The success of the NFL and its popularity has much to do with the parity in the league. There are a number of teams in both conferences that have a very good shot at winning their respective divisions and representing their conferences in the Super Bowl.

Here are the Week One Power Rankings

Number 1. Pittsburgh Steelers – They are the champs and return 10 of 11 starters on offense and 9 of 11 on defense. They didn’t lose any significant players and have an easier schedule than last year. They look poised to repeat.

Number 2. NY Giants –The return of DE Osi Umenyiora to the line-up gives the Giants the best D-line in football. The running game will pound opponents and Eli Manning will get the most out of his receiving corp.

Number 3. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers have been one of the top picks for the last few seasons and this year they are healthy and their roster shows very little weakness. Phillip Rivers should have a monster year.

Number 4. Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens still appear to be flying under the radar even though they went to the AFC title game last season. QB Joe Flacco has looked great in preseason and the defense hasn’t lost a step.

Number 5. New England Patriots – Tom Brady is back and all is good in Beantown. The offense will be counted on to carry a young defense. The offense is loaded but getting old and the line is suspect.

Number 6. Minnesota Vikings – With the leagues top run offense and run defense all they needed was solid quarterback play. If Brett Favre stays healthy and keeps the gunslinger style of play to a minimum then this team could do a lot of damage.

Number 7. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers might be the offensive story of the year. He has looked very sharp in preseason and they will put up a lot of points. Dom Capers will make the defense much better.

Number 8. Indianapolis Colts – The defense will be called upon to be better against the run. Manning has lots of weapons and the running game will be very dynamic with rookie Donald Brown spelling Joseph Addai.

Number 9. New Orleans Saints – This team will put up ridiculous numbers. Greg Williams defense will be much improved.

Number 10. Tennessee Titans – They will be tough defensively even with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. Very solid offense and well-balanced team.

Number 11. Atlanta Falcons – Will be even better on the offensive side with the addition of Tony Gonzalez. Defensive secondary is suspect.

Number 12. Dallas Cowboys – DeMarcus Ware will once again terrorize quarterbacks and Tony Romo will be much better in an Owens-less environment.

Number 13. Philadelphia Eagles – As long as the don’t get too cute with the Vick situation and let McNabb play solid football then this team has a lot of players who will contribute to a title run.

Number 14. Chicago Bears – Jay Cutler will be a difference maker. He might be hampered by not enough playmakers but has a very good defense to help him win games.

Number 15. Seattle Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck finally has some receivers and a good offensive line. Running game is a work in progress. Building a nice defense and rookie Aaron Curry is special.

Arizona Cardinals 16 – Looked terrible in preseason but maybe it will serve as a wake-up call. Beanie Wells will be a great pick-up and the defense will be better.

Number 17. Houston Texans – One of the sexy picks. They have a terrific young defense and Matt Schaub has Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton to carry the load.

Number 18. Cincinnati Bengals – This will be the most improved team in the NFL and with a few breaks could sneak in the playoffs. Very fast and aggressive defense.

Number 19. Jacksonville Jaguars – David Gerrard will rebound this season and the defense looks tough.

Number 20. New York Jets – Rex Ryan will look to play tough defense and run the ball. He has talent on both sides of the ball to do both but Sanchez needs another year to get into the playoffs.

Number 21. Miami Dolphins – Toughest schedule in the league. They will not sneak up on anyone but will compete.

Number 22. Washington Redskins – They are a decent team but play in a tough division. Haynesworth hasn’t looked good in preseason.

Number 23. Carolina Panthers – Defense is older. Saints and Falcons are better.

Number 24. Buffalo Bills – The defense will keep them in games but they need to get their offensive issues settled which they will try to do with a new OC.

Number 25. San Francisco 49ers – Singletary will have his team ready to compete but still a year or two away from the playoffs.

Number 26. Cleveland Browns – Mangini worked wonders with the Jets in his first year and will start the Browns turn-around but they don’t have the personnel to win more than six games.

Number 27. St. Louis Rams – Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson can still play at a high level. Spagnuolo will improve the team but they won’t challenge the Hawks or Cards.

Number 28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Firing the offensive coordinator a week out from the season opener isn’t good and Byron Leftwich is not a starting QB.

Number 29. Oakland Raiders – They have looked ugly in preseason but have talent and will straighten things out as the season moves forward.

Number 30. Kansas City Chiefs – Rebuilding and firing your OC just before the season starts doesn’t bode well.

Number 31. Denver Broncos - Crazy off-season but defense can be good. The D will have to be really good to get more than four wins.

Number 32. Detroit Lions – The Lions are going with rookie QB Matthew Stafford and he looks good but they are in the toughest division in the league and will be hard pressed to win more than three games.