By Brianna Patton

There is heavy anticipation for the upcoming NFL season with people eager to see which rookies shine or become busts, how league suspensions will impact early play, and if their team finally lives up to their potential (especially Dallas Cowboys fans).

With that being said, here are my preseason power rankings for this upcoming NFL season.

1. Seattle Seahawks

While many people consider Green Bay to be the team to beat this year, I continue to recognize the Seahawks as the most dominant team in the NFL considering they were one hand off to Marshawn Lynch away from repeating as Super Bowl champions.

Although Seattle has some defensive players coming back off of injuries and Kam Chancellor holding out seeking a new contract, the depth of their defense still reigns as the best defensive unit in the league.

Along with the emergence of their wide receivers from the Super Bowl, the addition of Jimmy Graham and the return of Lynch provide more firepower to their offensive attack. Like Russell Wilson told ESPNs Sheil Kapadia, “there’s no signs of any slowing down.”

   2. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are usually at the top of preseason rankings every season largely due to having the best QB in the league, Aaron Rodgers, behind center. Considered the top team in the league entering the season by many, Green Bay continues to fall victim to the injury plague.

Rodger’s number one target, Jordy Nelson, went down during a preseason game with a torn ACL. This will prove to be a devastating loss to the offense, but despite this injury to Nelson, the Packers are still a contender. Never count out Rodgers.

  3. New England Patriots

Now that Tom Brady beat the ‘Deflategate’ case in federal court, the Patriots are right back at the top of the league. Brady will now come back with a vengeance and intensity that will further implement his greatness.

Although New England lost defensive leaders Darrelle Revis and Vince Wilfork, the combination of Brady and Belichick will prove to be enough to make another Super Bowl run barring injuries or cheating scandals.

  4. Denver Broncos

While plenty of people are counting Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos out, this team has the talent to make another deep run. Peyton Manning may be on his last leg, but you cannot deny his greatness and ability to produce.

The hire of new coach Gary Kubiak means that Denver will rely on the run game more, which ultimately takes pressure off Peyton Manning. Considering all the young talent and the defense being the best it has been since Manning has been in a Broncos uniform, it is the wrong time to sleep on Denver.

   5. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are known as that team that always make the playoffs because of a weak division but fail to make it to the Super Bowl. Andrew Luck has been a tremendous young talent since coming into the league, however there have always been some pieces missing.

The addition of Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, who have called Luck a “football God” and the “best quarterback” they have ever played with, along with other offensive and defensive players could be the missing pieces that the Colts need.