ESPN.com's Power Rankings

[Dazedncnfz]

1. Tampa Bay Bucs
Optimistic: Core of Super Bowl team returns intact.
Pessimistic: There's nowhere to go but down. Warren Sapp's contract status could also be a distraction -- you know Warren won't keep quiet about it.

2. Raiders Optimistic: Team only seems to get better with age.
Pessimistic: Can Gannon, Rice and Brown continue last season's form?


3. Eagles Optimistic: They still have Donovan McNabb and he'll keep them near the top of the NFC.
Pessimistic: Hugh Douglas' production won't be replaced by a rookie or anyone else on their roster right now.


4. Steelers Optimistic: While Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland are improving, the Steelers are still the class of the AFC North.
Pessimistic: Anyone want to wager on Tommy Maddox having the same success in 2003 he had in 2002?


5. Titans Optimistic: Steve McNair just seems to win and 2003 should be no different.
Pessimistic: Eddie George isn't getting any younger -- 3.4 and 3.0 yards per carry the last two years is not good.


6. Patriots Optimistic: Offseason additions should improve defense.
Pessimistic: Running game is still a big question mark.


7. Falcons Optimistic: Two words: Michael Vick
Pessimistic: But can he follow up 2002 with a step forward?


8. Dolphins Optimistic: Ricky Williams was everything the Dolphins hoped for and should be just as good in 2003.
Pessimistic: Until the Dolphins find a way to win late in the season, who cares?


9. Packers Optimistic: Brett Favre is coming back, which is all Packers fans need to hear.
Pessimistic: Will talk of Favre's future be a distraction?


10. Saints Optimistic: With Deuce McAllister and Aaron Brooks, offense should continue to improve.
Pessimistic: They'll still find a way to stumble down the stretch.


11. Jets Optimistic: Chad Pennington emerged as a star last season and should continue to improve.
Pessimistic: But will his lack of arm strength catch up to him?


12. Chiefs Optimistic: If defense can improve a little, they'll be dangerous.
Pessimistic: Priest Holmes' health status sure doesn't sound good.


13. Colts Optimistic: With Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and a healthier Edgerrin James, Colts have offense to win.
Pessimistic: We're still waiting to see Manning win a playoff game.


14. 49ers Optimistic: Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens will keep the 49ers in contention.
Pessimistic: Tai Streets came on last year, but this team is still too reliant on Owens.

15t. Bills Optimistic: Offseason additions on defense should help one of the league's most porous defenses.
Pessimistic: Despite the improvements, they're still probably the No. 4 team in their division.


15t. Rams Optimistic: The Rams still have the talent and with improved health, should return to top form.
Pessimistic: Kurt Warner might never return to the level of an elite QB.


17. Broncos Optimistic: Mike Shanahan will turn Jake Plummer into an above-average NFL QB.
Pessimistic: Plummer is what he is and not even Shanahan can change that.


18. Giants Optimistic: Jeremy Shockey should continue to get better, meaning the whole offense will be better.
Pessimistic: Still not sure they have enough to stay with the Eagles.

19. Vikings Optimistic: Won last three games and enter 2003 believing they've turned a corner.
Pessimistic: Defense still doesn't look like a playoff-caliber unit.


20. Seahawks Optimistic: Matt Hasselbeck emerged as No. 1 QB and Koren Robinson emerged as No. 1 WR.
Pessimistic: Defense is still shaky and counting on Hasselbeck might be risky.


21. Browns Optimistic: After making the playoffs last season, 2003 should bring even better things.
Pessimistic: The Browns were lucky to make the playoffs last year and actually took a step back with offseason losses.


22t. Ravens Optimistic: With a healthy Ray Lewis expected back, defense should be better than average.
Pessimistic: It won't matter how good the defense is if the offense can't find the end zone.


22t. Redskins Optimistic: Offseason additions -- especially Laveranues Coles -- will make 'Skins better.
Pessimistic: Can second-year QB Patrick Ramsey avoid Steve Spurrier's quick hook.


24. Chargers Optimistic: Addition of David Boston gives Drew Brees much needed weapon.
Pessimistic: He might have been old, but the Chargers will miss Junior Seau.


25. Panthers Optimistic: Team took a big step forward in John Fox's first season.
Pessimistic: Despite some additions, offense will still struggle.


26t. Bears Optimistic: Anthony Thomas is apparently in great shape.
Pessimistic: Kordell Stewart is not the answer at QB in Chicago.


26t. Bengals Optimistic: Marvin Lewis has things on the right track.
Pessimistic: It's too easy to say, but Mike Brown is still in charge and they're still the Bengals.


28. Cowboys Optimistic: The day he walked in the door, Bill Parcells made the Cowboys a better team.
Pessimistic: They have three years to win, because that's about as long as Parcells will be around.


29. Jaguars Optimistic: Surprisingly active in free agency, Hugh Douglas and Mike Peterson will help on defense.
Pessimistic: Mark Brunell might not have enough left in the tank for another playoff run.


30. Lions Optimistic: Steve Mariucci should be good for at least a few wins.
Pessimistic: A two-game improvement would still make Detroit just 5-11.


31. Texans Optimistic: More weapons and experience should make David Carr happy.
Pessimistic: They're still going to struggle to score points.


32. Cardinals Optimistic: At least Emmitt Smith will sell more tickets.
Pessimistic: Losses of Jake Plummer and David Boston would be hard for a good team to overcome -- and this team wasn't good.

[Guttpuppy]

Good stuff DnC.I think KC is ranked a bit high while the Bolts and the Skins are a bit low...are the Jags really gonna be that bad?

[Slingblade]

i dont think the jags will be that bad either...if brunell does bad i think leftwich can come in and do great....i know...i know...but i really like leftwich

[hayesb26]

i think KC and the skins are rated about right, while jacksonville is a little low

[terpfan]

i agree with gp, the chargers, skins, and jags are way too low.

[Cowman]

Hi new here and checking out the site, so I don' t want to ruffle any feathers but....

My thinking is that the chargers are just about right, I think that they and the chiefs (who I think are rated way too high) will fight for last place in the west.

I think that Dallas and Washington will fight for last place in the East (both have unproven talent at running back and quarterback, although I think the Cowboys have a better D over all).

Jacksonville and Houston will wind up the cellar in the south.

And that the Jests are rated far too high, there are too many questions about their team, too many young players and were decimated in the off season. They and Buffalo will have a hard time perhaps in the AFC East.

just a thought...

[Homeless]

For my liking there are just way too many unanswered questions about certain players to be compiling any kind of power list at this point.

But its the off season, so any football read is a good one

[terpfan]

i agree on both points homey!

[Nero]

I don't think some of the teams even deserve to have an "optimistic" assessment...

[ScreamingWeasel]

NO WAY are the Oakland "Just Win, Baby" Raiders the #2 team in the NFL.
Al Davis alone drops them 3 spots!
I won't even get into the fact they the average Raider is 76 years old.

~Da Wease