Foto-Album » after losing its opener to Georgia but this win c

A lot has happened this NFL offseason. Just ask Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.Exiting the NFL draft and entering the early May Power Rankings, the Patriots were the No. 1 team. Then, in mid-July, Brady ended his fight against the NFL and accepted his four-game suspension. Enter Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback for four games, and exit the Patriots as the No. 1 team in ESPNs Preseason Power Rankings.Heres how ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) voted in the preseason version of the Power Rankings. ESPNs Stats & Information contributed the following information.Look back at our post-NFL draft Power Rankings here?and our post-free agency Power Rankings here.1. Seattle Seahawks2015 record: 10-6 Post-draft ranking: No. 4This is the fourth straight season that the Seahawks opened the preseason as the top team in ESPNs Power Rankings, and with good reason. The defense has allowed the fewest points each of the past four seasons.2. Arizona Cardinals2015 record: 13-3 Post-draft ranking: No. 5Arizona has gotten better each season under coach Bruce Arians. If that trend continues, expect big things from a Cardinals team that set franchise records in wins (13) and points (489) in 2015.3. New England Patriots2015 record: 12-4 Post-draft ranking: No. 1The Patriots started 2-2 or worse in three of their four Super Bowl-winning seasons, so forgive our voters for not overreacting to Tom Bradys four-game suspension being upheld. The Pats are still the team to beat in the AFC.4. Green Bay Packers2015 record: 10-6 Post-draft ranking: No. 3The Packers scored their fewest points since 2006 last season, but the prospect of a healthy Jordy Nelson and slimmed down Eddie Lacy could have Aaron Rodgers and the Packers scoring like were used to.5. Carolina Panthers2015 record: 15-1 Post-draft ranking: No. 2The Panthers have a tough act to follow, after they won 15 games last season, but no team in NFL history has ever followed a 15-win season with anything less than a 10-win season.6. Pittsburgh Steelers2015 record: 10-6 Post-draft ranking: No. 6Ben Roethlisberger averaged 328 passing yards per game last season, third-highest all time in a single season. With LeVeon Bell serving yet another suspension, the Steelers could be relying on Big Bens arm a lot more in 2016.7. Cincinnati Bengals2015 record: 12-4 Post-draft ranking: No. 7The Bengals, of all teams, have been a model of consistency under coach Marvin Lewis and QB Andy Dalton. They have made the playoffs in five straight seasons ... and theyve lost in the first round in five straight seasons.8. Denver Broncos2015 record: 12-4 Post-draft ranking: No. 8Peyton Manning is gone, but defense is what fuels the Broncos now. Consider this: Even with Manning last season, the Broncos finished 28th in passing touchdowns and 25th in Total QBR and threw the most interceptions.9. Kansas City Chiefs2015 record: 11-5 Post-draft ranking: No. 10The Chiefs lost to the Patriots in the division playoffs last season, but no team currently has a longer regular-season win streak than Kansas City (10 games). In fact, no other team has a streak longer than three games.10. Minnesota Vikings2015 record: 11-5 Post-draft ranking: No. 9In 2013, the year before coach Mike Zimmer arrived, the Vikings ranked last in points allowed. In 2015, Zimmers second year, they finished fifth. If the offense can score some points, expect the Vikings to stay in the top 10.11. Oakland Raiders2015 record: 7-9 Post-draft ranking: No. 13The Raiders? Ranked 11th? Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack have our voters intrigued, but -- not to sound cliché -- they still have to learn how to win. The Raiders had an NFL-worst minus-60 point differential in the fourth quarter last season.12. Baltimore Ravens2015 record: 5-11 Post-draft ranking: No. 14The Ravens won five games in 2007 and followed that with an 11-5 season. The Ravens won six games in 2005 and followed that with a 13-3 season. The Ravens dont stay down for long, so expect a big bounce back following their 5-11 2015 season.13. Dallas Cowboys2015 record: 4-12 Post-draft ranking: No. 11Dak Prescott wowed fans in his NFL debut, and though it was just preseason, the Cowboys need a capable backup quarterback. Tony Romo has missed at least one game in each of the past three seasons, and he missed 12 in 2015. In those three seasons, the Cowboys are 1-13 when Romo doesnt start and 23-11 when he does.14. Indianapolis Colts2015 record: 8-8 Post-draft ranking: No. 12QB Andrew Luck has to be a lot better than he was last season. It would be easy to write off 2015 because of injuries, but Luck was tied for the league lead in turnovers (13) when he got hurt. Also, dont forget: The Colts were 2-5 with Luck and 6-3 with anyone else starting in 2015.15. New York Jets2015 record: 10-6 Post-draft ranking: No. 15The Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick ended their will they, wont they offseason with a one-year deal. Was it the right move? Fitzpatrick set the Jets franchise record for touchdown passes (31) last season, but he also has zero career playoff appearances.16. Houston Texans2015 record: 9-7 Post-draft ranking: No. 17Our voters have the Texans in the middle of the pack, but their potential rise or fall will likely depend on their consistency at quarterback. The Texans finished 9-7 with four different starters last season. This season, its on Brock Osweiler to stay healthy.17. New York Giants2015 record:6-10 Post-draft ranking: No. 18If every game last season ended with exactly 75 seconds left, the Giants would have finished 10-5-1. This offseason, the Giants replaced coach Tom Coughlin with Ben McAdoo and gave away money (see?Olivier Vernon) like they gave away leads. Can the Giants play a full 60 minutes every week this season?18. Washington Redskins2015 record: 9-7 Post-draft ranking: No. 16Our voters dont have a lot of faith in the Redskins right now, and can you blame them? Although we liked?Kirk Cousins ascension, it came out of nowhere. Also working against Washington? The Redskins havent made the playoffs in back-to-back years since George H.W. Bush was president.19. Atlanta Falcons2015 record: 8-8 Post-draft ranking: No. 20An 8-8 season isnt the worst thing in the world, but its pretty close to it after you start 6-1. The Falcons have missed the playoffs in three straight years, and with center Alex Mack?the biggest offseason addition, the Falcons seem poised for another middling season.20. Jacksonville Jaguars2015 record: 5-11 Post-draft ranking: No. 23The Jaguars open the 2016 season Power Rankings at No. 20, which shows that our voters see potential in the teams young core. How so? That 20 ranking is tied for the Jaguars highest since Week 3 of the 2011 season.21. Chicago Bears2015 record: 6-10 Post-draft ranking: No. 25The Panthers went 11-5 in John Foxs second year as head coach. The Broncos went 13-3 in Foxs second year as head coach. This will be Foxs second year as head coach of the Bears. Will the Bears get their first 10-win season since 2012?22. New Orleans Saints2015 record: 7-9 Post-draft ranking: No. 27The Saints have Drew Brees, but their defense turns opponents quarterbacks into Brees. Against the Saints last season, quarterbacks posted a 68.4 completion percentage, 45 pass touchdowns, nine interceptions and 78.6 Total QBR.23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2015 record: 6-10 Post-draft ranking: No. 29A few strong Jameis Winston starts out of the gate could very quickly have our voters singing a different tune about the Buccaneers. Had the Bucs finished stronger last season (they lost their last four after a 6-6 start), they might have been higher in these rankings.24. Buffalo Bills2015 record: 8-8 Post-draft ranking: No. 19Tyrod Taylor impressed in 2015, as he helped lead the Bills to an 8-8 record, but if the preseason rank of 24th is any indication, the Bills will be tacking another year onto their NFL-long 16-year playoff drought.25. Philadelphia Eagles2015 record: 7-9 Post-draft ranking: No. 22The Eagles are off to a rough start in 2016, as No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz suffered broken ribs in the Eagles first preseason game. Its a good thing the Eagles re-signed Sam Bradford and signed career backup Chase Daniel for a combined $34 million guaranteed this offseason.26. Miami Dolphins2015 record:6-10 Post-draft ranking: No. 21Coach Adam Gase has been labeled a quarterback whisperer, so Ryan Tannehill better be listening. He posted a career-worst 43.1 Total QBR last season, despite a talented receiving corps that featured Jarvis Landry, who had a franchise-record 100 receptions last season.27. Detroit Lions2015 record: 7-9 Post-draft ranking: No. 24The loss of Calvin Johnson is big, but the Lions might not be getting the benefit of the doubt here. They went 6-2 over the second half of 2015, and Matthew Stafford will have Golden Tate, Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones to throw to in 2016.28. San Diego Chargers2015 record: 4-12 Post-draft ranking: No. 28The good news is that Melvin Gordon, the 15th overall pick in 2015, scored his first NFL touchdown. The bad news is it came in the first preseason game of 2016. Still, if its a sign of things to come, it would be a boost for a Chargers team that ranked 31st in rushing last season.29. Los Angeles Rams2015 record: 7-9 Post-draft ranking: No. 26The Rams appearance on Hard Knocks has proved one thing so far:?Jared Goff doesnt know which direction the sun sets. Luckily for Goff, his star will rise out west if he can improve the Rams NFL-worst 35.6 Total QBR from last season.30. Tennessee Titans2015 record: 3-13 Post-draft ranking: No. 30This ranking for the Titans is less a reflection of Marcus Mariotas potential and more a glimpse of the future under coach Mike Mularkey. Since a 9-7 coaching debut with the Bills in 2004, Mularkey is 9-32 as a head coach.31. Cleveland Browns2015 record:?3-13 Post-draft ranking: No. 32In the Browns preseason debut, Robert Griffin III?threw an interception and Cody Kessler ran out of the back of his own end zone for a safety. Its good to see the Browns got their quarterback situation figured out.32. San Francisco 49ers2015 record: 5-11 Post-draft ranking: No. 31Blaine Gabbert is 8-27 in his career as a starting quarterback and has the worst completion percentage and Total QBR since he entered the NFL. He is currently in contention for the 49ers starting job. Thats ... not good. Felipe Alou Athletics Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Luis Barrera Athletics Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/2565m-mark-mcgwire-jersey-athletics.html . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Lou Trivino Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Sheldon Neuse Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Nick Weiler ended up going from goat to hero in the span of 23 seconds.North Carolinas senior kicker saw No. 12 Florida State take a late one-point lead with the difference being a blocked extra point. But the Tar Heels were able to drive 38 yards in three plays, helped by extra yardage due to a pass interference call, to set the stage for Weiler to atone for his earlier mistake.He nailed a career-best, 54-yard field goal as time to expired to give North Carolina a 37-35 win and snap the Seminoles 22-game home winning streak. It was the second straight week that the Tar Heels (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won in the final seconds. Last Saturday, they defeated Pittsburgh by one point on a touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky with two seconds remaining.I knew it was within his distance. That wasnt the issue, North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said of Weilers kick. He had something to prove. After the extra point got blocked, I talked to him on the sideline and said he had to get it out of his head. He got his mind right and we gave him his shot.The Tar Heels had lost three straight games to ranked teams, and the Seminoles are the highest-ranked team they have knocked off on the road since defeating No. 9 Syracuse in 1996.Trubisky had his third straight 400-yard game, completing 31 of 38 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Switzer had 14 receptions for 158 yards.Florida State (3-2, 0-2) trailed 21-0 in the second quarter but rallied to take a 35-34 lead in the final minute on a 8-yard touchdown run by Deondre Francois. The freshman quarterback, who was 20 of 32 for 372 yards, looked like he was going to be sacked at the UNC 8 but eluded tackles by Mikey Bart and Malik Carney to score.Dalvin Cook accounted for 256 yards of total offense -- 140 yards rushing and 106 receiving -- and three touchdowns. He is the first Florida State back to have a 100-yard rushing and receiving game.We cant keep learning lessons, Cook said. We cant keep letting everybody know that were going to come out flat. And theyre going to jump on us. And then were going to fight back..ddddddddddddThe team knows that by now.KICKING IT THROUGHEarlier in the game, Weiler was short on a 51-yard try along with the blocked PAT.Weilers game-winning field goal tied the second-longest in school history and he had plenty of distance. He celebrated by running around the field and doing the tomahawk chop.Im pretty sure I blacked out after making the kick. Ive never been that tired or ran that much in a game, Weiler said. Once he gave the hands up I was out, next thing I remember was being on the bottom of the dog pile.Florida States Ricky Aguayo also had a long day as he missed all three of his field goal attempts. He was wide right on two and the other was blocked.POLL IMPLICATIONSIts hard seeing the Seminoles fall from No. 12 to out of the poll but they could if voters into account that FSU is 7-5 in its last 12 games. North Carolina fell out of the rankings after losing its opener to Georgia but this win could put them back in the Top 25.TAKEAWAYSNorth Carolina: Even though the defense continues to struggle -- it allowed 595 yards to FSU -- Trubisky and Switzer are emerging as one of the top duos in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Trubisky has not thrown an interception in 240 attempts this season.Florida State: The Seminoles were considered to be a College Football Playoff contender at the beginning of the season but now needs to string some victories together if it even hopes to make a top-tier bowl game. The defense is allowing 6.98 yards per play, which is among the worst in the Football Bowl Subdivision.UP NEXTNorth Carolina: The Tar Heels host Virginia Tech, who they defeated 30-27 in overtime last season to clinch the Coastal Division title.Florida State: The Seminoles travel to Miami looking to extend their winning streak over the Hurricanes to seven.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegfootball.ap.org---Follow Joe on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joereedy and his work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/joe-reedy ' ' '