Mark Maske's Final Regular-Season Power Rankings
Web Posted: Wednesday, Jan. 5; 11:34 a.m. EST
1. Steelers (15-1): They were, simply, the league's best team this season, and they are perfectly constructed to win in the playoffs. Which, of course, guarantees nothing. (Last Week's Rank: 1) 2. Patriots (14-2): Probably need CB Ty Law and DE Richard Seymour to be healthy if they're going to make another Super Bowl run. (2) 3. Colts (12-4): The offense is otherworldly, but it probably would have to carry them to consecutive postseason wins in New England and Pittsburgh for the Colts to reach the Super Bowl. (3) 4. Chargers (12-4): Should give the Steelers a good test in AFC semifinals. (5) 5. Eagles (13-3): They're still the NFC favorite, but they last resembled a Super Bowl team-to-be on Dec. 5. (4) 6. Falcons (11-5): The Eagles' woes make the Falcons look, more and more, like last season's Panthers. (6) 7. Packers (10-6): QB Brett Favre willing this team to a Super Bowl would be a tremendous story, after the hardships he's endured in recent months. (8) 8. Broncos (10-6): They pulled things together in the season's final couple weeks. (10) 9. Seahawks (9-7): The NFC West saves face and gets a champion with a winning record. (13) 10. Rams (8-8): The Eagles helped by resting their players in the second-to-last game, but the Rams earned their way into the playoffs with last weekend's triumph over the Jets. (17) 11. Jets (10-6): They don't exactly inspire confidence in their ability to perform when the spotlight is at its brightest. (11) 12. Bills (9-7): Played as well as just about anyone for most of the season's second half. But if you can't beat a shorthanded team -- even one as good as Pittsburgh -- at home with the playoffs on the line, you don't deserve to keep playing. (7) 13. Saints (8-8): Finished the season on an upswing, for a change, but it wasn't enough to get into the playoffs. (14) 14. Jaguars (9-7): Owner Wayne Weaver can't be particularly pleased that his coach, Jack Del Rio, was flirting with LSU in the crucial final stages of what should have been a wildly encouraging season. (18) 15. Ravens (9-7): How long does Brian Billick get to coach a bad offensive team before he's known as a bad offensive coach? (19) 16. Vikings (8-8): If only the Super Bowl were in October, the Vikings might be coming off back-to-back championships. (12) 17. Bengals (8-8): Coach Marvin Lewis is building something good here, with QB Carson Palmer and his youngsters on defense. (20) 18. Panthers (7-9): They sure found a way to make a 7-9 season interesting, didn't they? (9) 19. Chiefs (7-9): They'd better not spend another offseason thinking that significant defensive upgrades aren't necessary. (15) 20. Texans (7-9): How do they win at Jacksonville one week, with the Jaguars fighting for a playoff spot, and then go home the next and lose to the Browns with a .500 season at stake? That was shameful. (16) 21. Giants (6-10): There were signs of progress by QB Eli Manning as the season wound down. (28) 22. Redskins (6-10): The good thing is that Coach Joe Gibbs never was afraid to overhaul his offense in the past when it needed it. And it needs it now. (24) 23. Cowboys (6-10): They have the draft picks and the salary cap space to get better. But they don't have a QB to suit Coach Bill Parcells. (21) 24. Cardinals (6-10): Went 2-5 after Coach Dennis Green started shuffling his QBs. (27) 25. Lions (6-10): This year's two prized rookies, WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones, look like they can be the club's offensive cornerstones for years to come. (22) 26. Dolphins (4-12): New coach Nick Saban's first big task is to talk Jim Bates into staying as defensive coordinator. (23) 27. Raiders (5-11): It's time for an infusion of youth. And talent. (25) 28. Buccaneers (5-11): Plan to have Brian Griese and Chris Simms compete in training camp for next season's starting QB job. (26) 29. Titans (5-11): Billy Volek's shoulder injury could make him the second Titans QB to undergo surgery within a few weeks, following Steve McNair. (30) 30. Bears (5-11): Can't blame all their troubles on fired offensive coordinator Terry Shea. (29) 31. Browns (4-12): Terry Robiskie, Mr. Interim, remains good for one win a year. (32) 32. 49ers (2-14): Need to take a QB with the top draft pick. You simply can't be a playoff team with Tim Rattay or Ken Dorsey. (31)
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