Exemplary X

Lee Russakoff's 2011 NFL Preseason Power Rankings

At last, the NFL's top 10 teams are in.

(AP Photos)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Exemplary X At last, the NFL's top 10 teams are in.

(AP Photos)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. Indianapolis... Why there’s hope: As long as Peyton Manning is upright, there’s hope in Indy. Forget about age, this is an offense that averaged 27 ppg last year. Peyton threw for a career-high 3,700 yards despite losing Dallas Clark and Austin Collie. The passing game is still elite.

Why there’s doubt: Any chance Roger Goodell let’s Manning play from inside a bubble? Even if Manning stays healthy, ever since the Colts won it all they have become more and more one-dimensional. That’s not a winning formula. On top of which, you saw Peyton’s face when his coach called that time out against the Jets in the playoffs. Did that look like a functional relationship to you?

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. San Diego Cha... Why there’s hope: It’s August. Chargers fans always have hope in August. But here’s the thing about this year … with kickoffs moved up to the 35, special teams play is less important than ever. Maybe things are finally turning San Diego’s way.

Why there’s doubt: Wait, Norv Turner is still the coach? Seriously?

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. New Orleans S... Why there’s hope: People keep expecting this defense to fall off the hill, but guys like Ray Lewis just don’t die. While it’s silly to argue he hasn’t lost a step, it’s equally as silly to deny that he’s found a way to be a very good backer and a great team leader without that step. Playmakers win games in the NFL and Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata have a proven knack for making plays. The offense gets a deep threat in Lee Evans and a bruiser in Ricky Williams. Add them to the eye-popping abilities of Ray Rice … and you may have enough offense to get over the hump.

Why there’s doubt: If the QB can get the job done. Pro Football Focus has Flacco as its 28th-ranked QB when pressured. That’s not good enough. And now that he’s without his two security blankets (Derrick Mason, Todd Heap), offensive consistency and the ability to stay on the field are seriously called into question. Then, of course, there’s that team that always seems to be a step ahead. The Ravens are a very good football team, but until they start solving Pittsburgh on a regular basis, it’s hard to consider them elite.

(AP Photo/Bill Feig)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Baltimore Rav... Why there’s hope: No offense to Kim Kardashian’s ex, but swapping out Reggie Bush for Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles looks like a huge boon for this New Orleans offense. Throw in Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, and there’s incredible depth at RB. That depth should make Drew Brees even more dangerous. Brees’ accuracy is what makes this team a viable Super Bowl threat. When he’s on his game he is unstoppable, and if Jimmy Graham is as good as advertised, Brees may have more viable options than ever before.

Why there’s doubt: I can’t be the only one worried about Marques Colston’s knee. And while there are a ton of impact players on the New Orleans offense, no one (other than Brees) is on Colston’s level. On defense, New Orleans is relying on a rookie (Cameron Jordan) and a malcontent (Shaun Rogers) to create the turnovers the defense couldn’t create last year.

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. New York Jets Why there’s hope: Two straight years in the AFC Championship is nothing to sneeze at. With Rex bringing back almost his entire cast of characters, many see this as the year the Jets finally live up to all their preseason bravado. If not, well hey, Mark Sanchez can always wipe the blame off on Mark Brunell.

Why there’s doubt: I think Plaxico is a downgrade (though I like the Derrick Mason pickup) and the status quo at CB was actually Plan B. But the doubt centers squarely upon the lightning rod at QB. He can try to fight Rex Ryan all he wants off the field, how he performs on the field (read: how he limits his interceptions) will determine the success of this football team. Since success for the Jets this year starts and ends with a Super Bowl ring, Sanchez is going to need to make a giant leap forward if New York’s other team wants to hold up the Lombardi.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Philadelphia ... Why there’s hope: Up until Thursday night in Pittsburgh there wasn’t hope – there was certainty. This was a collection of Pro Bowlers, a squad destined for greatness, a “Drea… I won’t even type it. You and I both know what Vince Young said. So does the rest of the league. There is a ton of talent on this team, now Philly just needs something to pull it all together. I’m thinking a life-size cutout of Christina Lurie … perhaps in something leopard.

Why there’s doubt: A suspect offensive line, a vacuum at LB and sub-par safety play (Eagles fans better hope Nate Allen is still hurt, because if he’s healthy, and that’s how he plans to get out of his breaks come the regular season, it’s going to be a long year). Wonder if Roseman and company are regretting that Brandon Graham over Earl Thomas pick yet?

(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Atlanta Falco... Why there’s hope: Those of you who follow these rankings year over year know that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Falcons. Matt Ryan is a budding superstar. Roddy White was uncontainable last year and what happens when you line up Julio Jones on the other side? And the defense (Dunta Robinson, Ray Edwards) should be improved over last year. I’m high on the Dirty Birds this year … all I need is Mike Smith to loosen the reins a bit.

Why there’s doubt: Anybody catch that NFC Divisional playoff game last year?

(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. New England P... Why there’s hope: Jerod Mayo is a light. Perhaps one of George Bush Sr.’s thousand. The kid can play … and no one ever wants to discount the scariest AB-coach tandem in football.

Why there’s doubt: Bill Belichick hasn’t won anything since 2004 and Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco are supposed to change that? With Moss out to pasture, the Pats offense needs a deep threat and neither Ochocinco nor Brandon Tate scares anyone. The defense is still young and unproven and then, of course, there’s the fact that Rex Ryan has beaten the NFL’s golden boys three times in their last five meetings.

(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. Pittsburgh St... Why there’s hope: Ben Roethlisberger for an entire season, Troy Polamalu healthy and Rashard Mendenhall looks ready to break faces.

Why there’s doubt: The O-line has questions again. Jonathan Scott and Marcus Gilbert went down back to back and suddenly everyone was bringing up Flozell Adams again. Both Scott and Gilbert appear to be fine, but the scare has to remind fans just how fragile team success can be in this league.

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Green Bay Pac... Why there’s hope: They’re the Super Bowl champions, people. And everyone is back. Why wouldn’t there be hope? So rather than bore you with the Pack’s curriculum vitae, I give you this quote: "It's funny,'' Aaron Rodgers told Peter King."When I was sitting in that Green Room at the draft in New York, and I was dropping, and no one would pick me, the last thing I was thinking was it was a good thing. But I'm glad I got to fall way down. I should be here. It's the place for me. The game is bigger than us. The team is more than us. It's a community team, blue-collar and understated and not at all about self-glorification. Vince Lombardi put it that way: Winning is the only thing that matters. It's about the team.''

Why there’s doubt: It’s tough to repeat. And the Pack have even more doubters than your average champ because of how they started the season. Looking back, this team dominated the playoffs and is the favorite going into the regular season, but … when’s the last time a team in this position actually won?

(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Tenable Ten Click here to see the 10 teams stuck in the middle of the pack.