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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
| 2008
Week Ten Power Rankings Many of you will look at this week's rankings and have several questions. Why did Chicago fall seven spots after barely losing to Tennessee? Why are Baltimore and Atlanta, at 6-3, still ranked 15th and 16th, respectively? Why is a 5-4 team ranked number three overall? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First of all, because these are power rankings. In other words, it's not based on records as much as who I think would win a game between two teams on a neutral field. So, there are going to be some spots that will be questionable to some of you. Second, I have concerns for some of the upstart teams this year - Atlanta, Baltimore, and the New York Jets in particular. I think it's hard to really accept in this day and age that a couple of rookie quarterbacks will be able to take their teams to the playoffs, regardless of how good the defenses or running games are. With the Jets, I can't really put my finger on a specific reason, but I just don't think they're as good as their record. However, there's always that link at the top, "Ask the Doc", where you can let me know why I'm wrong.
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| 1 |
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Tennessee (9-0) | For those of us who wondered if the Titans could win when the running game wasn't working, I guess Kerry Collins gave us the answer. | |
| 2 |
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New York Giants (8-1) | Simply because of their tough schedule, I'm getting very, very close to vaulting them to number one. | |
| 3 |
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Indianapolis (5-4) | I know this seems high, but you have to be impressed with the way they've hung in there. Beating the Steelers in their place doesn't hurt either. | |
| 4 |
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Pittsburgh (6-3) | Ben Roethlisberger looks lost at times. I don't know if it's the number of hits he's taken, but he looks very shaky in the pocket right now. | |
| 5 |
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Philadelphia (5-4) | The Eagles need to have a better game plan for critical short-yardage plays. In the competitive NFC, those will become more frequent each week. | |
| 6 |
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Carolina (7-2) | They fall a spot for playing very, very poorly against a really, really bad team. | |
| 7 |
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Washington (6-3) | The more I thought about the Pittsburgh game, the more the way the Redskins played bothered me. Let's see how they react against Dallas. | |
| 8 |
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New England (6-3) | With the next two games against the Jets and Dolphins, the Pats could put a stranglehold on this division. | |
| 9 |
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Tampa Bay (6-3) | Every time I look at this team, I wonder how they could possibly be as good as 6-3. Especially in a vastly improved NFC South. | |
| 10 |
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Dallas (5-4) | I guess we're about to find out if it was Tony Romo going down, or if there are more pressing issues that have caused this team to fall into a funk. | |
| 11 |
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Denver (5-4) | That was a pretty good John Elway imitation, Mr. Cutler. Of course, Browns' fans didn't really care for it though. | |
| 12 |
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San Diego (4-5) | I just keep thinking they'll turn the corner. Watching them barely beat the Chiefs wasn't exactly what I had in mind. | |
| 13 |
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Jacksonville (4-5) | I know, I know, everyone dismantles Detroit, but I;m thinking they may have finally jump-started the running game. | |
| 14 |
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Arizona (6-3) | The Monday-nighter against San Francisco was a lot closer than the Cardinals wanted, but it put them clearly in the driver's seat in the NFC West. | |
| 15 |
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Baltimore (6-3) | Who said a small-school quarterback can't succeed as an NFL rookie? Oh yeah, that was me. | |
| 16 |
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Atlanta (6-3) | Well, we'll find out how good the Falcons really are in the next three weeks when they play Denver, Carolina, and San Diego. | |
| 17 |
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Buffalo (5-4) | In their 4-0 start, the Bills averaged over 27 points a game. Since then, they're averaging under 17. | |
| 18 |
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Minnesota (5-4) | Was Jared Allen worth the money? He already has more sacks than any Viking on last years' squad. | |
| 19 |
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Chicago (5-4) | How do you hold the Titans to less than a yard per carry and still lose? You let Kerry Collins look like Joe Montana, that's how? | |
| 20 |
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New York Jets (6-3) | If Thomas Jones can play like that every week, they will go far in an up-and-down AFC. | |
| 21 |
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Miami (5-4) | No matter what happens the rest of the year, the Fish should consider this a huge step in the right direction. | |
| 22 |
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Green Bay (4-5) | Over the span of two months, Aaron Rodgers went from looking like a world-beater to an egg-beater. | |
| 23 |
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New Orleans (4-5) | I feel bad for Drew Brees. He deserves a better defense than the one he's been given. | |
| 24 |
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Houston (3-6) | Texans' fans are calling for Gary Kubiak's head and I'm confused. I don't remember seeing him throw any of those four interceptions. | |
| 25 |
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Cleveland (3-6) | It's never good for a coach when the dreaded phrase "players quit" is uttered to the media. | |
| 26 |
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San Francisco (2-7) | Shaun Hill's helmetless first down run is a perfect example of exactly what Mike Singletary will expect from his players. | |
| 27 |
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Seattle (2-7) | There's no doubt that Mike Holmgren has come to terms with his retirement. If his team had performed this way in the past, he would have beaten someone. | |
| 28 |
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Kansas City (1-8) | I have no problem whatsoever with Herm Edwards going for the two point conversion. Remember, he "plays...to win...the game." | |
| 29 |
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St. Louis (2-7) | They may be bad with Steven Jackson, but they are absolutely atrocious without him. | |
| 30 |
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Oakland (2-7) | They played a great game defensively against the Panthers. Unfortunately, they have the worst NFL offense I've ever seen. | |
| 31 |
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Cincinnati (1-8) | Marvin Lewis will be a great defensive coordinator for someone next year. | |
| 32 |
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Detroit (0-9) | There's really nothing left to be said. |
