ESPN

The NFC South is holding a private party this weekend, and you can't get in without a franchise quarterback. Drew Brees and the Saints visit Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers, while Cam Newton and the Panthers travel to face Matt Ryan and the Falcons in a weekend of divisional games. Does any division have a better quartet? Fantasy vote: What to do with Freeman?

• "I'm sorry Panthers fans, but if we held Aaron Rodgers to two touchdowns and put Mike Vick out of the game, then Cam Newton's future at the Georgia Dome doesn't look too promising." -- SN commenter rjharrington24
• "Carolina will stack eight in the box and dare Ryan to beat them, which he hasn't really done to any team yet." -- SN commenter Roys3428

This week's game isn't Michael Vick's first trip back to Atlanta since returning to the NFL, but it is his first trip back as a starting quarterback. A starting quarterback of a team with the potential to keep Matt Ryan and the Falcons from the Super Bowl, at that. Vick's history is undeniably complicated, but is he still the star in his old home? Vote: Week 2 questions

• "Vick will return to ATL and rip the fans hearts out AGAIN, this time by spanking the Falcons. And I'm glad he will spank the Falcons. They should of never released him. After all, we do live in a society that believes in second chances (except Arthur Blank and the Falcons). Most ATL fans were and are willing to forgive Vick except for the organization." -- SN commenter ruilemos
• "Matt Ryan has had back-to-back winning seasons with the Falcons, for the first time in their franchise history. Vick never did it." -- SN commenter blue_rabbits

The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.

• Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
• Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?

• Rank: Which team do you have as football's best?

We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.

Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)

Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)

Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)

Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)

• Pick 'Em: Which team is your favorite to win the Super Bowl?

• Rank 'Em: Did the Seahawks move up in the rankings? | Who's the best QB remaining?
• Vote: Jets-Patriots | Ravens-Steelers | Packers-Falcons | Seahawks-Bears

Ignore for a second that the Seahawks have zero Pro Bowlers. Cast aside their regular-season record of 7-9. Overlook the fact that their uniforms are honestly a little ugly. On Saturday, they beat the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and advanced to the next round of the playoffs.

We're not going to call this the greatest upset of all time, but it's got to be in the conversation. It definitely had one of the greatest runs of all time, as Marshawn Lynch delivered a 67-yard run that left Saints defenders cast about like bowling pins. We saw one YouTube dub that compared Lynch's run to acquiring an invincibility star in Super Mario Brothers. In a coming weekend that features two big-time rivalry matchups (Jets-Patriots, Ravens-Steelers) and one exciting contest of young teams (Packers-Falcons), it seems like Seahawks-Bears actually has a good chance to provide the most excitement.

• "The multiple hail marys, the incredible run by Lynch, the solid-as-ever SB Champ Drew Brees throwing for over 400 yards... and losing. In an honest showdown, to the biggest underdog in playoff history, headed by an older SB vet who came to prove that he isn't a has-been. Games like that don't happen every day. I know I wasn't about to turn it off." -- fisquid
• "Seahawks playoff game the highest rating in two decades. Their week 17 game was the highest rated Sunday night game in approximately 10 years. NFL maybe you want to schedule them for a prime time game at least once" -- MGramling15

Vote: New York Jets at Chicago Bears
1. Will Rex Ryan be a distraction?
2. Is Ryan better than Lovie Smith?
3. Which quarterback is a safer investment?
4. Are these teams legit contenders?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Jets at Bears

Vote: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
1. Is this a fair quarterback fight?
2. Which team is a better playoff sleeper?
3. Which sack artist is toughest to stop?
4. Which coach is better?
5. Which team will win in Green Bay?
Have your say on Giants at Packers

Vote: 49ers at Rams
1. Has Sam Bradford hit the rookie wall?
2. Which Smith should Mike Singletary start?
3. Which roster has more talent?
4. Should the NFC West get a playoff spot?
5. Which team will win in St. Louis?
Have your say on 49ers at Rams

Vote: Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Do the Bucs have a championship foundation?
2. Is third time the charm for Pete Carroll?
3. Matt Hasselbeck or Charlie Whitehurst?
4. Would Seahawks be better off missing playoffs?
5. Which team will win in Tampa?
Have your say on Seahawks at Buccaneers

Vote: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
1. Is Matt Ryan in Drew Brees' league?
2. Which defense has the edge?
3. Will the NFC South send a team to the Super Bowl?
4. Which team's history is more woeful?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Have your say on Saints at Falcons

Vote: New York Jets at New England Patriots
1. Is Mark Sanchez a championship-caliber QB?
2. Which could would you rather play for?
3. What do the Jets' close wins mean?
4. More impressive comeback season?
5. Which team will win in New England?
Have your say on Jets at Patriots

Vote: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
1. Who has the edge at quarterback?
2. Which defense is better?
3. Which running back is having the better season?
4. Who do you NOT want to get hit by?
5. Which team will win in Baltimore?
Have your say on Steelers at Ravens

Vote: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Are Falcons Super Bowl contenders?
2. Which coach has the done best job?
3. How many NFC South teams in the playoffs?
4. Bigger surprise for the Buccaneers?
5. Which team will win in Tampa Bay?
Have your say on Falcons at Buccaneers

Vote: Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts
1. Who or what is to blame for Manning's INTs?
2. What does Jason Garrett need to do?
3. Are the Colts still Super Bowl contenders?
4. Which team's running game is worse?
5. Which team will win in Indianapolis?
Have your say on Cowboys at Colts

Vote: Washington Redskins at New York Giants
1. Which coach would you rather have?
2. Giants or Eagles more Super Bowl-ready?
3. Will Giants' offensive line play continue?
4. Will Donovan McNabb's past success help?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Redskins at Giants

Vote: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
1. Which quarterback is having better season?
2. Who do the Colts miss most?
3. Will Vincent Jackson help Chargers?
4. Does Norv Turner help or hurt?
5. Which team will win in Indianapolis?
Have your say on Chargers at Colts

Vote: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
1. Better quarterback for the next decade?
2. Which team needs home-field advantage?
3. Who is the best defensive playmaker?
4. Packers' defense or Falcons' offense?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Have your say on Packers at Falcons

Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
1. Which quarterback is more likeable?
2. Do you remember the Fog Bowl?
3. Does Lovie Smith deserve extension?
4. Which division is tougher?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Eagles at Bears

Vote: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens
1. Better quarterback of the future?
2. Are the Buccaneers legit?
3. Is LeGarrette Blount the real deal?
4. How good is the Ravens' offense?
5. Which team will win in Baltimore?
Have your say on Buccaneers at Ravens

Vote: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
1. Is Eli Manning that much better?
2. Is benching Ahmad Bradshaw right call?
3. Which wide receiver steps up?
4. How many wins do Jaguars need?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Jaguars at Giants