It’s that time again. The NFL season is just around the corner; no really, it starts tomorrow night. So what better way to kick things off than the Clan’s own power rankings of all 32 teams in the league? This is going to probably change quite a bit after Week One as teams win some close games and lose some that they had no business dropping. But until the games are played, why not take a look at an early ranking of the league’s best and worst?


PRE-SEASON POWER RANKINGS

1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions and are finally getting healthy. It’s going to be tough to knock them off the top spot.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers
I like Mendenhall’s chances of putting up big numbers this year, Mike Wallace has officially emerged, and the defense is always a strong force to be reckoned with.

3. New Orleans Saints
The addition of some new blood in the backfield and tight end, combined with improvements along the defensive line, will make New Orleans one of the top teams in the league.

4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were criticized for trading so much for Julio Jones, but he appears poised to help take their offense to the next level. The additions of Ray Edwards and Dunta Robinson should be key as well.

5. New England Patriots
It’s hard to ever count out the Patriots, but I’m not as high as some are on them this year. While I think they’ll score point, I worry about aspects of their linebacker and DB units.

6. Philadelphia Eagles
The “Dream Team” is certainly full of talent, but not without flaws. Still, if you’re a team with offensive line weaknesses, then having Michael Vick as your quarterback is probably a best case scenario.

7. Baltimore Ravens
I like the additions of Lee Evans and Torrey Smith to the offense, and Ray Rice is a stud. However, how long before the age starts to show in areas of that defense?

8. New York Jets
The Jets are still one of the top teams in the AFC, but I don’t know that they’ve made enough improvements to finish any better than they did last season.

9. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo is back and Dez Bryant has a year under his belt. If the offensive line hold up, then Dallas should be contending for a playoff spot.

10. Houston Texans
The Texans are dangerous on offense, and have added some talent on defense (Joseph, Watt, Manning). If they’re ever going to overtake the Colts, this is the year.

11. Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler can’t have another 50+ sack season, but the Bears have done little to improve the talent around him. The Bears could be vulnerable this year after an impressive 2010 campaign.

12. Indianapolis Colts
Can the Colts win without Peyton? That’s going to be the question, and I’m not sure Kerry Collins is going to be able to get it done despite some of the talent he has to work with.

13. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers aren’t short on talent, but simply don’t seem as if they’ll ever put it together. It’s hard to count out a team with one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks, though.

14. St. Louis Rams
Underrated offseason acquisitions across the roster should help propel the Rams to the top of the NFC West and into the playoff picture in 2011.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa is moving in the right direction. They have a quarterback and have skill position players around him. The devotion to their defensive line could pay dividends.

16. New York Giants
The questions in the secondary prevent me from ranking this team higher, but Eli has weapons around him and the New York pass rush should be deadly on Sundays.

17. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City hasn’t looked particularly sharp this preseason and may find themselves yielding the AFC West title this season.

18. Detroit Lions
If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, Detroit should give people problems on Sundays. Their defensive line is downright scary, but their backfield leaves something to be desired.

19. Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Kolb is a bit of a question mark, but he’s the Cardinals’ best option at quarterback since Kurt Warner. As long as he can heave the ball to Fitz, they’ll threaten.

20. Denver Broncos
I’m intrigued by what the Broncos are doing, with a two-back running attack and a shift to the 4-3 scheme. It could blow up in their faces, but I think they’ll pull off some surprise wins.

21. Tennessee Titans
Aside from Chris Johnson’s return, there’s not a lot to be optimistic about in Tennessee. Defensive improvements should keep them in games, but can Hasselbeck lead them to victory?

22. Cleveland Browns
I like what Pat Shurmur is doing in Cleveland, and I think Colt McCoy is an ideal fit for his offense. The Browns may have some trouble transitioning to the 4-3 this season, though.

23. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are just about in rebuilding mode as they groom Christian Ponder to be their guy. But with Adrian Peterson and some players on defense, don’t count Minnesota out completely.

24. Miami Dolphins
I don’t have much faith in a team that thinks Reggie Bush can be an every-down ‘back. The lack of a solid quarterback hurts the Dolphins’ chances as well.

25. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are assembling some pieces, but not enough in my opinion to contend in their division. Questions remain at quarterback and along the offensive line.

26. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo won four games last year, and I’m not sure they’re going to win many more this time around. They have some potential on defense, however.

27. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are a mess, and it starts at quarterback. Don’t be surprised if they’re in the market for a new signal caller after Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst fail to impress.

28. Washington Redskins
Speaking of teams with quarterback problems, Sexy Rex Grossman as a starter? Defensive improvements are nice, but I doubt Washington escapes the bottom of the NFC East.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars
With David Garrard gone, the Jags will bide their time with Luke McCown until Blaine Gabbertt is ready to take over. Consider this a rebuilding year, and pity Maurice Jones-Drew.

30. San Francisco *****
First-year head coach Jim Harbaugh has his work cut out for him, especially with the quarterbacks he has on the roster. The defense could contend, but Alex Smith will continue to bring this team down.

31. Carolina Panthers
The only reason Carolina isn’t my last-ranked team is because they devoted big money to keeping their impact free agents, and I like the addition of Greg Olsen in an offense that makes heavy use of the tight end.

32. Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton hasn’t been very impressive, which means it’ll be hard for A.J. Green to emerge. Cincy’s defensive backfield is weaker, so expect a rough year ahead.