1. Green Bay Packers (7-0)
The Packers, with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, look simply unbeatable. It isn’t that the odd score line hasn’t been close – the Vikings only lost by 6 this weekend with Christian Ponder under centre – and it isn’t that teams can’t score against the men in Green & Gold, it’s simply the fact that no one seems to be able to score as much.
And quite frankly, it’s almost entirely down to the Hall of Fame standard to which Rodgers – now a bona fide super star following his Super Bowl MVP performance against the Steelers – has elevated his game. Through 7 games, Rodgers has thrown for 20 touchdowns and been picked off just 3 times. Those are the kind of stats for which the Green Bay faithful have been praying for years. Not even Brett Favre was able to offer the Cheeseheads such confidence and control over the ball.
2 (3). Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
With an absolutely thumping win over the patriots this week, the Steelers have reasserted themselves as top-dogs in the AFC. After a slow start and a loss to the Ravens that looked to have dented their division chances, the Steelers have rolled steadily to 6-2 and the best record in the AFC.
Don’t look now but the top spots are occupied by last year’s Superbowl contenders. Rematch? Never say never…
3 (2). New England Patriots (5-2)
New England have been good money for the number 2 spot since the season began, with only that highly entertaining loss to the Bills blemishing their record. Until, that is, they ran head-first into the steel curtain.
Brady looked bamboozled by the Steelers hard-press man-to-man secondary, which was able to shut down the Pats Prolific Passing machine. A special shout out should go to Ike Taylor, whose vicious shut-down of NFL leading receiver Wes Welker, was probably the turning point of the game. With no slot to Wes, Brady was stifled and unable to hit the big play. Let this be a lesson to other teams – the Patriots can be soundly beaten. But will it happen again before a game of significance? Not too many times, I’m sure.
4 (6). San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
So far, the 49ers are the surprise package of the 2011 season. Alex Smith has finally elevated his game and is looking after the football like the seasoned pro he should be by now. It is nice to see him giving the 49ers faithful a return on their lengthy investment – remember, Smith was the Number One overall pick from the same Draft Class as Aaron Rodgers and, if my memory serves, the guy in green and gold has done a hell of a lot more for his team than Smith.
But with an NFC-second record and a near lock for the NFC West division, the 49ers have a lot to shout about. It’s really not about if they can make it to the playoffs now, but as what seed. Number 2 looks good but they will be tested down the stretch. Look to the Week 10 clash with the Giants for a good finger-hold on 2nd seed and then to Weeks 12 and 15 at Baltimore and Pittsburgh to test this teams mettle and readiness for the onslaught of the unfamiliar playoffs. The 49ers will not lose more than 3 games this year and that makes them very, very dangerous.
Interestingly, the 49ers are the only team undefeated in the Super Bowl. Can Smith and co make it 6 out of 6? Watch this space…
5 (4). Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
After nearly losing to the hapless, one-win Cardinals of Arizona, Joe Flacco and his buddies are lucky to be on this list at all. But win they did and by doing so, kept the pressure on the Steelers.
In fairness to the Cards, they are not a bad side, and have been on the short end of some hellishly close contests this year. 20 points spread over the last 7 games and we could be looking at a division leader, but that’s football.
And although the Cardinals are not the Super Bowl contenders they were a couple of seasons ago, they forced the ravens to take a serious look in the mirror at half time and decide what reflection they wanted the world to see in the second half: that of a spineless, hype-team, or that of a gritty, never-say-die, not-embarassed-to-eke-out-the-victories-that-should-have-been-easy-but-for-some-inexplicable-reason-have-become-tricky team that is ready to fight tooth and nail for its record and chances of appearing in the postseason in as high a seeded position as is possible.
They chose the latter and are 5th in my rankings as a result.
6 (5). New Orleans Saints (5-3)
Were it not for the undeniable talent of Brees and his offense, this team would have fallen off the charts after having their pride rammed well and truly up their team’s collective backside.
After humiliating the Colts in a 62-7 rout, losing to the winless Rams – and not even in acceptable circumstances – is disgusting. Sean Payton must be sick, and so he should be. Victories don’t come cheap in this league and that was a penny-mix win to throw away.
Can the Saints bounce back? Of course! They just fell asleep for the most embarrassing hour of the week, but they are still playoff calibre. Any more losses like that, though and they will be exiting the top ten fast than Tim Tebow will be the hearts of the Denver faithful…
7. Detroit Lions (6-2)
Conventional wisdom would suggest a 6-2 team be higher than 7th, especially when 2 5 win teams stand above them in the rankings, but if this was simply a records list there’d be no point in reading, right?
The Lions bounced back this after hitting a two-game skid, which was long overdue for a team that amassed a 5-0 record through guts, fortune and a degree of rough talent.
This team is a great example of a youth set-up that might – that could – go on to dominate the league for years if – and this is an enormous if – the unit were to stay together and avoid injury to their star players, which is a problem when one of your star players is called Matthew Stafford.
Stafford has been a game-changer this year, but the team’s performance and record hangs on the skittish cohesion of a team over-bubbling with just enough enthusiasm to fill-in the obvious maturational deficiencies that plague the Lions.
They are getting there at the moment, but the wheels could oh so easily fall off. Let’s see for how long they cling to the 7th spot. If I was a Lions fan right now, I would stick and be glad of it…
8. Houston Texans (5-3)
The Texans keep on rolling and have done well to battle their way to their best ever 8 game record. They have looked shaky at times, but are one of the few teams at 5-3 to have earned their big wins against big teams. That will count for a lot in the tiebreak standings and with only the Titans to worry about in terms of divisional rivals, the road is paved with gold for Gary Kubiak’s Texans. They have some real gimmees coming up with Cleveland and Carolina as well as their two more pathetic division rivals so they should romp their way to a very respectable record – in fact, they may not lose another game this year with their toughest opponent on the cards being Cincinnati. They will beat the Colts again, and likely the Jaguars too and if they can down the Titans in Week 17 the division will surely be theirs.
9. New York Jets (4-3)
The Jets are fast sinking in my estimation. New England’s loss this week has kept them in the mix, but it’s looking harder and harder to get in to the playoffs because of Baltimore, Cincinnati and Buffalo all posting better records and projecting more confidence this far in to the season. I rank them above the Bills solely on the fact they have a head-to-head yet to play that is all that separates them right now. Win that and the Jets will be back in the driving seat. Will they make the playoffs? 6th seed is attainable if they get a little help from the Bengals.
10. New York Giants (5-2)
Here’s a team that has surprised me. I looked at the Giants pre-season and couldn’t see anything to get excited about. I predicted a wilderness year and an anonymous slump to a mid-table record. What I failed to pick-up on, amidst all the hype surrounding the Eagles’ newly strengthened offense and their assertion that the Super Bowl, never mind the NFC East, was their goal, was that the Giants had managed to remain relatively stable in the off-season and the backlash to Eli Manning’s persistent whining that he wasn’t being given the props he deserved, has actually compelled the Super Bowl winning game-marshal to prove it.
Sure, the Eagles have woken up and the second half of the season figures to be a very different story, but right now Big Blue are 5-2 and top of the East. Playoffs? Looking good so far…
12 (13). Buffalo Bills (5-2)
I like the Bills, really I do. I want them to make the playoffs and they are still winning and winning well, which is really all they need to focus on. If I were in their position I would not dwell on the many late season collapses, inexperience of the team, lack of exposure to the pressures of the post season or being sandwiched between two perennial playoff contenders. I would just keep winning.
Close your eyes. Dive for the line. You’re halfway there, Buffalo, don’t stop now.
12. (23). Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
The big jumpers of the week! The Chiefs have won 4 straight and are suddenly in control of a division that they claimed last year. To rise 11 places may be a bit ‘bandwagon’, but they are now suddenly a powerful team. A loss would have seen them remain rooted to the bottom half of the table, but this puts them in charge of their own destiny and that, my friends, is power.
13 (11). Oakland Raiders (4-3)
The Chiefs ascension has aided the Raiders hold a relatively unchanged position. Despite being shut-out and leapfrogged in the AFC West, over the past fortnight as their new Quarterback, Carson Palmer, struggled to get back up to speed with the game of pro football after a considerable lay off. The BYE week will help the Raiders regroup and gain confidence in their new signal caller before they engage in a three-way tussle for supremacy. As the raiders push for the West look to them for fireworks.
14 (12). San Diego Chargers (4-3)
Were it not for the useless Broncos, the Chargers would find themselves at the bottom of a confusing barrel. The AFC West doesn’t appear to hold any legitimate threats to the throne, with the 3 top teams a game above .500, and yet there is something in this group that other, more seasoned competitors, lack.
There is fire. There is zip. There is reckless confidence belied by an average record, but buoyed by a ceaseless swagger.
The Chargers should win this division with their eyes closed. With Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates hauling in high-balls from the amazing – although so far this season, slumping – Phillip Rivers, there should never be a doubt to their credentials.
But as we saw last year, losing doesn’t take any practice. It just kind of happens when you take your eye off the ball. Will they regain their composure, win the division and finally realise their potential with the Super Bowl their loyal fans so very dearly deserve? Well, it’s all to play for from here on in, but I’m not sure they’ve got their heads straight enough to take on the Raiders/Chiefs maelstrom.
15 (17). Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
I guess I should explain my placing a 5-2 team at 15th below 3 underperforming sides, right? Well here’s the juice: while the Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers are yet to reach their potential, and the Bengals are already exceeding my season expectations, I am wont to think their bubble might burst. Furthermore 5-2 in the AFC North is not 5-2 in the NFC West. Both the Ravens and Steelers sit above the Bengals in the standings and elsewhere the Bills posses the same record (although have lost a head-to-head with the Bengals) as do the Patriots and not to mention the Jets’ chances of going on a run any time soon…things are not all rosy at 5-2. Unless they maintain this unrealistic level of play they are doomed, and even if they do, it might not be enough.
16 (14). Chicago Bears (4-3)
Despite owing a winning record, the Bears feature so low down the list because they play in a top division that boasts not only the 6-2 Lions but the undefeated Packers. Additionally, the performances of Tampa Bay (4-3), the Saints (5-3) and the Falcons (4-3), all vying for the second Wild card Spot have given Bears fans used to success, something of a headache.
The Bears may struggle down the stretch with another couple of tough divisional games to go, as well as a bi-annual match-up with the resurgent Vikings, who look more capable of competing with rookie Christian Ponder at the helm.
17 (19). Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
Just outside the top half, but steadily climbing spots, the Philadelphia Eagles are starting to look more like the team that many anointed Super Bowl champs before the season began.
The words of all-pro corner back and off-season acquisition, Nnamdi Asomugha summed up the mood well: “That was more like it.”
And more like it, it was. By thumping division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, they sent a loud and clear message to the rest of the NFC East: We’re comin’ to get ya!
The Giants, who barely edged past a winless Dolphins team can’t be relishing the prospect of playing a buzzing Eagles team and the nose-diving Redskins are probably at home, ironing their white flag as we speak.
18 (15). Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
The Falcons have been really uninspiring this year, but having made it to 7 games with a winning record and finding themselves still well in the NFC South they can’t be too disappointed with the result given their lacklustre play.
The BYE for them this week came at the right time. If they return to a win they will have a healthy 5-3 under their belts and be tied with the Saints’ record after Week 8.
They are very much contenders, but missing that spark that hopefully a week of rest and personal reassessment will be able to muster. Good luck to Matty Ryan and co, they are going to need it, I think!
19 (16). Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)
Another team with a lot to do and not much done, despite being a touch above .500 this deep in to the season. The Buccaneers have shown flashes of brilliance and moments of woeful immaturity. It is to be expected, but big things were expected from a unit that finished respectably last year and only narrowly missed-out on a surprise spot in the postseason.
Can Josh Freeman handle the pressure down the straight with so much on the line? The Bucs, although not favourites to win the South, are no longer dark horses and have teams have their number.
It could be the making of this team, should they achieve the unlikely. But should they fall short this year, heart should be taken from what we’ve seen so far from this young, up-and-coming franchise.
20 (18). Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
Sometimes I hate sports journalism. Not very often; only when talking about how the Cowboys slipped up again. I am not, nor have ever been, a Dallas fan. I barely have sympathy with ‘America’s Team’. I only care for their fans.
Aside from the Chargers there is no more talented roster in the NFL to have not won a championship over the past 5 seasons.
Green bay were stacked and did what many thought they could. Pittsburgh are unwavering powerhouses and never disappoint. The Colts and the Saints had a title coming their way. But the Chargers and the Cowboys are the most hated franchises in the world of the football Gods.
And the rest…
The bottom of the table enjoyed a bit of a reshuffle this week with the big movers the Minnesota Vikings (up 6 places to 23 after Christian Ponder’s impressive showing) and the Washington Redskins (down 5 to 27). Of the bottom 12 only the Titans have any legitimate chance of making the playoffs and it is a chance rooted in mathematical possibility only. The Texans have an easy roll in to the post season, now, and it would take a gargantuan slip on their part and a Herculean effort on the titans’ to change the outcome of the AFC South.
21. Tennessee Titans (4-3)
22 (20). Cleveland Browns (3-4)
23 (29). Minnesota Vikings (2-6)
24 (31). St Louis Rams (1-6)
25 (24). Carolina Panthers (2-6)
26 (25). Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
27 (22). Washington Redskin (3-4)
28 (27). Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
29 (26). Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
30. Miami Dolphins (0-7)
31 (28). Denver Broncos (2-5)
32 . Indianapolis Colts (0-8)
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
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