NFL Power Rankings - Week 7

I will take this opportunity to mention how amazing the Red Sox/Rays series was - well at least the last 3 games. I unfortunately missed the end of the comeback game, but got to watch all of game 7 and was thoroughly entertained. There were some questionable calls near the end, and some mistakes by the Red Sox especially, but I think the Rays proved they are the better team. Now they face the Phillies, who undoubtedly will choke and cause Philadelphia fans to finally put themselves out of their misery, while the Rays will win the series in a half full stadium. If a team wins a championship and no one is there to see it, did it really happen? Without Red Sox fans filling the seats, Tropicana could be a sad sight. Or not, but still, Rays fans and the city of Tampa Bay should be pit fighting each other for tickets...Makes me wonder if the Pirates do make the playoffs someday, will the city even care? It's the start of the hockey season and mid-football season...I find it hard to believe there would be much hype over baseball at this point. Anyway, I picked the Dodgers and Red Sox and was dead wrong, so if I pick the Rays the Phillies will probably win. In that case...

GO PHILLIES, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FINALLY BREAK THROUGH AND DO IT!!!

...onto the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans - They haven't played a winning team yet, and their schedule doesn't get much tougher. They have the easiest one in the league and the only team over .500 they play as of now is the Steelers. Lock up the #1 seed now.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers - Another ho-hum performance against a terrible Bengals' team. They, too, have not played a winning team thus far, but the schedule begins it's tough stretch next week against the Giants, in my game of the week. Excluding the Bengals, the teams they play the rest of the way are a combined 35 - 22.

3. New York Giants - The G-Men looked adequate against the Niners. Not saying much.

4. Buffalo Bills - I definitely underestimated the Bills and overestimated the Chargers. Somehow these guys keep winning, and with the second easiest schedule in the league they could find themselves with a first round bye. Who could have predicted the top 2 seeds in the AFC would be the Titans and Bills??

5. Tampa Bay Bucs - See above, except switched Bills with Bucs, and Chargers with Saints.

6. Carolina Panthers - Top 6 team ranks now vs. their respective preseason rank: 21, 10, 9, 18, 19, 15. WTF?? Am I really THAT bad at predicting teams?

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - In my best Teddy KGB voice, "Hiengin' avound."

8. Washington Redskins - Amazingly, with their easy schedule the rest of the way and their great start, the 'Skins are a favorite to make the playoffs.

9. New England Patriots - Still adjusting to their madeover roster, the Pats' dismantling of the Broke-os shows they are beginning to put the pieces together.

10. Dallas Cowboys - I may be the only analyst(?) still putting the Cowboys in the top 10, but Romo will come back soon and they still have the most talent in the league. Although talent alone obviously doesn't win Superbowls, I still stick with these guys at least making the playoffs and maybe making a run.

11. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers is beginning to grow on me. The key to this team might be getting the running game going, because the defense and passing game have looked great.

12. San Diego Chargers - See Cowboys, except change 10 to 12.

13. Denver Broncos - Something ain't right in Colorado. If I move to Denver next year these guys better pull it together...I may write a post about best places to live soon if anyone cares.

14. Chicago Bears - They are putting the pieces together and have a great chance to make a run, but the NFC is damn deep this year and it might come down to who wins the division between the Burs and the Pack.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Oh, where for art thou, Peyton Manning.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Nothing changes, but an intriguing matchup this week against Carolina. Could be a chance for the Birds to prove whether they are a force in the NFC, or just the best team in the West, like the gold medal winner in the special olympics.

17. Philadelphia Eagles - Even though they had a bye I moved them down because I just don't like Philadelphia...

18. Atlanta Falcons - ...which sets up a great match up to determine which city is more crummy and crime-ridden. Next up...

19. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore and Detroit. I'll take Detroit over Philly in the worst-city-to-live-in competition.

20. St. Louis Rams - Poor Cowboys. The Rams are turning it around faster than Britney Spears forgetting her baby at 7 Eleven. Can you count them out in the NFC West with Stephen Jackson running the ball?

21. Minnesota Vikings - So much for their great defense.

22. New Orleans Saints - So much for their great offense.

23. Houston Texans - Finally getting over the Hurricane hump (I'm patenting that for a new hip-hop song), the Texans could get back to .500 and maybe more with an easy forthcoming schedule.

24. New York Jets - Mr. Favre has to be regretting his decision to play for the Jets. I believe he was offered a job with Tampa Bay and passed over it...

25. Cleveland Browns - Bill Simmons had a great joke about a baby falling out of a window and someone catching it to save it. He remarked that it was a good thing Braylon Edwards wasn't there. Couldn't have said it better myself.

26. Miami Dolphins - I believe the real Miami Dolphins have indeed stood up.

27. San Francisco 49ers - Firing a coach in the middle of the season just seems wrong...although it is working in St. Louis.

28. Oakland Raiders - I'd commend them for their win, but it was more the Jets handing it over to them. Maybe Brett should stop spreading secrets to other teams and start worrying about his own team's dwindling season.

29. Seattle Seahawks - Can it get much worse for the city of Seattle?

30. Kansas City Chiefs - The best thing I can say about them is I like their uniforms.

31. Cincinatti Bengals - The competition for the #1 pick begins!

32. Detroit Lions - The current front runner for #1 pick. After looking at numerous prospect rankings for the '09 draft, there is no consensus top pick. Should make for an interesting week for the Lions...in April.


As always, thanks for reading.