Week 11 NFL Power Rankings

For the first time all season there was some normalcy in the NFL in Week 11.  As a matter of fact my top five all won.  So there is no change in the top half.  The most impressive team has been the Eagles.  Philly has so many offensive weapons.  I cannot believe how far this team has come since August.  I’ll be the first to admit I thought the Eagles would take a major step back.  I hope the Eagles lose this week as they take on my Bears.

The Colts barely hang on.  Injuries are catching up to the ponies and I am still stunned Manning threw that INT against New England.

The Bucs keep winning, but let’s be honest…they are feasting off a really easy schedule.  I’m not knocking Tampa at all.  You have to beat who you play.  I am still not a believer though.

The Vikings firing Brad Childress happened at least 3 weeks too late.  What a disaster that team has been.

Three games on Thanksgiving!  Have a great turkey day.  Eat a lot and enjoy some great food!  Thanks as always for reading.

TOP TEN

1.  JETS – It hasn’t been pretty, but the bottom line is New York is 5-0 on the road and 8-2 overall.

2.  PATRIOTS – I thought they choked the game away against Indy.  Great win for Pats.

3.  FALCONS – Huge game this week at home against GB.  Go ATL!

4. RAVENS – Bmore is banging heads in such an awesome division.  They should handle Bucs this week.

5.  STEELERS – Pittsburgh had an easy bounce back win against Oakland.  Don’t touch Seymour.

6.  EAGLES – As mentioned, Philly continues to fly high with Michael Vick.

7.  SAINTS – The Saints have some swagger now.  The champs are now 7-3.

8.  PACKERS – Barf

9.  BEARS – Huge game this weekend against the Eagles.  CHI struggles against Philly historically.

10. COLTS – Indy edges out the Giants and Bucs for the final spot.

BOTTOM FIVE (1 Being Worst)

1.  PANTHERS

2.  BENGALS

3.  CARDINALS

4.  LIONS

5. NFC West



Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

The Browns spanking the Patriots in New England really summed up how baffling this season has been in the NFL.  The Pats take a large tumble in my rankings from 1 to 6.  So who do you put at the top spot.  It is back to the same three teams that I have focused on the most: Jets, Ravens, and Steelers.  I’ll put Pittsburgh up there this week.  Which is really a kiss of death.  The Steelers host New England Sunday night, so I’ll go ahead and take thank yous from Patriot fans.

The Cowboys finally did what Jerry Jones should’ve done a long time ago and that is getting rid of Wade Phillips.  It may not be the quick solution, but it had to happen.  Anything was better than status quo.

I keep thinking it is time for teams to start separating themselves, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen this year.  On to the rankings…

TOP TEN

1. STEELERS – Thwarted a second half rally by the Bengals to improve to 6-2.

2. RAVENS – My Super Bowl pick.  They’ve been inconsistent as of late but still have best record in NFL.

3. JETS – A three point win against the Lions isn’t exactly impressive.  Offense still isn’t there.

4. GIANTS – Yes they are the hottest team in football, but they have played NO ONE.

5. FALCONS – Everytime I place them in my top five they lose, so you’re welcome Tampa.

6. PATRIOTS – So was the Browns loss a blip on the radar or something more serious?

7. COLTS – I was surprised how poorly they played at Philly. 

8. SAINTS – New Orleans put up 34 points…however, it was against the Panthers.

9. PACKERS – BARF

10. EAGLES – Michael Vick picked up where he left off.  One of the best stories of 2010.

BOTTOM FIVE (1 being worst)

1. BILLS

2. COWBOYS

3. PANTHERS

4. BRONCOS

5. BENGALS



Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

With the career change, it has been hard to keep up with my website.  Not to mention coming up with this week's NFL Power Rankings is so tough because almost all of the top tier teams lost!  The Jets take the biggest tumble in the poll.  After being shutout at home against a depleted defense, New York deserved a nose-dive.

Five days later, I am still stunned by Mike Shanahan pulling Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Freaking Grossman?!  Then the horrible spin afterwards by Shanahan made it worse. 

Like many of you I was also shocked by the Vikings cutting Randy Moss.  Minnesote should have instead cut Brad Childress.

Ok on to the rankings.  Not an easy week with so many teams seemingly pretty equal.  The playoff race should be pretty awesome at the end of the year.

TOP TEN

1. PATRIOTS - They have the best record in the NFL, and no reason not to vault them to #1.

2. COLTS - No receivers or tight ends?  No problem for #18.

3. STEELERS - No reason to drop them too far after a loss against the desperate Super Bowl Champions.

4. RAVENS - An important home game against a very good Dolphins team this week.

5. GIANTS - I initially had the Giants higher, but the NFC hurts their ranking. 

6. JETS - What a gigantic egg New York laid against GB.

7. FALCONS - A huge game in the NFC South with the Bucs this week.

8. SAINTS - New Orleans had to have that one against the Steelers.

9. DOLPHINS - Miami loves playing on the road.  They are flying under the radar.

10. CHIEFS - A pivotal game at Oakland for the AFC West race.

First Three Out: Bucs, Packers, and Titans

BOTTOM FIVE (1 being the worst)

1. BILLS

2. PANTHERS

3. COWBOYS

4. BRONCOS

5. BENGALS

Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

The Browns blasted the Saints in New Orleans?  Really?  That is just hard to grasp.  Good for Cleveland though.  That Bears game was one of the hardest I have ever had to endure.  Never thought they would lose at home to Seattle and Washington.  Everyone knows I do not like Favre, the Packers, or the Vikings…however, that game Sunday night was awesome.  So much drama.  I was glued to the TV.

On to the rankings…

TOP TEN

1. JETS – New York has its bye week.  No reason not to keep the Jets #1.

2. STEELERS – They got help from a side judge’s quick whistle to survive in Miami.

3. PATRIOTS – The Pats offense went MIA, however, Norv and the Chargers choke another one.

4. RAVENS – Another stunner.  It really looked good for the Bills in OT.  I hated the fumble call.

5. COLTS – Also on a bye week.  It’s time for the Petyon to Jacob Tamme era to begin.

6. FALCONS – Matt Ryan looked impressive in a shootout against Cincy.  Roddy White is awesome.

7. GIANTS – New York is one of the best teams in the NFC.  Not sure if that’s a compliment.

8. TITANS – Tennessee really impressed me with a back-up qb and against a good Philly team.

9. TEXANS – Showdown at Indy this week on MNF.

10. CHIEFS – At 4-2, KC has a legit shot to win the west.  The Raiders are lurking.

BOTTOME FIVE (1 being worst)

1. BILLS

2. 49ERS

3. COWBOYS

4. LIONS

5. PANTHERS 



Week 6 NFL Power Rankings

The eye-opener for me in week six is New England.  I was shocked how much of an impact Deion Branch had.  It really seemed like he had never left.  If the Patriots defense ever tightens up, they are definitely Super Bowl contenders. 

I am so mad at the Bears and that offensive line I can’t even talk about it.  Is anyone blocking anybody?  Also impressive are the Eagles.  They dominated a very good Falcons game.  I know they have this quarterback controversy, however, this is a good one.  Both signal-callers are solid.

Oh one more thing…anyone else enjoying watching Phillip Rivers lose?

TOP TEN

1.  JETS – A nice road win in Denver.  That is five straight for New York.

2.  STEELERS – Big Ben returns with a win over the Browns.  Surprised how well McCoy played.

3.  PATRIOTS – Addition by subtraction with Randy Moss.

4.  RAVENS –  I didn’t want to drop them too low, but choking that one away in NE hurt.

5.   COLTS – Indy still hasn’t put it all together but they’re surviving in a tough division.

6.  SAINTS – Much like Indy…the Saints still look rusty but are 4-2.

7.  EAGLES – Kolb, Vick…who cares.  Philly keeps winning.

8.  FALCONS – A baby Falcon will be born in Philly after the egg Atlanta laid.

9.  TITANS – No quarterback, no problem in Jacksonville.

10. TEXANS – I still can’t quite figure this team out either.  I think they’re good but…

BOTTOM FIVE (1 being worst)

1.  PANTHERS

2. BILLS

3. COWBOYS

4. LIONS

5. CHARGERS



Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

What is going on in the NFL?  This is like parity on steroids.  The Cardinals beat the Saints with an undrafted quarterback?!  Todd Collins throws 4 INTs yet the Bears easily beat the hapless Panthers.  The 49ers continue to invent ways of losing.  The NFC is just awful.  Brett Favre unveils himself and throws another game-losing interception.  Carson Palmer may be the worst quarterback in the league.  Just a few things I can rattle off.  Anyhow, here is my latest NFL Power Rankings.  But really…does anyone know anymore?

TOP TEN:

1.  JETS – Another great win in primetime.  It is amazing how far Mark Sanchez has come.

2.  RAVENS – Baltimore is really a 1A.  The Ravens have it all, and are a clear AFC favorite.

3.  STEELERS – Big Ben is back. 

4.  FALCONS – Atlanta continues to impress.  Roddy White is most under-rated WR in league.

5.  BEARS – Parcells once said you are what your record says you are.  Da Bears are 4-1.

6.  COLTS – Peyton looked ordinary, Addai is hurt, but Indy still prevails.  Still question marks.

7.  PATRIOTS – Not sure about trading away a threat like Randy Moss.  Bad move IMO.

8.  SAINTS – They have to get it together at some point.  Right?

9.  CHIEFS – I learned more about them in a loss than I did in victory.  Cassel is awful though.

10. TITANS – They are a bi-polar team.  For now they just slip into Top Ten.

BOTTOM FIVE:

1. PANTHERS

2. BILLS

3. COWBOYS

4. 49ERS

5. BROWNS



Week 3 NFL Power Rankings

Of all of the times I have made up my NFL Power Rankings…by far this has been my toughest list.  It is hard to believe there are only 3 unbeaten teams left.  And that doesn’t mean that those three are the three best teams. 

Who do you put at the top?  The Steelers don’t even have a quarterback!  However, they do have the best defense in the league, and they are 3-0, so I put the black and gold at the top.  The Saints miss and absolute chip shot field goal, so it is hard to demote them far.  However, the Saints haven’t played a great game yet all season.  I’m still partial to the champs and to quarterback Drew Brees.

A lot of these slots could be juggled in several directions.  This is what I’ve come up with.  I’m sure there will be a lot of disagreement:

TOP TEN

1. STEELERS – Bubby Brister is getting the start this week.

2. SAINTS – I wanted to put them down a little further, but who would you move up?

3. COLTS – Indy’s defense is terrible, but they know how to win, AND that offense is dynamic.

4. JETS – What a difference a two weeks makes.  Great win in Miami.

5. BEARS – Winning ugly is better than losing!! BEAR DOWN CHICAGO BEARS…

6. CHIEFS – I cannot believe they are 3-0.  I watched entire game against SF.  They have a shot.

7. PACKERS – Only Green Bay could replace a HOF qb with another HOF qb.  Peckerheads.

8. RAVENS – My Super Bowl champion team still looks sick.  Showdown this week at PIT.

9. PATRIOTS – Their defense is awful.  They made the Bills look like an NFL team.

10. FALCONS – Like the Jets, they have really bounced back well last 2 games.

Last five out: Texans, Eagles, Dolphins, Titans, and Vikings

BOTTOM FIVE

All five of these teams are putrid.  Hard to rank them.  Remember 1 is the worst:

1. PANTHERS

2. 49ERS

3. BROWNS

4. BILLS

5. LIONS



Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

As I put together the week 2 power rankings, I realize there are a lot of TERRIBLE teams.  Nonetheless, I power through.  The parody of the league shows again.  Chiefs and Bears 2-0…Vikings, Cowboys, Niners 0-2. 

So after looking over the resume of every team, here are my week 2 power rankings.  Feel free to comment below:

TOP TEN:

1.  SAINTS – The Champs foil two difficult challenges to start the season.

2.  STEELERS – They skyrocket up my list.  No quarterback: no problem.  Best defense in league.

3.  PACKERS – Barf

4.  TEXANS – A sign of a champion is coming from behind on the road.  Huge win at Washington

5.  COLTS – Looked more like themselves against Giants.  Great running game.

6.  PATRIOTS – There defense needs to be shored up, and they offense shutdown in second half.

7.  DOLPHINS – Even though they are unbeaten, I am not completely sold to put them higher…yet.

8.  RAVENS – Joe Flacco was just brutal in Cincy.  How can he not excel with so many great receivers?

9.   JETS – Mark Sanchez looked a lot better.  That defense is amazing.

10. BEARS – Jay Cutler has been perfect.  Sing along…BEAR DOWN…CHICAGO BEARS…

BOTTOM FIVE: (1 being worst)

1.  Browns

2.  Panthers

3.  Lions

4.  Bills

5. Cowboys



Week 1 NFL Power Rankings

I love putting together my NFL Power Rankings each week.  I think this is the sixth year in a row I’ve done it.  Of course ranking NFL teams really means nothing since there’s a playoff, but it is fun to do.  I do not look at any other power rankings prior to making my list.

It is hard to come up with anything after just one week.  There are still so many question marks.  There are clearly three teams in the upper tier.  After that there is a fall off.

As always, thanks for reading, and if you have a comment leave it at the bottom.  I usually irritate peeps with my rankings…

Top Ten:

1. SAINTS – They learned how to win without scoring a lot in week one.

2. RAVENS – My Super Bowl Champion pick.  The Ravens defense was outstanding last night.

3. PATRIOTS – Easily could be another championship year for the Pats.  They destroyed Cincy.

4. TITANS – This spot was tough.  Like I said…big drop off.  I like the Titans defense and running game.

5. GIANTS – I was surprised how well NY played in week one.  I loved Nicks when he was at UNC.

6. PACKERS – Barf.

7. TEXANS – This seemed a bit too high, but the win over the Colts is a cornerstone victory.

8. COLTS – Even with a loss, and a loss of Bob Sanders, you can’t dismiss the baby horses.

9. VIKINGS – Offense looked poor, but they still barely lost to the champs on the road.

10. JETS – Incredible defense, but putrid offense.

Bottom Five: (#1 being the worst)

1. BRONCOS

2. BILLS

3. BROWNS

4. 49ERS

5. FALCONS



Week Seventeen NFL Power Rankings

The 2009 regular season is over and my power rankings have changed as much as Tiger Woods’ girlfriends.  The one constant has been the Colts at number one.  However, I’m sorry, if you don’t want to win your games…then down you go.  I know some Colts fans will say, “But look at Wes Welker!!”  First off, many of those same fans before the injury were poo pooing the decision.  Also, injuries can happen at any time.  Play hard to win the game, and DO NOT lose that edge.  Indy now has essentially four weeks between meaningful games.

The Chargers have won 11 straight.  As much it pains me to put whiney Phillip at the top, San Diego deserves it.  The Saints and Vikes round out the Top Four...then it is anyone’s guess.  I have the Eagles at five because of their post-season history.  Maybe it is too high for a team that didn’t even win the division.  However, I wasn’t about to put Dallas at five, and Welker’s injury kept me from sticking the Patriots there.

It is bizarre that there are three rematches in the post season from week 17.  It will be interesting how they play out.

I have had my fair share of good analysis (the Broncos being garbage), and some bad picks (the Browns being good).

Later on this week I will make my predictions of the NFL playoffs.  For now…here is my final power ranking.  As always, thanks for reading!

TOP TEN

1. Chargers - 11 straight wins.  Let's hope the streak ends there.

2. Colts - Have another week off.

3. Saints - Top seed in NFC and one of league's best qbs.

4. Vikings - Oh the drama in purple land.  What will the playoffs hold for Minny?

5. Eagles - NFC Conference Championship loss?

6. Patriots - No one wants to play Billy B's team

7. Cowboys - Everyone wnats to play Big D

8. Ravens - My sleeper pick to go to the Super Bowl.

9. Bengals - My sleeper pick to lose in first round.

10. Packers - BARF

First Five Out: Cardinals Jets, Falcons, Steelers, Texans

BOTTOM FIVE

1. Rams

2. Lions

3. Bucs

4. Redskins

5. Chiefs