NFL Power Rankings - Week 6

Since Ryan told me he actually reads these, I will continue to write them. It gives me something to do, anyway. Well this week was quite crazy. I spent most of Sunday driving home from Pittsburgh so I missed most of the games and am very disappointed I did not witness the 5 unbelievable finishes. What makes it craaaazy, though, is that 6 out of my top 8 teams lost, and the other 2 had byes! If they hadn't, we could have seen an unprecedented 8 for top 8 teams losing. We did see the return to elite status for some teams, however, as the Chargers and Colts charged their way up the rankings. Things are beginning to move back towards normalcy. On to the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans - They have risen a whopping 20 spots in my rankings since the Preseason poll, culminating with their first #1 rankings probably since their Superbowl run. The only reason they are here, though, is that they are the only undefeated team left, and no other team has showed any semblance of dominance and running away from the pack. Is there any doubt that Jeff Fischer is one of the great coaches in the game?

2. Pittsburgh Steelers - Aided by the bye, the Steelers watched as the other powers in the NFL fell, one by one. Like Penn State, they move up in the standings practically by default. Do I think they could beat all the teams under them in the rankings? Maybe. Probably not though.

3. San Diego Chargers - The best team with a 3-3 record, and maybe the best team overall. LT and Gates are looking like their injuries are fading, and Philip Rivers is making a serious run at MVP. With the emergence of a decent receiving core, and the defense beginning to play a little better, the Chargers are set to regain Superbowl contender status.

4. New York Giants - The amazing winning streak comes to an end, and perhaps so do their hopes of going to another Superbowl. Eli looked like the QB we all remember, and the defense obviously is struggling if they allowed Derek Anderson to throw all over them. I didn't see the game, but things could get grim in the future for the G-Men.

5. Indianapolis Colts - All those reporters who were talking about Eli being better than Peyton are insane...I never believed a word of it and knew that Peyton was basically just playing preseason warmup football the first 4 weeks. These guys are primed for another superbowl run, and could still make a run at the division if Tennessee falters, which they undoubtedly will.

6. Dallas Cowboys - It was a very bad week for the team, and especially for Romo. Brad Johnson has proven throughout his career that he is good enough not to lose, so I wouldn't count these guys out yet, not with all the talent they have.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - In my game of the week, the Jags took out the Broncos with what looked to be a very solid defensive effort. Any time you can keep Marshall out of the endzone is a job well done, and with Jones-Drew finally taking over as the featured back, things are looking up for these guys.

8. Denver Broncos - Losing to a tough Jacksonville team is nothing to be ashamed of, but the youth of this team's key offensive players could be a problem as the season drags on. We will see how Cutler and company are able to handle the pressure that will be put on them by the Chargers.

9. Buffalo Bills - They face San Diego in the game of the week next week. The game is at home, but if San Diego continues to play as it has been this one could be a blowout.

10. Tampa Bay Bucs - What do Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, Gus Frerotte, and Kerry Collins have in common? They are all old and on first place teams. Amazing.

11. Washington Redskins - Yikes. The Rams. I'm glad I missed this one.

12. Carolina Panthers - Picked apart by Jeff Garcia and Warrick Dunn...Granted Tampa's Defense is playing with passion, but is Jake Delhomme and company as bad as they looked? They need to get back to their awesome ground game.

13. New England Patriots - Down but not out. They are still in a decent position to contend for a playoff spot, especially in the weak AFC East.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Could last week have gone any better for the city of Philadelphia? The Phillies are crushing the ball, and all 3 other teams in the NFC East lost...badly. With Westbrook back, the Iggles are back in contention.

15. Arizona Cardinals - Last week I said I had no idea how these guys will perform week to week. They got torn apart by an old Jets offense, then bounced back by trouncing two top 10 teams. It is apparent now that this is their year.

16. Green Bay Packers - Definitely needed that win, albeit against the pitiful Seahawks. This puts the Pack back on top of the Pack, poised for an all-out battle with the equally pedestrian Bears and Vikings.

17. New York Jets - It wasn't pretty, but they pulled it out against the Bengals. I'd say it was embarrassing to let the Bengals hang with them, but Cincy has given a lot of tough teams trouble.

18. Atlanta Falcons - My wish was granted as I got to see the game on Fox in Pittsburgh since Pgh could give two sh*ts about the 'Skins. My expectations were definitely met too, as I got to witness the break out receiver of the year - Roddy White. He made some amazing catches and has the size, hands, and QB to be a star in the NFL for years to come. The combo of Turner and Norwood was equally impressive, and Matt Ryan is showing incredible poise as a rookie. They are in one of the toughest divisions in football, and will probably fall short in the end, but can the city of Atlanta ask for anything more after the devastating Michael Vick saga? I'm sure it will soon come out that Matt Ryan eats baby seals for breakfast or something, so don't worry.

19. New Orleans Saints - Have the best QB and the most explosive playmaker, but still are ranked #19. If they can get their defense together they will make the NFC South the most competitive and exciting in the NFL.

20. Chicago Bears - Probably went in to the game thinking their defense would handle the rookie QB fairly easily, but were surprised by his adept play. The Birs are tied for 1st in a division that is totally up for grabs.

21. Minnesota Vikings - It is anyones guess why Tampa Bay has been better than these guys - The two teams are in very similar situtions. Except the Vikings are little bit better or equal in every aspect of the game. Perhaps it is coaching?

22. Cleveland Browns - Just when you thought they were down and out...I guess the Steelers will have to actually try the rest of the way and not bench Ben for the final 10 weeks to rest up for the playoffs.

23. Baltimore Ravens - Just when you thought Joe Flacco couldn't get any worse...

24. Miami Dolphins - ENIGMA

25. San Francisco 49ers - Maybe I was a little hasty in saying I really wanted to see these guys play last week...

26. Houston Texans - Beat the Dolphins, who beat the Chargers and Patriots. Are Houston fans ticked I didn't rank them #3?

27. Seattle Seahawks - I hope you all adhered to my warning last week. For those who didn't, I hope you weren't making out with your significant other when you watched this game.

28. St. Louis Rams - Was it coincedence that the Rams played the same time the first pig was jettisoned into space? I think not. (Do not fact check please)

29. Oakland Raiders - Why doesn't Al Davis just coach the team since he knows so much?

30. Kansas City Chiefs - No real change after the bye week.

31. Cincinnati Bengals - No Palmer again this week against the Steelers, but could this be the week they finally break through against a top team? My guess is no.

32. Detroit Lions - Actually hung with the Vikings for a while, but good teams usually pull through in those situations. I just checked to make sure they weren't playing Seattle this year. Good thing, too, because watching that game might surpass breaking your legbone for most painful thing there is.

And new to the weekly column:

MVP Countdown (Top 10 in order): Drew Brees, Clinton Portis, Kurt Warner, Philip Rivers, Reggie Bush, Michael Turner, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Jay Cutler, Donovan McNabb

Thanks for reading!