Foxboro Blog Top 12: Preseason

I’ve said over and over that the preseason didn’t matter.  Guess, what?  Neither do preseason power rankings.  But just like that little fact didn’t stop me from covering the team this preseason, it also won’t stop me from coming out with the Foxboro Blog Top 12 before any team has even stepped foot on the field.  After all, fun is fun! Please take the following with the grain of salt it deservers, but here’s my initial Top 12 teams.  Click the “Read More” link below to view the rankings!

Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
1		–	–	0-0	@ Texans
		Is it poor form to not only keep the defending Super Bowl champions out of the top spot, but dethrone them with the team that they beat to win the title? Maybe. But we’re not worried about “form” in the Top 12.  We’re all bias, all the time.  If I was laying money down on a team to win the title in 2010, I’m laying the money on the Ponies.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
2		–	–	0-0	vs. Vikings
		It takes a truly dominant team to claim back to back Super Bowl titles.  They’re good, for sure, but the Saints don’t strike me as “truly dominant”.  I’ll be happy to eat my words when they’re toasting a mini-dynasty in the Big Easy this February, but, for now, I think I’m safe.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
3		–	–	0-0	@ Redskins
		The hype is swirling in Big D about the first “home” Super Bowl ever.  My personal take is that Cowboys fans should lower the bar to hoping for the first divisional round playoff win since they last hoisted the Lombardi 15 years ago.  Still, the Cowboys undoubtedly have the talent to make it all the way to their own stadium this year. The real question is whetehr they can avoid another late-season implosion.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
4		–	–	–	@ Jets
		Baltimore has the potential to be scary good.  The real question lies with whether Flacco can come through for them when it matters most.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
5		–	–	–	@ Eagles
		The Packers are becoming a very trendy Super Bowl pick.  You know what that means…  Still, I think the Vikings caught some lightning in a bottle last season and the Pack are primed to take the NFC North.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
6		–	–	–	vs. Bengals
		I was riding high on the Patriots earlier this preseason, and now I’m feeling a bit skeptical.  It has nothing to do with their two preseason losses and everything to do with the losses of guys like Ty Warren, Mankins, Bodden, Kaczur, and McGowan.  The Patriots seem to rise to the occasion when adversity sets in.  My problem is that the trend was created by guys like Bruschi and Harrison.  It’s Mayo and Merriweather who are now in their place.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
7		–	–	–	vs. Ravens
		The AFC East is going to be tight, no doubt.  With the Revis holdout ending and the Patriots piling up injuries, the race is going to be closer than I would have liked to admit a month ago.  Still, I think the Jets are a rung below and just waiting to implode…
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
8		–	–	–	@ Steelers
		The Saints had better watch their back.  The Falcons have quietly put together a really nice team and could be this year’s sleeper in the NFC.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
9		–	–	–	@ Patriots
		They’re the fifth AFC team I’ve listed here.  Unfortunately, I believe they’ll find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.  They clearly play the most brutal schedule in the NFL this season (PITx2, BALx2, NE, NYJ, MIA, IND, SD, NO, ATL).  They have a nice collection of talent, but I have some serious doubts on their ability to put up enough wins to take the AFC North or a Wild Card spot.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
10		–	–	–	@ Chiefs
		I’ve given up trying to figure out Norv Turner’s Chargers.  If the past several seasons are any indication, we can expect some turmoil, followed by some playoffs, followed by a gigantic meltdown.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
11		–	–	–	@ Bills
		The AFC is going to be very tricky to figure out.  Both the AFC East and North look strong, so like Cincy, the Phins are going to have a tough time making the post-season.  I’d love Miami in the AFC West or South, but I have a feeling we’ll see some inferior counterparts from those divisions overtake the Dolphins.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
12		–	–	–	@ New Orleans
		I just don’t see Brett Favre having another magical season like last one.  Still, the Vikings are a formidable team and should still make the playoffs if Favre can stay healthy.