. But their best hope t rests on yet another attempt to get the most out of Ryan Tannehill. Shaky.
26. Tennessee Titans
They addressed their running game in spades in the off season and have a one two punch that may help elevate Mariota to that next level. This is a team to watch.
They addressed their running game in spades in the off season and have a one two punch that may help elevate Mariota to that next level. This is a team to watch.
27. Detroit Lions
Losing a future Hall of Fame player like Calvin Johnson left a big hole in roster as well as the team’s identity. But they could do a better job filling that gap than most of us think.
Losing a future Hall of Fame player like Calvin Johnson left a big hole in roster as well as the team’s identity. But they could do a better job filling that gap than most of us think.
28. New Orleans Saints
The signed Drew Brees to an extension, but their issues are way deeper. I don't see any great upgrades that will make a change.
The signed Drew Brees to an extension, but their issues are way deeper. I don't see any great upgrades that will make a change.
29. San Diego Chargers
They have talent, but injuries and inconsistencies on defense will keep them at the bottom of the division.
They have talent, but injuries and inconsistencies on defense will keep them at the bottom of the division.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are starting Carson Wentz, and the roster is completely stripped down. Growing pains, no doubt.
The Eagles are starting Carson Wentz, and the roster is completely stripped down. Growing pains, no doubt.
31. Cleveland Browns
The defense is bad, the offensive line is shaky, but there’s more talent among the skill positions than you realize. For me to give them any respect, RG3 has to show me first.
The defense is bad, the offensive line is shaky, but there’s more talent among the skill positions than you realize. For me to give them any respect, RG3 has to show me first.
32. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are starting Blaine Gabbert, and it’s hard to identify anything they’ve done to get better from where they were last season.
The 49ers are starting Blaine Gabbert, and it’s hard to identify anything they’ve done to get better from where they were last season.