|
Week 11
Power Rankings |
|
Rank |
Last Wk. |
+/- |
Team |
Comment |
| 1 |
1 |
- |
 |
I've heard it stated on television a few times already by analysts, and
it's appropriate to bring up again: the Patriots even won on their bye
week. By the Colts losing two games in a row, that means that in the
home-field advantage column, the Patriots actually have a massive
three-game lead over the Colts. They aren't clinched just yet though:
the Steelers, whom they face on December 9th, are only two games back with
their 7-2 record. |
|
2 |
3 |
+1 |
 |
The Cowboys are pretty much a
shoe-in for their division after sweeping the Giants this season, however they
aren't finished yet. Although the Redskins have been inconsistent, they still
have two games remaining against them, including one this week. Again, while
unlikely, the only concern left for Dallas in their division is if Washington
were to upset them twice. Beyond that, it's all about trying to hold the Packers
back now. |
|
3 |
5 |
+2 |
 |
It's time to stop questioning whether or not the Lions or Bears will
challenge the Packers for the NFC North title. The focus should be on
staying pace with, and eventually surpassing the Cowboys. With Ryan Grant
appearing to be a suitable running back, a weakness no longer exists for
Favre's team. |
|
4 |
2 |
-2 |
 |
When healthy, the Indianapolis Colts are still my No. 2 team. However, the
Colts are not healthy right now, and it has already taken a toll on their
chances at getting a first-round bye all of a sudden. Marvin Harrison may
be ready to return soon, but now Dwight Freeney is out on the defensive
side of the ball. And, a little surprising obviously to finally see Adam
Vinatieri miss a "game-winning kick". |
|
5 |
6 |
+1 |
 |
The Steelers were awful on special teams, but Ben Roethlisberger
single-handedly (along with the assistance of some questionable refereeing
calls) carried the team on his back for what was basically the clinching
of the AFC North. Of all the teams in the league, the Steelers may be the
only one remaining with a shot to take out New England's unblemished
record. |
|
6 |
4 |
-2 |
 |
If you went back and compared the first game of the season to the game
last week, you would've assumed the Giants' defense hasn't improved all
season. Perhaps it hasn't. The Giants can't stop Dallas, and that
means that despite the fact they may have the third-best record in the NFC,
they'll be stuck as a wildcard team. Here's to hoping they don't collapse
like last year, though. |
|
7 |
9 |
+2 |
 |
Several weeks ago, I stated that even if Quinn Gray won one out of the
three games he would start, the Jaguars would be in good shape to contend
when Garrard came back. Although it wasn't necessarily "all" Gray, the
Jaguars went 2-1 without Garrard, including a huge win over the Titans
last week. |
| 8 |
7 |
-1 |
 |
Vince Young threw for his first touchdown since Week 3 last week in a
losing effort. Since Week 3. If Young can't throw the ball well
enough to cap off the regular season, don't be surprised if people start
drawing comparisons to Michael Vick (on-the-field Vick, not off-the-field
Vick). |
|
9 |
11 |
+2 |
 |
I'm sickened that I had to move the Chargers up. The offense was horrible
again, despite the fact that they added Chris Chambers several weeks ago.
Without special teams and six (rarity) interceptions on defense, the
Chargers would have been blown out. No one was impressed with what they
saw, and the Chargers know they got away with one big time. Still, they
are the leaders of the AFC West. |
|
10 |
9 |
-1 |
 |
The Browns were several
"would-be plays" away from tying the Steelers for the division lead, thanks to
two fantastic kick returns by Joshua Cribbs. Cleveland continues to average
nearly 30 points per game, and with them having one of the weakest strength of
schedules for the rest of the season, the wildcard is still certainly in sight. |
|
11 |
10 |
-1 |
 |
The Buccaneers caught a huge break over the bye when the New Orleans
Saints failed to take out the winless Rams. The Buccaneers have played the
best football in their division by far this year, but their record is only
mediocre in comparison to some of the other division leaders. |
|
12 |
8 |
-4
 |
 |
Ten wins sounded great for the Lions...until they lost to the Arizona
Cardinals, and then you look at their remaining schedule. Where as the
Browns are lucky to have a list of easy teams, it's the opposite for the
Lions, starting with the Giants this Sunday. |
|
13 |
16 |
+3
 |
 |
The Seahawks have swept the 49ers this season after being swept by them
last season, and yet the Seahawks still remain the same, inconsistent team
on a weekly basis. Perhaps the Cardinals, who already have a win over the
Seahawks this year, will be this year's "49ers", except do them one
better: make the playoffs over them. |
|
14 |
17 |
+3
|
 |
J.P. Losman and the Buffalo Bills. Could they be the team responsible for
ending New England's run at a perfect season? Buffalo nearly upset Dallas
this year, are currently on a four-game winning streak, and they know that
the Patriots have historically been upset at least once a season in their
division by either the Dolphins or the Jets. Could it be the Bills this
year? |
|
15 |
14 |
-1 |
 |
The Redskins can't expect to make noise this week against the
division-leading Cowboys if they can't even best the other teams in
their division. Still, the Redskins have a fighting chance if they are
able to put games away better than they've been doing. |
|
16 |
13 |
-3
|
 |
Welcome
back to the NFL, Priest Holmes. Although it wasn't a lights-out
performance, Holmes did a fair job in his first start in years, and
will continue being the team's featured back against the Colts this
week. The Chiefs have a QB problem though, and that includes the fact
that they are forced to start Brodie Croyle this weekend. |
|
17 |
15 |
-2 |
 |
Chalk up a mulligan for the Saints. We all knew the Rams had way too
much talent offensively to go winless, and the Saints were the
unfortunate victim of Marc Bulger and company unloading. The Saints
have two winnable road games coming up, and then they'll face their
biggest game of the season: a home game against the division-leading
Buccaneers. |
| 18 |
20 |
+2 |
 |
The Eagles are hanging by a thread in the NFC playoff race, but here's
a personal prediction: they won't get into the playoffs. Brian
Westbrook is without question capable of single-handedly turning the
offense into a success, but the Eagles have had too many letdowns after
solid victories this season to actually put faith in them. |
|
19 |
22 |
+3
|
 |
Boy, wouldn't it be nice to lose three straight games, finally get a
win, and still only be one game out of first place? Kurt Warner finally
started to get the ball moving again for a Cardinals offense that has
been underachieving as of late. |
|
20 |
23 |
+3
|
 |
I'm not surprised that Rex Grossman is back under center for the
Chicago Bears. Most of the fans got what they wanted in seeing Brian
Griese have the opportunity to run the offense. The results were
up-and-down, and overall not a significant upgrade over Grossman.
Grossman has shown the ability to get hot for a few games in the past,
so giving him another chance is worth a shot considering their record. |
|
21 |
21 |
- |
 |
Believe it or not, it's time to start getting exciting about the
Houston Texans. Matt Schaub, Ahman Green, and Andre Johnson are all
reportedly set to return and START this week against the Saints. That
duo has not been together since Week 2, after they had led the team to
a 2-0 start. |
|
22 |
18 |
-4
|
 |
Buzz kill. Adrian Peterson will definitely miss this week's game, and
possibly the next one as well. Suddenly, the media will revert back to
not caring about the Minnesota Vikings for the time being. |
|
23 |
26 |
+3
|
 |
If there is one positive thing the Bengals can take out of this season,
it's the fact that they have dominated the Baltimore Ravens twice. In
two contests against them, the defense recorded 12 turnovers. Is that a
record or something? |
|
24 |
25 |
+1 |
 |
Just when I thought they were buried, the Broncos resurged again thanks
in part to rookie running back Selvin Young, who had his first 100-yard
game this past week in relief of Travis Henry. Credit to Jay Cutler for
playing rather well too after I doubted his abilities following his
injury the week before. |
|
25 |
19 |
-6
|
 |
John Fox was considered one of the league's top coaches in the team's
Super Bowl appearance several years ago, but now his job is in jeopardy
due to years and years of injuries plaguing the team. This year it was
the quarterback position, but still, responsibility should fall on Fox
for not doing something right to prepare his team for playing so poorly
at home. |
|
26 |
24 |
-2 |
 |
If how Brian Billick has handled the Ravens' quarterback situation
doesn't get him fired at some point, then I don't know what will.
McNair was suitable for one year (last year), and making him the
featured guy for a second season without a player ready to succeed him
was a huge mistake (although they do have Troy Smith). Kyle Boller is
the team's new starter, but for how long? |
|
27 |
27 |
- |
 |
I think the Falcons have put together the quietest two-game winning
streak in the history of football. Here's something I find funny, but
still agree with: Joey Harrington started both of those games, but now
the team is going to start the returning Byron Leftwich. The key to
success for Atlanta has been the sudden burst of energy that veteran
Warrick Dunn is providing again. |
|
28 |
31 |
+3
|
 |
It's
amazing what one win will do for a football team. Unlike the Dolphins,
I'm confident that the Rams can actually pose a threat to win on a
weekly basis for the rest of the season if they stay healthy. The
season's over barring a miracle, but heh, they do play in the worst
division in football. |
|
29 |
28 |
-1 |
 |
Back to Daunte Culpepper, after they had gone to Josh McCown for two
weeks because Culpepper wasn't getting the job done. Lane Kiffin?
Remember you have another quarterback on the bench over there? JaMarcus
Russell? First overall pick of the draft? |
|
30 |
29 |
-1 |
 |
People are probably vomiting as they watch the 49ers' offense unfold.
It's amazing that I actually got so excited about this team after they
started the season 2-0. Now, I'll probably pick the Rams to beat them
this week, even though they just won their first game of the year last
week. |
|
31 |
30 |
-1 |
 |
The
rest of the season is all about getting to know what positions to
improve upon for next year, primarily focusing on the quarterback
position. Will Kellen Clemons get it done, or will the Jets be looking
for a new quarterback in April's draft and/or free agency? |
|
32 |
32 |
- |
 |
Circle
the game on your calendar Dolphins fans: December 2nd. That's when the
Dolphins play the Jets in Miami, and it'll probably be their only
remaining chance to remove themselves from the category of no
return. |
