NFL Power Rankings - Week 8
Thank you to RW reader Charlie for his faith in my picking ability. I want to add, again, if I ever pick an over/under, just go the other way. I'm never right on those but I love to pick them.
I've had a rough past few weeks but I'll be looking to get back on track. I'm starting to waver a little on the teams in the middle third, but I'm getting more and more confident with my top teams. There were a couple of late covers last week that hurt, but that's going to happen with large spreads. Some big games this weekend, I'll look forward to another Sunday of the Direct Ticket. On to the Rankings.
32. Detroit Lions (0-6)
They were the culprits in one of those late covers I had mentioned. They're starting to look a little friskier, but remember what I said, they're going to start to make losing an art. I compare it to this: when I was 14 I could not break 80 in a round of golf. I'd have rounds where I seemed like a lock to break 80 but I'd find a way to screw it up. I counted 11 rounds of shooting 80 on the dot that involved things like rounds of 36 on the front, 44 on the back, double-bogeying 18, and even missing a two-foot putt as my Mom was waiting by the green to pick me up. What does this have to do with the Lions? They'll start getting closer and closer to winning and we'll start to see some impressive fourth quarter meltdowns. Something tells me that the offense will have a starring role in some of those meltdowns.
31. Kansas City Chefs (1-5)
That's right, they're back to being the Chefs. Remember that Snickers commercial where the grounds keeper paints the endzone and the Kansas City player comes up to him as he's finishing and says, "hey, looks great, but who are the Chefs" and then the old grounds keeper says, "great googly moogly" . . . that's the Chefs season (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_EfE-mqgE). It's one long Snickers ad. Great googly moogly.
30. Cincinnati Bungles (0-7)
The Bungles are back. And I ask again, how does Marvin Lewis have a job? He's the George W. Bush of the NFL. How is there not even an inquiry into his role as a head coach? The fans are selling their seats. The team is beyond inept. And now, they're double-digit underdogs to the Houston Texans. This has to be somebody's fault, right?
29. Seattle Seahawks (1-5)
It almost sounded like Cris Collinsworth was a Little League coach applauding his right fielder who bats ninth because the kid finally put a ball in play. Hey, the little guy's trying. That's where the Seahawks are. People are just happy to see them try because they have no talent and we all know they're going to lose every week. Yes, even in San Francisco.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-4)
I told you they'd win. I still don't know how it happened. Here was a conversation I had with a guy in a Jets jersey during the game:
Me (Raiders fan): Don't worry we'll blow it.
Jets fan: Thanks man.
Jay Feely misses field goal.
Raiders head coach had called time out.
Me (Raiders fan): Told you.
Jets fan: Hahahahahaha. Thanks.
That's what being a Raiders fan is like. Even Jets fans laugh at us and we need 57-yard field goals to win games.
27. San Francisco 49ers (2-5)
Yeah, my fault. They're not good. Picking them is like being at a roulette table and betting black then seeing red come up 5 straight times. Black has to come up at some point, doesn't it? Unfortunately past results don't affect future turnouts. Maybe Seattle's coming to town will change that. Clearly it was the suit's fault.
26. St. Louis Rams (2-4)
Maybe the NFC East isn't as good as we thought. The Rams just beat two of that division's teams. As I said before, Operation Bet Against The Rams is still in full effect at 4-2. You can't win every week. I still think that Dallas blowout will mean another month of wins betting against the Rams. I'll need one more week of being proven blatantly wrong to change course.
25. Cleveland Browns (2-4)
The Brady Quinn clock has been started up again. Their offense is inept and it really shouldn't be. I think it's safe to say that they're going to need some young legs in the backfield, but I'd rather talk about Romeo Crennel. Down by 11, fourth and goal from the 2, 5 minutes left. What possesses you to go for the TD when you just got stuffed twice when a field goal makes it a one score game? Fired on the spot. He got bailed out by a fumble then almost made the same mistake again. They're not winning again any time soon. They may have Detroit Lions syndrome with slightly more talent.
24. Miami Dolphins (2-4)
That might have been the return of the Dolphins. The second Chad Pennington threw a screen pass to the wrong team I feel like the season may have unraveled. The mystique may be gone now. That's a weird spread against Buffalo this week but I'm not biting.
23. Houston Texans (2-4)
Up a spot from last week and I expect the climb to continue. They got really thrown off early by the hurricane and were not helped by a tough schedule. Now they have a realistic shot at getting back to .500 in the next two weeks. They could definitely make a sneaky run at the playoffs.
22. New York Jets (3-3)
They lost to the Raiders in a game that the Raiders tried multiple times to give away. Brett was gunslinging and it looked like a drive-by gone wrong. Nothing like licking your wounds with the Chefs coming to town. Don't get fooled into jumping back onto the Jets' bandwagon if they spank the Chefs.
21. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
Now they can't even stop Kyle Orton. Adrian Peterson can only do so much. If the Vikings can't stop anyone then they will be in serious trouble as a running team. The offense seems to have found its way in getting personnel back but the defense is a ways away from last year.
20. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
They got the win they needed which does say something, and with the Raiders coming into town, the Ravens could get back into the playoff picture at 4-3. Unfortunately they're still playing a rookie QB whose TD/Int ratio is 2/7. Still not so much here.
19. New Orleans Saints (3-4)
Again a reason not to get too excited when a mediocre team beats up on a hapless team. The Saints showed their true colors once again in getting dismantled by Carolina. And no, one injury isn't an excuse for a performance like that. A big game this week against San Diego to avoid another season down the drain.
18. Denver Broncos (4-3)
There's not having any defense and then there's getting blown out by Matt Cassel and Sammy Morris. No excuse. They'll need 35 points a game to finish above .500 this year. ZERO DEFENSE.
17. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Yes, they did get into a shootout with Gus Frerotte but that was still a very nice performance to enter a bye week a game above .500. They maneuvered their way back into the NFC North race. While that doesn't say much, the playoffs are still the playoffs and Pittsburgh and New York proved that all you need to do is get there and have a defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
They have a perfect opportunity to prove me wrong this week in Carolina. As of now, I'm convinced that they can only win at home. I expect them to lose this week and drop back to around 20 on this list.
15. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
They really needed a win last week going into Tennessee on Monday Night this week. Now that mini-run a couple of weeks ago can be erased by a loss this week and a trip back to the bottom half of the standings.
14. San Diego Chargers (3-4)
I still can't bring myself to give up on the Chargers. I don't know what it is. A loss this week will probably be the last straw for me but I just can't imagine this team not making the playoffs. They have too much talent and they've proven in the past that they can win even with Norv Turner.
13. New England Patriots (4-2)
I still don't know what to make of the Patriots. Every week I change my mind on them and lose their game. They're like Pat Burrell. You never know when he's going to have that .350, 8 HR, 17 RBI month or that .170, 1 HR, 4 RBI stinker. There's no rhyme or reason to it.
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
Sign me up. I'm a believer. I don't know if they go into Philly and win, but I expect it to be a better game than that 9-point spread would indicate. They have a couple of decent wins on their resume and really haven't been blown out of the water in their two losses. A couple of late TD's made those two losses look worse than they were. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Falcons are a solid team.
11. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
Ok, Brad Johnson can't be a pro QB anymore. I was wrong on that one. But I can't drop the Cowboys any further with all of the talent remaining on that squad. They have Tampa Bay coming into town this week and can turn everything around with a statement win. I don't see it happening this week, but when Romo comes back expect a turnaround.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
They're coming off of a bye week and expect to have Brian Westbrook back. I cannot underscore enough how big of a deal that is to the Eagles team. He brings back the west coast option to their offense and makes McNabb much more effective. I think they could start a nice little run this week.
9. Washington Redskins (5-2)
I know that they won but they sure have looked unimpressive the last couple of weeks after two weeks of great football. I'll say this, there is no excuse if they look bad in Detroit. A bad game in Detroit could translate into some shaky losses within the division in the weeks to follow.
8. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Now that was a timely great performance by a good football team. Things aren't going to get any easier after the bye week with a road game in Tennessee but I like this Packers team to win the NFC North. They should be able to handle Chicago when the time comes.
7. Carolina Panthers (5-2)
I'll say it again. Remember when John Fox' job was on the line? Me neither. Someone plugged the offense back in and the defense hasn't missed a beat. Maybe all they needed was a kick in the pants, or in this case, a Steve Smith right cross to the nose.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
Their three losses (at Tennessee, Buffalo, Pittsburgh) don't look all that bad now. I see no reason why the Jags can't go on a run. Their running game is the bread and butter. Their defense is still better than good though not great. All they need is for David Garrard to get back into last year's form which looks to be happening slowly but surely. They're very close.
5. New York Giants (5-1)
Ok Giants fans. Here's your chance. Pittsburgh's only a 2.5 point favorite. Beat Pittsburgh and earn some RW respect. Lose 2 of your next 3 and you are who I think you are. Time to move your chips to the middle.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
They've held serve at home so far and they're looking for a statement road win. Now sounds like as good a time as any to notch one with a game in Dallas this week. I think the Cowboys are reeling trying to find an identity right now with a less than 100% Romo, so even if he were to play, I still like the Bucs to win this game outright. It'll be another week before the Cowboys right the ship because Tampa is playing too well right now.
3. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
I'll say it again. They're undefeated when they start Trent Edwards. They just beat a San Diego team that was expecting to come in and win. The Bills' defense has been causing headaches for every opponent (with the exception of that Arizona road game) and the offense has been making big plays when needed. They're not going to beat themselves. You'll have to do a lot to beat Buffalo.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Another day another dollar. Pittsburgh will have a tough test in a hungry Giants team looking for some RW respect this week. Maybe it's just me, but I've been impressed by Pittsburgh and really thought that this would be a 5 or 6 point spread. Even my friend D.J. who is an insane Giants fan thought it would be 6. By the way, it's really fun sending D.J. messages or phone calls talking about how much of a fluke last season was, or how Eli Manning isn't a good QB, or how the Giants are a mediocre team this year and pointing out the Giants' schedule and performance against Cincy as my proof. Very fun. Sorry D.J. Anyhow, I don't see how Pittsburgh loses this game and I'm almost ready to call a Pittsburgh-Tennessee AFC Championship right now.
1. Tennessee Titans (6-0)
I only watched last week's game when Kansas City had the ball. It was like watching the first half of the final game in Little Giants when the Giants never gained a yard and then got really excited when they finally had a 2nd and 9 in the third quarter. Tennessee will finally be playing in front of a national audience and against an Indy team that needs a win. I don't think either of those will matter. This team is too good. Tennessee will win an ugly game with a final of something like 20-13.
WEEK 8 PICKS
Tampa Bay +4 at Dallas (this is the only line I've found, no promise that it's accurate)
Oakland +7 at Baltimore
San Diego -3 at New Orleans
New York Jets -13 vs. Kansas City (I had the Chiefs then realized I was betting on the Chiefs)
Buffalo -1.5 at Miami
Atlanta +9 at Philadelphia
New England -7 vs. St. Louis
Carolina -4.5 vs. Arizona
Detroit +7.5 vs. Washington (no way Detroit wins though)
Jacksonville -7 vs. Cleveland
Pittsburgh -2.5 vs. New York Giants
San Francisco -4.5 vs. Seattle
Houston -10 vs. Cincinnati
Tennessee -4 vs. Indianapolis
Season: 51-48-3
I've had a rough past few weeks but I'll be looking to get back on track. I'm starting to waver a little on the teams in the middle third, but I'm getting more and more confident with my top teams. There were a couple of late covers last week that hurt, but that's going to happen with large spreads. Some big games this weekend, I'll look forward to another Sunday of the Direct Ticket. On to the Rankings.
32. Detroit Lions (0-6)
They were the culprits in one of those late covers I had mentioned. They're starting to look a little friskier, but remember what I said, they're going to start to make losing an art. I compare it to this: when I was 14 I could not break 80 in a round of golf. I'd have rounds where I seemed like a lock to break 80 but I'd find a way to screw it up. I counted 11 rounds of shooting 80 on the dot that involved things like rounds of 36 on the front, 44 on the back, double-bogeying 18, and even missing a two-foot putt as my Mom was waiting by the green to pick me up. What does this have to do with the Lions? They'll start getting closer and closer to winning and we'll start to see some impressive fourth quarter meltdowns. Something tells me that the offense will have a starring role in some of those meltdowns.
31. Kansas City Chefs (1-5)
That's right, they're back to being the Chefs. Remember that Snickers commercial where the grounds keeper paints the endzone and the Kansas City player comes up to him as he's finishing and says, "hey, looks great, but who are the Chefs" and then the old grounds keeper says, "great googly moogly" . . . that's the Chefs season (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_EfE-mqgE). It's one long Snickers ad. Great googly moogly.
30. Cincinnati Bungles (0-7)
The Bungles are back. And I ask again, how does Marvin Lewis have a job? He's the George W. Bush of the NFL. How is there not even an inquiry into his role as a head coach? The fans are selling their seats. The team is beyond inept. And now, they're double-digit underdogs to the Houston Texans. This has to be somebody's fault, right?
29. Seattle Seahawks (1-5)
It almost sounded like Cris Collinsworth was a Little League coach applauding his right fielder who bats ninth because the kid finally put a ball in play. Hey, the little guy's trying. That's where the Seahawks are. People are just happy to see them try because they have no talent and we all know they're going to lose every week. Yes, even in San Francisco.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-4)
I told you they'd win. I still don't know how it happened. Here was a conversation I had with a guy in a Jets jersey during the game:
Me (Raiders fan): Don't worry we'll blow it.
Jets fan: Thanks man.
Jay Feely misses field goal.
Raiders head coach had called time out.
Me (Raiders fan): Told you.
Jets fan: Hahahahahaha. Thanks.
That's what being a Raiders fan is like. Even Jets fans laugh at us and we need 57-yard field goals to win games.
27. San Francisco 49ers (2-5)
Yeah, my fault. They're not good. Picking them is like being at a roulette table and betting black then seeing red come up 5 straight times. Black has to come up at some point, doesn't it? Unfortunately past results don't affect future turnouts. Maybe Seattle's coming to town will change that. Clearly it was the suit's fault.
26. St. Louis Rams (2-4)
Maybe the NFC East isn't as good as we thought. The Rams just beat two of that division's teams. As I said before, Operation Bet Against The Rams is still in full effect at 4-2. You can't win every week. I still think that Dallas blowout will mean another month of wins betting against the Rams. I'll need one more week of being proven blatantly wrong to change course.
25. Cleveland Browns (2-4)
The Brady Quinn clock has been started up again. Their offense is inept and it really shouldn't be. I think it's safe to say that they're going to need some young legs in the backfield, but I'd rather talk about Romeo Crennel. Down by 11, fourth and goal from the 2, 5 minutes left. What possesses you to go for the TD when you just got stuffed twice when a field goal makes it a one score game? Fired on the spot. He got bailed out by a fumble then almost made the same mistake again. They're not winning again any time soon. They may have Detroit Lions syndrome with slightly more talent.
24. Miami Dolphins (2-4)
That might have been the return of the Dolphins. The second Chad Pennington threw a screen pass to the wrong team I feel like the season may have unraveled. The mystique may be gone now. That's a weird spread against Buffalo this week but I'm not biting.
23. Houston Texans (2-4)
Up a spot from last week and I expect the climb to continue. They got really thrown off early by the hurricane and were not helped by a tough schedule. Now they have a realistic shot at getting back to .500 in the next two weeks. They could definitely make a sneaky run at the playoffs.
22. New York Jets (3-3)
They lost to the Raiders in a game that the Raiders tried multiple times to give away. Brett was gunslinging and it looked like a drive-by gone wrong. Nothing like licking your wounds with the Chefs coming to town. Don't get fooled into jumping back onto the Jets' bandwagon if they spank the Chefs.
21. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
Now they can't even stop Kyle Orton. Adrian Peterson can only do so much. If the Vikings can't stop anyone then they will be in serious trouble as a running team. The offense seems to have found its way in getting personnel back but the defense is a ways away from last year.
20. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
They got the win they needed which does say something, and with the Raiders coming into town, the Ravens could get back into the playoff picture at 4-3. Unfortunately they're still playing a rookie QB whose TD/Int ratio is 2/7. Still not so much here.
19. New Orleans Saints (3-4)
Again a reason not to get too excited when a mediocre team beats up on a hapless team. The Saints showed their true colors once again in getting dismantled by Carolina. And no, one injury isn't an excuse for a performance like that. A big game this week against San Diego to avoid another season down the drain.
18. Denver Broncos (4-3)
There's not having any defense and then there's getting blown out by Matt Cassel and Sammy Morris. No excuse. They'll need 35 points a game to finish above .500 this year. ZERO DEFENSE.
17. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Yes, they did get into a shootout with Gus Frerotte but that was still a very nice performance to enter a bye week a game above .500. They maneuvered their way back into the NFC North race. While that doesn't say much, the playoffs are still the playoffs and Pittsburgh and New York proved that all you need to do is get there and have a defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
They have a perfect opportunity to prove me wrong this week in Carolina. As of now, I'm convinced that they can only win at home. I expect them to lose this week and drop back to around 20 on this list.
15. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
They really needed a win last week going into Tennessee on Monday Night this week. Now that mini-run a couple of weeks ago can be erased by a loss this week and a trip back to the bottom half of the standings.
14. San Diego Chargers (3-4)
I still can't bring myself to give up on the Chargers. I don't know what it is. A loss this week will probably be the last straw for me but I just can't imagine this team not making the playoffs. They have too much talent and they've proven in the past that they can win even with Norv Turner.
13. New England Patriots (4-2)
I still don't know what to make of the Patriots. Every week I change my mind on them and lose their game. They're like Pat Burrell. You never know when he's going to have that .350, 8 HR, 17 RBI month or that .170, 1 HR, 4 RBI stinker. There's no rhyme or reason to it.
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
Sign me up. I'm a believer. I don't know if they go into Philly and win, but I expect it to be a better game than that 9-point spread would indicate. They have a couple of decent wins on their resume and really haven't been blown out of the water in their two losses. A couple of late TD's made those two losses look worse than they were. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Falcons are a solid team.
11. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
Ok, Brad Johnson can't be a pro QB anymore. I was wrong on that one. But I can't drop the Cowboys any further with all of the talent remaining on that squad. They have Tampa Bay coming into town this week and can turn everything around with a statement win. I don't see it happening this week, but when Romo comes back expect a turnaround.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
They're coming off of a bye week and expect to have Brian Westbrook back. I cannot underscore enough how big of a deal that is to the Eagles team. He brings back the west coast option to their offense and makes McNabb much more effective. I think they could start a nice little run this week.
9. Washington Redskins (5-2)
I know that they won but they sure have looked unimpressive the last couple of weeks after two weeks of great football. I'll say this, there is no excuse if they look bad in Detroit. A bad game in Detroit could translate into some shaky losses within the division in the weeks to follow.
8. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Now that was a timely great performance by a good football team. Things aren't going to get any easier after the bye week with a road game in Tennessee but I like this Packers team to win the NFC North. They should be able to handle Chicago when the time comes.
7. Carolina Panthers (5-2)
I'll say it again. Remember when John Fox' job was on the line? Me neither. Someone plugged the offense back in and the defense hasn't missed a beat. Maybe all they needed was a kick in the pants, or in this case, a Steve Smith right cross to the nose.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
Their three losses (at Tennessee, Buffalo, Pittsburgh) don't look all that bad now. I see no reason why the Jags can't go on a run. Their running game is the bread and butter. Their defense is still better than good though not great. All they need is for David Garrard to get back into last year's form which looks to be happening slowly but surely. They're very close.
5. New York Giants (5-1)
Ok Giants fans. Here's your chance. Pittsburgh's only a 2.5 point favorite. Beat Pittsburgh and earn some RW respect. Lose 2 of your next 3 and you are who I think you are. Time to move your chips to the middle.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
They've held serve at home so far and they're looking for a statement road win. Now sounds like as good a time as any to notch one with a game in Dallas this week. I think the Cowboys are reeling trying to find an identity right now with a less than 100% Romo, so even if he were to play, I still like the Bucs to win this game outright. It'll be another week before the Cowboys right the ship because Tampa is playing too well right now.
3. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
I'll say it again. They're undefeated when they start Trent Edwards. They just beat a San Diego team that was expecting to come in and win. The Bills' defense has been causing headaches for every opponent (with the exception of that Arizona road game) and the offense has been making big plays when needed. They're not going to beat themselves. You'll have to do a lot to beat Buffalo.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Another day another dollar. Pittsburgh will have a tough test in a hungry Giants team looking for some RW respect this week. Maybe it's just me, but I've been impressed by Pittsburgh and really thought that this would be a 5 or 6 point spread. Even my friend D.J. who is an insane Giants fan thought it would be 6. By the way, it's really fun sending D.J. messages or phone calls talking about how much of a fluke last season was, or how Eli Manning isn't a good QB, or how the Giants are a mediocre team this year and pointing out the Giants' schedule and performance against Cincy as my proof. Very fun. Sorry D.J. Anyhow, I don't see how Pittsburgh loses this game and I'm almost ready to call a Pittsburgh-Tennessee AFC Championship right now.
1. Tennessee Titans (6-0)
I only watched last week's game when Kansas City had the ball. It was like watching the first half of the final game in Little Giants when the Giants never gained a yard and then got really excited when they finally had a 2nd and 9 in the third quarter. Tennessee will finally be playing in front of a national audience and against an Indy team that needs a win. I don't think either of those will matter. This team is too good. Tennessee will win an ugly game with a final of something like 20-13.
WEEK 8 PICKS
Tampa Bay +4 at Dallas (this is the only line I've found, no promise that it's accurate)
Oakland +7 at Baltimore
San Diego -3 at New Orleans
New York Jets -13 vs. Kansas City (I had the Chiefs then realized I was betting on the Chiefs)
Buffalo -1.5 at Miami
Atlanta +9 at Philadelphia
New England -7 vs. St. Louis
Carolina -4.5 vs. Arizona
Detroit +7.5 vs. Washington (no way Detroit wins though)
Jacksonville -7 vs. Cleveland
Pittsburgh -2.5 vs. New York Giants
San Francisco -4.5 vs. Seattle
Houston -10 vs. Cincinnati
Tennessee -4 vs. Indianapolis
Season: 51-48-3
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