|
Rank | Team |
Comment |
| 1 (1) |  |
The Colts may have
survived before the bye week without Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison, but
they'll need all the help they can get as they approach the toughest
four-week stretch of their season. Starting on Monday Night Football, the
Colts play the Jaguars (4-1), Panthers (4-2), Patriots (6-0), and Chargers
(3-3) over the next four weeks (Three of those games are on the road). |
|
2 (2) |  |
The Patriots have
already defeated the NFC's best team, the Dallas Cowboys, by 19 points. Just
like they've done against everyone else, players like Tom Brady, Donte
Stallworth, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker made it look too easy. It's time for the
Patriots to circle their next big game of the season: in three weeks at
Indianapolis. |
|
3 (3) |  |
I think it'd be a
little silly to drop the Cowboys after losing to what could be the best
team in football. Dallas' main focus for the rest of the season has to be
on winning the top seed in the NFC to build home-field advantage in the
postseason. If the Cowboys are looking to get their ground game going, it
won't be this week as they face the Minnesota Vikings' tremendous run
defense. |
|
4 (4) |
 |
The Steelers are only
a half game ahead in the AFC North, with Baltimore and Cleveland licking
their chops for a shot to take them down. Like the Colts, the bye week
couldn't have come at a better time for Pittsburgh: they'll have Hines
Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Troy Polamalu back against the Denver Broncos
this week. |
|
5 (5) |
 |
Although Brett Favre
had two touchdowns mistakenly called back by the officials against
Washington, he also had three potential interceptions that were dropped by
Sean Taylor. A win is a win, but the Packers know that the Redskins really
shot themselves in the foot more than anything. |
|
6 (8) |
 |
The New York Giants
continued their red-hot run with a decisive 31-10 victory over the Atlanta
Falcons on Monday Night Football. I was getting ready to right the Giants
off after an 0-2 start due to their defense, but the turnaround they've
made, especially considering the "collapse" last year, it remarkable. At
least we'll have one respectable team to show off overseas. |
|
7 (9) |
 |
No one is questioning
Jack Del Rio's move to start David Garrard anymore. While Garrard is in
position to upset the Colts this week and lead Jacksonville to sole
possession of first place in the AFC South, Byron Leftwich is getting his
crack on a team heading in the opposite direction -- the Atlanta Falcons. |
| 8 (10) |
 |
198 yards rushing for
LaDainian Tomlinson? 4 touchdowns on the ground? I was ready to call for
Norv Turner's head again after Philip Rivers threw a pick six, but he
wisely stuck with the ground game in the second half for a convincing win.
With Chris Chambers now in the mix, the Chargers finally have their
big-play wide receiver. |
|
9 (11) |
 |
It's almost a fact: if
you have a solid defense and don't turn the ball over on offense, even if
you're not explosive, you're going to win in this league. Jeff Garcia is a
winner, and the addition of Michael Bennett could provide an underrated
boost to Tampa Bay's running game in the near future. |
|
10 (7) |
 |
The Redskins have no
one to blame but a few of their top players for their loss against the Packers
this past Sunday. Santana Moss played hurt, and he proved to be a big liability
as he was responsible for the Packers' game-winning score after a fumble.
Meanwhile, safety Sean Taylor, who had two interceptions, dropped three more
that were relatively easy to intercept. |
11 (6)
 |
 |
The Titans
aren't going to like it, but if they want to keep Vince Young healthy for
the rest of the season, it'll probably require him missing at least a week
of action. |
12 (16)
 |
 |
Vinny Testaverde's
touchdown streak in consecutive seasons continues, but this year it didn't
come in a game that didn't count. Testaverde could certainly still teach a
lot of quarterbacks how to manage a game, as he has even been able to
create a sudden "buzz" about a possible success story in the makings. |
13 (17)
|
 |
The Browns failed to
allow a bad Miami team upset them at home, which is actually a major step
forward considering the disappointments this club has suffered for years.
During the bye this week, the Browns must address their issues and safety
to improve their bend-but-don't-break approach. |
14 (20)
|
 |
The Ravens have done
what they're supposed to do against offensively challenged teams the past
two weeks. When the schedule gets tougher though, that's when it'll
be time to take the Ravens seriously again due to their unusual
quarterback flip-flop. |
15 (12)
|
 |
The NFC West reads
this for the four teams, in respective order: Lost 1, Lost 2, Lost 3, and
Lost 6. That's beyond bad for a division. The Seahawks have the most
experience, but not only are guys like Shaun Alexander not stepping up,
Mike Holmgren's managerial decisions have been atrocious. How bad was his
fullback obsession and his lack of not calling for a field goal in the
final drive this past Sunday night? |
|
16 (14) |
 |
Sadly, the Texans will
be forced to play again this week without the services of Andre Johnson.
Andre Davis and Kevin Walter have filled in ok for him, but Johnson did
wonders with Matt Schaub early in the season. |
|
17 (15) |
 |
The Lions have had a
long time to collect their thoughts after being completely dominated by
the Washington Redskins a few weeks back. It's hard to envision this
high-powered offense struggling two games in a row, and Calvin Johnson is
also back at full strength. |
18 (13)
|
 |
Kurt Warner will be a
game-time decision this week, and the Cardinals should seriously consider
starting him over Tim Rattay. The NFC West is not a very good division,
and the Cardinals can't afford to settle with Rattay, who is bound to be
ineffective. |
19 (26)
|
 |
There's no
doubt that the Chiefs' offensive line is not very good overall, but this
team has managed a 3-3 record due to some strong play on defense. I'm
really looking forward to Priest Holmes possibly returning this week. |
|
20 (19) |
 |
When Devin Hester is
on the field, things are happening for the Bears. Chicago might as well
insert him into the slot on all passing downs, let him fly down the field,
and see how things go. It'd be better than handing it off to Cedric
Benson. |
21 (24)
|
 |
It won't be too hard
for the Eagles to leap over the Bears in next week's rankings if they win
this week. Donovan McNabb had an ok showing after a bye week, but the
offense should have generated more than 16 points. |
22 (29)
|
 |
I hated the Minnesota
Vikings' offense heading into the season. I didn't think Tarvaris Jackson
would do anything, and I didn't think the receivers would help him out
much. I was right on both accounts, but I never envisioned one man --
rookie running back Adrian Peterson -- single-handedly turning the offense
into a threat. |
23 (18)
|
 |
Daunte Culpepper, or
Josh McCown? While the Raiders debate about those two guys, about the
other quarterback waiting on the sidelines -- JaMarcus Russell. You know,
the No. 1 overall pick in the draft? |
|
24 (23) |
 |
With such high
expectations heading into the season, the Broncos received another blow with
Javon Walker set to miss six weeks of action after having surgery on his knee. |
25 (21)
|
 |
Another week, and
another start for veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer on the way. Alex Smith
wasn't moving the ball much earlier this year, but remember: this team got
off to a 2-0 start before losing their past three games. |
26 (22)
|
 |
The Bengals are
talking about redeeming themselves against the poor Jets defense this
week, but how is that going to help this team in the long run? Unless the
offensive line can protect Carson Palmer or the defense can put up much of
a fight, this team isn't getting out of the cellar. |
|
27 (25) |
 |
The Bills are ranked
low, but they should really be ranked higher due to the competitiveness
they bring to the field. I really do wish some of their work would pay off
in victories. |
|
28 (30) |
 |
Babysteps. That's all
the New Orleans Saints can afford to focus on now, as they still have a lot of
time to build upon the success they had against the Seahawks. It's easy to say
this when a club wins, but in the first half, New Orleans' playcalling seemed to
be as sharp as it was last season. |
|
29 (27) |
 |
I'd rather see Byron
Leftwich start over my arch-nemesis Joey Harrington (I've never been fond
of him). The Falcons have some receivers that are hoping to break out a
little more, and Leftwich gives the team the opportunity to get the ball
down the field to them. |
|
30 (28) |
 |
I've been an advocate
of Chad Pennington, but after some dumb throws he has made high and behind
receivers the past few weeks, I think it's time to bring in Kellen
Clemons, if not to simply shake things up. |
|
31 (31) |
 |
Let me get this
straight -- the defense is still playing horribly, Cleo Lemon was much
worse than the stats showed last week, and their top wide receiver was
traded during the week for a second-round draft pick. Excluding Ronnie
Brown (he's a monster), the only entertaining thing I hope to see from
this team is Ted Ginn Jr.'s involvement on offense. |
|
32 (32) |
 |
I feel a lot more
comfortable about a healthier Marc Bulger returning to the Rams offense.
I'd feel better if Steven Jackson were set to return too. In the end
though, the season is already shot -- this clubs just trying to fight for
respect from here on out. |
