1) New Orleans Saints: They remain as the NFL's most complete team. Last
week's game at Miami was a good testament to their worth. In a game where they
got down big early on, they were able to come back and win the game.
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (depth), DT (depth), DE (depth)
2) Indianapolis Colts: They are a close second to the Saints. Their offense may
be just as good and they're making strides defensively. They have one of the
NFL's most underrated pass defenses.
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), OLB (veteran depth)
3) Pittsburgh Steelers: They have one of the league's most versatile offenses
and QB Ben Roethlisberger might be the NFL's most improved offensive player. The
defense is still solid despite the loss of DE Aaron Smith. However, the pass
rush could be an issue going forward.
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran
depth), OLB (depth)
4) Denver Broncos: They are clearly this year's biggest surprise. Their offense
is starting to be more efficient and the defense has to be the league's most
improved.
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
5) Minnesota Vikings: They put up a pretty good fight last week at Pittsburgh.
Have to give their much-maligned offensive line credit last week as they gave
Brett Favre plenty of time to throw the ball. The defense held up surprisingly
well overall, especially in the secondary. However, there are still problems
with tackling and wrapping up.
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth), CB (nickel upgrade)
6) New York Giants: The last two weeks the injuries in the secondary finally got
exposed. They need to get starting CB Aaron Ross back to stop the bleeding. The
loss of starting SS Kenny Phillips is also noticeable.
Last Ranking: 5
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), S
(veteran depth)
7) New England Patriots: They've taken advantage of an easy schedule so far, but
the defense is starting to come on a bit. Tom Brady still doesn't look that
comfortable behind center just yet.
Last Ranking: 9
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), WR (veteran depth), ILB (depth)
8) Philadelphia Eagles: Here's another team that's played an easy schedule so
far. However, it's going to get harder over the coming weeks. QB Donovan McNabb
is struggling with throwing the ball accurately the last two games reminiscent
of his struggles from last season.
Last Ranking: 8
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (depth)
9) Cincinnati Bengals: They bounced back from a tough loss at home two weeks ago
to steamroll the Bears last week. They are playing disciplined football most
weeks and are looking like a team that will be in the playoff hunt all season.
Carson Palmer is starting to show pre-injury form from the 2005 season.
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT (depth), DE (depth/pass
rusher), CB (depth/nickel)
10) Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan isn't playing as consistently well as he did last
season, same goes for RB Michael Turner. The defense has major issues in
coverage.
Last Ranking: 7
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT
(veteran depth), SLB
(depth), WLB (depth)
11) Arizona Cardinals: They are starting to put it together on both sides
of the ball. If they can continue to show improvement in the secondary, this
team will easily win the NFC West.
Last Ranking: 16
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), C (depth), DE (depth), ILB (veteran depth), CB (depth)
12) Baltimore Ravens: The key for this team making the playoffs are two things.
Offensively, they have to get better balance. This was supposed to be a team
that controlled the clock and wins with defense. Defensively, they need to go
with zone coverage. They can't cover opposing receivers in man-to-man coverage.
Last Ranking: 11
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), G (depth), ILB (veteran depth)
13) New York Jets: They got an easy win over the Raiders last week, but they
still have problems that need to be solved on both sides of the ball.
Last Ranking: 12
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (slot), G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth),
DT (depth), DE (depth), OLB
(veteran depth)
14) Green Bay Packers: The offensive line injuries are still an issue despite
how well Aaron Rodgers is playing. Defensively, they have to find a pass rush.
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), DE
(veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), S (veteran depth)
15) Dallas Cowboys: If Tony Romo continues to play like he did last week, then
this team could push for a Wild Card spot this season. However, the defense
still needs to find some consistency.
Last Ranking: 17
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth)
16) Houston Texans: They already had one of the NFL's best offenses. Now,
they are starting to play decently on defense. If they continue to progress on
defense, this team could seriously push for a Wild Card spot for the first time in
franchise history.
Last Ranking: 19
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), DE (veteran depth)
17) San Diego Chargers: If they could run the ball better, they could keep their
struggling defense off the field. However, it looks like LaDainian Tomlinson is
starting to look like he's one of those 30-yard old backs that can't rise to
occasion any longer.
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), RT (depth), G (depth), S (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
18) San Francisco 49ers: The move to start Alex Smith at quarterback may be just
a few weeks too late. Their secondary got exposed last week against the Texans.
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth)
19) Buffalo Bills: They've winning ugly of late, but they've been able to win
because they are making less mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: TE (veteran depth), G (depth), LT (depth), WLB (veteran depth)
20) Jacksonville Jaguars: You could make a case that their passing game has been
more effective than the running game.
Last Ranking: 20
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), DE (depth), DT (veteran
depth), OLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
21) Chicago Bears: Their offensive line is really struggling and it's hurting
their running and passing games. The injuries at linebacker are taking a toll on
the defense.
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RB (veteran depth upgrade), MLB (depth),
OLB
(depth)
22) Miami Dolphins: Despite not having solid talent at wide receiver, they're still
able to be competitive on offense each week. The loss of starting CB Will Allen for the
season is probably going to be a big issue going forward. They will now have to
start two rookie cornerbacks.
Last Ranking: 18
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), S (veteran depth),
CB (depth)
23) Carolina Panthers: The poor play from starting QB Jake Delhomme is really
hurting this team. Their defense isn't as physical as in year's past.
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth),
S (veteran depth)
24) Seattle Seahawks: The injuries on the offensive line have prevented their
offense from finding any consistency on that side of the ball. The injuries on
defense are also a concern.
Last Ranking: 24
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (depth), G (depth)
25) Detroit Lions: They have to get their top two offensive players (Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson) back soon if they want to win 5-7 games this
season.
Last Ranking: 29
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), DE (veteran depth), DT (veteran
depth), SLB (depth)
26) Kansas City Chiefs: They really fell apart last week on both sides of the
ball. They must find a way to protect QB Matt Cassel in order to run their
offense more efficiently. The lack of a pass rush is alarming.
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), DE (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), CB
(veteran depth)
27) Oakland Raiders: Until JaMarcus Russell can consistently throw with
reasonable accuracy, this will be a bad football team. They don't play good
enough defense to overcome Russell's game-to-game struggles.
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), DT (depth), MLB (depth)
28) Washington Redskins: They've had an easy schedule but haven't been able to
take advantage of it. They can't run or throw the ball well with any
consistency. At least their defense is playing competitively each week.
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), DE (pass rushing depth), OLB
(depth)
29) St. Louis Rams: Up until last week's bad loss to the Colts, this team has
been competitive. The injuries from both sides of the ball are starting to catch
up with them.
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), DT (veteran depth), OLB (veteran depth),
MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth)
30) Tennessee Titans: Poor quarterback play and a surprisingly struggling
defense are giving this team little hope the rest of the way.
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), OLB
(veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
31) Cleveland Browns: They are completely inept on offense and there are no
signs of improvement on the horizon. The defense was supposed to make some
strides this season with new head coach Eric Mangini, but so far, it hasn't been
happening.
Last Ranking: 31
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth-speed), LT (depth), RT (depth),
ILB (veteran depth), OLB (pass
rusher), CB (veteran depth)
32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They are easily the NFL's worst team this season. This
team
can't do anything consistently well and they really lack enough quality talent
on defense to challenge opposing offenses.
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), G (depth), C (depth), LT (depth), DT (veteran depth), CB (depth/nickel), S (depth)