Thirty-one teams are seeking an NFL championship in 2009. A 32nd team is seeking history.

With three Lombardi Trophies in the 2000s, the New England Patriots have staked a claim as the NFL’s team of the decade. A fourth Super Bowl and 12 more regular-season victories in 2009 would allow the Patriots to stake their claim as the team for all decades.
New England joined the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only teams in NFL history to play a perfect regular season, posting a 16-0 mark in 2007. The Patriots also matched the feat of the 1990s Cowboys by winning three Super Bowls in a span of four years (2001-04).
Another Super Bowl in 2009 would allow the Patriots to match the 1970s Steelers and 1980s 49ers with four Lombardi Trophies in a decade. A 12-victory regular season would give New England 114 wins in the decade, breaking the NFL mark of 113 set by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1990s.
The Patriots have qualified for the playoffs six times this decade, well short of the record nine postseason appearances by the Cowboys in the 1970s. But New England has posted the best record in its division for eight consecutive years.
In the two seasons the Patriots failed to qualify for the playoffs in that stretch, New England tied the New York Jets for first place in 2002 with a 9-7 record and the Miami Dolphins for first in 2008 with an 11-5 mark. But the Patriots were eliminated from playoff contention both times by divisional tiebreakers.
New England won those 11 games in 2008 despite the seasonlong absence of NFL MVP Tom Brady, who suffered a knee injury on opening day. He’s back in 2009.
So is starting halfback Laurence Maroney, who missed the final 12 games with a broken shoulder, and veteran Pro Bowl pass rusher Adalius Thomas, who missed the final seven games with a broken forearm.
The Patriots have added veteran stars Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway and Shawn Springs for depth this season. In all, there are 14 Pro Bowlers on the New England roster, plus the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Jerod Mayo.
So the Patriots are loaded, again, and a healthy Brady again makes them the team to beat in 2009. So place New England atop the annual off-season rankings by The Dallas Morning News.
Only three teams finished in the NFL’s top 10 in offense and defense last season, and you can find them in the top three slots of these power rankings: the Patriots, Giants and Eagles. New York and Philadelphia have played the Patriots in Super Bowls this decade, with the Giants winning in 2008 and the Eagles losing in 2005.
1. New England
With Tom Brady on the field, the Patriots have won 23 of their last 25 games. It’s a credit to the coaching of Bill Belichick that New England won 11 games last season without Brady. New England simply has the best coach and best quarterback in the game. The Patriots also have the game’s most prolific tandem of wideouts in Pro Bowlers Randy Moss and Wes Welker. New England has fielded a top-10 defense each of the last three years and has the deepest roster in the NFL.
Final 2008 ranking: 9

2. NY Giants
The Giants were dominant up front on defense last season in capturing the NFC’s top seed. They finished ninth in the league in run defense and sixth in sacks. That was without their best lineman Osi Umenyiora, who missed the season with a knee injury. Now he’s back. The Giants added veteran front-seven starters Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard and Michael Boley. If NY can replace WR Plaxico Burress with rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, they should be the team to beat in the NFC.
Final ’08 ranking: 2

3. Philadelphia
The Eagles have won an NFC-high 92 games this decade on the broad shoulders of Donovan McNabb, who went to his only Super Bowl with Terrell Owens. Other than that season, McNabb has been throwing to a cast of no-names this decade. We’ve all wondered how good McNabb could be if he had some legitimate weapons on the flank. Eagles coach Andy Reid has finally decided to find out, using premium draft choices on speedy WRs DeSean Jackson in ’08 and Jeremy Maclin in ’09.
Final ’08 ranking: 12

4. Pittsburgh
The Steelers captured a record sixth Lombardi Trophy last season, but an inability to block led to the season-long pummeling of QB Ben Roethlisberger (sacked 46 times and eight more times in the playoffs) and RB Willie Parker (missed five games with a sprained knee). Left tackle Marvel Smith departed in free agency, and the Steelers cut guard Kendell Simmons. Pittsburgh has some young blockers, including third-round draft pick Kraig Urbik of Wisconsin, who need to develop quickly.
Final ’08 ranking: 1

5. San Diego
The Chargers were another team that overachieved last season, overcoming a 4-8 start to win the AFC West. The Chargers played into January despite the season-long absence of their best defensive player, pass rusher Shawne Merriman. LaDainian Tomlinson (turns 30 this month) is starting to show signs of age, but QB Philip Rivers is maturing.
Final ’08 ranking: 13

6. Atlanta
The Falcons will increase their playoff stock as their quarterback matures. Matt Ryan won 11 games last season on his way to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Michael Turner protected Ryan last season with an NFL-runner-up 1,699 rushing yards. Ryan can return the favor, with Roddy White emerging on the flank, plus TE Tony Gonzalez.
Final ’08 ranking: 10

7. Baltimore
The Ravens lost Pro Bowl linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard in free agency from the NFL’s No. 2-ranked defense. But the biggest loss may be defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who became head coach of the Jets and took Scott and Leonhard with him. The Ravens reached the AFC title game despite a rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco).
Final ’08 ranking: 7

8. Tennessee
How much faith do you have in Kerry Collins? After Collins steered the Titans to an AFC South crown last season, Tennessee rewarded him with a contract extension, all but writing off the once-upon-a-time face of the franchise, Vince Young. Tennessee is the fifth NFL team for whom Collins has started. He also turns 37 this season.
Final ’08 ranking: 3

9. Indianapolis
The Patriots may not be alone in breaking the NFL record for victories in a decade. The Colts have won 101 games this decade, one fewer than the Patriots, and would need 13 to break San Francisco’s mark. The Colts have won at least 13 games in two of their last four seasons. Peyton Manning is back, but head coach Tony Dungy is not. That’s a huge hit for Indy’s think tank.
Final ’08 ranking: 4

10. Arizona
Are we to believe the Cardinals are for real after participating in their first Super Bowl? I believed the Cardinals were for real in 1998 after ending a 15-year postseason drought and winning a playoff game. But that turned out to be a fluke — the Cardinals reverted back to form with a 6-10 collapse in 1999. But Arizona has Kurt Warner. If the Cardinals can keep him healthy, they can contend.
Final ’08 ranking: 5

11. Carolina
The age of QB Jake Delhomme (34) and the unsettled contract situation of DE Julius Peppers casts a shadow over what is an otherwise talented football team. The Panthers can run and block with the best. The Panthers have the running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and Steve Smith ranks among the top 5 playmakers in the game today.
Final ’08 ranking: 6

12. Houston
The Texans have been around since 2002 but have not managed a winning season. This should be their breakthrough year. Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson provide playmaking ability on offense, and Mario Williams is an elite pass rusher. He’ll get help in 2009 from rookies Connor Barwin and Brian Cushing.
Final ’08 ranking: 19

13. Chicago
What a difference a quarterback makes. By acquiring Pro Bowler Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos, the Bears have the best quarterbacking in the NFC North for the first time since the Jim McMahon era in the 1980s. Matt Forte can complement Cutler with his legs and Devin Hester can with his hands. But the Bears need to regroup on defense.
Final ’08 ranking: 17

14. New Orleans
The Saints have the best offense in the NFL. But great offense, plus no defense equals a noncontender. New Orleans allowed an NFC South-high 393 points in 2008. The Saints signed a couple of defensive backs in free agency (Jabari Greer and Pierson Prioleau), then drafted a couple more (CB Malcolm Jenkins and S Chip Vaughn).
Final ’08 ranking: 18

15. Miami
The Dolphins introduced the Wildcat formation to the NFL in 2008 and take the next step with it in 2009 with the selection of West Virginia QB Pat White in the draft. Chad Pennington’s arm, Ronnie Brown’s legs and the pass rush of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor will keep defending AFC East champion Miami competitive in the division.
Final ’08 ranking: 8

16. Green Bay
The Packers figured to struggle in 2008 without Brett Favre. And they did with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, finishing 6-10. But Rodgers played better than expected. It was a defensive collapse that sank Green Bay. It also cost coordinator Bob Sanders his job. Dom Capers arrives to implement a 3-4 scheme.
Final ’08 ranking: 24

17. Dallas
Terrell Owens’ departure could and probably should trigger a philosophical shift on offense to the running game. In Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, the Cowboys have the ability to be a top-5 rushing attack. But Dallas needs Roy Williams to flourish on the flank and Anthony Spencer in the pass rush.
Final ’08 ranking: 15

18. Minnesota
The emergence of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, plus the arrivals of Jay Cutler in Chicago and Matthew Stafford in Detroit leave the Vikings with the worst quarterbacking in the division. But Minnesota has the best defense and best RB in Adrian Peterson. Can the Vikings overcome a lack of plays from the QB position?
Final ’08 ranking: 11

19. Washington
Unhappy with their quarterbacking a year ago, the Redskins tried to draft Mark Sanchez in April. Having failed, the Redskins turned the job back over to Jason Campbell with a lack-of-confidence vote. The Redskins have slid to the bottom of the NFC East.
Final ’08 ranking: 21

20. Jacksonville
The Jaguars finally found a lead receiver for QB David Garrard in Torry Holt. Unfortunately, at 33, Holt’s best years are behind him. The Jaguars drafted a pair of tackles (Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton) to upgrade the blocking front and signed veteran Pro Bowler Tra Thomas.
Final ’08 ranking: 26

21. Cincinnati
The Bengals lost an NFL-high 84 games by starters because of injury in 2008, including 12 by QB Carson Palmer. Little wonder Cincinnati won only four games. If Palmer can stay healthy for 16 games, the Bengals should chase a wild card spot into December.
Final ’08 ranking: 27

22. Buffalo
Another Terrell Owens era begins, this time in Buffalo, where crueler weather conditions — windier, wetter, colder — will probably mean more dropped passes by the King of the Drops. But there’s young talent in place for the Bills.
Final ’08 ranking: 23

23. NY Jets
The Jets went the old-quarterback route in the quest for a playoff berth in 2008 with Brett Favre. They are going with rookie Mark Sanchez this season. New coach Rex Ryan needs to overhaul a defense that allowed a division-high 356 points last season.
Final ’08 ranking: 14

24. San Francisco
The 49ers take four quarterbacks to camp: Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis. Can they win with any of them? San Francisco needs to keep RB Frank Gore healthy to compete. The defense has taken a hit, losing CB Walt Harris to an off-season knee injury.
Final ’08 ranking: 22

25. Cleveland
The Browns fired GM Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel but, surprisingly, kept QB Brady Quinn and WR Braylon Edwards. Trade winds swirled around both players all off-season. Eric Mangini is the new coach.
Final ’08 ranking: 29

26. Seattle
Mike Holmgren is are gone, replaced by Jim Mora and his defensive mind. The Seahawks could use a little more defense after finishing 30th in the NFL. They led the NFC with 72 games lost by starters because of injury.
Final ’08 ranking: 28

27. Oakland
By drafting WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, S Mike Mitchell and DE Slade Norris, the Raiders will be a much faster team in 2009. The jury is still out on QB JaMarcus Russell, and the defense remains suspect.
Final ’08 ranking: 25

28. Detroit
Anything the 0-16 Lions achieve under new coach Jim Schwartz will be an improvement. Detroit drafted its QB of the future in Matthew Stafford, but veteran LBs Larry Foote and Julian Peterson can provide immediate help.
Final ’08 ranking: 32

29. Tampa Bay
The faces of the Bucs defense for a decade — coordinator Monte Kiffin and linebacker Derrick Brooks — are gone. So is any hope of Tampa Bay competing for a playoff spot. New coach Raheem Morris is in for a long season.
Final ’08 ranking: 16

30. Denver
So much for the lifetime security in Denver that Mike Shanahan seemed to snare with those back-to-back Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s. A lack of defense cost him his job in 2008. Josh McDaniels replaces him.
Final ’08 ranking: 20

31. St. Louis
Having failed with offensive gurus Mike Martz and Scott Linehan this decade, the Rams hired defensive whiz Steve Spagnuolo away from the Giants as their new head coach.
Final ’08 ranking: 30

32. Kansas City
Scott Pioli is the new GM, Todd Haley the new coach and Matt Cassel the new quarterback. The face of the franchise and most reliable weapon, TE Tony Gonzalez, was traded to Atlanta. This will be a very steep climb.
Final ’08 ranking: 31