The Flow Check

Wednesday, September 6, 2006.
Power Rankings

Why am I doing power rankings for the NFL and not college football? Because I like the NFL more. I like college football but I can't stand the fact that there is still not a playoff system. The pure stupidity of the NCAA causes the public to not really know who the best team is. Its like going to a movie and then leaving right before the ending.

But I digress...

Here are my week 1 power rankings for the NFL. Enjoy!

2006 RyanMcBain.com Power Rankings
	RANK	TEAM	2005 REC	COMMENTS
	1	Seahawks	13-3-0	Shaun Alexander (The Madden Curse does worry me but oh well) and Matt Hasselbeck are back again. The offense should be fine. The Hawks were good on defense last season (No. 7 in points allowed). Julian Peterson should make them that much better.
	2	Panthers	11-5-0	The Panthers defense looks pretty tough, and the addition of Keyshawn Johnson will help out Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme. The NFC might be theirs this season.
	3	Colts	14-2-0	With Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai, the Colts running game should at least be decent. Indy will still put up points. But will Manning finally win it all? Or will he be tagged as the next Dan Marino?
	4	Steelers	11-5-0	Willie Parker is the main running threat now. If the Steelers can stay heathy they should kick a lot of ass this year.
	5	Broncos	13-3-0	Jay Cutler is the QB of the future. If Jake Plummer doesn't step his game up this season will be his last as the Broncos starting QB.
	6	Bengals	11-5-0	Carson Palmer looks like he hasn't missed a step. If their defense can improve they will be deadly.
	7	Patriots	10-6-0	Losing Deion Branch is going to hurt. But with Laurence Maroney added to the mix, the Pats should have a great running game.
	8	Cowboys	9-7-0	Drew Bledsoe may not care for Terrell Owens off the field. But on the field he is going to love what T.O. does for his game.
	9	Dolphins	9-7-0	Daunte Culpepper to Chris Chambers, get use to it. Look for Ronnie Brown to have a big year.
	10	Giants	11-5-0	The Giants have a brutal schedule this season. But they should be better than last year. Tiki Barber is getting old but he should have another awesome season.
	11	Jaguars	12-4-0	The Jaguars had a rather easy schedule really that last year. This year will be tougher. If they are going to bring it this season, Matt Jones is one of the guys that has to pick up with Jimmy Smith left off.
	12	Buccaneers	11-5-0	If Chris Simms is the real deal then look for the Bucs to do some good things in 2006.
	13	Bears	11-5-0	Signing Brian Griese might have been a smart move for the Bears. When Grossman chokes we'll see how wise it was.
	14	Redskins	10-6-0	The Redskins spent a lot of money this off this offseason. But it wont make a difference if Clinton Portis doesn't get healthy soon. TJ Duckett will increase their chances of scoring at the goal line.
	15	Eagles	6-10-0	Donte' Stallworth will help out the Eagles passing game. Donovan McNabb looks like a man on a mission. The NFC East is tough, but Philly will be right back in the middle of things this season.
	16	Chargers	9-7-0	Philip Rivers is a good Quaterback but it is going to take some time for him to adjust to being the starter. If he is even average, the Bolts might do some damage this year.
	17	Falcons	8-8-0	Warrick Dunn will put in work like he always does. But will Michael Vick finally pick up the slack?
	18	Ravens	6-10-0	Steve McNair gives the Ravens hope. Their passing game should be fine. Which means Jamal Lewis might have a good rushing year.
	19	Raiders	4-12-0	Every season there is a dark horse. Look for the Raiders to surprise a lot of people this year. Art Shell is what Oakland needs. But it is going to take at least a year to make some real noise.
	20	Chiefs	10-6-0	The Chiefs at this point don't have another good receiver. Last time I check, when your best passing option is always your Tight end bad things happen.
	21	Cardinals	5-11-0	The Cards pasing game is still strong. But until they beef up that offesive line, people like Edgerrin James are going to be hating life.
	22	Rams	6-10-0	Steven Jackson is going to be man this year for the Rams. Look for him to get a lot of carries.
	23	Lions	5-11-0	Rod Marinelli's tough attitude is great and all. But it ain't gonna mean much when the team is losing this season. They should at least be fine on offense.
	24	Jets	4-12-0	The "China Doll" Chad Pennington must stay healthy. Losing Curtis Martin is going to hurt on offense but Eric Mangini should make the Jets a better team on defense.
	25	Vikings	9-7-0	The lack of offensive weapons is going to hurt the Viks this year. Most of their wins last season were pure luck.
	26	Titans	4-12-0	The Titans won't make the playoffs, but they are heading in the right direction.
	27	Browns	6-10-0	Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. will impress this season.
	28	Packers	4-12-0	Get ready for a long season Lord Favre.
	29	Saints	3-13-0	The Saints will still lose this season but Reggie Bush will be fun to watch.
	30	Bills	5-11-0	If the Bills are going to do something this season Willis McGahee needs to become the running back he already thinks he is.
	31	Jets	2-14-0	Hey Houston! Where's Dominique Davis? I bet you wish you had Reggie Bush now. Looks like Charley Casserly did a nice job f*cking things up before he left.
	32	49ers	4-12-0	Until the Ninters get more help for Alex Smith they are doomed. Smith will not improve until he gets more playmakers around him. The conundrum continues.