If you live in the Chicago area like me and your baseball teams have long fallen out of contention, the start of NFL season can’t come quick enough. Fortunately, many NFL training camps are set to open in late July and early August. While a majority of teams have lots of roster questions that need to be answered, many teams are clearly in the running to compete for a Super Bowl, while others will likely be in rebuilding mode.
With that in mind we thought it would be appropriate to break down the top NFL football teams heading into the preseason. Although a lot can happen (e.g. injuries) between now and the start of the season, below are the teams ranked in order of likelyhood to win Super Bowl XLVIII.
1). San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers nearly won the Super Bowl last year behind 1st year starting QB Colin Kaepernick. All they did to up their chances was load up on draft picks and sign Ed Reed. The 9ers have to be the favorite heading into the 2013 season.
2). Denver Broncos
The Broncos are clearly the class of the AFC. The stout Denver defense coupled with the addition of Wes Welker and another year of Peyton Manning should make this team scary good.
3). Seattle Seahawks
I wasn’t much of a believer in the Seattle Seahawks heading into last season but Pete Carrol has certainly turned around the franchise with the help of Russell Wilson. Should the Niners suffer a significant injury or falter in anyway expect the Seahawks to be right there with them.
4). Green Bay Packers
You can never count out any team that has all world quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The NFC is going to be tough this year but the GB Packers should more than be able to hold their own against elite competition- especially if top draft pick Eddie Lacy pans out.
5). Atlanta Falcons
Call me a doubter of the Atlanta Falcons but I really don’t feel they deserve a spot in the top 5. They do have a high power offense but their defense needs to improve if they are going to go anywhere in the playoffs.
6). Houston Texans
The Texans really came on last year in large part due to the emergence of defensive lineman JJ Watt. This young team is certainly on the upswing but still may be a year or two away from getting that ring!
7). New England Patriots
The Patriots have been the model of consistency over the past decade or so. As long as Tom Brady is running the show you cannot count out the Pats. It will be interesting to see what is in the plans for the newly signed Tim Tebow.
8). Baltimore Ravens
Although the Ravens are the defending Super Bowl Champs, it hard to see the repeating after losing key defensive players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Anquan Bolden also bolted for San Francisco. Regardless, the Ravens still have Joe Flaco and
9). Indianapolis Colts
Many thought the Colts were in for a long rebuilding process after parting ways with Peyton Manning. That proved not to be the case as quarterback Andrew Luck led them into immediate playoff contention. If Luck continues to progress this team could be scary!
10). Chicago Bears
Call me a homer but I like what I see out of new head coach Marc Trestman. The Bears have never had much of an offense in my lifetime and I am starting to believe things can be different for the Monsters of the Midway.
The best of the rest…
11). New Orleans Saints
12). Washington Redskins
13). New York Giants
14). Cincinnati Bengals
15). Minnesota Vikings
16). Miami Dolphins
17). St. Louis Rams
18). Pittsburgh Steelers
19). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20). Dallas Cowboys
21). Carolina Panthers
22). Kansas City Chiefs
23). Detroit Lions
24). San Diego Chargers
25). Philadelphia Eagles
26). Tennessee Titans
27). Cleveland Browns
28). Oakland Raiders
29). New York Jets
30). Arizona Cardinals
31). Buffalo Bills
32). Jacksonville Jaguars
