It's back -- The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll: Week 1

[Spence]

01. Green Bay Packers [15-1]: The defense should improve some, but it is Aaron Rodgers who will put the Packers back into Super Bowl contention.

02. New England Patriots [13-3]: As if Tom Brady didn’t have enough weapons, now he can throw to Brandon Lloyd.

03. New York Giants [9-7]: Offensive line and defensive back 7 are still problems, but Eli, great wideouts and the best D-line in football will keep the G-men near the top.

04. Baltimore Ravens [12-4]: As good a bet as any to win the Super Bowl now that Billy Cundiff isn’t around to do Bill Belichick any favors.

05. New Orleans Saints [13-3]: They’ll be better on defense without Gregg Williams and Jonathon Vilma and Drew Brees will still throw for 5500 yards.

READ IT ALL!

[ISF]

If San Fran duplicates their D and TO margin, they are a top 5 team.

[SkinsGuru]

also, until the Saints prove that the distractions don't effect them and the personnel on defense can pick up the new scheme and play it at a high level i cannot put the Saints in the top 5 . . . top 10 MAYBE

[BamaSkins]

Guess the Giants are going to be going backwards. i had them around 7.

[SkinsGuru]

Guess the Giants are going to be going backwards. i had them around 7.

are the Giants really that good?? were they last year even?? i think they got on a roll and were playing great in the playoffs, but they barely made them in the first place . . . i would not be surprised in the least bit if they didn't this year . . .

[ISF]

also, until the Saints prove that the distractions don't effect them and the personnel on defense can pick up the new scheme and play it at a high level i cannot put the Saints in the top 5 . . . top 10 MAYBE

New Orleans management would have a huge bargaining chip come contract time if the team does well and makes the playoffs without Payton. And vice versa I suppose.

[SkinsGuru]

New Orleans management would have a huge bargaining chip come contract time if the team does well and makes the playoffs without Payton. And vice versa I suppose.

If the team doesn't miss a beat without Payton, he will be worried . . . if they struggle, he will have all the leverage in the world!!

[Spence]

If San Fran duplicates their D and TO margin, they are a top 5 team.

I agree, I just don't think they can, at least when it comes to turnovers. The Niners got every bounce last year and won every close game. That stuff balances out over time.

[ISF]

Especially if Carlos Rogers returns to earth and his norm 1-2 INT's.

[Spence]

are the Giants really that good?? were they last year even?? i think they got on a roll and were playing great in the playoffs, but they barely made them in the first place . . . i would not be surprised in the least bit if they didn't this year . . .

Question is: Will the 2012 Giants look like the Giants of last year's playoffs or of last September thru the first half of December? I thought they'd be the former, but they looked more like the latter against the Cowboys on Wednesday night. To be fair, though, pretty much everyone predicted the Giants to win that game at home. Troubling loss for them.