Pro Football Post-Pre-Season Power Rankings: Pt. 2

By Brett Neal

Here we go, the final 16 spots in this year's Post-Pre-Season NFL Power Rankings. Remember, Power Rankings are about as meaningful as a lunch date.

15. Dallas Cowboys 

Dallas has the talent to be at the top in the NFC East, but they always seem to fall apart. You hear this a lot these days, but the problem with the Cowboys is Jerry Jones. But, I don't think it's his decision making as the owner, its the pressure he puts on his team. Jones is always finding a way to get on TV to make some sort of ludicrous promise about his team's play in the upcoming week that they wont be able to fulfill. This leads head coach, Jason Garrett, to call for high risk plays that in turn get the Cowboys into trouble. Garrett has stepped away from play calling this year, leaving it up to the semi-conservative Bill Callahan. With a background as an O-line coach, look for Callahan to fix up the Cowboys dismal front line, and reinvent the run game. Dallas has as much of a chance as anyone in the NFC east this year, but will probably end up taking a Wild Card spot.

14. Minnesota Vikings 

I believe the Packers have arguably the hardest schedule in the NFL this year, leaving a shot at the NFC North title up for grabs. The Vikings boast about as good a team as the Bears, so look for them to at least continue pushing for a Wild Card spot. Adrian Peterson is as good as ever, but the guy standing in the end-zone the most for the Vikings this year will be Kyle Rudolph. He's my choice for "Sleeper of the Year." 

13. Washington Redskins 

Robert Griffin is going to be "limited" in the running game this year, says the guy standing on the sidelines. Sure, that means less designed runs, but that doesn't mean Griffin is ordered to stay in the pocket. The defense keeps improving, and the offense knows how to work a clock. Washington could surprise some folks and sneak into the playoffs as the #4 seed, or higher.

12. Chicago Bears 

Chicago had eight defensive touchdowns last year. That's three more than Matt Forte. Da Bears will continue to stop any opposing offense, especially when the frosty Chicago winter rolls back around. One thing that has to change in order for the Bears to be successful is sharing the ball on offense. Smokin' Jay Cutler is relying too much on his go-to man Brandon Marshall. Defenses around the league are double teaming, even triple teaming Marshall and daring Cutler to seek elsewhere. Expect Forte to get about 5 more touches per game to try and pull in the safeties, but if Cutler wants to really capitalize on offense, he needs to look over at Alshon Jeffrey and Martellus Bennett a bit more. If I had to guess, I don't think the Bears will choke this year.

11. Cincinnati Bengals 

Do you even watch Hard Knocks, bro? The Bengals are super hyped up this year, but they have the right to be. The Ravens are starting to rebuild a little bit, the Steelers are looking old and frail, and the Browns are from Cleveland. I still don't think their offense is stellar, but adding a guy like James Harrison to the defense definitely doesn't hurt your team. The AFC North is theirs for the taking.

10. New York Giants 

New York has a lot of hope for their new starting running back, David Wilson. I boldly predict he could finish in the top 5 running backs this year. I also believe the defense shows vast improvement from last season. The big question for the Giants is: can Eli Manning's receivers stay healthy? If so, then the Giants can run the table in the AFC East. That's a big "If," though.

9. New Orleans Saints 

Drew Brees and friends are coming off a couple of down years but are poised to get right back in the running for the NFC South. The only team in their way are the Atlanta Falcons, who are not only favorites to win the division, but could possibly make it to the Superbowl. The Saints are a very scary team to play against, and as a Texans fan, I've seen with my own two eyes what their offense can do to a high caliber defense.

8. Indianapolis Colts 

Adding Ahmad Bradshaw doesn't really make them a better team, but a veteran in the backfield will at least keep 7 men in the box on first in second down. Look for the Andianapolis Lucks to open up the playbook a little more early in the game. This team will continue to get better each year, and could make their way past the first round of the playoffs.

7. New England Patriots 

With so many weapons gone, who will Tom Brady throw to? Answer: everybody, just like he always has. I think Tom Brady could throw 45 touchdowns this year. Meanwhile, Stevan Ridley will join the likes of Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis, Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, and Corey Dillon, as "Patriots running backs who had that one decent season and then were totally forgotten about."

6. Houston Texans 

Houston is a formidable foe with, or without, Arian Foster. However, if he's not healthy, everyone else has to be. This means Andre Johnson, Matt Shaub, Owen Daniels, the O-Line, Brian Cushing, J.J. Watt, and Ed Reed. Injuries are the only thing keeping this team away from a trip to the Superbowl. Look for a Texans vs. Broncos AFC Championship game.

5. Green Bay Packers 

With arguably the hardest schedule in front of them, Cheeseheads should worry about their team's playoff chances. They are still the favorite to win the division, but they could fall back and land at one of the Wild Card spots. I don't think they lose enough games to miss out on the post-season, they're still as good as ever. Rodgers is still great, they have a plethora of talented receivers, and the defense should come to play every game. I do have doubts about Eddie Lacy though. I don't think the Packers are playing many week defensive fronts, making their offense one dimensional. Good thing they're used to it by now. 

4. Atlanta Falcons 

Good bye Michael Turner, hello Michael Turner 2.0. Experts believe Steven Jackson is a total upgrade from the ex-Falcon, but I'm not 100% convinced. Jackson is probably more reliable near the goal line, but outside the red-zone I have questions. Jackson is another year older, but should get a healthy amount of touches early into the season. As the season progresses, I think they start to use Jackson much more wisely, because he can really help this teams in ways other than carrying the rock. He's a great pass blocker, a above-average screen receiver, and will become the ultimate play action dummy. Matt Ryan will lull the defense to sleep with the heavy dose of  #39, only to pull away and chuck it down field to Roddy White and Julio Jones. The Falcons are my Superbowl pick.

3. Seattle Seahawks 

With what Russell Wilson showed us last year, Pete Carroll can relax a little bit. The rookie shut up all the critics as he lead a "mediocre" offense into a NFC divisional playoff game. Throw in Marshawn Lynch's resurgence as a top tier running back, and the NFL has it's new favorite bandwagon team. Seattle will find itself in the hunt for an NFC West title, but I think they come up short and settle for another Wild Card spot. The defense is unwavering, the O-line is impenetrable, and the home crowd is one of the loudest in the league. Quest Field should be rocking this year as the Seahawks continue to flirt with an invite to the Super Bowl.

Taste the rainbow

2. San Francisco 49ers 

When you think of the 49ers, you think of defense. In the past couple of years, Patrick Willis has really got his crew clicking on all cylinders, and this year should be no different. On offense, San Fran took it to another level with Colin Kaepernick at the helm, but the rookie only started seven games. Now, Kaepernick has a full slate of games in which he will have to carry an iffy offense. Sure, they brought in Anquan Boldin, but I think he's got about the same skill set as a Michael Crabtree. Frank Gore might be the next Michael Turner, but I think the 49ers have a couple of special young backs that are underutilized: LaMichael James, and Kendall Hunter. If one of these two backs inherit the starting role during the season, the San Francisco offense will be "turnt up." It's a coin flip between them and the Seahawks for the NFC West, and perhaps the NFC Championship game.

1. Denver Broncos

So I wrote this article on Thursday afternoon, but had to totally erase my post about the Broncos being really good. I was wrong, their amazing. Peyton Manning has still got it, and continues to use all of his weapons based on mismatches. Demaryius Thomas' only job is to go deep. Eric Decker will be running decoy post routes to attract the attention of the safeties. Wes Welker will exploit who ever lines up across from him, running option routes based on leverage. And, Julius Thomas is going to run out routes until the cows come home. Manning threw 7 TD passes yesterday, as the Broncos rolled the Ravens. They're only flaw was that one dumbass on defense who cockily dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. Once they get Von Miller back in week 5, Denver could be unstoppable. Hopefully they fall to the Texans in the AFC Championship game, but it doesn't look that way right now.

Call Papa Bear, hut hut!