ESPN NFL

Our initial power rankings for 2009 are out. You can find them here and the accompanying file from Mike Sando detailing how we all voted here.

My ballot was in line with the top four on the list.

Pittsburgh at No. 1 was in part because the Steelers won the Super Bowl. I'm expecting a huge year for New England (second) and think the Giants (third) and Philadelphia (fourth) did good work to get better.

After that, my votes and the results diverged.

Here's how I stacked the teams of the AFC South:

My thinking with notes of high and low votes:

The Titans lost Albert Haynesworth, but he's the only starter they're going to miss. (Justin McCareins is gone, and Nate Washington and Kenny Britt have to be an upgrade at receiver.) I don't think they're a 13-3 team, but I do Tennessee will be very good if it stays healthy. And I don't feel like when you measure them against the Colts, looking at the changes on both teams, that enough has happened to change last year's order at this point.

High vote: 4th, Kevin Seifert
Low vote: 17th, Matt Williamson

The Colts should be better on both lines, Peyton Manning will be healthy from the start and he's got another weapon in the backfield in Donald Brown. Bill Polian's steady hand will help offset the loss of Tony Dungy. But we don't yet know much about Jim Caldwell or when assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd will return and what they will be allowed to do. Indy will be counting on bigger contributions from their rookies than Tennessee.

High votes: 3rd, John Clayton and Bill Williamson
Low vote: 13th, Pat Yasinskas

The Texans are a popular pick as a breakout team, but it's going to be hard for them if the Titans and Colts stay healthy. Houston added to its front seven and hopes that helps everyone on defense. The Texans need a healthy season from Matt Schaub with reduced turnovers, and could still use a big back to work with Steve Slaton.

High vote: 14th, Tim Graham
Low vote: 24th, Seifert

The Jaguars did a lot to address their offensive line and will get guys back from injury there, too. If they can run better and protect better, David Garrard will throw better. But they haven't done a lot on defense and a couple draft picks will have to make big contributions. I think they'll turn the corner and move the right direction, but it's a tough division to climb the standings in.

High vote: 20th, Jeff Chadiha
Low votes: 24th, James Walker and Graham

Any explanation for my status as the high or low vote for a team where I am not part of a huge crowd:

Denver (low, 28th) -- With Matt Williamson and Clayton, I put the Broncos 28th. Their offseason made little sense to me, starting with replacing an offensive coach with an offensive coach, the Jay Cutler drama and the lack of solutions on the defense. Maybe all these middling veterans they brought in will blossom and make me move them way up from here. I don't see it right now.

Oakland (low, 32nd) -- Along with Matt Mosley, I feel like the Raiders will bump Detroit out of the last spot. I have little faith in JaMarcus Russell and believe things in Al Davis' world will continue to unravel.

Detroit (high, 29th) -- I'm looking for a boost in popularity in the Midwest. No, I honestly expect the Lions to show a major improvement in the new regime and win four or five games. That will leave room for a couple teams to edge behind them. I'm alone with them as high at 29th, but four more of our 12 panelists also moved Detroit out of last.