How long can Drew Brees and the Saints keep their perfect run going?
1. New Orleans Saints (7-0)
New Orleans just might be the most balanced team in the NFL right now. There is even talk of them running the table this season. But, there are still a lot of games left to play.
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
They barely got past the San Francisco 49ers, and Peyton Manning didn’t even throw a touchdown pass (instead Joseph Addai did). Bob Sanders looked impressive in his return… wait… what’s that? Oh, he’s out for the season. What a surprise!
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
Is it safe to say Minnesota has the NFC North wrapped up already? Brett Favre not only got his revenge against the Green Bay Packers by sweeping them this season, but he also has kept them out of the race for number one in the division.
4. Denver Broncos (6-1)
They are human!!! The Baltimore Ravens needed the win more last Sunday, and Denver just came into their place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, they have the red hot Pittsburgh Steelers coming into mile high on Monday night.
5. New England Patriots (5-2)
Many have pointed out that New England beat up on two inferior opponents before heading into the bye week last week. While that is true, it might have given them just enough confidence moving forward this season.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Cincinnati has two big tests coming up: at home against Baltimore and on the road against Pittsburgh. These two games will no doubt affect the standings in the AFC North.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
They needed a bye week before they enter a tough four game stretch this month. Pittsburgh will face three teams with a winning record, two of which are in their division (Cincinnati and Baltimore).
8. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
Dallas has been playing their best football in nearly 14 months, and if they beat the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, they’ll take the lead in the NFC East. But the big question is, will Dallas collapse near the end of the season as in years past?
9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Philadelphia is flying high right now (pun very much intended). It seems like no one has an answer for wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who might be the best big play threat in the NFL.
10. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
I’ve mention a lot about Baltimore before even addressing their status in the power rankings, but they have a potential to create some havoc. After getting a huge win against Denver, Baltimore gets division rival Cincinnati on the road. Will their defense give up 100 plus yards rushing to Cedric Benson again?
11. Houston Texans (5-3)
Finally, Houston has arrived. Many felt they could pose a threat to Indianapolis coming into the season. Well, they get there shot against their AFC South rival on Sunday.
12. Arizona Cardinals (4-3)
Kurt Warner managed to kill Arizona’s recent high by throwing five interceptions at home against the Carolina Panthers in a deflating 34-21 loss. They take their 3-0 road record to Soldier Field Sunday to face the Chicago Bears.
13. New York Giants (5-3)
Hit the panic button. The Giants have now lost three straight after starting the season 5-0. What’s strange is that Eli Manning has hit a wall of some sorts. What’s even stranger, their vaunted pass defense has been exposed.
14. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Green Bay is puzzling. They have a lot of young talent on both sides of the ball, but there are still major issues. Obviously, everyone’s heard about Green Bay’s horrendous offensive line. But when are they going to beat a top tier team in the NFC?
15. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Everyone sipped the Atlanta Kool-Aid coming into the season, and it must have been spiked because everyone is still in a drunken haze over this team. Face it, they just aren’t good enough to be contenders in the NFC.
16. San Diego Chargers (4-3)
YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! San Diego is underachieving and they get a struggling Giants’ team on Sunday. If they win and Denver loses, they’re right back in the AFC West race. Why does this seem to happen every year?
17. New York Jets (4-4)
Not only can’t the Jets stop the Miami Dolphins on the field this season, but they also can’t stop from mouthing off about them off the field. Rex Ryan and Bart Scott look like soar losers when they take shots at Miami. Some teams just have your number.
18. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Chicago beat the Cleveland Browns, and no one is excited except Lovie Smith. What’s concerning is Jay Cutler got sacked four times against a poor pass defense. Can their struggling offense handle a shoot out with Arizona Sunday?
19. Miami Dolphins (3-4)
They might be 3-4, but Miami could get back into the AFC East division race by beating New England this Sunday. Remember, they revealed the wildcat to the NFL in week 3 of the 2008 season at Foxboro. That small subplot should make it a good one.
20. San Francisco 49ers (3-4)
Three straight losses have put San Francisco into soul searching mode. Let’s be realistic, did most of us see them as a playoff team in 2009? No. Most of us probably thought they were tough and physical but certainly not an NFC powerhouse. San Francisco is right where they should be.
21. Buffalo Bills (3-5)
Hey, Buffalo is a nice, little competitive team. However, last Sunday’s game was telling about their season thus far. They were leading Houston 10-9 going into the fourth quarter but ended up losing 31-10.
22. Carolina Panthers (3-4)
The winning formula for Carolina: Run the ball, play good defense, and keep Jake Delhomme from throwing the ball often. Why did it take them seven games into the season to figure that out?
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
Jacksonville’s youth showed when they let the winless Tennessee Titans have a field day with them. Luckily, they get the Kansas City Chiefs at home to maybe have their own field day with.
24. Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
Don’t you miss when the Seattle Seahawks were the only good team in the NFC West. Oh how the mighty have fallen! A match up with the Detroit Lions might give them a small feeling of what it was like to be in the penthouse.
25. Washington Redskins (2-5)
Washington is both hot mess and hot garbage. Is that even possible? You betcha!
26. Oakland Raiders (2-6)
Between they’re bad play on the field and the constant Tom Cable drama off the field, Oakland is becoming too difficult to watch. Thankfully, they have a bye this week.
27. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Tennessee seemed inspired last week with the maligned Vince Young behind center, which could be a big factor why they notched their first win of the season. Could Young’s return be similar to his rookie season? You know, when he went 8-5 and won six straight.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)
Larry Johnson’s absence from Kansas City might actually help them. I think this is the right time to see what the younger Jamaal Charles can do with his opportunity.
29. Detroit Lions (1-6)
Wait a minute. Aren’t they are better than this? How in the world did Detroit lose to the St. Louis Rams, a team that might have been worse than the 2008 Lions (who went 0-16)? Maybe we got too excited after their first win earlier this season.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-7)
Their general manager is gone and the writing appears to be on the wall for head coach Eric Mangini. It’s clear this team is a complete mess and could lose their fan base. A great P.R. move for Cleveland would be hiring Bernie Kosar to be in a position of power, which he has wanted for years. Next, find a head coach who can quickly turn around the franchise.
31. St. Louis Rams (1-7)
Since St. Louis is 1-7, a scenario like this would never happen. But, should MVP voters think about giving the award to Steven Jackson. He’s the only guy playing his butt off every single week. Jackson should at least be a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)
Tampa Bay is now the only team in the NFL without a win. It should stay that way with rookie quarterback Josh Freeman making his debut against Green Bay Sunday.
