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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
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    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
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  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
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  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
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    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
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  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
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    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
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    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
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  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
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    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
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2013 Week Three NFL Power Rankings

By: Matt Harmon

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)
  • Another putrid outing from the Jaguars cements their status as the worst team in the league. Scoring three points, at home, against a division rival is inexcusable. 

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)
  • Mike Glennon did not make the Bucs any better, what a shock. The Buccaneers have a great defense, but a terrible offense and a lunatic coaching staff is going to keep them in the cellar all year. 

30. St. Louis Rams (1-3)
  • The Rams take a huge plunge, and they earned it both for their poor play and for betraying my high hopes for them. Their defense is bad, and they seem to have no idea how to use their weapons on offense, but their biggest problem is behind center. Sam Bradford had a decent rookie season and for some reason, because of that, he has gotten a pass for being mediocre since. Well, he looks to have regressed to just plain bad now. The Rams need to be thinking about replacing him in the offseason, not extending him. 

29. New York Giants (0-4)
  • The Giants have scored a measly seven points in the last two weeks. The Giants really need to get David Wilson going, and I am not just saying that because I own him in two fantasy leagues. It is apparent how explosive he can be, and if they gave him more carries, they may have something other than just Victor Cruz to lean on offensively.  

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-4)
  • The Steelers showed that it might be time to stick a fork in them by losing to the Vikings in London. Their offense is so talent-depleted, and poorly coached, they need a perfect game from Ben Roethlisberger to win; they are not getting perfect from him. Now, their defense is showing major holes. This may be the end of an era in Pittsburgh. 

27. Oakland Raiders (1-3)
  • Well, we certainly see the difference in the Raiders when Matt Flynn plays. This offense was so boring it almost put me to sleep a few times while watching. Darren McFadden also was hurt in that game, but we should have al seen that coming. 

26. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
  • The Vikings showed what kind of team they could be if they get some mistake-free play from their quarterback. Of course, it would seem easy to say that they should bench Ponder for Cassel, and that may be the right move, but we have certainly seen that Cassel cannot be counted on to consistently play that way. 

25. Washington Redskins (1-3)
  • The Redskins got their first win, but as I detailed in the Raiders section, it was a rather unimpressive one. The good news for this team is that their worst football should be behind them. That defense certainly is not going to get any better, but as RGIII gets healthier, they should be able to run the ball better and have more success of play action/option plays. They can still win this bad division.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)
  • It was fun to think the Eagles were going to be a good team in the first year of the Chip Kelly era, but they find themselves about right where they began the season in my Power Rankings. Their defense is nowhere close to NFL level right now, and their offense is still just a hit or miss unit. 

23. Buffalo Bills (2-2)
  • The Bills have to feel good after upsetting the Ravens on Sunday. The Bills are another team that I feel is only going to get better throughout the season. E.J. Manuel will continue to get comfortable, and C.J. Spiller should certainly get better, and on defense, they will get good players like Jarius Byrd and Stephon Gilmore back. 

22. New York Jets (2-2)
  • The Jets are going to have to take some bad weeks from Geno Smith every once and awhile. For one, I have no doubts that he gives them the best chance to win, and can develop into a solid starter. Secondly, what would benching him accomplish? You are not a playoff contender this year, and having a full season of tape on Smith is more important than seeing Matt Simms take the field. 

21. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
  • The Cards won on Sunday, but if they were a good team they would have beaten the Bucs, and their rookie quarterback, much more soundly. Here is an under-the-radar storyline for you: rookie sixth round running back, Andre Ellington, is a better player than Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall looks like he has lost the little explosion he had left, and Ellington, a player who fell too far in the draft, is a guy who can break off big runs and contribute as a pass catcher. Let’s hope Bruce Arians does not stay loyal to Mendenhall just because of their Pittsburgh days. 

20. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
  • The Panthers were on a bye this week. I hope they studied the tape of their offense against the Giants and continue to play that way going forward. Coach Rivera has been painfully conservative since his hiring, but in Week Three he went for the throat and kept his foot on the gas, despite a big lead. That is how you win in the league. 

19. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
  • The Brows look like the team I thought they could be preseason; it is just win Brian Hoyer at quarterback instead of Brandon Weeden. Jordan Cameron is one of the stories of the season. Despite doing basically nothing his first few years in the league, he is now knocking on the door of top tight ends in the league. Rob Chudsinski and Norv Turner are truly the “tight end whispers”.

18. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
  • The Cowboys fall back a bit in the power rankings, and are actually back to their original spot. Dallas might be the best team in the terrible NFC Least division, but they have way to many holes to be a true contender. One thing that is not talked about enough is that thus far in his young career, Morris Claiborne has looked like a total bust. He might be a poor fit for this scheme, but that is why you do not overhaul your defense after trading a king’s ransom to draft a player in the top ten. 

17. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
  • The Falcons look to have taken a big step back from last season’s team. However, if there is light at the end of the tunnel its that Tony Gonzalez still looks like he has it, and Roddy White and Steven Jackson will be back eventually. Let’s just hope it will not be too late. 

16. San Diego Chargers (2-2)
  • The Chargers feel like an 8-8 team to me. I do not think they are good enough yet to consistently win games, especially when they are close. But this team is way better than I thought, and Phillip Rivers is putting them on his back. 

15. Tennessee Titans (3-1)
  • Even if this team is forced to have Ryan Fitzpatrick take over for a significant amount of time, the formula they are playing with is sustainable if he can play competently. The problem is Fitzpatrick is such a streaky player, you do not know what you’ll get from him any given Sunday. 

14. Houston Texans (2-2)
  • The Texans gave up a huge lead to the Seahawks at home, and if you’re going to be one of the best teams in your conference, that cannot happen. It looks like Schaub will remain an issue for the Texans.

13. Detroit Lions (3-1)
  • The Lions look like a good team all around, but they look like a flat out dangerous team when Reggie Bush is on the field. We will probably be gushing about Bush in this offense all season, provided he stays healthy.

12. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
  • The problem with the Ravens is that they are a team that needs to play to a certain script. If a team gets a lead on them they do not have the passing game personnel to play catch up. Another under discussed problem for them has been their offensive line. Despite only losing one starter from last year’s Super Bowl run, this unit has been flat out bad in protection and run blocking all season. 

11. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
  • The Bengals fall out of the top ten after losing to the division rival Browns. Like the Texans, I do not know if this team can be considered a real threat in the AFC with a mediocre, at best, starting quarterback. I feel like a broken record, but what else is there to say about this team?

10. Miami Dolphins (3-1)
  • Like I mentioned in the weekly review, I am not going to kill the Dolphins for that loss. What I will be killing is the performance of Mike Wallace. Once again, the overpaid receiver put up a clunker and for at least the better part of a half of the game he was matched up against Corey White. Wallace should completely torch a player like White; he managed three catches for 24 yards. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
  • Of course I still have questions about the Chiefs long term viability playing their safe style of offense, but it is very encouraging the two times they have played dreadful teams, the Jaguars and the Giants, they have completely blown them out. 

8. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
  • The Colts followed up their impressive Week Three win over the 49ers by obliterating the Jaguars. They are showing more each week that they may be ready to join the ranks of the elite teams in the NFL. 

7. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
  • The 49ers had something of a get-well game against the woeful Rams on Thursday night. Their passing game still leaves something to be desired, and I will be watching their game against Houston this week to see if we see signs of the 2012 Colin Kaepernick. 

6. Green Bay Packers (1-2)
  • Green Bay had a bye this week, and hopefully they got a few of their running backs to full strength during that time. There is still plenty of potential for this team to be one of the NFC’s best. 

5. Chicago Bears (3-1)
  • After I blustered all week about this Bears team being elite, they went and laid an egg against the Lions. I hope this was not a sign of things to come, but that defense looked overmatched, and that offense looked way too much like what we saw from the Bears in season’s past. 

4. New England Patriots (4-0)
  • The Patriots are 4-0 and their best football is probably ahead of them. The Patriots look every bit of the elite team we are used to them being, and if everything breaks right, they could be better than last year’s team. 

3. New Orleans Saints (4-0)
  • It is time to consider the Saints the second best team in the NFC. Everyone says that if Seattle gets the number one seed and has home field advantage in the playoffs, they can book their ticket to the Super Bowl. After watching the Saints on Monday night, I am beginning to think the same thing is true for them. 

2. Seattle Seahawks (4-0)
  • Seattle drops one spot despite an incredibly impressive and resilient comeback win in Houston. My only reasoning is that I think their passing offense has been out of sync all year, despite Russell Wilson’s heroics. Oh, and the team at number one just really deserves it. 

1.    Denver Broncos (4-0)
  • I finally caved and put the Broncos in the top spot, and frankly it is overdue. The Broncos are a legitimate powerhouse and a complete team. I will say it now, they have the potential to go 16-0 and be considered an all-time great team, if they continue playing like this.

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