where teams will finish, nor does preseason play factor in much at all, but it is where each team sits in respect to the others, and what kind of uptick or downward
spiral they may be enduring. Additionally, last season has no bearing on these rankings, so regardless of what a team’s fate was in 2012, they have a clean slate in
2013. Unless they are the Raiders and Jaguars, that is.
http://www.nfl.com
11. New England Patriots.
No one is really that concerned with their offense (although there should be, especially if they are unable to get their stout running game going early), but expect a
better defense from Matt Patricia and Bill Belichick in 2013.
12. San Diego Chargers.
They may crest in the rankings here at #12 before the season even begins. If everything goes as is apparent at the moment, the Bolts won’t sniff the Top 10 at all
this season.
13. Houston Texans.
Their QB is still Matt Schaub. DeAndre Hopkins is going to be a beast, but again, the Texans’ QB is STILL Matt Schaub.
14. Carolina Panthers.
No complement to Steve Smith, half of their cap dollars sewn up in their backfield = tons of running the football in 2013.
15. Miami Dolphins.
Their offensive line is the biggest question mark on the team. They have the pieces elsewhere to be a viable contender.
16. Atlanta Falcons.
Anyone who knows the Falcons know that they are now due for their post-fluke 8-8/9-7 season.
17. Buffalo Bills.
The Bills have resorted to signing a guy who won fewer games in two seasons than the Alabama Crimson Tide won before Halloween last season. And they cannot seem to
keep any of their offensive weapons healthy. Looks like another season of much ballyhooed signings that go up in smoke, for the Bills.
18. Kansas City Chiefs.
Andy Reid plays his hand close to the vest, visor and dark glasses and all. He must know something that no one else knows about Alex Smith.
19. Arizona Cardinals.
The Cards have the defense. The question is their offense behind Carson Palmer, and going to an offense that features tons of deep drops behind a line that lost its
best player — its best player being a guy who has not even played a down in the NFL regular season — for the season. That’s how much of a sieve their offensive line
is. “Poor” ($60 Million and all) Larry Fitzgerald.
20. New York Football Giants.
The Giants scored three touchdowns with their starters all preseason. Other than that, they did absolutely nothing, and it’s not a matter of “vanilla” offense, but
terrible execution, and offensive line play that has been shakier than Principal McVicker. They will miss Stevie and Andre Brown (although the latter could be back by
November).
