Rick McGlothlin, Drafttek.com Senior Writer

Well, it’s finally time for the new season to get underway - just mere hours away from another NFL season. 2009 should be a wild one with chances for several nail-biting division races. While teams make last-second adjustments (like canning some more offensive coordinators maybe?) the odds-makers, fantasy owners and every other football fan begin to settle in to watch the drama unfold. As we begin anew, you’ll notice there are a few new faces in the top ten of Mac’s Power Rankings to begin the ‘09 season.

1. Pittsburgh – The Champs stay at the top and look to remaing strong in trying to defend their title. Their biggest concern will be staying ahead of the Ravens, who will battle them for the AFC North title.

2. Philadelphia – The Keystone state has two teams heading up the season opener of Mac’s Power Rankings, but injuries could cause the Eagles to fall off a bit in the early part of the season. However, with Michael Vick and rookie wideout Jeremy Maclin giving the offense more firepower, the Eagles might not have to ride their defense (or conservative playbook) all season long.

3. San Diego – If the Chargers are going to do it, then this will be the year. It MUST be the year. Rivers has a new contract. His receivers aren’t household names but they’ve improved significantly. They’re almost a complete lock for AFC West division champs and should get a top seed into the playoffs, which means they’ll be at home until at least the AFC Championship game. However, if LT doesn’t return to form, receivers fail to take it to the next level and the defense doesn’t lock it down like they did prior to the Merriman injury, look for things to get a little ragged.

4. Baltimore – With a solid running game, consistent play at QB and still one of the best defenses in the league, the Ravens have a chance to play the spoiler in the hopes for a Steeler repeat. Or a Charger Super Bowl berth. If Joe Flacco can maintain his consistency and improve a little more, the Ravens offense can keep the chains moving and let the defense do what it does best: grind down opponents. Big question is: “Will the Ravens D have lost too muchanything with the departure of Bart Scott and former coach Rex Ryan.” Keep a close eye on their first 6 games, as they have 3 against top teams (San Diego, New England and Minnesota in weeks 2, 4 & 6) and 3 against what should be fairly easy “W’s” ( KC, Cleveland and the Bengals)….but we all know “easy W’s” don’t really exist in the NFL.

5. Minnesota – With the addition of Brett Favre, the Vikings are a complete team. Now some will say that Brett isn’t the top caliber QB he once was but that’s really not the point. He can add stability and veteran savvy to the offense and allow the tandem running threat carry the load. Favre can still occassionally fire the deep ball to keep defenses from stacking the box against AP. All Minnesota has to do is take care of business in the NFC North and they will be two or three wins away from a Super Bowl visit. The Vikes start off the year against Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco, so this will give them time to get a tempo going on offense. Weeks 6, 7 and 8 will be a good litmus test as they face Baltimore before going on the road to Pittsburgh and then Brett’s return to Lambeau Field. This team is set – right now.

6. New England – I hesitate a bit putting the Pats up this high early on for two reasons. One: the overall health of Tom Brady coming off a year sitting out of the league and his recent shoulder crunching (compliments of Albert Haynesworth). Two: the New England secondary. Add to that veteran leaders like Bruschi and Vrabel being gone and it will be interesting to see how well the defense gels. Make no mistake, with a healthy Brady and the dangerous Randy Moss, points won’t be a problem…..unless the Patriot defense can’t keep the other side from scoring them.

7. Indianapolis – For Indy to have an impact this season they will need to keep away from the injury bug, but more importantly hope two things occur: Solid running game and stop the run. For that to happen, the newcomers must contribute. Marvin Harrison is gone and Anthony Gonzales teams up with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark as Peyton Manning’s main weapons. But will those be enough? After those three the depth is questionable at TE and WR. Questions also still linger about the running game and Joseph Addai. While the Colts added rookie Donald Brown, Indy still doesn’t know if that will be the tandem that works to move the chains. Meanwhile, the defense got bigger up front but it still remains to be seen if they can get off the field or continue allowing 3rd down conversions. If they can get better stopping opponents on 3rd down, they’ll be in the hunt for the Super Bowl. If not, they’ll have another quick playoff exit.

8. Tennessee – Starting off 2009 I have the Titans right behind their divsional arch-rival mainly due to the loss of Albert Haynesworth. He helped the Titans defense give Peyton Manning and the Colt OLine fits. If Tennessee can’t continue to do that without Big Al, they won’t stop Indy. But the Titans are still a solid football team and have one of the best running back tandems in the league. While the loss of Haynesworth hurts, the defense is still going to be tough and should keep the team within striking distance in most games. The secondary has come on in the last two seasons and if they can still get some pressure on the pocket, it will continue to help the secondary pick off some errant passes.

9. New York Giants – With the loss of Plaxico Burress the Giants have a void in the passing game. That means defenses, especially NFC East defenses, can load up the box and try to stuff the run. It will be interesting to see if rookie wideouts Hakim Nicks and Ramses Barden break out enough to help to take the pressure off Eli Manning and the running game. Otherwise, it could be a long, long year for the offense. Defensively the Giants should still be a force and keep the team in the division title chase, but the offense will be the key to post-season success.

10. Atlanta – So the rookie season of Matt Ryan turned out to be a little bit better than expected. And that’s like saying we think Twitter did fairly well after its inception. Well, we’ll see if the Dirty Birds can meet expectations and get back to the playoffs in year two for both Ryan and head coach Mike Smith. If the Falcons can continue to run the ball behind Turner and Norwood, while getting the same heady play from Ryan, the offense should be able to keep putting points on the board. It’s the Atlanta defense that has folks concerned. Especially the secondary. While the Falcons need to generate a better pass rush, I wonder what happens if they find one with that leaky secondary! Yikes. Fortunately Atlanta opens the season against Detroit and St. Louis, although both are road games. If they don’t start out 2-0 then things will get interesting in a hurry, as they come back for their home opener in week 3 against San Diego and week 4 against the Ravens.

Quick glance at the rest:

11. New Orleans – The Saints go to the Super Bowl IF running game can keep defenses from keying on passing game.
12. Miami – If the Pats falter in any manner, the Dolphins are poised to snatch the division with their young club.
13. Dallas – It’s all up to Romo now that T.O. was banished to Buffalo. Can he lead the ‘Boys to the Super Bowl?
14. Chicago – Cutler is a rocket arm, but who is the target? If defense is strong they can battle for playoff position.
15. Arizona – Can Warner and the Cards duplicate a phenomenal year? The running game will decide.
16. Carolina – If Delhomme can regain his pizazz, the Panthers could spring a surprise inside the NFC South.
17. Houston – The defense is still extremely suspect against the run. Offense will keep them in games, but how long?
18. Washington – Sleeper team of the 2009 season. With Big Al wreaking havoc, pressure might be off Campbell.
19. Green Bay – Key: Packer D not imploding while switching over to the 3-4 scheme. The offense will be just fine.
20. N.Y. Jets – Young team that could cause division headaches, but rookie QB’s rarely get team to the playoffs.
21. Jacksonville - A future-deciding season for Jack del Rio. If the Jags tank again he may be unemployed.
22. Seattle – Can Matt Hasslebeck and the offense reignite? Is there enough of an Edge? Can the D be the difference?
23. Buffalo – Dumping OC after pre-season isn’t the most optimistic of signs. Could it be a stroke of genius?
24. San Francisco – Pre-season is over and now the Niners look at two straight division games to open the season.
25. Cincinnati – All eyes are focused on Carson Palmer as the offense will need to carry the load for this team.
26. Tampa Bay – The running game and consistency at QB will keep Bucs in most games, but it will be a rough year.
27. Oakland – Thanks to the mess in the Mile High city, the Raiders might actually have a chance for second place.
28. Denver – Well now, wasn’t that an interesting off-season for the new headcoach in Denver.
29. Cleveland – No matter who the QB is, the Browns don’t have a prayer with that defense in the AFC North.
30. Kansas City – Don’t look for the Chiefs to be this far down for very long. The turnaround has begun already.
31. St. Louis – Nowhere to go but up for the Rams, but it’ll still take about 2 more set of draftpicks to complete.
32. Detroit – Winless all last year, the first five weeks of this season don’t bode well for snapping that streak.