2013 NFL Season Preview Power Rankings

By: Matt Harmon 

Note: the records next to the teams are based on my 2013 Team Predictions (http://www.thebackyardbanter.com/2013-team-record-predictions.html)

32. Oakland Raiders (1-15)
  • I have stated that the Raiders may just be the worst NFL team ever assembled, and I mean it. They have a look of a team that will, at most, win two games. Terrelle Pryor may have become the best choice to lead this team since he can at least make plays with his legs. 

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
  • I was chatting with a few folks on Twitter the other day about just how much I am warming up to the Jaguars offense. I think if everything breaks just right, Cecil Shorts, Justin Blackmon, and Ace Sanders could be a potent receiver group. The offensive line is also solid, and Denard Robinson could emerge as a nice change of pace. Of course, that is still a lot of “ifs” and there are still too many question marks behind center.

30. San Diego Chargers (4-12)
  • The Chargers are headed for a disastrous season. Their offensive line is a bottom three unit and I am thoroughly unimpressed with their group of skill position players. Philip Rivers no longer looks like the type of player who can elevate the play of those around him on offense, or cover for a suspect defense. It is going to be a long year in San Diego.

29. Buffalo Bills (3-13)
  • Luckily it looks like we are going to avoid the Jeff Tuel experience, and E.J Manuel will start Week One. Manuel is still a raw rookie in his own right, but he looked comfortable in the preseason, and if he carries that momentum into the regular season, The Bills could rise up these rankings late in the year. 

28. New York Jets (4-12)
  • The Jets issues are well documented. I was a supporter of Geno Smith coming out of the draft, but he in no way looks up for the challenge of being an opening day starter in the NFL. The Jets look to be even better on defense, but with such a dearth of talent on offense, it looks like Rex Ryan is doomed to fail in New York. 

27. Tennessee Titans (5-11)
  • I feel about the Titans much the same as I do with their division rival Jaguars. They have the makings of a strong group of skill position player on offense and solid line. However, questions at quarterback and a serious lack of star power on defense give me no confidence in this team for the 2013 season.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)
  • I think Chip Kelly’s fast paced offense and a some remaining playmakers on offense will allow this team to sneak up on a few teams this year; especially late in the season. However, their defense is absolutely dreadful and will likely put them in too many non-winnable shootouts. It would be smart for us to wait at least a year before we judge the success of Chip Kelly’s new ways.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
  • My faith in Josh Freeman was shaken the past two seasons, and was officially shattered this preseason. Though he looks like a liability, I fear the defense that everyone is counting on to improve by leaps and bounds has a bigger Achilles heel; the lack of a pass rush. DaQuan Bowers has never looked like much of a player to me, and outside of Gerald McCoy, there is not a consistent, proven rusher on this roster. Acquiring Revis and Goldson helps, but they can only do so much.

24. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
  • Adrian Peterson is bound to take a small step back rom otherworldly greatness, and Percy Harvin is gone. While there are new weapons in town, Christian Ponder is still the quarterback, and it is still impossible to say he is a viable answer. Despite a potential stronger roster, I still sense a step back from the Vikings.

23. Cleveland Browns (6-10)
  • The Browns are a team I am growing more and more confident in, and I believe they will be markedly better even if it does not show up in the win column. The coaching is just so much better this year, and it will be a good litmus test for the importance of coaching in the NFL. Ray Horton is a top defensive coordinator, and Norv Turner should put Weeden, Richardson, and Gordon is a scheme much more suited to their skills.

22. Detroit Lions (7-9)
  • I would like to say the we will see the Lions of 2011; a high flying passing game and a strong pass rush that propels them to the playoffs. The strange part is the Lions may very well have those things, and Reggie Bush as a viable backfield threat, but their undisciplined nature and questions along the offense line will keep them mediocre in 2013.

21. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
  • People seem to be buying into the “special sauce” talk coming out of Dallas this year, but not me. There is potential for a dynamic passing game, but how far did that get Dallas last year? The running game is still a question mark, and I do not believe a switch to the 4-3 patches any holes. In fact, it probably only created more. 

20. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
  • If Arizona was in the AFC, or even just a different division, I might pick them to be a wildcard team. However, as it stands, Arizona is in the unbelievably tough NFC West and likely turns out to just be the fourth team in that division. Carson Palmer will finally give this offense at least a passable quarterback situation, and a strong core group of defenders returns. Like I said, there is talent here, but the NFC is too stacked at the moment for them to make noise.

19. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
  • The Panthers have the makings of an elite front seven, but holes throughout the secondary. They have Cam Newton, but are they over the identity crisis they were suffering last season? Newton’s supporting cast is criminally weak, and the coaching staff does not inspire total confidence. With all the inconsistencies and questions, I am just not sure if I am ready to say this is any more than an average team. 

18. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
  • I hardly ever get on board with the NFL team that annually binges on free agents, especially the one that leaves a massive hole like left tackle unfilled. Chemistry issues will likely play a role in sabotaging the Dolphins playoff hopes, just like the 2011 Eagles. A strong defense will keep them in games, but I see this team as being just a tad short of greatness. 

17. New York Giants (8-8)
  • ESPN’s Matt Williamson has recently said there is just “too much bad mojo” surrounding the Giants right now, and he is right on. Health concerns surround some of their best players, Hakeem Nicks and Jason Pierre-Paul, and it is hard to trust the rag tag group they have on defense. I suppose they could win the NFC East is Manning plays at an elite level again and wins them a ton of shootouts, but that seems like too much to bet on.

16. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
  • The Chiefs are a trendy choice to go to the playoffs, but in my picks I have them just missing out. I see the talent level on defense, and Jamal Charles is one of my favorite running backs in the league. However, the more I look at the passing attack the more questions I have. It is obviously worth wondering if Alex Smith can repeat the success he enjoyed under Harbaugh, but I don’t have a lot of faith in their weapons. Dwayne Bowe is a nice player, but there is not much else around him. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
  • There are a more holes than usual with the Steelers this year. The running game does not look like it will enjoy the consistency Le’Veon Bell was supposed to bring, and the defense looks to lack its former punch. The offensive line still must be considered a work in progress and questions abound with the receivers. Nevertheless Big Ben is still a top five quarterback, and with him the Steelers will always be on the fringes of contention, at least. 

14. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
  • Some of the Colts defensive signings in free agency were questionable at best. I don’t see a massive improvement on that side of the ball, but I really believe in this offense though. Andrew Luck looks to potentially be one of those transcendent quarterbacks that can elevate the play of those around. Good news is, the Colts have already assembled a young talented group of players around him. 

13. St. Louis Rams (9-7)
  • This feels like a best-case scenario projection for the Rams. The team has assembled some nice, young weapons for Sam Bradford, and what is really nice is from Austin to Givens to Cook, they all have very different skill sets. The defense has a ton of young talent as well, and has a dangerous and aggressive attitude under Jeff Fisher. It all really comes down to whether Bradford puts it all together in an offense he should be familiar with from his college days. According to my projections, I have faith. 

12. Washington Redskins (9-7)
  • I see the Redskins winning the NFC East for a second year in a row, but I am not amongst those that consistently overrate this division. I believe whoever comes out the winner will likely be the weakest of the NFC playoff teams and likely get a first round boot in the playoffs. If Robert Griffin is, and stays, healthy there is a lot to like about this team, especially on offense, but just not a ton to love. 

11. Chicago Bears (10-6)
  • I really love so much about the Bears this year. The defense still has a lot of its good players, but got an infusion of youth and athleticism with Jon “Mr. Boom” Bostic. I think the offense is ready to excel under Marc Trestman behind a revamped, athletic offensive line. Matt Forte should thrive as the feature back and huge targets surround Jay Cutler with Marshall, Jeffery, and Martellus Bennett. I could see them being better than my projections.

10. Houston Texans (10-6)
  • The closer we get to the season the more I have developed an affinity for the Texans offense. Matt Schaub is never going to be a top ten type of quarterback, but he is more than just an effective for this offense. The Texans have good young talent (DeAndre Hopkins, Ben Tate, Garret Graham) behind their older veteran counterparts (Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Owen Daniels). All of these players work perfectly into Gary Kubiak’s system. 

9. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
  • I do not see the Falcons as an elite team this year. They look like a team that could get too old any day now, and there is not enough depth on this team to overcome that impending disaster. There is not a ton of talent on defense, and the offensive line looks flat out bad. Matt Ryan and an elite group of skill position players will have to carry this team, and in a strong NFC, that will not be enough. 

8. New Orleans Saints (10-6)
  • The theme of my belief that coaching is the most important part of building a winning NFL team continues to emerge. Sean Payton returning should not only return to restore order in New Orleans, but also to reestablish a consistent scheme on offense. Payton is one of the best offensive minds in the league so we should see some improvement on that unit. As for the defense, they still look pretty bad, but hey, they cannot possibly be any worse!

7. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
  • The Bengals have one of the best defenses in the league and the offense has a ton of exciting talent. There is absolutely a ton to like about the Bengals, especially in a weak AFC, but can Andy Dalton lead this team to where it wants to go? I have my doubts. I will predict the Bengals for a really strong regular season, but you, me, and the Bengals know it is all about January. 

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
  • This feels low for the defending Super Bowl champions, but I am not trying to say I see them taking a big step back or anything. I really love their defense this season, and with their new additions they will be even better than last year. On offense, there are certainly things to worry about with Anquan Boldin gone and Dennis Pitta injured, but there are things to like as well. With two good running backs and a ton of speed on offense, they could be a productive “run and take shots” attack.

5. Denver Broncos (12-4)
  • I would have the Broncos rated much higher, but I am a little wary about that defense. Von Miller’s suspension does not help but minor injuries seem to continue to creep up and that is my primary concern. However, Peyton Manning and his wide array of quality pass catchers could put up historic offensive numbers. They will run away the putrid AFC West, and very likely will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. 

4. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
  • Aaron Rodgers finally has a running game just picture that. Eddie Lacy should be the odds on favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He is a big powerful back, but is capable of contributing to this elite passing attack. There are concerns along there offensive line, but hey that is nothing new. The hype is all over the top NFC West teams, but I would not be surprised if the Packers end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the year. 

3. New England Patriots (13-3)
  • Tom Brady has a new cast of unknown characters to throw to this season, and he will probably just go ahead and turn them all into stars. Besides, this offense is perfectly capable of being run based with two exciting young backs in Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen. And with an improving youthful defense, I have the Patriots beating up teams in a weak conference, and weaker division, to come away with the best record in the NFL.

2. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
  • There is obviously a ton to love about the Seahawks, and I am buying it all. The defense is filled with young stars, and Russell Wilson should be back to lead an offensive attack that was near unstoppable at 2012’s end. Rookie Christine Michael, who may be better just on a pure physical talent standpoint, joins “Beast Mode” in the backfield. Seattle should be one of the favorites to win it all in February. 

1.    San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
  • The Niners have their concerns, most of all Michael Crabtree’s injury. However, there may not be a better group of coaches in the league, and the defense returns mostly the same group from last year, with a needed infusion of depth. Kaepernick could slump in his first full season as a starter, but I have faith in him, and Jim Harbaugh’s ability to put him in position to succeed. They are my number one team, but with a top heavy group of NFL teams this season, lets put a big “for now” by that statement.