On the eve of a new NFL season, ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) has Seattle and Pittsburgh ranked first and second. The Steelers have impressed this offseason, moving up to No. 2 after ranking sixth in the preseason edition.ESPNs Stats & Information contributed the following information.1. Seattle Seahawks2015 record: 10-6 Preseason ranking: No. 1Russell Wilson set career highs in just about every passing category last season, but the top-ranked Seahawks would probably prefer to reduce his workload this season. Wilson is 14-10 in his career when throwing 30-plus passes in a game, and 32-8 when throwing fewer than 30 passes.2. Pittsburgh Steelers2015 record: 10-6 Preseason ranking: No. 6The past two seasons rank as the highest-scoring seasons in Steelers franchise history. The Steel Curtain might be no more, but with an offense like that, theyd probably still win with linen curtains.3. New England Patriots2015 record: 12-4 Preseason ranking: No. 3What do you got, Jimmy Garoppolo? He makes his first career start against a defense that was second in takeaways (33) and had the highest blitz percentage (45 percent) last season. Garoppolo has faced eight blitzes in his NFL career.4. Arizona Cardinals2015 record: 13-3 Preseason ranking: No. 2Carson Palmer was the model of consistency last season, posting an above-average Total QBR (more than 50) in 15 of his 16 games played. More of that play will keep the Cardinals in the mix for as long as it happens.5. Carolina Panthers2015 record: 15-1 Preseason ranking: No. 5The Panthers won their first 14 games to start the 2015 season but could be staring an 0-1 start in the face in 2016. In two career starts against the Broncos, Cam Newton has taken 13 sacks and posted an 11.1 Total QBR.6. Green Bay Packers2015 record: 10-6 Preseason ranking: No. 4According to ESPNs Football Power Index (FPI), the Packers are currently favored in all 16 games this season. That doesnt mean theyll go 16-0, but odds are the Packers could find themselves climbing even higher than sixth in these rankings in the near future.7. Cincinnati Bengals2015 record: 12-4 Preseason ranking: No. 7With Tyler Eifert out and with no clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver, the Bengals could try to ride Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard in the early going. That might work in the long run, but their Week 1 opponent, the Jets, had the second-best rush defense last season.8. Denver Broncos2015 record: 12-4 Preseason ranking: No. 8Trevor Siemian?has earned the start for the Broncos in Week 1 despite having one career NFL snap, but his play might not be the difference. Broncos quarterbacks had the second-worst TD-INT differential last season and still won the Super Bowl.9. Kansas City Chiefs2015 record: 11-5 Preseason ranking: No. 9The Chiefs started 1-5 last season but won their final 10 games. If they can get off to a better start this season, thatll give them a nice cushion as they wait for Jamaal Charles and Justin Houston to return to full health.10. New York Jets2015 record: 10-6 Preseason ranking: No. 15The Jets first six games this season are against teams that finished .500 or better in 2015, and four of them are on the road. The Jets played nine games against teams that finished under .500 last season, tied for fourth-most in the NFL, and went 7-2 in those games.11. Oakland Raiders2015 record: 7-9 Preseason ranking: No. 11Anyone who thinks Derek Carrs 2015 season might have been a one-time thing will probably have to wait at least a week to feel vindicated. Carr faces a Saints team that allowed the worst NFL passer rating in league history last season.12. Minnesota Vikings2015 record: 11-5 Preseason ranking: No. 10Teddy Bridgewaters injury forced the Vikings to pay a steep price for Sam Bradford in hopes of salvaging their season. Problem is, Bradfords career Total QBR of 40.5 is lower than Shaun Hills 45.6.13. Houston Texans2015 record: 9-7 Preseason ranking: No. 16New quarterback. New running back. A few new wide receivers. The Texans offense will look a lot different this season, and theyre hoping the results will be different, too. The Texans have ranked 24th in scoring the past three seasons.14. Washington Redskins2015 record: 9-7 Preseason ranking: No. 18Theres a good chance the Redskins will find themselves a little lower in the Week 2 Power Rankings. They open their season on Monday Night Football against the Steelers (7:10 ET, ESPN). The Redskins havent beaten the Steelers since 1991.15. Baltimore Ravens2015 record: 5-11 Preseason ranking: No. 12The Ravens dont stay down for long, and a home game against the Bills seems like a recipe to start on the right foot. The Ravens havent missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2004-05.16. Buffalo Bills2015 record: 8-8 Preseason ranking: No. 24Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan make their triumphant returns to Baltimore to start their season. The Bills havent won in Baltimore since 1999, which is, coincidentally, the last time the Bills made the playoffs.17. New York Giants2015 record:?6-10 Preseason ranking: No. 17The Giants are 0-8 all time in season openers against the Cowboys and have lost three straight in Dallas. A new coach and a shiny new defense could buck those trends in Week 1 though.18. Indianapolis Colts2015 record: 8-8 Preseason ranking: No. 14Andrew Luck struggled last season, but in his last game played he did beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos, one of two games last season in which he didnt commit a turnover. The Colts need more of that Luck to keep rising in the rankings.19. Jacksonville Jaguars2015 record: 5-11 Preseason ranking: No. 20The young Jaguars will be put to the test early when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers roll into town in Week 1. The Jaguars havent won a season opener since 2011, but they have their best offense since 2007, when they finished sixth in scoring and made the playoffs.20. Detroit Lions2015 record: 7-9 Preseason ranking: No. 27The Lions will take the field without Calvin Johnson in a season opener for the first time since 2006. Mike Furrey was the leading receiver for Detroit that day, but the trio of Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin figure to do a little better this time around.21. Miami Dolphins2015 record:6-10 Preseason ranking: No. 26The Dolphins start their season on the road against the No. 1-ranked Seahawks and on the road against the No. 3-ranked Patriots. Theres a good chance the Dolphins will be lower than 21st in the rankings after that stretch.22. Atlanta Falcons2015 record: 8-8 Preseason ranking: No. 19Win or lose for the Falcons, Julio Jones figures to come out a winner in Week 1. He has averaged 9.3 receptions and 133.8 receiving yards in his past four games against the Buccaneers, catching 72.5 percent of his targets in those games.23. Dallas Cowboys2015 record: 4-12 Preseason ranking: No. 13The Cowboys took a big hit in the rankings following Tony Romos injury, and rookie Dak Prescott is in a unique position. No rookie quarterback has started and won a season opener for the Cowboys since Roger Staubach in 1969.24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2015 record: 6-10 Preseason ranking: No. 23The Buccaneers are tied with the Titans and Cowboys for the longest active losing streak, but the good news is that they travel to Atlanta in Week 1. The Bucs swept the season series against the Falcons for the first time since 2007 last season.25. Philadelphia Eagles2015 record: 7-9 Preseason ranking: No. 25The Eagles will have a quarterback making his first career start in Week 1 against the Browns. Itll be a learning experience for Carson Wentz, but hey, at least its against the Browns.26. San Diego Chargers2015 record: 4-12 Preseason ranking: No. 28The Joey Bosa holdout finally came to an end, but will he make an impact in Week 1? The Chargers have lost four straight to their Week 1 opponents, the Chiefs, allowing nearly 5.0 yards per rush in those games.27. New Orleans Saints2015 record: 7-9 Preseason ranking: No. 22The Saints get to open their 2016 season at home, but that doesnt mean much for New Orleans anymore. The Saints are 4-9 in their past 13 home games, losing three of the past four.28. Los Angeles Rams2015 record: 7-9 Preseason ranking: No. 29The last quarterback to go first overall and not play in Week 1 was JaMarcus Russell in 2007, but the Rams hands are tied. When youve got a quarterback in Case Keenum with a career 5-10 record and 38 career Total QBR, you have to start him instead.29. Chicago Bears2015 record: 6-10 Preseason ranking: No. 21Bad news for Jay Cutler: J.J. Watt is now expected to play in Week 1. The last time Cutler faced a Watt-led defense was in 2012. Cutler didnt last two full quarters and threw two interceptions, and the Bears scored six points. Cutler wasnt sacked though ...30. Tennessee Titans2015 record: 3-13 Preseason ranking: No. 30Week 1 has been the Titans time to shine; theyve won their last three openers by a total of 51 points. An opener against a Teddy Bridgewater-less Vikings could extend that streak, but dont get too excited if they do. Tennessee is 9-36 in all other weeks in that time.31. Cleveland Browns2015 record:?3-13 Preseason ranking: No. 31Robert Griffin III will get his first regular-season action since Week 17 of 2014. If the preseason is any indication, it should be interesting. Griffins three preseason touchdowns went for 50, 29 and 43 yards, respectively.32. San Francisco 49ers2015 record: 5-11 Preseason ranking: No. 32The 49ers were exciting on Monday Night Football in Week 1 last season, beating the Vikings, 20-3. Things went downhill from there, but recreating that Monday night magic this year could at least get the 49ers out of the cellar for a week or two in the Power Rankings.Cheap Yeezy . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Black Friday Yeezy . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. https://www.fakeyeezywholesaleonline.com/ . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Yeezy Online . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Cyber Monday Yeezy . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak.Big Blue Nation isnt going to be happy, but the Indiana Hoosiers are more deserving of the top spot. Remember, the preseason power rankings were based on paper. Now, the rankings change dramatically due to on-court results.Indianas victory in Hawaii over a top-5 Kansas team is far more impressive than Kentuckys easy win over a Michigan State club that lost to Arizona and nearly dropped one at home Sunday night to Florida Gulf Coast.The defending national champion Villanova Wildcats, Kansas and an injury-depleted Duke team round out the top 5 -- with Creighton earning the biggest riser award after wins over Wisconsin and NC State. I owe Bluejays fans and Greg McDermott an apology after calling them overrated in the preseason. The addition of Marcus Foster has been huge, as has the play of talented big man Justin Patton.Say goodbye to a pair of proud programs: Michigan State and UConn. The Spartans, at least, have lost to a couple of big boys: Arizona and Kentucky. But the Huskies have looked abysmal, losing at home to Wagner and Northeastern.1. Indiana Hoosiers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 14The Hoosiers are shooting 44 percent from 3. James Blackmon Jr. is shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc thus far, and hes averaging 23 points and 7.3 boards. Indiana has the neutral-site win against Kansas on its résumé, which is arguably the most impressive win of the early season.2. Kentucky Wildcats Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 3The Cats had no trouble with Michigan State at Madison Square Garden at the Champions Classic, largely due to the play of freshman Malik Monk and fellow guard Isaiah Briscoe. Monk scored 23 points and was 7-of-11 from deep in the 21-point win.3. Villanova Wildcats Record: 5-0 Last weeks ranking: 4The defending national champs have started strong with a close win at Purdue before winning the Charleston Classic on Sunday. Josh Hart, who nearly left for the NBA Draft after last season, made six of eight 3s against Wake Forest and finished with 30 points.4. Kansas Jayhawks Record: 2-1 Last weeks rankings: 2The Jayhawks dropped their season opener to Indiana in Hawaii, but Frank Masons game winner against Duke keeps KU in the top five. Mason has been sensational thus far, averaging 23 points, 5.7 assists and 4.7 boards. Bill Self became the winningest coach in Allen Fieldhouse history with the victory over Siena, and he now has a 207-6 career mark in the building.5. Duke Blue Devils Record: 4-1 Last weeks ranking: 1The Blue Devils have few healthy bodies but nearly knocked off Kansas in New York, and Duke had little problem beating a tough Rhode Island team. Heralded freshmen Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden havent played yet, and Grayson Allen has no lift or acceleration due to foot injuries. The duo of Luke Kennard and Amile Jefferson?have led the way for Coach K.6. Louisville Cardinals Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 5OK, who would have guessed that the Cards leading scorer and rebounder through the first three games would be junior forward Jaylen Johnson, who averaged 5.0 points and 3.5 boards last season? Johnson is putting up 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds thus far, but the concern is that Rick Pitinos team has struggled from deep (20-for-63) and also from the line (61 percent).7. North Carolina Tar Heels Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 6The Tar Heels havent played a big boy yet, but they pounded a couple of quality mid-majors: Chattanooga by 40 and Long Beach State by 36. Remember, the Tar Heels are without athletic wing Theo Pinson. The surprise has been the early play of freshman big man Tony Bradley, who is averaging 10.5 points and 7.8 boards in 17.5 minutes per game.8. Xavier Musketeers Record: 5-0 Last weeks ranking: 8 Without Myles Davis, the Musketeers looked vulnerable. The hope is that Davis, the senior who gives Chris Mack a much-needed shooter, will return at the semester break. Xavier will also get Kaiser Gates back soon, and that will help the depth, which has been lacking.9. Gonzaga Bulldogs Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 17Heres the thing with the Zags: We didnt realize their quality frontcourt depth. Przemek Karnowski is back healthy and leads the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (7.0). However, its the immediate impact of freshmen Zach Collins (14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and Killian Tillie -- who had eight points and 10 boards in a win over San Diego State -- that make this team a legitimate top-10 club.10. Creighton Bluejays Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: NRI should have ranked the Bluejays in the preseason poll -- especially after watching Greg McDermotts team beat Wisconsin and then put up 112 points against NC State. This team is balanced with Maurice Watson Jr., Cole Huff, Marcus Foster and redshirt freshman big man Justin Patton.11. Saint Marys Gaels Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 19Australian big man Jock Landale averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 boards last season; he had 33 points in the opener against Nevada and then went for 15 points and 14 rebounds in a road win over a depleted Dayton club. Randy Bennetts team brought just about everyone back from last seasons team that barely missed the NCAA tournament.12. Baylor Bears Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 25Get to know the name Jo Lual-Acuil. The 7-footer was born in South Sudan, grew up in Australia and spent a couple of years in the junior college ranks before arriving in Waco. He is averaging 10.7 points, 10 boards and hhas 16 blocks in three games.dddddddddddd Miami transfer Manu Lecomte has also been tremendous, leading the team in scoring (16.7 PPG) and assists (7.3).13. Syracuse Orange Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 18The question entering the season was point guard play, but Jim Boeheims duo of Colorado State transfer John Gillon and Frank Howard have combined for 27 assists and just five turnovers. Theres also the matter of that 2-3 zone, which has stifled opposing teams. Theyve shot a putrid 19 percent (19-of-98) from beyond the arc through the first three games.14. Purdue Boilermakers Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 21The loss came against defending national champion Villanova, but Matt Painters team needed a 20-0 run at the end of the game against Georgia State to pull out a 64-56 victory. The Boilermakers minus-9 rebound margin was its lowest against a nonconference opponent since 2012. Sophomore big man Caleb Swanigan has looked the part of an All-American, averaging 20.7 points, 13 boards and 4.3 assists per game.15. Virginia Cavaliers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 7Tony Bennetts Cavaliers made more news off the court than on it over the first week this season. Bennett tossed Memphis transfer Austin Nichols?off the team prior to the win over Yale. Nichols was suspended for the opener, and he was slated to be one of Virginias top offensive options. This will be a significant hit for the Cavs.16. Arizona Wildcats Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 9 With Allonzo Trier out of the lineup, Finnish skilled big man Lauri Markkanen has shined. He has quickly become the focal point of the Wildcats offense and is averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 boards thus far. Hes shooting 59 percent from the field, 46 percent from 3 and 95 percent from the line.17. UCLA Bruins Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: 24There hasnt been a better freshman duo thus far than point guard Lonzo Ball and skilled forward T.J. Leaf. Ball just makes everyone better, and Leaf can really score. Steve Alford has a talented, deep group. It should be tested this week at the Wooden Legacy.18. Oregon Ducks Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 10Its difficult to evaluate the Ducks because theyve been without their most important player, Dillon Brooks, who is set to return Monday after rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. Oregon got blasted by Baylor in Waco, but the Ducks rebounded with a win over Valparaiso. When Brooks returns, its time to reevaluate this group.19.?Florida Gators Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 20The Gators have beaten Florida Gulf Coast, Mercer and St. Bonaventure. So they are still fairly unproven. Canyon Barry, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry and a graduate student majoring in nuclear engineering, had 16 points off the bench for Florida. The key, though, is point guard play. Starter Kasey Hill has struggled thus far with just 10 assists and eight turnovers.20. Michigan Wolverines Record: 4-0 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Wolverines won the 2K Classic after pounding both Marquette and SMU. John Beilein admitted his defense was subpar (and thats putting it nicely) last season, but Michigan is holding opponents to 41 percent shooting and 59.5 points per game through the first four games this season. Junior D.J. Wilson barely played last season; hes logging 30 minutes per game, grabbing 9.5 boards and has been a huge factor in the improved defense this season.21. Wisconsin Badgers Record: 2-1 Last weeks ranking: 12The Badgers lost to Creighton in Omaha but are still worthy of a top-25 ranking. Bronson Koenig has just three assists in three games. Nigel Hayes is struggling, averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds thus far. The Badgers are shooting just 31 percent from beyond the arc.22. West Virginia Mountaineers Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: 23Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers have beaten up on low-majors: Mount St. Marys, Mississippi Valley State and New Hampshire. Huggins has 11 guys who are averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Three of them -- Nathan Adrian, Jevon Carter?and?Teyvon Myers?-- are averaging double figures in scoring.23. Rhode Island Rams Record: 4-1 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Rams got a big win against Cincinnati but couldnt take advantage of an injury-depleted Duke team in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off title game. E.C. Matthews is still working his way back from an ACL injury that cost him all but one game last season.?24. Seton Hall Pirates Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: NRKevin Willard lost Isaiah Whitehead but returns the other four starters. The coach also added freshman Myles Powell (15.3 PPG). Khadeen Carrington is leading the team at 21.7 points per game, but he has had plenty of help from Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado and Powell. Seton Hall is one of the few power league teams that has a true road win -- at Iowa.25. USC Trojans Record: 3-0 Last weeks ranking: NRThe Trojans deserve a spot after a road win against Texas A&M. Andy Enfields team isnt overly deep -- especially up front -- but he has a couple of talented bigs with Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright, in addition to guard Jordan McLaughlin and wing?Elijah Stewart. However, it was freshman DeAnthony Melton who came up with the two biggest plays of the game -- a 3-pointer and a late steal.Dropped out: UConn, Michigan State, San Diego State, Dayton, NC State ' ' '
