|
Rank(last week) |
Movement |
Notes |
|
1. San
Diego Chargers(10-2) |
 4 |
They bounced back from a
controversial win by going on the road and beating a very game Bills
team. They are in the driver's seat in the AFC West and now find
themselves on top of the AFC and NFL overall. |
2.
 New
England Patriots(9-3) |
- |
By no means was their win impressive,
but they won despite playing a poor game. That's the sign of a good
football team. They have a chance to jump up this week if they can
beat an improving Dolphins team and the Chargers slip up at home
against the Broncos. |
3.
 Indianapolis
Colts(10-2) |
 2 |
The Titans almost beat them in Indy
early this year and did so Sunday in Nashville. The Titans showed
that if you can stop the offense, even just a little, you can beat
them. This team has lost 2 of 3 and are far from dominating right
now. |
4.
 Chicago
Bears(10-2) |
- |
Sure they won and sure they clinched
the NFC North. The thing to remember is that it is the NFC North. QB
Rex Grossman will have to win a game for them sooner or later, but
right now it seems he may not be able to do it. 18 turnovers in his
past 7 games have fans calling for Brian Griese. |
5.
 Dallas
Cowboys(8-4) |
1 |
They went on the road and avenged and
early season loss to the Giants. Now they get 3 of their next 4
games at home and their stock is rising. They could be the best team
in the NFC right now and could jump over the Bears with a solid win
at home against the Saints this week. |
6. Baltimore
Ravens(9-3) |
3 |
If not for a late garbage TD the
Ravens would have been shut out by the Bengals. So much for the
offensive genius Brian Billick. The Ravens now must go to Kansas
City and play a Chiefs team that is fighting for it's playoff life.
What once looked like a lock for the AFC North title looks anything
but like that now. |
7.
 New
Orleans Saints(8-4) |
- |
The Saints have bounced back nicely
the past 2 weeks and have taken care of inferior opponents. They
will be more then tested this week when they head to Dallas to take
on the Cowboys. There's no doubt that Sean Payton has something to
show Bill Parcells, maybe it will be how to beat the Cowboys. |
8. Seattle
Seahawks(8-4) |
1 |
This team was in a fight for the NFC
West and one point, but has surged and now is 2 games clear of any
other team in the west. Their victory in Denver was big and coupled
with the return of healthy stars Matt Hasselbeck and Sean Alexander
this team could be poised to make a move. |
9.
 Cincinnati
Bengals(7-5) |
2 |
Talking about teams poised to make a
move. The Bengals have reeled off 3 wins in a row and are positioned
to fight for the AFC North title. With the hapless Raiders coming to
town the Bengals are looking for 4 in a row and take a step closer
to locking down a playoff spot. |
10. Jacksonville
Jaguars(7-5) |
3 |
The yo-yo team is back! They went on
the road and beat a Dolphins team that had won 4 games in a row and
that had playoff thoughts of it's own. The Jaguars will now be
hosting the colts and could hand them their 3rd loss in 4 games.
It's time the Jaguars got the monkey off their back and they will
need to if they want to be in the playoffs this year. |
11. Denver
Broncos(7-5) |
1 |
Mark us down as being less then
impressed with rookie QB Jay Cutler. Granted it was his first start,
but he looked down right bad. If he gives them the best chance to
win, maybe Mike Shanahan needs to get his head examined. The move
may cost the Broncos the playoffs in 2006. |
12.
 New
York Jets(7-5) |
3 |
This team just keeps getting better.
You knew it was only a matter of time before the defense caught up
and it looks like they have. Winning in Lambeau isn't as tough as it
once was, but hanging 38 on the Packers at home is still impressive.
They get the Bills this week at home in a must win game. |
13. Kansas
City Chiefs(7-5) |
5 |
They scored 28 points, which should
have been enough to win, but the Browns scored 31. The defense may
have been exposed, one thing is for sure they had literally no pass
rush. Surprising when you think about their two ends, Tamba Hali and
Jared Allen. combined the duo entered the game with 11.5 sacks. They
have their hands full with the Ravens this week, but they are at
home and that is a huge advantage. |
14.
 New York
Giants(6-6) |
- |
A season on the brink has turned into
a season full of stink. This team has underachieved and is riding a
4 game losing streak. They have to go into Carolina this week to
face another struggling, desperate team in the Panthers. They can
still make the playoffs, the NFC is that bad. |
15.
 Atlanta
Falcons(6-6) |
6 |
They have gotten a lot of flack as of
late and no one has gotten more then QB Michael Vick. Sunday in
Washington he led the Falcons to a 24-14 win and kept the Falcons
playoff hopes alive. A trip to Tampa Bay could put them on the right
side of .500 once again. |
16. Philadelphia
Eagles(6-6) |
6 |
Once Donovan McNabb went down we
thought they may lose the rest of their games. Kudos to QB Jeff
Garcia for the gutsy performance he put in Monday night in leading
the Eagles to a come from behind win. They now must go on the road
and play NFC East opponents 3 straight weeks. Not a good recipe for
a team in the playoff hunt still. |
17. Carolina
Panthers(6-6) |
5 |
This team has blown a 4th quarter
lead 5 times. Their inability to close out games and QB Jake
Delhomme's penchant for making bad plays is killing them. They are
still in the hunt for the playoffs, but their window is closing
fast. |
18. Miami
Dolphins(5-7) |
2 |
The loss to the Jaguars at home was
deflating, but does not mean their season is over. They are still
alive, even if they have to win every game that is left on their
schedule. The Patriots will provide a tough test, but the Dolphins
are not about to lay down. Not yet. |
19. Tennessee
Titans(5-7) |
4 |
Jeff Fisher is primed for an
extension and he deserves it. The Titans are 5-2 with rookie QB
Vince young as a starter and they get the Texans next. Things are
looking really good for next year and this team could be a playoff
contender in 2007. |
20. Pittsburgh
Steelers(5-7) |
5 |
They got off the canvas by shutting
down a terrible Buccaneers team. They will have to come back after
just 4 days to host the upstart Browns. They are not the same team
as they were in 2005, but they are still tough at home. |
21.
 Buffalo
Bills(5-7) |
4 |
They were game, but lost none the
less. They still haven't beaten a really good team and until they do
won't be considered anything more then just average. |
22. Cleveland Browns(4-8) |
6 |
They are 3-3 after a 1-5 start to the
year. The three wins were against possible playoff teams, the Jets,
Falcons and Chiefs. The team could have given up after getting
behind by 14, but fought back and won. Like the Titans the Browns
have a bright future. |
23.
 St.
Louis Rams(5-7) |
3 |
The Rams saw their playoff hopes dim
by losing to the Cardinals Sunday. The loss was bad enough, but to
lose at home against a team with 2 wins is terrible. The Bears are
coming to town Monday and their playoff hopes may be leaving when
the Bears do. |
24.
 San
Francisco 49ers(5-7) |
6 |
They were just over matched by a very
good Saints team Sunday. The Niners are another year or two a way,
but they are a team primed for years to come. |
25.
 Minnesota
Vikings(5-7) |
6 |
They are getting absolutely nothing
from their QB Brad Johnson and now it appears he may be benched for
the remainder of the year. The defense is still very good, but you
need to play better on offense and special teams to be considered
good. |
26.
 Houston
Texans(4-8) |
1 |
A road win is a road win, even if it
is against the Raiders. Their offense was only able to muster 124
total yards, but still won by 9 points! They are still several years
a way, but are moving in the right direction. |
27.  Washington
Redskins(4-8) |
3 |
The Skins are done, but Joe Gibbs
insists he will stick around until the team improves. If they keep
playing like this he may not have the luxury of choosing his own
fate. |
28.
 Green
Bay Packers(4-8) |
2 |
Their last 2 home games have resulted
in 2 losses and the team being out scored 73-10. QB Brett Favre is
questioning his future again and could do us all a favor by shutting
up and retiring in the off-season. |
29. Arizona
Cardinals(3-9) |
1 |
A nice road win shows that this team
has not quit on head coach Dennis Green. The fact that QB Matt
Leinart is rookie may save Green's job, but not likely. |
30.
 Oakland
Raiders(2-10) |
1 |
The defense is getting un-noticed due
to a poor offense, but they are good. It may be something they can
build on next year, but they are far from being good. |
31. Detroit
Lions(2-10) |
1 |
They lost and moved up! They played
very tough on the road against a very good Patriots team. The future
is far from bright in Detroit and some think that head coach Rod
Marinelli is one and done. |
32.
 Tampa
Bay Buccaneers(3-9) |
1 |
Another sub-par road performance
shows just how bad this team has become. They have talent, but not
enough of it and no depth. The defense is old and the offense is
young. The Falcons are coming to town and they historically play
them well. |
