The Bottom Half…
Despite a better record than the Cardinals, the Broncos do not deserve any credit for their 2 wins. Tebow’s performance against the Dolphins was good, but against a winless team it has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the Florida product and believe he will offer a solid return on the investment made in him by the Broncos, but right now the kid cannot deal with the speed and complexity of the NFL. He will get it, but don’t hold your breath…
The Bills drop outside the top half in spite of the fact they own a better record than 3 of the teams ranked above them and the same record as the number 4 ranked Ravens. Be mindful though of the Bills’ impending schedule and the sudden potency of a Jets team that is far better than their stumbling start suggests.
The Bengals too receive little respect for their 67% win record based simply on the fact they occupy the AFC North and do not figure to be threatening the Ravens or Steelers come Week 17.
The Bears are in the same boat: the NFC North boasts not only the undefeated Packers, but also the finally toothed Lions. The Bears have an outside shot at the second Wild Card but it will be difficult for them to snare given their intra-divisional showdowns with the Pack and Detroit are likely to go against them.
As for the rest only the Cowboys and Eagles deserve a mention: the Eagles are yet to take-off, but look to them to shoot up the rankings if the Giants slip in the coming weeks and they manage to find fifth, fourth, third or even second gear; the Cowboys are real contenders for a disappointing and unpredictable NFC East but they are their own worst enemy. Can they overcome the errors and inconsistencies? Maybe, but they too will need some help to make the postseason from Big Blue.
13. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
14. Chicago Bears (4-3)
15. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
18. Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
19. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
20. Cleveland Browns (3-3)
21. Tennessee Titans (3-3)
22. Washington Redskin (3-3)
23. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
24. Carolina Panthers (2-5)
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)
26. Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
27. Arizona Cardinals (1-5)
28. Denver Broncos (2-4)
29. Minnesota Vikings (1-6)
30. Miami Dolphins (0-6)
31. St Louis Rams (0-6)
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-7)
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Saturday, 29 October 2011
Friday, 28 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 11 & 12
11. Oakland Raiders (4-3)
The Raiders are sitting above the AFC West division leaders in my rankings for the simple reason that they are better than the Chargers and will come out on top by season’s end.
Confident words, I know, especially considering their Quarterback has gone down with a season-ending injury and they have plucked former USC and Bengals stand-out Carson Palmer from the sofa of retirement and plugged him into an offense that he understands about as well as Plaxico Burress understands the gun laws of New York State.
Palmer will come good, the Raiders will prosper and the Chargers will run out of power soon enough. Watch this space.
12. San Diego Chargers (4-2)
The Chargers occupy the final spot in my top twelve on the basis of pedigree and talent. Despite topping their division at this point in the season, their lofty position is by no means stable and I imagine they will sink faster that the Titanic when they hit the ice-cool juggernaut that is the Green Bay Packers, who they are scheduled to face in Week 9.
A Week 8 match-up against divisional come-back kids, the Chiefs now holds more significance than one might have thought possible after three weeks. Lose to the streaking Chiefs and the division will enter a three-way tie that the Chargers are favourites to fall out of first thanks to the looming showdown with the Pack.
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The Raiders are sitting above the AFC West division leaders in my rankings for the simple reason that they are better than the Chargers and will come out on top by season’s end.
Confident words, I know, especially considering their Quarterback has gone down with a season-ending injury and they have plucked former USC and Bengals stand-out Carson Palmer from the sofa of retirement and plugged him into an offense that he understands about as well as Plaxico Burress understands the gun laws of New York State.
Palmer will come good, the Raiders will prosper and the Chargers will run out of power soon enough. Watch this space.
12. San Diego Chargers (4-2)
The Chargers occupy the final spot in my top twelve on the basis of pedigree and talent. Despite topping their division at this point in the season, their lofty position is by no means stable and I imagine they will sink faster that the Titanic when they hit the ice-cool juggernaut that is the Green Bay Packers, who they are scheduled to face in Week 9.
A Week 8 match-up against divisional come-back kids, the Chiefs now holds more significance than one might have thought possible after three weeks. Lose to the streaking Chiefs and the division will enter a three-way tie that the Chargers are favourites to fall out of first thanks to the looming showdown with the Pack.
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Thursday, 27 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 9 & 10
9. New York Jets (4-3)
The Jets are better than their 4-3 record suggests. With only one team in the NFL undefeated, 3 losses isn’t as bad as it usually seems. They may be 2 games behind the Patriots, but they’ve had their BYE already and look fresher and more confident since the break. The Pats have got some really tough matches on the horizon and after 8 games the picture could look much better for the White and Green side of New York. Despite recent postseason success, the 4-3 record leads me to classify the jets as a dangerous sleeper…
…and a real nightmare for some.
10. New York Giants (4-2)
The Giants are a hard team to work out. They shouldn’t be winning, but they keep on getting the job done. Manning has been better than usual and has showed maturity and poise in the pocket. He is still an echelon below the Bradys, Rodgers and Brees of the league, but is quietly justifying his preseason complaint at being mandatorily excluded from conversation whenever the subject turned to elite QBs.
He has got a Super Bowl ring, after all, but can he get him and his team another? A Week 9 match-up with the Patriots will tell us more, until then the giants must keep picking up easy games. It figures that the NFC East will be a tight one with some close-to-even records come January. Right now, though, they look favourites to edge it.
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The Jets are better than their 4-3 record suggests. With only one team in the NFL undefeated, 3 losses isn’t as bad as it usually seems. They may be 2 games behind the Patriots, but they’ve had their BYE already and look fresher and more confident since the break. The Pats have got some really tough matches on the horizon and after 8 games the picture could look much better for the White and Green side of New York. Despite recent postseason success, the 4-3 record leads me to classify the jets as a dangerous sleeper…
…and a real nightmare for some.
10. New York Giants (4-2)
The Giants are a hard team to work out. They shouldn’t be winning, but they keep on getting the job done. Manning has been better than usual and has showed maturity and poise in the pocket. He is still an echelon below the Bradys, Rodgers and Brees of the league, but is quietly justifying his preseason complaint at being mandatorily excluded from conversation whenever the subject turned to elite QBs.
He has got a Super Bowl ring, after all, but can he get him and his team another? A Week 9 match-up with the Patriots will tell us more, until then the giants must keep picking up easy games. It figures that the NFC East will be a tight one with some close-to-even records come January. Right now, though, they look favourites to edge it.
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Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 7 & 8
7. Detroit Lions (5-2)
The Lions have hit the skids, but losing to a patchy Falcons team is forgivable due to the hangover from dropping their first game the week previously. Lose another, though, and this team will start to tumble down the rankings. It is essential that this young bunch come together in times of adversity and prove they are more than just a flash in the pan.
A real test will come in game 8 for the Lions but I figure them to recover with style.
8. Houston Texans (4-3)
If these rankings were based solely on gut-feeling, the Texans would be higher. I have championed this team for the past two seasons, but on both occasions they have disappointed come the year’s end.
This year, though, things feel very different. With a massively weakened division they should make their first ever appearance in the playoffs and once there are well built to cause some damage. My only remaining concern is how they will fair in inclement weather and with the likelihood of having to travel north for the Divisional round of the playoffs, which I expect them to reach.
Thankfully their rushing attack is now strong enough to take some of the pressure of their passing corps, and that will be essential come January.
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The Lions have hit the skids, but losing to a patchy Falcons team is forgivable due to the hangover from dropping their first game the week previously. Lose another, though, and this team will start to tumble down the rankings. It is essential that this young bunch come together in times of adversity and prove they are more than just a flash in the pan.
A real test will come in game 8 for the Lions but I figure them to recover with style.
8. Houston Texans (4-3)
If these rankings were based solely on gut-feeling, the Texans would be higher. I have championed this team for the past two seasons, but on both occasions they have disappointed come the year’s end.
This year, though, things feel very different. With a massively weakened division they should make their first ever appearance in the playoffs and once there are well built to cause some damage. My only remaining concern is how they will fair in inclement weather and with the likelihood of having to travel north for the Divisional round of the playoffs, which I expect them to reach.
Thankfully their rushing attack is now strong enough to take some of the pressure of their passing corps, and that will be essential come January.
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 5 & 6
5. New Orleans Saints (5-2)
The Saints sure know how to win in style, but have they got the confidence to win with guile? Sometimes with an offence so finely tuned, the slightest hiccough can blow a game plan to pieces. The defence will have to be strong in the coming weeks to secure the NFC South title, for which they are still favourites, but constantly harassed by the teams so close behind them.
Brees is on pace to finish in the top three passers again, and is essential to his team’s continued success. If he stays healthy, which he should given his reputation for toughness, the Saints could figure in the postseason picture in a big way.
6. San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
The dark horse of the season have impressed through their first 6 games. Forced to sit out this week due to a BYE has probably irked Coach Harbaugh given his team’s amazing run of form, but he is a smart enough HC to prep his units well for their next challenge. Look to the 49ers to continue their run of success and lock-up the NFC West before any other team has assured top spot in their division.
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The Saints sure know how to win in style, but have they got the confidence to win with guile? Sometimes with an offence so finely tuned, the slightest hiccough can blow a game plan to pieces. The defence will have to be strong in the coming weeks to secure the NFC South title, for which they are still favourites, but constantly harassed by the teams so close behind them.
Brees is on pace to finish in the top three passers again, and is essential to his team’s continued success. If he stays healthy, which he should given his reputation for toughness, the Saints could figure in the postseason picture in a big way.
6. San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
The dark horse of the season have impressed through their first 6 games. Forced to sit out this week due to a BYE has probably irked Coach Harbaugh given his team’s amazing run of form, but he is a smart enough HC to prep his units well for their next challenge. Look to the 49ers to continue their run of success and lock-up the NFC West before any other team has assured top spot in their division.
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Monday, 24 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 3 & 4
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
The Steelers have won 3 on the bounce and are looking dangerous. A Week 8 tussle with the Patriots looms and the winner will establish themselves as an early favourite for the AFC number 1 seed. The Steelers must still be wary of division rivals, the Ravens, though, as a Week 9 contest will either see them split the season series and the Steelers take a decisive step towards the AFC North, or the Ravens sweep their long-time rivals and throw themselves into the mix for top dog.
Roethlisberger is playing close to his best and his receiving corps is looking better than ever. With a run game capable of carrying the load should the aerial attack suffer an off day, the Steelers look well placed to go deep into the postseason again.
4. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
The Ravens need to win the easy games. They are a team with all the tools to win it all, but they still stutter in the face of adversity. They’ve taken some big scalps already (the Texans and Steelers) but they have lost a couple of real doozies and need to make sure they turn-up every week instead of switching off against lesser teams.
The second game against the Steelers will make or break their chances of an easy postseason, with at least the number 2 seed available to the AFC North winner. Let’s hope that the right Joe Flacco suits-up on gameday.
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The Steelers have won 3 on the bounce and are looking dangerous. A Week 8 tussle with the Patriots looms and the winner will establish themselves as an early favourite for the AFC number 1 seed. The Steelers must still be wary of division rivals, the Ravens, though, as a Week 9 contest will either see them split the season series and the Steelers take a decisive step towards the AFC North, or the Ravens sweep their long-time rivals and throw themselves into the mix for top dog.
Roethlisberger is playing close to his best and his receiving corps is looking better than ever. With a run game capable of carrying the load should the aerial attack suffer an off day, the Steelers look well placed to go deep into the postseason again.
4. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
The Ravens need to win the easy games. They are a team with all the tools to win it all, but they still stutter in the face of adversity. They’ve taken some big scalps already (the Texans and Steelers) but they have lost a couple of real doozies and need to make sure they turn-up every week instead of switching off against lesser teams.
The second game against the Steelers will make or break their chances of an easy postseason, with at least the number 2 seed available to the AFC North winner. Let’s hope that the right Joe Flacco suits-up on gameday.
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Sunday, 23 October 2011
Week 7 Power Rankings: 1 & 2
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. New England Patriots (5-1)
Brady’s up to his old tricks (excluding the horror show against the Bills during which, at times, he looked more like Rex Grossman than arguably the best clutch player of his generation). At 5-1 the Pats are great value to top their tough-nosed division, but a couple of horribly awkward games face them in the coming fortnight. Having to play the Steelers – a team on a 3 game win streak and in the ascendancy – at this stage of the season could be a deciding factor in who comes away with the number one seed in January or even who tops their respective divisions.
Following Big Ben and the Pennsylvania wrecking crew are Eli Manning and the Giants of New York – something of a booby team for Tom terrific and the Brady bunch. Going 0-2 into Week 10 is a viable and worrying possibility for this talented, but somehow still misfiring team.
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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. New England Patriots (5-1)
Brady’s up to his old tricks (excluding the horror show against the Bills during which, at times, he looked more like Rex Grossman than arguably the best clutch player of his generation). At 5-1 the Pats are great value to top their tough-nosed division, but a couple of horribly awkward games face them in the coming fortnight. Having to play the Steelers – a team on a 3 game win streak and in the ascendancy – at this stage of the season could be a deciding factor in who comes away with the number one seed in January or even who tops their respective divisions.
Following Big Ben and the Pennsylvania wrecking crew are Eli Manning and the Giants of New York – something of a booby team for Tom terrific and the Brady bunch. Going 0-2 into Week 10 is a viable and worrying possibility for this talented, but somehow still misfiring team.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
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