NFL Power Rankings - Week 5

Another 4th quarter Peyton Manning comeback, another 23 hits on Big Ben, and another exciting week in NFL football - some things never change. One surprise was that David Carr threw his first touchdown pass since 1987 - I knew he had it in him! As for the favorite teams of the followers of this blog - Steelers, Giants, Broncos, (whatever team Imler roots for), Redskins - the future seems bright. If the standings keep up the way they have been, we could be in for some intense playoff match-ups. Onto the rankings:

1. New York Giants - The first of four of the blogites favorite teams to crack the top 6. The good news is Eli Manning is looking great. The bad news is that anyone can get injured, and I think many of us just realized that David Carr is the backup. I think Jesse Palmer is available if they need him...

2. Dallas Cowboys - Almost blew a game against the Bengals...There are definite weaknesses with these guys, and if they have a few bad games or tough losses, I don't see Wade Philips saving a complete meltdown.

3. Tennessee Titans - Still not sold on them, but they are undefeated.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers - The "toughest schedule since 1976" is starting to look not so bad as the Chargers, Colts, and Pats look like a shell of their former selves. They should be able to win the division easily even if Ben plays from a wheel chair. Did you see that throw to Hines Ward at the end of the game?? Unbelievable...

5. Denver Broncos - The defense looked improved, but is still tough to gauge against Jeff Garcia.

6. Washington Redskins - Somehow they keep grinding out wins. They almost have as many as I predicted at the beginning of the season already.

7. Carolina Panthers - I doubted them last week, but definitely was proved wrong. Their running game is young and talented, the receivers and quarterback is adequate, and the defense is starting to step up. Not quite to the level of their superbowl team yet, but look to be improving each week.

8. New England Patriots - Like the Yankees, it is difficult to doubt they won't make the plaoyoffs. But, hopefully like the Yankees, it will happen.

9. Buffalo Bills - Soon they will be exposed for the mediocre team that they really are. You can't win every game with special teams.

10. San Diego Chargers - Still my superbowl pick from the AFC.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jags are 2-3 and yet they are still a very possible superbowl contender. Is the AFC really this balanced(weak)?

12. Indianapolis Colts - See New England post.

13. Chicago Bears - Anyone but the Lions could win the NFC North. According to these rankings it will be the Bears. Sad but true. FYI, when I was at PSU and saw the Nittany Lions take on Purdue, Kyle Orton was the starting QB and he looked amazing. I always thought he under achieved in the NFL, maybe this was his breakout game? Or not.

14. Tampa Bay Bucs - There sure are a lot of middle of the road teams in the NFL right now.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Have had a very tough schedule. Should move up as they beat up on the lesser talent they face in their next 3 games.

16. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers saved himself in this game from a mental breakdown, but how did they lose this game? Their offense played well, but is their defense really that bad to allow Atlanta to walk all over them, or is Atlanta just that good?

17. Arizona Cardinals - A-well-a don't you know about the bird? Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word! A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word. A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word. In other words I have no idea how this team will play week to week.

18. New York Jets - No change after the bye week.

19. Atlanta Falcons - I never thought I'd say this, but I really wish they would nationally televise a Falcons game at some point...

20. Baltimore Ravens - Will this team EVER find a competent quarterback?

21. Minnesota Vikings - Still in the hunt in the NFC North, but need to pull all their talent* together before they can make a serious run. (*Not including the ageless wonder Gus Frerotte)

22. New Orleans Saints - Secondary can't stop the Minnesota passing game...Not a good sign. The run game is lacking as well. Brees can't win every game by himself.

23. Miami Dolphins - Who are these guys and what have they done with the Dolphins? I think this soldifies Bill Parcels as the greatest football mind in NFL history.

24. San Francisco 49ers - Another team I'd like actually see on TV once this season. Their potentially potent offense hinges on an unexperienced career backup quarterback, though, so I don't see them continuing to put up great numbers against any team outside of the NFC West.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Do not watch a Seahawks game until after 60 minutes of eating.

26. Cleveland Browns - No change after the bye week.

27. Oakland Raiders - Same.

28. Houston Texans - You know there are terrible teams when an 0-5 one is ranked 28.

29. Kansas City Chiefs - SUCK.

30. Cincinnati Bengals - SUCK.

31. Detroit Lions - REALLY SUCK.

32. St. Louis Rams - REALLY SUCK. But at least they didn't lose last week.