Power Rankings: Optimism is great, but usual suspects in top 10

Updated July 28

Training camp is here, which means optimism is everywhere. Yes, even in places like Detroit and Oakland.

And of course, it means we're waiting to see if that Wrangler guy leaves the tractor to throw footballs again rather than texting with his favorite reporters.

Carson Palmer's return gives Cincy a chance to contend in the AFC North. (Getty Images)

July and August in the NFL are all about hopes and wishes and dreams, visions of that big silver trophy dancing in the heads of players and coaches and, yes, you the fans.

There isn't a player or coach in the league who won't tell you his team doesn't have a playoff chance, and they mean it. OK, some coaches know better and they'll lie like Michael Vick to the commissioner, but players truly believe it, even those who play for the Lions.

Why wouldn't they? Every year, we see teams that didn't make the playoffs the previous season come crashing into the postseason party, waving their invitation in the faces of those who were certain they would get one, only to be left waiting at the velvet ropes without one.

Even I'm optimistic at this time of the year, and, if you know me, that's as strange as hearing those rumors about Tony Romo and that Blame It On Rio girl -- or should I say "cougar" now.

Cue the cat noises to irritate Jessica Simpson.

With camps opening, it's time for our first "real" CBSSports.com Power Rankings of 2009. This batch has no looking-back data included. It's all forward thinking, which is why some of the slotting will drive you batty.

Take a look at the No. 13 and No. 17 spots. Those two teams are guaranteed to infuriate. You will cry that the Cincinnati Bengals in the No. 13 spot are way too high and the Minnesota Vikings in the No. 17 spot are way too low.

They're that way for a reason: Quarterback. The Bengals get theirs back in Carson Palmer, and when he's on the field he's a top-five passer. The Vikings don't have a top-15 passer, even if Brett Favre does decide to play.

Poll Which team should be No. 1?   20%  Patriots     41%  Steelers     10%  Eagles     5%  Colts     3%  Cardinals     21%  None of these teams     Total Votes: 41487

Vikings fans and coaches are pinning their hopes that Favre plays. They think he can back off a defense and let Adrian Peterson run wild. No more eight in the box. Did I miss something last year when Favre couldn't throw the ball down the field for the Jets? Who's he backing off?

The Patriots sit in the top spot because they have the deepest team with the best coach and they get Tom Brady back. That doesn't mean they're the Super pick yet. I will make that choice later in the summer, but you can bet they will get strong consideration.

The top 10 features all the usual suspects, which is why I'm a little nervous. There will be three or four teams that make it to the top 10 before the season ends that aren't there now. It happens every year.

Cincinnati could be one. So could Green Bay. Or Houston. Or Carolina. Or just about anybody.

That's the greatness of the NFL. The college season will be decided by a handful of teams. Pencil me in for Florida vs. Texas right now (have you seen their schedules?). But in the NFL, there are 20 teams that have Super chances, which is why there is so much optimism around the league in July and August.

Heck, I'm even Mr. Sunshine. Maybe that guy who sticks his ass in my face getting his luggage out of the overhead on my first flight of my training camp tour won't annoy me. Maybe that two-hour delay for mechanical reasons won't irritate me. Maybe getting lost driving through farmland to get to Terre Haute, Ind. -- have you played count the silos? -- won't get my blood boiling.

It's July, even a curmudgeon like myself can feel the wave of optimism. Of course, like the hope of some NFL teams, it's bound to fade by September.

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They should send Belichick a Christmas card. What a gift. They face a tough road game this week at Baltimore.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	They probably learned a valuable lesson against the Rams: Anybody can challenge you on any Sunday. They need to be careful when playing lesser teams.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	Get ready for the playoffs. The NFC North belongs to the Vikings. It's obvious nobody else in that division is in their class.
	4	Bengals · Trends	5
	You believe? You have to now. They've beaten both Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice. That's a statement right there.
	5	Patriots · Trends	4
	They are still in control of the AFC East, but don't lose this week against the Jets. Then it's another story.
	6	Steelers · Trends	6
	The champs have a wild-card look about them after being swept by the Bengals. That's OK. They won a Super Bowl a few years back taking that route.
	7	Cowboys · Trends	7
	Just when they start feeling good about the way they're playing, they go and lay an egg in Green Bay. Who was that in Tony Romo's jersey?
	8	Broncos · Trends	8
	It's amazing how quickly their season has turned around. Now they play the Chargers with a gimpy Kyle Orton and first place on the line.
	9	Chargers · Trends	12
	They have a chance to take over first place in the AFC West this week if they can win at Denver. That's hard to believe after their start.
	10	Cardinals · Trends	10
	The division title is theirs unless they have a disaster. Now they have to work on playing better at home because they will have a home playoff game.
	11	Eagles · Trends	9
	They might want to stay away from the West Coast. That is two bad games out there after losing to the Chargers on Sunday. Was that their defense we saw against San Diego?
	12	Giants · Trends	13
	They come off the bye with a huge game against Atlanta, trying to end a four-game losing streak. Did they dispose of the bad karma during the break? If not, they'll be watching come playoff time.
	13	Texans · Trends	14
	They come off their bye with a chance to earn their first playoff berth with a good second half. The key will be how well they play on defense.
	14	Falcons · Trends	11
	With Michael Turner down with an ankle sprain, it's time Matt Ryan truly takes over the offense. He has been struggling, and that has to stop.
	15	Ravens · Trends	15
	They have a huge game with Indianapolis this week. I can tell the Ravens defense this: The Colts offense doesn't look anything like the Browns' unit.
	16	Jaguars · Trends	17
	Don't look now, but they really are in the playoff hunt. The schedule is really soft, which will help their chances.
	17	Packers · Trends	18
	They will look back on that loss to Tampa Bay in Week 9 the rest of the season. How did it happen? They still have major issues on their offensive line.
	18	Jets · Trends	16
	If they don't win this week at New England, which won't be easy, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye. Were they overrated at 3-0? Yes.
	19	Panthers · Trends	21
	They have life. They've done a nice job of turning things around. Now they have to do it without Jordan Gross, which won't be easy.
	20	Bears · Trends	19
	You have to start to wonder about Jay Cutler. He's trying to do too much. Where's Matt Forte? They are a playoff long shot now.
	21	Dolphins · Trends	20
	Chad Henne time is here. His game-winning drive was impressive. Now they have a quick turnaround against Carolina.
	22	Titans · Trends	24
	Don't look now, but Vince Young is 3-0. Can they make a run? Is it possible?
	23	49ers · Trends	25
	Moral of their season: If you can't throw it consistently, you can't win. Alex Smith had a regress game against the Bears.
	24	Seahawks · Trends	22
	Their disappointing season gets worse every week. They will not be a playoff team with the injuries they've had. Bad first year for Jim Mora Jr.
	25	Bills · Trends	23
	Dick Jauron is gone. The Bills aren't playing very well and now must go to Jacksonville.
	26	Chiefs · Trends	27
	OK, so it came against the Raiders. But winning on the road is big for this young team. Jamaal Charles might be the real deal at running back.
	27	Redskins · Trends	28
	They have life. The Redskins won a game, but does that matter for coach Jim Zorn? Not really.
	28	Raiders · Trends	26
	Tom Cable should be looking for a realtor. There is no way he comes back next season. When does somebody fire Al Davis?
	29	Rams · Trends	29
	Steve Spagnuolo has to feel good about his team's effort. They are getting better. Just ask the Saints.
	30	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	They have to be thrilled with the way they are playing with Josh Freeman at quarterback. That bodes well for the future. Now it's time to fix the defense.
	31	Lions · Trends	31
	They picked Matthew Stafford last spring to help fix the offense. Now they are another team that needs to fix its defense next spring. Good news: The Browns are coming to Detroit.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	That offense is as bad as I've seen. I mean ever. They can't even attempt passes down the field. What an eyesore.