Power Rankings: Pats open on top

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ESPN.com's Power Poll This week's rankings were determined by a poll of ESPN.com's NFL staff -- senior writers John Clayton, Len Pasquarelli and ESPN.com NFL editors Peter Lawrence-Riddell and James C. Black. Click here to read comments.

The 2004 season is still more than four months away (Colts at Patriots, Sept. 9), but with the draft in the rear-view mirror and the free-agent market mostly dried up, we figured it was time for some Power Rankings.

Unlike the last time they won the Super Bowl, the Patriots are heading into the 2004 season as the clear favorites. The same can't be said for the Panthers, who are looking up at three other NFC teams, including one team in their own division (Falcons) that only won five games last season.

The Raiders and Redskins both made big moves up the rankings after busy offseasons. Washington has fooled us before in the offseason, but this time we're betting on Joe Gibbs. As for teams heading in the opposite direction, the 49ers dropped all the way to No. 31 after an offseason that saw them lose Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens.

Anyway, on to the rankings. To view the final rankings from the 2003 season, click here.