The Colts are still the team to beat.
You can never learn anything if you don’t re-trace your steps.
That’s why, instead of merely assessing each team’s standing in the rankings for the final Power Rankings of the season, this writer is looking back to Week One, both to judge the teams that failed us, as well as the writer’s original thoughts on the team.
The original 2009 Week One NFL Power Rankings can be found here.
Take a look at where each team was, and then take a look at where they finished on the season.
1. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
They only lost because they sat their starters. They don’t drop from the top spot. Not a chance.
2. San Diego Chargers (13-3)
Make it 11 straight wins. Is it just me, or is this the 2008 Colts all over again?
3. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
The Vikings finished on a terrific note and showed that they impose their will on others on both sides of the ball when they’re clicking. The week off should do them some good.
4. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
They get Philly for the second straight week. Ouch. Good thing it’s at home.
5. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Three straight losses to end the season? Yikes. They’ll need every bit of that first round bye to remember what it was like to win a game.
6. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
They’re a hot team with seven wins in their last eight games. But do you think their inexperience will show against a Cardinals team that was in the Super Bowl last year? I do.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
There’s no denying their solid defense and explosive offense, but something isn’t right about this team. They can’t be too confident about going back to Dallas, the same place they just got shut-out of in Week 17.
8. New England Patriots (10-6)
Losing Wes Welker sums up this entire season. This team has either disappointed or simply been under-whelming all season long. Still, with Tom Brady and Randy Moss, you just can’t count them out.
9. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
Why do I get the feeling that Ken Wisenhunt didn’t try too hard against the Packers in Week 17?
10. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Is there even an inkling of a chance that the Jets blow them out of the water this week? Nah.
11. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
If you take a close look at every game they’ve played, this team could easily be 15-1 if things went a little bit differently. The Patriots should be at least a little afraid.
12. New York Jets (9-7)
Mark Sanchez endure a trying rookie season. Now it’s over. His second season starts in the playoffs, and we’re about to find out if he learned anything in those previous 17 weeks.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
It was a nice run, but as the old adage says: Too little, too late.
14. Houston Texans (9-7)
Congratulations to Gary Kubiak for getting Houston it’s first winning season, and to keeping his job. For now.
15. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
They closed out the season in strong fashion, reminding next year’s competition that if it weren’t for some injuries the fact that they faced the Saints twice, they could be in the playoffs.
16. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
Jon Fox and his staff are back for at least one more year after a strong finish. Just cross your fingers that he’s sticking with the impressive Matt Moore, and not Jake Delhomme.
17. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
After starting 0-6, reaching 8-8 is like getting to the Super Bowl. Vince Young has fought his way back to the top. Now let’s just see if he can hold on in 2010.
18. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
They finished the season strong, and know now that Alex Smith is their guy. Whether he can get them to the playoffs, however, is a whole different debate.
19. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
It’s never easy when you play in the AFC. Injuries and inconsistency killed Miami down the stretch, but they still showed they can play with just about anybody. They’ll be back in the hunt for their division next season.
20. Chicago Bears (7-9)
It was nice to see Jay Cutler and the offense play like they did in the past two weeks. Now, if he could only get some real weapons.
21. Denver Broncos (8-8)
Two four-game losing streaks shows how inconsistent this team really is. But don’t lay it all on Josh McDaniels. The rookie head coach turned a lot of heads with his strong philosophy.
22. New York Giants (8-8)
Tom Coughlin as to be on the hot-seat once again after a collapse like that.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
The Jags lose four straight to drop out of the playoff race, and Jack Del Rio gets his job? I’ve never seen a coach do so little to earn so much.
24. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
Perry Fewell and the rest of the coaching staff are gone. It’s time for a complete overhaul on the offensive side of the ball.
25. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Was a four game winning streak enough to save Eric Mangini’s job? It probably shouldn’t be. The addition of Mike Holmgren shows this team is finally serious about winning.
26. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
The big question mark continues to be at quarterback. Does Al Davis dare draft another passer in the first round?
27. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
They ended the season on a high-note with an impressive offensive performance. That Jamaal Charles is something special.
28. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)
Matt Hassebeck can’t get it done anymore. If this team wants to win in the next 2-3 years, they need to move in another direction at quarterback.
29. Washington Redskins (4-12)
Firing Jim Zorn was the right move. So was bringing in Mike Shanahan. Two good moves in a row for the Redskins? This is unheard of.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)
Raheem Morris was retained for good reason. He developed a young team into a competitive bunch, and turned a young quarterback into a solid performer. They’ll be better next season.
31. Detroit Lions (2-14)
They won two more game than they did last season. Getting that winning feeling was step one. Now it’s all about the development of Matthew Stafford.
32. St. Louis Rams (1-15)
They need a quarterback, badly. Steven Jackson can’t keep doing it on his own.
