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It’s time to dive back into power rankings from around the web. All of this is obviously just guessing (and extreme bias in some cases). But we’ve got to start out somewhere.
ESPN: 8
Trevor 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.
Top 5: 1. Seahawks 2. Steelers 3. Patriots 4. Cardinals 5. Panthers
The NFC has a lot more teams in the top 5’s this week than the AFC, although clearly ESPN is also high on the Steelers.
NFL.com: 6
Many fans and analysts are decidedly gloomy on the Broncos' prospects with Trevor Siemian under center. Actually thought they might be too low on these rankings, given that they are the defending Super Bowl champs. That is, until Terrell Davis told me he would have them lower. You might know him. He darn near personally delivered two Super Bowl rings for this very franchise. Denver could easily climb quickly, based on the defense. Hope the departures of Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan won't hurt, but also wonder if the latter's impact wasn't significantly underrated.
Top 5: 1. Panthers 2. Cardinals 3. Seahawks 4. Packers 5. Patriots
So if the Broncos beat the Panthers on Thursday they’ll be ranked number 1 next week. Right? No, of course not.
MHR: 5
Tim Lynch made the bold move to rank the Chiefs above the Broncos without telling us why in the article. For shame!!
Top 5: 1. Seahawks 2. Steelers 3. Cardinals 4. Chiefs 5. Broncos
At least the Broncos are in the top 5 here!
SB Nation: 10 (yes, 10)
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos are starting Trevor Siemian at quarterback, which is weird.
Top 5: 1. Cardinals 2. Patriots 3. Seahawks 4. Panthers 5. Packers
These are literally the only words written about the Broncos in this article. Kind of weird if you ask me.
CBS Sports: 8
They have a lot of uncertainty with Trevor Siemian at quarterback. He is the unknown. But that defense will keep them as a top team in the division.
Top 5: 1. Packers 2. Patriots 3. Cardinals 4. Seahawks 5. Bengals
Show this one to your friends that are Bengals fans!!
Fox Sports: 8
Back to defend their title, the Broncos lack identity on offense. Trevor Siemian is a huge question mark and the run game is far from dominant. The defense is exactly that, though. Denver will win games thanks to its defense, just as it did last season en route to a ring.
Top 5: 1. Seahawks 2. Patriots 3. Packers 4. Panthers 5. Cardinals
Seahawks, Packers, Panthers, and Cardinals are getting a lot of love from rankers. It will be interesting to see if all four teams will in fact have a good season.
Sports Illustrated: 3
Not entirely sure how to factor Trevor Siemian into the Power Rankings equation. Should he cause Denver to drop because of his inexperience and shaky preseason play? Does he give the champs a boost because he has more arm strength and mobility than 2015 Peyton Manning? (If you search Google for “noodle arm quarterback,” the first image is of Kyle Orton and the third of Manning, by the way.) For now, let’s stick with Denver at No. 3 and see if the defense can do it again.
Top 5: 1. Panthers 2. Cardinals 3. Broncos 4. Seahawks 5. Patriots
So Mile High Report readers, what do you think about all of these power rankings and which ones would you like to see in this post in the future? (Some of the regulars from last season have not put out power rankings yet.)