First I want to apologize for the delay in these ... my first officialNFL Power Rankings for the 2011 season, which begins tonight in GreenBay.I've included expanded commentary for my Top 15 teams, then went into ahurry-up for the rest. Anyway, here they ... please feel free to contactwith to discuss/debate/argue, whatever.1. Green Bay Packers: You’re the King until someone dethronesyou. They bring back the NFL’s best quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and topdefensive star, Clay Matthews — and get freak tight end JermichaelFinley back. It’s tough to repeat in this league, but the Packers’stability will carry them far in this shortened season.2. NewEngland Patriots: Tom Brady and Co. will score a ton of points.That’s the easy part. If Bill Belichick can unlock Albert Haynesworth’senormous potential, the Pats could be hoisting their first Lombardisince 2004.3. Atlanta Falcons: The most talented team ON PAPER.Atlanta upgraded its pass-rush, offensive line and drafted a shiny newtoy (Julio Jones) for Matt Ryan to play with. Now, Ryan must prove hecan win a playoff game.4. San Diego Chargers: Philip Riverslooked like a MVP candidate in the preseason, with the attitude tomatch. With better special teams play, the Bolts — ranked No. 1 inoverall offense and defense in 2010 — are legit.5. PittsburghSteelers: They did little to address a secondary that got torched inthe Super Bowl. Still, they return 20 of 22 starters from a team thatcame up one drive short of another title. 6. N.Y. Jets: RexRyan guaranteed a Super Bowl victory at the NFL combine. Love or hateRyan’s bravado, guys like playing for him and his teams always contend.This year will be no different. It’s on Mark Sanchez to take the nextstep.7. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Vick and the Dream Team.That spells championship, right? Maybe. But the Eagles have six new starters on defense, a new coaching staff, and an untestedO-line. They’ll be good, but it’s going to take time to gel. 8. New Orleans Saints: Even with Drew Brees chucking a career-worst 22interceptions, Who Dat Nation was still dangerous last season. With theaddition of thunder-and-lightning duo Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram,watch out.9. Houston Texans: We’re buying the hype andpicking the Texans to make the postseason for the first time infranchise history. Their offense is straight out of Tecmo Bowl. Buy inearly.10. Baltimore Ravens: With Ed Reed, Ray Lewis andTerrell Suggs leading the defensive huddle, expect 10 wins. Thechallenge will be on the other side, where Joe Flacco and aninconsistent line need to grow up in a hurry.11. DetroitLions: Matthew Stafford sure looks sexy with his shirt off, doesn’t he?If the Lions oft-injured QB can keep his shirt on for a full 16-gameslate, Detroit will be the feel-good story of the year.12.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs’ young triplets — Josh Freeman,LeGarrette Blount, Mike Williams — are stars in the making. We’re justconfused why a team with a reported $29 million in cap space didn’tupgrade on defense.13. Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones cut thefat and now gives offensive-minded coach Jason Garrett a full season towork his magic. And he’s got plenty of magic wands, from Felix Jones toDez Bryant.14. New York Giants: Eli Manning thinks he’s a Top5 quarterback. Time to prove it. Manning and the G-Men will find out alot about themselves early, with three road games in the first fourweeks.15. Indianapolis Colts: As Peyton Manning goes, so dothe Colts — and right now Manning is the biggest question mark in theNFL. Even if the all-world quarterback is healthy enough to play closeto a full slate, we think the window is closed.16. Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Cassel is what we thought he was: an average quarterback with some nice weapons. The Chiefs take a step back.17. Chicago Bears: Before an bum knee forced Jay Cutler to remove himself from the team's playoff loss, the QB was sacked a league-worst 52 times — and his line might be worse this season.18. Cleveland Browns: They have a smart coach (Pat Shurmur) who loves grooming young quarterbacks (Colt McCoy). And Peyton Hillis makes some mean cookies.19. St. Louis Rams: They slightly improved Sam Bradford's supporting cast by adding speedy receiver Mike Sims-Walker. That should be enough to win the NFC West.20. Washington Redskins: Ranking a team with Rex Grossman this high is criminal, right? But the Skins boast an improved offensive line, and will pound the ball in Year 2 of Mike Shanahan's regime.21. Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson is happy and on the books through 2016. While Matt Hasselbeck provides leadership under center, we just don't trust this team without Jeff Fisher on the sidelines.22. Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall appear to be on same page — and that could lead to some fireworks in South Beach.23. Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll's winning attitude is infectious. If he can turn Tavaris Jackson into a legitimate NFL QB, then find him a running mate for 2016.24. Arizona Cardinals: You're going to hear one of two things this season: Either Kevin Kolb to Larry Fitzgerald for the touchdown, or Kolb's pass picked off, intended for Fitzgerald.25. Oakland Raiders: After losing their best player (Nnamdi Asomugha), the Raiders revert to their old ways. The Terrelle Pryor era could start by Week 12.26. Denver Broncos: The Broncos will have an improved defense under new coach John Fox, but the offense will struggle with Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow — maybe even with Jesus Christ himself.27. Minnesota Vikings: Too many question marks to even mention. Even their new stadium isn't a done deal, despite the cry from their new signal-caller to name it, "The House That Donovan Built."28. San Francisco 49ers: The Niners should just tank the entire season and earn the No. 1 pick, so they can re-unite new coach Jim Harbaugh with Andrew Luck.29. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton and AJ Green could prove a dangerous tandem — for another head coach. Marvin Lewis can't possibly last the whole season, can he?30. Jacksonville Jaguars: Two days ago, I had the Jags ranked seven spots higher and possibly competing (kind of) in a weak AFC South. Two days ago, they still had David Garrard.31. Buffalo Bills:
