Saturday, November 24, 2007

NFL Power Rankings Week 11

My apologies on the tardiness of this weeks rankings. I understand that three games have already been played (Thankfully, without any surprises). Therefore, I shall attempt to bestow my football wisdom as though it were before Thanksgiving and Thursday's games:

1)New England (10-0) Last week: 1
    I've heard some complain that you are "piling it on." Well, can we blame you? After week one's "Camera-gate" you're out to prove that you didn't even need it. I'd hate to be one of the final 6 teams that stand between you and the undefeated season! Most of all, I'd hate to be the Jets. The NFL record for most points scored by one team in a game is 73 by the Chicago Bears in 1940. Anyone wagering that record will be broken when the Jet's visit Foxboro? Anyone? 23.5 pt spread over Philly. No question, you'll cover.
2)Dallas (9-1) Last week: 2
    Your 28-23 win over Washington makes the game look closer than it really was. You've drawn the Jets on Turkey day, which means an easy win. The question is, can your secondary contain Favre's receivers next Thursday. It'll be a great game where two 10-1 NFC teams face off and no one is watching because it's on the NFL Network!
3)Green Bay (9-1) Last week: 3
    Depending on how you handle Detroit, you could take the #2 spot on this list! It'll be fun to watch a team with no running game (you) play against a team that tends to give up big plays in the air (Dallas). But I think that Dallas is more well rounded and has a bit of an edge. T-day's match up against Detroit shouldn't be too difficult, they've yet to rise above the bottom four of this list all year.
4)Jacksonville (7-3) Last week: 7
    You have rocketed to number 4 for two reasons: You've strung together a couple of impressive wins: TN, SD. Nobody else deserves it. I'll admit, I struggled a bit putting you this high, but someone has to be #4, and seeing your name here made my football senses squirm less than any of the other options.
5)Indianapolis (8-2) Last week: 4
    Your fall continues. Yes, you won. You beat KC. But you did it by 3 and you were losing 10-3 at the end of the first half. Vinitiari had four consecutive misses and you nearly lost to a QB named Croyle! It's disgraceful! Sounds to me like Mr. Manning needs Harrison and Freeny a bit more than people like to admit. You've been handed a huge confidence booster with ATL this week (I hear one lucky fan will get a chance to be their QB) but unless you find a way to look like the Colts of old, you can expect to continue your plummet on JMO: JTF.
6)New York Giants (7-3) Last week: 6
    You managed to hold off Detroit, but you sure don't deserve to move up for that win! Talk about missed opportunities! Kitna isn't exactly known for his game winning drives and he certainly shouldn't have had a chance at one this week! If you want to crack the top 5, you have to finish with 7 more than you finish with 3!
7)Pittsburgh (6-4) Last week: 5
    You're lucky to still be on the list. I've removed people for less than what you managed to do this week! Losing to the Jet's is inexcusable! They sacked Big Ben more times than they sacked any other QB this season combined! Maybe you should have borrowed Belichick's tapes, you might have had a better chance! Pitiful.
8)Detroit (6-4) last week: 9
    Yes, you lost and you gained a spot. There must be a reason that New York wasn't able to simply stomp on you. So for showing heart, getting some key interceptions, and keeping it close with a team that's much better than you: You get to be number 8. Let's see how you handle GB on Thursday.
9)Tampa Bay (6-4) Last week: off
    I've toyed with bringing you on board a few times. Now seemed appropriate with your 31 to 7 grounding of the Falcons combined with TN's loss to DEN, and SD's lack of "Charge" against JAX. Welcome to JMO: JTF, you've shown yourself as a force to be reckoned with.
10)Cleveland (6-4) Last week: off
    When I added you for defeating Cinci when you scored 52 and then removed you the next week, I thought that would be the last we'd hear of the Browns on the power rankings. But yet again, Romeo has surprised me! You've beaten Baltimore 33-30 and you've beaten 5 other teams this year! The number of teams you've beaten is more than the number of TDs I thought you'd score all year! And some of the games you've lost have been close! I doft my cap to you and welcome you back.
Off: Tennessee: A two week losing streak has dropped you from the list. But it's not just the two in a row (Detroit has managed that as well), it's also the manner in which you've been beaten. You really should have handled JAX and DEN and you were unable to do either. It may take some extra special effort for you to find your way back on the list. San Diego: Honorable mention over. Yes, you toppled Indy, and for that we thank you. But then you go and lose to Jacksonville without much of a fight. You've got all of the same "superstars" that you had last year. The only difference is Marty isn't your head coach. Maybe if you beg, he'll come back for next year. I wouldn't.

Miami remains winless. The Patriot's "net points" (254) are higher than "total points for" all but five teams (Dallas: 324, Cleveland: 288, Indianapolis: 278, Pittsburgh: 269, and Green Bay: 259.)! And the Pat's D is stout as well. Fourth in the NFL (Points Against: Pittsburgh 145, Tampa Bay 151, Tennessee 152, NE 157).

One additional thought on the NFL. The NFL Network is a terrible idea! There are some key games on that station which means 97% of football fans won't be able to see them. (the 10-1 Cowboys vs the 10-1 Packers. And New England's final game of the season vs the NYG where the Pats could be making history!) It's gotta end!

1 comment:

Melissa said...

Marc, we just happen to get the NFL network and love it, but I don't think it's fair that 97% don't. I would be really upset not to get the Pats last game even though I live in Colts territory. Just can't break the ties. I look forward to your power rankings as we watch every possible game for Fantasy of course. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!