Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

Week 8 Power Rankings


1. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-1 (1)
The Steelers were the beneficiary of a controversial call on a Roethlisberger fumble as he attempted to cross the goal line, and they held on for a one point win over the Dolphins.  Tough game this week against a Saints team in desperate need of a win.


2. New York Jets 5-1 (2) 
The Jets had the week off, and the Packers come to town this week.

3. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (3)
The Ravens stole one against the lowly Buffalo Bills last week.  Baltimore gave up over 500 yards to Buffalo, and only 4 turnovers, the last being a questionable fumble call, gave the game to the Ravens.  The Ravens are off this week, and they need to take full advantage of it after such a lackluster performance.

4. Indianapolis Colts 4-2 (4)
The Colts were off last week, and my fantasy team suffered greatly due to the absence of Peyton Manning.  Indy has a rematch this week against a Texans team that beat them earlier this season, and I look for a big outing on offense despite injuries to a few major receiving threats in Dallas Clark and Austin Collie.


5. New York Giants 5-2 (5)
The Giants dominated the Cowboys yardage wise, but 5 turnovers allowed Dallas to stay within striking distance.  Eli threw 3 picks and both running backs fumbled, so the Giant need to spend their bye week cleaning up the offense a little bit.

6. Tennessee Titans 5-2 (9) 
The Titans punished the Eagles at home last week, and WR Kenny Britt had a breakout performance with 225 yards and 3 TD's.  They travel to San Diego this week, where a Chargers team with one of the best offenses in the league awaits.  Fortunately for Tennessee, the high-powered offense has been offset by penalties and turnovers, something the Titans usually take full advantage of.

7. New England Patriots 5-1 (9)
The Patriots should have lost last week, but once again the Chargers self destructed with 4 turnovers and a missed FG in the final seconds that would have tied it. New England was out-gained nearly 2 to 1, but they took care of the ball and got out of San Diego with a victory.

8. Atlanta Falcons 5-2 (10)
The Falcons blew the doors off the Bengals while taking a 24-3 lead to the half, then allowed them to come all the way back and take the lead before pulling away again for a relatively easy win.  Atlanta should use their bye week to work on their suspect pass defense, which gave up over 400 yards to Carson Palmer and the Bengals.

9. Philadelphia Eagles 4-3 (8)
The Eagles were obliterated by the Titans on the road last week.  Their bye week comes at a great time, as 3 of the Eagles stars (Vick, McCoy, and Jackson) are banged up and could really use a week to heal their wounds.

10. Kansas City Chiefs 4-2 (11)
The Chiefs stopped a 2-game losing streak by beating down the Jaguars, and they welcome another weak opponent into Arrowhead this week when the Bills come to town.  With a win the Chiefs would completely take control of the AFC West through 7 games.

11. Houston Texans 4-2 (13)
Houston had last week off, and this week they head to Indianapolis where a Colts team hungry for revenge awaits.  The Texans handled Peyton Manning and the Colts the first time around, and this time 1st place in the AFC South is on the line.


12. Miami Dolphins 3-3 (14)
The Dolphins are surely stewing this week, as a very questionable call cost them a chance to take down the Steelers.  Miami hung right with Pittsburgh throughout the game, and they now go on the road to face a struggling Bengals squad this week.

13. Green Bay Packers 4-3 (15)
The Packers took advantage of 3 Brett Farve interceptions and won a huge NFC North battle on Sunday night.  Green Bay faces a stern test this week, as they travel to New York to take on the Jets.


14. Minnesota Vikings 2-4 (12)
Every week it seems like the same old story.  The Vikings are in the game, but end up losing mostly because of Brett Farve interceptions.  Farve's legendary streak is on the line this week, as he's been seen in a walking boot most of the week with multiple fractures in his foot.  Despite that, I'm sure he will suit up and give it a go in New England this week and keep the streak alive.

15. New Orleans Saints 4-3 (6)
The Saints are really struggling without Bush and Thomas in the backfield.  Everyone knows New Orleans is going to throw, making things much harder for Drew Brees, whose 4 picks overcame a nearly 2 to 1 surplus in yards for the Saints.  It doesn't get any easier from here, as the Saints return home to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.


16. Washington Redskins 4-3 (16)
Once again the Redskins were less than spectacular, but 6 turnovers by the Bears enabled Washington to escape Soldier Field with a victory.  RB Ryan Torain has been great since taking over for Clinton Portis, and they will need him to have another good showing against the deceivingly good 1-5 Lions in Detroit.


17. Seattle Seahawks 4-2 (19)
The Seahawks played solid, and were pretty much handed the game by the Cardinals, who turned the ball over 5 times.  Pete Carroll has done a great job with this team, and has them atop the division and in position to make the playoffs in his first year.


18. San Diego Chargers 2-5 (22)
This is getting old.  The Chargers once again dominated the total yardage category and time of possession, but gave the ball away 4 times and dropped another close one, this time to the Patriots.  San Diego has now lost 3 straight, and has to win this week at home against the Titans to avoid slipping even further behind in the AFC West.

19. Detroit Lions 1-5 (20)
The Lions had the week off, and it looks like they will get QB Matthew Stafford back this week.  This team is one of the best 1-5 teams I've ever seen, but they really need to get a win at home against the Redskins this week to have a chance to salvage this season.


20. Chicago Bears 4-3 (21)
The Bears are making me look really smart, as I never gave them any credit despite a 4-1 start and they are unraveling before our eyes.  They turned the ball over 6 times last week in a loss to Washington, and the Bills have to be licking their chops with a chance to get their first win this season at home against this error prone team in a couple weeks.


21. Dallas Cowboys 1-5 (17)
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for the Cowboys, Tony Romo gets driven into the ground on his shoulder in a loss to the hated Giants, effectively ending the season for Romo and Dallas.  So much for the Cowboys playing in the Super Bowl at home this year.


22. Oakland Raiders 3-4 (27)
The Raiders jumped on the Broncos early and often, jumping out to a 38-0 lead before cruising to a 59-14 victory in Denver.  Darren McFadden exploded for 165 yards rushing and 4 TD's, and the Raiders racked up over 500 yards of offense.  Where did that come from?


23. Denver Broncos 2-5 (18)
Not sure what happened here.  The Broncos seemed to be playing decently and came in with one of the league's best passing offenses, but they were thoroughly dominated right from the get-go against the Raiders.  They just completely gave up in what was one of the worst performances by anyone all year. The Broncos will attempt to bounce back in England against the 49ers in a game no one should be excited about.

24. Cleveland Browns 2-5 (26)
Wow, great win for Cleveland in New Orleans.  I bet no one predicted this one, but Cleveland has been extremely competitive all year against all types of opponents, and most teams will win when they pick off the opposing QB 4 times.  The Browns have the week off before a game at home against New England next week.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 (28)
Although this team is 4-2, I am far from impressed.  They haven't beaten a single good team, and 3 of their 4 wins are by 3 points are less against sub-.500 teams.  The easy schedule continues this week as the Bucs travel to Arizona, but I still expect this team to collapse before the season is over.  Crazy man LeGarrette Blount has looked great carrying the ball for Tampa, and if he gets more carries and can avoid punching people in the face, this team might have a chance to keep it going a little longer.


26. St. Louis Rams 3-4 (23)
The Rams dropped a heartbreaker to the Buccaneers, giving up a TD with 10 seconds left to lose the game by 1.  RB Steven Jackson is a beast, and St. Louis will have a great chance to bounce back with the Panthers coming to town this week.


27. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-4 (24)
This team is Maurice Jones-Drew and little else.  The Jags have looked pretty pathetic, but they travel to Dallas to take on a Cowboys team who just lost their QB and dropped to 1-5 on the season.



28. Cincinnati Bengals 2-4 (29)
The Bengals got destroyed in the first half against the Falcons, then came storming back to take the lead, only to see it all slip away in a 39-32 defeat.  Carson Palmer threw for over 400 yards as Cincy was forced to chuck it around after getting down 24-3, but fell short once again and dropped to 2-4 on the season.


29. Arizona Cardinals 3-3 (30)
The Cardinals gave away another game via the turnover, committing 5 awful miscues to drop a somehow vital division game to the Seahawks.  This team has no QB and no defense, and therefore not much hope to do anything worth noting this year.


30. San Francisco 49ers 1-6 (25)
The 49ers were solidly outplayed by the Panthers, but almost pulled out a victory due to 3 Carolina turnovers.  Story of the season so far for San Francisco...almost


31. Carolina Panthers 1-5 (32)
The Panthers finally got one in the win column, sneaking out a 23-20 victory over the 49ers.  Carolina finally got a breakout game from a WR not named Steve Smith, as David Gettis exploded for 8 catches for 125 yards and 2 TD's, while Brandon LaFell caught 6 balls for 91 yards.  Maybe this is the start of something good for the Panthers, or maybe they were just playing San Francisco.


32. Buffalo Bills 0-6 (31)
  I'm not sure if the Bills are the worst team in the NFL, but they are the only team without a win so they come in at #32.  They were robbed of a win against the Ravens last week, and it's not likely they will find a win in Kansas City.  However, good times might lie ahead, as they should have a real shot to beat a pitiful Bears team when they come to town in 2 weeks

Preseason Power Rankings

The NBA season finally kicks off tonight, which means it's time for the Preseason Power Rankings.  3 teams went undefeated in the preseason (Orlando, Utah, and Memphis), with Boston going 7-1.  While I don't put much stock in preseason records, records like this can't be completely overlooked.  The Power Rankings will be updated throughout the season, and will be a measure of how the teams are looking at that point in time, not a prediction for the end of the season.

Preaseason Power Rankings

1. Orlando Magic

2. Miami Heat

3. Utah Jazz

4. Los Angeles Lakers

5. Boston Celtics 

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

7. Dallas Mavericks

8. Denver Nuggets 

9. San Antonio Spurs

10. Chicago Bulls

11. Portland Trailblazers 

12. Memphis Grizzlies

13. Charlotte Bobcats

14. New Orleans Hornets

15. Milwaukee Bucks

16. Atlanta Hawks

17. New York Knicks

18. Washington Wizards

19. Houston Rockets 

20. Los Angeles Clippers

21. Golden State Warriors

22. Phoenix Suns 

23. New Jersey Nets

24. Indiana Pacers

25. Sacramento Kings

26. Philadelphia 76ers 

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

28. Detroit Pistons

29. Cleveland Cavaliers

30. Toronto Raptors


 

NBA Preview: Western Conference

Last year's Western Conference race was extremely close, with only 7 games seperating the 1st place Lakers from the 8th place Oklahoma City Thunder.  Only 2 games stood between the #2 seed Dallas Mavericks and the 5th seeded Utah Jazz, and the 6-8 seeds all ended the season with the same record.  I expect much of the same this year, making the West much more difficult to pick than the East.  Here's my predicted order of finish for each division:

Western Conference

Northwest Division (Last Years Record)
Gonna be a tight finish

1. Utah Jazz (53-29)
The Jazz were a very good team last year, and they made a few huge moves in the offseason that I think will ultimately make them better.  They traded away Carlos Boozer, and signed Al Jefferson to replace him.  The swap of Boozer for Jefferson won't have a huge impact on the Jazz in my opinion, but signing SG and defensive stopper Raja Bell and drafting SF Gordan Hayward makes Utah a much deeper team.  If the Jazz can get a healthy Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko for most of the season, this team has a chance to be very good.  PG Deron Williams is arguably the best point guard in the NBA, and Paul Milsap is a rebounding beast and very underrated at the PF spot.  I think they win a tight race in the Northwest division.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (50-32)
Kevin Durant has quickly become one of the best players in the NBA, and the Blazers have to be kicking themselves for taking an 18-year old who looked like he was 40 with a history of injuries ahead of him.  Durant was dominant in this year's FIBA World Championships, and he looks poised to take this team to know heights this season.  The Thunder gave the Lakers all they could handle in the first round of the playoffs last year, and with last year's nucleus returning plus a few others, Oklahoma City shove improve on its #8 seed from last year.  The Thunder drafted center Cole Aldrich with their top pick, and he could step in and play major minutes right away.  Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha, and Nenad Krstic all return as major contributors from last season, and I expect a larger role for PG Eric Maynor out of VCU as well.  I loved Maynor's game in college, and I think it will translate well at the next level.

3. Denver Nuggets (53-29)
The future of the Denver Nuggets is up in the air right now.  The Nuggets entered the 2010 playoffs as the #4 seed, and for now return all the major pieces from that team (+ Al Harrington).  However, rumors have been floating around for quite awhile about a possible trade for star Carmelo Anthony, but nothing has happened as of yet.  The Nuggets are 2-deep at every position, and if Anthony sticks around all season the Nuggets could finish even higher.  He's been very adamant about not signing an extension though, and Denver doesn't want to lose him to free agency next year without getting anything in return (think the Cavs with LeBron or the Raptors with Bosh), so it's very possible he could be traded before the end of the year.  Even without Anthony this team could make the playoffs, but there's no question they are a much better team with him in the lineup.  On a side note, I'm hoping this is the year that former Tar Heel Ty Lawson takes over in a starring role at the point.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (50-32)
The Trail Blazers return everyone from a team that earned the #6 seed in last year's playoffs, plus the additions of Wesley Matthews from Utah and SF Luke Babbitt from the draft.  This team is very talented, but I just have a feeling that they aren't as mentally tough as the other top teams in this division and I couldn't pick everyone to finish first.  If center Greg Oden stays healthy it will give them a major boost in the middle, but I'm pretty sure Portland is used to playing without him and really looks at his presence as an added bonus when he's in there.  At this point most people expect Oden to be injured for most of the season, and I unfortunately think this could be the case throughout his career.  All-star Brandon Roy (also should be a Bobcat, but the geniuses in the front office decided to go with Adam Morrison, unbelievable) and company will be good, but the West is tough and Portland will have to fight hard for a high finish in this brutal division.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-67)  
Minnesota was awful last year, but I expect them to be much improved this season.  Unfortunately for the T'Wolves, even a dramatic improvement will most likely still result in a last place finish in this division.  PF Kevin Love is a beast and played great for Team USA this year, and I expect him to make the all-star team this year.  Michael Beasley joins him in the front court, and if he can consistently play like he's capable this team can really go places.  Minnesota acquired a very underrated PG Luke Ridnour in the offseason, and together with Martell Webster, Corey Brewer, and top draft selection Wesley Johnson, the Timberwolves should win much more than 15 games this year.

Southwest Division
Nothing would really surprise me in this division

1. Dallas Mavericks (55-27)
The Mavericks finished last year's regular season as the #2 seed, and they return all their major pieces plus a player I valued very highly in this year's draft, Dominique Jones out of South Florida.  Perennial all-star Dirk Nowitzki leads a group including Caron Butler, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, J.J. Barea, Brendan Haywood, Tyson Chandler, and Rodrigue Beaubois that should make a run at dethroning the Lakers from their top spot.


2. San Antonio Spurs (50-32)
I seriously thought about picking the Spurs to finish 4th in the division, but after lots of thought I changed my mind.  I wanted to go out on a limb with one of my picks, but I eventually decided that dropping the Spurs below a team like the Grizzlies just wasn't something I could do.  The Spurs have been so good for so long, and one year you would think they might drop back, but they're healthy right now and have played well in the preseason.  My original reason for putting them further down in this division was the expectation of injuries, but I just don't really think it's right to predict that for a good bunch of guys that I'd like to cheer for. Tim Duncan is one of the most likable and well-respected players the NBA has ever seen, and I would love to see him have another great season complete with a deep playoff run.  Manu Ginobili plays the game with tremendous heart and passion every night, which is sadly something I can't say for many of the players in the NBA.  Tony Parker is a fearless point guard who can do it all.  This team is definitely getting old and the possibility of injuries is pretty good, but Gregg Popovich is probably the best coach in the NBA so I wouldn't be shocked at all to see them overcome any adversity and still finish strong.  The Western Conference is loaded with good teams this year, especially this division, so it won't be easy.  4 of the Spurs' 5 projected starters have been in the league for 8+ years, which is definitely a double-edged sword.  These guys know each others' games better than anyone and could play together in their sleep, but the Spurs could have some trouble guarding the multitude of quicker, younger teams they will face.  I'm counting on their ability to play great TEAM defense to get the job done.  Projected starter DeJuan Blair is a beast down low, and George Hill seems poised for a breakout season.  Rookie SG James Anderson is a great fit for this team, and I expect him to provide some outside shooting along with Matt Bonner.  Big things are also expected from forward Tiago Splitter from Brazil, so it wouldn't shock me it all if this team is still great and easily cruises into the playoffs yet again.

3. New Orleans Hornets (37-45)
The Hornets had a pretty busy off-season.  Gone is the star fill in at the point last year, Darren Collison, but the Hornets welcome SF Trevor Ariza, combo guard Jerryd Bayless, SG Marco Belinelli, SG Willie Green and SF Joe Alexander.  New Orleans have a healthy Chris Paul, and he is joined by C Emeka Okafor, SF Peja Stojakovic, and last year's other breakout star in SG Marcus Thornton.  The Hornets also drafted a player I was very high on, SF Quincy Pondexter from Washington, who I expect will contribute right away.  Center Pops Mensah-Bonsu had a surprisingly huge game earlier this week, so maybe he has something more to offer this season.


4. Memphis Grizzlies (40-42)
The Grizzlies have a nice nucleus of young talent, and for what it's worth have gone 7-0 in the preseason up to this point.  Zach Randolph was a beast last year, and Memphis must expect a lot from SF Rudy Gay, as they gave him a max contract in the off-season.  They also return O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Darrell Arthur, Sam Young, and Hasheem Thabeet from last year, and they acquired defensive animal Tony Allen this summer from Boston.  The Grizzlies also drafted well in Xavier Henry from Kansas, who I expect will play immediately, and Greivis Vasquez from Maryland.  This team has a lot of potential, and if they can put it all together they could have a shot at the playoffs.


5. Houston Rockets (42-40)This Rockets team should be pretty solid as well, but this is a brutal division and someone has to finish last.  Houston lost Trevor Ariza after just a year to the Hornets, but it returns most everyone else from a team that finished in 9th place last year.  PF Luis Scola is an extremely underrated player in this league, and I look for a big season out of him.  The Rockets also return PG Aaron Brooks, SG Kevin Martin, and a host of other role players.  Center Yao Ming is the big question mark.  He is dominant when he plays, but unfortunately for him and the Rockets, he has spent a lot of time on the pine due to injuries in the past 4 years.  His health will determine if this team is in the running for a playoff spot, and judging from the past few years, that's a pretty shaky position to be in.

Pacific Division
It gets pretty wide open after the Lakers

1. Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)
2-time defending champs.  Last time I checked they still have Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, and that's enough to win this division.  Everyone else is back minus Jordan Farmar (they picked up Steve Blake to replace him), and the Lakers are eager to prove they are still the favorites despite all the players that migrated south to Miami in the off-season.  Kobe Bryant is still the most competitive guy in the league, and he would love nothing more than to add another 3-peat to his resume and equal Michael Jordan with 6 championships.

2. Los Angeles Clippers (29-53)
The Clippers have a lot of talent, but not much playoff experience.  They have what will probably be the rookie of the year, Blake Griffin (he didn't play last year so he's still eligible), who I expect to be a dominant inside presence right off the bat.  Chris Kaman is an all-star calibur center, and SG Eric Gordon looks poised for a breakout season after a great stint with Team USA.  If the Clippers can get consistent effort from veteran PG Baron Davis, this team has the potential to be much better than last year.  Health and depth will likely be major issues for this team.

3. Golden State Warriors (26-56) 
The Warriors have a very strong starting lineup, but they lack depth.  There is no question this team will be great offensively, but they have to start playing defense or nothing is going to change.  Stephen Curry is going to be a great player in this league for years, as he has the skills and basketball I.Q. to do just about anything on the court.  I can't say as much for his backcourt mate Monte Ellis, who always seems more concerned with getting his shots and points than helping his team win.  The Warriors acquired David Lee, an all-star double-double guy from the Knicks, to play down low with center Andris Biedrins.  Golden State is going to need some solid contributions from the Wright brothers (Dorell and Brandan, and they're not really brothers) and a few other guys off the bench if they hope to make a run at the playoffs.  I have a feeling that as long as Monte Ellis is a member of this team, the playoffs will not be in their future.  If I were the GM, I'd be looking to trade him before everyone else figures out what a cancer he is to any team.


4. Phoenix Suns (54-28)
Phoenix looks to have one of the bigger drop-offs in the league this year after the departure of superstar Amare Stoudamire.  They still have all-star PG Steve Nash, but without Stoudemire, Nash is much less dangerous.  The duo mastered the pick and roll together, and for some reason I'm thinking Robin Lopez or anyone else on the roster won't be able to be nearly as effective.  The Suns also return Jason Richardson, Grant Hill, Channing Frye, Jared Dudley and Goran Dragic, and welcome new additions Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick, and Josh Childress.  However, the loss of Stoudemire is devastating and leaves a giant void in the middle, and I will be shocked if the Suns can find a way to make the playoffs.

5. Sacramento Kings (25-57)
This team is a very young and talented group.  I wanted to pick them to finish higher, but they are so inexperienced I just couldn't do it.  The Kings have one of the best young point guards in the league to build around in Tyreke Evans, and they drafted rebounding monster DeMarcus Cousins from Kentucky with the 5th pick this year.  Sacramento also returns the Israeli phenom Omri Casspi, and they acquired center Sam Dalembert this summer.  There are some solid pieces here, but the Kings are going to need several other role players to make big impacts if they want to make any noise in the West this year.  They are probably a year or two away.

Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

The top spot remains unchanged, and overall it was a pretty good week for the top teams in last week's power rankings.  Here's the rankings for week 7, with the Steelers at #1 for the 4th straight week.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-1 (1)
Ben Roethlisberger played his first game of the season, and as expected, breathed some life into the Steelers passing game.  This team is great, and as long as James Harrison doesn't retire as he's threatened to do, this team remains the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

2. New York Jets 5-1 (3)
The Jets pulled off a great 4th quarter comeback against the Broncos, topped off with a 2-yard touchdown by LaDainian Tomlinson with just over a minute left.  The Jets are living up to the preseason hype, and get to their bye week with the league's best record.

3. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (2)
Even though the Ravens lost this week, they only drop one spot since the loss was to a good Patriots team on the road in overtime.  The Ravens held a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter, but couldn't hold on and allowed the Pats to send it to OT and eventually win the game.  Nothing to worry about for the Ravens, as they should bounce back by trouncing Buffalo this week.



4. Indianapolis Colts 4-2 (4)
Conservative play-calling nearly cost the Colts the game against the Redskins on Sunday night, but they held on for a victory in the end.  I'm not sure why you would ever run with backup RB's on 3rd and 2 when you have a Hall of Fame QB like Peyton Manning, but that could be the fantasy football owner in me getting overly upset.  Huge divisional rematch against the Texans this week, as the Colts will be looking for payback and the division lead.

5. New York Giants 4-2 (6)
The Giants didn't have a great week, as their game with the Lions in New York was pretty even.  They were actually out-gained by Detroit, but won the game due to 3 Lions turnovers.  They will have to play much better with a game against a desperate Cowboys team in Dallas on Monday night.


6. New Orleans Saints 4-2 (10)
The Saints finally showed the form they had last year in a savage beating of Tampa Bay last week.  Chris Ivory had a breakout game on the ground, gaining 158 yards and finally giving New Orleans a credible threat in the running game.  This offense is unstoppable when they're able to pick up yards from the running backs.

7. New England Patriots 4-1 (16)
How silly of me to drop the Patriots when they traded Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss.  I should have known they would find a way to replace him, and sure enough the Tom Brady to Deion Branch combo picked up right where it left off several years ago.


8. Philadelphia Eagles 4-2 (14)
Okay so maybe head coach Andy Reid was right to have confidence in both of his QB's.  Kevin Kolb has looked great after a shaky performance in relief of Vick against the Redskins, and the Eagles jumped on the Falcons early and coasted to a victory against one of the NFC's best teams.  Very tough game coming up in Tennessee against the Titans this week.


9. Tennessee Titans 4-2 (8)
The Titans dismantled the Jaguars on Monday night.  They have a huge challenge coming up this week at home against the Eagles, as both teams are playing really well.  The winner will be in great shape as the season gets closer to the midway point.



10. Atlanta Falcons 4-2 (5)
The Falcons were thoroughly dominated by the Eagles last week, giving up nearly 500 yards to a Philly offense that lost its best receiver to an injury in the first half.  They really need to bounce back this week at home against the struggling Bengals.

11. Kansas City Chiefs 3-2 (7)
The Chiefs blew a huge opportunity last week, giving up a 21-point 4th quarter to the Texans to lose the game 35-31.  A road victory in Houston would have been very impressive, but the Chiefs have a great chance to bounce back with the Jaguars coming to town this week.


12. Minnesota Vikings 2-3 (9)
The Vikings got a win that they desperately needed, squeaking out a tight game between two teams with high expectations coming into the season who had struggled to 1-3 starts.  Huge game for the Vikings again next week, as they travel to Green Bay with a chance to get right back in the division race after a slow start.

13. Houston Texans 4-2 (12)
The Texans capped off a 21-point 4th quarter with an Andre Johnson TD catch with 28 seconds left to steal a victory away from the Chiefs.  The win keeps them in a 3-way tie atop the division with the Colts and Titans heading into their bye week.


14. Miami Dolphins 3-2 (17)
The Dolphins took advantage of a depleted Packer team and got a win they desperately needed to stay within striking distance in the AFC East.  The Dolphins allowed a 1-yard TD run to Aaron Rodgers to tie the game with 13 seconds left in regulation, but won the game with a field goal in OT.  The Dolphins dominated time of possession with a very balanced attack, and would have been crushed if they hadn't pulled it out.  Big matchup with the Steelers coming to Miami this week.

15. Green Bay Packers 3-3 (11)
Green Bay is really suffering from all the injuries they have sustained in the past few weeks.  Despite that, they nearly pulled off what would have been an impressive win at home against the Dolphins.  Brett Farve and Minnesota come to Lambeau on Sunday night, and the atmosphere is sure to be electric.  Both teams need a win pretty badly, as the victor will be in the driver's seat to win the division.


16. Washington Redskins 3-3 (15)
Washington nearly stole a win in Indy on Sunday night, but fell just short.  This Redskins team doesn't do anything particularly well, but they fight hard and seem to always be there at the end.  Big game for them this week at Soldier Field in Chicago.

17. Dallas Cowboys 1-4 (18)
This is getting to be a familiar story.  The Cowboys substantially out-gain their opponent, but lose the game due to penalties and turnovers.  It seems like Dallas is close to being a great team, but if they don't stop self-destructing soon they'll be watching come playoff time.


18. Denver Broncos 2-4 (13)
The Broncos put up a great fight, taking a lead to the 4th quarter before losing to the Jets at home.  Denver is playing well, but really needs to find a running game if it wants to beat the league's top teams.

19. Seattle Seahawks 3-2 (28)
The Seahawks have been all over the place in the power rankings, but they finally broke the trend and won a game on the road in Chicago.  They had been blown out in their previous 2 road games, but Seattle dominated time of possession and gained more yards in a 23-20 victory.  They play Arizona at home for first place in the division this week.

20. Detroit Lions 1-5 (22)
The Lions have had a brutal early season schedule.  They got robbed of a win because of a bad call at Chicago, lost by 3 against Philly, dropped a closer than the score decision in Minnesota to the Vikings, took a 2-point loss in Green Bay, and last week matched the Giants in total yardage but lost 28-20.  This team is much better than it's 1-5 record, and has to be thrilled to get its bye this week.  The time off will give them a chance for all their injuries to heal so they can be ready for a game against Washington at home in Week 8.

21. Chicago Bears 4-2 (20)
My thoughts about the Bears were confirmed with a loss at home to the Seahawks last week.  I've never been a believer in this team, and I actually think they might be the worst team in their division.  The Bears really need to stop the bleeding this week at home against Washington if they hope to contend in the NFC North.



22. San Diego Chargers 2-4 (19)
The Chargers can't win on the road.  They are a statistical giant, as they lead the league in passing yards and in passing defense, and rank 6th in the NFL in rushing defense.  Despite this they have lost every game on the road, including the last 2 to lower tier teams, and stand at 2-4 with the Patriots coming to town this week.  On top of this, star TE Antonio Gates left last week's game with some kind of foot or ankle issue and is questionable for this week.  The schedule only gets harder from here, so things aren't looking too good in San Diego.

23. St. Louis Rams 3-3 (30)
Apparently I was too quick to write off the Rams after Mark Clayton's injury and a 44-6 beating at the hands of the Lions.  St. Louis bounced back with a big win against the Chargers, and have a very winnable game in Tampa Bay coming up this week.



24. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-3 (23)
The Jaguars' offense was anemic once again in a 30-3 loss at home to the Titans on Monday night.  QB David Garrard was knocked out of the game with a concussion, and he and Trent Edwards combined for 3 interceptions in a game that was a blowout from the start.  Jacksonville travels to surprising Kansas City this week and may be starting its 3rd string QB.

25. San Francisco 49ers 1-5 (29)
The 49ers finally got a win last week, dominating the Raiders but still only escaping with a 17-9 victory.  They have a chance to put back-to-back wins together with a trip to winless Carolina coming up this week, but they have to stop beating themselves if they want to start winning games consistently. 

26. Cleveland Browns 1-5 (27) 
The Browns were very competitive once again in Colt McCoy's first NFL start, nearly matching the Steelers in total yards.  Despite that, 3 turnovers cost them any chance at a win against the best team in the league.  This team is kind of in the same boat as the Lions, as both teams have played much better than their records indicate.


27. Oakland Raiders 2-4 (21)
The Raiders were the perfect remedy for a San Francisco squad looking for its first win.  Oakland was dominated in every phase of the game without its best offensive player, Darren McFadden, and if it weren't for 143 penalty yards by the 49ers the Raiders would have lost by much more.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2 (24)
Tampa Bay showed their true colors, dropping a 31-6 decision at home to the Saints.  The Bucs have gotten crushed by both good teams that they've played, but 4 of their next 5 games are against some of the league's worst teams so they still have a chance to get a few more wins.  However, the Bucs are pretty bad, and they could definitely lose those games just as easily.



29. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3 (25)
The Bengals should never be ranked this low with all the talent they have on offense, but they've earned it.  They got a much needed week off after blowing the game against the Bucs in week 5, but have another tough matchup at 4-2 Atlanta this week.

30. Arizona Cardinals 3-2 (26)
I'm still not sure how this team beat the Saints in Week 5, and I still feel they are one of the worst teams in the league.  They rank close to last in nearly every statistical category, but their opportunistic defense has earned them a couple of victories.  They are basically the opposite of the San Diego Chargers.  Despite their statistical shortcomings, they play the Seahawks this week with first place in the division on the line.

31. Buffalo Bills 0-5 (31)
The Bills had their best week all year long.  A bye.

32. Carolina Panthers 0-5 (32) 
Same deal for the Panthers.  Hopefully a week off and another week of rest for injured WR Steve Smith has the Panthers ready to get a win.  I'm sure the 49ers will give them every opportunity to do just that, but can Matt Moore (he's back in this week) and the offense do enough to take advantage?

NBA Preview: Eastern Conference

It's October, and the best time of the year in sports has finally arrived.  The point where mammoth beasts  playing with pigskin are in mid-season form, while the more slender springboards are just getting underway on the hardwood.  There's been a lot of hype about the NBA this summer with the blockbuster signings for the Miami Heat, and I'm excited to see if the most talented trio ever to suit up on the same NBA roster can produce a championship in their first year together.  I'm going to go through each division, giving my projected final standings and an analysis of each team, followed by an all-encompassing power rankings list that will be updated throughout the season.  Here it goes...

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division (Last year's record)
This divison should be pretty straight forward


1. Boston Celtics (50-32)
The defending Eastern Conference Champions return everyone from last year's roster, with one very large addition...Shaquille O'Neal (or the Big Shamrock, if that's the nickname he ends up going with).  I really don't think Shaq will be a big help to this team, and he'll likely miss a large chunk of the season with some kind of injury or maybe just to rest up for the playoffs.  Boston better hope this acquisition works out better for them than it did for the Cavaliers last year, because playing O'Neal over J.J. Hickson might have cost Cleveland a spot in the finals.  In my opinion, O'Neal is good for the first 5-8 minutes of a basketball game, and then he's done.  Shaq is very entertaining and extremely effective in spurts, but his time as a great NBA basketball player is over.  This Celtics team is getting pretty old, but they are still a threat and are one of the deepest teams in the NBA.  Rondo, Pierce, and Allen are gearing up for one more run at a title, and with the big names traveling down south to Miami, their reign as the best team in the East might be up.  However, this is one of the weaker divisions in the league, and Boston should have no problem finishing 1st and guaranteeing home court in the first round of the playoffs.

2. New York Knicks (29-53)
It was a very eventful off-season for the Knicks, as they acquired Amar'e Stoudamire and my favorite player, Raymond Felton.  New York fans are a little disappointed they haven't added another marquee superstar yet as well, but this team has the potential to be really good once they work out the kinks.  It's been a slow start for the Knicks this preseason, but with the talent they have, making the playoffs is a reasonable expectation after only winning 29 games last year.  That said, I think they might need to make the trade for Carmelo Anthony happen if they want to think about getting homecourt advantage in the first round.  The Knicks will need solid contributions from Anthony Randolph, Timofey Mosgov, and Ronny Turiaf inside to take some of the pressure off Stoudamire, and everyone will have to make a commitment to the defensive end of the floor.  Hopefully Felton can talk all his teammates, including head coach Mike D'Antoni, into having some pride when the other team has the ball.  I'm just hoping Felton holds on to his starting spot with a very talented Toney Douglas lurking behind him.  I saw him rip up the ACC while at Florida State, and he should definitely get his share of time on the court.  My suggestion would be to play Felton at the point with Douglas seeing the majority of his action alongside in the shooting guard role, but I'm sure they won't do that since they both are ONLY around 6'1" or 6'2".  As of now they are going with a starting lineup that doesn't include a shooting guard, instead opting to go with 3 forwards.  They might find it will help to have another good outside shooter on the floor, and newly acquired Kelenna Azubuike could be an option as well.


3. New Jersey Nets (12-70)
I expect the Nets to be much improved from a team that flirted with the worst record of all time last year before stringing a few wins together late in the season.  Center Brook Lopez (who should be a Bobcat if it wasn't for very suspect management decisions) is poised to have a big year, and I actually look for him to make his first All-Star team.  The front court of Lopez and newly acquired Troy Murphy should prove to be one of the best in the league, and if the Nets can get some consistency from Anthony Morrow, Terrence Williams, and Devin Harris, this team could be pretty good.  Rookie Derrick Favors is going to be a player in this league one day, but it may take him a year to get acclimated to the pro game.  He's still very young and had a college coach who never really knew how to use him effectively, so I'm thinking his contributions may be limited this year.  This team is not very deep, and really can't afford any major injuries if it plans on having any chance of competing for one of the last playoff spots.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (27-55)
The 76ers are a very young and talented team, but they are wildly inconsistent.  Star Andre Iguodala was impressive on Team USA this summer, but he is definitely capable of pulling a disappearing act just like everyone else on this roster.  Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, and rookie Evan Turner are all great athletes with undeniable skills, but they have to learn to play under control and make better decisions if they expect to compete for a playoff spot.  Elton Brand is nearing the end of his career, but he did play more games last year (76) then the previous 2 combined.  The Sixers will be hoping for another full season from Brand, and expecting a good amount of help from Darius Songalia and Spencer Hawes underneath.  Philly also has sharpshooters Jason Kapono and Andres Nocioni for added depth on the outside, so this team definitely has some proven players in this league.

5. Toronto Raptors (40-42)With the departure of Chris Bosh to Miami, Toronto fans don't have much to look forward to.  Try to find a star out the likes of Linas Kleiza, Andrea Bargnani, Leandro Barbosa, DeMar DeRosan and Jarrett Jack.  They are all solid players, but not one of them has ever been a go-to guy on an NBA team, and those are the likely starters.  Not only is their starting lineup less than intimidating, they don't have much else on the bench to back it up.  It's going to be a long year for the Raptors.

Central Division

Up for grabs


1. Chicago Bulls (41-41)
I'm putting the Bulls atop this division, but I'm not entirely sold on it by any means.  They made a big off-season acquisition in Carlos Boozer, but he is yet to play a game with his new teammates due to a broken hand.  Derrick Rose is going to be a great player in this league for the next 10 years, and Joakim Noah has become a much better player than I ever thought he'd be.  His intensity and all-out effort have earned him a starting spot in the NBA and a nice contract, and I have to admit I never thought he would be anymore near this good.  Sharpshooter Kyle Korver adds a much needed threat on the outside, and Luol Deng is a great all-around player.  This team has potential to get home court in the first round of the playoffs, but the longer Boozer takes to get on the court, the more worried Bulls fans should get.


2. Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)
This team was extremely surprising last year, as they were winning games even with Andrew Bogut sidelined with an injury.  Bogut is an all-star caliber center, and together with Ersan Ilyasova and Carlos Delfino, this trio forms the most underrated frontcourt in the NBA.  No one really mentions any of these guys, but they quietly earned the #6 seed last year and nearly snuck in the #5 slot.  The Bucks also sport a formidable backcourt with Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, and Chris Douglas-Roberts.  With the help of Drew Gooden and rookies Larry Sanders and Darington Hobson up front, this team could improve on last year's finish.


3. Indiana Pacers (32-50)
This is one of my sleeper team's for the 2010-2011 season.  The Pacers had a tough go of it last year as they were riddled with injuries, but the additions of Darren Collison and James Posey from New Orleans immediately make this team much better.  Collison had a great 2nd half of the season filling in for an injured Chris Paul, and Posey plays great defense and is known for hitting crucial 3-pointers at the most timely moments (the new Robert Horry).  Star SF Danny Granger and Tyler Hansbrough both missed significant time last year, and the Pacers will need them to stay healthy if they want to compete for one of the last playoff spots.  That isn't off to a good start, as Granger had to leave his last preseason game due to a sprained ankle.  Roy Hibbert has looked great in the preseason, and I expect him to have a breakout season.  I also look for Indiana to get a solid contribution from rookie Paul George out of Fresno State.


4. Detroit Pistons (27-55)
This team is a bit of a wildcard.  PG Rodney Stuckey has called this "on paper the most talented team in the league."  I'm not sure what he's been smoking, but they do have some nice pieces.  If the Pistons can manage to keep Richard Hamilton healthy, and talk Charlie Villanueva into giving full effort every game, they might have a chance to be decent.  Ben Wallace is old and isn't anywhere near what he used to be, and Tayshaun Prince is coming off the first significant injury of his career.  Detroit will be looking to the perimeter (Stuckey, Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Will Bynum, and Austin Daye) to carry most of the scoring load, and will need consistent contributions from Jason Maxiell and rookie SF Greg Monroe to stay competitive.  I'm not really sure what to expect out of Tracy McGrady, but I'm guessing he will play a few games before disappearing with an injury for the rest of the season.  McGrady was a star in this league and is a great scorer when healthy, so I guess he's worth taking a chance on.


5. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21)
The Cavs have a real chance to go from first to worst.  When you lose a player like LeBron James, who may be one of the greatest players of all time when his career is over, you have to expect a bit of a dropoff.  This might be a free-fall.  It's hard to imagine this team winning many games, as they always looked lost when James left the court.  Mo Williams won't be getting anywhere near the quality looks he did and definitely won't be an all-star without LeBron, and Anderson Verejao is going to have a tough time producing without all the wide open dunks he got courtesy of James.  Antawn Jamison was extremely disappointing with this team last year, and he will have to play much better for this team to have any hope.  I do like J.J. Hickson, Leon Powe, and Ramon Sessions, but that won't be nearly enough for this team to even sniff the playoffs.



Southeast Divison
This division is absolutely brutal, and I think all the teams will be worthy of a playoff spot at year's end

1. Miami Heat (47-35)
Everyone knows what the Heat brought in this year.  Whether you love them or you hate them, the Miami Heat are going to be great.  Never in the history of the NBA have 3 players this good played on the same team in their primes, and if they stay healthy I fully expect them to win the championship in their first year together.  Some people are wondering if LeBron James and Dwayne Wade can co-exist together, but I'm not sure why.  James is more in the mold of Magic Johnson in that he seems to think pass-first, but it's so easy for him to score that he just can't help it a lot of times.  These two had great chemistry when they played on Team USA together, as they spent the majority of the tournament throwing alley oops to each other.  I look for much of the same all season, to go along with lots of open baseline jumpers and dunks for Chris Bosh.  Pat Riley did a great job of bringing in the right pieces to surround these guys with.  Eddie House and Mike Miller should see plenty of wide open 3 pointers this year, and they can knock them down.  Udonis Haslem has mastered the mid-range game, and he should be all by himself most of the time as well.  I just don't know how anyone is going to stop this team.


2. Orlando Magic (59-23)
This is the one team in the East that has enough talent to consistently match up with the Heat, as the Magic roster is loaded with good players.  Dwight Howard is a monster inside, and if he ever develops that jump shot we hear about every year he will be totally unstoppable on both sides of the floor.  Orlando is deep at every position, with extremely skilled players both inside and outside (it better be with that enormous payroll!).  The Magic's biggest problem may be finding enough minutes to keep everyone happy.  When you look at the roster, every player deserves to see some time on the court, and I'm just not sure that can happen.  Van Gundy has to find a way to play Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat to give the Magic some added toughness, but they have been constantly overlooked in the past.  J.J. Redick has had a great preseason, and Orlando should seriously consider playing him at least as much if not more than an aging Vince Carter at the shooting guard position.  Vince has never been much for defense, and Redick has shown a competitive fire that Carter has never displayed.  With other names like Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Ryan Anderson, and Mickael Pietrus, Orlando has all the talent to make a run at a championship.


3. Charlotte Bobcats (44-38)
When the Bobcats first came to Charlotte, I immediately became a fan of the only team in my home state.  Ever since they arrived, the front office has been making baffling moves that irritated me time and time again.  They have blown more draft picks than almost anyone in the NBA, but the one move I loved was the drafting of Raymond Felton.  I went to college with Raymond, and after winning a championship at UNC he became my favorite player.  Felton is now with the Knicks, and I have to admit I thought about deserting the Bobcats altogether and converting to a Knicks fan.  I've decided to still cheer for Charlotte as well as the Knicks, since even though they still don't know how to draft players, they have made pretty good moves otherwise with the hiring of Larry Brown and the last few trades they pulled off.  The Bobcats might even be better this year with D.J. Augustin at the point, but I definitely won't feel as connected to this year's version without Felton at the helm.  Augustin is a better shooter, better finisher at the rim, and seems to get way more calls than Felton, but Raymond's heart and leadership can never be replaced.  The Bobcats return all-star Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas, Nazr Mohammed, and the always inconsistent Boris "Doris" Diaw, who were all starters at some point last season.  They welcome back sharpshooter Matt Caroll, who spent a year or so with Dallas before returning to Charlotte.  2nd year player Derrick Brown has played great in the preseason.  I've always thought he should be playing much more, and I think he will finally get his chance this year.  The Bobcats brought in four new players, Shaun Livingston, Kwame Brown, Eduardo Najera, and Darius Miles, who all should contribute in some way.  It's gonna be interesting to see what Larry does with all these players, and I think the Bobcats will have a chance to make the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.


4. Atlanta Hawks (53-29)
Atlanta had a great regular season last year, but then had a terrible showing in the 2nd round of the playoffs, getting crushed by Orlando in 4 straight beatdowns.  It seems to have carried over into this year's preseason, as the Hawks have looked awful.  It seems like they are fighting to see who can take and miss the most shots, and they are all winning (or losing).  They return essentially the same team from last year (Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford, Josh Smith, and Zaza Pachulia) but something seems different.  Maybe they will snap out of it and return to last season's form once the regular season starts, but this division is the toughest in the NBA, and they can't afford a slow start.  They did add what I thought was one of the steals of this year's draft in Jordan Crawford, who I expect will contribute right away.  If these guys just play together they should be fine, but this team tends to play too much one on one.  The Hawks can't afford to be selfish with the talent in this division.

5. Washington Wizards (26-56)
The Wizards are another one of my sleeper picks this year.  Unfortunately for them they have to play in the division of death, but I think they have the talent to stay afloat.  John Wall is incredibly fast, and I have no doubt he will be great right away.  If he can keep his turnovers down, he might even be an all-star.  Gilbert Arenas is getting a pretty raw deal from the media, but he is making some stupid decisions that keep putting the spotlight on him.  He needs to play ball and make himself invisible to the media, but I'm not sure they will let him off that easily.  Center JaVale McGee and SG Nick Young have looked great this preseason, and Washington got a steal when they got Yi Jianlian from the Nets.  He was one of the best players in the FIBA World Championships this year, and he will have a great year playing alongside John Wall.  The Wizards also have Andray Blatche, Kirk Hinrich, Al Thorton, and Josh Howard, who have all proven they can play in this league, as well as Cartier Martin, who looks poised for a breakout season entering his 3rd year in the NBA.  Trevor Booker could make a solid impact as well in his rookie season.  It would not surprise me at all to see the Washington Wizards sneak in the playoffs this year.

Week 6 NFL Power Rankings

Week 6 Power Rankings (last week)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1 (1)
The Steelers are coming off their bye week, and Ben Roethlisberger will start his first game of the season.  Expect the lowest-ranked passing attack in the NFL to start climbing the charts this week against Cleveland.

2. Baltimore Ravens 4-1 (3)
Ray Rice finally showed the skills that made him a first round pick in most fantasy leagues this year, and the Ravens are arguably the most well-rounded team in the NFL when they get that kind of contribution from the running game.  The defense is still the strength of the team, but I expect the offense to get better and better as the season goes on.

3. New York Jets 4-1 (2)
The Jets had almost the same amount of yards as the Vikings on Monday night, but won the game because they took care of the ball.  Minnesota's 3 turnovers proved to be the difference in New York's 29-20 victory, and once again the running game carried the load.  The passing game should start to improve now that Santonio Holmes has joined the team on the field, but it may take a few games for he and Sanchez to get on the same page.

4. Indianapolis Colts 3-2 (6)
The Colts struggled to find the end zone against the Chiefs, but found a way to pull out a game they desperately needed after dropping a game to the Jaguars.  Peyton Manning killed me in my fantasy game, as I have come to expect a minimum of 250 yards and 2 TD's from the league's best QB, and he failed to throw even one touchdown pass.  I see a huge fantasy day for Peyton this week on Sunday night in Washington, but it should be a tough game for the Colts.

5. Atlanta Falcons 4-1 (8)
The Falcons aren't playing tremendously well, but they are finding ways to win.  Michael Turner had a big day on the ground, and the defense had a TD courtesy of another horrendous Jake Delhomme pick 6.  Roddy White came through with another 100+ yard game with a TD, and the Falcons took sole possession of first place in the NFC South.


6. New York Giants 3-2 (15) 
The good Giants team showed up last week, as the defense locked down the Texans and former Tar Heel Hakeem Nicks went nuts with 12 catches for 130 yards and 2 TD's (could have been 3 TD's with a little extra effort).  This team looks like the best team in the NFC some weeks, and like a middle of the pack team in others.  They've put back-to-back great weeks together, so maybe the superior version is here to stay.

7. Kansas City Chiefs 3-1 (9)
The Chiefs had a good showing against the Colts, but fell short in the end.  Despite dropping their first game of the season, K.C. proved it could compete with one of the top teams in the league.  The 3-0 start wasn't just a fluke, this team is for real.


8. Tennessee Titans 3-2 (12)
The Titans bounced back nicely with a big win in Dallas after dropping a game at home to the Broncos.  Chris Johnson returned to his dominating self with 131 yards and 2 TD's, and Tennessee won again after being out-gained by nearly 200 yards.  Vince Young is a great game manager and generally takes good care of the ball, and that formula has proved to be successful for the Titans this season.

9. Minnesota Vikings 1-3 (11)
The Vikings dropped another close game, this time against the New York Jets.  After the offense was stifled for almost 3 full quarters, Brett Farve got Minnesota back in the game with 3 touchdown passes, only to end the game on an interception for a TD.  A game involving Farve never lacks excitement, but he is making far too many turnovers so far this season.  This team is very good, but can't overcome Farve making 3 turnovers every game.  Given this was a tough game against one of the best teams in the league, and once the Vikings got down it kind of forced Farve to go for more, but Brett needs to play more like Vince Young for this team to be successful from here on.  I still think they are one of the better teams in the league, but the Vikings really need a win at home against the Cowboys this week.

10. New Orleans Saints 3-2 (5)
I didn't see the Saints-Cardinals game this week, and I have to say I was shocked to see the 30-20 Arizona victory.  Clearly the injuries to Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are severely limiting this offense, as opposing defenses are free to key on Drew Brees and the passing game while mostly ignoring the less-than-intimidating duo of Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory.  Brees threw 3 interceptions for the first time in quite a while, and the Saints' 4 total turnovers overcame the fact that they outgained the Cardinals nearly 2 to 1.  Suddenly Sunday's tilt in Tampa Bay has major implications, as the Saints can ill-afford to drop another divisional game to the 3-1 Buccaneers.

11. Green Bay Packers 3-2 (4)
It was a really bad week for the Green Bay Packers.  Not only did they lose a hard-fought game to the Redskins in overtime, they lost their emerging star TE and leading receiver Jermichael Finley for 8-10 weeks, and QB Aaron Rodgers sustained a concussion and has yet to practice this week.  The next 6 games on the schedule are absolutely brutal for the Packers, so what looked like a promising season may be in jeopardy.

12. Houston Texans 3-2 (7)
Houston ran in to a buzzsaw last week in the New York Giants, who did whatever they wanted to against the league's worst passing defense.  The Texans were outgained 414-195, but on a positive note star WR Andre Johnson played and finished with 5 catches for 95 yards.  Although he didn't appear to be 100%, it's a good sign going forward.

13. Denver Broncos 2-3 (14)
The Broncos were handled pretty easily by the Ravens, but I still think this team is pretty good.  The passing attack is one of the league's best, with Brandon Lloyd having a breakout season and Kyle Orton looking like a top five QB.  As good as the passing game has been, the Broncos have to get more out of the lowest rated rushing attack in the league if they hope to make the playoffs.

14. Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 (20)
Apparently I was too quick to drop the Eagles so drastically in the rankings last week.  I was under the impression that both LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick were going to miss extended time with rib injuries, but McCoy played and performed very well as Philadelphia handed San Francisco another heartbreaking loss.  This team clearly isn't as good without Vick, but Kolb is a great backup to have and will keep them in contention until Vick is ready to return.

15. Washington Redskins 3-2 (19)
The Redskins got a huge overtime victory against the Packers last week, keeping them in a 3-way tie atop the NFC East standings.  QB Donovan McNabb has really added a new dynamic to this offense, as his 357 yards compensated for a total lack of a running game (51 yards).  Huge game for the Redskins this Sunday night as they host the Indianapolis Colts.

16. New England Patriots 3-1 (10)
The Patriots dropped 6 spots in the rankings during their bye week due to the trade of Randy Moss to the Vikings.  The Patriots' defense is pretty bad, and they can hardly afford to lose one of their best offensive weapons.  New England has acquired Deion Branch to replace him, but he hasn't been relevant in years so I doubt he is the answer.  I look for WR Brandon Tate to have a breakout season, but filling Randy Moss' shoes is a tall task.

17. Miami Dolphins 2-2 (17)
The Dolphins desperately needed their bye week after self-destructing in week 4 against the Patriots.  They return to action this week in Green Bay, where the Packers will be without TE Jermichael Finley and possibly QB Aaron Rodgers as well.  Miami is catching Green Bay at a great time, and they need to take advantage of their good fortune and get a victory.

18. Dallas Cowboys 1-3 (16)
The Cowboys are much more talented than the #18 spot, but until they can stop turning the ball over and losing games they have to be ranked in the middle of the pack.  Enormous game for them this week in Minnesota, as the loser will drop to 1-4 and have a huge hole to dig out of if they want to make the playoffs.  If Dallas can just cut down on their turnovers and ridiculous penalty yardage they should be able to turn the season around and get back into contention for the playoffs, but that is easier said than done.  Wade Phillips could be on the way out.

19. San Diego Chargers 2-3 (13)
The Chargers continued their trend of losing on the road, dropping a 35-27 decision to the Raiders.  San Diego is putting up crazy yardage numbers, and from a strictly statistical standpoint are the best team in the NFL.  They sport the #1 passing offense and the 3rd best passing defense.  Unfortunately for them, they can't seem to avoid turning the ball over in terrible spots, and it has cost them several games so far.  This team has the potential to be one of the league's best, but until they put an end to these crucial turnovers they will remain in the middle of the pack.

20. Chicago Bears 4-1 (18)
Can you tell I'm not sold on the Chicago Bears?  Despite their 4-1 record, the Bears come in at #20 in this week's rankings.  Chicago was very lucky to be playing the Carolina Panthers last week, as their 4 turnovers and overall pathetic performance would have earned them a loss against virtually any other team.  The Bears offense has struggled all season, but they really got a glimpse of just how bad it can be when Jay Cutler is out.  This team has a very favorable schedule until the end of the season, and they'll need to fully take advantage of it if they have any hope of making the playoffs.

21. Oakland Raiders 2-3 (26)
For once, the Raiders found themselves as the team that took advantage of turnovers to get a big win.  Oakland was out-gained 506 to 279, but got it done courtesy of 3 timely San Diego miscues.  The Raiders scored 16 of their 30 points directly off those turnovers, and came out of the game with a big divisional win despite being thoroughly dominated.  They travel to winless San Francisco this week, and I'm thinking the 49ers might get their first win.

22. Detroit Lions 1-4 (25)
The Lions put a vicious beating on the Rams last week, capitalizing on 3 turnovers and returning a kickoff for a TD in a 44-6 victory.  Detroit was due a win, and they got it in convincing fashion as Shaun Hill threw for 3 TD's and rookie RB Jahvid Best had over 100 total yards.  Their reward for getting their first win...a road trip to one of the hottest teams in the league, the New York Giants.  I'm thinking they probably won't be making it 2 in a row.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2 (23)
The Jaguars didn't play well, but luckily for them they were up against one of the worst teams in football, the Buffalo Bills.  The Jags once again leaned heavily on their 4th ranked rushing attack, amassing 216 yards on the ground.  That was enough to overcome their 3 turnovers and improve to 3-2 on the season, a record that seems much too good for a team of their caliber.  Jacksonville will host Monday Night Football when the Tennessee Titans come to town this week.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1 (29)
I still don't like this team, but to this point in the season they are getting it done.  The Buccaneers are taking full advantage of an easy early season schedule, and if they can find a way to beat the Saints at home next week they will find themselves in the middle of a playoff race.  The Bengals handed them a win last week, turning the ball over 4 times, 3 of them interceptions by Carson Palmer.  The Bucs scored 10 points in the final minute and 26 seconds, and Conner Barth kicked the game winner with a second remaining.
 
25. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3 (21)
Carson Palmer topped off another rocky performance with his 3rd interception as the Bengals seemed poised to win the game.  Cincinnati had taken the ball into Tampa Bay territory quickly after the Bucs had tied the game with 1:26 to go, but Palmer's pick was returned to the Cincy 34-yard line and the Bengals could only watch as Barth's kick sailed true and sent them home with another loss.

26. Arizona Cardinals 3-2 (30)
The Cardinals were dominated nearly 2 to 1 in total yardage, but the defense took advantage of 4 Saints turnovers, scoring 3 touchdowns and unexpectedly lead the team to a victory.  This team has been terrible in every facet of the game, but the defense was extremely opportunistic in this one and fully punished Drew Brees for his uncharacteristic performance.  As bad as this team has been, they find themselves on top of the division and in position to make the playoffs...unreal.

27. Cleveland Browns 1-4 (27) 
The Browns were competitive yet again, taking a lead into halftime against a very good Falcons team.  Unfortunately for Cleveland, Jake Delhomme entered the game in the 2nd half and any chance the Browns had of winning the game went out the window.  Jake did what he always does, threw 2 picks, including one returned for a TD, and it was game, set, match Atlanta.

28. Seattle Seahawks 2-2 (24)
Well the Seahawks are 2-0 at home, and 0-2 on the road.  With a road game at Chicago coming up this week, it would seem they are due for a loss.  Maybe newly acquired RB Marshawn Lynch can change the trend for Seattle, but at the very least he should help improve the league's 29th-rated running game.

29. San Francisco 49ers 0-5 (28)
Another week, another heartbreaker for the 49ers.  Once again San Francisco had the ball with a chance to tie or win the game late in the 4th quarter, only to see their hopes crushed in Philadelphia territory on an Alex Smith interception.  To be fair, Smith did end up with over 300 yards and 3 TD's, but it wasn't enough and the 49ers fell to 0-5.  I'm thinking it's time they get their first win this week at home against the Raiders.

30. St. Louis Rams 2-3 (22)
Tough break for the Rams.  After a very promising start to the season, St. Louis lost WR Mark Clayton for the season to a knee injury and were demolished by the Lions 44-6.  Clayton and rookie QB Sam Bradford had developed great chemistry right off the bat and seemed primed to contend for a division title, but the injury will likely put an end to all that talk.  As weak as their division is, the Rams could little afford to lose any of their weapons.  Judging by the beating they took at the hands of Detroit, the outlook isn't good.

31. Buffalo Bills 0-5 (32)
It looks like the Bills and the Panthers will be battling all season long to see who occupies the last spot in the power rankings.  The Bills fought their way out of the cellar by showing a few signs of life.  They went to the half tied with the Jags, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 3 touchdown passes.  Despite these positive notes, Jacksonville pulled away in the 4th quarter and sent Buffalo to its 5th straight loss.


32. Carolina Panthers 0-5 (31)
HOPELESS.  That's the only way to describe this Panther offense at the moment.  No one can throw, and no one can catch, so the opposing defense can just gang up against the run and leave Carolina with no chance.  Both Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore have no confidence left, and even I've never heard of any of the receivers the Panthers put on the field on Sundays.  The pass defense is actually pretty good, but it won't matter if the offense can't score any points.  The Bears had 4 turnovers last week, but still the Panthers ended the game with only 6 points.  If the front office stands pat and refuses to even entertain the thought of looking  to sign another receiver, 0-16 is looking like a very real possibility.

Week 5 Power Rankings

It was a very difficult week for last week's top 10. Four of the top 10 lost, including the top 2, and 4 others squeaked out victories by a field goal or less.  That said, the top spot remained unchanged, as the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly won and probably should have beaten the Ravens with their 4th string QB.  With Ben Roethlisberger returning from suspension, the Steelers should have some semblance of a passing game to go with that stout defense and running game.  Bad news for the rest of the league.

Week 5 Rankings (Last Week)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1 (1)
Ben Roethlisberger's suspension is up.  This is terrible news for the rest of the league, as the Steelers were still one of the best teams in the league with a 4th string quarterback starting.  Replace Charlie Batch with the pro bowler and 2-time Super Bowl champion and this team can do it all.

2. New York Jets 3-1 (9)
The Jets looked like the great team that has been hyped up all summer, but the Buffalo Bills tend to do that to almost everyone they play against.  Mark Sanchez has been nearly perfect with 8 TD's and 0 INT's on the season, and the running game has been spectacular with a rejuvenated LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene producing the league's 2nd best rushing attack.


3. Baltimore Ravens 3-1 (8)
The Ravens stole one late from the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game they had to have to avoid falling 2 games behind a team playing the first 4 weeks without its star QB.  This defense is still carrying them, with Ray Lewis and company sporting the #1 D against the pass on the season.  The passing game appears to be heating up, but Baltimore really needs a healthy Ray Rice to return to form to spark what has been to this point a non-existent running game.

4. Green Bay Packers 3-1 (3)
I kept waiting for the Packers to put the Lions away, but Detroit hung around all game long and nearly stole a win in Lambeau.  I expected this team to be much better at this point, but considering the relatively slow start by Aaron Rodgers and the loss of starting RB Ryan Grant, the fact that Green Bay is 3-1 and was very close to a 4-0 start is pretty good.


5. New Orleans Saints 3-1 (5)
Kind of the same deal for the Saints as the Packers.  Every game has been decided by 5 points or less, but they are a short missed field goal away from starting 4-0.  Injuries to the running backs have really held back the explosiveness of this offense, but Drew Brees and his plethora of receivers have done enough to carry the load and win games.


6. Indianapolis Colts (2)
I have to say I'm kind of shocked that the Jaguars were able to beat the Colts this weekend, but Jacksonville does seem to play their best against Indy so I guess it shouldn't be so surprising.  The Colts are awful against the run and have no rushing attack of their own, so Peyton Manning is going to have to keep up this blistering pace all year.  I think he will, and the Colts will be fine.


7. Houston Texans 3-1 (10)
Houston is playing some great football, and they kept it going with a road win against the Raiders without their star WR Andre Johnson.  They have the best running attack in the league with Arian Foster having a breakout season, and their defense is 2nd in the league against the run.  If Johnson can get back soon, this could be the year the Texans finally make the playoffs, and maybe even win the division.


8. Atlanta Falcons 3-1 (4)
The Falcons just barely escaped at home against the 49ers this week.  Matt Ryan threw an interception with just over a minute to go with San Francisco leading 14-13, and if Nate Clements had just gone down the game would have essentially been over.  However, Roddy White forced a fumble when Clements slowed down to set up the final block at the Falcons 7-yard line, and the Falcons took advantage.  They drove right down the field, and Matt Bryant kicked a 43-yard field goal with 2 seconds left for the win.

9. Kansas City Chiefs 3-0 (15)
The Chiefs had the week off, and after watching many of the top teams struggle, I moved them into the top 10.  The Chiefs have a great rushing attack and have been good against the run as well, and we will get to find out just how good they are this week when they travel to Indy to take on the Colts.  With the Colts coming off a loss to the Jags, this game just got a little more difficult.


10. New England Patriots 3-1 (14)
The Patriots won 41-14 on Monday night against the Dolphins, but they weren't nearly as good as the score indicates.  Miami really dominated the game, but were done in by 4 turnovers.  The Patriots took advantage of every one, scoring touchdowns directly off of 3 of them.  The Patriots' defense has been pretty bad so far, but were definitely opportunistic in this one.  Randy Moss finished the game without a catch, and rumors of a trade to the Vikings have already started.  Stay tuned...

11. Minnesota Vikings 1-2 (13)
The Vikings had the week off, and Minnesota fans have to be excited by the Randy Moss talk that has started up this week.  He would certainly be a big help to a passing game that ranks 24th in the league, and with a trip to the Jets up next, they could definitely use him this week.


12. Tennessee Titans 2-2 (6)
Just when it looked like the Titans might be a contender to win their division after a huge win at the Giants, they drop one at home to the Broncos.  That makes this week's trip to Dallas really big, as it will likely determine which direction this team's season is headed.

13. San Diego Chargers 2-2 (19)
The Chargers absolutely annihilated the Cardinals this week, and in the process looked like a serious contender.  Unfortunately, they only look like that every other week, with a tough loss caught in between.  So far this has been directly correlated to the location of the game, with two blowout wins at home and two 7 point losses on the road.  They will have another chance to break the pattern on the road in Oakland this week.


14. Denver Broncos 2-2 (22)
The Broncos are a strange team, but may be finding their stride.  They pulled off a huge road win in Tennessee, shutting down stud RB Chris Johnson by dominating time of possession and keeping the ball away from him.  They have the league's worst rushing game, but the #1 passing game.  Kyle Orton is playing great, and the emergence of receivers Brandon Lloyd and  Eddie Royal make this team dangerous.  They have a big challenge up next with a game in Baltimore against the league's best pass defense.

15. New York Giants 2-2 (18)
Great performance from the Giants this week.  They set a record with 9 sacks in the first half, knocking Jay Cutler out of the game with a concussion in the process.  This is the team I expected to see, as the Giants dominated the Bears in every facet of the game.  They will need to bring this same kind of intensity with a trip to Houston up next.



16. Dallas Cowboys 1-2 (16)
The Cowboys are coming off their bye week after a much needed victory against the Houston Texans in week 3.  They have a chance to recover from their bad start to the season if they can beat the Titans at home this week.


17. Miami Dolphins 2-2 (11)
I would love to put the Dolphins higher, as I think they are actually pretty good, but they have a few glaring weaknesses that are keeping them down.  The special teams game was atrocious on Monday against the Patriots, and Miami took the first step in fixing that problem by firing the special teams coordinator.  Chad Henne's lack of experience showed up on the big stage, as he made several crucial mistakes that turned a close game into a blowout.  The Dolphins will have to clean up these errors if they expect to have any chance to beat the Packers in Green Bay in week 6.

18. Chicago Bears 3-1 (12)
The Bears were totally shut down by the Giants this week, and they lost their perfect record and their starting QB to a concussion in the process.  Cutler is questionable for this week's game against the Panthers, kind of like the Bears running game, which ranks 31st in the league.  I'm still not a believer in this team despite the 3-1 record, and I'm hoping my Panthers can take advantage of the woozy QB and get their first win on Sunday.


19. Washington Redskins 2-2 (21)
The Redskins are getting quite a reputation for hurting the opponents best player.  They knocked out Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy, and in the process really damaged what was looking like a great season for the Eagles.  Washington still really isn't very good in any part of the game, and is really bad against the pass, ranking 31st in the league.



20. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (7)
What a horrible game for the Eagles in week 4.  They lost both Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy to rib injuries, and both could be out for an extended period of time.  This is really bad news for the Eagles as rib injuries often linger, and if they lose 2 of their best 3 players for a large chunk of the season, they have no chance to make the playoffs.


21. Cincinnati Bengals 2-2 (17)
I don't really know what to think about the Cincinnati Bengals.  They really haven't looked great in any game this year, and they just lost to the hapless Cleveland Browns.  On the flip side they did get a win against the Ravens, so you never know what you're going to get from the Bengals.



22. St. Louis Rams 2-2 (23)
I'm really starting to think this Rams team might make the playoffs.  They have an extremely favorable schedule, and Sam Bradford is looking like a great #1 pick.  If Steven Jackson can stay healthy, the Rams have a real chance to win the NFC West in Bradford's rookie season.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (29)
The Jaguars are another very strange team.  Kicker Josh Scobee kicked a 59-yard field goal as time expired to give Jacksonville a huge win against the Colts.  The Jags always seem to get up to play the Colts, but they might want to think about showing up against the other teams if they hope to contend for a playoff spot.  They have a very winnable game in Buffalo this week, but it wouldn't shock me at all if they lost.


24. Seattle Seahawks 2-2 (20)
The Seahawks continued their trend of getting shelled on the road with a 20-3 loss to the Rams in St. Louis.  Luckily for Seattle, another trend of theirs is winning at home, and 8-8 will probably win the division.  The Seahawks have the league's 3rd best run defense, and are definitely in the mix for the automatic playoff berth that comes with winning the NFC West.  Acquiring RB Marshawn Lynch should improve a rushing attack that ranks 27th in the NFL.

25. Detroit Lions 0-4 (27)
I really feel sorry for the Lions.  Shaun Hill has done a great job filling in for Matthew Stafford, and Detroit has been competitive in every game this year.  Unfortunately for them, they haven't won any of them, and are sitting in a familiar spot at 0-4.  Big chance for a win this week at home against St. Louis.


26. Oakland Raiders 1-3 (24)
What can you say about the Oakland Raiders?  I think they are definitely better than they have been in the last few years, but they still keep losing and are 2 points from being 0-4, so not much has changed.  On the plus side, Darren McFadden looks like a player that could be great in this league for years to come, and the pass defense ranks 3rd in the league, so there are signs of hope here.


27. Cleveland Browns 1-3 (30)
I really hate watching this team.  They are extremely boring, and rarely do you see anything exciting happen out of their offense.  Peyton Hillis has been pretty solid for them the past few weeks, and they got a big win against their rival Cincinnati last week.  Despite being out-gained significantly by the Bengals, the Browns found a way to win, and to their credit they've been competitive in every game this year.  If they can beat the Falcons this week I'll be impressed.

28. San Francisco 49ers 0-4 (26)
It would be really hard to be a 49ers fan right now.  They put themselves in position to finally get a win against the Falcons last week, only to have Roddy White make a spectacular play and strip the ball from Nate Clements after he intercepted a Matt Ryan pass with just over a minute to go.  If Clements had just gone down the 49ers likely would have run out the clock and won the game, but you can't really blame him as it looked like he was only one block away from scoring a touchdown.  Unfortunately he had to slow down to wait on that block, which gave White enough time to make the play.  Naturally the Falcons capitalized and took the ball right down the field, kicking the game winner with 2 seconds to go.  Maybe San Francisco can take advantage of the absence of Vick and McCoy and get their first win against the Eagles this week.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-1 (28)
Tampa had the week off after getting beat up by the Steelers, and returns to action with a game at Cincinnati this week.  Despite their 2-0 start, I still think this team is awful and was simply the beneficiary of an easy early season schedule.  I fully expect the losses to start piling up in bunches, starting last week and continuing this week against a Bengals team coming off a tough loss.


30. Arizona Cardinals 2-2 (25)
The Cardinals are terrible.  I don't care if they are 2-2, they are still one of the worst teams in the league.  They lost 41-10 against the Chargers, and their lone touchdown was a fumble return.  The offense is bad, the defense is worse, and it looks like another change at QB is coming.  It appears the Cardinals are going to turn to rookie Max Hall, who I've never heard of but Arizona apparently likes.  They better hope this guy is really good, because this defense is incredibly awful.  They do have some weapons to work with on the offensive side of the ball, but have yet to find someone who can consistently get them the ball.

31. Carolina Panthers 0-4 (32)
The Panthers are tough to watch.  Despite being a Panthers fan, I found myself watching other games at the sports bar, even while Carolina held the lead against the Saints for nearly all of the 2nd half.  I just knew the Panthers would find a way to lose, and sure enough Carney kicked the game winner with just under 4 minutes to go, and a last ditch attempt to win the game came up just short.  On top of that, Steve Smith left the game with an ankle sprain, and my guess is it was a pretty bad one.  The way he was writhing in pain gave me flashbacks to my two 3rd degree ankle sprains, and with the season already gone, Steve should definitely take his time getting back on the field.  The Panthers need to make a trade for a receiver soon, because after Steve Smith I'm not sure we have anyone else that can catch the ball consistently.  Dwayne Jarrett just got released after getting a DUI, so it's time to bring in someone else.  A few suggestions would be T.J. Houshma-however you-spell-his-name (Ravens), Derrick Mason (Ravens), Kevin Walter (Texans), James Jones (Packers), Jerricho Cotchery (Jets), or Robert Meachem (Saints).  All these guys are spending a lot of time on the pine considering their talent, for the most part because they are on great teams that are loaded with receivers, and each one would be a significant upgrade to anyone on the Panthers roster.  Any of these players would immediately become the #1 option in the passing game, which might be attractive to at least one of them.  It's worth a shot.


32. Buffalo Bills 0-4 (31)
The Bills emphatically took back the bottom spot in the power rankings after taking a vicious beating at the hands of the Jets.  Buffalo boasts the leagues worst passing offense, as well as the most dreadful rushing defense, and anyone who loses to them should be ashamed of themselves.