2011 NFL Power Rankings: Week 1
Let the real football begin!
After a long labor battle, training camp and four weeks of preseason action, the 2011 regular season is finally upon us. Who are the real contenders? Who's under the radar? Which teams are going nowhere? Our voters (ESPN.com's John Clayton, ESPN.com's Ashley Fox, AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky, NFC West blogger Mike Sando and AFC North blogger James Walker) have some ideas (see below).
The Week 1 slate should provide more clues. Saints-Packers. Falcons-Bears. Steelers-Ravens. Colts-Texans. Cowboys-Jets. Yes, there's plenty of intrigue, and many of the top spots in ESPN.com's NFL Power Rankings are on the line.
The Saints could possibly jump from No. 5 to No. 1 if they're able to knock off the defending champs in the season opener. The Ravens begin at No. 8, but a victory over the rival Steelers could send them soaring up the charts.
• More: Voting | Bloggers | Team Power Rankings charts since 2002 | Rank 'em |
Sprow: Chargers underrated 
Editor's note: "LW" indicates each team's ranking in the preseason edition of the 2011 Power Rankings.
| 2011 Power Rankings: Week 1 | ||||
| RANK | TEAM / RECORD | TRENDING | COMMENTS | |
| 1 |  | -- Last Week: 1 | Are we seeing an NFC Championship Game preview when the Packers host the Saints Thursday? (Walker) | |
| 2 |  | -- Last Week: 2 | I'm a little concerned how they match up against man-to-man coverage, but they are the AFC's top dogs. (Clayton) | |
| 3 |  | 2 Last Week: 5 | QB Ben Roethlisberger could have his best statistical year in 2011. (Walker) | |
| 4 |  | 1 Last Week: 3 | The Eagles will have new starters at four of the five offensive line positions, including at right tackle. They must keep Michael Vick upright for the season to be a success. (Fox) | |
| 5 |  | 1 Last Week: 4 | Turnover at running back gives the Saints' offense a new feel this season. (Sando) | |
| 6 |  | -- Last Week: 6 | The Falcons showed they're serious with the draft-day trade for Julio Jones. (Sando) | |
| 7 |  | -- Last Week: 7 | Rex Ryan and the Jets face a tough ride back to the AFC title game. It's tough to do it three straight years. (Clayton) | |
| 8 |  | 1 Last Week: 9 | We will find out right away where Baltimore stands in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. (Walker) | |
| 9 |  | 1 Last Week: 8 | When does Peyton Manning play, and how well can he do at the start of his season? (Kuharsky) | |
| 10 |  | -- Last Week: 10 | Time to turn talent and statistics into wins. Slow start and/or playoff fade are old scripts. (Kuharsky) | |
| 11 |  | 6 Last Week: 17 | Have depth at running back to compete minus (or with a limited) Arian Foster if they have to. (Kuharsky) | |
| 12 |  | -- Last Week: 12 | NFL's youngest team has one of the brightest young QBs in Josh Freeman. (Sando) | |
| 13 |  | -- Last Week: 13 | A brutal schedule the first three weeks could lead to a slow start. (Walker) | |
| 14 |  | 2 Last Week: 16 | With no offseason to speak of, it might take awhile for the defensive players to get used to Rob Ryan's schemes. Once they do, the Cowboys could be scary good on defense. (Fox) | |
| 15 |  | 4 Last Week: 11 | No team suffered bigger preseason losses from an injury standpoint than the Giants, particularly in the secondary. At least they get the Redskins in Week 1. (Fox) | |
| 16 |  | 2 Last Week: 18 | The Lions (4-0) took the preseason seriously. Will it translate into the regular season? (Walker) | |
| 17 |  | 2 Last Week: 15 | Primary question is whether the Rams did enough to help Sam Bradford at WR. (Sando) | |
| 18 |  | 4 Last Week: 14 | It's often difficult to follow up a breakthrough season with a strong showing. That's Todd Haley's challenge. (Kuharsky) | |
| 19 |  | 3 Last Week: 22 | Not enough preseason progress on big issues: playmaking on offense and pass-rushing on defense. (Kuharsky) | |
| 20 |  | 5 Last Week: 25 | Thanks to Chris Johnson, Vikes RB Adrian Peterson could be thinking dollar signs with every big rush this season. (Walker) | |
| 21 |  | -- Last Week: 21 | Kevin Kolb's arrival gives the Cardinals renewed hope following a 5-11 season. (Sando) | |
| 22 |  | 1 Last Week: 23 | Was 2010 division sweep a fluke? The Raiders need to be more consistent no matter the opponent. (Kuharsky) | |
| 23 |  | 3 Last Week: 20 | Add Chris Johnson and a healthy Kenny Britt to the mix and the offense could surprise. (Kuharsky) | |
| 24 |  | -- Last Week: 24 | It amazes me that the offensive line is a problem with all the investments and work in trying to fix it. (Clayton) | |
| 25 |  | 6 Last Week: 19 | Decision to go with QB Tarvaris Jackson as starter has confounded NFL. (Sando) | |
| 26 |  | -- Last Week: 26 | 49ers could have as many as six new starters on defense. (Sando) | |
| 27 |  | -- Last Week: 27 | Kyle Orton is better than people think. And the transition to John Fox's thinking could be too. (Kuharsky) | |
| 28 |  | 1 Last Week: 29 | Mike Shanahan will have Rex Grossman start the season at quarterback, but in all likelihood John Beck will finish it. (Fox) | |
| 29 |  | 1 Last Week: 28 | Lack of quality depth will hurt the Browns. (Walker) | |
| 30 |  | 1 Last Week: 31 | The Bills look better stopping the run, but their defense will struggle against passing teams. (Clayton) | |
| 31 |  | 1 Last Week: 30 | Panthers have an interesting mix with Steve Smith, Jeremy Shockey and a rookie QB. (Sando) | |
| 32 |  | -- Last Week: 32 | Coach Marvin Lewis says the 2011 Bengals are better than the 2010 Bengals (4-12). It should be a close race. (Walker) | |
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| Glossary |
| The rankings were determined by ESPN's Power Panel, a group of more than 80 writers, editors and television personalities. |
