NFL Power Rankings, vol. 3, by moses
 

After two weeks, I've set out to prove that NFL experts are idiots and that some random douchebag from New Jersey can make better power rankings than them. Let's see if I can keep it going.

1. New Orleans Saints (4-0): After dismantling the Jets, is there any doubt that the Saints are the best team in the league right now? And look at Darren Sharper who continues making people eat crow as he's scored 2 TDs already this year and looks absolutely fantastic.

2. Minnesota Vikings (4-0): I'll be the last guy to fellate Favre, but the Vikings do seem to be playing much better offense with this guy under center. Whether it's him or not, the Vikings look good on both sides of the ball.

3. New York Giants (4-0): So much for everyone saying Eli would suck without Plaxico. He's tied for 3rd in TDs thrown and has the 4th highest passer rating. But I also have to give credit to Steve Smith and Mario Manningham (who has also looked good despite a poor performance against the Chiefs.)

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-0): I'm far from impressed by the Colts so far but they have one thing that no other team has: a lucky horseshoe on their helmet.

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1): The Ravens still haven't answered the questions on defense but I'm not dropping them down too far on the list because of a poorly officiated game that they lost by only 6 points.

6. New York Jets (3-1): The Jets went into New Orleans this week but there was no jambalaya on the bayou for them on Sunday. But getting beat by the best team in the NFL in their home stadium isn't something to write the Jets off over.

7. San Francisco 49ers (3-1): The 49ers just haven't been the same ever since Mike Singletary dropped his pants in the locker room last year. It must have been a terrifying sight that the team never wants to see again.

8. New England Patriots (3-1): Even if some calls are going your way, beating the Ravens is a tough task. Patriots might be turning things around here and that could be scary.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): With an early bye week, the Eagles will return with a healthy McNabb and Westbrook. That's got to count for something.

10. Denver Broncos (4-0): Some may say that I'm not giving Denver enough respect. Maybe I'm not. The defense is playing great but the offense is eventually going to start costing them games.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1): Well, the Bengals barely beat the Browns but this is typically a hard-fought game between the two teams. Bengals need to do something about their field goal unit because this game should have never gone to overtime.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): The Steelers are the ones who looked charged up this week against San Diego and it resulted in a much-needed win for Pittsburgh.

13. San Diego Chargers (2-2): Chargers are 2 games back from the Broncos right now. Looks like they might need some magic again to win the division this year.

14. Atlanta Falcons (2-1): The Falcons need Michael Turner desperately to start going (so do plenty of fantasy owners out there who picked him #2 overall.)

15. Chicago Bears (3-1): When's the last time the Bears put up 48 points? Hot damn.

16. Green Bay Packers (2-2): The Packers looked decent against the Vikings but their offensive line looked like swiss cheese out there.

17. Houston Texans (2-2): I'm an idiot because I picked the Raiders (+10) this week. I obviously don't know what I'm talking about, why are you even still reading this?

18. Dallas Cowboys (2-2): I was laughing my ass off Sunday as the Cowboys blew a late lead and then decided it was a good idea to pick on Champ Bailey on two consecutive plays. Jerry, please extend Wade Phillips' contract.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2): Did anyone see this one coming? I knew the Titans were bad, but 27-17?

20. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): Hopefully the bye week helps this team because they are in bad, bad shape right now.

21. Miami Dolphins (1-3): Could it be that Pennington going down is a good thing for the team? Now all they have to do is change that terrible logo.

22. Detroit Lions (1-3): The Lions are pretty bad but you can definitely see improvement on this team. Hopefully Stafford isn't out too long because he adds some life to this offense.

23. Washington Redskins (2-2): There is no reason that the Redskins aren't 0-4 except that they've had the easiest schedule in the history of the NFL (Detroit, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, and New York Giants.) Sure, the Giants are a good team but the rest of those would be easy wins for any good team and the Redskins struggled against all three of them.

24. Buffalo Bills (1-3): Well, their star running back comes back and they get their ass beat by the Dolphins. That's gotta give them some confidence.

25. Seattle Seahawks (1-3): The Seahawks needs Hasselbeck back. Seneca Wallace is decent but Hasselbeck is the glue that holds this offense together.

26. Tennessee Titans (0-4): What a fall from grace. Apparently last year was just a fluke and this team really just sucks this year.

27. Cleveland Browns (0-4): The Browns move up a few spots for actually being competitive in a game. Good job, guys. By the way, how did Eric Mangini get another job?

28. Carolina Panthers (0-3): The bye week should help, but this team needs more than help right now.

29. Oakland Raiders (1-3): It's hard to believe this team actually won a game this year. They may have been afraid that Tom Cable would punch them in the face if they lost. Don't worry, guys, he won't be around much longer.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-4): The Chefs? Who are the Chefs?

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4): The Redskins suck. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers suck even worse.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-4): 35 points? I feel sorry for Steven Jackson.

Couldn't really get passed the Saints "dismantling" of the Jets. The Jets missed tons of opportunities and gave up two defensive touchdowns. Do you know what the score would've been without those 14 points? 10-10. OT written all over it. Held Brees to his work outing this yr, imo.

It's a team effort. Their defense dismantled them. When you're up, you don't need to pass the ball all over the place.

Don't get me wrong, Brees is hands down the best QB out there (displayed that beautifully week 1. But the Jets defense didn't look to shabby either.

The Saints are a good pick for #1, but not for "dismantling" the Jets. Sanchez is not all he's cracked up to be. It shouldn't be hard for any mediocre defense to stop them. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington ARE their offense.

But like I said in my previous post, I don't think winning by two TD's on the defensive side is a dismantling. a 48-10 victory would've classified as a dismantling.

This is just my opinion like I said.

I think the referees should get the #1 spot.

You placed Dallass too high.

Cincy too high, Chi-town too low.

Finally mustered the strength to read the rest; Denver @ 10?? Behind Baltimore, Philly, 'Niners and the JETS?! Man.

The Giants have four wins. Albeit against scrub ass teams. But they have had NO moments where an avid fan would say "Shit, we might lose this game". Best secondary in the league, fear instilling line including Freddy, Tuck, Umeniyora, Kiwanuka, Pierce playing EVERYWHERE from the safeties to the line, commanding the defense and dismantling (there's that word, in it's correct use http://www.sports-boards.net/forums/...es/biggrin.png lol), Canty is EH. Not to mention a field general QB in Eli who NY is finally warmed up to and who will play thru his foot injury like he played thru his shoulder in '07. And a two headed run attack which can't be stopped. Jacobs runs thru you and Ahmad runs around you. A clan of young wide receivers who Eli is getting unbeleivably comfortable with exceedingly fast.


Call it bias but really ... The Giants are third? Behind Minny??? I could see the Saints being ranked higher ... but MINNY? No offense. They look great and all, but not ranked #2? Hm ...

The Giants have the best secondary in the league?

Did you watch the Dallas game?

Minny at least beat two moderately decent teams in SF and GB. The Gints have beaten the Cowboys. I think Minny has a leg up on NYG.

Heck, I think it should be Saints, Minny, Colts, Giants

My reasoning is this: (1) Chicago sucks. (2) Cincinnati would be 4-0 if not for that one fluke play. Chicago is the one team I tinkered with. I thought about putting them around 12/13 instead of 15 but I think the Steelers are the overall better team despite losing to the Bears.

Almost a fluke eh?

Cincinatti could have very well lost to the Steelers also. Stole that one..

Wasn't it like 4 turnovers to none and it still ended up being that close?

is this a serious post?

They mounted a drive, though. It's not like they scored the winning score on a 90 yard touchdown reception (that was deflected off of the intended receiver and then caught by another receiver making a heads up play.)

There's a definite distinction there, but you're right that the Bengals probably won a game that they very well could have lost (but they've also lost a game that they should have won.) Either way, they've played hard in all 4 games and had a chance to win all of them.

To me, the Giants have a comparable offense and a better defense. They get the nod (despite not really facing much competition yet.) Colts haven't exactly played anyone yet either. Jaguars might be solid this year and Arizona will rebound. But wins against the Seahawks and Dolphins is unimpressive...and the win over Arizona means little since the Cardinals are in shambles right now.

Best ranked secondary in the leauge. @ least going into week 4.

is this a serious post?