1. New Orleans Saints (7-0) (Last week: 1). We're starting to think that maybe Reggie Bush was right.
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0) (Last week: 2). Want more evidence of anti-parity? In the same season that the Rams reeled off 16 straight regular-season losses, the Colts have now racked up 16 straight regular-season wins.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) (Last week: 4). To anyone who thinks a football player who knows the full risks of head injuries would quit playing football, we suggest entering "Steelers safety Ryan Clark" and "Denver" into your favorite search engine.
4. New England Patriots (5-2) (Last week: 5). The similarity between the Jets and the Dolphins? Both aren't intimidated by the Patriots. The difference? Miami coach Tony Sparano will never say so publicly.
5. Minnesota Vikings (7-1) (Last week: 6). With the NFC North practically in the bag, the bigger challenge is to force the road to Miami through Minneapolis.
6. Denver Broncos (6-1) (Last week: 3). The Broncos are in the process of learning that there's a big difference between the AFC West and the AFC North.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) (Last week: 7). With 4,500 tickets for Sunday's game against the 4-3 Ravens still unsold, we'd hate to see how empty Paul Brown Stadium would be in a "normal" Bengals season.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) (Last week: 9). Even with Terrell Owens long gone from Dallas, Philly fans probably will be chanting "T.O. sucks" on Sunday night.
9. Baltimore Ravens (4-3) (Last week: 13). The Ravens learn that the best way to avoid losing close games in the final minutes is to keep the games from being close in the final minutes.
10. Houston Texans (5-3) (Last week: 15). Maybe Steve Slaton can be moved to tight end.
11. Dallas Cowboys (5-2) (Last week: 11). Beat the Eagles, and this team gets into the top ten.
12. New York Giants (5-3) (Last week: 8). This might not be the ideal time for Eli Manning to be facing the team he so famously spurned.
13. Green Bay Packers (4-3) (Last week: 10). The Packers should have saved some of those boos for a few of the current members of the team.
14. Chicago Bears (4-3) (Last week: 17). After spewing blood Gene Simmons-style on Sunday, Jay Cutler's new nickname should be "Dr. Love."
15. Arizona Cardinals (4-3) (Last week: 12). For Halloween, Kurt Warner shaved his face and started talking like he's from Louisiana.
16. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) (Last week: 14). The Falcons can concede the NFC South without a request for a recount.
17. San Diego Chargers (4-3) (Last week: 20). Getting nervous, Denver?
18. Miami Dolphins (3-4) (Last week: 21). Despite his strong performance, Ted Ginn wasn't drafted with the ninth overall pick to return kicks.
19. New York Jets (4-4) (Last week: 16). The Jets are 1-0 against the Patriots, 0-3 against the rest of the division.
20. San Francisco 49ers (3-4) (Last week: 18). Only the coach of a team in the NFC West could guarantee a playoff berth in November with a sub-.500 record.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) (Last week: 19). Maurice Jones-Drew is quickly becoming this generation's Barry Sanders -- the brightest spot on a chronically mediocre team.
22. Carolina Panthers (3-4) (Last week: 24). Less Delhomme equals more success for the Panthers offense. If John Fox had figured that out in September, the Panthers might have a couple more wins.
23. Buffalo Bills (3-5) (Last week: 22). If before the season the Bills knew they'd have more wins at the bye than T.O. has touchdowns, they would have been pretty damn excited.
24. Seattle Seahawks (2-5) (Last week: 23). When will someone ask this Jim Mora is he thinks his team can make it to the "playoffs"?
25. Oakland Raiders (2-6) (Last week: 25). The light might finally have come on for JaMarcus Russell . . . other than the one inside his fridge.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) (Last week: 26). Larry Johnson probably wouldn't be $330,000 lighter in the wallet if he'd merely said "light in the loafers."
27. Detroit Lions (1-6) (Last week: 27). The Buccaneers really wish they played the Lions this year.
28. Washington Redskins (2-5) (Last week: 28). Based on the schedule, 2-5 likely will become 2-10.
29. Tennessee Titans (1-6) (Last week: 32). Maybe Jack Del Rio will be wearing a Vince Young jersey this week.
30. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (Last week: 31). It's fitting that, ten years after one of the rare losses for the Greatest Show on Turf came at Detroit, the only win for the Greatest Turds on Show happened there, too.
31. Cleveland Browns (1-7) (Last week: 29). Firing a G.M. during the football season makes about as much sense as seeking a second opinion from a doctor before getting sick.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7) (Last week: 30). The old creamsicle duds are making a return appearance at the most appropriate time possible.
Week Eight power rankings
Posted by Mike Florio on November 3, 2009 8:06 AM ET
Hey sparky, last I checked the Eagles were 5-2. I also would bet that not one of 67,000 fans will chant T.O. sucks.
Power rankings from a guy who picked the Redskins to be in the Super Bowl ?
Saints at the top...Bucs at the bottom. We got that NFC South Sandwich if anyone is hungry. The South is holding it down.
"To anyone who thinks a football player who knows the full risks of head injuries would quit playing football, we suggest entering "Steelers safety Ryan Clark" and "Denver" into your favorite search engine."
------------------------------------------------------
I don't think anyone thinks that a football player with knowledge of the full risks of head injuries would quit playing football. In fact, I think most knowingly and gladly assume the risk of future injury in exchange for a ludicrous payday today. This whole issue is simply a bargaining chip being used by De to get Congress to do his bidding during CBA negotiations. You know, because they don't have anything better to do right now, I guess.
The Bucs have the most difficult schedule in the league. If they were playing the Browns, Rams, Titans, Raiders or Lions, they would have five wins right now.
Seriously.
Eagles fans...don't take the bait this guy knows our record, also knows we should rank higher. He likes the fact that the Eagles fans respond more than any other fans, makes him look good. He's a freak'n PUTZ!
hay florio .. why don't you drink coffee before u start righting in the morning?!... the eagles are currently at 5-2... not 4-2... unless of course u wrote this last week,
Do you just sort by record, then move one or two teams so it seems like you did work?
The Browns should be MUCH higher!!! Just kiddng.
How's it going for you in Cleveland, Mr. Mangini? The seat getting a bit hotter these days? Feeling kind of lonely out there?
This couldn't be happening to a better guy. He won't be able to get a job selling hot dogs in the NFL next year.
Okay so Houston beats #22 Bills and they move up FIVE spots and into the top 10 while Dallas beats #23 Seahawks and they don't move at all? Eagles beat #8 Giants and they remain behind the Bengals? Makes sense.
jonboyo706 -- Eagles were penalized an additional win because of the Oakland loss. :)
Pudge Heffelfinger says:
November 3, 2009 8:31 AM
The Bucs have the most difficult schedule in the league. If they were playing the Browns, Rams, Titans, Raiders or Lions, they would have five wins right now.
Seriously.
*************
I love it when people whine about their team's schedule. It's the same schedule basically as everyone else in your division - except the intra-conference games are based on your team's record from the previous season.
As a Vikings fan, I could whine that the NFL went to 4 divisions in each conference - resulting in the Vikings no longer getting to play the Bucs twice a year.
Just suck it up and look forward to the #1 or #2 in the draft this year.
the VIKINGS are #1...nobody else matters
Disclaimer: Vikings fan.
I actually think this is really solid. I posted this before, but you need a solid quarter back, dominate lines of scrimmage, great coaching and a great front office to win games.
When I see my Vikings play, I think, man, this team can hang with anyone. I put our management (such an underrated element of any team), line play and QB up against anyone. But when I see needlessly conservative play calling at key parts in the game, I think, "What would Bill Beeeelacheck do?" (as Cartmen would say it)
Their coaching staff has the ability to get their players to buy in to significant adjustments every week. They step on the neck of their opponents no matter what the score.
I actually think that we match up favorably to the Pats in many (not all) areas. But on the coaching side, we do not. If you asked me who would win a head to head matchup, I'd say the pats win 60-70 times out of 100.
That's why they should be ahead of the Vikings.
I like how the Steelers are ahead of the Bengals, considering they have the same record and the Bengals won the only head to head matchup and lead the division.
@ Pudge Heffelfinger
The Bucs have the most difficult schedule in the league. If they were playing the Browns, Rams, Titans, Raiders or Lions, they would have five wins right now.
Seriously.
______________________________
Hard to claim they would have 5 wins when they lost to Redskins, who only beat the winless Bucs and the awful Rams...
I don't put much into power rankings. While I think we should be put in front of the Patriots,I'm feeling really good about playing the other top teams. We played the Steelers to the end,could have won it. Favre is playing great and with AD could the Colts stop our run?? Even though the Saints are undefeated, they are far from perfect. They turn the ball over(8 times last 2 weeks) and I think smash mouth teams can expose that D. Just got to play turnover free ball against them,which seems no one has yet. I think the Vikes O can play shoot out with Saints or anyone.
Ted Ginn wasn't drafted with the ninth overall pick to return kicks.
Actually, Camoron said exactly that on that draft day ...
How can teams move up in the rankings, when they were on a bye week. This guy is a moron!
Hey amanuel: If you are going to blast someone for thier writing don't you think you should spell writing correctly? Typical Eagle fan.
"18. Miami Dolphins (3-4) (Last week: 21). Despite his strong performance, Ted Ginn wasn't drafted with the ninth overall pick to return kicks."
Uh, yeah he was. And this is why Cam Cam is GONE.
LewD:Ted Ginn wasn't drafted with the ninth overall pick to return kicks.
Actually, Camoron said exactly that on that draft day ...
THIS
and at least the Dolphins are above the Jets.
Are you guys dumb? You can't just play the "who beat who" game when you make a power ranking, some teams will be higher than other teams who beat them...
I like this list, I'm a Vikes fan and I agree they are not better than Pittsburgh or New England, but I'm not saying we couldn't beat them on a given Sunday...
Way to go Florio...
You really are a Steeler's Homer.
Not that that is necessarily a bad thing...
Same on you Florio, putting two (5-2) teams ahead of the Vikings (7-1). Common sense will tell you, mixed in with a little math, which team is better.
Count me as a non believer in the Colts as they have played one game against a team with a winning record - and that team is ranked #15. Every other team in the top 10 have actually played someone, but maybe I'll change my mind after this weekend vs. HOU.
NFC North is in the bag???? hahahaha...the Vikes still have half a season to choke the thing away. The Pack should be the favorite in their next 5 games (@Bucs, Cowboys, Niners, @Lions, Ravens) and could be 9-3.
The Bears can sweep their way right into the thick of things against them.
A lot can change in half a season, especially for a Vikings team that could easily be 5-3 and whose luck always seems to turn around at this point of the season.
THIS
"Greatest Turds on Show"
AND
"The Buccaneers really wish they played the Lions this year."
C'mon Bucs, I'm rooting for you - 0-16, baby!!!
The Bucs have the most difficult schedule in the league. If they were playing the Browns, Rams, Titans, Raiders or Lions, they would have five wins right now.
Seriously.
-------------------------------------
1) Hey Pudge, I for one, being a Panthers fan am sure glad we at least get to play the Bucs twice in a season! And we have an even tougher schedule than you (we won the NFC South last year, you came in 3rd, remember?) so just suck it up. You'll lose some you think you should've won, I mean we lost to Buffalo for crying out loud, and then you'll win some that you should've lost...oh wait, you won't.
2) Pack83--
Dude, what are you on, cause I want some of that stuff! You think you'll be favored against the Cowboys, or the Ravens? I'd say maybe 3 out of those 5 you'll win, which means you'll barely break even at 7-5 at that point, meanwhile Minnesota has already won 7 games out of 8, and will probably be 4 more games ahead of you at that point. But dream on man.
Florio Top 5 with Opponents Winning Percentage Puts thing in a little better perspective:
1. Saints .480
2. Colts .340
3. Steelers .451
4. Patriots .431
5. Vikings .397
If anything you could argue that the Colts should be ranked fifth, in back of the Steelers, Patriots and Vikings, but that undefeated record keeps them in second place. I think Florio has it about right. The Vikings just lost to the Steelers so they should be ranked lower. I would probably put the Patriots at five and move the Vikings up to four.
And those who think the Saints can be beat. Sure they can, but they WON the last two games against pretty decent teams despite the fact that they had EIGHT turnovers. If the Saints play mistake free ball in those games, they win both of them by 30 points. If the Saints play their best ball they beat anybody else in the NFL right now. Their schedule is easier now, but they can't let up because the Vikings may not lose another game........ during the regular season!
Another dominating win by the cowboys doesnt even move them a spot? Cmon you guys need to switch occupations cause you know nothing about sports! The eagles who lost to the lowly raiders are number 8 ahead of dallas? How the f@#k does that make sense when the only 2 loses the cowboys had was to the 5-3 giants and the 6-1 broncos! So how does the eagles get in number 8 when losing to the raiders with a HEALTHY mcnabb?
Cleg says:
November 3, 2009 9:33 AM
Hey amanuel: If you are going to blast someone for thier writing don't you think you should spell writing correctly? Typical Eagle fan.
And if you're going to blast someone for blasting someone else about THEIR writing don't YOU think you should spell everything correctly?
History says that these mid season rankings are about as important as what race horse was leading the race halfway around the track. Fans love to see their teams ranked up on top but they need to understand that it does not mean a thing unless you make it to the playoffs. Of course if you are a fan of the RATS-RATS-RATS you have already won the SB so why bother acknowledging who actually won the game this week.
"It's fitting that, ten years after one of the rare losses for the Greatest Show on Turf came at Detroit, the only win for the Greatest Turds on Show happened there, too."
LOL...nice one-liner!
Datruth2100 says:
November 3, 2009 10:53 AM
Cleg says:
November 3, 2009 9:33 AM
Hey amanuel: If you are going to blast someone for thier writing don't you think you should spell writing correctly? Typical Eagle fan.
And if you're going to blast someone for blasting someone else about THEIR writing don't YOU think you should spell everything correctly?
...lol..good one Datruth2100
Datruth2100 says:
November 3, 2009 10:53 AM
Cleg says:
November 3, 2009 9:33 AM
Hey amanuel: If you are going to blast someone for thier writing don't you think you should spell writing correctly? Typical Eagle fan.
And if you're going to blast someone for blasting someone else about THEIR writing don't YOU think you should spell everything correctly?
-------------------------------------------------
Hahaha. Way to point that out. A lame attempt to make fun of someone, while including a misspelling of your own in your post is like being double wrong.
Geez, the Vikes would destroy the Pats. The Broncos beat the Pats and the Pats couldn't beat the Ravens, Eagles, or maybe even the Bengals. The Pats should be no higher than 10th.
i don't understand why the dallas fans are upset - number 11 isn't shabby at all.
keep in mind you beat the seahawks this last weekend, not the saints. while a win is a win, you're talking about one of the worse teams in the league. i don't think that would necessarily warrant a top-10 spot
The eagles and cowboys have both beat chiefs, bucs. The eagles have bad loss to oakland and to saints. They have a quality win vs giants and win over a terrible team the skins.
The cowboys have a quality win over falcons and seahawks. The 2 losses both came last second to broncos and giants.
How are the eagles ranked 2 spots above.
It's just stupid
CliveRush says: "Of course if you are a fan of the RATS-RATS-RATS you have already won the SB so why bother acknowledging who actually won the game this week."
It WAS acknowledged by the players after this week's game. Did you see their column in The Daily news? Hear the wrap up on the network news?? Or is this the only "informative sports site" you read. ??
The Jets beat the Patriots at The Meadowlands for the first time since 2000 at the beginning of this season, which to many Jets fans broke a curse. It was a big deal to them...they felt like a cloud was lifted. Of course, all you have to do is harp on the one quote, since the main objective here is to "Jets-bash". And you all complain about their fans??? You make me throw up in my mouth when I read your posts!
Florio, keep posting the Power Rankings. It's a highlight of the football week for me. Love your comments, too!
dashoe says:
November 3, 2009 11:45 AM
Geez, the Vikes would destroy the Pats. The Broncos beat the Pats and the Pats couldn't beat the Ravens, Eagles, or maybe even the Bengals. The Pats should be no higher than 10th.
Um, the Pats beat the Ravens.
Florio you always favor the Steelers. They have a by week but yet they move up in your rankings. Not a huge Viking fan but in all fairness they should be ahead of the Steelers.
I Like it for the Most Part. A power ranking goes by which teams you personally think are the best so far through the season. If it was record alone the top would go like this (If you factor in divisional )
1.Colts
2.Saints
3.Vikings
4.Broncos
5.Bengals
6.Eagles
7.Patriots
8.Steelers
9.Cowboys
10.Giants
I would have ranked it like this even if it wasnt based on the teams records.
If you factor in divisional
The vikings outplayed the Steelers. They should be 8-0. Nuff said.
SF Saints Fan,
Yeah, but you can't just pick and choose how you want to look at things. Saints had 8 turnovers but they played very aggressive. To eliminate those turnovers isn't a matter of just "playing mistake free". They would have to go more conservative and might end up scoring less points as a result. Brees tosses that ball up there. Sometimes something bad happens.
Steelers beat the Vikings on the strength of two fairly fluky defensive TD's. The Steelers were dominated in most statistical catergoried usually associated with giving yourselves the best chance to win. Plus they were at home. Believe me, the Steelers didn't go in there trying to get dominated statistically hoping that the ball would bounce randomly into their hands for two defensive TD's.
So while I can understand putting the Steelers higher based on head to head, I still disagree with it. Steelers have more losses and they lost at home handily to the Bears, which is pretty weak sauce. Sure Vikings opponent win percentage is low but they can't help that. They played three of the worst teams in the NFL and beat them handily.
giants should be lower. did you see the way they were playing against philly? i say like 13 or 14, maybe 15
Again with the clueless dumbass Bengal sellout remarks. The Bengals CURRENTLY have a 48-game home sellout streak IN PROGRESS. "It's the economy, stupid" must assuredly have a double meaning in this context.
Florio this is like the 4th post you've screened of mine that criticized your analysis of the Giants...
The Giants should be rightfully dropped, but ol Florio just can't bring himself rightfully drop his floundering G-Men and then has to screen the posts that don't include swears or anything inappropriate other than the hard trust regarding his team.
Grow up Florio
Chucktown:
If the Packers win and the Cowpokes lose this week, Green Bay will ABSOLUTELY be favored at home on 11/15. If Dallas wins and GB loses, then yes, Dallas would probably be a 2-3 point favorite, but that's only if the Bucs beat the Pack.
Pack will be favored against the Niners, who haven't shown the ability to win on the road since Week 1.
And unless the wheels fall off, the Pack will be a 3-5 point favorite at home on a Monday night in December against the Ravens.
I will say...without Rodgers, the Pack shouldn't be favorite in any game. Flynn and Brohm are awful.
@Pack83
You are kidding when you think the pack will be favored in any of those games, right? They are lucky to be -10 against the bucs according to the Vegas line.
You don't think that other teams are looking at the two Vikings/Packers game films to see exactly what the Vikings D did against the Pack Oline to get 14 sacks in 2 games?
Without a decent O line, I would almost guarantee Rodgers will be on his butt 4+ games minimum every game the rest of the season, including the Bucs!
Unless the wheels fall off? They are already gone and the pack are riding on rims!
Do you know anything about Vegas lines?? Home field means everything in the Green Bay/Dallas game...it's at Lambeau. Therefore, the Pack will be a favorite unless they lose in Tampa and Dallas wins at Philly, in which Dallas would be around a 3 point favorite.
Odds are: Pack and Eagles win and the Pack are a 2-3 point favorite on 11/15.
FYI, sando, both Steeler losses were on the road. If Jeff Reed had not missed two easy FGAs at Chicago and Dimas Sweed hadn't dropped a sure 4th qtr. TD pass at Cincy, the B&G would be undefeated in spite of losing Troy Polamalu for those two games.
If the Broncs were impressed by the Raven D, they better pull that helmet strap a bit tighter for their next foe. You can bet that Steeler staff are all over strategies to outfox them with the x&os, but the real message will sent inside the lines. The Steelers D may not have last year's numbers, but they are still the most physically intimidating NFL team.
Whoever thought that their two game changing TDs against the Vikes last week might have been flukes are badly mistaken or misinformed. The films don't lie. The fumble was created by a great D play while a strong rush and super screen pass D
produced the interception. But both touchdowns were scored because of the D's incredible transition to an efficiently blocking convoy for both returners.
That LeBeau defense mastery is what will set our Steelers aside as a force to be reckoned with by all pretenders to our crown.
In reality, the entire NFC East is smoke and mirrors at this point. Here are their records against losing and winning teams:
Eagles: 4-1 , 1-1
Cowboys: 4-0, 1-2
Giants: 4-0, 1-3
In other words, 12-1 against the dregs of the NFL, but 3-6 against winning teams. Plus, two of those three wins are against each other (Eagles over Giants, Giants over Cowboys), so between these three teams, there has only been ONE win over a winning team outside themselves, the Cowboys beating the Falcons.
This isn't to say the teams aren't good, just that I don't think we really know enough yet. The Cowboys are the most talented of the three, the Eagles the most disciplined, and the Giants the most... well, actually, nothing, I don't think the Giants are particularly good.
If the Cowboys play to their ability this weekend, they will handle the Eagles pretty easily. But they've been playing to their abilities for a couple of weeks now, it's about time for them to stumble, as is their wont.
"keep in mind you beat the seahawks this last weekend, not the saints. while a win is a win, you're talking about one of the worse teams in the league. i don't think that would necessarily warrant a top-10 spot"
It did for the Texans, who beat the Bills.
I still say that you are over rating Indy. They can barley squeek out wins over second-rate teams, and that is in games that are called in their favor. Their so called lopsided wins are against the bottom of the barrel teams.
Wait till they play a real powerhouse team.
I bet that Houston shows them what it is like to play against a good up and comming team.
Even he so called powerhouse Giants are finding out what happens when the game is not being called in their favor.
"Do you know anything about Vegas lines?? Home field means everything in the Green Bay/Dallas game...it's at Lambeau."
So what? The Packers are 6-6 in Lambeau since last season. Didn't the Cowboys beat the Packers by double digits in Lambeau last season? And that was with Romo having an off-day. Of course, if they decide to actually cover Miles Austin this time it might make a difference. Not sure that GB's defensive masterminds have gotten any smarter since then, though. Only three teams have given up more passing TDs than the Packers this season. Titans, Lions and Bucs. Let's face it, the Packers have played four games against winning teams, lost three of those and eeked out the other one by 6 points in Lambeau.
A Big Deal says:
November 3, 2009 1:50 PM
The vikings outplayed the Steelers. They should be 8-0. Nuff said.
A Big Deal:
Did you actally watch the Vikings play this year?
The Vikings came away with 2 wins this year that they SHOULD have lost. It was no different for the Steelers. The Vikings should feel fortunate to be 7-1 and not 6-2 or 5-3!
If the Pack/Boys was in Dallas, Cowpokes would be a 6 point favorite...
If the game was at a neutral site, Dallas -3...
Game's at Lambeau...Even - Pack -3...
That's just how it works.
Dallas has a signature win over Atlanta, which was at home, and may not make the playoffs. They beat Tampa, Carolina, barely squeaked by KC, and Seattle.
The Pack certainly have issues, but they've won the games they should have and lost to 2 good teams. They're even with the Cowboys right now.
(jx4cmario1) is exactly Right!!
u cant base it on who beat who.....
but i will say that the Titans are much better and would beat Oak, KC, Det, & Skins...so im not sure why they are behind all of them
with that being said the Patriots are back ......... mark my word THEY WILL BEAT both Colts & Saints this season, Brady was soo rusty in the beginning of the season. Anyway my rankings are....
1.Saints
2.Colts
3.Patriots
4.Vikings
5.Steelers
6.Eagles
7.Cincy
8.Broncos
9.Cowboys
10.Ravens
Pack 83:
You are 1 of those idiots that think betting lines are what the oddsmakers use to show who they think the better team is aren't you?
Asshat! They are to induce BETTING on both sides to mke the most money....it's why they are called BETTING lines!!! Idiot!
I'm a Bears fan, but I would lobby to have my team dropped at least a couple of positions, because any team without an offensive line does not belong in the upper half of the league.