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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
Week Eight Power Rankings After a couple of bad weeks, each of the games I told you about last week had an impact on the rankings. New England moved to the top spot because of their win over Minnesota, Green Bay took out the week seven leader in the Jets, San Diego jumped four spots with an impressive win over Tennessee, and Washington's bizarre (at least at the end) loss to Detroit allowed the Lions to shoot up four spots while the Redskins dropped five. However, the biggest impact took place in Dallas. Jacksonville's 35-17 (trust me, it wasn't that close) pasting of the Cowboys created a total difference of ten spots. Moving to 4-4, I raised the Jags to number 18, because when they play well, they can beat anyone in this league. As for Dallas, let's just say I caught up to everyone else when I realized that they are a house of cards that has already toppled over. I just thought that talent would eventually bring them back. Unfortunately, I think Wade Phillips and the rest of the coaching staff are going to stand in the way of that. This week, I think the games that are most likely to shake things up are Tampa Bay-Atlanta, Miami-Baltimore, and San Diego-Houston. I want to warn all of you that I am not predicting upsets when I point out these games. I simply look at the games that could really alter the rankings if certain underdogs were to pull off the upset. Let's just say I've received a couple of non-congratulatory emails after the previous two weeks. Of course, I certainly expect my share of the winnings after nailing three of the four upsets listed above in week eight. Just kidding.....kind of.
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| 1 |
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New England |
6-1 |
I think we just turned the clock back about five years. The Patriots are back on top, Tom Brady is running an efficient offense without any well-known names, the next team is.... |
| 2 |
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Indianapolis | 5-2 | Yep, New England's mortal enemy. I'm not sure if they're really better than some of the teams behind them, but I just can't go against Peyton Manning anymore. |
| 3 |
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Pittsburgh | 5-2 | The Steelers should probably be number two, but I had to penalize them for showing as poorly as they did. The defense was alright, but the offense showed they need some major fine-tuning. |
| 4 |
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Baltimore | 5-2 | If they're going to be the Super Bowl team that I thought they'd be before the season, they have to get Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and Le'Ron McClain going again. That defense needs to stay off the field. |
| 5 |
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New York Jets | 5-2 | Now that's the offense we saw in the first week of the season, and closer to the squad we'll see for the rest of the year. Face it, this team is only going as far as the defense takes them. |
| 6 |
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New York Giants | 5-2 | They've got Seattle and Dallas as tuneups before a difficult road down the stretch (two against the Eagles and Redskins, Jags, Vikings, and Packers). They could prove to be the best in the NFC or miss the playoffs altogether. |
| 7 |
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New Orleans | 5-3 | That Sunday night against the Steelers was the first time this year I saw the Saints of last year. They were aggressive, physical, and loose. Hopefully, that's the team we see from now on. |
| 8 |
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Philadelphia | 4-3 | This ranking is based on Mike Vick's potential. If he gets hurt or doesn't play with the same electric style as before, they're not a playoff team. If he does, they're as good as anyone. |
| 9 |
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Tennessee | 5-3 | Vince Young is the highest-rated passer in the NFL. Now if that doesn't tell you how worthless that stat is, I give up. Nothing against VY, but he's not even a top ten quarterback. |
| 10 |
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Green Bay | 5-3 | That smash-mouth, defensive victory on the road against a very good team was just what the Packers needed. Now they know Aaron Rodgers doesn't have to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns in order to win. |
| 11 |
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Atlanta | 5-2 | I've been saying they're overrated for a month, and now we'll see. They've got Tampa Bay twice, Baltimore, and Green Bay in the next five. I think they'll go 2-2 at best. |
| 12 |
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Houston | 4-3 | This team frustrates the hell out of me. Just when you think they have the Colts figured out, the coaching staff tries to get cute. RUN. THE. BALL. It's not rocket science, fellas. |
| 13 |
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Miami | 4-3 | I just don't understand how you can have Dan Henning as your offensive coordinator, Brandon Marshall, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, a great offensive line, and still be a middle-of-the-pack offense. |
| 14 |
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Kansas City | 5-2 | They've got a pretty easy schedule from here on out, but with San Diego and Oakland coming to life, let's see how they handle some pressure and adversity. |
| 15 |
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Tampa Bay | 5-2 | Along with the leadership and quarterback play of Josh Freeman, if LeGarrette Blount can provide any semblance of a running game, this could be a playoff team. |
| 16 |
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San Diego | 3-5 | Could the slugfest victory over the Titans be the wake-up call they usually need around this time of year? I'm going to stay calm to see what they do when they play in Houston this week. |
| 17 |
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Minnesota | 2-5 | They've lost their last two games and yet they're still ranked 17th. How, do you ask? Well, they've lost two road games against two good teams (Green Bay and New England). |
| 18 |
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Jacksonville | 4-4 | Regardless of his performance against the Cowboys, I still think David Garrard is the primary problem with this team. When it comes down to it, I just don't trust him. |
| 19 |
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Oakland | 4-4 | They've won they're last two games by a combined 92-17. Granted, it was against two teams ranked in the bottom ten of the rankings, but I challenge you to show me a more impressive display this season. |
| 20 |
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Washington | 4-4 | I don't care about the reason - conditioning or knowledge of the system. What you did, Mike Shanahan, was completely stupid. Now, you've got new issues at the quarterback position. |
| 21 |
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Cincinnati | 2-5 | I've been critical of him in the past, so when he proves me wrong, I have to give him his props. Terrell Owens is having a Pro Bowl year for a bad offense. |
| 22 |
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Chicago | 4-3 | Talk about penthouse to the outhouse - the Bears remaining schedule includes Vikes (twice), Fins, Eagles, Pats, Jets, and Packers. They may want to discuss what they're going to do with a top-10 pick. |
| 23 |
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Seattle | 4-3 | They are who we thought they were - the best team in the worst division the league has ever seen. In addition, their performance against the Raiders proves the AFC over NFC dominance. |
| 24 |
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Detroit | 2-5 | I really like the Lions. No, stop laughing, I'm being serious. They have a coach that knows what he's doing, a young, but good GM in Martin Mayhew, and it's starting to turn around. |
| 25 |
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St. Louis | 4-4 | My Mid-Season Thoughts and Awards will be out next week, and it's going to be extremely difficult not to put Steve Spagnuolo's name down for Coach of the Year. |
| 26 |
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Cleveland | 2-5 | Regardless of how this season turns out, I think the Browns have found their starting backfield this year. Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis will be a good start to rebuilding the offense. |
| 27 |
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Dallas | 1-6 | Wow - this has to be the leader in the "Who'd a thunk it" department. I think a lot of players checked out when Romo got hurt. |
| 28 |
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San Francisco | 2-6 | When Troy Smith came out in the 2007 draft, I had him ranked higher than most because of his leadership skills. Granted, it still may not work out, but I think he's the guy the 49ers need. |
| 29 |
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Denver | 2-6 | There are only so many coaches that can piss off their best talent when they come into a job and survive. Josh McDaniels, you are not one of those coaches. |
| 30 |
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Arizona | 3-4 | I know it's weird to see a 3-4 team this low, but it's the worst 3-4 team I've ever seen. Even with a tolerable schedule left, I think this team wins two more games. |
| 31 |
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Carolina | 1-6 | It's sad, all the Panthers and their fans can look forward to is the draft. But, even that is going to be a huge headache because, outside of running, they need everything. |
| 32 |
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Buffalo | 0-7 | Only nine more losses for the greatest prediction of all time! But, with the way they've been playing, and Chicago at home this week, I'm starting to sweat it. |
