NFL 2012 SEASON

[Duchess]

The first preseason game is less than a month away now. I have just released preseason power rankings. I'll post the top ten.




RANK 1

PACKERS

After giving up the most yards in the NFL in 2011, the Packers drafted for defense in April, spending their first six picks on that side of the ball. Green Bay's moving its top pass rusher, outside linebacker Clay Matthews, to the right side, with rookie Nick Perry manning his old spot on the left. Perry possesses speed, quickness and competitiveness -- three characteristics that equal success for pass rushers. On offense, left tackle is still a question mark. Marshall Newhouse, who allowed a team-high 11 ¹⁄₂ sacks last season, begins the season protecting Aaron Rodgers' blind side.



RANK 2

PATRIOTS

The Patriots most likely will be favored in all 16 of their regular season games. Like the Packers, though, left tackle is an area of concern. With Matt Light's retirement, Nate Solder will take over on the left side in his second NFL season. And also like the Pack, New England also spent its first six draft picks on defense. After all, the Pats are coming off a season in which they ranked 31^st in total defense. But as long as you have Brady and Belichick, you can't be too worried.



RANK 3

EAGLES

The Eagles need to keep quarterback Michael Vick healthy, and that's why the loss of All-Pro LT Jason Peters really hurts. Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon twice this offseason, essentially ending his 2012 campaign before it began. The team did well picking up Demetress Bell to fill in, though. Bell's certainly not Peters, but he's a capable replacement. Philadelphia boasts a very talented offense, but the defense only played well in spots last season.



RANK 4

49ERS

An outstanding defense returns almost entirely intact for the 49ers, who will be challenged early, with three of their first four games on the road. Can Randy Moss provide a boost to last year's 29^th-ranked pass offense? Moss has more explosion plays -- 167 plays of 25 yards or more -- than any other wide receiver in NFL history. But will he still be able to stretch the field at age 35, after spending last year on the couch?



RANK 5

TEXANS

After being sidelined in November with a Lisfranc injury, can Matt Schaub play 16 games? The Texans have a very good running game, with two running backs (Arian Foster and Ben Tate) capable of 1,000-plus yards. But Houston must replace two starters from last year's offensive line (Mike Brisiel and Eric Winston). Once again, the defense should be very good, despite Mario Williams' departure in free agency. The Texans have a bunch of talented young defenders, and everyone will get better in Year 2 of Wade Phillips' 3-4 system.



RANK 6

GIANTS

As mentioned above, the Giants face a daunting task in repeating as Super Bowl champions. Having a gifted quarterback in Eli Manning eases some of the pressure, not to mention an outstanding head coach in Tom Coughlin and that game-changing defensive line. Running back Brandon Jacobs and receiver Mario Manningham are the two biggest losses, but all the other key stars are back.



RANK 7

SAINTS

Obviously, this is entirely predicated on Drew Brees being behind center. Without him, this team is almost unrecognizable. That being said, I was extremely impressed with the Saints' focus during the practices I attended last week. This group's doing a remarkable job of handling a traumatic offseason. (For my entire behind-the-scenes look, click here.) The Saints boast one of the NFL's young stars of the future in tight end Jimmy Graham and a huge matchup problem in running back Darren Sproles. The defense must be better than it was in 2011, though, and I think it will. It's a more sound approach under Steve Spagnuolo -- no more reckless blitzing like under Gregg Williams. One player who could break out: second-year hybrid defender Martez Wilson.



RANK 8

RAVENS

The Ravens came just one play away from Super Bowl XLVI, but the loss of outside linebacker Terrell Suggs to an Achilles' tendon tear really hurts. Is this the season Ray Lewis and/or Ed Reed finally hit the wall? With all these questions on defense, the Ravens' offensive backfield of Joe Flacco and Ray Rice will be the key to this team's success in 2012.



RANK 9

STEELERS

The Steelers had a good draft, highlighted by two projected starters in offensive guard David DeCastro and offensive tackle Mike Adams. Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace are excellent receivers, but new offensive coordinator Todd Haley will try to establish the run more than Bruce Arians did last year. Running back Isaac Redman looks like one of those hidden gems -- nobody knows where he came from or how he got there, but he's ready for this challenge of starting in place of the injured Rashard Mendenhall.



RANK 10

LIONS

Jim Schwartz is one of the top young coaches in the NFL today. His Lions boast a top young QB in Matthew Stafford and the premium receiver in the game, Calvin Johnson. But Detroit needs a better running game to maximize its aerial attack. Can the defense hold up over the course over the season? The secondary's a big concern, but the Lions' talent up front can cover up a lot of issues, especially if Nick Fairley starts to play up to his potential in Year 2.