NFL Power Ranking. How close will EA's Madden 2009 Be?

[superdynamite]

Hey guys (& gals)!

As all us Madden fans & former Madden fans know, the Madden developers over at EA couldn't be be more off base when creating the team rankings for each new instalment of Madden. So far off base infact, it seems they are playing baseball on Mars.

ESPN released their mock NFL rankings for the 2008-2009 season today. I think they are somewhat close.

Here is the list:
Projected Ranking / (Last Year's Ranking) / Team / 2007 Record

1 (1) Patriots 16-0-0
2 (2) Colts 13-3-0
3 (6) Chargers 11-5-0
4 (3) Cowboys 13-3-0
5 (4) Jaguars 11-5-0
6 (9) Giants 10-6-0
7 (8) Steelers 10-6-0
8 (7) Seahawks 10-6-0
9 (13) Browns 10-6-0
10 (5) Packers 13-3-0
11 (18) Saints 7-9-0
12 (15) Vikings 8-8-0
13 (14) Eagles 8-8-0
14 (10) Redskins 9-7-0
15 (12) Buccaneers 9-7-0
16 (11) Titans 10-6-0
17 (17) Cardinals 8-8-0
18 (23) Panthers 7-9-0
19 (19) Bills 7-9-0
20 (16) Texans 8-8-0
21 (30) Jets 4-12-0
22 (25) Ravens 5-11-0
23 (21) Broncos 7-9-0
24 (20) Bears 7-9-0
25 (22) Bengals 7-9-0
26 (27) Raiders 4-12-0
27 (26) 49ers 5-11-0
28 (29) Rams 3-13-0
29 (24) Lions 7-9-0
30 (28) Chiefs 4-12-0
31 (32) Dolphins 1-15-0
32 (31) Falcons 4-12-0

My Questions are:

1. Will the Patriots still be good now that they are not stealing their opponent's play signals?

2. How much better will the Dolphins be now that they have re-tooled the team. 20 new players on Defense & Offense.

3. The Raiders did not address one of their many needs in the 2008 Draft. Will they win more than 4 games? Does Al Davis want to play a Running back at each position?

4. The JETS head coach, Eric Mangini went from "ManGenius" to "ManMoron" in one year? Will he last another losing season?

5. Was Matt Ryan the right pick for the Atlanta Falcons? Was QB Joe Flacco (Ravens) the best QB in the 2008 Draft? Should they have taken LSU, DT Glen Dorsey?

6. How much of an Impact will Favre's retirement have on the Packers?

7. Was WR Mario Manningham the Steal of the Draft for the Superbowl Champs?

8. Was Eli lucky not to get picked as Madden cover boy? Will Favre get hit by a tractor and the Madden Curse?

9. What year will the Detroit Lions hire someone that knows how to Draft players?

10. Will the Browns continue their climb to the top of the division?

11. Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones... When will Teams learn that you can't win a Championship with a big-mouth, trouble-maker on the team? (Example: Tiki, Shockey)

12. Statistically speaking, Vince Young was the worst starting QB in NFL history over the 2007 season. Can the Titans get to the Playoffs a second year in a row if Vince continues his sub par play?

13. Will Madden Football developers ever get the player & Team ratings correct? That's an easy one. The answer is... ???