Eleven weeks before most NFL teams open training camp, Sports Illustrated's Peter King ranks the teams. King's top five, in order, is Patriots, Steelers, New York Giants, Bears and Colts.

Here's his assessment of New England:

"Teams don't stay the same in the NFL. That's the old bromide. But tell me: What's the difference between the Patriots of 2007 and the Patriots who enter the season in 2009? I'll tell you the biggest thing -- concern about Tom Brady's knee. And if there were any real reason to be concerned, Bill Belichick wouldn't have traded Matt Cassel to Kansas City.

New England was seventh in the league in scoring with Brady playing one quarter in 2008; they'll be in the top three, easily, with him back. With new young talent in the defensive backfield -- Belichick can mix and match all the toys he's gathered over the past two offseasons, maybe playing Shawn Springs sparingly some weeks to keep him healthy for January -- New England should have enough ammo to be competitive with the best quarterbacks on the schedule. They were 5-1 down the stretch, including 4-0 on the road, as many of their young defenders grew up. I don't see much downside.''

Read the rest here.