Power rankings: Saints rise ... Jets almost rock bottom
(We had a couple of wacky rankings last week that led to plenty of great comments, so we figure that the combination of jet lag and general stupidity will lead to a few more this week. But hey, at least we offer a couple more tidbits from our journey to London below. If you just clicked onto the Power Rankings, hit "main" at the top and you'll see the London stuff. Cheers! BG)
1. Patriots (8-0) (1): Are the Patriots too good? Bill Belichick now taking heat for running up the score on Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. In fact, he’s been accused of running it up the last several weeks. We'll see if Indy has a thing or two to say about that on Sunday.
If you want to weigh in on whether Belichick was write or wrong running up the score, state your case.
2. Colts (7-0) (2): So much for the trap game scenario. Coming off huge Monday night win over Jags, Colts pound Panthers a week before they take on Pats in what figures to be the best game of the regular season and perhaps a preview of the AFC Championship Game. (Note to all my grammar teachers: I know, that was a run-on sentence. I've still got a little jet lag, ok?)
3. Cowboys (5-1) (3): Massive stretch coming up for Pokes after a bye week: At Philly, at the Giants, home to the Redskins before facing the Jets on Thanksgiving. If the Cowboys are gonna stumble, this is where it happens. But at least Tony Romo gets his dough.
4. Packers (6-1) (7): We’ve made this request of Brett Favre before, and now we’ll make it again after some more of his Monday night magic, this time in OT against the Broncos: Please, do not retire. Ever.
5. Giants (6-2) (4): They hold serve against the winless Dolphins across the pond, and get a week off to contemplate their six-game winning streak. Then it’s home to the Boys in a huge NFC East game.
6. Steelers (5-2) (5): Big Ben never loses when he plays NFL games in the state of Ohio. He chalked up another one against the Bengals. (Memo to Black N Gold and Big Ben Is Back: Go ahead and start whining about us putting the Packers ahead of the ‘Lers.)
7. Chargers (4-3) (8): Chargers look like they’re back. All the way back. After dealing with the massive wildfires in southern California, San Diego returns home to rout the Texans.
8. Jaguars (5-2) (6): Somehow, some way, the Jags find a way to beat the Bucs on the road with QB David Garrard out of action (ankle). Quinn Gray does just enough in relief, but it’s the ball-hawking defense that deserves the credit in thisone.
9. Titans (5-2) (9): Vince Young comes back, but is not quite the conquering hero. Had only 42 passing yards in beating the Raiders in a clunker. It’s LenDale White who steals the show with 133 rushing yards.
10. Lions (5-2) (13): The Lions are halfway to making Jon Kitna’s once outlandish prediction of double-digit wins come true.
11. Seahawks (4-3) (10): Mike Holmgren gave the Seahawks the entire bye week off. Let’s see if they’re rusty when they take on the Browns on the road.
12. Panthers (4-3) (11): David Carr gets his job back by default. Vinny hurts an ankle, and Carr is back at QB. Not that it makes much difference, because he couldn’t do much of anything against the Colts’ ever-improving defense.
13. Chiefs (4-3) (16): Chiefs-Packers on Sunday, which is a much bigger game for both teams than might have appeared at the start of the season. Herm Edwards vs. Mike McCarthy. Not quite Hank Stram vs. Vince Lombardi in Super Bowl II, but we’ll take it.
14. Saints (3-4) (23): Don’t look now, but Saints have won three straight and are right back in the NFC South race.
15. Buccaneers (4-4) (14): Jeff Garcia hadn’t thrown an interception the first seven games. Then he served up three against the Jags as Tampa blows a golden opportunity to beat a Jaguars team without Garrard.
16. Redskins (4-3) (15): Ouch. Joe Gibbs absorbs the worst beating of his career in New England. But the schedule is kind to coach Gibbs. Skins are at Jets on Sunday.
17. Browns (4-3) (21): The Browns have actually won two games in a row. So what that both victims still haven’t won a game. It’s been four years since the Browns have strung together two straight. .
18. Ravens (4-3) (17): Ravens limped into the bye week but hope to have a healthy Steve McNair and maybe Jonathan Ogden back for huge one at Steelers. Hey, Black N Gold and Big Ben is Back: As coach Parcells says before a big game: Get your Huggies on for this one.
19. Broncos (3-4) (12): They’re still alive in a mediocre division, but that’s all they are right now, mediocre.
20. Eagles (3-4) (24): Andy Reid thumps protégé Brad Childress in Minnesota, as the Eagles continue to find their way in this tough first-half stretch.
21. Bears (3-5) (18): Man, how do you lose two in a row at home to Minnesota and Detroit? Did the Bears really go to the Super Bowl last season?
22. Bills (3-4) (25): Dick Jauron might not be Bill Walsh, but he is a quietly effective leader. Bills have won three of their last four.
23. Texans (3-5) (19): Matt Schaub returns from hip and ankle problems, only to get knocked silly by Chargers. Texans now reeling after impressive start.
24. Cardinals (3-4) (22): Cards come off the bye and visit Bucs. Tough one for Ken Whisenhunt’s guys, especially with Bucs coming off home loss to Jags.
25. Vikings (2-5) (20): Tarvaris Jackson’s hurt. So’s Kelly Holcomb. Last one standing is Brooks Bollinger. Problems, fellas. Jackson is the starter when/if he’s healthy.
26. Bengals (2-5) (26): After lucky win against Jets, Bengals defense comes up small yet again when a real team comes to town. Steelers have their way with Cincy.
27. 49ers (2-5) (27): Alex Smith to the rescue … not!
28. Raiders (2-5) (28): Three losses in a row. And dreadfully boring losses at that. Maybe it’s time to get a look at JaMarcus Russell.
29. Falcons (1-6) (31): Falcons went into bye week reeling from release of popular defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Now we’ll see if Bobby Petrino can deal with the locker room mutiny. At least the players get to cool down with some time off.
30. Jets (1-7) (29): Your team, Kellen.
31. Rams (0-8) (30): I don’t think Scott Linehan makes it to 2008.
32. Dolphins (0-8) (32): I’m not sure Cam Cameron makes it that far either.
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Comments (22)
Since when does David Carr still play for the Texans? What lie are you going to tell me next - that people actually like me outside of New England?
Bill B:
See? We told you that jetlag/general stupidity would lead to some doozies. Have it corrected. Thanks ... We'll wait for the rest to come in shortly.
Yeah, was that a knock on the Texans? I wonder if you purposely put David Carr in that. I thought it was pretty funny.
I guess I could just as easily have put in Carr, because Texans fans must feel like it's Carr all over again. Now Panthers fans get to experience the feeling.
Can someone put my Broncos out of their misery? Three yards away and Cutler and Shanny fail to go for the jugular.
The reason there was one-on-one coverage for that last Farve bomb was because the safety was playing up to stop the frigin run, against a team that has no running game, no less!
At least I have my Rockies. Oh wait, yeah...
Lance:
In the immortal word of Neil Best: sigh.
(We feel your pain.)
I actually have no issue with the Packers ahead of the 'Lers. They deserve it. But the Giants?! Come on! You were there. You saw it. They played the Dolphins! The Dolphins! 13-10 with one of the most pitiful QB performances you'll ever see and you honestly think "right-here-right-now" they are better than the Steelers? And the Chargers for that matter? Where's that guy who posts 'Homer' every week??
Big Ben, Bob has to champion a team or two from the No Football Conference.
The Giants last four opponents were the 'Fins, Niners, Falcons, and Jets... a combined 4 and 26.
Let's wait till they play real competition.
The Packers on the other hand have escaped in five of their six victory's by 7 points or less. Only beating one team by more than a touchdown.
And what team would that be? THE GIANTS! LOL.
You just can't get any better Bob. Are you planning a run at Governors comedy house in Levittown any time soon?
Not only should the Giants be behind the Steelers... What about the Jags and Titans?? I would also consider putting the the Lions ahead of them. They are not a good football team.. That will be proven in Novemeber. Stop being should a homer Bob.
BnG,
Excellent points! Can you believe 3 of his top 5 are from the aforementioned No Football Conference? You think he'd, you know, record and watch most of the games or get DirecTV and watch those condensed 30 minute versions (Newsday would pay for that right? Or that AM station he's on, or First Take, or Neil Best if Bob could sucker him into a bet on the next time Susyn Waldman cries.....) .
Let us know re: Levittown Bob. I'd pay big bucks to see that performance. You know, around $6.50.
You Steelers fans had better knock it off, or I'll put the Chargers ahead of 'em!
RHRN maybe you should!
So, prediction time.....where will Bill Cowher be coaching next and when? What's your call? Oakland/Miami/Cleveland (the most logical) or the NYJets! Mangidiot is lost out there.
Now that's adding fuel to the FIRE!
Sorry, I just couldn't resist :-)
Bob, I do not think Bellichik did anything wrong, as "running up the score" is what you're supposed to do in a game, regardless of how close the other team is. Simply scoring more points in a blowout is nothing...if they were running flea flickers and HB passes to do it, then that might be going a little too far.
Besides, anyone who watched that game knows that as much as Bellichick ran up the score, the Redskins were feeding the Pats opportunities and points. What are they supposed to stop trying? Punt on first down? Was the Pats D running up the score by making plays well after the Skins had given up?
And don't tell Gibbs to thank the schedule makers just yet...I predict a rejuvenated Jets take the Redskins to the house!!!
Simon:
I understand your point, and it's a fine line you walk. But here's where I quibble with what happened on Sunday. Not once, but twice, the Patriots went for it on fourth down in the fourth quarter. The first time, they were up 38-0. The second time, they were up 45-0.
Sorry, that's over the top.
By The Way Bob... Huggies? For a Monday Night game in Pittsburgh?
Have you ever been to a Monday night game in Pittsburgh?
That town will be rock'n. As long as Ben doesn't have three interceptions or more I don't have much doubt about the outcome of that one. Even with the Ravens coming off a 'Bye' week.
If Baltimore scores more than one offensive touchdown, I'll be surprised.
B & G:
You're probably right. I just love breaking out the "Huggies" line every once in a while.
Jeff Garcia threw 2 INTs on Sunday, not four. I know this because I started him on my fantasy team as a bye week replacement because he hadn't thrown an INT all year. Thanks Jeff.
Anyway, The Giants don't deserve to be that high on the power rankings. They are beating teams that they are supposed to beat. Their situation is equivalent to the Chris Rock line "I TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS!" If they beat the Cowboys after the bye week, then we can start talking about them being a good team.
Jeff Garcia threw 2 INTs on Sunday, not four. I know this because I started him on my fantasy team as a bye week replacement because he hadn't thrown an INT all year. Thanks Jeff.
Anyway, The Giants don't deserve to be that high on the power rankings. They are beating teams that they are supposed to beat. Their situation is equivalent to the Chris Rock line "I TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS!" If they beat the Cowboys after the bye week, then we can start talking about them being a good team.
Lee B:
Turns out we're both wrong. He threw three. Got it corrected. Thanks for the heads up.
As for Giants, it's certainly debatable after they just squeaked past Miami on awful field, but that's how I see it. I agree, though, that we'll know more - a lot more - about this team after they play Dallas after the bye week.
Finally Bob, you put the Jets where they belong. Question is where will you put them in next years preseason rankings! Ahead of the giants I'm sure, even if they win thier Div LOL