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NFL Power Rankings: Pre-training camp edition

By Lyle Graversen

Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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11. San Diego Chargers

I’m a confessed KC Chiefs fan, and I REALLY wanted to put KC ahead of the Chargers here. In the end, I can make 1000 excuses as to why SD swept KC last season and why SD won a playoff game and KC didn’t, but the bottom line is that if KC wants to be seen as better than SD they have to prove it on the field. If the Chargers can get another season from Phillip Rivers like they did last season and the defense makes even a small improvement they will be a strong playoff contender in the AFC.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

I’m a big Chip Kelly fan. I think he has a chance to be a Gregg Popovich type coach in the NFL in that he demands and pushes his players towards excellence but he has to have a team of players that can handle the stress and pressure of a coach like that. That’s why I was fine with them trading away DeSean Jackson. For Kelly’s style to work he can’t have star players that are questioning what he wants to do. In terms of replacing Jackson’s production, I think the additions of Darren Sproles and Jordan Matthews will help fill that void.

9. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were the hardest team for me to rank on these NFL Power Rankings. They were a legit top five team last season and if you’re a Carolina fan reading this and feel they deserve to be ranked that high again, I wouldn’t tell you that you’re crazy. If you told me that you think that the loses at WR and on the OL will lead to a regression and they’ll miss the playoffs this year I wouldn’t tell you that you’re crazy either. I still think they’re a top ten team, but if the Saints win the division this year they’ll be in a dog fight for the wildcard spots with teams like the 49ers and Bears.

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