1. San Diego (Last season: 14-2) – The Patriots made more high-profile moves in the off-season, but the Chargers are the most balanced team in the NFL.
2. New England (Last season: 12-4) – Tom Brady has never had this many weapons to choice from.
3. New Orleans (Last season: 10-6) – There’s no telling how good this team will be if the defense improves.
4. Indianapolis (Last season: 12-4) – The Super Bowl champs lost several defensive starters and Bob Sanders can only do so much.
5. Baltimore (Last season: 13-3) – The Ravens better hope Willis McGahee can improve a lackluster offense from a year ago.
6. Chicago (Last season: 13-3) – Can the Bears overcome Rex Grossman a second straight year?
7. Dallas (Last season: 9-7) – How maligned will former coach Bill Parcells be if the Cowboys make it to the Super Bowl this season?
8. Philadelphia (Last season: 10-6) – The Eagles don’t have Jeff Garcia to rely on if Donovan McNabb gets injured again this season.
9. Cincinnati (Last season: 8-8) – That pass defense still makes me very nervous.
10. Denver (Last season 9-7) – I know it’s only pre-season, but the Broncos’ run defense is looking awfully porous.
11. Seattle (Last season: 9-7) – Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander should be healthy heading into Week One, a thought that should be very comforting to all Seattle fans.
12. Jacksonville (Last season: 8-8) – This is your last chance to be the man in Jacksonville, Byron Leftwich. There are no more excuses.
13. N.Y. Jets (Last season: 10-6) – Don’t be surprised if Kellen Clemens supplants QB Chad Pennington in September.
14. San Francisco (Last season: 7-9) – The 49ers have certainly spent enough on free agents to make a run at the post-season. Now let’s see if they can actually take the next step.
15. N.Y. Giants (Last season: 8-8) – Eli Manning is getting dangerously close to Byron Leftwich’s status.
16. St. Louis (Last season: 8-8) – It’s the same old story in St. Louis: terrific offense, lousy defense.
17. Pittsburgh (Last season: 8-8) – The season rests on the right arm of Ben Roethlisberger.
18. Carolina (Last season: 8-8) – Coach John Fox won’t hesitate to replace Jake Delhomme in favor of backup David Carr.
19. Kansas City (Last season: 9-7) – The Chiefs will only go as far as their offensive line takes them.
20. Tennessee (Last season: 8-8) – Am I missing something or did the offense around Vince Young get worse?
21. Buffalo (Last season: 7-9) – Bills fans are going to love the J.P. Losman-Lee Evans combo this year. Too bad the defense is going to give up a lot of big plays for the team to make any serious playoff run.
22. Green Bay (Last season: 8-8) – Is this Brett Favre’s last year? It all depends on how tired his is of missing the playoffs.
23. Miami (Last season 6-10) – Please tell me Trent Green’s arm strength is going to get better.
24. Houston (Last season 6-10) – So you’ve never heard of rookie WR Jacoby Jones? Don’t worry, you will.
25. Detroit (Last season: 3-13) – The Lions will win 10 games in one regular season; it’s just not going to happen while Jon Kitna is the quarterback.
26. Arizona (Last season: 5-11) – I’m not falling for the Cardinals’ hype this year. They have to show me something before I start believing.
27. Minnesota (Last season: 6-10) – The honeymoon is over Brad Childress and you’re pinning the franchise’s hopes on Tarvaris Jackson.
28. Tampa Bay (Last season: 4-12) – That defense has to be going on a thousand. Ok, it just seems like it.
29. Washington (Last season: 5-11) – How much more ineptitude can Joe Gibbs endure?
30. Cleveland (Last season: 4-12) – A lot of Dallas fans would love to see the Browns win only four games this season.
31. Atlanta (Last season: 7-9) – I don’t care how you spin it; Joey Harrington won’t carry the Falcons to new heights.
32. Oakland (Last season: 2-14) – Does it really matter who the starting quarterback will be come Week One?