Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse in Oakland JaMarcus Russell is finally benched and then again named the starting quarterback for the Raiders’ match-up against the Chargers.

Looking at the Raiders roster, they have talent. They have one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL in Richard Seymour, a talented linebacker crew, and arguably one of the best defensive players in football in Nnamdi Asomugha.

So why does this team continue to struggle? It all starts with the quarterback.

Since the day he was drafted, JaMarcus Russell has not shown he has what it takes to be a championship-caliber NFL quarterback.

Its been a long time since Russell made that amazing Hail Mary throw while at LSU to beat Kentucky.

Russell has been nothing but unwilling to make the extra effort needed to be a starting NFL quarterback.

As a rookie, Russell had one of the longest holdouts in NFL history. The holdout lasted months and essentially ruined Russell’s rookie season.

That season Russell cost then Head Coach Lane Kiffin his job. Kiffin was opposed to drafting the LSU star with the No. 1 pick, while tyrant owner Al Davis said Russell was the best player hands down.

As Kiffin was fired, Davis wrote Kiffin a letter which included a section on how Kiffin was wrong in not wanting to draft Russell. Davis is quoted as saying, “JaMarcus is a great player. Get over it.”

Apparently, Kiffin is having the last laugh on that one.

Then there was the 300 pound rumor about Russell. Granted Russell is a mammoth of a player at his listed size (6′6″ 260lbs), but a 300lb quarterback? I don’t think that sounds too successful.

The Raiders have used draft picks on players they don’t even need in an effort to help Russell succeed.

Darren McFadden was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick to help give Russell another deadly weapon out the backfield but McFadden has yet to live up to expectations.

Then there is Darrius Heyward-Bay, one of the most baffling top 10 picks of all time.

DHB was a combine star in the 40 yard dash but disappeared in the ACC against some top talent but was drafted with the No. 7 pick and given a signing bonus way out of the rookie slotting, causing a headache for all teams in the surrounding area, and especially Michael Crabtree.

Isn’t this the same player who took his receivers for a week to go get some extra work running routes and catching passes? It really doesnt look like it.

Looking at Russell’s numbers this year, Tom Cable may have better success behind center.

Russell has two games throwing over 200 yards; one of those include an 86 yard touchdown which was much of the doing of TE Zach Miller as well as WR Louis Murphy who made some great blocks on the run.

Russell has two games throwing over a 60 percent completion percentage and three games under 40 percent passing.

HUH?!?!?!?!

Russel has completed more than 12 passes just once this season. During his career he has thrown more than 20 completions just twice.

How can anyone expect the Raiders to win any games in a season when their quarterback play has been one of the worst, if not the worst, in the NFL.

He has a 47.2 quarterback rating for gods sake!

Russell has two touchdown passes this year and the one to Miller should be credited to him and Murphy, who made that play, and not Russell who made the wide open pass.

One can only feel bad for Russell. He is young and immature and part of an organization that is trying to win but its owner its holding them back.

Maybe Russell should take some of the credit for his poor play. Have you seen his recent interview after the Jets game where Russell asked a reporter if he thought Russell was the problem with the offense?

Hello, have you not seen yourself making careless throws time after time? Making wrong reads play after play? Not giving your team a real chance to succeed and only holding them back?

Tom Cable, please make your quarterback accountable for his actions and abysmal play because he is not only making a joke of you, but also the Raiders’ proud and die-hard fans as well as the organization.

Rank            (Previous)            Team            Record         Comments
1            3            Giants            2-0            The Giants squeaked by the Cowboys but did Eli Manning look good. The Giants did not run the ball particularly well but the offense moved the ball through the air and the defense is one of the top in the league. The banged up secondary also tore apart Tony Romo.

2            6            Ravens            2-0            Although the Ravens defense was eaten alive by Phillip Rivers, Baltimore was able to come away with a victory on the road. The Ravens offense kept up with the high powered Chargers. Willis McGahee proved he is back to form. Although the defense was scored on often, Ray Lewis made a critical tackle late in the game to preserve the victory.

3            5            Colts            2-0            Peyton Manning was on the sidelines for most of the night but when he was in he was able to make things happen. Dallas Clark went off with the absence of Anthony Gonzalez. The run defense looked bad at times but good teams find ways to win.

4            8            Falcons            2-0            Matt Ryan continues to impress more and more each week. The acquisition of Tony Gonzalaz is clearly working out for the Falcons as he caught all 7 passes that he was targeted. Michael Turner picked up on his slow start last week rushing for over 100 yards. The defense was able to force two turnovers on the turnover prone Panthers.

5            13            Saints            2-0            This offense is electrifying; Drew Brees cannot be stopped. Marques Colston made two nice touchdown grabs and the Saints got a good contribution from all of their receivers. The defense still allowed nearly 400 yards passing to Kevin Kolb but when you score so many points it isn’t as much of a problem.

6            1            Steelers            1-1            After the first series the Steelers did not look like the same team. The loss of Troy Polamalu is bigger than expected as his replacement Tyrone Carter was scored on twice. The rush defense held Matt Forte to 2.2 yards per carry. The Steelers offense failed to establish the run but Ben Roesthlisberger is looking just as sharp as ever.

7            7            Chargers            1-1            San Diego lost a close one at home vs the Ravens. Phillip Rivers had a career game throwing for over 436 yards but had two costly interceptions. Vincent Jackson was targeted seven times, catching six of them for 141 yards. Sproles is a gamer; his speed on the field creates major matchup problems for defenses.

8            9            Minnesota            2-0            Things looked tough in the first half but for the second week in a row the Vikings rode Adrian Peterson in the second half. Favre and Harvin look like they have a special connection. Chad Greenway had two interceptions on Matthew Stafford.

9            17            Jets            2-0            Its official: the Jets are a dangerous team this season. New York was able to make Tom Brady look average for most of the game. Mark Sanchez was only three for five in the first half but was able to turn it around in the second half. The Jets defense is the difference maker this season; they held the Patriots touchdown less and contained Randy Moss. This team is a clone of Ryans former team the Baltimore Ravens.

10            2            Patriots            1-1            Tom Brady did not look like the old Tom Brady in this one. The Patriots were without Wes Welker and it showed. The Patriots were unable to move the ball and never really caught a rhythm. The defense looks like is missing Mayo and Seymour. Expect this team to be back next week.

11            16            Bears            1-1            The Bears responded with a win against the defending champions. Jay Cutler’s arm strength is absolutely incredible as he was able to make every throw with the rush in his face. Matt Forte struggled for the second week in a row. This was a huge win as Chicago fans were beginning to panic.

12            4            Eagles            1-1            The Eagles looked like they were definitely missing Donovan McNabb as they were unable to go touchdown for touchdown with the Saints. The defense was unable to contain Drew Brees and the explosive passing attack.

13            18            49ers            2-0            Frank Gore became the first player since Barry Sanders in 1997 to have two runs of 75+ yards on his way to 207 rushing yards. The 49er run defense held the Seahawks to 2.9 yards per carry on the ground. Shaun Hill is a game manager making accurate throws, minimizing turnovers.

14            12            Cowboys            1-1            Tony Romo did not look like the Tony Romo of week one. Marion Barber needs to stay healthy but Felix Jones will be ready to go if Barber is unable to play. The secondary needs to step up right away.

15            21            Texans            1-1            The Texans looked much better this week even though Slaton failed to impress on the ground again. Matt Schuab looked very good despite struggling with an injury. Andre Johnson is monster destroying the Titans secondary. Rookie Brian Cushing was all over the field for the Texans defense.

16            11            Packers            1-1            The Packers defense took a few steps back this week against the Bengals, who face the top two 3-4 teams four times a year. Charles Woodson is thriving in the 3-4 defense as he led the team in tackles, 10, and had two interceptions, one for a touchdown.

17            14            Cardinals            1-1            Kurt Warner looked much better this week than last week completing 24 of 26 passes including his first 15 and broke the NFL record for completion percentage. Larry Fitzgerald was held in check for most of the game. The defense played very well holding the Jags to only three points through nearly three quarters.

18            10            Titans            0-2            Another close one for the Titans, who could be 2-0 but are looking at 0-2 in the standings. The game vs the Texans was ferocious as tempers were flaring but again the Titan pass defense failed allowing Matt Schuab to throw for 357 yards and four touchdowns. Andre Johnson was toying with Corbin Finnegan throughout the game. The run defense again played very well but this team has problems.

19            19            Bills            1-1            Trent Edwards played well in the win vs the Buccs. Running back Fred Jackson had a huge game giving Bills fans some hope when Marshawn Lynn returns.

20            27            Bengals            1-1            Cincinnati played much better this week against a stingy Packer defense. Palmer was inconsistent but overall he has to play well for the Bengals to be successful. Cedric Benson finally appears to be the Bengals answer at running back. This team can easily be 2-0

21            20            Panthers            0-2            Much better game for Jake Delhomme but clearly anything less than four interceptions would be. Delhomme threw for over 300 yards including 130 to Steve Smith. The Panthers could have road their run game a bit more than they did but clearly this team is searching for an identity.

22            26            Broncos            2-0            The Broncos were able to take it to the lowly Browns this week. The Broncos are moving the ball without much help of Brandon Marshall. The defense has been very stingy in the first two wins of the season. The boos were loud when Kyle Orton made bad decisions; the Jay Cutler hangover is still lingering and it wont go away unless the Broncos keep winning.

23            15            Seahawks            1-1            Matt Hasselbeck went down with an injury during the game; that doesn’t give much hope to the Seahawks hopes this season. The running game failed to get anything going in the loss to the 49ers. Again this team needs to get healthy and stay healthy for this team to succeed.

24            22            Dolphins            0-2            Tony Sparanos game plan was simple; keep Peyton Manning off the field. The Fins held the ball for over 45 minutes but it wasn’t enough to stop Peyton and co. Horrible clock management in the last three minutes of the game. What in the world were the Dolphins thinking?

25            24            Raiders            1-1            Again if there is a true weakness on this team it is JaMarcus Russel; he is absolutely horrible at times. Richard Seymour wasn’t as dominant as he was in week one but the former pro-bowler, along with Greg Ellis, is helping this defense tremendously. Nnamdi Asomugh presence on the field is ridiculous, the one play he was out the Chiefs scored. Michael Huff is very impressive this season recording 3 interceptions, two more than in his previous three seasons.

26            25            Redskins            1-1            The Redskins are bad lets face it. The offense did not play very well against a team that allowed 28 points to the Seahawks last week. The Redskins defense played well keeping Steven Jackson in check besides a 58 yard run. Jim Zorn needs to get something going fast or its going to be a very long season.

27            23            Jaguars            0-2            Another rough one for this Jaguars team. Maurice Jones Drew isn’t getting enough carries to prove his worth and Garrard is still struggling to throw the ball downfield. The defense was able to contain Larry Fitzgerald but Kurt Warner picked the team apart.

28            28            Buccaneers            0-2            The Bucs finally calmed down but it was too late as they were already down 17-0. The Bccs were horrible on third down converting only 25 percent. Fred Jackson torched the Bucs on the ground as well.

29            29            Chiefs            0-2            Kansas City is pretty bad. They might be worse than the Lions, might is the key word. Matt Cassel struggled for most of the game despite a touchdown to Dwayne Bowe late in the fourth quarter. Bobby Wade proved to be a valuable asset to the Chief passing attack.

30            31            Rams            0-2            Besides Steven Jackson, Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery, there aren’t many playmakers on this offense. The defense held Clinton Portis in check and the Redskins without a touchdown.

31            30            Browns            0-2            Good news is Braylon Edwards had one of his best games in the last two seasons but the bad news is that the Browns offense is horrendous. This is a very bad football team that doesn’t appear to be getting any better anytime soon.

32            32            Lions            0-2            Detroit had some things going during the first half especially containing Adrian Peterson. Running back Kevin Smith ran the ball better after struggling last week. Matthew Stafford threw two more interceptions giving him five to one touchdown to Calvin Johnson. When this team finally wins a game they will move up the list.

Rank (Previous) Team Record Comments

1 1 Steelers 1-0 The Steelers run game looked awful against the Titans but luckily Big Ben gave the team a chance in the fourth quarter with another comeback victory. The Steelers defense played very well especially Troy Polamalu, who looked tremendous in his limited action. This unit must come together with Polamalus absence.

2 2 Patriots 1-0 Tom Brady. Although a bit hesitant, looked solid in his official return. The Patriots could be looking at 0-1 if not for a lucky fumble recovery. The loss of Richard Seymour will be even tougher with defensive player of the year, Jarod Mayo on the bench for up to eight weeks.

3 3 Giants 1-0 Plaxico who? Eli Manning proved he was just fine without his former top receiver. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will carry a major load for this team. The defensive line may be the best 4-3 d-line in football but the secondary must get healthy.

4 4 Eagles 1-0 Wow! The Eagles took it to the Panthers on both sides of the ball. The loss of McNabb will hurt this team if Kevin Kobb is unable to excel in the pass game. The Eagles defense looked terrific stopping Jake Delhomme and the Panthers run game.

5 5 Colts 1-0 Reggie Wayne torched the Jags in week one for 10 catches and 162 yards. The Colts defense was more blitz heavy than in years past and it proed to work throughout the game.

6 7 Ravens 1-0 Joe Flacco had a field day with the Chiefs secondary, helping the Ravens put up their highest offensive total ever. Ray Rice has taken the spot as the number one running back on the team but LaRon McClain is the X factor. Not only is McClain a valueable fullback but also lined up in single back set as well as at wide receiver.

7 6 Chargers 1-0 San Diegos two minute offense looked tremendous but other than that, this team didnt impress. LaDainian Tomlinson will miss his first regular season game due to injury. Linebacker Shawn Merriman was a non factor during the game.

8 8 Falcons 1-0 Michael Turner didnt do very much on the ground but Matt Ryan is taking the neccissary strides to become an elite quarterback. His new favorite target Tony Gonzalez looked phenominal in his Falcons debut; expect the two to hook up all season long. Although the defense has may uncertainties, they held the Dolphins scoreless for most of the 60:00 minutes.

9 11 Minnesota 1-0 The Brett Favre era has officially begun. The Vikings rode Adrian Peterson for 180 yards and three scores: Peterson looks as explosive as ever. Receiver Percy Harvin caght his first touchdown pass only to be tackled by Favre. Although the Browns scored a late touchdown, their first since last November, the Viking defense kept the Browns in check.

10 10 Titans 0-1 Tennessee almost came away with a victory in Pittsburgh in Thursdays opener. Albert who? The defense controlled the Steelers ground game, holding them to 36 total yards. The Titans needed to ride Chris Johnson more for him to be effective.

11 14 Packers 1-0 So much for the 3-4 being an experiment as the Packer defense forced Chicagos new savior into four interceptions. Aaron Rodgers is starting to make everyone forget about Brett Favre slowly but surely.

12 18 Cowboys 1-0 Tony Romo threw for career high 353 Yards as the Cowboys threw early and often on the Buccs. Roy Williams may not ever live up to the first and third round pick he was traded for but he is the receiver the Cowboys have been looking for.

13 19 Saints 1-0 The Saints put up 45 points on the Lions; the scary thing is if not for turnovers it could have been 70. Dree Brees is on an incredible run dating back from last season; dont you think the Dolphins feel dumb now on passing over him for Daunte Culpepper because of shoulder concerns?

14 9 Cardinals 0-1 This wasnt as much of a shocker as it may seem. With an injured Anquan Boldin and no Steve Breaston, the Cardinals couldnt get anything done of offense. Larry Fitzgerald was constantly double teamed thus Warner had to check down to Tim Hightower on 12 of his dropbacks.

15 16 Seahawks 1-0 The Seahawks put it on the Rams the whole game. Julius Jones looked impressive on the ground rushing for 117 yard touchdown. Hasselbeck did throw two interceptions but was able to overcome them. Tight end John Carlson is emerging as a top TE in the NFL.

16 12 Bears 0-1 Jay Cutler didnt make anyone in Chicago feel any more comfortable with their quarterback position as he threw for a career high four interceptions. The Bears decided to make Cutler the focal point of the offense rather than their stud running back; Matt Forte. The loss of Brian Urlacher is huge no matter what anyone (like Lance Briggs) says. Losing your best player is never easy; the Bears face a tough one in week two vs Pittsburgh.

17 20 Jets 1-0 VIVA LA SANCHEZ! I have to applaud at this one because the Jets look like a whole different team under Rex Ryan. Sanchez played his first game like a seasoned vet throwing for 272 yards and a touchdown. The Jets defense held Steve Slaton to 17 yards and Andre Johnson to 35 yards; that is no easy task. If the Jets can beat the Patriots, they will sky rocket up the power rankings.

18 26 49ers 1-0 What a great win for niner country. Singletary has this team ready to play. Shaun Hill might never be a superstar but he is efficient and runs the offense well. Issac Bruce still has it in the tank with a beautiful 50 yard catch in the win. If only the Michael Crabtree saga would be over already.

19 24 Bills 0-1 Buffalo could be 1-0 right now with a huge win over the Patriots, instead Leodis McKelvins lawn was vandalized and the team lost a huge game. Trent Edwards seems to be getting comfortable in the no huddle offense but the team needs Marshawn Lynch back from suspension. The loss of Paul Pulzansky will be tough.

20 13 Panthers 0-1 This was ugly. Jake Delhomme has 11 turnovers in his last two games; he looked absolutely awful. The Panthers got nothing from the ground game and Steve Smith was nonexistant. Lets hope this isnt an ongoing problem all season.

21 15 Texans 0-1 Bad loss for the Texans, who have high hopes this season. The offense was stalled on almost every series versus the Jets. Matt Schaub needs to get healthy and stay healthy for once. This team has big expectations this season; if the season is anything like week one, back to the bottom for the Texans.

22 17 Dolphins 0-1 This season is going to be a tough one for the Dolphins, who have the leagues hardest schedule. The offense looked awful for most of the game.

23 23 Jaguars 0-1 David Garrad missed open receivers downfield more than handful of times during the loss to the Colts. The defense played well in that they held the Colts to 14 points.

24 27 Raiders 0-1 Although they lost, they were impressive at times. This team can only go as far as JaMarcus Russell can take them. He is making his reads better this season but his accuracy is poor. Besides the deep touchdown pass, Russel couldnt get anything going. Richard Seymour helped this defense out in so many ways. He is playing with a chip on his shoulder; if he can sustain his week one level of play throughout the season, this unit will be much improved.

25 22 Redskins 0-1 As much as people want to root for Campbell, he just isnt cutting it. The problem is, he isnt concerned about his play. The Redskins couldnt convert on third down, something that was a problem last year as well.

26 25 Broncos 1-0 How does a team who wins go down in the rankings? When they score 12 points, 7 of those coming on a 87 yards fluke td with 11 seconds left. Lets face it, Denver got a lucky break. This team stinks. Brandon Marshall dropped two passes, one a deep seem pass. Rookie Knowshown Moreno had 17 yards but had very limited action during preseason and training camp.

27 21 Bengals 0-1 It doesnt get much worse for the Bengals who took the lead with 38 seconds left only to be victims of bad luck. Ocho Cinco offseason workouts seem to be helping from a terrible season last year but the Bengals couldnt do much even with a healthy Carson Palmer.

28 29 Buccaneers 0-1 The Buccs defense was burned by Tony Romo all game, which should be of some concern. The good news for the Buccs is that Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward are going to be a great one-two combo. Antonio Bryant needs to get healthy asap.

29 30 Chiefs 0-1 The Chiefs have problems. Matt Cassell needs to be healthy right away for this team to do anything. They were lucky enough to get quick scores in the fourth quarter but allowed a team record 501 offensive yards to the Ravens, who ranked 18 in total offense last season and 28th for pass offense. The Chiefs have some potential on offense but without a surefire receiver this team will struggle. (The signing of Bobby Wade will help but not enough)

30 31 Browns 0-1 THE BROWNS SCORED AN OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN!!! Its tough to be a Browns fan right now. This team has problems and coach Mangini has his hands full. Quinn was the right choice as starter because if he plays poorly, chances are he wont be pulled as quickly as Derrick Anderson would have been. The defense allowed 225 yards on the ground last week.

31 28 Rams 0-1 The Rams struggles continue with a twenty-eight point defeat. The Rams need to get Steven Jackson in a rhythm for the offense to do anything.

32 32 Lions 0-1 The Lions scored 27 points but allowed 45 to the Saints. The defense was able to make a few big plays which gives coach Schwartz some hope. The defense is learning to play together so expect the unit to improve as the season goes on. The offense is another story. Kevin Smith was held to 20 yards on 15 carries. Matthew Stafford displayed tremendous arm strength but was picked off three times; throwing to Calvin Johnson may be Staffords only chance of success this season.

Buffalo fans and Oakland fans don’t have much in common. One’s East Coast, the other West Coast. Buffalo fans carry an innocuous blue collar sentimentality to them, while the Oakland fan base is concocted of a more dubious dichotomy: The wild and clinically insane. But outside of Lambeau Field, no fans in the NFL care more, and thus, seeing both teams put on stellar efforts on Monday Night Football’s opening slate was a refreshing sight to behold. Buffalo, fresh from firing offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, were facing heated AFC East rival, the New England Patriots. Tom Brady was returning to captain the same offense that shattered offensive records just two seasons ago. The Oakland Raiders, fresh from having assistant Randy Hanson put in a hospital by their head coach Tom Cable, were up against AFC West rivals, the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots and Chargers are the consensus pick for this year’s AFC Championship. The Patriots and Chargers have two of the NFL’s most potent offenses. The Patriots and Chargers came into the game with 11 straight wins over their respective opponents. To say that Buffalo and Oakland were underdogs would be a gross understatement to say the least; Vegas had both teams scheduled to lose by double digit margins. Monday Night proved the old axiom, “that’s why the game’s played on the field and not paper”, still holds true. With the aid of an Aaron Schobel interception for a touchdown, the Buffalo Bills stifled the high powered Patriots offense and took a 14-10 lead into half time. With the aid of a stifling defense, headed by the league’s best defensive player Nnamde Asomugha, and a powerful 105 yards rushing, the Oakland Raiders had confidence heading into halftime with a 10-10 tie. In a weird twist that would have bad luck chuckling along side coincidence, both teams saw a incredulous decision decide the outcome of their games. For the Bills, it was Pro Bowl returner Leodis Mckelvin taking the ball from deep in the end zone and fumbling it back to the newly powered Patriots offense. For the Raiders, it was when the referees overturned a dazzling catch before halftime from rookie Lois Murphy and ruled it a drop. Replay showed Murphy caught the ball, landed with two feet planted, and only released the ball once he was certain he had scored. This four point differential is what the Raiders inevitably lost by, making it even more heart-breaking. For other teams these sorts of incidents would be unbelievably devastating. For the Raiders and Bills, it’s just another Monday Night. (Somewhere in the Midwest, the five Bengals fans remaining are nodding their heads sullenly.) But in the loss, both teams found themselves in a better position then when the game first began. Trent Edwards moved the ball with relative skill and poise and the loss of Marshawn Lynch wasn’t as devastating as once believed. The addition of Richard Seymour (two sacks, six tackles) has turned the Raiders defense into one of the league’s best. Removing the final drive of the game, the Raiders defense stifled the high-powered Chargers offense. LaDainian Tomlinson’s best games have usually come against the notoriously porous Raiders run defense, leading to an average of nearly 120 yards per game. On Monday night, he was held to half of that and was even replaced in favor of Darren Sproles. While it is very likely that neither of these teams makes the playoffs this year, there is a bright spot submerged beneath all the flaws: Their tremendous fans can laugh at the Bengals all season. (Somewhere in the Midwest, the five remaining Bengals fans are nodding their heads again.)

Rank (Previous) | Team Record    Comments

1 (1)  |  Steelers 0-0   The Steelers look to extend their dominance.

2 (3)  |  Patriots 0-0    Tom Brady looks like the Brady of old. It remains to be seen if the young players will step up with the absence of Richard Seymour.

3 (2)  |  Giants 0-0   Eli Manning will need to replace Plaxico, but expect the Giants to ride Jacobs the whole season.

4 (4)  |  Eagles 0-0   McNabb and company should be passing early and often this season.

5 (5)  |  Colts 0-0   If Joseph Addai doesn’t step up, Peyton Manning will have to carry this team for much of the season.

6 (6)  |  Chargers 0-0   Big expectations in San Diego this season. A healthy tandem of Merriman and LT will take this team far this season.

7 (8)  |   Ravens 0-0   Derrick Mason is back after a quick scare. This team will be one of the best in the AFC again this season.

8 (9)  |  Falcons 0-0   Matt Ryan will be even better this season with the addition of Tony Gonzalez. If this team has a weakness, it is on the defense.

9 (7)  |  Cardinals 0-0   Larry Fitzgerald looks to continue his dominance this season.

10 (10)  |  Titans 0-0   The Titans have upgraded their receiving corps this season. Chris Johnson and a slimmed-down LenDale White could be deadly.

11 (12)  |  Vikings 0-0   Brett Favre gives this team a chance to do some damage all year long.

12 (15)  |  Bears 0-0   The Jay Cutler era has begun. Expectations are high in Chi-town.

13 (11)  |  Panthers 0-0   This team can only go as far as Jake Delhomme will take them.

14 (19)  |  Packers 0-0   The new 3-4 will work wonders for this team.

15 (14)  |  Texans 0-0   Schaub, Slaton and Johnson is scare for any defensive coordinator.

16 (23)  | Seahawks 0-0   Matt Hasselbeck has T.J. Whosyourmomma to throw to now.

17 (17)  | Dolphins 0-0   The secondary looks much improved with the additions of Sean Smith and Vontae Davis.

18 (14)  |  Cowboys 0-0   This is Wade Phillips’ make-or-break year.

19 (16)  |  Saints 0-0   The Saints have all the potential in the world, but the defense must step up.

20 (19)  |  Jets 0-0   Viva la Sanchez!!

21 (24)  | Bengals 0-0   Child, Please.

22 (20)  |  Redskins 0-0   Jason Campbell has been amidst controversy all offseason; it’s a contract year- time to slice critics.

23 (25)  |  Jaguars 0-0   Maurice Jones-Drew is going to prove he can handle a full load.

24 (23)  |  Bills 0-0   Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert was fired for his offense being too complex…really, Dick Jauron?

25 (24)  |  Broncos 0-0   Having Brandon Marshall in uniform is a MUST!

26 (28)  |  49ers 0-0   Can Coach Singletary and Shaun Hill bring this team from under the .500 mark?

27 (29)  |  Raiders 0-0   The addition of Richard Seymour gives this team a huge boost. If only he would report.,,

28 (27)  |  Browns 0-0   Anderson or Quinn? I put my bet on Quinn to start.

29 (26)  |  Buccaneers 0-0   Another firing of an offensive coordinator before the season starts? Not smart.

30 (30)  |  Chiefs 0-0   Is Matt Cassell healthy? Only Todd Haley really knows.

31 (31)  |  Rams 0-0   Coach Spagnuolo has put this team through a grueling offseason in effort to get tougher on both sides of the ball.

32 (32)  |  Lions 0-0   The Matthew Stafford era starts now.

You guessed it, 2009-2010 Power Rankings are here. Yes it is still early only being July but we love football so why not have an early power ranking? We will see how things develop as training camp’s start but our initial rankings are up!

About the rankings: The Super Bowl Champion Steelers take the top spot due to the fact that they are returning almost the same team, if not a better team, than last seasons. The Patriots could easily be number one but it will depend on the health of Tom Brady. Many teams—such as the Cowboys, Bears, and Packers—have the potential to skyrocket up the rankings, but we will have to wait and see how the 2009 season plays out.

Rank (Prev.)   Team   2008 Record    Comments

1 (1)     Steelers  12-4

The Steelers return much of the roster that made them Super Bowl Champions in 2008. Running back Rashard Mendenhall, who missed most of his 2008 rookie season, will be a major addition to the ground game and look for new starting middle linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who has a rare combination of speed and size, to make a huge impact on the leagues top defense.

With Ben Roethlisberger solidifying himself as one of the NFLs elite, the Steelers appear poised for another Super Bowl run.

2 (2)     Giants  12-4

This may be a surprise to some but the Giants have a front seven that keeps offensive coordinators up all night. The Giants had a chance to trade their first round pick for Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards who, despite all his drops, has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the league but instead drafted North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks to fill Plaxico Burress’s shoes.

If Eli Manning plays at a consistently high level, the Giants could be the NFC representative in Miami.

3 (3)     Patriots  11-5

The Patriots went 11-5 last season with Matt Cassel as their starter. If the Patriots have a healthy Tom Brady, this team has the potential to be a Super Bowl contender. The Patriots spent three second round picks and signed cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden in an attempted to address their defensive needs.

The defense will be in question throughout the season as well as the health of Tom Brady but if both go according to plan then the Patriots may have a chance at another undefeated regular season.

4 (4)    Eagles  9-6-1

The Eagles had one of the most impressive offseasons in the league. The additions of Jason Peters and Stacey Andrews will solidify the once aging offensive line while speedy receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy should give Donovan McNabb more weapons in his arsenal.

The loss of seven-time Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins could sting if new safety Sean Jones doesn’t play up to his potential. If McNabb can stay healthy the Eagles have the potential to have a better offense than the team that went to the Super Bowl in 2004.

5 (5)     Colts  12-4

Peyton Manning is still an Indianapolis Colt which is why the Colts are still in the top five. The departures of head coach Tony Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd could create more of a problem than initially thought.

Moore and Mudd have been coaching Manning since Day One and life will take some adjusting but if anyone can handle it, its Manning. The addition of Donald Brown with a healthy Joseph Addai will help get a ground game going that struggled last season.

6 (6)     Chargers  8-8

Philip Rivers and the Chargers entered last season’s playoffs as the league’s hottest team. The Chargers had tough luck losing the first two games last season by a combined 3 points and became the first team in history to make the playoffs after starting a season 4-8.

The Chargers will return sack-master Shawn Merriman and the addition of first round pick Larry English will make the Chargers defense tough to game plan against. A healthy LaDainian Tomlinson and a speedy Darren Sproles will give the Chargers one of the best one-two punches in the NFL.

7 (7)     Cardinals  9-7

The Cardinals appear to be the same old Cardinals, at least in the management department. After a scare by quarterback Kurt Warner flirting with the 49ers, the Cardinals return most of the high-powered offense that got them into the Super Bowl, minus offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Haley’s departure may be underestimated due to Haley’s brilliant use of route combinations that kept defenses on their heels. The Cardinals did the right thing by not trading disgruntled receiver Anquan Boldin for a second round pick but Boldin is still insisting on a trade.

The Cardinals stole running back Chris Wells at the end of the first round. Wells will join Warner and company giving the Cardinals one of the top offenses again in 2009.

8 (8)     Ravens  11-5

The loss of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and middle linebacker Bart Scott will undoubtedly hurt but the Ravens have enough talent on the defensive side of the ball to be a top unit in 2009.

Quarterback Joe Flacco showed his ability to manage games without making unnecessary throws. If the offense is able to show a little firepower and provide some production out of the passing game the Ravens could once again be in the AFC Championship.

9 (9)     Falcons  11-5

Quarterback Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith aided in the turn around of the dismal Falcon franchise in just one year. The emergence of Matt Ryan makes the Falcons instant front-runners in the NFC South.

The addition of Tony Gonzalez should not only help Ryan but will cause defenses to back off receiver Roddy White, who had a career year in 2008.

The Falcons defense took a hit in free agency especially with the loss of longtime linebacker Keith Brooking but the Falcons used all but one of their draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. If Ryan continues the progress he made on his 2008 season, the Falcons will be a force to reckon with this season and beyond.

10 (10)     Titans  13-3

The Titans added weapons to their offense in first round draft pick receiver Kenny Britt and free agent Nate Washington. With the emergence of the game changing Chris Johnson and power of LenDale White, the Titans offense has much more potential in 2009.

Look for second year defensive tackle Jason Jones, who had 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles against the Steelers in week 16, to help fill the void left by Pro Bowler Albert Haynesworth. The Titans will only go as far as aging quarterback Kerry Collins will take them.

11 (11)     Panthers  12-4

Jake Delhomme signed a five-year extension this offseason keeping him under contract ’til 2014 assuring him the Panthers have confidence in his abilities as a starting quarterback.

Delhomme did not have the best season in 2008 but the much anticipated breakout of DeAngelo Williams along with a strong showing by rookie running back Jonathan Stewart gave the Panthers the potential to run over any team in their path.

The Panthers hope to continue this trend in the 2009 season. Linebacker Jon Beason has established himself as one of the best 4-3 middle linebackers in the NFL. It remains to be seen if defensive end and franchise player Julius Peppers will be in uniform at the start of the season.

12 (12)     Vikings  10-6

The controversy of who will be the Vikings starting quarterback for the 2009 season continues; whether it be Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson or even Brett Favre, quarterback play is the only thing keeping this team from being a consistent contender year in and year out. Running back Adrian Peterson has the potential to be one of the best in our generation.

The addition of receiver Percy Harvin will give the offense even more speed causing problems for opposing defenses. The Vikings defense, led by a Pro Bowl studded defensive line, is near the top in the league every year. This team will only go as far as the quarterback will take them.

13 (13)     Bears  9-7

The Jay Cutler era has started in Chicago. The Bears gave up a lot for Cutler but he will prove he was worth the investment. The Bears missed an opportunity to sign wide receiver Torry Holt this offseason and are still thin at the wide receiver position.

Running back Matt Forte, who rushed for over 1200 yards and caught 63 passes in his rookie season, will take some of the pressure off Cutler both in the backfield and in the open field.

The Bears defense has the playmakers to be a top-10 defense but they must play to the level of their abilities. The Bears have the potential to make some noise in the NFC if all goes well in Cutler-town.

14 (14)     Cowboys  9-7

Tony Romo can now take a deep breathe as Terrell Owens has now moved on. It will be up to receiver Roy Williams to prove he is worth a first, third and fifth round draft pick.

Look for Romo’s favorite target Jason Witten to have another big year along with the two headed monster in the physical Marion Barber and the speedster Felix Jones.

The Cowboy defense will have more depth on the defensive line with defensive end Igor Olshanksy and at linebacker with the addition of Keith Brooking. The Cowboys will be searching for their first playoff win since 1996 but it remains to be seen if Romo and company will be able to deliver.

15 (15)     Texans  8-8

Is this the year the Texans finally post a winning record? Matt Schaub must stay healthy throughout the whole season especially with Sage Rosenfels gone.

Running back Steve Slaton proved to be a steal in the third round and will continue to be the Texans leading rusher. Receiver Andre Johnson appears to be making sure the NFL takes notes on his big play abilities.

The Texans have potential on offense to cause some disruptions in the AFC South. The defense led by linebacker DeMeco Ryans and monstrous defensive end Mario Williams are hoping first round pick linebacker Brian Cushing will help the Texans into the playoffs this season.

16 (16)     Saints  8-8

How many more games can Drew Brees win single- handedly? Brees had a special year in 2008 and can hope to continue his success. It remains to be seen if running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas will be able to handle more carries with the departure of Deuce McAllister.

Bush has been a special player since arriving in the NFL but he has yet to show he can carry a load. The addition of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams may be the most important offseason pickup. Williams will have the responsibility of cleaning up a defense that allowed 24.6 points per game, 26th in the NFL.

17 (17)     Dolphins  11-5

The Dolphins had a special season in 2008 under first year head coach Tony Sparano. Quarterback Chad Pennington played well and will continue to prove his critics wrong. Second-round pick quarterback Pat White is the ideal fit for the wildcat offense, giving Sparano more options at his disposal.

Joey Porter and company can thank The Tuna for bringing back Jason Taylor and using a first round pick on cornerback Vontae Davis, who should provide immediate dividends. The Dolphins have the toughest schedule heading into 2009 so it remains to be seen if they will have the same success as they did last season.

18 (18)     Packers  6-10

The Packers had one of the best drafts after stealing defensive tackle B.J. Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews. The conversion from the 4-3 to 3-4 will be closely monitored and much of the success of the team will ride on the defense buying into the switch.

After last season’s Brett Favre fiasco, the Packers are ready to move on for good. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers showed he can be a special player in his first season as a starter. If Aaron Rodgers continues his progression as a starting quarterback and the defense buys into the 3-4 then this team will be playing in January.

19 (19)     Jets  9-7

Head coach Rex Ryan will bring a new style to a defense that has potential. Ryan will use players in a way they have never been used before, turning small players into superstars. New addition middle linebacker Bart Scott will bring toughness to a defense that includes stud cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Second-year player Vernon Gholston should be the biggest beneficiary of Ryans arrival. First round quarterback Mark Sanchez may be the missing piece that the Jets have been looking for. If running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are happy and playing to the best of their abilities, the Jets can be a sleeper team in the AFC.

20 (20)     Redskins  8-8

Year two of the Jim Zorn era might not be what owner Daniel Snyder is looking for. The Redskins added the prized possession of free agency in mammoth defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, but will he really be worth $100 million? The addition of Brian Orakpo will help get some pressure on the passer but it might not be enough.

The offense is loaded with talent but it hasn’t translated on the scoreboard. The Redskins struck out looking in their attempt to get Jay Cutler. Quarterback Jason Campbell has been more than professional with the media this offseason but he could be on his way out of town by seasons end.

21 (21)     Bills  7-9

Oh Buffalo, did you really think the addition of Terrell Owens would help the progression of Trent Edwards? Yes Edwards now has more weapons at his disposal and the consistent double teams on wide receiver Lee Evans will back off but is Owens worth the headache?

The Bills drafted center Eric Wood and offensive lineman Andy Levitre to help sooth the losses of tackle Jason Peters and guard Derrick Dockery. The Bills defense played well last season and the addition of first round defensive end Aaron Maybin will only help.

22 (22)     Seahawks  4-12

It’s hard to believe Mike Holmgren is gone but the show must go on with head coach Jim Mora. The addition of wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh will help a passing game that ranked 29th in pass yards.

The defense was atrocious last season but the Seahawks brought some youth to their team especially with linebacker Aaron Curry, who was the top rated player on many teams boards. The Seahawks have the potential to be be contenders in the NFC West but they must stay healthy, especially quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

23 (23)     Bengals  4-11-1

The success of the Bengals hangs on the shoulders of former Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer. First round tackle Andre Smith, once thought to potentially be the top pick in the draft, will give the Bengals a solid anchor on the offensive line. The Bengals have upgraded their defense with free agent Tank Johnson and draft picks Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson.

The character issues still persist in Cincinnati but if head coach Marvin Lewis can keep this team under control and Palmer can regain his once injury-free superstar form the Bengals can be a surprise team this season.

24 (24)     Broncos  8-8

The Broncos have been under the microscope all offseason. New head coach Josh McDaniels has all eyes on him in the locker room after trading away Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler for Kyle Orton and draft picks.

First-round pick Knowshon Moreno and free agent Correll Buckhalter will provide an immediate impact to a depleted running back position.

The defense struggled mightily last season but will benefit with the additions of first round pick Robert Ayers, and free agents Andra Davis and Brian Dawkins.

25 (25)     Jaguars  5-11

The Jaguars may have missed their chance to make a splash in the AFC but they have made some right moves on offense this offseason using their first two draft picks on tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton.

The Jags also added free agent tackle Tra Thomas as well as receiver Torry Holt while subtracting bust receivers Jerry Porter, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams. The Jaguars might not be a favorite to win the division so coach Jack Del Rio will have to do something to win some games this season.

26 (26)     Buccaneers  9-7

The Buccaneers will be in rebuilding mode in the 2009 season. First year head coach Raheem Morris will have his hands full with an aging defense that will attempt to learn a new system from the old Tampa Two.

Morris released long time fan favorites Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn and let other veterans walk. The drafting of quarterback Josh Freeman in the first round gives the Buccaneers a quarterback but Freeman won’t be ready to take hold of the reigns anytime soon.

27 (27)     Browns  4-12

Plain and simple the Browns are a mess. With new coach Eric Mangini bringing in a few of his former Jet players, the team still has many questions. The Browns failed to trade wide receiver Braylon Edwards and declined two first-round offers for quarterback Brady Quinn.

The additions of second round receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi should give the Browns a few more options especially if Donte Stallworth is lost for the season due to his legal issues. This team is not very good so Mangini will have his hands full.

28 (28)     49ers  7-9

49ers fans rejoiced when two-time Biletnikoff winner Michael Crabtree fell into their laps. Crabtree will give either starting quarterback, whether it be Alex Smith or Shaun Hill, a big play receiver week in and week out. 49er fans can’t be happier with the team promoting Mike Singletary to head coach.

The 49ers will sure play with more fire on defense under tackle extremist Patrick Willis. If Singletary has his players playing his style of football and the quarterback position is figured out, then this team might be able to surprise some teams.

29 (29)     Raiders  5-11

The Raiders make one smart offseason move by signing head coach Tom Cable, who is tough enough to keep this team in check but again the Raiders made people shake their heads by drafting wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7.

The Raiders can only hope that DHB will give quarterback JaMarcus Russell a go to receiver. The Raiders have a solid linebacker core anchored by middle linebacker Kirk Morrison. The Raiders can only hope the work ethic of JaMarcus Russell improves, otherwise this team stays at the bottom of the NFL for another year.

30 (30)     Chiefs  2-14

The Chiefs stole Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the Patriots for only a second round pick. The Chiefs drafted 3-4 defensive end Tyson Jackson a little high at No. 3 but new general manager Scott Pioli knows what he is doing from his days in New England.

Head coach Todd Haley will open up an offense that has been poor the past few seasons. Look for wide receiver Dwayne Bowe to have a big season with Matt Cassel throwing him the ball. Pioli and Haley will have this team playing at a very high level, just not this year.

31 (31)     Rams  2-14

The Rams are a team that will be rebuilding under new head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who will bring a tough aggressive style to the defense. The Rams made two key moves drafting tackle Jason Smith, to ease the departure of Orlando Pace, and drafting James Laurinaitis in the second round.

The Rams will be riding running back Steven Jackson for most of the season. This season will be much the same as last but if Marc Bulger can stay healthy, they may steal a few games.

32 (32)     Lions  0-16

Good news Detroit: The Lions will win more games than last year. The Lions have made the right moves this offseason.

The Matt Mullen era is over now it is time to rebuild. Head coach Jim Schwartz has much work to do this season and beyond. The Lions added linebackers Larry Foote and Julian Peterson to bring some leadership to the team.

The new $78 million face of the franchise Matthew Stafford should sit and learn this season and maybe even next. Schwartz and the Lions have their work cut out for them this season to say the least.

New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez

Upcoming Monday Night Schedule

Week 1 (Sept. 14) – Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (Game 1)
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (Game 2)

Week 2 (Sept. 21) – Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins

Week 3 (Sept. 28) – Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys

Week 4 (Oct. 5) – Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

Week 5 (Oct. 12) – New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Week 6 (Oct. 19) – Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers

Week 7 (Oct. 26) – Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

Week 8 (Nov. 2) – Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Week 9 (Nov. 9) – Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Week 10 (Nov. 16) – Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Week 11(Nov. 23) – Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

Week 12 (Nov. 30) – New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints

Week 13 (Dec. 7) – Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers

Week 14 (Dec. 14) – Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Week 15 (Dec. 21) – New York Giants at Washington Redskins

Week 16 (Dec. 28) – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears