Tuesday, November 26, 2013

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13

1. Seattle Seahawks: 292
Last week: 2
Notes: The Seahawks move to the #1 spot on their bye week with losses by both the Broncos and the Chiefs.

2. Denver Broncos 290
Last week: 1
Notes: Terrible lead to blow, but still think the Broncos are the Super Bowl favorites for the AFC.

3New Orleans Saints 249
Last week: 4
Notes: A closer match up than most expected, but the Saints pull off a win and are now 9-2 on the season.

4. Kansas City Chiefs 236
Last week: 3
Notes:  The Chiefs are losers of 2 in a row. Honestly, this team can go 1-4 for the rest of the season and will likely be the 5th seed, but 41 points given up against the Chargers at home isn't a good sign. Things don't get easier with a game against the Broncos.

 
5. Carolina Panthers: 220
Last week: 5
Notes:  After losing for most of the game, Cam and company found a way to pull off the win and now have won 7 straight.

6. New England Patriots: 178
 Last week: 7
Notes: What a comeback. The Patriots proved why they aren't a "weaker Patriots team" this year.


7.  San Francisco 49ers173
Last week: 8
Notes:  Not a must-win, but a very important game. Regardless, they won and are now 7-4 on the season.


8. Cincinnati Bengals:152
Last week: 6
Notes: With the Steelers heating up, the Bengals hold on the AFC North isn't a guarantee anymore.

9. Arizona Cardinals 109
Last week: 14
Notes:The Cardinals were getting criticized as a "weak" 6-4 team. They proved everyone won with an impressive win over the Colts.  They now have won 4 in a row.
 
10. Indianapolis Colts: 86
Last week: 9
Notes: The Colts will look like the best team in football some weeks and horrible in others. The game against the Cardinals were the latter. Two blow out losses in a row has to raise some concerns.

11Dallas Cowboys: 71
Last Week: 13
Notes: A huge win for the Cowboys that puts them 4-0 in the division.


12. Philadelphia Eagles: 62
Last Week: 12
Notes: The Eagles had a losing bye week with the Cowboys beating the Giants.
13. Detroit Lions: 43
Last week: 11
Notes:  Tough loss for the Lions that makes things a lot more interesting in the NFC North.

14. Chicago Bears: 36
Last week: 10
Notes: The Bears won't have Cutler against the Vikings, but should be able to bounce back anyway.

 
15. Green Bay Packers: 31
Last week: 15
Notes: The Packers get the first tie of the season. Who would have thought it would be with their 3rd string QB against the Vikings. That tie, while not nearly as good as wins, gives Rodgers a chance to take the division with both the Lions and Bears losing.

16. Baltimore Ravens: 22
Last week: 19
Notes: The Ravens looked good against the Jets, but a lot of teams do. They face pretty much a "must-win" situation against the Steelers.

17. Tennessee Titans: 18
Last week: 18
Notes: If the playoffs started today, the Titans would be the 6th seed. They're tiebreakers (based on head to head wins) over the Jets, Chargers, Raiders, and Steelers could end up being a deciding factor for the playoffs when the season ends.

18 St. Louis Rams 17
Last Week: 20
Notes: Who is this Rams team? Two dominant wins in a row against the Colts and Bears. Losing Stacy, however, is huge for the Rams and will make it hard for this team to maintain the same level of play.
 
19. San Diego Chargers: 16
Last week: 17
Notes: People were counting the games against the Chiefs and Broncos as automatic losses for the Chargers, but they proved everyone wrong. If they can beat the Chiefs on the road, they can win their two remaining games against the Broncos and Chiefs.

20.  Miami Dolphins: -3
Last week: 16
Notes: After leading for most of the game, they give up the loss to the Panthers. A win would have put them in the 6th seed. 

 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: -5
Last week: 21
Notes: The red hot Steelers have now won 3 in a row and face an extremely important game against the Ravens next week.

22. Buffalo Bills -46
Last week: 26
Notes: Too many 4-6 teams (with some losing and some winning) to say whether or not the Bills had a good bye, but they have got to be happy with both the Jets and Dolphins losing.
 
23. New York Giants: -74
Last week: 22
Notes: The loss against the Cowboys pretty much ended their season. A win would have put them one game back from the Eagles and Cowboys. Instead, they have to pretty much go 5-0 now and hope the Eagles and Cowboys go 2-3 or worse. Chances are slim to none.

24. Oakland Raiders -84
Last week: 24
Notes: Good effort against the Titans, but the Raiders couldn't pull off the win.

25. Cleveland Browns: -87
Last week: 25
Notes: After looking a legit playoff contender, the Browns have now dropped their last two (both divisional games). Next week isn't a gimme against a Jags team who won 2 out of their last 3.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -98
Last week: 28
Notes: If the power rankings were based on the last 3 weeks, Tampa Bay would be in the top 5. What a complete turnaround these past 3 weeks.
   
27. New York Jets: -108
Last week: 23
Notes: The Jets are starting to look like the team we all expected them to be. Not a good thing.

28. Washington Redskins: -146
Last week: 27
Notes: And that's the season for the Redskins. Disappointing after winning the NFC East last season.

29. Minnestota Vikings -158
Last week: 31
Notes: A tie moves you up in the rankings if you're a bottom 5 team.

30.  Atlanta Falcons -159
Last week: 29
Notes: This was the first time in a while that the Falcons at least looked competitive. They still are losers of 5 in a row.

31. Houston Texans  -177
Last week: 30
Notes: Will the Texans win another game this season? Won't be surprised if they don't.
 
32. Jacksonville Jaguars: -264
Last week: 32
Notes: Despite winning 2 out of their last 3 games, including beating #21 in the rankings, I still think they're the worst in the NFL.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

NFL Power Rankings - Week 12


1. Denver Broncos 308
Last week: 2
Notes: The Broncos reclaim the #1 spot after beating the undefeated Chiefs. They face another challenge next week; on the road against the Pats.

2. Seattle Seahawks: 295
Last week: 3
Notes: With their latest win over the Vikings, the Seahawks now have the best record in the NFL.

3. Kansas City Chiefs 256
Last week: 1
Notes:  They finally faced an elite opponent and couldn't pull a win. They should rebound at home next week against the Chargers.
4New Orleans Saints 229
Last week: 4
Notes: A big win (controversial call or not). 
 
5. Carolina Panthers:  194
Last week: 5
Notes:  The question of whether or not this team is "legit" gets a more definitive yes with an impressive win over the Patriots.

6. Cincinnati Bengals:152
Last week: 8
Notes: A big win that puts them further ahead in the AFC North division.

7. New England Patriots: 147
 Last week: 6
Notes: Things don't get easier for the Pats next week with a game against the 9-1 Broncos.

  
8.  San Francisco 49ers 129
Last week: 7
Notes:  Tough loss for the 49ers. That call could end up costing them a playoff spot.


9. Indianapolis Colts: 128
Last week: 9
Notes: The division is pretty much theirs at this point.

10. Chicago Bears: 75
Last week: 13
Notes: Don't look now, but the Bears are now tied for first in the NFC North with the Lions.

 
11. Detroit Lions: 69
Last week: 10
Notes:  The Lions didn't pull off a last minute win like they did against the Cowboys. They can't overlook a recently hot Tampa Bay team next week.

12. Philadelphia Eagles: 68
Last Week: 14
Notes: The Eagles pull into lone possession of 1st place in the NFC East. The way Foles has been playing, it will be tough for anyone to beat them.


13Dallas Cowboys: 51
Last Week: 12
Notes:  The Cowboys face one of their most important games of the season next week, on the road against the Giants. Could decide the division.


14. Arizona Cardinals 50
Last week: 15
Notes:The Cardinals are quietly in the NFC wildcard hunt at 6-4.


15. Green Bay Packers:41
Last week: 11
Notes: The Packers need Rodgers back ASAP or they have no chance.

16.  Miami Dolphins: 13
Last week: 19
Notes: The Dolphins have life again and move back to .500 on the season. 

 
17. San Diego Chargers: -7
Last week: 16
Notes: The Chargers now have lost 3 in a row. Things don't get easier with a road game against the Chiefs next week.

18. Tennessee Titans: -8
Last week: 18
Notes:They couldn't hold on to the elad against the Colts and now are one of about a zillion teams in the AFC who are 4-6.

19. Baltimore Ravens: -12
Last week: 17
Notes: With how tight things are in the AFC, that OT loss could decide the season for the Ravens.

20 St. Louis Rams -26
Last Week: 21
Notes: The Rams had a losing bye week with the Bears and Cardinals both winning.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: -39
Last week: 23
Notes: The Steelers are right back in the playoff picture after beating the Lions. They have two very important divisional games coming up against the Browns and Ravens.

22. New York Giants: -51
Last week: 26
Notes: The Giants are now winners of 4 in a row. Not only are they competing for the NFC East, they are even int he wildcard race. That being said, 3 of their wins came against teams with issues at QB (Eagles and Packers using a 3rd string and Vikings using a beyond unprepared Freeman). The game against the Cowboys will help to see how improved this team really is.
 
23. New York Jets: -57
Last week: 22
Notes: I guess the bye week didn't count as a loss. The Jets looked terrible, like they have with a lot of their loses. Geno Smith should be benched. Surprisingly, this team would be the 6th seed still if the playoffs started today.

24. Oakland Raiders -60
Last week: 24
Notes: The Raiders are remarkably one game out of the wildcard after beating the Texans.
 
25. Cleveland Browns: -64
Last week: 20
Notes: After looking like the clear 2nd place choice in the AFC North, they could very well find themselves in last.

26. Buffalo Bills -71
Last week: 27
Notes: Hard to tell if that win was the Bills looking great or the Jets looking terrible.. Probably more of the latter, but the win saved their season.
 

27. Washington Redskins: -108
Last week: 25
Notes: I guess the Redskins won't go from 3-6 6 to 10-6 like last season.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -125
Last week: 31
Notes: Tampa Bay has looked solid these past two games.

29.  Atlanta Falcons -153
Last week: 29
Notes: This team has rolled over and died.

30. Houston Texans  -154
Last week: 30
Notes: The Texans have the longest losing streak in the NFL with 8. The second longest is at a, not even close, 4 (Falcons). They have a good chance of snapping the streak with a home game against the Jaguars.
 
31. Minnestota Vikings -155
Last week: 28
Notes: The Vikings looked like their old selves again with that brutal loss against the Seahawks.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars: -289
Last week: 32
Notes: The way Tampa has been playing, the Jags are now the clear favorite for the #1 draft pick.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

NFL Power Rankings - Week 11


1. Kansas City Chiefs 276
Last week: 1
Notes: 
Next Sunday is the match we've all been eagerly waiting for. If they can beat the Broncos on the road (with Manning playing), they have a legit shot of going 16-0.

2. Denver Broncos 273

Last week: 2
Notes: The Broncos pulled off the win and find themselves 8-1 on the season. Hopefully Manning's MRIs come up negative.

3. Seattle Seahawks: 253
Last week: 3
Notes: A nice road win for the Seahawks. They pull even further away from the 49ers in the division.
4New Orleans Saints 205
Last week: 6
Notes: Drew Brees and the Saints bounce back nicely against the Cowboys.
 
5. Carolina Panthers:  166
Last week: 8
Notes:  In the beginning of the season, I'd say there's no way the Panthers would ever crack the top five in the power rankings, but here they are. They deserve it after going on the road against the 49ers and beating them. The Panthers now have won 5 in a row.

6. New England Patriots: 162
 Last week: 5
Notes: The Patriots face the Panthers at home next week. In the beginning of the year, you might say this is an easy game, but now this is one of the toughest remaining games on their schedule.

7.  San Francisco 49ers 144
Last week: 4
Notes: 
In a defensive battle, the 49ers find themselves on the losing end. With the way the Panthers are playing, a wildcard isn't a gimme for this team.

8. Cincinnati Bengals:111
Last week: 9
Notes: A win would have put them almost out of reach in the division, but now things get more interesting. 

9. Indianapolis Colts: 106
Last week: 7
Notes: What was that? After looking like one of the best teams in the league, they get killed at home against the Rams.
10. Detroit Lions: 94
Last week: 12
Notes:  The Lions beat the Bears and are now in sole possession of 1st place. With Rodgers being injured and the Lions the better team over the Bears, they might go from worst to first.


11. Green Bay Packers: 70
Last week: 10
Notes: The Packers have to find ways to win without Rodgers otherwise it'll be too late when he returns. With Wallace getting inured, and relying on 3rd string Tolzien, things don't get easier. 

12Dallas Cowboys:  53
Last Week: 11
Notes:  The Cowboys (terrible) D couldn't hold up against the Saints. They now are tied with the Eagles for 1st.

13. Chicago Bears: 52
Last week: 13
Notes: The Bears lose a close one against the Lions, but remained tied with the Packers in the division.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: 38
Last Week: 18
Notes: Foles looks excellent and could help turn this team around. They have a winnable game at home against the Redskins (a team they already beat on the road).
15. Arizona Cardinals 19
Last week: 17
Notes: The Cardinals are quietly having a good season at 5-4.  They have impressive wins against the Lions and Panthers, which could be a deciding factor for a 6th seed.
16. San Diego Chargers: 12
Last week: 15
Notes: A tough game that they needed to win. Things don't get easier with road games against Miami and Kansas City.

17. Baltimore Ravens: 6
Last week: 20
Notes: Just when it looks like all is lost for the Ravens, they beat the Bengals and find themselves only 2 games back in the division.
 
18. Tennessee Titans: 3
Last week: 14
Notes: The Titans definitely underestimated the Jaguars and it cost them. 5-4 would have been big for a team that holds tiebreakers over the Chargers and Jets.

19.  Miami Dolphins: -15
Last week: 16
Notes: The off-field issues with Martin / Icognito could be effecting their game. A loss against the, at the time, winless Bucs could end up hurting them come wildcard time.


20. Cleveland Browns: -16
Last week: 19
Notes: The Browns have to be happy with the Bengals losing. They hope to continue their losing streak when they face-off next week.
 
21 St. Louis Rams -26
Last Week: 25
Notes: The Rams sometimes look like the worst in the league or the best, regardless who is playing the QB position. This week, they looked excellent on the Road against the Colts.
 
22. New York Jets: -28
Last week: 21
Notes: An above .500 at #22? Still not sold on the inconsistent Jets. A win on the road against an imploding Buffalo team and the Ravens would help to change my mind on them.
 
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: -75
Last week: 27
Notes: The Steelers are still fighting. It's a stretch, but they aren't completely out of the AFC North yet with the Bengals losing and are only 2 games out of the wildcard (and hold the tiebreaker over the Jets).
 
24. Oakland Raiders -80
Last week: 23
Notes: The Raiders looked lackluster against the Giants and now find themselves at 3-6.

25. Washington Redskins: -85
Last week: 22
Notes: A game you expect the Redskins to win. They now find themselves in last place in the NFC East.
26. New York Giants: -89
Last week: 29
Notes: The Giants now have won 3 in a row and are amazingly only 1.5 games out of 1st after starting the season 0-6. They have to take advantage of a Rodgers-less Packers team next week.
27. Buffalo Bills -92
Last week: 24
Notes:  The Bills are separating themselves from everyone else in the AFC East, and not in a good way.

28. Minnestota Vikings -124
Last week: 30
Notes: The Vikings have been looking better these past couple of weeks, but too little too late.
29.  Atlanta Falcons -126
Last week: 26
Notes: The Falcons look like they've officially rolled over and given up.
30. Houston Texans  -131
Last week: 28
Notes: Another 27-24 loss for the Texans, who have now lost 7 in a row.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -155
Last week: 31
Notes: They finally get their first win. The defense looked good, but the Dolphins are facing a lot of issues and probably would have lost to anyone that game.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars: -234
Last week: 32
Notes: Hey they did it! Didn't think they're first win would be on the road against the Titans, but there you go.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

NFL Power Rankings - Week 10


1. Kansas City Chiefs 271
Last week: 1
Notes:  The Chiefs are now 9-0 after beating the Bills on the road. Amazing after only winning 2 games last year.


2. Denver Broncos 243
Last week: 2
Notes: Can't wait until the Broncos face the Chiefs two weeks from now.

3. Seattle Seahawks: 217
Last week: 3
Notes:Just when it looked like they were going to hand Tampa Bay their first win, the Seahawks found a way to bounce back and win. Yes, they shouldn't have been down 21 points to begin with, but good teams find ways to bounce back and they did.

4.  San Francisco 49ers 164
Last week: 5
Notes:  The 49ers have a "losing" bye week with the Seahawks winning against Tampa Bay.


5. New England Patriots: 159
Last week: 9
Notes: The Patriots looked like the Patriots we all expect them to be against the Steelers. Could this be the sign that Brady is back?

 
6New Orleans Saints 153
Last week: 4
Notes: The Saints couldn't handle the Jets D and lost a surprising one on Sunday.

7. Indianapolis Colts: 152
Last week: 7
Notes: Another comeback from a great team. The Colts continue to hold a two game lead in the division over the Titans.
8. Carolina Panthers:  140
Last week: 10
Notes:  The Saints can't get too comfortable because the Panthers are right behind them. They have a brutal schedule the rest of the season though including upcoming games against the 49ers and the Patriots.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals:129
Last week: 6
Notes: Tough OT loss against the Dolphins, but the Ravens losing continues to put the Bengals in good shape of the division.
 
10. Green Bay Packers: 100
Last week: 8
Notes: Losing Aaron Rodgers is a huge for this Packers team. If they don't get him back soon, it could cost them the division and the playoffs altogether.

11Dallas Cowboys: 92
Last Week: 12
Notes: The Cowboys finally find themselves on the winning end of a close game. 
 
12. Detroit Lions: 73
Last week: 11
Notes: The Lions face an important divisional game next week against the Bears.

13. Chicago Bears: 61
Last week: 14
Notes: They were able to take advantage of a Rodgers-less Packers team and now are in a 3 way tie with Packers and Lions for 1st in the division.


14. Tennessee Titans: 35
Last week: 15
Notes: Big win for the Titans. The Titans hold tiebreakers over the Chargers and the Jets which could be the deciding factor in the 6th seed.

15. San Diego Chargers:31
Last week: 13
Notes: Just when everyone started to say the Chargers were underrated they lose to the Redskins. Their next 3 games are brutal; Broncos, Dolphins, and Chiefs.  

16.  Miami Dolphins: 13
Last week: 18
Notes: The Dolphins find life again with a win over the Bengals; snapping their losing streak and keeping them right in the mix of the playoff hunt.


17. Arizona Cardinals 7
Last week: 16
Notes: Hard to gauge how good this Cardinals team is. Will be interesting to see how their second half goes. Their next two games are winnable; home against the Texans and on the road against the Jags.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: -2
Last Week: 25
Notes: The Eagles bounced back nicely against the Raiders and maintain a one game distance from Dallas.

19. Cleveland Browns: -15
Last week: 20
Notes: The Browns continue to prove why they aren't the weakest in the division anymore. They hold the best division record in the AFC North at 2-1.
 
20. Baltimore Ravens: -17
Last week: 17
Notes: The loss against the Browns might have sealed the Ravens fate.

21. New York Jets: -26
Last week: 23
Notes: The most inconsistent team in football beat one of the league's best. The Jets hope that their bye week counts as a "loss" so they beat the Bills on the road next week.

22. Washington Redskins: -57
Last week: 27
Notes:   The Redskins keep pace in the NFC East with a win over the Chargers in OT.  Don't count this team out, they can pull off another comeback and win the division again this year.

23. Oakland Raiders -63
Last week: 19
Notes: Just when the Raiders started to look like a decent team, they get killed against the Eagles.

24. Buffalo Bills -64
Last week: 21
Notes: Not a bad showing against the Chiefs, but another loss for the Bills.

25 St. Louis Rams -75
Last Week: 22
Notes: The Rams have now lost 3 in a row and face the Colts on the road (which should make it 4 in a row).
 
26.  Atlanta Falcons -93
Last week: 24
Notes: Amazing that this team was 13-3 last year.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: -104
Last week: 26
Notes: The Steelers showed why they aren't the same Steelers as years prior with a terrible game against the Patriots.

28. Houston Texans  -107
Last week: 28
Notes: Heartbreaking loss for the Texans. This team had such high expectations.

29. New York Giants: - 125
Last week: 29
Notes: The Giants had a terrible bye week with everyone in the NFC East winning. They need to not focus on that and win against the Raiders at home.
 
30. Minnestota Vikings -154
Last week: 30
Notes: At least this team is still fighting.
 
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -178
Last week: 31
Notes: Wow. That win would have been a great morale booster for Tampa Bay. Instead they blow a 21 point lead.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars:-275
Last week: 32
Notes: The Jags can't even win on a bye week with Justin Blackmon being suspended indefinitely.