We have now seen enough of the
regular season to know where most teams are headed. The top half and the bottom
half of teams are clearly delineated with a few muddling in the middle, leaving
us still to wonder which team will show up from week to week. Some are clearly
very good (Packers, Patriots, Ravens, Saints) and some are clearly very, very
bad (Dolphins, Colts, Rams and Vikings).
The NFL Power Rankings are a
standing MTSS feature during the season, being updated every other week (odd-numbered
weeks) and are based on team results to date. Our rankings are our best
(kind-of) educated guess at which team would beat the ones listed below it in the
rankings. You get the idea.
The biggest movers since Week 5 are
San Francisco (+8) and Washington (-11). For those of you watching the games
and paying even a little bit of attention, you know those are the logical
choices. And if you dare disagree with me, I swear I will run you down like Jim
Schwartz and tell you about it.
(Week 5 rankings are in
parenthesis.)
1. (1) Green Bay (6-0) – The Pack is showing no sign of weakness.
2. (3) New England (5-1) – They win big. They win ugly. They just win.
3. (2) Baltimore (4-1) – Old-fashioned smashmouth football. Flacco may be weak link.
4. (12) San Francisco (5-1) – Two tough road wins at Tampa Bay and at Detroit.
5. (5) New Orleans (4-2) – The coach and the team got clipped at Tampa last week.
6. (4) Detroit (5-1) – We’ll see how they respond to their first loss, handshake and all.
7. (8) San Diego (4-1) – BYE last week; tough test at the Jets this week.
8. (16) Pittsburgh (4-2) – The running game is showing signs of life again.
9. (13) Tampa Bay (4-2) – Nice rebound game by young Bucs after SF blowout.
10. (9) New York Giants (4-2) – This team is for real, now the division favorite.
2. (3) New England (5-1) – They win big. They win ugly. They just win.
3. (2) Baltimore (4-1) – Old-fashioned smashmouth football. Flacco may be weak link.
4. (12) San Francisco (5-1) – Two tough road wins at Tampa Bay and at Detroit.
5. (5) New Orleans (4-2) – The coach and the team got clipped at Tampa last week.
6. (4) Detroit (5-1) – We’ll see how they respond to their first loss, handshake and all.
7. (8) San Diego (4-1) – BYE last week; tough test at the Jets this week.
8. (16) Pittsburgh (4-2) – The running game is showing signs of life again.
9. (13) Tampa Bay (4-2) – Nice rebound game by young Bucs after SF blowout.
10. (9) New York Giants (4-2) – This team is for real, now the division favorite.
11. (7) Buffalo (4-2) – The Bills are starting to stumble.
12. (17) Oakland (4-2) – Campbell out, Palmer in. Net gain. Headed to playoffs.
13. (10) Tennessee (3-2) – Team is better than advertised, even with CJ2K struggling.
14. (15) Chicago (3-3) – Offensive line continues to struggle; special teams are key.
15. (6) Houston (3-3) – Texans are not taking advantage of Indy’s free-fall.
16. (14) New York Jets (3-3) – The offense doesn’t know who it is.
17. (21) Cincinnati (4-2) – The league’s No. 1 defense. Improving young team.
18. (18) Atlanta (3-3) – The Falcons aren’t sure who they are. Finally running the ball.
19. (20) Philadelphia (2-4) – Win at Washington last week saved the season … for now.
20. (19) Dallas (3-3) – In the middle of the pack in the mediocre NFC East.
12. (17) Oakland (4-2) – Campbell out, Palmer in. Net gain. Headed to playoffs.
13. (10) Tennessee (3-2) – Team is better than advertised, even with CJ2K struggling.
14. (15) Chicago (3-3) – Offensive line continues to struggle; special teams are key.
15. (6) Houston (3-3) – Texans are not taking advantage of Indy’s free-fall.
16. (14) New York Jets (3-3) – The offense doesn’t know who it is.
17. (21) Cincinnati (4-2) – The league’s No. 1 defense. Improving young team.
18. (18) Atlanta (3-3) – The Falcons aren’t sure who they are. Finally running the ball.
19. (20) Philadelphia (2-4) – Win at Washington last week saved the season … for now.
20. (19) Dallas (3-3) – In the middle of the pack in the mediocre NFC East.
21. (11) Washington (3-2) – Grossman implodes. Redskins on the skids.
22. (28) Seattle (2-3) – Tavaris gets hurt and they look better. Makes sense.
23. (22) Cleveland (2-3) – Defense keeping them in games. Offense is punchless.
24. (26) Kansas City (2-3) – Still haven’t beaten a team with a win, but improving.
25. (23) Carolina (1-5) – Panthers are playing everybody tough … and losing.
26. (24) Arizona (1-4) – Jury is still out on Kolb; good thing Beanie is producing.
27. (27) Denver (1-4) – The Tebow era begins. At least it’ll be exciting.
28. (25) Jacksonville (1-5) – Garrard cut. McCown stunk. Now Gabbert gets the call.
22. (28) Seattle (2-3) – Tavaris gets hurt and they look better. Makes sense.
23. (22) Cleveland (2-3) – Defense keeping them in games. Offense is punchless.
24. (26) Kansas City (2-3) – Still haven’t beaten a team with a win, but improving.
25. (23) Carolina (1-5) – Panthers are playing everybody tough … and losing.
26. (24) Arizona (1-4) – Jury is still out on Kolb; good thing Beanie is producing.
27. (27) Denver (1-4) – The Tebow era begins. At least it’ll be exciting.
28. (25) Jacksonville (1-5) – Garrard cut. McCown stunk. Now Gabbert gets the call.
29. (31) Minnesota (1-5) – Finally win one. Now Donovan gets the hook.
30. (30) St. Louis (0-5) – Now Bradford is hurt. These poor Lambs can’t get a break.
31. (29) Indianapolis (0-6) – No team has relied on one player as much as these Colts.
32. (32) Miami (0-5) – “Suck for Luck” campaign is in full bloom in South Beach.
30. (30) St. Louis (0-5) – Now Bradford is hurt. These poor Lambs can’t get a break.
31. (29) Indianapolis (0-6) – No team has relied on one player as much as these Colts.
32. (32) Miami (0-5) – “Suck for Luck” campaign is in full bloom in South Beach.
So what do you think? Sound off.
Let us know where you think we’ve got it right, and for sure where you know we
have it wrong. Join the conversation.
Thanks for reading.
Steve
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