ESPN NFL

Our offseason power rankings just came out and the NFC South has two teams in the top 11.

Our panel of experts rated the Panthers No. 10 and the Falcons No. 11. My ballot had both Carolina and Atlanta in the top 10. I also voted the Saints No. 15 and the Buccaneers No. 23. In the final totals, the Saints are ranked No. 16 and the Bucs No. 27.

The logic behind my rankings? Carolina was 12-4 last season and returns 21 starters. Atlanta's right there with the Panthers, but I want to see how this young defense shapes up before getting too carried away with the Falcons.

I thought about putting the Saints in the top 10 and I think they could end up there. But that would be pure projection. I like all the moves they've made to their defense in the offseason, but I want to see how they play out.

I went a little higher on the Bucs than most of the panel members. But they've got some huge question marks, starting at quarterback.

One other note: On my ballot, I ranked Dallas No. 3 and included a note to my editors that it wasn't a misprint. Do I really think the Cowboys are the third best team in the NFL? Heck no. But these rankings are just for fun and I thought I'd do my part to raise the bar for Dallas since expectations seem to have slipped so much.

Expectations were extremely high for the Cowboys before last season and a lot of people were talking about them going to the Super Bowl, but I predicted they'd underachieve, finish third in the NFC East and miss the playoffs. Um, they did.

This year, expectations aren't nearly as high and maybe the Cowboys will overachieve. Or maybe not.