NFL Power Rankings: New York, New York

Now that the Titans have lost, we're all in agreement that the Giants are the best team in the NFL. But who's the second best?

Crazy as this would have sounded just a couple of weeks ago, I think it's the New York Jets.

No, the Jets haven't been the second-best team in the league over the course of the entire season -- not even close. They played some ugly football in losses to the Patriots, Chargers and Raiders. But the way the Jets look right now, with Brett Favre playing his best football of the season and Kris Jenkins looking like the defensive player of the year, I think New York has football's two best teams.

On to this week's NFL power rankings.

1. Giants (10-1) | Previous Week: 1
Even without Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress, the Giants managed to put 37 points on the board in Arizona. Behind an outstanding offensive line, Eli Manning is running the most complete offense in football.
2. Jets (8-3) | Prev.: 13
I love the way the Jets are using running back Leon Washington. He's not going to be the every-down back, not as long as the Jets have Thomas Jones, and not as long as Washington is handling punt and kickoff returns. But getting him about 10 touches a game on offense is perfect. In the win over the Titans, Washington had eight carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns. If he can be even close to that productive on offense going forward, the Jets are going to be in very good shape.
3. Titans (10-1) | Prev.: 2
I don't want to move the Titans down too far in my power rankings after just one loss. They are, after all, tied for the best record in football. But I also don't want to overlook just how badly they got beaten. The final score of 34-13 doesn't even tell the whole story; the Titans didn't reach the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter, when the Jets had gone into a soft zone on defense. I can't rank them ahead of the Jets after that.
4. Steelers (8-3) | Prev.: 5
Pittsburgh has a murderer's row ahead: at New England, home against the Cowboys, at Baltimore, at Tennessee. I think they'll win two of those four, then win the season finale against the Browns. Pencil them in for 11-5.
5. Colts (7-4) | Prev.: 6
Yes, that was a clutch kick by Adam Vinatieri to win Sunday night's game. But it's a funny thing about being "clutch." Once people decide that a guy like Vinatieri is clutch, they conveniently forget all the times that he's choked. Everyone remembers that Vinatieri hit the game-winning 41-yard field goal in Super Bowl XXXVIII. No one remembers that Vinatieri missed field goals of 31 and 36 yards earlier in that game. That's why Vinatieri will end up in the Hall of Fame some day, while superior kickers like Jason Hanson are overlooked.
6. Cardinals (7-4) | Prev.: 3
Neil Rackers booted just about the most perfect onside kick I've ever seen on Sunday, right into the hands of teammate Ralph Brown, who stood there like a statue as it bounced off his hands. And that's how you become one of the duds of the week.
7. Ravens (7-4) | Prev.: 8
Ed Reed is the best interception returner in NFL history. His 108-yarder on Sunday was the longest in NFL history, breaking his own record. He already has more than 1,000 interception return yards in his career. Now if he can just stop lateraling the ball when he picks it off, as he stupidly did at the end of his other interception return on Sunday.
8. Panthers (8-3) | Prev.: 4
After back-to-back bad games against the Raiders and Lions, Jake Delhomme's numbers were good against the Falcons. Unfortunately, he put up those good numbers after the Panthers fell into a 17-0 hole against the Falcons. I still like the Panthers to win the NFC South, mostly because they still get to play the Buccaneers at home, but it's been a while since they've played a complete football game.
9. Patriots (7-4) | Prev.: 15
Back-to-back 400-yard games have me believing in Matt Cassel. His teammates believe in him, too: Guard Logan Mankins says there's not another quarterback in the league he'd rather have. Does that include Tom Brady?
10. Cowboys (7-4) | Prev.: 7
For all the justified criticism Terrell Owens gets for his inconsistency on the field and his attitude off the field, when he's on -- as he was Sunday against the 49ers -- there's not an NFL wide receiver I'd rather have on my team.
11. Redskins (7-4) | Prev.: 9
If the Redskins are going to get to the playoffs, they're going to do it on the back of Clinton Portis, who had 143 yards on Sunday and is on pace for more than 1,750 this season. My only question is whether his body can withstand the pounding of many more 29-carry games.
12. Buccaneers (8-3) | Prev.: 10
The Bucs won by 18 on the road on Sunday, and I dropped them two spots in the power rankings. That's how bad the Lions are.
13. Falcons (7-4) | Prev.: 18
The Falcons have been a pleasant surprise all season, and a huge game from Harry Douglas was the latest example. It's still a very tough path to the playoffs, but beating the Panthers makes it possible.
14. Saints (6-5) | Prev.: 19
The Saints are the best last-place team in the NFL. For what that's worth.
15. Packers (5-6) | Prev.: 12
And the team the Saints beat, Green Bay, is the best team in the NFC North, even if both the Bears and Vikings are ahead of them in the standings. The North will be a three-way race down to the wire, but I like the Packers to pull it out.
16. Bills (6-5) | Prev.: 16
Nothing quite like getting the Chiefs on the schedule to stave off a meltdown. And with San Francisco coming to town, the Bills should make it two in a row on Sunday. It won't be easy in the AFC East, but they're not out of it just yet.
17. Bears (6-5) | Prev.: 14
People in Chicago are already talking about the Bears going after Donovan McNabb, which is utterly ridiculous. What makes anyone think the 32-year-old Donovan McNabb is going to be a better quarterback than the 26-year-old Kyle Orton next season?
18. Eagles (5-5-1) | Prev.: 11
I can't think of a worse situation for a young quarterback to get his first significant playing time than on the road against the Ravens. For Andy Reid to throw Kevin Kolb to the wolves like that was incredibly stupid.
19. Broncos (6-5) | Prev.: 17
As long as Champ Bailey is out, the Broncos' pass defense may be the worst in the league. In the AFC West, they're probably going to make the playoffs. Think Peyton Manning would love to see the Broncos in the wild card round?
20. Dolphins (6-5) | Prev.: 20
The Dolphins don't like the Patriots running up the score on them. Of course, when the situation was reversed in Week 3, the Dolphins didn't just stop playing after they went up 35-13 in the fourth quarter.
21. Chargers (4-7) | Prev.: 21
The fans in San Diego are making clear how they feel about this team: After selling out every game the last four years, the Chargers are in danger of being blacked out on local television and playing in front of thousands of empty seats.
22. Vikings (6-5) | Prev.: 22
The Vikings' entire defensive line is in trouble with Commissioner Roger Goodell, with tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams both appealing four-game suspensions and ends Jared Allen and Ray Edwards both getting big fines for hitting quarterbacks. Edwards' response to all this? To remind us that men don't wear panties. Duly noted.
23. Texans (4-7) | Prev.: 25
The Texans' defense finally looked good on Sunday. Too bad they don't get to play the Browns every week.
24. Raiders (3-8) | Prev.: 29
The blowout win over the Broncos was nice, and it showed what great physical tools JaMarcus Russell has. I think this talk that they could still make the playoffs is going a little overboard, though.
25. Jaguars (4-7) | Prev.: 24
Jaguars wide receiver Troy Williamson spent the week leading up to the game against the Vikings talking tough about confronting his old coach, Brad Childress. As it turns out, Williamson didn't confront Childress, or even suit up, because of a groin injury.
26. Browns (4-7) | Prev.: 23
I don't really get the point of benching Brady Quinn, seeing as the rest of Cleveland's season seems mostly about getting Quinn ready to be the quarterback of the future. Of course, since Romeo Crennel won't be Quinn's coach next year anyway, I guess he doesn't really care about Quinn's development.
27. Seahawks (2-9) | Prev.: 26
I looked for something good to say about Seattle, and this was the best I could come up with: Kickoff returner Josh Wilson, who ran one back 55 yards on Sunday, has had a good season.
28. 49ers (3-8) | Prev.: 27
Coach Mike Singletary says the most important thing is to get better each week. Which, judging by the 49ers' performance against the Cowboys, means Singletary hasn't done his job.
29. Bengals (1-9-1) | Prev.: 28
Carson Palmer still says he might play in December. Does anyone really believe that? Would the Bengals really risk their franchise quarterback aggravating an elbow injury just so he can try to help the team get from 1-11-1 to 2-11-1?
30. Rams (2-9) | Prev.: 30
Here's a wild idea for Rams offensive lineman Richie Incognito: Instead of whining that the fans don't support you, how about playing like a team worthy of support?
31. Chiefs (1-10) | Prev.: 31
Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham says he hasn't slept in six weeks. Does it occur to him, after the Bills rang up 50 points on his defense, that maybe his sleep deprivation is one of the reasons his defense stinks?
32. Lions (0-11) | Prev.: 32
I had the Lions-Buccaneers game on at the time that the Lions took a 17-0 lead. It never once even occurred to me that the Lions would actually hold on and win; I was just interested in seeing how they would blow their big lead. The answer: They'd give up five touchdowns in 20 minutes of playing time. Enjoy watching these guys on Thanksgiving.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-26-2008 @ 12:23PM

The Mayor of FedEx Field said...

Horrible rankings once again. How can you have the Cardinals above the Redskins,when we have the same record, yet beat the Cardinals?

Not to mention we were ranked 9th last week, and won, yet dropped 2 spots?

11-30-2008 @ 7:49PM

jeff said...

Yep...you still have the same record, you both lost, and you both suck, except the crap cardinals are lucky enough to be in a division where every team sucks.

11-26-2008 @ 12:37PM

carlos said...

somebody fire this man.. and if he's working for free then take away his computer because these rankings are horrible... titans over the jets??? we forget that they won 13 in a row before one loss... then we have the colts, cardinals, ravens, panthers and the patriots over the buccaneers who are leading their division and also has better records than all those teams.. for shame.. this guy is a total loser. hire me i can bring reality back to this post.

11-26-2008 @ 1:16PM

Odie said...

Can anyone explain to me why commenters care so much about a meaningless ranking of there team? Anybody?

They hate your rankings, but can't help but look to them weekly, kudos to you MDS.

11-26-2008 @ 1:25PM

LA26 said...

You should be banned from the internet for these rankings.

And I'm not sure if he actually saw the Ravens game or just based it off the end score.The Ravens offense struggled they should've cleared 50 points at least.

One Dimensional teams shouldn't be ranked so high.Cardinals....what the hell is it with the Cardinals...There playing in the WEAKEST CONF. IN NFL HISTORY THIS YEAR.Kurt Warner shouldn't even be mentioned for MVP...he's putting up these numbers against GARBAGE TEAMS.

6 of Arizona's 7 wins came against teams with a combined record of 11-44 ( Raiders,Chiefs, 49ers (2), Rams, and Seahawks.If that doesn't scream suspect I don't know what does.

11-26-2008 @ 3:39PM

mathesond said...

The weakest conference in history? The conference that has the Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, Saints, and Falcons is the weakest in history?

Someone take LA26's computer away from her before she confirms her ignorance

11-26-2008 @ 4:46PM

stanley o said...

how bout' em COWBOYS

11-26-2008 @ 6:35PM

itsdantheman said...

You need to have more respect for the Bucs. They are in first place in the toughest division in football. Their worst loss, in a very tough schedule, was by 4 points. They could very well be undefeated. They destroyed the Panthers, who you inexplicably rank ahead of them. We are Super Bowl bound. You're gonna look much more foolish than usual when we win it all. Give the Bucs a closer look. You will see. We have a powerful team. Very powerful. GO BUCS!

11-26-2008 @ 6:29PM

Mr. Miyagi said...

I'm sure LA26 meant division, not conference, (I hope). Anyway, some of these rankings do look suspect. Top pick is fine, 2nd pick, maybe, but they did beat Titans badly at their place so how could the Jets not be ranked higher? Sure, Tenn won a bunch of games some months back, but it's how you are perceived right now that counts. There's noreason th think they'd beat the Jets if they played them again, or the Giants. Pats and Steelers look better too. Cards are ranked too high as are Ravens. Bucs deserve more respect. These rankings should look at the teams' current form, not games from Sept and Oct. Since then, some teams have jelled, and others have had their wheels come off.

11-28-2008 @ 8:49AM

LOL yeah I mean division....those rankings got me a little excited.

11-26-2008 @ 9:04PM

Dan said...

Remember that a couple weeks back, he said that if he ranked teams based on their records, then why have power rankings?

11-27-2008 @ 12:32AM

michael said...

seriously...these rankings make complete sense...dont complain just because you think your team is better than others...everyone has different schedules...some tougher than others...MDS has the most accurate rankings i completely agree...giants running over everyone...jets steppin it up with Favre...Titans well off with out Young...not of the fan of the titans but hey theyre doin what the need to to win...123 makes sense to me so stop complaining

11-27-2008 @ 7:18AM

steve said...

Giants most complete and deepest team in league. Still comes down to play calling and being healthy when the real season starts (playoffs).

11-27-2008 @ 12:45PM

Sports Fan said...

I'm in the New York area and Brett Favre has been like Santa, you may not believe in him as the giver of gifts but its Santa!!!!!!!! He has generated a whole bunch of excitement and its a lot of fun to see a future hall-of-famer play around here. Who cares what happens, its BRETT FAVRE!

11-30-2008 @ 7:24PM

Maybe the Deadskins will get lucky and end up ranked higher than the Patriots after the butt trouncing they took today.

12-01-2008 @ 3:05AM

Jgreene said...

Whoever did these rankings is a damn clown! Who the hell would put the Bucs as number 10 in the league? This guy must be retarded, how do you lower a teams rank if they win?! Just think for a second, why would the panthers be above the Bucs when we beat them and we both have the same record......... Get it together ranking dude.....

12-01-2008 @ 2:30PM

Gary H said...

The Charger's are out of power! Their ranking of 21 is way too high. In my opinion the Charer's should be ranked at about 30. They are actually that bad! From one to the bottom of the power rankings in less than one season, what a failure!

12-02-2008 @ 5:27AM

charlie said...

Buc bashers, the team has the best defence in the nfl their quarterback also has some of the best completion stats in the toughest division and you rank them above the Jets give me a break. This team is not your fathers oldsmobile, forget the Orange jerseys, and give credit where credit belongs. You might think about another position like sellin NFLsportswear.

12-03-2008 @ 6:50PM

MJ said...

If TC is not the coach of the year, I don't know who is. As good as the Giants are, they have no superstars on the team. They are just a good TEAM. It takes a helluva coach to mold a team like this. Look at the Cowboys, a team full of stars and pro-bowlers, yet nowhere near as good as the Giants. TC has done an amazing job with this team.