Week 9 NFL Power Rankings
This week's version of the Power Rankings are dedicated to Bill Simmons. He once cared about the NFL, but that part of him died when the NBA became "relevant" again. Ok here is the latest edition of my NFL Power Rankings:
1. New York Giants (6-1)
I still do not think this team is that good. They won because a backup longsnapper caused a safety on a punt. But they are 6-1 and have the best record in the NFC. They are locks for the post-season. I just have a hard time seeing this team winning the Super Bowl again. No team, or QB is that lucky.
2. Tennessee Titans (7-0)
They laid the smack down on the Colts Monday night. With this win, the Titans are now in cruise control for the rest of the season with a 4 game lead on everyone in their division. What was most surprising about this win was that the offense put up a lot of points. But I guess that should not shock anyone seeing Indy's defense is pathetic, especially against the run.
3. Washington Redskins (6-2)
Beating the lowly Lions, the 'skins move to 6-2 and are on pace for 12 wins. Did anyone really anticipate Coach Zorn getting so much from this team so soon? Zorn has brought something that Joe Gibbs lacked the past few seasons-backbone. Clinton Portis, while a beast this season, has had a tendancy to play and practice when he wants. Zorn has shown him whose boss by keeping him on the sidelines when he feels its necessary and is able to do so by spelling him with Shaun Alexander. The next two weeks will be tough with games against Pittsburgh and Dallas.
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (5-3)
I really thought that after the loss to Dallas this team would have dropped much further in the rankings. However, a top 5 defense is anchoring this team's success. The offense is still in the top half of the league. This team has some easy games coming up with two out of the next three against Kansas City and Detroit. This team could easily finish the season with 10 wins.
5. Dallas Cowboys (5-3)
Is America's team back after beating the Bucs this past weekend in Dallas? I'm not sure. Brad Johnson looked terrible. The defense, which I thought would have been one of the better ones in the league, finally showed up to play this past weekend. The next two games are against division foes in the NY Giants and Redskins. I bet Cowboys fans are wishing Romo was playing in these important division games.
6. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
After losing to Miami this weekend, I am becoming increasingly skeptical about the Bills. This loss is keeping the Bills from becoming one of the elite teams in the AFC this season. They have a very good record, but they squeeked by some weak teams. The next three games are against the NY Jets, the Patriots, and the resurging Browns. It will be critical to win at least two of those games. If not, this team might fall back in the pack a bit.
7. Carolina Panthers (6-2)
This team is certainly outperforming my expectations for them this season. The comeback win against the Cardinals showed their character. Steve Smith had a great month of October, compiling 447 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. After two games against Oakland and Detroit, the schedule will be a little bit more difficult for the rest of the season. This should be a playoff team, though.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
This was a tough loss to stomach at home. They lost because of a safety, but they did have two opportunities at the end of the game to come back and score. Missing starting WR Santonio Holmes because of a drug-related suspension hurt. He should be back in the lineup Monday night. The defense is still the best in the league, but this team has a very tough schedule for the rest of the season including games against the Redskins, Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, and Titans. All things considered, still winning the NFC North. Monday night at the Redskins should be a great game.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
What else can you say about Brian Westbrook? When he's not playing, the Eagles still might have a chance, but once he is back on the field, the offense performs at a completely different level. He is the player Reggie Bush was supposed to be. Many people think of Westbrook as being a pass catching RB, but this guy had 167 yards rushing this weekend. He is very, very versatile. Two out of the next three are against the Seahawks and Bengals. They have to take advantage of those weaker opponents and pile up some wins because they still have two games against the Giants, one against the Cowboys, and one against the Redskins.
10. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
This team didn't even play this weekend and have two teams ahead of them in their division who are ranked below them, yet they still moved up in the rankings. Why? I do not know. This may be a good opportunity to explain how my rankings work. It is completely mathematical. It is not subjective at all. It takes in factors including offensive and defensive statistics, wins, losses, and opponents played to date. If this was subjective, this team would be much lower because I think they stink.
11. Arizona Cardinals (4-3)
This past weekend was just the Cardinals being the Cardinals. Obviously, they would lose the game they were winning the majority of. They are 4-3 and could go .500 for the season and win their division by 2 games. Goodell interfers in everything in the NFL, its time for him to interfere inthe NFC West. This division has been a joke for about five years. No team should make the playoffs if they are not over .500.
12. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Coming off a bye, the Bears play the Lions. Let's add a W to the win column. However, the road is tough ahead for the Bears. I really would not be surprised if this team does not make the playoffs. Really, how far can Kyle Orton carry them?
13. New England Patriots (5-2)
This past week was not a pretty win against a week St. Louis team playing without Steven Jackson, but its nice for Matt Cassell to start a winning streak. The weak secondary's holes are becoming worse as players continue to get hurt. That secondary could be exposed this Sunday night against the Colts. With 9 games left, this team could realistically win 7 more games and finish 12-4. But it could also realistically go 4-5, finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs.
14. New York Jets (4-3)
This team will finish better than 4-12 like they were last year, but I don't think they are better than a .500 team. Brett Favre has brought some offense to the Jets, but they still are not making the playoffs.
15. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Coming off the bye week, the Packers have a lot of work to do the rest of the season. They only have one cupcake game left (Lions), but everyone else they play is a decent team. Aaron Rodgers and this offense are putting up points though, so anything can happen.
16. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
This team is still much better than people thought, but they are slowly coming back to Earth. It will be a major accomplishment if this team finishs above .500. I think it can. This running game is the real deal and has taken a lot of pressure off of Matt Ryan. I bet the Chargers are wishing they still had Michael Turner.
17. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
This is a great defense. Still not buying Joe Flacco (for this year, looking good for the future) and this offense. This team still plays games against five good teams (Giants, Eagles, Steelers, Cowboys, Redskins) and three decent teams (Browns, Jaguars, Texans) and one bad team (Bengals). Winning 8 games would be a great first year for Coach Harbaugh and Flacco.
18. Houston Texans (3-4)
After losing the first four games, they have won three straight. Andre Johnson is ridiculous. Steve Slaton looks like a great pick. I don't think they are a playoff team yet, but they are heading in the right direction. This is a Top 5 offense they have put together.
19. Miami Dolphins (3-4)
A surprising win over the Bills. This team is not making the playoffs. But what a turnaround they have had. From basement dweller to probably an 8-8 team. I think they could end up beating out the Jets for 3rd place in the conference, which would be big step. They still have a lot of games against bad teams.
20. Denver Broncos (4-3)
Coming off the bye, this team still has some easy games remaining, and the Chargers refuse to be a good team. With that said, the Broncos make the playoffs behind the arm of Jay "My arm is stronger than John Elway's" Cutler. The defense is really, really bad.
21. Cleveland Browns (3-4)
This team started out slow, but is starting to play much better. As Nick said to me, Derek Anderson (and I'll add Romeo Crennel) are holding onto their jobs by dental floss. The defense is looking better and Braylon Edwards finally decided to show up. Kellen Winslow is a headcase.
22. New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Even with a win over the Chargers in London, the Saints surprising dropped in the rankings. This offense, led by Drew Brees, really is potent. Marques Colston needs to start producing (for my fantasy team) and Reggie Bush will be back on the field soon (again, for the sake of my fantasy team).
23. Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
This team just looks absolutely terrible. I cannot figure out why they look so bad, not that I am complaining. Is it the lack of a defense, is Peyton still not healthy, is it no Joseph Addai? I don't know, but this team is not making the playoffs playing the way they are now. They have a big game at home against the Patriots. A loss this week and they might as well go into tank mode.
24. San Diego Chargers (3-5)
This team has struggled enough this season, but a trip halfway across the world to London did not make things any easier. A bye this week, at the mid point, should help them regroup and finish the season off strong. If they fail to make the playoffs, Norv Turner has to be fired.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that the Colts, Chargers and Jaguars would all be at the bottom half of the league? Not I. Both the offense and the defense have taken steps back from last season.
26. St. Louis Rams (2-5)
After two straight wins, the Rams came back to Earth with a loss against the Patriots. Granted they had no Steven Jackson. Coach Linehan is looking like a much better choice at head coach though.
27. Oakland Raiders (2-5)
Really not much to say here. I thought the defense would be better, but its not. JaMarcus Russell does not look good. I don't know if he needed another year, or if he is better suited to play defensive end, not quarterback.
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
So Mike Holmgren didn't leave on his sabatical early. A win is a win, but a win against the 49ers with a new coach doesn't turn your season around.
29. San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
This team stinks. But I think Mike Singletary could be a good coach. At least he is in Madden.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)
As predicted, no revenge of Herm Edwards this past weekend. This team is young, but Herm still is atrocious. If I was a Chief's fan, I would stand outside Arrowhead Stadium everyday protesting Herm Edwards as coach. They need to do something to shake this franchise up.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)
What a terrible franchise. The owner is cheap, and the front office continually brings in players that they found at the Cincinnati PD's criminal lineup. They want to fire Marvin Lewis (which actually makes sense) but will not because they don't want to continue to pay him.
32. Detroit Lions (0-7)
Hey, at least the Redwings are 7-1 so far.
1. New York Giants (6-1)
I still do not think this team is that good. They won because a backup longsnapper caused a safety on a punt. But they are 6-1 and have the best record in the NFC. They are locks for the post-season. I just have a hard time seeing this team winning the Super Bowl again. No team, or QB is that lucky.
2. Tennessee Titans (7-0)
They laid the smack down on the Colts Monday night. With this win, the Titans are now in cruise control for the rest of the season with a 4 game lead on everyone in their division. What was most surprising about this win was that the offense put up a lot of points. But I guess that should not shock anyone seeing Indy's defense is pathetic, especially against the run.
3. Washington Redskins (6-2)
Beating the lowly Lions, the 'skins move to 6-2 and are on pace for 12 wins. Did anyone really anticipate Coach Zorn getting so much from this team so soon? Zorn has brought something that Joe Gibbs lacked the past few seasons-backbone. Clinton Portis, while a beast this season, has had a tendancy to play and practice when he wants. Zorn has shown him whose boss by keeping him on the sidelines when he feels its necessary and is able to do so by spelling him with Shaun Alexander. The next two weeks will be tough with games against Pittsburgh and Dallas.
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (5-3)
I really thought that after the loss to Dallas this team would have dropped much further in the rankings. However, a top 5 defense is anchoring this team's success. The offense is still in the top half of the league. This team has some easy games coming up with two out of the next three against Kansas City and Detroit. This team could easily finish the season with 10 wins.
5. Dallas Cowboys (5-3)
Is America's team back after beating the Bucs this past weekend in Dallas? I'm not sure. Brad Johnson looked terrible. The defense, which I thought would have been one of the better ones in the league, finally showed up to play this past weekend. The next two games are against division foes in the NY Giants and Redskins. I bet Cowboys fans are wishing Romo was playing in these important division games.
6. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
After losing to Miami this weekend, I am becoming increasingly skeptical about the Bills. This loss is keeping the Bills from becoming one of the elite teams in the AFC this season. They have a very good record, but they squeeked by some weak teams. The next three games are against the NY Jets, the Patriots, and the resurging Browns. It will be critical to win at least two of those games. If not, this team might fall back in the pack a bit.
7. Carolina Panthers (6-2)
This team is certainly outperforming my expectations for them this season. The comeback win against the Cardinals showed their character. Steve Smith had a great month of October, compiling 447 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. After two games against Oakland and Detroit, the schedule will be a little bit more difficult for the rest of the season. This should be a playoff team, though.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
This was a tough loss to stomach at home. They lost because of a safety, but they did have two opportunities at the end of the game to come back and score. Missing starting WR Santonio Holmes because of a drug-related suspension hurt. He should be back in the lineup Monday night. The defense is still the best in the league, but this team has a very tough schedule for the rest of the season including games against the Redskins, Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, and Titans. All things considered, still winning the NFC North. Monday night at the Redskins should be a great game.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
What else can you say about Brian Westbrook? When he's not playing, the Eagles still might have a chance, but once he is back on the field, the offense performs at a completely different level. He is the player Reggie Bush was supposed to be. Many people think of Westbrook as being a pass catching RB, but this guy had 167 yards rushing this weekend. He is very, very versatile. Two out of the next three are against the Seahawks and Bengals. They have to take advantage of those weaker opponents and pile up some wins because they still have two games against the Giants, one against the Cowboys, and one against the Redskins.
10. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
This team didn't even play this weekend and have two teams ahead of them in their division who are ranked below them, yet they still moved up in the rankings. Why? I do not know. This may be a good opportunity to explain how my rankings work. It is completely mathematical. It is not subjective at all. It takes in factors including offensive and defensive statistics, wins, losses, and opponents played to date. If this was subjective, this team would be much lower because I think they stink.
11. Arizona Cardinals (4-3)
This past weekend was just the Cardinals being the Cardinals. Obviously, they would lose the game they were winning the majority of. They are 4-3 and could go .500 for the season and win their division by 2 games. Goodell interfers in everything in the NFL, its time for him to interfere inthe NFC West. This division has been a joke for about five years. No team should make the playoffs if they are not over .500.
12. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Coming off a bye, the Bears play the Lions. Let's add a W to the win column. However, the road is tough ahead for the Bears. I really would not be surprised if this team does not make the playoffs. Really, how far can Kyle Orton carry them?
13. New England Patriots (5-2)
This past week was not a pretty win against a week St. Louis team playing without Steven Jackson, but its nice for Matt Cassell to start a winning streak. The weak secondary's holes are becoming worse as players continue to get hurt. That secondary could be exposed this Sunday night against the Colts. With 9 games left, this team could realistically win 7 more games and finish 12-4. But it could also realistically go 4-5, finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs.
14. New York Jets (4-3)
This team will finish better than 4-12 like they were last year, but I don't think they are better than a .500 team. Brett Favre has brought some offense to the Jets, but they still are not making the playoffs.
15. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Coming off the bye week, the Packers have a lot of work to do the rest of the season. They only have one cupcake game left (Lions), but everyone else they play is a decent team. Aaron Rodgers and this offense are putting up points though, so anything can happen.
16. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
This team is still much better than people thought, but they are slowly coming back to Earth. It will be a major accomplishment if this team finishs above .500. I think it can. This running game is the real deal and has taken a lot of pressure off of Matt Ryan. I bet the Chargers are wishing they still had Michael Turner.
17. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
This is a great defense. Still not buying Joe Flacco (for this year, looking good for the future) and this offense. This team still plays games against five good teams (Giants, Eagles, Steelers, Cowboys, Redskins) and three decent teams (Browns, Jaguars, Texans) and one bad team (Bengals). Winning 8 games would be a great first year for Coach Harbaugh and Flacco.
18. Houston Texans (3-4)
After losing the first four games, they have won three straight. Andre Johnson is ridiculous. Steve Slaton looks like a great pick. I don't think they are a playoff team yet, but they are heading in the right direction. This is a Top 5 offense they have put together.
19. Miami Dolphins (3-4)
A surprising win over the Bills. This team is not making the playoffs. But what a turnaround they have had. From basement dweller to probably an 8-8 team. I think they could end up beating out the Jets for 3rd place in the conference, which would be big step. They still have a lot of games against bad teams.
20. Denver Broncos (4-3)
Coming off the bye, this team still has some easy games remaining, and the Chargers refuse to be a good team. With that said, the Broncos make the playoffs behind the arm of Jay "My arm is stronger than John Elway's" Cutler. The defense is really, really bad.
21. Cleveland Browns (3-4)
This team started out slow, but is starting to play much better. As Nick said to me, Derek Anderson (and I'll add Romeo Crennel) are holding onto their jobs by dental floss. The defense is looking better and Braylon Edwards finally decided to show up. Kellen Winslow is a headcase.
22. New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Even with a win over the Chargers in London, the Saints surprising dropped in the rankings. This offense, led by Drew Brees, really is potent. Marques Colston needs to start producing (for my fantasy team) and Reggie Bush will be back on the field soon (again, for the sake of my fantasy team).
23. Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
This team just looks absolutely terrible. I cannot figure out why they look so bad, not that I am complaining. Is it the lack of a defense, is Peyton still not healthy, is it no Joseph Addai? I don't know, but this team is not making the playoffs playing the way they are now. They have a big game at home against the Patriots. A loss this week and they might as well go into tank mode.
24. San Diego Chargers (3-5)
This team has struggled enough this season, but a trip halfway across the world to London did not make things any easier. A bye this week, at the mid point, should help them regroup and finish the season off strong. If they fail to make the playoffs, Norv Turner has to be fired.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that the Colts, Chargers and Jaguars would all be at the bottom half of the league? Not I. Both the offense and the defense have taken steps back from last season.
26. St. Louis Rams (2-5)
After two straight wins, the Rams came back to Earth with a loss against the Patriots. Granted they had no Steven Jackson. Coach Linehan is looking like a much better choice at head coach though.
27. Oakland Raiders (2-5)
Really not much to say here. I thought the defense would be better, but its not. JaMarcus Russell does not look good. I don't know if he needed another year, or if he is better suited to play defensive end, not quarterback.
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
So Mike Holmgren didn't leave on his sabatical early. A win is a win, but a win against the 49ers with a new coach doesn't turn your season around.
29. San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
This team stinks. But I think Mike Singletary could be a good coach. At least he is in Madden.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)
As predicted, no revenge of Herm Edwards this past weekend. This team is young, but Herm still is atrocious. If I was a Chief's fan, I would stand outside Arrowhead Stadium everyday protesting Herm Edwards as coach. They need to do something to shake this franchise up.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)
What a terrible franchise. The owner is cheap, and the front office continually brings in players that they found at the Cincinnati PD's criminal lineup. They want to fire Marvin Lewis (which actually makes sense) but will not because they don't want to continue to pay him.
32. Detroit Lions (0-7)
Hey, at least the Redwings are 7-1 so far.
posted by Steve at 9:57 AM
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