Week Seven NFL Power Rankings
Updated October 17, 2012
Administrator Note: The power rankings were especially hard at the top this week. I try not to be a prisoner of the moment on this website, but I can certainly be accused of doing so with some of my rankings. However, I also pride myself on not blindly looking at records and ranking teams that way. I think that is a poor way to judge teams and I am not doing it. If you want that type of lazy, thoughtless, typical analysis head to another place. So go ahead, attack these rankings and hit me up on Twitter (@BackyardBanters) or the contact form on the homepage with thoughts.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
The Jags stay at 32 as they had a bye week. Not much to say about this team, but lets hope the offense got more creative over the bye, or at least you know, good.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
This team has not had a lead at any point this ENTIRE NFL season. You have to be really bad to do that. With that stat, and the fact we are debating between Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn at quarterback I can easily make an argument the Chiefs are one of the two worst teams in the league. Also, how can you possibly be discussing an extension with your GM during a season like this? Kansas City cannot show that this is acceptable.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
I have a friend who is constantly hounding me about the Browns. I hope he is happy now that this is the highest ranking the Browns have held all year! In all seriousness I am glad that the Browns got their first win and that some their young talent is showing up for them. The Browns look to be headed to another turnover under their new owner, but that is probably a good thing. The current setup of the Browns was not really working (namely Mike Holmgren’s mysterious role with the team). There are simply too many voices between Holmgren, Heckert, and Pat Shurmur. I think one last change will do this team good.
29. Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Carolina was on a bye this week so not much to say about them. However, the panic button seems to be getting slammed in the Panthers organization. Cam and the Panthers need to turn it around or the wheels could fall off here, and fast.
28. Oakland Raiders (1-4)
The Raiders are probably taking an unfair drop after they played the undefeated Falcons tough all day. However, they still found a way to lose in the end, and that’s just what bad teams do. I found that their defense was a nice surprise in week 6, but lets see that consistently for a few weeks. Also, Carson Palmer has strung together two nice games (other than the game blowing pick six) in a row. They need that to continue.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
I am not putting much stock into that win. Beating a bad Chiefs team led by Brady Quinn really does not carry much weight in my book. They have only beat two teams in my bottom five so I am not a believer yet. How about Aqib Talib though? Any guess to whom the Thug4life award winner is this week?
26. Tennessee Titans (2-4)
I know that they beat the Steelers. A few reasons I am not putting much stock into that. It was a Thursday night game, and we all know that those have been pretty fluky so far this season. Also, the Steelers clearly are not a great team this year. Lastly, they were at home so you cannot discount all of that.
I have not gotten the memory of those stinkers the Titans put up against better teams out of my head.
25. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
I was probably a prisoner of the moment last week by moving the Colts a little too high. They are certainly better than last year, but still not a good team. I figured they would lose this game as they were likely emotionally drained after such a highly emotional win over the Packers the week before. It did not help that Andrew Luck played a down right bad game. He was fooled like he probably has not been for a long time in his football career by much of what Rex Ryan did on defense.
24. New York Jets (3-3)
I still do not think the Jets are very good. I am not buying that Shonn Greene will run that well again and therefore leaving Mark Sanchez to win a game in which he passes for only 82 yards. The Jets managed to get back to ground and pound this week and playing some elite defense against the Colts. I doubt it lasts however.
23. New Orleans Saints (1-4)
The Saints had a bye this week. Their next game will be the last of the Aaron Kromer era. I think the return of Joe Vitt will help this team; just not sure how much really.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
Two weeks, two losses to teams that they should have beaten. Being the team that gives the Browns their first win of the season is not really a trophy you want in your case. Cincinnati continues to confirm my suspicions about them. They were clearly overrated by the mass media, going to show that despite the whole “you can’t blame them for whom they beat or who is on their schedule they have a winning record” nonsense is a rather silly and lazy philosophy to have. It matters.
21. Buffalo Bills (3-3)
I am not really putting much stock into the fact that they beat the Cardinals. With their advantage of defensive line versus offensive line they should have come away with a victory based solely on that. Mario Williams collected his first multi-sac came as a Bill here. Not surprising considering who he was facing. As a $100 million dollar man this performance should be a given. Now it is time to show up against better competition.
20. St. Louis Rams (3-3)
St. Louis, when you look at the numbers, actually dominated the game on Sunday; every number except the score. The keys were their inability to close drives and their storied rookie kicker missing some crucial kicks that he has not been for the majority of the season. The Rams will win those types of games with more experience.
19. Detroit Lions (2-3)
Detroit had what could be considered a “launching” type of win on Sunday. I still do not think they are that good, but that win could start a revival. A friend of mine asked me why the Lions are not play as well as last season. I responded: their secondary stinks hard and their much hyped d line is underperforming. They also cannot muster much of a consistent running game. I think they are regressing from last year because Stafford and CJ are not playing to their super standards of last year. That clearly is the catalyst for this team. Essentially they are not a good enough team to counteract those two not playing at an elite level.
18. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The Cowboys absolutely lack mental toughness. I think that comes back to some poor coaching. The questions are coming down hard on Jason Garrett, and rightfully so. ESPN’s Dan Graziano tells us we should be viewing the Cowboys as a rebuilding team rather than a failing contender (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/44344/youre-looking-at-the-cowboys-all-wrong). I think he has some very valid points, but the problem is that the football world always views them as a contender for whatever reason. Oh wait, I do know the reason. It’s the Cowboys themselves; they treat themselves like contenders, especially the top guy. Jerry Jones said just yesterday this is a title contending level team. Way to go Jerry, keep leveling the expectations. Did you ever think maybe it would be a good idea to just say nothing for a change?
17. Miami Dolphins (3-3)
The Dolphins are so much better than I expected. The Dolphins fans should be totally pumped about Tannehill as he is light years ahead of what any of us could have expected from a mental standpoint. He is playing very smart football and his physical talent is evident. Joe Philbin deserves a ton of credit for the job he has done with this kid, and the entire team. Despite questions about him he is looking like a knockout hire. The Dolphins have finally found their replacement for Marino. It only took a decade and a half too!
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
The Eagles ship looks like it is sinking. Juan Castillo was finally fired from the job that he was never qualified for to begin with. Of course, it is the offense that is actually struggling so this was probably a change just for changes sake. Many are speculating that the next move could be a benching of Michael Vick. If it happens do not expect it to be permanent. Andy Reid needs to save his job, and he probably will not be doing that with Nick Foles. A Vick benching would be more along the lines of a move to “shake him up”. Reid doesn’t care about the future because he needs to win today. The Castillo moved showed that.
15. San Diego Chargers (3-3)
I said that the Monday night game would tell us a lot about both teams. Well here is what it showed me about San Diego. They were indeed overrated, Phillip Rivers is no longer an elite quarterback, and I was right about Norv Turner. They have the looks of an 8-8 team at this point. You can tell these guys need to be shaken up and a leadership change would most likely do that. Norv is one of the best offensive minds of the modern football era, but he even seems to be out thinking himself in that department.
14. Washington Redskins (3-3)
RG3 has put this team light years ahead of where they were last year. I will say that I do not believe they will be a playoff team this year, mostly because the NFC is too good. However, he is the real stinkin deal. The Shanahan team has given him a perfect amount to work with from a playbook standpoint in his rookie year, and are letting him use his athleticism when need be. The key will be to make sure he grows in the offense and does not get too comfortable because defenses will catch up to what they are doing now (see Newton, Cam and Panthers, Carolina 2012 offense).
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
That is a bad loss to the Titans on Thursday night, and I am seriously rethinking the Steelers as a playoff team. The Steelers were so beat up as they had Woodley and Polomalu out and then lost three linemen during the game, including their two best. However, injuries are a part of the game and the Steelers no longer seem to be a good enough team to win unless Ben Roethlisberger has a near flawless game. He threw an uncharacteristic interception when the Steelers were marching. This defense is, in fact, old and slow now. If Ben cannot save the day consistently, this team may miss the playoffs.
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
The Vikings lost but I am not going to drop them too far. I do not think their extremely high level of play was sustainable, but I still think they can be a good team. I see them falling from this spot in the future though. What baffles is how they defended Robert Griffin on Sunday. Leslie Frazier was doing an outstanding job with this team, but he looked totally fooled for some reason by Washington. How could you possibly let him score on a 76-yard run?
11. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
Another bad loss for the Arizona Cardinals and I fully expect them to start sinking. Their offensive line is just horrible and Kevin Kolb was beaten up so badly these past three games (sacked a whopping 22 times) that he is now out because his ribs are removed from his sternum. Yikes. The injury bug has not been kind to these guys and what was looking like a special season for this team now looks like it was a mirage.
10. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)*
Seattle is impossible to play at home. With the best defense in the league (yes you heard me right) behind that crowd noise they just destroy an offenses rhythm and focus. The trouble is that they just are not as good when they travel. I would love to see them beat a good team on the road, but I am just not sure they can do that. An encouraging sign was that Russell Wilson had his first great game of the season. Let me just say I am pumped to watch the game Thursday night against the Niners.
9. Denver Broncos (3-3)
PEYTON IS A GOD! Seriously this man is just incredible and you have to give him a standing ovation for how he is playing after missing a whole year with a neck injury. He didn’t tear and ACL, he didn’t pop a shoulder, or tweak his hammy (not downplaying any of those injuries mind you), no this dude had FOUR procedures on his neck. Some people never return to work after something like that. Peyton is merely adding points to his legacy and I couldn’t be any happier for him. If they can just manage to play like they did in the second half in the first, than they could run away with a weak AFC.
8. New England Patriots (3-3)
Read my ranking for the Seahawks and you will see why I am not dropping the Patriots much. Playing at Seattle is really almost unfair for offense. There was no way that they were going to able to run that offensive juggernaut in hurry up mode properly there. I would certainly have bet Seattle would win that game based on location alone. I expect a huge rebound by the Patriots agaisnt the rival Jets. Look out.
7. Green Bay Packers (3-3)*
The Packers circa 2011 finally came out of hiding. Aaron Rodgers looked like a machine all night and even delivered a silencing “Shhhh” to his critics after the game. I hope they do not get too wrapped up in one win, but I am beginning to think we will see the Packers take off here soon. They are just way too talented to be a 3-3 team, and they showed it on Sunday night.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
The Ravens are 5-1, won their game, but they dropped anyways. The reason is they lost Lardarrius Webb and Ray Lewis are both on IR now (I doubt Lewis comes back even though he is designated to return). This team will be hard pressed to overcome such tough losses. Lewis isn’t close to the same player, but is an emotional leader. Webb may be the second best corner in football after Darrel Revis. There will be tough sledding ahead for the Ravens. This season is now squarely on Joe Flacco’s shoulders, and I cannot wait to see how he responds.
5. Chicago Bears (4-1)
This is bye week team I have a lot to say about. I have seen a few people make the case that Chicago is the best team in the NFC. This at first gave me pause, but it could well be true. they have not exactly beat a bunch of stud teams, and their loss to Green Bay stands out. However, Chicago has an offense with great balance and can threaten a defense at every level. It also encourages me that they have not just beat bad teams, but throttled them. I want to see Chicago play better competition to test this teaory, but call me interested.
4. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
This was a really bad loss for San Fran as the Giants essentially wrote the book on how to beat them. However, we all should have known this already; just get the game into Alex Smith’s hands. He is not an elite signal caller by any stretch of the imagination, and cannot carry this team. The problem is that this is easier said than done. Not many people can play a flawless game like the Giants did against what is one of the toughest and most disciplined teams we have seen in years. Like I said, super pumped for Thursday night.
3. Houston Texans (5-1)
Houston got absolutely thrashed by the Packers, but I am not overly concerned. I do not think many people could have successfully stopped the Packers machine on that day. Houston is showing some cracks in their armor, but this is still a talented team and can easily maintain their high ranking. That being said, more than ever I believe that the AFC is wide open.
2. Atlanta Falcons (6-0)
No the Falcons are not my number one team. BUT HOW????? THEY ARE UNDEFEATED!!!!!! Well frankly they just are not playing like the best team in football right at this moment. I believe that if the two teams I saw Sunday matched up against the other on a neutral field, the Giants would win the majority of those games. If you look back at all of their games, who have the Falcons really beat? Even many of their games were not complete games. I am going to wait and see before anointing this team, as they have not shown they can succeed in the biggest spots just yet. I am not sold.
1. New York Giants (4-2)
The Giants however, continue to show that they are capable of showing up when the pressure is tight on them. If we get the Giants team we have been seeing lately every weak, no question they are the best team in the NFL. The question is will we get that? I talked about the prison of the moment problem, and I very well could be suffering from that, but right now I think this is the most dangerous team in the league. This could change any week, hence why we do these things weekly, but right now I believe the Giants should be favored against any team in the league straight up, and I feel pretty strongly about it.
Administrator Note: The power rankings were especially hard at the top this week. I try not to be a prisoner of the moment on this website, but I can certainly be accused of doing so with some of my rankings. However, I also pride myself on not blindly looking at records and ranking teams that way. I think that is a poor way to judge teams and I am not doing it. If you want that type of lazy, thoughtless, typical analysis head to another place. So go ahead, attack these rankings and hit me up on Twitter (@BackyardBanters) or the contact form on the homepage with thoughts.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
The Jags stay at 32 as they had a bye week. Not much to say about this team, but lets hope the offense got more creative over the bye, or at least you know, good.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
This team has not had a lead at any point this ENTIRE NFL season. You have to be really bad to do that. With that stat, and the fact we are debating between Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn at quarterback I can easily make an argument the Chiefs are one of the two worst teams in the league. Also, how can you possibly be discussing an extension with your GM during a season like this? Kansas City cannot show that this is acceptable.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
I have a friend who is constantly hounding me about the Browns. I hope he is happy now that this is the highest ranking the Browns have held all year! In all seriousness I am glad that the Browns got their first win and that some their young talent is showing up for them. The Browns look to be headed to another turnover under their new owner, but that is probably a good thing. The current setup of the Browns was not really working (namely Mike Holmgren’s mysterious role with the team). There are simply too many voices between Holmgren, Heckert, and Pat Shurmur. I think one last change will do this team good.
29. Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Carolina was on a bye this week so not much to say about them. However, the panic button seems to be getting slammed in the Panthers organization. Cam and the Panthers need to turn it around or the wheels could fall off here, and fast.
28. Oakland Raiders (1-4)
The Raiders are probably taking an unfair drop after they played the undefeated Falcons tough all day. However, they still found a way to lose in the end, and that’s just what bad teams do. I found that their defense was a nice surprise in week 6, but lets see that consistently for a few weeks. Also, Carson Palmer has strung together two nice games (other than the game blowing pick six) in a row. They need that to continue.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
I am not putting much stock into that win. Beating a bad Chiefs team led by Brady Quinn really does not carry much weight in my book. They have only beat two teams in my bottom five so I am not a believer yet. How about Aqib Talib though? Any guess to whom the Thug4life award winner is this week?
26. Tennessee Titans (2-4)
I know that they beat the Steelers. A few reasons I am not putting much stock into that. It was a Thursday night game, and we all know that those have been pretty fluky so far this season. Also, the Steelers clearly are not a great team this year. Lastly, they were at home so you cannot discount all of that.
I have not gotten the memory of those stinkers the Titans put up against better teams out of my head.
25. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
I was probably a prisoner of the moment last week by moving the Colts a little too high. They are certainly better than last year, but still not a good team. I figured they would lose this game as they were likely emotionally drained after such a highly emotional win over the Packers the week before. It did not help that Andrew Luck played a down right bad game. He was fooled like he probably has not been for a long time in his football career by much of what Rex Ryan did on defense.
24. New York Jets (3-3)
I still do not think the Jets are very good. I am not buying that Shonn Greene will run that well again and therefore leaving Mark Sanchez to win a game in which he passes for only 82 yards. The Jets managed to get back to ground and pound this week and playing some elite defense against the Colts. I doubt it lasts however.
23. New Orleans Saints (1-4)
The Saints had a bye this week. Their next game will be the last of the Aaron Kromer era. I think the return of Joe Vitt will help this team; just not sure how much really.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
Two weeks, two losses to teams that they should have beaten. Being the team that gives the Browns their first win of the season is not really a trophy you want in your case. Cincinnati continues to confirm my suspicions about them. They were clearly overrated by the mass media, going to show that despite the whole “you can’t blame them for whom they beat or who is on their schedule they have a winning record” nonsense is a rather silly and lazy philosophy to have. It matters.
21. Buffalo Bills (3-3)
I am not really putting much stock into the fact that they beat the Cardinals. With their advantage of defensive line versus offensive line they should have come away with a victory based solely on that. Mario Williams collected his first multi-sac came as a Bill here. Not surprising considering who he was facing. As a $100 million dollar man this performance should be a given. Now it is time to show up against better competition.
20. St. Louis Rams (3-3)
St. Louis, when you look at the numbers, actually dominated the game on Sunday; every number except the score. The keys were their inability to close drives and their storied rookie kicker missing some crucial kicks that he has not been for the majority of the season. The Rams will win those types of games with more experience.
19. Detroit Lions (2-3)
Detroit had what could be considered a “launching” type of win on Sunday. I still do not think they are that good, but that win could start a revival. A friend of mine asked me why the Lions are not play as well as last season. I responded: their secondary stinks hard and their much hyped d line is underperforming. They also cannot muster much of a consistent running game. I think they are regressing from last year because Stafford and CJ are not playing to their super standards of last year. That clearly is the catalyst for this team. Essentially they are not a good enough team to counteract those two not playing at an elite level.
18. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The Cowboys absolutely lack mental toughness. I think that comes back to some poor coaching. The questions are coming down hard on Jason Garrett, and rightfully so. ESPN’s Dan Graziano tells us we should be viewing the Cowboys as a rebuilding team rather than a failing contender (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/44344/youre-looking-at-the-cowboys-all-wrong). I think he has some very valid points, but the problem is that the football world always views them as a contender for whatever reason. Oh wait, I do know the reason. It’s the Cowboys themselves; they treat themselves like contenders, especially the top guy. Jerry Jones said just yesterday this is a title contending level team. Way to go Jerry, keep leveling the expectations. Did you ever think maybe it would be a good idea to just say nothing for a change?
17. Miami Dolphins (3-3)
The Dolphins are so much better than I expected. The Dolphins fans should be totally pumped about Tannehill as he is light years ahead of what any of us could have expected from a mental standpoint. He is playing very smart football and his physical talent is evident. Joe Philbin deserves a ton of credit for the job he has done with this kid, and the entire team. Despite questions about him he is looking like a knockout hire. The Dolphins have finally found their replacement for Marino. It only took a decade and a half too!
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
The Eagles ship looks like it is sinking. Juan Castillo was finally fired from the job that he was never qualified for to begin with. Of course, it is the offense that is actually struggling so this was probably a change just for changes sake. Many are speculating that the next move could be a benching of Michael Vick. If it happens do not expect it to be permanent. Andy Reid needs to save his job, and he probably will not be doing that with Nick Foles. A Vick benching would be more along the lines of a move to “shake him up”. Reid doesn’t care about the future because he needs to win today. The Castillo moved showed that.
15. San Diego Chargers (3-3)
I said that the Monday night game would tell us a lot about both teams. Well here is what it showed me about San Diego. They were indeed overrated, Phillip Rivers is no longer an elite quarterback, and I was right about Norv Turner. They have the looks of an 8-8 team at this point. You can tell these guys need to be shaken up and a leadership change would most likely do that. Norv is one of the best offensive minds of the modern football era, but he even seems to be out thinking himself in that department.
14. Washington Redskins (3-3)
RG3 has put this team light years ahead of where they were last year. I will say that I do not believe they will be a playoff team this year, mostly because the NFC is too good. However, he is the real stinkin deal. The Shanahan team has given him a perfect amount to work with from a playbook standpoint in his rookie year, and are letting him use his athleticism when need be. The key will be to make sure he grows in the offense and does not get too comfortable because defenses will catch up to what they are doing now (see Newton, Cam and Panthers, Carolina 2012 offense).
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
That is a bad loss to the Titans on Thursday night, and I am seriously rethinking the Steelers as a playoff team. The Steelers were so beat up as they had Woodley and Polomalu out and then lost three linemen during the game, including their two best. However, injuries are a part of the game and the Steelers no longer seem to be a good enough team to win unless Ben Roethlisberger has a near flawless game. He threw an uncharacteristic interception when the Steelers were marching. This defense is, in fact, old and slow now. If Ben cannot save the day consistently, this team may miss the playoffs.
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
The Vikings lost but I am not going to drop them too far. I do not think their extremely high level of play was sustainable, but I still think they can be a good team. I see them falling from this spot in the future though. What baffles is how they defended Robert Griffin on Sunday. Leslie Frazier was doing an outstanding job with this team, but he looked totally fooled for some reason by Washington. How could you possibly let him score on a 76-yard run?
11. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
Another bad loss for the Arizona Cardinals and I fully expect them to start sinking. Their offensive line is just horrible and Kevin Kolb was beaten up so badly these past three games (sacked a whopping 22 times) that he is now out because his ribs are removed from his sternum. Yikes. The injury bug has not been kind to these guys and what was looking like a special season for this team now looks like it was a mirage.
10. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)*
Seattle is impossible to play at home. With the best defense in the league (yes you heard me right) behind that crowd noise they just destroy an offenses rhythm and focus. The trouble is that they just are not as good when they travel. I would love to see them beat a good team on the road, but I am just not sure they can do that. An encouraging sign was that Russell Wilson had his first great game of the season. Let me just say I am pumped to watch the game Thursday night against the Niners.
9. Denver Broncos (3-3)
PEYTON IS A GOD! Seriously this man is just incredible and you have to give him a standing ovation for how he is playing after missing a whole year with a neck injury. He didn’t tear and ACL, he didn’t pop a shoulder, or tweak his hammy (not downplaying any of those injuries mind you), no this dude had FOUR procedures on his neck. Some people never return to work after something like that. Peyton is merely adding points to his legacy and I couldn’t be any happier for him. If they can just manage to play like they did in the second half in the first, than they could run away with a weak AFC.
8. New England Patriots (3-3)
Read my ranking for the Seahawks and you will see why I am not dropping the Patriots much. Playing at Seattle is really almost unfair for offense. There was no way that they were going to able to run that offensive juggernaut in hurry up mode properly there. I would certainly have bet Seattle would win that game based on location alone. I expect a huge rebound by the Patriots agaisnt the rival Jets. Look out.
7. Green Bay Packers (3-3)*
The Packers circa 2011 finally came out of hiding. Aaron Rodgers looked like a machine all night and even delivered a silencing “Shhhh” to his critics after the game. I hope they do not get too wrapped up in one win, but I am beginning to think we will see the Packers take off here soon. They are just way too talented to be a 3-3 team, and they showed it on Sunday night.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
The Ravens are 5-1, won their game, but they dropped anyways. The reason is they lost Lardarrius Webb and Ray Lewis are both on IR now (I doubt Lewis comes back even though he is designated to return). This team will be hard pressed to overcome such tough losses. Lewis isn’t close to the same player, but is an emotional leader. Webb may be the second best corner in football after Darrel Revis. There will be tough sledding ahead for the Ravens. This season is now squarely on Joe Flacco’s shoulders, and I cannot wait to see how he responds.
5. Chicago Bears (4-1)
This is bye week team I have a lot to say about. I have seen a few people make the case that Chicago is the best team in the NFC. This at first gave me pause, but it could well be true. they have not exactly beat a bunch of stud teams, and their loss to Green Bay stands out. However, Chicago has an offense with great balance and can threaten a defense at every level. It also encourages me that they have not just beat bad teams, but throttled them. I want to see Chicago play better competition to test this teaory, but call me interested.
4. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
This was a really bad loss for San Fran as the Giants essentially wrote the book on how to beat them. However, we all should have known this already; just get the game into Alex Smith’s hands. He is not an elite signal caller by any stretch of the imagination, and cannot carry this team. The problem is that this is easier said than done. Not many people can play a flawless game like the Giants did against what is one of the toughest and most disciplined teams we have seen in years. Like I said, super pumped for Thursday night.
3. Houston Texans (5-1)
Houston got absolutely thrashed by the Packers, but I am not overly concerned. I do not think many people could have successfully stopped the Packers machine on that day. Houston is showing some cracks in their armor, but this is still a talented team and can easily maintain their high ranking. That being said, more than ever I believe that the AFC is wide open.
2. Atlanta Falcons (6-0)
No the Falcons are not my number one team. BUT HOW????? THEY ARE UNDEFEATED!!!!!! Well frankly they just are not playing like the best team in football right at this moment. I believe that if the two teams I saw Sunday matched up against the other on a neutral field, the Giants would win the majority of those games. If you look back at all of their games, who have the Falcons really beat? Even many of their games were not complete games. I am going to wait and see before anointing this team, as they have not shown they can succeed in the biggest spots just yet. I am not sold.
1. New York Giants (4-2)
The Giants however, continue to show that they are capable of showing up when the pressure is tight on them. If we get the Giants team we have been seeing lately every weak, no question they are the best team in the NFL. The question is will we get that? I talked about the prison of the moment problem, and I very well could be suffering from that, but right now I think this is the most dangerous team in the league. This could change any week, hence why we do these things weekly, but right now I believe the Giants should be favored against any team in the league straight up, and I feel pretty strongly about it.
