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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
Week Five Power Rankings Of the four games I mentioned last week, only New York Giants/Houston and Green Bay/Washington had a big impact on the rankings, while Philadelphia/San Francisco and Minnesota/New York Jets fizzled. The Packers' loss led them to be the week's biggest loser, falling six spots. However, the week's biggest riser, came from another game that was off my radar. Tampa Bay's big win over the Bengals in Cincinnati forced them up to the verge of crossing into the top half f the rankings (six spots to 17). I really like what I saw from both the offense and defense as they rebounded from the plastering they took at the hands of the Steelers. As a young, inexperienced team, they very easily could have fallen into the "we're not ready yet" mode and given up. This week, the three games that could give me severe headaches on Tuesday are New Orleans/Tampa Bay, Indianapolis/Washington, and Tennessee/Jacksonville. I could see the underdogs winning in all three of them (which will cause a headache for me on Thursday as well, when I make my weekly picks).
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| 1 |
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Baltimore |
4-1 |
They leap-frogged the Jets for two reason. First, they beat them in week one. Second, I think they're the most complete team in the league right now. |
| 2 |
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New York Jets | 4-1 | My only concern with the Jets showed on Monday night, when they allowed the Vikings to stick around, because they couldn't put the ball in the end zone. |
| 3 |
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Pittsburgh | 3-1 | They're probably a game or two better than they thought they'd be when Ben returned. Without him, they were 2-1 against teams in the top 11. Look out, everyone. |
| 4 |
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New England | 3-1 | I'm really not sure they're this good, and losing Randy Moss certainly didn't make me feel more assured. But, I can't help to think they'll use it as a rallying cry. |
| 5 |
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Indianapolis | 3-2 | This ranking tells you how dysfunctional the rankings are this year. The Colts have legitimate warts, but I still think they're better than the teams below them. |
| 6 |
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Atlanta | 4-1 | Unlike many of my counterparts, barely beating the Browns and 49ers in the last two weeks doesn't make me think they've "arrived." |
| 7 |
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Green Bay | 3-2 | The Pack is being torn apart by injuries and undisciplined play. It cost them in both their losses and two of their wins. This team needs focus more than any other. |
| 8 |
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New Orleans | 3-2 | Who would have thought that after five games they'd be in third place in a relatively weak division? Injuries have played a part here though, too. |
| 9 |
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Houston | 3-2 | In their three wins, they've look like they could beat anyone. In their two losses, they look like the team from 2005 (2-14). Do they even want to make the playoffs? |
| 10 |
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Philadelphia | 3-2 | Kevin Kolb was a question mark for me last week. After watching him on Sunday night, though, I think they'll be fine with either. |
| 11 |
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Tennessee | 3-2 | I might have them too high as well. Their last two wins (Giants and Cowboys) came against teams that severely imploded. |
| 12 |
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Miami | 2-2 | Their next five are against the Packers, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, and Titans. They could be out of the playoff hunt by the beginning of November. |
| 13 |
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New York Giants | 3-2 | That was the most dominant performance by any team this year against a really good team. Offense, defense, special teams, coaching - they had it all against Houston. |
| 14 |
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Kansas City | 3-1 | They certainly shouldn't be too upset about a ten point loss to the Colts. They frustrated Manning into his worst performance of the year. |
| 15 |
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Washington | 3-2 | I didn't think the McNabb trade would magically turn around the Skins the way many did, but he's making me a believer. |
| 16 |
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San Diego | 2-3 | The Chargers are like a videotape from Paris Hilton's bedroom - up, down, up, down, up, down....Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal. |
| 17 |
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Tampa Bay | 3-1 | I would like to know if all of the people who thought Raheem Morris was on the hot seat would like to reconsider their position. He's a young coach, give him time. |
| 18 |
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Cincinnati | 2-3 | What the hell has happened to Carson Palmer? Does anyone else remember when he was a Pro Bowl quarterback? Better question, does he? |
| 19 |
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Chicago | 4-1 | Sorry, but I still think they're doing it with smoke-and-mirrors. Eventually, this good fortune will turn on them...won't it? |
| 20 |
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Minnesota | 1-3 | Maybe I should have dropped them further, but in the second half against the Jets, they showed how dangerous they can be...unfortunately, to themselves as well. |
| 21 |
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Jacksonville | 3-2 | Enough with the whining Jags' fans. The two of you will be rewarded if they beat the Titans on Monday night. Once again, thank you. Make sure to tip the waitstaff. |
| 22 |
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Dallas | 1-3 | The Cowboys are aptly named. How will they pull out their revolvers and shoot themselves in the foot this week against the Vikings? |
| 23 |
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Denver | 2-3 | Not being able to run the football hurts when you try to win in the NFL. Not being able to stop it as well makes you a team picking in the top ten in this year's draft. |
| 24 |
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Arizona | 3-2 | OK, let me get this straight, when this team loses, the average score is 41-9, but they're in first place in their division. Ohhh, they're in the NFC West...that explains it. |
| 25 |
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Seattle | 2-2 | They might be the best team in the NFC West. Then again, they might not be. Question: does anyone else want to demote the division to part of the Pac-10? |
| 26 |
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Detroit | 1-4 | Obviously, I don't expect them to win 44-6 for the rest of the year, but that's much closer to the Lions talent and effort than the 0-4 record they had before that game. |
| 27 |
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St. Louis | 2-3 | Unfortunately, Sam Bradford had to take the brunt of the Lions' frustrations. But, he's still the most impressive rookie quarterback on a bad team since Peyton. |
| 28 |
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Oakland | 2-3 | Like the Lions, I do think they're better than this ranking. However, I need to see more consistency before a major move is made. |
| 29 |
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San Francisco | 0-5 | I agree with you, Mr. York. Even at 0-5, this team is very capable of coming back and winning this division. No, really, I'm being serious. |
| 30 |
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Cleveland | 1-4 | They're 1-4, and it looks like they're going to start rookie Colt McCoy against the Steelers this weekend. Mike Tomlin must be wondering if it's his birthday. |
| 31 |
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Carolina | 0-5 | Could we have two 0-16 teams this year? Before you dismiss it, Carolina has scored only 52 points in five games and has been outscored by more than anyone except.... |
| 32 |
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Buffalo | 0-5 | Only 11 more to go for one of the greatest predictions of all time! |
