The NFL season is nearly upon us! More than six months have passed since the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl XL.

Most fan bases are fired up for the new season as 2016 holds a lot of promise in so many cities. Yet more will be disappointed than fulfilled in the end. Unexpected holes, injuries and coaching failures scuttle many a promising season.

After the final cuts, here is how I see the 32 NFL teams in order from best overall to worst. This doesn’t necessarily equate with who I think will win or lose the most, but they’re pretty closely related.

1. Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle defense has impact talents at all three levels and better depth than most. On offense, they’ll miss Marshawn Lynch salting victories but still have MVP candidate Russell Wilson and a better receiving corps than advertised. Pete Carroll knows his team very well, and the homefield is a real advantage.

Predicted record: 13-3

2. Pittsburgh Steelers. If everyone can stay healthy this Pittsburgh offense should lead the league in points. Le'Veon Bell is a wild card, but they’re still potent without him. Antonio Brown is a major difference maker and Ben Roethlisberger is in a perfect offense for his game. The back end of the defense will give up some big plays but there’s enough firepower to overcome.

Predicted record: 11-5

3. Carolina Panthers. The returning NFC champs still have MVP candidate Cam Newton and a better receiving corps. Losing Josh Norman hurts on defense, but the Kawann Short/Star Lotulelei tackle combo is the best in the league and Luke Kuechly is fantastic behind them. The pass rush and stopping the other team’s pass rush are the biggest questions.

Predicted record: 11-5

4. Arizona Cardinals. This might be the most complete roster from 1 to 53, though they’re weak at corner and pass rushing depth. That’s a bad combo come playoff time, but in the regular season Carson Palmer, David Johnson and an explosive offense should win a lot more than they lose. Love the veteran mix here.

Predicted record: 12-4

5. New England Patriots. The Brady and Ninkovich suspensions early in the season will hurt, as do the injury issues. Yet as long as Gronk and the nifty wideouts stay healthy, the offense will be fine. New England might have the smartest defense in the league, and they’re pretty darn skilled too. That chip on their shoulder for Deflategate can fuel greatness, though it’s more perilous than some recent vintages.

Predicted record: 10-6

6. Cincinnati Bengals. For my money this was the best team in the AFC before Andy Dalton got hurt last year. The offense isn’t quite as good, especially if the Tyler Eifert injury lingers. No team has more depth; even their weak spots are filled with at least average players. I still think their ceiling is limited by a lack of true stars, but Cincinnati has a very high floor.

Predicted record: 10-6

7. Green Bay Packers. There’s a lot to like here on offense, where Aaron Rodgers should rebound from a down season with a healthy Jordy Nelson and strong running game. The defense has a nice combo of strong pass rush and a skilled secondary, though they’re still vulnerable in the middle. Special teams and the offensive line remain big questions. A ridiculously favorable schedule inflates the win total.

Predicted record: 12-4

8. Denver Broncos. Normally the defending champs default to No. 1, but most defending champs don’t lose a Hall of Fame quarterback and his capable backup. They took some defensive losses as well, but still boast a very strong D unit with Von Miller rushing the passer and arguably the best secondary backing him up. I like the receivers and RBs but with such a huge question at the most important position it’s hard to have much faith.

Predicted record: 9-7

9. Kansas City Chiefs. Losing Justin Houston and Sean Smith hurts, but the defense still impresses. Marcus Peters spearheads a young secondary with a great veteran rudder in Eric Berry. Alex Smith uses his solid weapons smartly, and as long as Jamaal Charles is recovered there will be nice balance between run and pass. Not the most dynamic team but these Chiefs will not be an easy out for anyone either.

Predicted record: 10-6

10. Washington. Most of football America doesn’t believe, but I really like this team. Adding Josh Norman helps the defense, and the offensive weaponry for Kirk Cousins is impressive. They’re decent enough in both trenches too. I don’t expect the regression everyone seems to be betting on. The Preston Smith/Ryan Kerrigan pass rush duo is severely underrated.

Predicted record: 9-7

11. Houston Texans. I’d feel a lot better if J.J. Watt were 100% but he’s coming off back surgery. Injuries to the offensive line, notably Duane Brown, might linger too. I still believe as long as Brock Osweiler is even average that this team runs away with the AFC South, but their margin for error is smaller than many of the teams above them here.

Predicted record: 10-6

12. Oakland Raiders. The young core is growing on both sides of the ball. Khalil Mack headlines a fast defense with an upgraded secondary, though the line around Mack remains a project. Derek Carr to Amari Cooper will pace a solid offense that quietly has one of the league’s better lines. The win total might frustrate impatient fans for another season, but this is a team on the rise.

Predicted record: 8-8

13. Minnesota Vikings. Before the Teddy Bridgewater injury this team ranked ahead of Cincinnati above, but losing the offensive orchestrator and replacing him with Sam Bradford knocks them down several pegs. The defense is still loaded and they’ll run the ball well with Adrian Peterson and friends, but they’re now much worse at the most important position and don’t have a kicking game to help out.

Predicted record: 7-9

14. Jacksonville Jaguars. A popular pick to rise up, it’s easy to see why. Blake Bortles has a cadre of impressive weapons on offense, including oft-overlooked RB Chris Ivory. The defense should be much better with a lot of young speed, as long as they stay healthy. There are still vulnerabilities but if they play to the level of their “on paper” talent this is a playoff team.

Predicted: 10-6

15. New York Jets. Getting Ryan Fitzpatrick back at QB restores my faith in what could be a very explosive offense. Not many teams can match both Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. If the rookies on D are good, the entire unit will look strong. I don’t like the special teams, and the OL is tenuous.

Predicted record: 8-8

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jameis Winston’s second season offers promise for upward mobility. Doug Martin and Mike Evans are top-shelf weapons, though the line still needs a lot of help. On defense the combination of Gerald McCoy and Robert Ayers will have to produce. I like the corners and love Lavonte David. Progress. If Jameis takes a big leap, and he can, they’re crashing the playoff party.

Predicted record: 9-7

17. New York Giants. Eli Manning to Odell Beckham will give opposing defenses fits, and the interior of the OL is strong. So is the defensive front, and the secondary features playmakers--for better and worse. Offensive tackle, RB and LB are all major pits that will keep rookie coach Ben McAdoo working hard to stay in the playoff race.

Predicted record: 8-8

18. Baltimore Ravens. The starting 22 here is good enough to win a playoff game. The issues here are depth all over the roster other than defensive line, a questionable rushing attack and an overriding reliance on aging vets. If they stay healthy, look out above. If not, look out below. Betting on fortuitous health is risky, even more so for a team so dependent upon so many guys over 30.

Projected record: 7-9

19. San Diego Chargers. The Joey Bosa summer saga nicely summates San Diego; they’re so close to being very good in so many spots, but mitigating circumstances tend to keep knee-capping Philip Rivers and company. I love the secondary and Melvin Ingram on D, and Keenan Allen might lead the league in receptions. But oh so many holes!

Projected record: 5-11

20. Chicago Bears. John Fox’s Bears are better on defense, notably in the middle of the field. The offensive line also looks better. In short, areas of recent weakness are shored up. The challenge is for Jay Cutler and the other existing assets to elevate despite what appears to be a net talent loss. If they go +10 in both turnover and sack differential, this is a 10-win team. Those corners are huge questions, though.

Projected record: 7-9

21. Miami Dolphins. The defensive front will cause major issues for OL-challenged opponents, and the middle of field D behind them got better. Arian Foster is an interesting risk on offense, where the right side of the line is as bad as you can get and the depth everywhere else isn’t much better. Time for Tannehill to make a big step forward with Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker helping a lot. The overhauled specialists could be a big issue.

Projected record: 7-9

22. Detroit Lions. My team of rooting interest is at a crossroads. The passing offense will look a lot different sans Calvin Johnson but relying heavily on the post-catch creativity of Golden Tate, Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron. The defensive line is deep and skilled, and half the secondary is really good. OL remains thorny despite major investment, and the run game scares nobody but Lions fans. Too talented to be bad, not talented enough to be very good.

Projected record: 6-10

23. Philadelphia Eagles. Hard to make out where the Eagles are headed. Riding with Carson Wentz at QB just days after pronouncing he wasn’t ready sort of kills expectations in Doug Pederson’s rookie season at coach. The defense has real fangs and could create enough takeaways to steal some games. They’ll need to as this offense looks rough.

Projected record: 5-11

24. Buffalo Bills. It’s odd that the defense is the problem for a Rex Ryan team, but Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins and the offense have real promise. There is no pass rush and poor depth all over the defense. The outflow of talent greatly exceeds the inflow, with injuries to the top two draft picks playing a big part in that.

Projected record: 5-11

25. Atlanta Falcons. The problem for Atlanta is they peaked already with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. The offensive line finally looks strong and Devonta Freeman will break off some big runs, but Ryan will have to improve and I’m not sure he can anymore. Pass rush and stopping the power run game are both still big defensive issues, and the rookies on D need developmental time they’re not apt to get.

Projected record: 6-10

26. Indianapolis Colts. They get Andrew Luck back but the roster is in serious disrepair around him. The injuries are piling up already, a bad sign for a defensive roster top-heavy with players on the downside like Robert Mathis, D’Qwell Jackson and Mike Adams. If Luck isn’t spectacular, and he has not been for most of the last two years even when healthy, this team is a lot worse than most people would believe.

Predicted record: 5-11

27. Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were vastly overrated even before the latest Tony Romo injury. The defense sorely lacks playmakers and the depth is challenged early by suspensions. I love Zeke Elliott, Dez Bryant, kicker Dan Bailey and the best O-line in the world but this is a below average team--at best--in every other area.

Predicted record: 4-12

28. Tennessee Titans. You can see the progression here on offense. The running game could be very good with Marcus Mariota, Demarco Murray, Derrick Henry and an offensive line built to maul. The defensive front is okay and there are promising pieces behind them. But their holes are deep holes, and other than RB and maybe OLB the depth here is wafer thin. Give them another offseason to build, but even now they’re going to beat up teams with soft defensive fronts.

Predicted record: 5-11

29. New Orleans Saints. The good news is the defense cannot get any worse. The bad news is it won’t be much better, and the offense might not be as good as it has been either. Drew Brees will rack up stats and they’ll win some shootouts, but they’re thisclose to bottoming out without a lot of career years from unexpected sources.

Predicted record: 6-10

30. Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have a fantastic defensive line with legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aaron Donald leading the charge. Todd Gurley looks great at RB and the OL looks better. Unfortunately QB is a mess, WR is even worse and the defensive back 7 suffered a net talent loss it couldn’t afford. They’re going to wallop teams with bad OL and/or QB play but everyone else will feast on LA.

Predicted record: 5-11

31. Cleveland Browns. I like the Robert Griffin roll of the dice, but dumping so many veterans is a white flag for 2016 from a new management staff. A weak pass rush and a porous secondary is a bad combination. Cleveland fans know the “wait til next year” mantra all too well.

Predicted record: 2-14

32. San Francisco 49ers. Year one for Chip Kelly’s team sure looks rough. The skeleton of a solid defense has some potential, and Kelly’s offensive pace and system will create problems for some opponents. Alas, the skill position talent is as bad as you’ll ever see on an NFL depth chart.

Projected record: 3-13