NFL

NFL Power Rankings: Titans No. 1 by Default

Posted Oct 16, 2008 12:00PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Titans, NFL Power Rankings

Text SizeAAA

Here's how crazy the past weekend in the NFL was: The top eight teams in my power rankings went 0-6. The Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, Ravens, Broncos and Panthers all lost, while the Titans and Steelers were off.

So, even though the Tennessee Titans have played an easy schedule to become the only undefeated team in the league, for now I'm going to list them atop my NFL power rankings. Sorry if I can't get too enthused about it, Titans fans.

  • 1. Titans (5-0) | Prev.: 4
    There was one piece of bad news for the Titans this week: They lost a pick in the 2009 draft, compensation to the Cowboys for the suspension of Pacman Jones. Here's a piece of good news: The Titans no longer have to deal with Pacman Jones.
  • 2. Giants (4-1) | Previous Week: 1
    That Monday night loss to the Browns was just about the most lackluster effort any good team has put together all season, and yet I'll only drop them one spot on the power rankings since, as previously noted, all the other good teams lost, too.
  • 3. Steelers (4-1) | Prev.: 5
    Getting defensive end Brett Keisel back from a calf strain is big for the Steelers' defense. Keisel had started every game for Pittsburgh in the last two-plus seasons, and his return will make a good defense better.

  • 4. Buccaneers (4-2) | Prev.: 10
    Is there any doubt at all that Jeff Garcia is a better quarterback than Brian Griese? Jon Gruden gets his little quarterback crushes every season, and this season Griese was the object of his affection, but he seems to realize now that Garcia is his man.
  • 5. Eagles (3-3) | Prev.: 9
    This is a good team with an average record, and a good example of why the win-loss record doesn't tell you everything. According to Football Outsiders, the Eagles are the best team in the league. The problem is that the combination of three tough losses and being in the best division in the league leaves them little margin for error.
  • 6. Colts (3-2) | Prev.: 18
    Peyton Manning is back to 100 percent, and that means the Colts are in good shape on offense. It's too bad the trade for defensive tackle John McCargo was voided, because an inability to stop the run is the one thing that could prevent the Colts from being one of the league's elite teams.
  • 7. Bills (4-1) | Prev.: 12
    Quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver/return man Roscoe Parrish are both healthy and ready to go Sunday against San Diego in a game that could go a long way toward securing the Bills' status as the favorites in the AFC East.
  • 8. Redskins (4-2) | Prev.: 2
    A loss to the Rams is embarrassing, but I still think the Redskins are a solid, well-rounded team. I'm just not sure why they felt the need to sign a washed-up running back.
  • 9. Panthers (4-2) | Prev.: 8
    Panthers fullback Brad Hoover said that when the players hear from the coaches after their 27-3 loss to Tampa Bay, they should "not take criticism to a point where you get angry with it." I dunno. Maybe anger is the correct emotion after a loss that ugly.
  • 10. Cowboys (4-2) | Prev.: 3
    I love the trade for Roy Williams, one of the best young receivers in the league. Other than that, the Cowboys may have had the worst week that any NFL franchise has ever had. From Pacman Jones' suspension to an overtime loss that cost them Tony Romo, Felix Jones and Mat McBriar, plus Terence Newman needing surgery, this is a big mess.
  • 11. Broncos (4-2) | Prev.: 7
    Running back Michael Pittman had an impressive game against the Jaguars. This offense has so many weapons, it's a shame that the defense is going to lose so many games for Denver.
  • 12. Bears (3-3) | Prev.: 11
    Was there any worse coaching strategery on display last weekend than Lovie Smith's decision to squib kick and then play a prevent Cover-2 in the closing seconds against the Falcons? Smith is a good coach, but he cost the Bears the game.
  • 13. Chargers (3-3) | Prev.: 13
    The dominant win over the Patriots Sunday night was just the kind of thing that builds momentum. Except I think the Chargers' upcoming trip from San Diego to Buffalo to London and back to San Diego is just the kind of thing that kills momentum.
  • 14. Packers (3-3) | Prev.: 14
    The thing I didn't like about the Packers' offense against Seattle was that Aaron Rodgers' passes were too short. Yes, they were accurate and effective, but I think to beat a team better than the Seahawks, they're going to need to hit Donald Driver with some downfield passes and not just dink and dunk, eight or nine yards at a time.
  • 15. Ravens (2-3) | Prev.: 6
    The Ravens are sticking with quarterback Joe Flacco, which is the right decision because really, what other decision do they have? His backup, Troy Smith, was a fifth-round draft pick last year who has missed a great deal of practice time after suffering a serious illness.
  • 16. Saints (3-3) | Prev.: 16
    The Saints have already lost 31 games by starters to injury through six games this season. They lost only 36 games by starters to injury all of last season .
  • 17. Jaguars (3-3) | Prev.: 17
    The Jaguars may have saved their season with that win over the Broncos. They're still right in the thick of things at 3-3.
  • 18. Cardinals (4-2) | Prev.: 22
    Should the Cardinals be higher than this? Maybe. I love Kurt Warner and his receivers, but I just don't trust Arizona's defense to play as well all season as it played Sunday against the Cowboys. Arizona looks to me like a team that is going to win the NFC West and then get blown out at home by a wild card team in the first round of the playoffs.
  • 19. Patriots (3-2) | Prev.: 15
    Bill Belichick's record as head coach of the Browns was 37-45. His record as head coach of the Patriots when Tom Brady isn't starting at quarterback is 7-15. Just sayin'.
  • 20. Jets (3-2) | Prev.: 20
    With back to back games against Oakland and Kansas City coming up, we're going to see a lot of glowing articles about Brett Favre. I'd just like to see the Jets beat a good team.
  • 21. Falcons (4-2) | Prev.: 23
    I know, I'm stubborn, I should have the Falcons higher than this. That's what Atlanta fans will say. I still say they have a hard road ahead to eight wins.
  • 22. Browns (2-3) | Prev.: 26
    Where was the Browns team we saw on Monday night for the first five weeks of the season? Play like that a couple more times and I'll be convinced that Cleveland has a good team.
  • 23. Vikings (3-3) | Prev.: 19
    Yes, I dropped the Vikings after they won a game. Because needing a last-minute field goal at home against the Lions is about as unimpressive a win as a team can possibly have.
  • 24. Dolphins (2-3) | Prev.: 21
    How did the Dolphins' defense not see that Matt Schaub game-winning quarterback draw coming? I shouted to my wife that he was going to run it in, not that she cared.
  • 25. 49ers (2-4) | Prev.: 24
    The columnists in San Francisco have already decided that head coach Mike Nolan is getting fired, and now they're just talking about who will replace him. I think they've got the right man for the job in their offensive coordinator, Mike Martz.
  • 26. Raiders (1-4) | Prev.: 25
    I have a feeling that new head coach Tom Cable woke up Monday morning, thought about that 34-3 loss to the Saints, and asked himself, "What the hell did I just get myself into?"
  • 27. Seahawks (1-4) | Prev.: 27
    The Seahawks are playing so badly that John Madden won't watch them.
  • 28. Texans (1-4) | Prev.: 30
    The Texans gave their fans an exciting win on Sunday, but that doesn't change the fact that their defense stinks.
  • 29. Rams (1-4) | Prev.: 32
    How did new coach Jim Haslett get the worst team in the league ready to beat a likely playoff team? I don't know, but if he replicates it Sunday against the Cowboys, the fans in Dallas are going to go insane.
  • 30. Chiefs (1-4) | Prev.:29
    I don't really get why they wouldn't trade Tony Gonzalez, seeing as the team is going nowhere and it couldn't hurt to add a draft pick. You know who else doesn't get it? Tony Gonzalez. At least he has some good reading material to get him through a dreadful season.
  • 31. Bengals (0-6) | Prev.: 28
    Fans in Cincinnati have so little interest in seeing the Bengals that they're happy to sell their tickets at a loss. At least the mayor still likes them.
  • 32. Lions (0-5) | Prev.: 31
    By getting rid of Roy Williams and Jon Kitna, the Lions officially gave up on the season. It's too bad their season ticket holders can't get their money back.

Tags: NFL+Power+Rankings, NFL+Power+Ratings, NflPowerRankings, NflPowerRatings

Related Articles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments


NFL Team Photos




Latest NFL Photos