NFL Power Rankings: Week 14
1. San Diego Chargers (10-2): Did you see the way Shawne Merriman dominated on the Defense? His return is really gonna be a boost for this already lethal and electrifying team.
2. New England Patriots (9-3): If you know your history, you know that any Patriot team lead by Tom Brady that has won 3 in a row late in the season is a dangerous team. Listen, they are on a roll right now, and if the Colts trip up, look for a New England team to stun everybody and take the second seed in the AFC.
3. Indianapolis Colts (10-2): They lost to a Titan team who may have been confident, a little bit on fire, and getting great production from a rookie QB named Vince Young, but come on now, the Colts should have blown the doors off the Titans. My problem with the Colts, is the lack of consitency. I know they are 10-2, and Peyton Manning all year has been great, but with some questions on the running game, and a run defense that can't stop anybody, you can't help but see some post-season disaster ahead.
4. Baltimore Ravens (9-3): I love the defense, the way McNair has been playing, and I gotta say, they look very confident in the way the play football. Watch out for Baltimore, they are deadly.
5. Chicago Bears (10-2): The defense keeps shutting down any offense that crosses its path while scoring in the process. You also gotta love the special teams. The bears lead the NFL with 7 returns for Touchdowns this year (Int's, Punt Returns, and Fumble Returns). But on the other side of the coin (we're talking the polar opposite), their QB Rex Grossman has been just plain horrible. Last week, he had an attrocious 1.3 passer rating. I don't know about you, but that is ridiculous. Listen, I love the Bears as a top NFL team, and they do have a chance at the Superbowl, but if Rex Grossman keeps playing this poorly, some team in the post season is gonna find a way to take advantage of all those wounded duck passes, exploit Grossman's weaknesses, and walk all over the Bears.
6. Dallas Cowboys (8-4): Beating the Giants has sealed the deal for the Cowboys. The NFC East division is theirs (unless they give it away as some charitable gift).
7. New Orleans Saints (8-4): I love the Saints right now. Period. Reggie Bush is running like a madman, Drew Brees is just throwing up ridiculous numbers right now, and they are confident. It may sound crazy, but the Saints are scary team right now.
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-4): With Matt "The Alley Cat" Hasselbeck back playing well, and "Slippery" Shaun Alexander ready to break out into his traditionally "slippery" self, you know the Seahawks are a dangerous team. Their four remaining games are @ Arizona, San Francisco, San Diego, and @ Tampa Bay. The big game is vs. San Diego. If they want to prove they are an elite team, they'll come to play against the Chargers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5): They've won three in a row, Carson Palmer is playing well, and the team has confidence. They're in a tough conference, but I expect a playoff berth for the Bengals, and maybe even an upset or two while they are in the playoffs.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5): They're hungry, confident, and with a win against the Colts still in the division hunt. It would take a lot for a Colt collapse to happen, but if the Jags are two games back with three games to go, a Jaguar division title could happen (conceiveably). Note: David Garrard is playing well at QB and the rest of his team is feeding off of that.
11. New York Jets (7-5): I liked what I saw from Chad Pennington and the Jets last week as they smoked and sizzled the Packers like an outback barbeque 38-10, but ultimately, the Jets won't be able to get past that Curtis Martin injury, and they'll be on the outside looking in.
12. Carolina Panthers (6-6): They lost to the Eagles in a heartbreaking loss, and with a do or die game coming up against the Giants this Sunday, Jake Delhomme better wipe those tears, stop complaining about any injury ('cause you know that if Chris Weinke (1-15 career record as a starter) starts, the Panthers are doomed) and go out and play football. As for "Streaky" Steve Smith, they need to give him more touches and get him and his homie Keyshawn Johnson more touches.
13. New York Giants (6-6): No longer the best football team in the "Big Apple", the Giants are in a tailspin right now with a weeping Eli Manning, a retirement thinking Tiki Barber, a forlorn and confused coach in Tom Coughlin, combined with an angry media and a generally bitter football team. One thing can change all this drek, and that is a win against Carolina on Sunday. For Carolina and New York, this game is a playoff game.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5): After booting the Cleveland game last week, things look bleak with back-to-back games vs. the Ravens and Chargers (@ San Diego). The only thing, is they need to at least split those two games, beat the dishevelled Raiders, and absoultely knock out the Jaguars in week 17. They need to win 3 of their next four, and I see a 2-2 or 1-3 finish quite conceiveable.
15. Denver Broncos (7-5): They've lost 3 in a row, and in the process sort of given up on the season by throwing Jay Cutler into the heap. It looks like they are thinking next year before this year is over. Only good news for the "Doncos", is schedule (@ San Diego (not very helpful), @ Arizona, vs. Cincinnati (crucial game), vs. San Francisco). So, you have two baby games, a tough San Diego game and a winnable but challenging game vs. the Bengals. The Broncos should walk off at least 9-7 (maybe 10-6). So, with all that they can still make the playoffs.
16. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): Thanks to the Giants and Cowboys ripping at each others throats this upcoming sunday, a win against the hapless Buccaneers will push the Falcons in the NFC Wild Card drivers seat. Michael Vick needs another crazy legged day, and his recievers need to catch passes.
17. Tennessee Titans (5-7): Right now, I like what I see from Vince Young, I like the way the beat the Colts, and I like the fact that Vince Young will return to Texas on Sunday to play the Texans.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7): Things look grave for the Steel City, but with a win against the Browns tonight, and a game against a wavering Panther team, the Steelers could push for an 8-8 season.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (6-6): I like the win against the Panthers, but come on do you really think Jeff Garcia can lead this Eagle team to the playoffs? He's a little too rusty.
20. San Francisco (5-7): Ahh, the growing pains of an inexperienced football team. They're going through what any other team would go through with a 2nd year starting QB in Alex Smith, a rookie TE named Vernon Davis , and a 2 year RB in Frank Gore. That being said, thanks to a weak NFC, and games vs. Green Bay and Arizona left, the playoffs could still happen. But here's the deal. They have to beat Green Bay and Arizona ( not so bad, I think they'll do it), but then here's the tricky part: @ Seattle, and @ Denver. Only good news with those two tough games is they beat Seattle earlier this year, and Denver is starting Jay Cutler and is in a 3 game losing skid. So, a 3-1 run is possible, and maybe (only if the heavens want the 49ers to make the playoffs), a 4-0 run. Listen there is chance the 49ers get in. It's a long shot, but don't be shocked if the 49ers take a playoff spot.
21. Buffalo Bills (5-7): Not much to cheer for now, except for J.P. Losman's 82.0 passer rating.
22. Miami Dolphins (5-7): They learned the hard way that you need to get off to a good start. That's their problem, getting started right.
23. Minnesota Vikings (5-7): If you can't win a football game after the opposing QB (Rex Grossman) has a 1.3 passer rating, who can you expect to beat now? How in the hell do you allow 23 points? If the other team's QB has a 1.3 passer rating, you should automatically shut them out.
24. St. Louis Rams (5-7): They may have a fun to watch offense, but it ain't producin' very many wins.
25. Washington Redskins (4-8): I tell you this much, the Redskins would love to beat the Eagles on Sunday as some sort of revenge for all thats has gone wrong this season. It could happen, but it's hard to bet on considering the way they've been playing.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-8): All seems lost in Cleveland, but a win against AFC North rival Pittsburgh would be sweet.
27. Houston Texans (4-8): With Vince Young coming to town, and Reggie Bush playing very well, I think the Texans would not have taken Mario Williams as their first pick in the NFL draft. It's no slam to "Super Mario", but come on, a DE was not their #1 priority.
28. Green Bay Packers (4-8): Things are slippin' in Green Bay, all the more important for Brett Favre to retire.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9): The ship is sinking for this Buccaneer crew.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-9): They suck, but at least they have Matt Leinart.
31. Oakland Raiders (2-10): They are horrid, they are terrible, and they lack anything that resembles an even ok football team.
32. Detroit Lions (2-10): zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
2. New England Patriots (9-3): If you know your history, you know that any Patriot team lead by Tom Brady that has won 3 in a row late in the season is a dangerous team. Listen, they are on a roll right now, and if the Colts trip up, look for a New England team to stun everybody and take the second seed in the AFC.
3. Indianapolis Colts (10-2): They lost to a Titan team who may have been confident, a little bit on fire, and getting great production from a rookie QB named Vince Young, but come on now, the Colts should have blown the doors off the Titans. My problem with the Colts, is the lack of consitency. I know they are 10-2, and Peyton Manning all year has been great, but with some questions on the running game, and a run defense that can't stop anybody, you can't help but see some post-season disaster ahead.
4. Baltimore Ravens (9-3): I love the defense, the way McNair has been playing, and I gotta say, they look very confident in the way the play football. Watch out for Baltimore, they are deadly.
5. Chicago Bears (10-2): The defense keeps shutting down any offense that crosses its path while scoring in the process. You also gotta love the special teams. The bears lead the NFL with 7 returns for Touchdowns this year (Int's, Punt Returns, and Fumble Returns). But on the other side of the coin (we're talking the polar opposite), their QB Rex Grossman has been just plain horrible. Last week, he had an attrocious 1.3 passer rating. I don't know about you, but that is ridiculous. Listen, I love the Bears as a top NFL team, and they do have a chance at the Superbowl, but if Rex Grossman keeps playing this poorly, some team in the post season is gonna find a way to take advantage of all those wounded duck passes, exploit Grossman's weaknesses, and walk all over the Bears.
6. Dallas Cowboys (8-4): Beating the Giants has sealed the deal for the Cowboys. The NFC East division is theirs (unless they give it away as some charitable gift).
7. New Orleans Saints (8-4): I love the Saints right now. Period. Reggie Bush is running like a madman, Drew Brees is just throwing up ridiculous numbers right now, and they are confident. It may sound crazy, but the Saints are scary team right now.
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-4): With Matt "The Alley Cat" Hasselbeck back playing well, and "Slippery" Shaun Alexander ready to break out into his traditionally "slippery" self, you know the Seahawks are a dangerous team. Their four remaining games are @ Arizona, San Francisco, San Diego, and @ Tampa Bay. The big game is vs. San Diego. If they want to prove they are an elite team, they'll come to play against the Chargers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5): They've won three in a row, Carson Palmer is playing well, and the team has confidence. They're in a tough conference, but I expect a playoff berth for the Bengals, and maybe even an upset or two while they are in the playoffs.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5): They're hungry, confident, and with a win against the Colts still in the division hunt. It would take a lot for a Colt collapse to happen, but if the Jags are two games back with three games to go, a Jaguar division title could happen (conceiveably). Note: David Garrard is playing well at QB and the rest of his team is feeding off of that.
11. New York Jets (7-5): I liked what I saw from Chad Pennington and the Jets last week as they smoked and sizzled the Packers like an outback barbeque 38-10, but ultimately, the Jets won't be able to get past that Curtis Martin injury, and they'll be on the outside looking in.
12. Carolina Panthers (6-6): They lost to the Eagles in a heartbreaking loss, and with a do or die game coming up against the Giants this Sunday, Jake Delhomme better wipe those tears, stop complaining about any injury ('cause you know that if Chris Weinke (1-15 career record as a starter) starts, the Panthers are doomed) and go out and play football. As for "Streaky" Steve Smith, they need to give him more touches and get him and his homie Keyshawn Johnson more touches.
13. New York Giants (6-6): No longer the best football team in the "Big Apple", the Giants are in a tailspin right now with a weeping Eli Manning, a retirement thinking Tiki Barber, a forlorn and confused coach in Tom Coughlin, combined with an angry media and a generally bitter football team. One thing can change all this drek, and that is a win against Carolina on Sunday. For Carolina and New York, this game is a playoff game.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5): After booting the Cleveland game last week, things look bleak with back-to-back games vs. the Ravens and Chargers (@ San Diego). The only thing, is they need to at least split those two games, beat the dishevelled Raiders, and absoultely knock out the Jaguars in week 17. They need to win 3 of their next four, and I see a 2-2 or 1-3 finish quite conceiveable.
15. Denver Broncos (7-5): They've lost 3 in a row, and in the process sort of given up on the season by throwing Jay Cutler into the heap. It looks like they are thinking next year before this year is over. Only good news for the "Doncos", is schedule (@ San Diego (not very helpful), @ Arizona, vs. Cincinnati (crucial game), vs. San Francisco). So, you have two baby games, a tough San Diego game and a winnable but challenging game vs. the Bengals. The Broncos should walk off at least 9-7 (maybe 10-6). So, with all that they can still make the playoffs.
16. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): Thanks to the Giants and Cowboys ripping at each others throats this upcoming sunday, a win against the hapless Buccaneers will push the Falcons in the NFC Wild Card drivers seat. Michael Vick needs another crazy legged day, and his recievers need to catch passes.
17. Tennessee Titans (5-7): Right now, I like what I see from Vince Young, I like the way the beat the Colts, and I like the fact that Vince Young will return to Texas on Sunday to play the Texans.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7): Things look grave for the Steel City, but with a win against the Browns tonight, and a game against a wavering Panther team, the Steelers could push for an 8-8 season.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (6-6): I like the win against the Panthers, but come on do you really think Jeff Garcia can lead this Eagle team to the playoffs? He's a little too rusty.
20. San Francisco (5-7): Ahh, the growing pains of an inexperienced football team. They're going through what any other team would go through with a 2nd year starting QB in Alex Smith, a rookie TE named Vernon Davis , and a 2 year RB in Frank Gore. That being said, thanks to a weak NFC, and games vs. Green Bay and Arizona left, the playoffs could still happen. But here's the deal. They have to beat Green Bay and Arizona ( not so bad, I think they'll do it), but then here's the tricky part: @ Seattle, and @ Denver. Only good news with those two tough games is they beat Seattle earlier this year, and Denver is starting Jay Cutler and is in a 3 game losing skid. So, a 3-1 run is possible, and maybe (only if the heavens want the 49ers to make the playoffs), a 4-0 run. Listen there is chance the 49ers get in. It's a long shot, but don't be shocked if the 49ers take a playoff spot.
21. Buffalo Bills (5-7): Not much to cheer for now, except for J.P. Losman's 82.0 passer rating.
22. Miami Dolphins (5-7): They learned the hard way that you need to get off to a good start. That's their problem, getting started right.
23. Minnesota Vikings (5-7): If you can't win a football game after the opposing QB (Rex Grossman) has a 1.3 passer rating, who can you expect to beat now? How in the hell do you allow 23 points? If the other team's QB has a 1.3 passer rating, you should automatically shut them out.
24. St. Louis Rams (5-7): They may have a fun to watch offense, but it ain't producin' very many wins.
25. Washington Redskins (4-8): I tell you this much, the Redskins would love to beat the Eagles on Sunday as some sort of revenge for all thats has gone wrong this season. It could happen, but it's hard to bet on considering the way they've been playing.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-8): All seems lost in Cleveland, but a win against AFC North rival Pittsburgh would be sweet.
27. Houston Texans (4-8): With Vince Young coming to town, and Reggie Bush playing very well, I think the Texans would not have taken Mario Williams as their first pick in the NFL draft. It's no slam to "Super Mario", but come on, a DE was not their #1 priority.
28. Green Bay Packers (4-8): Things are slippin' in Green Bay, all the more important for Brett Favre to retire.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9): The ship is sinking for this Buccaneer crew.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-9): They suck, but at least they have Matt Leinart.
31. Oakland Raiders (2-10): They are horrid, they are terrible, and they lack anything that resembles an even ok football team.
32. Detroit Lions (2-10): zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
posted by Ben Parker at 1:16 PM
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