Week Thirteen Power Rankings

Two unbeaten teams, only five games to go.
Can either of these teams run the table? That is yet to be seen, but both have a very good chance of doing so. The question will be, when they both lock up the #1 seed in their respective conferences, will the Saints and Colts decide to bench their key players for the playoffs?
1. New Orleans Saints (11-0, LW: 2): I said they would take the top spot if they beat the Pats, and they dominated in every way possible. Drew Brees was fantastic, and the defence did a great job with Tom Brady. They may be unbeatable.
2. Indianapolis Colts (11-0, LW: 1): The Colts again didn't play well in the first half, but got another Manning come back to beat the Texans. Now they get the red-hot Titans and Vince Young, and this game will be better than it looked a few weeks ago. Doesn't it feel like the Colts just let teams get ahead because they know they can come back week after week?
3. Minnesota Vikings (10-1, LW: 3): The Vikings continue to dominate opponents, and will be a tough out come playoff time. The question will be whether or not Brett Favre can keep this going towards the end of the year. AP will have to pick up the slack.
4. San Diego Chargers (8-3, LW: 5): The Super Chargers are in peek form again, but will they be able to translate this into a deep playoff run? LaDainian Tomlinson will have to play this time around in the playoffs. They can only go so far without him.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3, LW: 7): The Bengals didn't make it look pretty, but they got a big win over the Browns. This week they have to avoid a catastrophic meltdown against the Lions. What happened to the Carson Palmer that had five TDs against the Bears?
6. New England Patriots (7-4, LW: 4): The Patriots really didn't show up against the Saints. The offence wasn't productive, and the defence couldn't stop Drew Brees. They will have to rebound against the Jets, which shouldn't be hard.
7. Dallas Cowboys (8-3, LW: 8): The Cowboys move up a spot after dismantling Oakland, but they will have to continue the good play against the G-Men. Tony Romo will have to right the ship, or he and Wade Phillips' jobs will be in jeopardy.
8. Green Bay Packers (7-4, LW: 9): The Packers got the job done against the Lions, but will have a tougher time with the Ravens. Their Division hopes are gone, but they are in a good spot for a wild card. Aaron Rodgers is having a huge year.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4, LW: 10): The Eagles needed to comeback against the Redskins, but they showed a lot of focus in getting the win. They have to keep winning to keep up with the Cowboys, but their schedule is brutal.
10. Arizona Cardinals (7-4, LW: 7): The Cards couldn't stop Vince Young on that incredible fourth-quarter drive. Now they have to turn their focus on keeping their two-game lead in the NFC West. It may be hard if Kurt Warner is out for a while.
11. Baltimore Ravens (6-5, LW: 14): The Ravens got a much needed win over the Steelers. It should not have taken overtime, but a win is a win. Joe Flacco and the offence will have to get rolling again if they play to make a playoff run.
12. Denver Broncos (7-4, LW: 16): Was this the end of the free-fall for the Broncos, or was it beating up on a weaker Giants team? They have a lot to prove this week in Kansas City. They must avoid a let down if they want to make the postseason.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5, LW: 11): They played well despite not having their starting QB in the lineup. They definetely have to be impressed with the play of Dennis Dixon. The running game had to be better, and will have to step up down the stretch.
14. New York Giants (6-5, LW: 12): The Giants didn't even show up Thursday Night. They have to find their game as the Cowboys are coming down this week. Eli Manning and the troops have to win this game, or their season may be done.
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-5, LW: 15): No movement for the Falcons this week. Even with Chris Redman at QB, they shouldn't have been that close to the Bucs. Kudos to Redman for engineering that drive to win the game. He will need some help on offence if they are to beat the Eagles Sunday.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5, LW: 13): Yet again, the Jags let down their fans. They have to get more consistency from the QB position. They can't rely on Maurice Jones-Drew every week. They sure aren't looking like a playoff team after Sunday.
17. Tennessee Titans (5-6, LW: 18): The Rally continues. They are now only one game out of the playoffs, but their winning streak could be over this week with the Colts coming to town. Vince Young is becoming a heck of a quarterback.
18. San Francisco 49ers (5-6, LW: 22): The Niners just keep hanging in there. They have got improved play from Alex Smith, and it appears Vernon Davis is ready to shed his "bust" label. Now they travel to Seattle with their slim Playoff hopes on the line.
19. Houston Texans (5-6, LW: 19): The Texans again failed to win a big home game against the Colts. The defences play in the second half was inexcusable. Matt Schaub also struggled after half time. They are not quite ready for the big time yet.
20. Miami Dolphins (5-6, LW: 17): The Dolphins were rolling into a possible Wild Card slot, but after losing to the Bills, you have to wonder. The offence sputtered, and while Ricky Williams is tearing it up, I don't think they are a playoff team.
21. Carolina Panthers (4-7 LW: 21): The Panthers blew their last chance to get back in the playoff race. Now they have to go without Jake Delhomme for the rest of the year (potentially). Could this be a blessing in disguise?
22. Buffalo Bills (4-7, LW: 28): After a couple of heartbreaking losses, the Bills dominated in an upset over the Dolphins. Terrell Owens should be happy, but will it be enough to get him to come back next year?
23. Chicago Bears (4-7, LW: 20): The Bears are done, cooked, finished. Now they have to figure out what to do in the offseason to make them a contender next year. Could they be in the running for T.O.?
24. New York Jets (5-6, LW: 25): The Jets move up a spot, only because they got a win. They took advantage of a brutal Panthers team. If they get a win over the Bills Thursday night, they will be in the playoff hunt again.
25. Seattle Seahawks (4-7, LW: 26): The Seahawks go up a spot for beating the Rams. But does it matter at this point? They have a lot of work to do in the offseason. Justin Forsett is a star in the making.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (3-8, LW: 23): That is what they do after a huge upset? That was unexceptable against the Chargers. Jamaal Charles looks like a keeper, and the offence has been much better with Chris Chambers. They have a long way to go.
27. Oakland Raiders (3-8, LW: 24): The Raiders continue to look like a team with no future. Sure Bruce Gradkowski has been a bit better than JaMarcus Russell, but really, how good has he been? They have way too much money rotting on their bench.
28. Washington Redskins (3-8, LW: 27): The Skins kept it close, but couldn't stop the Eagles when it mattered. Jason Campbell has been OK given the state of the running game, but what a waste of a great defence.
29. Detroit Lions (2-9, LW: 29): The Lions got stomped again on Thanksgiving, so what else is new? Matthew Stafford should not have been playing in the fourth quarter, especially after the pick-six by Charles Woodson sealed the Packers victory. Good on him for sticking with it though.
30. St Louis Rams (1-10, LW: 31): They move up a spot simply because they are being competitive in their games. Kyle Boller will likely wrap up the year, than it is time to draft a QB early. They need to get someone to take pressure off Steven Jackson.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-10, LW: 30): They are lucky they got that miracle win over the Packers, otherwise, they wouldn't win a game. They are not going anywhere fast, and need to have a great draft in April.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-10, LW: 32): Speaking of going nowhere... The Browns get one of the worst Bengals performances of the year, and can't even keep close. Disgusting. They need to pick a QB (or draft one) and get some weapons for him over the offseason, or they will have consecutive last place finishes.

Week Twelve Power Rankings

Another week, and two more wins for the NFL's remaining undefeated teams. The Colts had another toughie with the Ravens, while the Saints pummelled the Bucs. Will either team lose this year?
1. Indianapolis Colts (10-0, LW: 1): The Colts can thank Ed Reed for this win. If he didn't fumble that punt return, the Ravens may have won. The Colts defence did a good job shutting down Joe Flacco, but Manning didn't play that well.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-0, LW: 2): The Saints walked all over the Bucs, but that isn't saying much. Now, the Pats come to town for an epic Monday Night affair. Drew Brees will have to be on his game, and the defence better get healthy.
3. Minnesota Vikings (9-1, LW: 3): Brett Favre is now the leader in the MVP voting. He has to be, look at the numbers. He is destroying defences. That is why Adrian Peterson's numbers have been down. They may be the team to beat in the NFC.
4. New England Patriots (7-3, LW: 5): The Pats got back on track after the loss to Indy, and now they get a chance to end the undefeated bid of the Saints. Tom Brady will have to be on top of his game, and the defence will have to show up.
5. San Diego Chargers (7-3, LW: 6): The Super Chargers are a team to beat again in the AFC. They pummelled the Broncos, and now they can make a run towards another Division title. LT will have to stay hot though if they want to make a deep run.
6. Arizona Cardinals (7-3, LW: 7): The Cardinals are rolling again as well, but they have to watch the health of Kurt Warner. They have the red-hot Tennessee Titans on tap for this week, so they will have to be ready.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3, LW: 4): Was this a sign of the Bungles coming back? Or was this a chance for the Bengals to get refocused after a couple of huge Division wins. They have to rebound, and they get the Browns. 8-3...
8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3, LW: 9): It wasn't pretty, but they got a tough Division win. Tony Romo needs to get back on track if this team wants to stay in the playoff race. Luckily they have the Raiders coming to town this week.
9. Green Bay Packers (6-4, LW: 11): The Packers are pretty much out of the Division race, but are favourites to snatch a Wild Card. Aaron Rodgers is having another huge year, but if he can't stay on his feet, they won't go far.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (6-4, LW: 14): The Eagles got a big win over the Bears, and they can thank Jay Cutler for that one. Now they get a tough matchup with the Redskins. They have to be ready for a physical game in this one.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4, LW: 8): The Steelers should not have lost to the Chiefs, but their special teams blew. Now they have to worry about Big Ben and his possible concussion. The Ravens are next, and you know they are ready to take shots at Ben.
12. New York Giants (6-4, LW: 15): The Giants used the Bye week to find some consistency, but it was very close. They blew a big lead, and that has to worry them going down the stretch. Eli Manning actually looked decent on Sunday.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4, LW: 16): The Jags in the Wild Card slot? Who would have thought? This team is rolling because of timely plays by the offence, and solid play from the D. They have to beat the Niners this week to stay in the hunt.
14. Baltimore Ravens (5-5, LW: 10): The Ravens almost beat the Colts, but now they have to worry about a home game against the Steelers. The offence has to get Ray Rice more involved, and Joe Flacco has to be more careful with the ball in the clutch.
15. Atlanta Falcons (5-5, LW: 13): The Falcons made a valient effort in New York, but that loss may have ended their playoff hopes. They will have to pretty much run the table now, and it starts this week against Tampa Bay.
16. Denver Broncos (6-4, LW: 12): The Broncos free-fall is in full swing now after getting demolished by the Chargers. Forget playoffs, this team will be lucky to get to eight wins now. Unless they get that offence going again.
17. Miami Dolphins (5-5, LW: 19): The Phins are back in the hunt, after a big Thursday Night win over the Panthers. The offence looked good, and they will have to avoid a trap against the Bills. Ricky Williams may carry this team back to the playoffs.
18. Tennessee Titans (4-6, LW: 20): Another week, another win for Vince Young and the Titans. Now they can officially get back in the race with an upset over the Cards. Just saying, but the Titans are unbeaten since Jeff Fisher wore the Peyton Manning jersey. Just saying...
19. Houston Texans (5-5, LW: 17): The Texans blew yet another big game, and now they are a question again. The Colts come to town this week, and they can almost forget about playoffs if they don't win this one. They have to get Steve Slaton more involved again.
20. Chicago Bears (4-6, LW: 18): This is not a playoff team, because Jay Cutler can't throw to open receivers. I'm worried that the Bears blew it big time with this trade, but time will tell. He won't get better until they get Matt Forte going.
21. Carolina Panthers (4-6, LW: 21): The Panthers blew a big chance to get back in the hunt, and again it falls on Delhomme. They need to address the QB situation in the offseason. They are wasting that talented backfield.
22. San Francisco 49ers (4-6, LW: 22): The Niners can't win anymore, and this defence isn't playing well. Now they will try to play spoiler against the Jags. Alex Smith has been solid, but needs to step up in the first half of games.
23. Kansas City Chiefs (3-7, LW: 25): The Chiefs got a major upset over the Steelers, thanks to Jamaal Charles. Now they can try to build some momentum for next year. This week, Chris Chambers gets a chance for revenge against the Chargers.
24. Oakland Raiders (3-7, LW: 28): Wow, is this the start of something in Oakland? Not likely, but they did a good job getting a win over the Bengals. Bruce Gradkowski played well enough to win, but he isn't much of an upgrade over JaMarcus Russell.
25. New York Jets (4-6, LW: 24): The Jets kept it close in New England, but Mark Sanchez is throwing way to many INTs. They have to calm him down and get him ready for next year.
26. Seattle Seahawks (3-7, LW: 23): The got destroyed by Minnesota, and that was pretty much expected. I really don't know what to say about this team. They aren't rebuilding, but they can't win. Let the rebuild begin.
27. Washington Redskins (3-7, LW: 26): The Skins would have beat Dallas if their kicker could kick straight. Nevertheless, it is time to start getting ready for next year, minus their two top RBs. They have to find a lot of new players at skill positions.
28. Buffalo Bills (3-7, LW: 27): Terrell Owens finally had a major impact, and the Bills still couldn't win. They looked good in the loss, and will have to build towards next year. I don't think Ryan Fitzpatrick will be better in the long run.
29. Detroit Lions (2-8, LW: 31): I bet Matt Stafford wishes he could play Cleveland every week. What a coming out party for him, but he is likely to miss Thanksgiving against the Pack. Tough break for a tough kid.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-9, LW: 29): They went out and got an early lead against the Saints, but got demolished after that. Good job getting Josh Freeman in there, but they need to find him some playmakers.
31. St Louis Rams (1-9, LW: 30): The Rams will be without Marc Bulger for the rest of the year, which means Kyle Boller will start. I think they should scour the free agent wire for a young QB who needs a home. They need to develop someone.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-9, LW: 32): Why on Earth did Mangini call that time out? At least the offence got going. Brady Quinn looked like a NFL quarterback for the first time, which is a good sign for this team.

Week Eleven Power Rankings

A change at the top, despite the fact that my top team won again this week. While the Saints and Colts are both 9-0, I am looking at HOW each team won in this weeks version of JVZ's Power Rankings.s

1. Indianapolis Colts (9-0, LW: 2): After the epic comeback Sunday night, there is no question the Colts are the class of the AFC. Manning continues to get it done, and Reggie Wayne is still making clutch grabs. Now they go to Baltimore.

2. New Orleans Saints (9-0, LW: 1): They lose the top spot after almost blowing the game against the Rams. I realize they were without most of their secondary, but come on, they should have scored 90 points against this team.

3. Minnesota Vikings (8-1, LW: 3): They got a freebie this week against the Lions, and they have a stranglehold on the NFC North. They have to keep pace with the Saints, and they get Seattle this week. Should be a big day for AP.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (7-2, LW: 5): They are now the best team in the AFC North. They are in good shape for a possible Bye week as well. Now, they need to avoid a let down and keep winning. It may be hard without Cedric Benson. Should be OK this week against the Raiders.

5. New England Patriots (6-3, LW: 4): The Pats should be fired up after that loss, and that is scary for the rest of the league. The call on fourth down was foolish, but Manning probably would have scored anyway. Pats go for revenge this week against the Jets.

6. San Diego Chargers (6-3, LW: 9): The Super Chargers are hot again, and mostly because LaDainian Tomlinson is scoring again. They get another showdown with the Broncos this week, and can take over the AFC West with a win.

7. Arizona Cardinals (6-3, LW: 11): The Cardinals are red-hot again, and they got a key division win against the Seahawks. This week they get a gimme against the Rams. Beanie Wells is establishing himself as the starting running back.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3, LW: 6): The Steelers couldn't get anything going on offence, and now are way behind the Bengals in the division race. They are in great shape for a playoff spot still, and they get back on track this week in Kansas City.

9. Dallas Cowboys (6-3, LW: 7): The Cowboys need to figure out what they are after that game against the Packers. The offence struggled, but they came on late. The good news is they have the Redskins and the Raiders for their next two games.

10. Baltimore Ravens (5-4, LW: 13): The Ravens got back on track against the Browns, but have the Colts on tap for this week. The good news is: the defence played better. But, it was against the Browns.

11. Green Bay Packers (5-4, LW: 15): The Packers played inspired in beating the Cowboys, but can they turn this into a playoff run? The offence didn't play well, but they got on the board when they had to. They get a tough task this week against the 49ers.

12. Denver Broncos (6-3, LW: 8): Remember when this team was 6-0? What a mess, how can you lose to Washington? The running game is gone, and the defence hasn't done much lately. Now they face the Chargers again, trying to seal up the division.

13. Atlanta Falcons (5-4, LW: 10): They may be in the market for a kicker soon, after veteran Jason Elam missed another key field goal. However, the offence hasn't done much in their losing skid. Now they face the Giants, in a battle of two teams that are seemingly lost.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4, LW: 12): The Eagles have dropped two in a row to good teams, and now travel to Chicago to face an inconsistant Bears team. Losing Brian Westbrook will hurt, but the offence should be OK.

15. New York Giants (5-4, LW: 14): The Giants come off the Bye with a showdown against a reeling Falcons team. They need to find their offence again, or the losing will continue.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4, LW: 18): The Jags are surprisingly still in the playoff race, but just barely. They need to keep rolling this week against Buffalo. David Garrard has been up and down all year, and he needs to take control of this team if they are to have a hope of a playoff birth.

17. Houston Texans (5-4, LW: 17): They come off the Bye with a Monday Night Showdown against the red-hot Titans. They have to choose on a running back and stick with him. They are still in the race, but just barely.

18. Chicago Bears (4-5, LW: 16): The Bears need to find their way. Jay Cutler has stunk recently, and needs to rebound against the Eagles on Sunday Night. If the running game doesn't get going soon, their season is over.

19. Miami Dolphins (4-5, LW: 19): The Dolphins had a tough time getting rid of the Bucs, but they got the win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They go to Carolina this week, and if they win they get back to .500. The defence needs to be better.

20. Tennessee Titans (3-6, LW: 22): The Titans are 3-0 with Vince Young at the helm. The defence has been a lot better, and they might be slowly getting back in the race. It may be too little, too late for this team, but Jeff Fisher may be safe.

21. Carolina Panthers (4-5, LW: 24): The Panthers are back in the hunt after their upset of the Falcons. Jake Delhomme is playing smart, and the defence has done a good job. They get a winnable game this week against the Dolphins.

22. San Francisco 49ers (4-5, LW: 25): The Niners got the win over the Bears, but honestly, they aren't that good. The offence isn't working out, even with Alex Smith. The defence has been great all year, and this will have to continue against the Packers.

23. Seattle Seahawks (3-6, LW: 20): The Seahawks head into Minnesota this week needing a win to keep their season alive. Now Julius Jones is out. The offence has been a disappointment, and the Seahawks need to start the rebuilding process.

24. New York Jets (4-5, LW: 21): The Jets are in trouble. They are under .500 again, and the Patriots are next on the slate. I think they have to focus now on getting the peices in place for a run next season.

25. Kansas City Chiefs (2-7, LW: 26): This was their chance to get a decisive win over a bad team. Instead, they struggled to get past the Raiders, and proved this team isn't very good. Jamaal Charles looked solid, and they will need that to continue now that Larry Johnson is gone.

26. Washington Redskins (3-6, LW: 27): Even though they just beat the Broncos, they don't move up too far. This team has problems that need to be fixed. Just asking, but is Ladell Betts still the answer with a healthy Clinton Portis?

27. Buffalo Bills (3-6, LW: 24): The Bills are considering going with Ryan Fitzpatrick for good now. Not a good decision, but Trent Edwards wasn't getting it done. The defence had been good all year, but they got rocked by the Titans.

28. Oakland Raiders (2-7, LW: 28): The Raiders couldn't even beat the Chiefs. This is how bad the situation is in the Black Hole. They need major changes, and they need to start hitting on their draft picks. Charlie Frye isn't the answer either.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8, LW: 29): After their upset win over Green Bay, the Bucs nearly got another win on the board against Miami. Josh Freeman has looked good, but there isn't much talent around him. The defence needs work.

30. St Louis Rams (1-8, LW: 30): Props for keeping with the Saints, but they had a chance at the end and blew it. Marc Bulger continues to struggle, but Steven Jackson is running hard. They need more talent on both sides of the ball.

31. Detroit Lions (1-8, LW: 31): The Lions got smashed again, this time by the Vikings. They actually may get a win this week, as they take on the lowly Browns. Matt Stafford to Calvin Johnson is coming around, and will be a force in the future.

32. Cleveland Browns (1-8, LW: 32): Attempt #2 at Brady Quinn as a starter didn't start out very well. The offence looked lost. The defence did a good job shutting down the Ravens attack, but folded early in the second half.

Week Nine Power Rankings

A missed field goal and a late collapse are all that kept the league's two unbeaten teams...unbeaten.
As we head towards the playoff race, most of the divisions are all but wrapped up. But, there are still a few races to keep an eye on.
1. New Orleans Saints (8-0, LW: 1): After another rough first half, the Saints rebounded to stay unbeaten. They have a laugher this week in St Louis, so they should head into next week 9-0.
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0, LW: 2): They were a Kris Brown missed field goal away from possibly losing their first game. Peyton Manning struggled after a fast start. They can't have him throwing 50 passes every week.
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1, LW: 3): They come off the Bye with a showdown against the lowly Lions. Now, it's time to see whether Brett Favre can still do it in the second half of the season.
4. New England Patriots (6-2, LW: 4): The Pats got the job done against the Wild Dolphins, but it wasn't easy. Tom Brady struggled at times, but in the end he was the best player on the field. Now they go to Indy for a critical match up.
5.Cincinnati Bengals (6-2, LW: 6): The Bengals have now swept the Ravens, and have the chance to do the same this week against the Steelers. If Carson Palmer and the offence continue to play at a high level, they will be tough to beat.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2, LW: 7): The Steelers are rolling now. This week, they get a chance to take the power back in the AFC North with a home game against the Bengals. This time, they have Troy Polamalu in the line up. That certainly helps.
7. Dallas Cowboys (6-2, LW: 8): The Cowboys are first in the NFC East, and they won a big game to get there. Tony Romo continues to play well in November, but can they carry this new-found success into the latter stages of the season?
8. Denver Broncos (6-2, LW: 5): The Broncos got shelled Monday Night. They couldn't do anything on offence, and they couldn't stop the Steelers. Now they face a desperate Redskins team. If the Broncos lose, they may be in trouble.
9. San Diego Chargers (5-3, LW: 13): The Chargers are getting it right at the right time. That late touchdown to beat the Giants may have saved their division chances. They have a tough home game on tap this week against the Eagles, before the rematch against Denver.
10. Atlanta Falcons (5-3, LW: 14): After a couple tough losses, the Falcons rebounded against the Redskins. They needed a win, and they will need some more to nail down a wild card slot in the NFC. They go to Carolina this week for a tough division matchup.
11. Arizona Cardinals (5-3, LW: 16): The Cards got back on the winning track last week, but they battle for the division crown this week against the Seahawks. If they lose, the division gets interesting again.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3, LW: 9): The Eagles were dealt a tough home loss Sunday against the Cowboys. The good news is they kept it close. Now, they still are in second in the division, but travel to San Diego this week.
13. Baltimore Ravens (4-4, LW: 10): The Ravens division hopes are all but over, and they are becoming a long shot to even make a playoff run. However, there is a lot of talent on this team, but the wins have to start this week in Cleveland.
14. New York Giants (5-4, LW: 11): The G-Men continue to fall, but they kept it close against the Chargers. They can't get it right anymore. Was that early start due to facing bad teams, or are they primed for a late run?
15. Green Bay Packers (4-4, LW: 12): Disgusting. There is no way they should have dropped that game to Tampa Bay. The offence stunk, and the defence couldn't stop a rookie QB playing his first game. They need to rally after that.
16. Chicago Bears (4-4, LW: 15): The Bears dropped a winnable game at home against the Cards. Now, they pretty much have to run the table to grab an NFC playoff spot. They travel to San Fran for a Thursday Night showdown needing a big win.
17. Houston Texans (5-4, LW: 17): The Texans had a chance to make a statement, but were unable to beat the Colts. They were in the game all the way, so that has to be a boost. However, time is running out, and they enter the Bye needing some wins.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4, LW: 21): The Jags got an easy win over the Chiefs, and now have to shift thier focus on the Jets. Maurice Jones-Drew has been running wild in recent weeks, and is keeping the Jags in the hunt.
19. Miami Dolphins (3-5, LW: 18): The Phins played tough in New England, but couldn't seal the deal. Chad Henne has been solid, but they need more plays from the wide receivers if they are to have a shot at another playoff birth.
20. Seattle Seahawks (3-5, LW: 24): The Seahawks got a much-needed win against the Lions. Now, they have a chance to upset the Cardinals and get back in the division race. The defence will have to be good.
21. New York Jets (4-4, LW: 19): The Jets take to the field this week against the Jags with a lot of questions. Can they get the offence rolling again? What happened to the defence? They have to get these answered going into the last half of the season.
22. Tennessee Titans (2-7, LW: 25): The Titans are alive under Vince Young...who would have thought? Chris Johnson is garnering some MVP hype now, and while they won't likely make the playoffs, they may be saving Jeff Fisher's job.
23. Carolina Panthers (3-5, LW: 20): The Panthers are definetely playing better than they were early in the season, but they aren't as good as the Saints. They can still have a playoff shot with a win against the Falcons.
24. Buffalo Bills (3-5, LW: 23): They come off the Bye hoping to get Trent Edwards back. Don't quite know why, as he didn't throw to WRs. Oh well, the Bills are a lost cause anyway due to defensive injuries. They will be in the Mike Shanahan sweepstakes soon.
25. San Francisco 49ers (3-5, LW: 22): The Niners are going in the wrong direction. ESPN attributes this to giving in to Michael Crabtree. I think he has been a good addition to the offence, but may have brought down the locker room. Who knows?
26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7, LW: 26): The Chiefs are talented on offence, but the defence continues to let them down. Jamaal Charles is now the RB, and he has the talent to do great things. Chris Chambers was a great pick up.
27. Washington Redskins (2-6, LW: 27): What a mess. They couldn't even stay in it against the Falcons, and now they have to play without Clinton Portis. Denver comes to town after losing two straight, so maybe the Redskins will wake up and surprise us.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-6, LW: 28): The Raiders come off the Bye hoping to get Darren McFadden back. Won't do much good, but makes for a battle in the backfield with Justin Fargas. They get the Chiefs this week, and that is a winnable game.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7, LW: 32): They get a huge upset over the Packers, but why do I feel like that was their only win? Josh Freeman was OK, but put up three TDs. They get the Phins this week, which is another winnable game.
30. St Louis Rams (1-7, LW: 29): The Rams come off the Bye with a matchup against the Saints. Ouch. Tough sledding for a team on a one-game winning streak. They have to take a QB in the first round next year. Marc Bulger is no longer the answer.
31. Detroit Lions (1-7, LW: 30): That win seems decades ago. They kept in the game against Seattle, but we all know what happens to the Lions. They blow games. Now they have Brett and the Vikings. Sorry Lions fans, your next long losing streak appears to have started.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-7, LW: 31): Another week, another QB change. Now Brady Quinn gets his last chance in Cleveland. I have never been impressed with him, but he has the talent to do good things. Tough matchup against Baltimore this week though.

Week Nine Power Rankings

...And then there were two. With the Ravens knocking off the Broncos, we are down to two unbeatens in the league. Consequently, there is only one team that has yet to win a game.
1. New Orleans Saints (7-0, LW: 1): The Saints took care of business yet again this week, knocking off the Falcons. The defence did a good job shutting down Matt Ryan, but Michael Turner was able to run it on them. They face a tough task in shutting down the running game of Carolina.2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0, LW: 2): They proved that they can get the tough wins as well against the 49ers, and now they have a tough division game at hand against Houston. The defence did a good job, but the Texans have a lot of weapons at their disposal.3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1, LW: 5): The Vikes rebounded nicely after the loss in Pittsburgh. Brett Favre got his revenge in Lambeau, and the Vikes have a three game lead in the NFC North heading into the Bye. The defence got to Aaron Rodgers all day.4. New England Patriots (5-2, LW: 4): The Pats come off their Bye with a home game against Miami. We will see if they can stop the Wildcat this time around. On the plus side, Tom Brady was red-hot before the break.5. Denver Broncos (6-1, LW: 3): It was a tough loss against Baltimore, and now they have the defending Champs coming into the Mile High City. They may need Kyle Orton to come alive and get them the win this week.6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2, LW: 6): The Bengals stay put for this week, but have a tough home game on the slate against Baltimore. Carson Palmer has been great all year, and they will likely need him to be huge again against a tough Ravens D.7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, LW: 7): The Steelers come off their Bye with a tough showdown in Denver. On the plus side, the defence played very well in their last game, and they are catching the Broncos after thier first loss. Advantage: Champs.8. Dallas Cowboys (5-2, LW: 9): The Cowboys avoided a let down against Seattle, and now they get a chance for revenge in Philly. Tony Romo has been on fire lately, and the defence has come alive in recent weeks.9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2, LW: 12): The Eagles dominated the Giants from the get-go, and may be the best team in the NFC East. To prove it, they will have to beat a red-hot Dallas team. DeSean Jackson is a beast.10. Baltimore Ravens (4-3, LW: 14): The Ravens handed the Broncos their first loss of the season, and they did it with (surprise) defence. That was the best showing of the year from that unit, and the offence keeps rolling as well behind Joe Flacco and Ray Rice.11. New York Giants (5-3, LW: 8): The Giants are losers of three straight, and are in trouble as the playoff run begins. Eli Manning has been brutal in recent weeks, and that will have to change if the G-Men want to win this division.12. Green Bay Packers (4-3, LW: 10): Green Bay exits the top 10 after a tough home loss to Minnesota. They fell behind early, but did a good job rallying for a decent comeback. Aaron Rodgers has nothing to be ashamed about...the offensive line does though.13. San Diego Chargers (4-3, LW: 17): The Super Chargers are rolling again, and nothing like back-to-back games against the Chiefs and Raiders to cure what ails a team. LT is back scoring touchdowns, and the defence has played well.14. Atlanta Falcons (4-3, LW: 11): Another tough loss, this time at the hands of the Saints, has the Falcons thinking Wild Card. They have the Redskins coming to town this week, so they should get back on track. Michael Turner finally got going.15. Chicago Bears (4-3, LW: 15): We are not going to count this win over the Browns. They stink, and Chicago beat them down. This might be a confidence boost for Jay Cutler, who had really struggled in recent weeks. They have a tough home game against the Cards on tap.16. Arizona Cardinals (4-3, LW: 13): After the huge win over the Giants, the Cards suffered a letdown against the Panthers. They couldn't stop the run, and that was the difference. Where is the offence? Now they go to the Windy City for a critical NFC matchup with the Bears.17. Houston Texans (5-3, LW: 19): The Texans have a good chance of locking up their first winning season, and playoffs are a definite possibility. A victory in Indianapolis would be massive for this team. They have to figure out who is going to run the ball.18. Miami Dolphins (3-4, LW: 23): The Dolphins can only beat the Jets. Now, they take the Wildcat to New England to try for a big upset to keep their division hopes alive. The defence will have to play its best game of the year.19. New York Jets (4-4, LW: 16): Why can't they beat the Dolphins? The defence continues to struggle, and now the Jets are not looking like a playoff team. At least the running game has been solid. Thomas Jones is having another huge year.20. Carolina Panthers (3-4, LW: 24): A huge upset over the Cards has this team pumped up again. It's amazing how a team can play when their QB throws the ball to the right team. They key will be keeping him upright if he plays.21. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4, LW: 18): Typical Jags. Just as you think they are getting hot, they go and blow a game against a winless team. At least the move to Maurice Jones-Drew has worked out. David Garrard continues to struggle.22. San Francisco 49ers (3-4, LW: 20): The Niners provided a tough test for the unbeaten Colts, but couldn't get the job done. Now, they face the Titans coming off thier first win. If the Niners lose here, their playoff hopes likely go as well.23. Buffalo Bills (3-5, LW: 21): The Bills had a chance at .500 go down with that loss to Houston. They need to spend this Bye week finding an offence. If they do, they could still make a decent run.24. Seattle Seahawks (2-5, LW: 22): The Hawks got smoked in Dallas, and they have to do a better job protecting Matt Hasselbeck. They should get back on the winning track this week, as they play host to the lowly Lions.25. Tennessee Titans (1-6, LW: 29): Is this a sign of life from this team? They got the job done in Jacksonville, and now they travel to the Bay Area to take on a reeling 49ers squad. The move to Vince Young was one that should have been made way earlier.26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6, LW: 25): The Chiefs come off the Bye with a matchup in Jacksonville. The signing of Chris Chambers should open up the passing game. If they can run the ball, the offence should pick it up. If only they could stop somebody...27. Washington Redskins (2-5, LW: 27): The Redskins come off the Bye in need of some wins. They travel to Atlanta to face a Falcons team that has lost two straight. If the offence can do anything, this is a winnable game.28. Oakland Raiders (2-6, LW: 28): The Raiders continue to lose, but at least they are keeping games close. Justin Fargas is running hard, and the offence is playing a bit better. The defence has to turn it around now.29. St Louis Rams (1-7, LW: 32): The Rams finally exit the NFL's gutter, ending their 17-game losing skid against the Lions. Steven Jackson would be in the MVP running if his team was winning games. 30. Detroit Lions (1-6, LW: 25): The Lions are officially back. They have dropped their last four after their unlikely win, and the latest was to the Rams. The Lions are showing no hope for the future, and until Calvin Johnson is healthy, they won't.31. Cleveland Browns (1-7, LW: 30): Browns fans should all send Trent Edwards Christmas presents this year. His struggles are the only reason this team has a win. What a mess. Firing the GM won't make a difference, they have no talent.32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7, LW: 31): The Bucs are now officially the worst team in football. It will be interesting to see if rookie Head Coach Raheem Morris makes it out of this year. They have to make the move to Josh Freeman.

Week Seven Power Rankings

...And then there were three. The Colts, Broncos and Saints are the only unbeaten teams in the NFL, and there is a bit of a shakeup yet again in JVZ's Power Rankings.
Just when you think you know a team, they lay an egg. While other teams step up and make their moves.
1. New Orleans Saints (6-0, LW: 1): The Saints did everything they could to lose, but good teams find a way. The Saints are definetely the team to beat right now in the NFC, and have a good divisional test on the way in Atlanta.
2. Indianapolis Colts (6-0, LW: 2): The Colts dismantled yet another team, this time taking care of the lowly Rams. They have San Fran and Houston in the next two weeks, so the unbeaten streak should continue.
3. Denver Broncos (6-0, LW: 3): The Broncos crack the top three while sitting on a Bye. However, with games against the Ravens and Steelers on hand, it may not be long before the Broncos are in free-fall mode again. Let's wait and see.
4. New England Patriots (5-2, LW: 6): The Pats enter their Bye on the way home from England. This team is on fire now, and the matchup with the Colts in two weeks should tell a lot about who wins the AFC.
5. Minnesota Vikings (6-1, LW: 3): So the Vikings can be beaten. This loss is on both Brett Favre and Chester Taylor. While it may sting, they have to focus now on getting back on track during Brett's homecoming in Green Bay.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2, LW: 8): The Bengals didn't get the win last week in Houston, but they sure dominated a good Bears team. Carson Palmer had a field day, and Cedric got his revenege. They enter the Bye with two big division games up next.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, LW: 9): The Steelers beat the Vikings, but don't quite yet move ahead of them on the rankings. They got a few lucky bounces, but overall they played a good game. The offence needs to be more consistent.
8. New York Giants (5-2, LW: 5): The Giants fall out of the top five with their second loss in a row to a tough NFC opponent. Eli Manning didn't look good, and the defence couldn't stop Kurt Warner. They have to get this right with the Eagles coming in this week.
9. Dallas Cowboys (4-2, LW: 11): The Cowboys re-enter the top 10 on a roll. They beat a very good Falcons team, and now host the Seahawks. If only Tony Romo could play like this for a full season.
10. Green Bay Packers (4-2, LW: 12): The Packers got another good win against a bad opponent. Now comes the real test, beating the Vikings. If they do that, they are right back in the NFC North race. If they don't, it will be a long winter.
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-2, LW: 7) : The Falcons fall out of the top 10 after losing to the Cowboys. The offence couldn't get going, and the defence couldn't stop Romo. Next week they take to the Monday Night Football field trying to take down the Saints, and keep their division hopes alive.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2, LW: 13): The Eagles are up one spot after beating the lowly Redskins. Mac-Five did a good job moving the ball, but this game belonged to Deshean Jackson. No one can match his speed. Now they get a chance at the G-Men.
13. Arizona Cardinals (4-2, LW: 14): The Cards continue to roll on the road. This time, they took it to a tough Giants team. They have won three in a row and control their fates in the NFC West. They have to avoid a letdown against Carolina.
14. Baltimore Ravens (3-3, LW: 15): The Ravens come off the Bye with a tough task, beat the Broncos to keep the playoff run alive. I know it's early, but the Bengals and Steelers are both two games up at this point. The Ravens need some wins.
15. Chicago Bears (3-3, LW: 10): The Bears didn't even show up on Sunday. They got destroyed by the Bengals, and now we have to question whether or not this is a playoff team with Jay Cutler at the helm. The running game needs to get going.
16. New York Jets (4-3, LW: 16): The Jets didn't fall into the trap of the Oakland Raiders. They totally dominated all aspects of the game. Mark Sanchez rebounded nicely. Now they have to get the job done at home against Miami.
17. San Diego Chargers (3-3, LW: 19): The Chargers didn`t make it look easy against the Chiefs, but they got the win. Now, they have to do the same thing against the Raiders. They are still way back of the Broncos, and they need wins bad.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3, LW: 18): The Jags come off the Bye with a home game against the Titans. If they can beat them again and avoid a let down, the Jags may actually be a legitimate playoff contender in the AFC.
19. Houston Texans (4-3, LW: 20): The Texans faded bad in the second half against the 49ers, but they won it in the end. They now are on pace for their first winning season, but they have two road games to look forward to next.
20. San Francisco 49ers (3-3, LW: 17): The have lost two in a row, and now face the unbeaten Colts. At least they have found some life at the QB position. For their sakes, I hope Alex Smith can live up to the hype this time around.
21. Buffalo Bills (3-4, LW: 24): If it wasn`t for that stinker against the Browns and the blow-up against the Pats, this team would be 5-2 and in great position. However, unless the offence gets going, you can see another 7-9 season coming.
22. Seattle Seahawks (2-4, LW: 23): The Seahawks come off the Bye two games back in their division, and have a tough matchup in Dallas to look forward to. If the offence can get going, we could have a shootout on our hands.
23. Miami Dolphins (2-4, LW: 21): The Phins almost upset the Saints, but they blew up in the second half. It all started with that bad call on the Devone Bess fumble. In the future, they have to rebound better from a tough call. Also, they have to stop forcing the ball to Ted Ginn.
24. Carolina Panthers (2-4, LW: 22): Just when you think they are coming alive, they blow an easy game against Buffalo. The offence stinks, and it may be time to get Jake Delhomme out of there. This season is a lost cause.
25. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6, LW: 25): They stay here because no team below them is any better. Matt Cassell has played decent, but until the defence an stop somebody, this team is going nowhere fast.
26. Detroit Lions (1-5, LW: 26): They come off the Bye with a healthy Calvin Johnson, and they get to play the Rams. Another win may be in the cards, or they can stop the Rams losing streak.
27. Washington Redskins (2-5, LW: 27): This season is officially over for the Skins. Unless they come off the Bye with a new QB and a new attitude, it will continue to get worse for Zorn and the boys.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-5, LW: 28): After getting a highly unlikely win against the Eagles, they couldn`t stick it to the reeling Jets. Jamarcus Russell finally got shown the bench, and maybe he finally gets inspired.
29. Tennessee Titans (0-6, LW: 30): They get brownie points for their coach rockin the Peyton Manning jersey. It was all in good fun. Now, Jeff Fisher needs to get this ship righted and pick up a few wins. Five or six might save his job.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-6, LW: 29): The Brownies continue to show nothing at all. it may be time to try out Brady Quinn again. Sorry Browns fans, but the QB position is not your only problem.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7, LW: 31): They enter the Bye after a great vacation in England. They picked off Brady twice, but still lost by 30 points. The Josh Freeman era should begin when they return.
32. St Louis Rams (0-7, LW: 32): The Rams continue to stink, but they play the Lions this week with a chance to end their 17 game losing streak. Steven Jackson has been great.

Week Six Power Rankings

A shake up at the top of JVZ's Power Rankings for the first time in a while. The Giants end thier stay at the top, but don't fall far in this week's rankings.
1. New Orleans Saints (5-0, LW: 4): The Saints take over the top spot by destroying the New York Giants. The offence did what they wanted, and the defence did a good job shutting down the G-Men. They take on Miami this week.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0, LW: 2): The Colts remain in the top spot, after spending the Bye preparing for St Louis. Preparing, HA! Manning and the Colts should remain undefeated for at least one more week.
3. Minnesota Vikings (6-0, LW: 3): The Brett Favre show continues. While they got lucky the Ravens can't hit a clutch field goal, they did a good job getting the lead back late. Sidney Rice has become a go-to guy for Brett. AP needs to get better.
4. Denver Broncos (6-0, LW: 5): Another week, another win for these guys. They got the job done in the return game this week, and did a good job shutting down Philip Rivers. They go into the Bye hoping to avoid another second half letdown.
5. New York Giants (5-1, LW: 1): It may be time to worry Giants fans. They got smoked by New Orleans, now they play another hot offence in Arizona. Eli Manning still needs to get more consistant in big games. The defence did not play well.
6. New England Patriots (4-2, LW: 9): The Patriots showed yet again that they can dominate games, shredding the Titans 59-0. They also showed again that they are tasteless twats, keeping Brady in up by 50 points. Terrible.
7. Atlanta Falcons (4-1, LW: 7): The Falcons proved yet again that they can compete in the NFC. With the win over the Bears, Matty Ice and the Dirty Birds kept pace with the Saints, and got a key win over another good opponent.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2, LW: 6): The Bengals couldn't get the job done against Houston, but don't worry quite yet. They still have big wins over both the Steelers and Ravens, and that is huge in the race for the AFC North crown.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2, LW: 12): The Steelers had a harder time beating the Browns than most would have expected, but they won. Big Ben dominated, and the running game was OK. Big matchup this week against the Vikings.
10. Chicago Bears (3-2, LW: 8): The Bears need to find a receiving threat that can be consistant. They also need to tell Jay Cutler to throw this guy the ball. Those mistakes in the red zone late in the fourth are inexcusable.
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-2, LW: 13): The Cowboys were idle last week, and they have a huge NFC matchup this week against the Falcons. If all the RBs are healthy, this should be a competitive game. The defence has to be better.
12. Green Bay Packers (3-2, LW: 16): Shutting out the Lions isn't easy. Especially when they are missing their starting QB and WR. Tough. The Packers did what they wanted, and may be back in the race in the NFC.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2, LW: 10): The Eagles should not have lost to Oakland. Not with a healthy Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. The Silver lining? This may be this year's version of the Cincinnati tie from a year ago. They dominated after that.
14. Arizona Cardinals (3-2, LW: 18): The Cards showed the Seahawks they still are the team to beat in the NFC West. Now, they get to show the whole conference they are for real with a showdown against the Giants.
15. Baltimore Ravens (3-3, LW: 14): The Ravens kept it close in Minnesota, but Steven Hauschka couldn't hit the clutch field goal at the end. Joe Flacco has been very good, and Ray Rice almost took over that game. They need this Bye to get the defence re-focused.
16. New York Jets (3-3, LW: 11): Mark Sanchez continues to play like a rookie. Losing to the Bills has to hurt for this team that started with so much promise. The running game was brilliant, but Sanchez's play killed them.
17. San Francisco 49ers (3-2, LW: 17): They have had a lot of time to think about the Falcons loss. Now, they have a tough task going into Houston. The defence will have to step up big time, and Frank Gore's return will certainly help.
18 Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3, LW: 21): It took OT, but they beat the Rams. Maurice Jones-Drew is putting up MVP-like numbers. Sooner or later, they will need David Garrard to get it together.
19. San Diego Chargers (2-3, LW: 15): The special teams needs to be better. They had that game under control, until Eddie Royal took a kick and a punt to the house. They stuck to the run, and LT looked OK. They need to start winning now to keep pace.
20. Houston Texans (3-3, LW: 22): The Texans needed a win, and they got one against Cincinnati. Steve Slaton is becoming a great option in the passing game, but he needs to step it up on the ground for this team to make the next step.
21. Miami Dolphins (2-3, LW: 20): The Phins come off the Bye with a toughie against New Orleans. The good news? It's at home, where they are 2-1. If they can get the running game going, they may be able to slow down the Saints.
22. Carolina Panthers (2-3, LW: 23): The Panthers did a good job taking care of a weak Bucs team. Now, they get the chance to move back to .500 with a win over Buffalo. Maybe they are finally waking up and getting into the NFC race.
23. Seattle Seahawks (2-4, LW: 19): The Seahawks had a major letdown against the Cardinals. They go into the Bye looking for answers. The defence has to play a lot better down the stretch for this team to compete.
24. Buffalo Bills (2-4, LW: 27): The Bills got a much needed win over the Jets this week. While the offence still looks aenemic, they got a huge boost from the D. They are taking on a shaky Carolina team, so they need to get it done.
25. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5, LW: 28): When in doubt, play the Redskins. The offence wasn't great, but the defence really showed up. They need to get Larry Johnson going, and they have a reeling Chargers team coming in this week.
26. Detroit Lions (1-5, LW: 25): They got smoked by Green Bay. This is just another sign of a growing team. They need to get Stafford and Calvin Johnson back. When they do, they should go back to being competitive again.
27. Washington Redskins (2-4, LW: 24): The Redskins stink. They have no offence, and the defence hasn't done enough for them to win. At some point they have to find a QB. Scoring 17 points a game or less won't cut it.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-4, LW: 30): They got a huge upset over the Eagles, and they did it with defence. Jamarcus Russell had his best game of the year (not saying much), but it is a sign of good things for this team.
29. Cleveland Browns (1-5, LW: 29): They stayed close against Pittsburgh, which is a good sign moving forward. How long before they move back to Brady Quinn at QB? Is the Mangenius safe?
30. Tennessee Titans (0-6, LW: 26): The Titans hit rock bottom this week. They got absolutely killed, and there is no sign of hope. Jeff Fisher gets a few more weeks to right the ship, and he should spend the Bye getting Vince Young ready to go.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6, LW: 31): The Bucs can't catch a break. Josh Freeman needs to be the guy. At least this way, they can have a bit of hope for the future. The defence stinks, but having a healthy Cadillac at least gives them something to get excited about.
32. St Louis Rams (0-6, LW: 32): The Rams may not win a game this year. They have lost 16 in a row, and are closing in on the record for losses in a row. This week they draw the short straw again, facing the Colts. At least Steven Jackson has been good.

Week Six Power Rankings

Another week, and not one of the unbeatens go down. We have four teams at 5-0, and one at 4-0. It's looking like both conferences are going to have great playoff races.
With that in mind, let's take a look at this week's version of my power rankings.
1. New York Giants (5-0, LW:1): The G-Men got another dominating win this past week against the Raiders, but can we can't really take this as anything. The real test is this week, when they take on the Saints in New Orleans.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0, LW:2): Peyton Manning continues to shred everyone, and they go into the Bye with a three game lead in the division. The running game still needs to get going, and the defence should get Bob Sanders back after he Bye.
3. Minnesota Vikings (5-0, LW: 4): They move past the Saints with an easy win over the hapless Rams. Brett Favre continues to roll, AP continues to struggle, and they have Baltimore on the slate for this week. Time to earn your stripes.
4. New Orleans Saints (4-0, LW:3): They move down a spot due to the Bye, but they have a chance to make some noise this week against the Giants. If Drew Brees can get back on track, the Saints should continue to roll.
5. Denver Broncos (5-0, LW:7): Yet another victory for this team. The defence continues to dominate, and Kyle Orton seems to do everything right. They have a tough matchup this week, as they travel to San Diego for a Monday Night divisional matchup.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1, LW:11): The Bengals did what they had to against the Ravens on Sunday. Carson Palmer continues to deliver in the clutch, and the defence is doing enough to keep them in games. They have to avoid a let down against Houston.
7. Atlanta Falcons (3-1, LW: 9): What a dominating win over the 49ers. If the defence continues to play like this, the Falcons should keep up with the Saints. They have the Bears, Cowboys and Saints the next three weeks.
8. Chicago Bears (3-1, LW: 10): They come off the Bye with a big NFC showdown against the Falcons. If Jay Cutler can keep it going, they should be able to get a win. However, if the running game stalls again, it could be a tough one to win.
9. New England Patriots (3-2, LW: 6): What to make of the Patriots at this point? It seems every week that we see a different showing. Now they get Junior Seau back, and face a desperate Titans team in New England this weekend.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1, LW: 13): The Eagles re-enter the top 10 after dismantling the Buccaneers. They travel to Oakland this week, and with a healthy Donovan McNabb at the helm, they should roll over the Raid-uhs.
11. New York Jets (3-2, LW: 5): What a disappointing loss to the Phins on Monday Night. They had it in the bag, but couldn't stop the Wildcat. Tough outing for the defence, but Braylon Edwards looks like he will certainly help the offence.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2, LW: 14): They almost found a way to lose against the Lions, and that would have been bad. This team has to learn to play four full quarters. They have to beat Cleveland this week to keep pace in the North. How tough.
13. Dallas Cowboys (3-2, LW: 16): If it took OT to beat the Chiefs, Cowboys fans better be worried. But with the Bye at hand, they get a chance to get healthier. They have a tough NFC matchup against the Falcons after the Bye.
14. Baltimore Ravens (3-2, LW: 8): The Ravens almost made it through, but they couldn't stop Carson Palmer when it mattered. They continue to take dumb penalties in crunch time, and they have a tough game this week against Minnesota.
15. San Diego Chargers (2-2, LW: 15): The Chargers face a must-win game Monday Night in Denver. LT has to get going, as Philip Rivers can't carry them forever. They can't expect another Broncos late season collapse.
16. Green Bay Packers (2-2, LW: 17): They come out of the Bye with a fluffy home game against the Lions to look forward to. At some point the running game has to start working, but the Packers should get back on track this week.
17. San Francisco 49ers (3-2, LW: 12): Wow. That's what the Niners must be thinking after being humbled at home against the Falcons. The offence stunk and the defence couldn't stop anything. They better get Frank Gore back soon.
18. Arizona Cardinals (2-2, LW: 19): The offence found its way against the Texans, and that is a good sign for this team. They face a huge NFC West match up this week, against the recently rejeuvenated Seahawks.
19. Seattle Seahawks (2-3, LW: 22): The Ol' Hassler comes back, and the Seahawks get rolling again. Now they have a chance to get back in the NFC West race with a win over the Cards. The defence played great as well, shutting out the Jags.
20. Miami Dolphins (2-3, LW: 23): Back-to-Back wins have the Dolphins back in the AFC East race. They enter the Bye week in great shape, but they have a showdown against the Saints to look forward to next.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3, LW: 18): Typical Jaguars. They get everyone talking after huge divisional wins, then they don't even show up against the reeling Seahawks. They get the Rams this week, and they should move back to .500.
22. Houston Texans (2-3, LW: 20): The Texans were a goal-line stand away from taking the Cards to OT. The short yardage game was a disaster, and they need to get that working. How could Steve Slaton not be the guy to run that fourth and goal?
23. Carolina Panthers (1-3, LW: 27): The Panthers got a much needed win last week against the Skins, but they need to keep it going if they want to make a playoff run. The running game hasn't been as good as expected.
24. Washington Redskins (2-3, LW: 21): They have yet to play a team that had any wins, but yet the Skins are 2-3. Jason Campbell is not the answer, and unfortunetely, there is no where to turn.
25. Detroit Lions (1-4, LW: 26): The Lions continue to lose, but they are making games interesting finally. If they pull off an upset in Green Bay this week, the season would start looking like a success.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-5, LW: 25): The Titans just suck. Kerry Collins can't do anything, and they won't turn to Vince Young. The defence stinks, and they have a match up in New England this week.
27. Buffalo Bills (1-4, LW: 24): The Bills continue to free-fall. The offence blows, despite all of the talent. The defence can only keep them in it for so long. Calling J.P. Losman, the Bills need a QB.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-5, LW: 29): The Chiefs at least kept thier game close this week, so they move up a spot. Matt Cassl played well, but they have got nothing from the running game. Is this a new trend in the NFL?
29. Cleveland Browns (1-4, LW: 31): They got a win despite their QB completing only two passes. This is a good sign for the defence, as they showed they could get it done. Eventually, they need to get some offence.
30. Oakland Raiders (1-4, LW: 28): The Raiders have no QB, no RB, and no defence. Not a great sign for a team who has been rebuilding since they lost the Super Bowl in 2002.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5, LW: 30): Another dismantling by an NFC East opponent, and the Bucs continue to drop in the ranks. Josh Johnson has been OK in two starts, but when will Josh Freeman be ready? Do they put him in with the team being this bad?
32. St Louis Rams (0-5, LW: 32): The Rams get absolutely killed again, and there doesn't appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Steven Jackson needs to get out of there

Week Four Power Rankings

Another week goes by, and another week with the Giants on top.
1. New York Giants (4-0): The G-Men got another dominating performance over another bad team. I am still a bit skeptical of them, but they keep winning so they stay on top for now. Steve Smith looks like a lagitimate #1 WR.
2. Indianapolis Colts (4-0): The Colts move to the #2 slot this week with another great win. Peyton Manning appears to be on MVP pace, and the defence will get a boost for the 4-5 games Bob Sanders plays sometime this year.
3. New Orleans Saints (4-0): They got the job done yet again against the Jets, and this time it was the defence that stepped up. Darren Sharper is making a case for Defensive Player of the Year, and they are winning without Drew Brees doing much.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-0): After dominating the Packers on Monday Nights, the Vikings are primed to take the next step in the NFC. They are winning games without Adrian Peterson taking over, which is a great sign. Jared Allen is a freak.
5. New York Jets (3-1): The great Mark Sanchez looked human this past week against New Orleans, but the Jets hung in there. They have to avoid a letdown Monday Night in Miami, or they may be in trouble very shortly. The defence is still playing very well.
6. New England Patriots (3-1): They are one Mark Clayton drop away from possibly being 2-2, but Brady and the boys got it done. They did a good job shutting down the run when they had to. The running game has been brilliant.
7. Denver Broncos (4-0): The Broncos shocked the Cowboys Sunday, and established themselves as a turn-around team. Kyle Orton is doing a great job managing the game, and the defence has been great.
8. Baltimore Ravens (3-1): The Ravens can't get a break. Some of the calls were questionable, but good teams overcome penalties. Joe Flacco continues to play well, and I think it's time to give Ray Rice the ball more.
9. Atlanta Falcons (2-1): The Falcons come off the Bye with a big NFC showdown against the 49ers. They need to get back after dropping the game to the Patriots in week three. Matt Ryan should have a big game here.
10. Chicago Bears (3-1): The Bears beat up on the Lions, but it was close until after half time. Matt Forte came alive, and that is good news heading into the Bye. They have to keep winning to keep up with the Vikings.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1): They should be undefeated, but those are the breaks. The Browns kept it closer than it should have been, and the Bengals get another chance to prove they are for real this week in Baltimore.
12. San Francisco 49ers (3-1): Another week, another dominating defensive performance from Singletary's boys. They get a tough game against the Falcons this week, but if they win they should be right in the NFC playoff picture. No Frank Gore hurts.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): They come off the Bye with a...Bye. Or close enough, they play the Bucs. They are getting McNabb and Westbrook back, but honestly, I would hold them out another week with Tampa on the slate.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): The Champs got it done Sunday night, but it wasn't pretty. The defence collapsed in the fourth quarter, and it took a Jeff Reed FG to put the Chargers down. The play of Rashard Mendenhall has to be a plus though.
15 San Diego Chargers (2-2): The Chargers didn't play inspired for three quarters, but they almost came out with a victory. Sounds like 2008 again, doesn't it? Having LT back was a plus, but he needs to have more of a factor after the Bye.
16 Dallas Cowboys (2-2): The brain-fart from Tony Romo cost them this one. Who's decision was it to throw at Sam Hurd that entire last drive? Especially with Champ Bailey covering him? They get the Chiefs this week, so that should be a win. Should be.
17 Green Bay Packers (2-2): Aaron Rodgers didn't look good in the Brett Favre bowl Monday Night. He was sacked too much, and he threw a costly INT. The defence shut down AP, but Favre shredded them. That has to change.
18 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2): They are starting to creep back into the AFC playoff picture. David Garrard absolutely killed the Titans, and they have a big matchup this week in Seattle. MJD has been brilliant as well.
19 Arizona Cardinals (1-2): They come off the Bye with a matchup against Houston. They need to get a win here to keep up with the 49ers. Kurt Warner and the offence need to get going. Houston is tough at home.
20. Houston Texans (2-2): The Texans got a big win over Oakland last week, but they need to beat Arizona at home to establish themselves as a contender in the AFC. Steve Slaton finally came alive, which is a good sign.
21. Washington Redskins (2-2): They rebounded off one of the worst losses of our time by barely beating the lowly Bucs. Jason Campbell showed signs of being great in the second half, and they will need Clinton Portis to start running the ball soon.
22.Seattle Seahawks (1-3): The Seahawks need Matt Hasselbeck to get wins. Plain and simple. Saneca Wallace has done an OK job, but he can't control a game like the Hassler. The defence is a shell of it's former self.
23. Miami Dolphins (1-3): The Dolphins take a big step forward by finally playing Chad Henne. The running game took over against Buffalo, but sooner or later Henne will have to win them a game. An upset over the Jets Monday would be huge.
24. Buffalo Bills (1-3): I wonder why they fired their offensive coordinator. This unit is a mess. Trent Edwards has to get the ball to their amazing WRs. The Lynch-Jackson tandem looked average against the Phins.
25. Tennessee Titans (0-4): The Titans got shocked by the Jags, and now they have the Colts and Pats in the next two weeks. It's scary that a team this good will likely start 0-6 after a 13 win season. They need to start Vince Young.
26. Detroit Lions (1-3): The Lions came back down to earth against the Bears. They kept up for a while, but that Johnnie Knox kick return to start the second half was a killer. Matt Stafford's knee appears to be OK, so that's a good sign.
27. Carolina Panthers (0-3): The Panthers come off the Bye with a matchup against the baby-soft Redksins. If they want to get a winning streak going, this would be the time to start. Jake Delhomme needs to step up.
28. Oakland Raiders (1-3): Who is going to quarterback this team? The offence is a mess, the defence can't stop anyone, and now Darren McFadden is hurt. Tough sledding for Al Davis again this year.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-4): Brutal. Matt Cassell has had no effect, and the offence can't move the ball as a result. They almost came back against the Giants, and face a vulnerable Cowboys team this week.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4): They have Philly coming to town this week, so it seems fairly safe to say that Raheem Morris' team will be winless for the 5th week in a row. Josh Johnson was a mixed bag in his first start.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-4): They kept it close with the Bengals, but couldn't get it done in the end. Derek Anderson was fairly good, and I think he will be a better option than Brady Quinn in the long run. Good job to the special teams for giving them a chance.
32. St Louis Rams (0-4): Kyle Boller can't win games, and neither can the Rams. They have Minnesota coming to town this week, so I don't see any change quite yet.

Week Three Power Rankings

Sorry for the missed week everyone.

Let's pick up where we left off.

The Steelers are still a dominant team, and the Cardinals rebounded after a tough opening week loss. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

1. New York Giants (3-0): The Giants are a well-rounded team. The best part? They are winning with their passing game. Eli Manning may finally be an NFL quarterback. The defence dominated Tampa Bay. They have a baby soft schedule for a few weeks.
2. Baltimore Ravens (3-0): The Ravens made a great choice in trading up for Joe Flacco in last year's draft. They are running the ball well, and the defence played a lot better. Now let's see if they can stop an NFL team (sorry Browns fans).
3. Indianapolis Colts (3-0): When this team gets Bob Sanders back, that defence will be that much better. Peyton Manning wins games, so this team is on the right track. With Tennessee all but out of the picture, it seems the division is the Colts to lose.
4. New York Jets (3-0): Is this team as good as we think they are? Well, we should find out this weekend against the Saints. Mark Sanchez looked human against Tennessee, but this defence is playing amazing. Props to Rex Ryan, he backs up the smack.
5. New Orleans Saints (3-0): The Saints couldn't throw the ball against the Bills. So what? Pierre Thomas owned the fourth quarter, and the defence didn't allow an offensive touchdown. The Saints just keep getting better, and could run away with the division.
6. Minnesota Vikings (3-0): Believing in Brett Favre yet? That 50 yard LASER to win the game on Sunday showed he still has it. Combine that with the defence and the running game, oh boy. Huge matchup against Green Bay on Monday Night Football.
7. New England Patriots (2-1): Could be 1-2 at this point, but Tom Terrific is getting the job done. Now they seem to have a running game with Fred Taylor. The defence is still a concern, but they did a good job shutting down the Falcons attack.
8. Atlanta Falcons (2-1): Should they be worried? Probably not, but this is a good time for the bye week. They need to regroup after a tough road loss. They need to come out of the bye running better, and that falls on Michael Turner. The defence is still very good.
9. Chicago Bears (2-1): The Jay Culter experiment looks better each week. Matt Forte has been a disappointment, but the defence is playing very well despite the loss of Brian Urlacher. They need to keep winning to keep up with the Vikes and Packers. The Lions will help.
10. Dallas Cowboys (2-1): The Cowboys need to play a full game, but their offence could be great if all three RBs are healthy. The defence played a lot better against Carolina. Will they slow down the "Powerful" Broncos, or will they wilt under a pressure game. Who knows?
11. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1): I don't care what you say, the Bengals beat the Steelers, so they get this high. They played very good defence, and the offence played well when it had to. Carson Palmer is starting to get back into a rhythm.
12. San Diego Chargers (2-1): LT should be back soon, but the Chargers are fine as long as Philip Rivers can keep throwing. They face a tough test against Pittsburgh this week, with the chance to bury the Champs. Darren Sproles is proving he isn't a feature back.
13. Green Bay Packers (2-1): They will be fired up for the Brett Favre show on MNF. Aaron Rodgers needs to come out and have a very good game. The running game still isn't going right, and the defence struggled against the Rams. They need to step up this week.
14. San Francsico 49ers (2-1): Fox Sports said it right. They are a Brett Favre laser away from being 3-0. They have to be happy with the play of Shaun Hill, but being without Frank Gore for three games could be fatal. The defence has been fairly good.
15. Denver Broncos (3-0): They get a chance to prove they are for real this week against Dallas. The defence has been suffocating, but they haven't played an overwhelming offence quite yet. Kyle Orton has done everything right, and they have a great running game behind him.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): They get McNabb back after the bye, but do they really need him? Kevin Kolb has been great, and they still have Mike Vick. Are the trade winds blowing in the city of Brotherly love? The defence will get a boost from Trotter.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2): Are the Champs in big trouble if they fall this week to San Diego? They could be in big trouble, but we have saw this team recover before. They have lost two close games, so they need to keep their morale up and get a win. Willie Parker is back.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): The Madden curse is coming for Larry Fitzgerald...book it. This team is lost, and the Bye comes at the right time. The defence needs to play at the form it was in the playoffs, and it starts with DRC.
19. Tennessee Titans (0-3): The best 0-3 team, but there is a distinct possibility they start 0-6. They need a win in Jacksonville this weekend. Kerry Collins may need to ride the bench real soon if this team doesn't start winning.
20. Seattle Seahawks (1-2): They were two Olindo Mare kicks from at least overtime on Sunday. The defence needs to be better, and they have to permanently retire those gawd awful jerseys. Saneca Wallace looked decent though.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): They got a big win against Houston, but they need to keep up the momentum against a reeling Tennessee team this weekend. The running game has been brilliant, but the defence has to play better, so does David Garrard.
22. Buffalo Bills (1-2): They couldn't get anything going against the Saints defence. Trent Edwards has to be better. Whether it is him or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, they have to start getting the ball to T.O. and Lee Evans. Getting Lynch back should help.
23. Houston Texans (1-2): The Texans are in trouble. They have the passing game, but Steve Slaton needs to get going. He should this week against Oakland. The defence has way too many first round picks invested in it to be this bad.
24. Detroit Lions (1-2): LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN
25 Washington Redskins (1-2): Brutal. They should not have lost to the Lions. Jason Campbell did everything he could, but without the run support the offence won't click. They didn't get to rookie Matt Stafford, and he made them pay. The Jon Gruden Countdown begins.
26. Carolina Panthers (0-3): They showed a bit of life against Dallas, but in the end it doesn't even matter. They should have fed Deangelo Williams the ball more, as he was having a good night. Delhomme needs to stop missing WRs, and the WRs have to finish thier routes. A mess.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-2): They got a win against Kansas City, but they need a new franchise quarterback. Sorry Al, the Raiders aren't going anywhere until they either replace Jamarcus Russell, or find a way to make him better.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3): This team was supposed to be a lot better with Matt Cassell. They aren't. They have to do something to get the running game going. The defence has been decent, but don't expect more than 3 wins from this team.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3): That was a miserable performance against the Giants. It cost Byron Leftwich his job. They should just hand the keys over to Josh Freeman. The defence is brutal as well, so much for the Tampa 2. It's more like the Tampa 200 now.
30. Miami Dolphins (0-3): They can't win without Chad Pennington. At least for a game or two they are giving Chad Henne a chance. He may even get them a win against Buffalo if he can stay mistake-free. The defence will help, but they only go as far as the Wildcat will take them.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-3): It doesn't appear to matter what QB plays for Cleveland, because they aren't gonna win many games. The Mangenius is a terrible coach, and it is showing yet again. They are in complete rebuild mode now, and watch the Braylon Edwards trade rumors.
32. St Louis Rams (0-3): Kyle Boller performed better than Marc Bulger, and that's not good for the Rams. Steven Jackson looks better this year, but they may get the second overall pick for the 3rd year in a row.

Can The Vikings Be Stopped?

It seemed when Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings, many people were still skeptical whether or not he could have an impact.
Well, from watching this past weekend's Lions-Vikings game live, I really don't think there will be a team in the NFC that can compete with the Vikes.
Honestly, we all knew what we would get from Adrian Peterson. He is atonishing to watch in person by the way. We knew the predictions. He's going for 2000. He will likely be the MVP. The moves this guy make are unbelievable.
But, the addition of Favre brought a passing game with it. Sure, many watched as Brett collapsed late last season. The 22 interceptions caused a lot of football fans to doubt whether or not the signing of Favre would even improve the quarterback situation in Minny. How do those people feel now?
Favre was 23 of 27 on Sunday, for only 155 yards and two TDs. Some say he can't throw the ball downfield anymore. But, the good part is that he hasn't had to. With AP running, and Favre making manageable throws, the Vikings could be tough to beat in the NFC.
Another factor is the defence. It is much better than last year. They still have the huge defensive line, but the players that impressed me were the linebackers. Chad Greenway is a phenomenal player, as evidenced by his two interception, one fumble recovery day against Detroit.
The secondary also did a great job shutting down Calvin Johnson (for the most part). The line still got pressure from somewhere other than Jared Allen as well.
If this all continues (and I know it was Detroit), the Vikes could be the team to beat in the NFC North. They have a huge matchup this week against San Francisco. (Did I just say "huge game" and "San Francisco" in the same sentence...wow)

Preparing For An Uncapped Season

Let's face it football fans, we may be close to an uncapped 2010 NFL season. As much as I hate to admit it, it doesn't appear the NFL and the Player's Association are any closer to reaching a deal that will stop the madness.
But what effect will an uncapped season have on the league?
Well, many teams are already being careful with their money, as player contracts will likely explode next summer. No cap will mean teams like Washington, Dallas, and the pair of New York teams that like to throw money around will have the best chance to get top players.
I mean, take a look at some of the possible free agents going into next summer.
LB Demarcus Ware, LB Shawne Merriman, LB Demeco Ryans, DE Julius Peppers, S O.J. Atogwe, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Braylon Edwards, RB Ronnie Brown, RB LenDale White
As you can see, there will be a lot of money thrown around to these top names. This doesn't even count the large number of veterans that could be released before the free agent period starts next March.
The only way this deal gets resolved is if the Player's decide to take a serious pay cut. I mean, veteran players will still get their money. No question. It's the rookies that have the most to lose.
The prospect of a rookie cap has to worry the players. But, let's be reasonable for a minute. The first round pick in next year's NFL Draft (whoever the Lions get) will get almost $50 million in guarenteed money. GUARENTEED money to a player that has never touched a NFL field, and could flop worse than Free Willy in his first game and never play again.
Yes, I realize there are guys like Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman that live up to the #1 overall hype. There are far too many players that flop in the first round for teams to be investing this kind of money.
I think the rookie cap is a great idea. Go out on the field, and play for your money. I think the NHL has done it right. Make the rookie sign for a certain amount based on his draft position, and make it a short term deal that allows them to become a restricted free agent after a few years in the league. THAN they can get their big bucks.
I realize most players are not in it for the money, that most are still playing football because it is what they love. But in these days of agents and lucrative deals, it's time to bring this back into perspective.
Football is a game, and for many a job. But for us, the fans, we just want to see the game played fair and so every team has a chance.
If the uncapped season happens, it will be very hard to get the cap in place, which would prove deadly for teams like Buffalo, who's market can't support a free-spending team.
In short, let's get a deal done soon, so the NFL doesn't go the way of the NHL, a locked out season that would kill all momentum that was made in the Paul Tagliabue era

Cowboys Fine Without T.O.

Some thought it couldn't be done. Some probably still don't think it can be done long term. But, Tony Romo's performance in Week one has this Cowboys fan convinced.
Terrell Owens is gone yes, and where on Earth could the touchdowns come from? Well, Romo showed in week one that he can throw to someone other than Jason Witten, connecting with six different receivers, including three different TD catchers (Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams).
Many people thought Williams wouldn't be able to pick up where T.O. left off. Well, now the offence can be more diverse, as Romo isn't forced to feed the ball to one certain target.
It also helps that they have three solid RBs to take the pressure off the running game.
Now, over the long term, you may still be asking where the TDs will come from.
All you need to know is that the three aforementioned WRs will pick up most of the slack, with Witten and Martellus Bennett picking up the rest.
Tony Romo will be fine. He had a full offseason to do nothing but focus on football, and it clearly showed with his pre-season and week one play. Now we just need to see if he can win in December and possibly January.
Roy Williams needs to play like this all year, however, if he wants to live up to the trade value they gave for him. He is being treated like a first round pick this year, and is being paid as such. They need at least 1,100 yards and 10 TDs from him if they hope to make the playoffs.
Do I think Romo is going to throw 40 TDs? Not at all. But if he comes close to the 36 he put up a few years ago, the Cowboys should contend for a playoff spot.

Power Rankings Week Two

What a wacky week. For those who read JVZ's insights...you know what a shocker week one really was.

So how on Earth could we rank the teams after week one?

Let's take a look.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: It took overtime, but the Champs got it done in the end. The running game needs to be better, but Big Ben played very good. Also, the defence did a good job shutting down the Johnson-White attack.
2. New England Patriots: The Pats didn't look good for about 55 minutes of Monday Night's game against Buffalo. Tom Terrific showed why he is the best, however, by leading two TD drives to win the game. That defence played brutal for most of the game.
3. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees dominated the Lions, so that moves them slightly above the Colts. The defence stiffened when it had too, but the Lions should have never been close. They have to like the sleeper value of Mike Bell, as long as Pierre Thomas is hurt.
4. Indianapolis Colts: They could have stayed #3, but they really struggled to beat the Jags. Peyton Manning had a few costly turnovers, and the running game was average. Props to the defence though, as they shut down the Jags attack when they had to.
5. New York Giants: The Giants had a hard time against the Skins, but they proved they are still the team to beat in the NFC East. The running game is always fierce, and the defence was glad to have Osi Umenyiora back in the line up.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: A dominating win over a playoff team. Both the offence and defence played amazing. But, down go Donovan McNabb and Shawn Andrews. The injury woes continue for the Eagles. I don't know if they are a playoff team without McNabb.
7. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers let the Raiders hang in there, but Darren Sproles ran for the game winning TD late. The running game was average, but Phillip Rivers continues to shine. The defence will need to play better. Is this division closer than it should be?
8. Green Bay Packers: The Pack needed a late TD from Aaron Rodgers to get the win, but how may Cheeseheads breathed a sigh of relief seeing their team win a close game? The 3-4 defence played very well, getting in Jay Cutler's head and grabbing four INTs.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco looks amazing. The new feature back Ray Rice looked great as well. We get a chance to see what they really have this week as they take on the Chargers. The defence will need to play better, KC should not have been that close.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan looks amazing. The defence totally shut down the Miami Wildcats, and the offence was functional without a running game. If this is the real Falcons, all that Super Bowl hype may actually be warrented.
11. Tennessee Titans: The Titans forced overtime against the defending Champs, and that has to be a plus. But, the running game was not what it should be, and they can't win games through the air. The defence was very stout, even without Albert Haynesworth.
12. Dallas Cowboys: A dominating performance from Tony Romo, and the running game was solid as well. The defence has to be a concern going into the matchup against the Giants. They allowed a refurbished Cadillac run wild on them.
13. Arizona Cardinals: The Super Bowl hangover continues...so it would seem. Kurt Warner and the offence played miserable, and the defence was average at best. They have to be worried for Larry Fitzgerald, as the Madden Curse has already claimed Troy Polamalu.
14. Minnesota Vikings: The Adrian Peterson show ran wild in the second half against Cleveland. Unfortunetely, Brett Favre didn't look too good in his first start. The good news Vikings fans? He doesn't have to be amazing for this team to compete for a Super Bowl.
15. Seattle Seahawks: It was ugly, yes. But, a win is a win. The did shut out the Rams, so they have to be high on the defence. But they should have concern about Matt Hasselbeck's two INTs against a brutal Ram defence.
16. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez looked good, and the running game was still very effective. Are the Jets really that good, or are the Texans really that bad? Mark Sanchez to Chansey Stuckey looks like it could be a lethal combination.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Man they looked good on Sunday. They shut down one of the top offenses in the league, and they moved the ball effectively themselves. Shaun Hill only wins football games, so it appears the choice to start him is warrented, for now.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bungels sure didn't look like an explosive offence did they? Props to the defence for shutting the Broncos down for 59 1/2 minutes. Too bad they couldn't get both hand's on that eventual game-winning pass to Brandon Stokley.
19. Washington Redskins: They played the Giants tough, and that has to be a good sign for this team. They didn't appear to have a lot of faith in Jason Campbell. The defence looked great, but the offence will have to improve greatly for this team to compete.
20. Carolina Panthers: Jeez, that was miserable. Jake Delhomme may have to get more security around his house if he keeps throwing that many INTs. A.J. Feeley is not the answer either. That running game will have to be even better with the QB problems.
21. Houston Texans: They played awful, and this is a team that wants to make the playoffs? Matt Schaub doesn't seem like a solid starter anymore, and Steve Slaton stepped into a week one sophomore slump. The defence played alright, but they should have got to Sanchez more.
22. Buffalo Bills: They took the Pats to the limit, and now Leodis McKelvin's lawn has been vandalized. The TO show got off to a rough start, but there has to be green pastures in the future. Otherwise, how long before the controversial one explodes?
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: They just about stole one from Indy. The running game was good, but they need a lot more from David Garrard. They really got to Peyton Manning though, and that has to be a good sign for the defence moving forward.
24. Miami Dolphins: The offence sure didn't look the same did it? Chad Pennington will need to be replaced sooner rather than later if they don't start winning games. The Falcons defence is not that good. They did a good job of shutting down Michael Turner though.
25. Chicago Bears: That wasn't what they wanted to see from Jay Cutler. Now Brian Urlacher is done for the year. This is not a good sign for this team that has huge expectations. Will this be the end of the Lovie Smith era?
26. Denver Broncos: I don't care that they won. It was a lucky catch to win. Kyle Orton and the the offence looked miserable. The defence did a good job shutting down the Bengals attack, but they will need more than 12 points to get most of their wins.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: They kept it close against the Ravens, without thier starting QB. That has to be a good sign. If they can get Larry Johnson going, they may have a decent offence. But, the defence couldn't stop a thing.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They kept it close with Dallas for the first half. Cadillac is back, which gives them three solid RBs. Byron Leftwich was good as well, so that will be a good sign until Josh Freeman is ready. The defence played like garbage.
29. Cleveland Browns: The Browns gave me exactly what I thought the would. A below average performance from the offence, and an even worse performance from the defence. I've heard Derek Anderson trade rumours...They better not pull the trigger too quickly.
30. Oakland Raiders: The Raid-uhs did a good job staying with the Chargers, but the defence couldn't hold up when they had to. JaMarcus Russell needs to step up soon or this team won't win many games.
31. St Louis Rams: Brutal...that's all you can really say. The offence couldn't get going. The D kept it close for a while, but with no offence, it wasn't even worth it.
32. Detroit Lions: They won't move up in my rankings until they win again. Matt Stafford didn't show much, and the defence was terrible. Think they want a mulligan so they can get Mark Sanchez?

JVZ's Insights --- Week One

What a weekend it was...

From the thriller Thursday night in Pittsburgh, all the way through Aaron Rodgers beautiful TD pass to Greg Jennings Sunday Night.

But with great football sometimes comes great heartache.

Let's take a look at the Week One Matchups.

Pittsburgh 13, Tennessee 10 (OT)
- Honestly, how scary is the Roethlisberger-to-Holmes connection now. Jeez. The Steelers seem to be straying away from the run abit, but it may have had something to do with the lackluster pass rush from the Titans.
- Pretty much what we expected from the Steelers D. They shut down every facet of the Titans attack. I did like the play of Kerry Collins for the most part, but they obviously need the running game to work if they hope to win any games.
Next Week: Pit @ Chi, Hou @ Ten
Atlanta 19, Miami 7
- Atlanta appears to be the real deal. Matt Ryan played great, and the defence shut down the Wildphins. They may have to worry about Michael Turner, as he didn't do much against aan average Miami D.
- On the flip side, the Phins need to play better on offence. They won't sneak up on anyone this year, and there is a good chance they won't repeat as division champs.
Next Week: Car @ Atl, Ind @ Mia (Mon)
Baltimore 38, Kansas City 24
- Baltimore looked great on offence. Joe Flacco is the real deal, as is new starting RB Ray Rice. They have to worry about the defence, because giving up this many points to Kansas City without their star QB is troublesome.
- Kansas City probably didn't think they a solid QB option in Brodie Croyle, but he made a claim for the job with this performance. It's a shame that he won't get another oppourtunity to show himself, as Matt Cassell is expected back soon.
Next Week: Bal @ San, Oak @ KC
Philadelphia 38, Carolina 10
- Uh oh. It appears Donovan McNabb has a cracked rib. Could this be the end of his era in Philly? Well, Kevin Kolb will likely start next week. But don't fret Eagles fans, the defence played amazing. And you still have Brian Westbrook (for now).
- Uh oh again. Jake Delhomme has 9 INTs in his last two starts. Not good for Panthers fans. He better get that turned around quick or the playoffs will be a distant memory for this squad. Matt Moore to the rescue!?
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Car @ Atl
Denver 12, Cincinnati 7
- Talk about thrilling victories. The Broncos go down 7-6 with just over a minute left, just to watch Brandon Stokley steal the win with that amazing catch and run. But, the Broncs have to be worried about the running game, as no one stood out on the ground.
- If this is a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bungels are in trouble. Benson looked good, but they need more from the passing game. Unfortunate break for the defence, as they played well for 58 minutes, and got the tip on the TD pass. Another bad break for a team that doesn't get many good ones.
Next Week: Cle @ Den, Cin @ GB
Minnesota 34, Cleveland 20
- Good news for Minny. Brett Favre looked good. AP look amazing. The defence stifled the Browns attack (not saying much). The real test is to see if they can get this much of a performance against an NFL team.
- Cleveland is in trouble. Brady Quinn was pedestrian, and Jamal Lewis gets a bit older every week. The defence couldn't stop the run, and let Brett get into a rhythm. They made some progress by scoring an offensive TD in the fourth. Stay ready Derek Anderson.
Next Week: Min @ Det, Cle @ Den
NY Jets 24, Houston 7
- Mark Sanchez looks like the real deal. Thomas Jones continues to run wild, and the defence stifled the potent Houston offence. If they can make a statement against New England next week, this team will be considered a contender.
- Houston played terrible. If that's Matt Schaub, they will be regretting the Rosenfels deal. Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson were no factors as well. The defence played OK, but they should have easily handled the rookie QB.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, Hou @ Ten
Indianapolis 14, Jacksonville 12
- Not a great showing from the Indy offence, and now they have to play without Anthony Gonzalez. The defence did a great job against the pass, but MJD had a solid day. They may have to get Marvin Harrison on the phone soon.
- The Jags did a decent job running the ball, but the positive of this game was the play of the defence. They kept them in the game. They shut down Peyton Manning, and that has to be a plus for a team that has to find an identity.
Next Week: Ind @ Mia (Mon), Ari @ Jac
New Orleans 45, Detroit 27
- Drew Brees had 6 TDs....ridiculous. He already has an edge in the MVP voting. The running game is in good hands with Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. One worry is the play of the defence. Yes, they had 3 INTs, but this is Detroit....come on.
- The Lions kept it close for a while, but could not find an answer for Brees. They got a good look at Matthew Stafford playing under pressure, and it didn`t look too good. But, Kevin smith ran well. The defence will have to improve greatly or they may not win a game this year either.
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Min @ Det
Dallas 34, Tampa Bay 21
- The Cowboys proved they can get offence without Terrell Owens. Tony Romo looked solid, and the running game was there to back him up. They had better shore up that run defence though with the Giants on tap for next week.
- I'd be willing to bet that nobody thought Cadillac would run wild like that. Wow, that signing of Derrick Ward looks irrelevant now. They have to be worried about the play of the D, as they allowed way to many big plays.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, TB @ Buf
San Francisco 20, Arizona 16
- Imagine what Shaun Hill could do with Michael Crabtree. All Hill does is win. And this is a huge upset of last year's division champs. The defence really surprised a lot of people, shutting down one of the better passing attacks in the league.
- What happened to this offence? Kurt Warner was not effective, and that brought down stud WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Also, the running game continued to be enemic. The D had a pretty good showing.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Ari @ Jac
NY Giants 24, Washington 17
- The Giants looked fairly average in week one, which is pretty much what I expected. The running game looked good, but losing Danny Ware will hurt. The defence did a good job when it had to, and clearly Osi Umenyiora has a massive impact on how the team plays.
- The Skins are in trouble if they can't get Jason Campbell going. I realize nobody wants him, but come on. Did he even throw the ball in the first quarter? Oh well, the defence was greatly improved. Albert Haynesworth looked like he was still motivated. We'll see how long that lasts.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, Stl @ Was
Seattle 28, St Louis 0
- Despite the turnovers, the Seahawks managed to run away with this one. Julius Jones finally looks like he is motivated, and that is clearly a boost for this team. Also, that defence still looks very good. Getting Patrick Kerney back is a big boost.
- Yuck. St Louis may finally break the streak. By this I mean, they will get the #1 overall pick next year, as opposed to the #2 slot they have occupied in back-to-back drafts.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Stl @ Was
Green Bay 21, Chicago 15
- A shaky performance from Aaron Rodgers turned out good in the end. How wide open was Greg Jennings. Wow. And the transition to the 3-4 looks like it was just what the Pack needed. They abused Jay Cutler, and got 4 INTs for their efforts.
- Chicago certainly didn't live up to the hype in week one. If that is what they got from Cutler, they better hope for a mulligan. The defence played well overall, but again....Why was Jennings that open? Figures, Cutler stinks, and Orton throws a game-winning TD.
Next Week: Cin @ GB, Pit @ Chi
New England 25, Buffalo 24
- It seemed like the Pats didn't wake up until the fourth quarter. We saw this from the Cowboys last year. Pats fans better hope Brady gets more comfortable in the pocket, or they could be in trouble against better Ds. Also, letting the Bills make it interesting is a scary thought for that D.
- The TO train may start rolling if another loss and two catch performance comes around. For the most part, the Bills dominated the game, despite the time-of-possession ratio. They need to focus on their defence in the red zone, as it became a problem late in the game.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, TB @ Buf
San Diego 24, Oakland 20
- Seeing LT fumble was bad news, and seeing Darren Sproles succeed was bad for LT fans. The offence needs to get going, as that performance was underwhelming. The defence did a good job at confusing JaMarcus Russell.
- Props to the dysfunctional Raid-uhs. They kept this game closer than it should have been, despite the turnovers from Russell and the RBs. The defence played very well, but was unable to get a stop when they needed it. The special teams is a concern as well.

Updated Power Rankings on the way...