NFL Power Rankings - Week 13
I felt the need to collect my thoughts on the NFL after climbing back to 1 game under .500, and what better way to do that than some RW Power Rankings?
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)
I think they have those 99 problems Jay-Z was talking about a few years ago.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
Derek Anderson with the best postgame rant since Mike Gundy's "I'm a man, I'm 40!"
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-9)
Why do they even come out of the tunnel in the second half?
29. Detroit Lions (2-9)
I still love this team for the future, but, Drew Stanton? Maybe if you're playing Indiana circa 2006.
28. Denver Broncos (3-8)
I'm not sure what they did to ruffle Todd Haley's feathers but they'll be paying for it this week in the KC rematch.
27. Buffalo Bills (2-9)
This is the scariest 2-9 team I've seen. I'm sold on the Bills to cover the rest of the way.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-7)
At least that Peyton Hillis trade worked out. The rest of the roster . . . not so much.
25. San Francisco 49ers (4-7)
They're not as good as their 4-7 record would indicate. Remember, it's the NFC West.
24. Seattle Seahawks (5-6)
Speaking of not being as good as a record would indicate . . .
23. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
The season has unraveled quickly between the Vince Young saga and the Rusty Smith experiment.
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-8)
They've found their coach in Jason Garrett. He has the 'Boys on the road back.
21. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
Now unified around the euphoria of not having to deal with Coach Chilly.
20. Oakland Raiders (5-6)
Being over .500 was fun while it lasted. Now it's time to play for a draft pick.
19. Washington Redskins (5-6)
They're still several pieces short of the puzzle and as much as I hate to say it, Donovan's time may be up.
18. St. Louis Rams (5-6)
Sam Bradford may be getting the headlines but the defense led by Jake Long up front has been causing serious problems for some opponents.
17. Houston Texans (5-7)
Ho hum, another season of mediocrity.
16. Miami Dolphins (6-5)
The wildcat mystery has been solved and the Dolphins struggle to move the ball when teams key on Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Making the Dolphins QB du jour beat you has been a recipe for success.
15. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Peyton Manning is literally trying to do it all by himself. Depleted doesn't even begin to describe the Colts' roster.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
Josh Freeman & Co. find a way to get things done. Love the coach, but let's see if they can make a giant leap forward this week against the Falcons.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
Wasn't Jack Del Rio supposed to be fired by now? Aren't the Jaguars supposed to be 3-8? Defying the odds.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
They may need to win out to hold off the Chargers but I like the way Haley has them playing. Bowe has emerged as a legit #1 who needs double coverage. We'll see when opposing secondaries figure that out.
11. San Diego Chargers (6-5)
It's that time of year again, the time when the Chargers rattle off about 5 straight before blowing it in January.
10. New York Giants (7-4)
Very Jekyll and Hyde this season. They could easily not make the Super Bowl but I would also not be at all surprised to see them hoisting the Lombardi trophy riding that front four on defense.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
I'm telling you, they're overrated and the Steelers will expose them this weekend, hobbled Ben and all.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
But that's not to say that the Steelers don't have their own issues. The defense needs to turn it up a notch, well, everybody except James Harrison who needs to take some Xanax before the game.
7. New York Jets (9-2)
The Jets can talk all they want about how they're comfortable eking games out but that type of play won't cut it against contenders.
6. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Lovie Smith has the Bears playing defense along the lines of the squad that made the Super Bowl a few years back. If Jay Cutler can avoid throwing the ball to the wrong team the Bears can beat good teams in low scoring games.
5. New Orleans Saints (8-3)
Has an 8-3 defending Super Bowl Champion ever been this overlooked? Unless I'm mistaken, that's still Drew Brees back there.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
No, I am not rooting for Michael Vick. He viciously murdered dogs for profit. However, he is an absolute nightmare for defenses. The Eagles are a SCARY team.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-4)
It's time now. The Packers are going to round into form. This is the year they prove me right and make the Super Bowl.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-2)
Matty Ice came up huge last week. The Falcons are solid all the way around. It's tough to beat a team that controls the ball as well as the Falcons do.
1. New England Patriots (9-2)
Tom Brady is a man possessed. He looks like he's taken one too many hair jokes the wrong way. Good luck stopping the Pats offense.
WEEK 13 PICKS
Houston +8 at Philadelphia (how they managed not to cover is beyond me)
Buffalo +5.5 at Minnesota
Miami -5 vs. Cleveland
Jacksonville +3 at Tennessee
Kansas City -9 vs. Denver
New York Giants -7 vs. Washington
Chicago -5 at Detroit
Green Bay -9.5 vs. San Francisco
New Orleans -7 at Cincinnati
Oakland +13 at San Diego
Atlanta -3 at Tampa Bay
Carolina +5.5 at Seattle (Seattle can't be a 5.5 point favorite over any NFL team and Carolina is still technically in the NFL)
Dallas +5.5 at Indianapolis
St. Louis -3.5 at Arizona
Pittsburgh +3 at Baltimore
New England -3.5 vs. New York Jets
Last Week: 9-6-1
Season: 78-79-1
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)
I think they have those 99 problems Jay-Z was talking about a few years ago.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
Derek Anderson with the best postgame rant since Mike Gundy's "I'm a man, I'm 40!"
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-9)
Why do they even come out of the tunnel in the second half?
29. Detroit Lions (2-9)
I still love this team for the future, but, Drew Stanton? Maybe if you're playing Indiana circa 2006.
28. Denver Broncos (3-8)
I'm not sure what they did to ruffle Todd Haley's feathers but they'll be paying for it this week in the KC rematch.
27. Buffalo Bills (2-9)
This is the scariest 2-9 team I've seen. I'm sold on the Bills to cover the rest of the way.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-7)
At least that Peyton Hillis trade worked out. The rest of the roster . . . not so much.
25. San Francisco 49ers (4-7)
They're not as good as their 4-7 record would indicate. Remember, it's the NFC West.
24. Seattle Seahawks (5-6)
Speaking of not being as good as a record would indicate . . .
23. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
The season has unraveled quickly between the Vince Young saga and the Rusty Smith experiment.
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-8)
They've found their coach in Jason Garrett. He has the 'Boys on the road back.
21. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
Now unified around the euphoria of not having to deal with Coach Chilly.
20. Oakland Raiders (5-6)
Being over .500 was fun while it lasted. Now it's time to play for a draft pick.
19. Washington Redskins (5-6)
They're still several pieces short of the puzzle and as much as I hate to say it, Donovan's time may be up.
18. St. Louis Rams (5-6)
Sam Bradford may be getting the headlines but the defense led by Jake Long up front has been causing serious problems for some opponents.
17. Houston Texans (5-7)
Ho hum, another season of mediocrity.
16. Miami Dolphins (6-5)
The wildcat mystery has been solved and the Dolphins struggle to move the ball when teams key on Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Making the Dolphins QB du jour beat you has been a recipe for success.
15. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Peyton Manning is literally trying to do it all by himself. Depleted doesn't even begin to describe the Colts' roster.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
Josh Freeman & Co. find a way to get things done. Love the coach, but let's see if they can make a giant leap forward this week against the Falcons.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
Wasn't Jack Del Rio supposed to be fired by now? Aren't the Jaguars supposed to be 3-8? Defying the odds.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
They may need to win out to hold off the Chargers but I like the way Haley has them playing. Bowe has emerged as a legit #1 who needs double coverage. We'll see when opposing secondaries figure that out.
11. San Diego Chargers (6-5)
It's that time of year again, the time when the Chargers rattle off about 5 straight before blowing it in January.
10. New York Giants (7-4)
Very Jekyll and Hyde this season. They could easily not make the Super Bowl but I would also not be at all surprised to see them hoisting the Lombardi trophy riding that front four on defense.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
I'm telling you, they're overrated and the Steelers will expose them this weekend, hobbled Ben and all.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
But that's not to say that the Steelers don't have their own issues. The defense needs to turn it up a notch, well, everybody except James Harrison who needs to take some Xanax before the game.
7. New York Jets (9-2)
The Jets can talk all they want about how they're comfortable eking games out but that type of play won't cut it against contenders.
6. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Lovie Smith has the Bears playing defense along the lines of the squad that made the Super Bowl a few years back. If Jay Cutler can avoid throwing the ball to the wrong team the Bears can beat good teams in low scoring games.
5. New Orleans Saints (8-3)
Has an 8-3 defending Super Bowl Champion ever been this overlooked? Unless I'm mistaken, that's still Drew Brees back there.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
No, I am not rooting for Michael Vick. He viciously murdered dogs for profit. However, he is an absolute nightmare for defenses. The Eagles are a SCARY team.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-4)
It's time now. The Packers are going to round into form. This is the year they prove me right and make the Super Bowl.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-2)
Matty Ice came up huge last week. The Falcons are solid all the way around. It's tough to beat a team that controls the ball as well as the Falcons do.
1. New England Patriots (9-2)
Tom Brady is a man possessed. He looks like he's taken one too many hair jokes the wrong way. Good luck stopping the Pats offense.
WEEK 13 PICKS
Houston +8 at Philadelphia (how they managed not to cover is beyond me)
Buffalo +5.5 at Minnesota
Miami -5 vs. Cleveland
Jacksonville +3 at Tennessee
Kansas City -9 vs. Denver
New York Giants -7 vs. Washington
Chicago -5 at Detroit
Green Bay -9.5 vs. San Francisco
New Orleans -7 at Cincinnati
Oakland +13 at San Diego
Atlanta -3 at Tampa Bay
Carolina +5.5 at Seattle (Seattle can't be a 5.5 point favorite over any NFL team and Carolina is still technically in the NFL)
Dallas +5.5 at Indianapolis
St. Louis -3.5 at Arizona
Pittsburgh +3 at Baltimore
New England -3.5 vs. New York Jets
Last Week: 9-6-1
Season: 78-79-1
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