November 08, 2011

Week 10 Power Rankings

Hi NFLers
Welcome to my weekly NFL Power Rankings – a look at how I rank the 32 NFL teams after the Monday Night Football fallout. The figures to the right of the logo denote each team’s current record while the number to the left in brackets is where I had them placed last week.

Big love for: Ravens, Giants, Broncos, Dolphins

No love for: Steelers, Bills, Eagles

1. (1) 8-0 The almost flawless Packers have one glaring weakness – their secondary, but that secondary still managed to return two interceptions for touchdowns on Sunday. Not a bad weakness to have as you march towards the Super Bowl.
2. (5) 6-3 Surprised to see the Saints so high? Yes, I take them above the Ravens and 49ers. The loss to the Rams was a jolt they needed and they possess the talent to push the Packers in the playoffs.

3. (8) 6-2 There’s 92 yards’ worth of reasons to believe in Joe Flacco right now.
4. (4) 7-1 Who saw this coming? I’ll tell you who…Jim Harbaugh. Coach of the Year at the halfway point of the season.
5. (3) 5-3 Write the Patriots off if you will, but opponents for the rest of the season have to contend with the bruised double headed monster of Belichick and Brady.
6. (9) 6-3 Along with Pittsburgh, Houston possess the most balanced roster in the AFC, with the added bonus of the best one-two punch at running back in the league. I love this Houston team and tip them to shock in the playoffs.
7. (15) 6-2 These Giants need the elite opponent to bring out their elite game. That’s great in the playoffs, but they need to keep motivated before then.
8. (2) 6-3 As it stands, the Steelers’ route to the Super Bowl goes straight through Baltimore. They can do it, but the Ravens hold the trump card right now. As for the rivalry, let’s hope this thing never ends.
9. (11) 6-2 The Bengals hit my Top 10 for the first time this season. Eight games to play, four of them against the Ravens and Steelers; three good defenses flexing their muscles…the AFC North is about to get ugly and we can’t wait.
10. (10) 5-3 Julio Jones finally shows he’s for real…against the 0-9 Colts? The talent’s obvious and this team is dangerous.
11. (6) 5-3 A huge letdown at home vs. the Jets. Disappointing against a division rival and, whisper it, they couldn’t deal with the attitude Rex Ryan’s team brought. Opposing teams, take note.
12. (14) 5-3 I gave the Bears little chance in Philly and I hold my hands up on that one. They’re greater than the sum of their parts and on a roll.
13. (12) 6-2 Harsh to now rank them below the Bears? Perhaps, but no apologies on my part. However, their visit to Chicago this week gives them the chance to prove me wrong.
14. (17) 5-3 They brought the house to Buffalo and overwhelmed the Bills. They have their swagger back so expect Rex Ryan to start going public again. The team we love to hate are getting good…time to hate them all over again.
15. (13) 4-4 As ever, it looks as though the Chargers will only go as far as Philip Rivers can take them…and, as ever, it won’t be to the Super Bowl any time soon.
16. (20) 4-4 DeMarco Murray is making Cowboys’ fans quickly forget who Felix Jones is. When Jones returns, Dallas could have a running game to rival Houston’s. Texas welcomes back old school football!
17. (7) 3-5 A crushing loss to the Bears on MNF and one that’s now difficult to come back from. They won’t give up, but can only really afford to lose one more game all season.
18. (19) 2-6 They may not even be in Minnesota next season so NFL fans somewhere can welcome Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder. The LA Vikings? It could happen and they already have Hollywood football players.
19. (16) 4-4 Gerald McCoy is lost for the season, which makes it easier for teams to run on the Bucs. Who’s next on the schedule? Arian Foster and Ben Tate…you couldn’t make it up.
20. (22) 2-6 The Panthers go up two places despite not even playing? That’s what happens when you have Cam Newton at quarterback.
21. (18) 4-4 I guess that Todd Haley’s lost the beard then.
22. (29) 3-5 The Broncos jump seven places and it has nothing to do with Tim Tebow. They’re one game away from sharing the lead in the AFC West…utterly ridiculous.
23. (28) 1-7 Yes, I’m serious, Miami up to 23. This was coming as they should be 3-5. At home to the Broncos…should’ve won. On the road to the Giants…should’ve won. They played a full 60 minutes in KC and didn’t just win, they caused Todd Haley to shave. Serious business.
24. (21) 4-4 No Darren McFadden and no quarterback. What happened to all that early season promise? This team misses Jason Campbell badly.
25. (26) 2-6 Give Patrick Peterson the damn ball!
26. (25) 1-7 Don’t give Patrick Peterson the damn ball!
27. (23) 4-4 Rumours suddenly abound that the Titans may dispense with Chris Johnson before the 2012 season. Big news and watch this space, but with little chance of catching Houston for a playoff spot, why wouldn’t the Titans look at rebuilding already?
28. (24) 2-6 Running back…check. Tight end…check. Defense…check. Quarterback…check, but give Gabbert some help. The Jags need to rebuild at wide receiver.
29. (27) 3-5 Houston had scored 14 points last Sunday before Colt McCoy had taken his second snap. An outrageous stat which says a lot about the Texans, but perhaps more about the Browns.
30. (30) 2-6 Discipline’s a problem, execution’s a problem and matters don’t look like improving this week against the Ravens.
31. (31) 3-5 No team’s been decimated by injuries as badly this year. If the Redskins aren’t in position to draft Andrew Luck next April, they’ll take the next highest QB on their board, no question.
32. (32) 0-9 Will the Colts really get Luck after Manning? They’ve stopped playing hard and how the mighty can suddenly fall.

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