By Zack Cimini
NOTJUSTAGAME.COM

Going into 2003 nobody knows who is the overall best NFL team. There are plenty of talented teams, but which team is the best? It?ll be hard to tell until we get through the first month of the NFL season. For the most part though, there are a solid ten teams out there. Here we?ll break down those ten teams. One thing is for sure, the AFC is loaded with talent. Expect it to be like last season, when every team was mathematically alive to make the playoffs entering week 17. The NFC is equally as tough, but the playoff picture is always clearer over there.

Tampa Bay:

They are the returning champs, so all the pressure is on them. I wouldn?t expect them to repeat, but they should get back to the conference championship game. There are just too many questions surrounding them this season. They?re defense is still great, but they?re running back situation is in question. Thomas Jones has had a great preseason though, and could end that question soon in the regular season. As long as their defense plays the way it does, they?ll always be a great team.

Tennessee:

The Titans are arguably the best team entering the season right now. Steve McNair has never played 100 percent, and so far he is at that level. If he can stay that way, he is probably the best quarterback in the NFL. Many people count the Titans out, but year in and year out they are in the playoffs. They don?t have a lot of talent, but they just know how to win. McNair is a great leader, and has a great shot at getting Tennessee back to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia:

Out of all first team units the Eagles have been the most impressive in preseason. Donovan McNabb has carried the Eagles single handedly every single year, into the playoffs. If he can just get a little help from somebody on offense, this team will be set.

Oakland:

Besides the Rams, the Raiders have the most explosive offense in the league. As we learned in last years Super Bowl, an explosive offense can?t keep up with a great defense. The Raiders upgraded their D, and are ready for one more run for the Super Bowl. All the veterans remain, but can they all stay healthy again?

New York Giants:

The Giants have been horrible in preseason, but that doesn?t mean anything. Their team is loaded with tremendous talent on both sides of the ball. Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, and Tim Carter are going to be a top five group in the NFL. Toomer just doesn?t get the credit he deserves as a great wide receiver. If Kerry Collins can remain consistent the whole season, this team will have a great shot at challenging Philadelphia for a bye. Whichever team comes out on top of the division, will likely represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Miami:

Every year Miami has talent, but they just can?t finish a season. It is getting old to see a team go through the same pattern every year. The AFC is extremely tough, but Miami looks like the best in the AFC East. The defense and running game are there, and all they need is for Jay Fiedler to stay healthy. For the most part though, Miami?s late season collapses have been the defenses fault. The defense just seems to breakdown late in the season.

Cleveland:

The Browns are probably right behind Tennessee in the AFC. They are overloaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, and probably have the best depth of any NFL team. They also have a great young defense that will make some noise this season. The Browns definitely aren?t a joke anymore.

Green Bay:

Supposedly this is Brett Favre?s last season. If it is than you know this team will put in the extra effort, and to try to win another one for Favre. This team was probably the best in the NFL midseason last year, but then Brett Favre just went on a decline. All the talent is still there, but it?ll be hard for them to get by Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and the New York Giants.

Indianapolis:

The Colts shockingly struggled last season, but now that is over and in the past. Tony Dungy has developed a solid defense, and that is all that Peyton Manning needs. The chemistry that Manning and Marvin Harrison have is starting to become legendary. It is unbelievable to see how well they connect with each other on the field. Edgerrin James is the ingredient the Colts missed last season. Now that he is 100 percent, the NFL better watch out for this team.

St. Louis:

The Rams talent alone has to put them in the top ten in the NFL. They still have Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, and Isaac Bruce. The Rams just couldn?t get going last season, and they are ready for a fresh start like Indianapolis. Marshall Faulk is still the scariest running back in the league, and Torry Holt is right behind Marvin Harrison as a big play receiver. The Rams should be able to score anytime they want, but will they is the question. Kurt Warner has a lot of pressure on him to guide the Rams to an early start. If he doesn?t this team could collapse early in the season.