NFL: Week Four Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0)- Aaron Rodgers notched up 70 points in my fantasy league this week after a 408 yard passing, six total touchdown day (four in the air, two on the ground). Rodgers has had his best season to date so far, and if there are people who don’t put him in the Brady-Manning-Brees echelon then I would love to meet them. 

Last Week- #1

2. New England Patriots (3-1)- Wes Welker is having the season of all seasons for the Patriots this season. Through the first-quarter of the year, Welker has 40 receptions for 616 yards and five scores. Until teams can learn how to stop Welker from going over the middle or on short slants, the Patriots will continue to win. They head home for a divisional game agains the bipolar New York Jets, but if history tells us one thing its that anything can happen when these two teams meet. 

Last Week- #2

3. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)- The score doesn’t reflect it, but the Ravens offense was nowhere to be found in the second half of Sunday night’s 34-17 win over the Jets. Quarterback Joe Flacco went the entire third quarter without completing a pass, but the Baltimore defense forced four Jets turnover, three of which went for touchdowns. The Ravens are showing that they are for real this season, and with the Steelers playing without an offensive line, it looks as though Baltimore is already close to punching their playoff ticket. 

Last Week- #3

4. New Orleans Saints (3-1)- Drew Brees didn’t light up the Jacksonville Jaguars defense like so many thought he would, but the Saints still managed to in 23-10. Tight end Jimmy Graham continued his superb season with a 10 reception, 132 yard and one touchdown day. Next week the Saints head to Carolina for a (surprisingly) difficult divisional game against Cam Newton and the Panthers. 

Last Week- #4

5. Detroit Lions (4-0)- Its time to give the Lions the respect they deserve. So far this season their the league’s comeback kids. Down by 24 points in the third quarter in Dallas, the Detroit defense got them right back into the game, taking two Tony Romo interceptions to the house before Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson connected on two second half touchdowns, the latter a game winning score that put the Lions ahead for good. So far this season Johnson has had four straight two touchdown games, a Lions first. Detroit will go as far as Stafford can take them, but its time to give them the respect they deserve; the Lions have come to play. 

Last Week- #7

6. San Diego Chargers (3-1)- This is where the power rankings list starts to get a little hazy. There are a boatload of teams that are 3-1 so far, but some of them I don’t believe are better than some of the leagues 2-2 teams. This isn’t the case for the Chargers, though. San Diego has quietly put together a strong first month, their only loss coming at the hands of the Patriots. I don’t believe the Chargers are among the elite in the AFC this year, but they are going to be a team no one will want to face in late December. 

Last Week- Not Ranked

7. Chicago Bears (2-2)- The Bears move up three spots from last week to this week, even though they only beat the Panthers by 5. The Bears will continue to be competitive, but if they can’t fix the offensive line then they will not be able to keep up with the Packers and Lions in the AFC North. And also, why do teams still kick the ball to Devin Hester?

Last Week- #10

8. New York Giants (3-1)- The Giants won last weekend in Arizona on a controversial call where wideout Victor Cruz fell to the ground on a catch and was not touched, but the whistle was blown and Cruz let the ball go. According to the NFL rulebook, a player is considered down if he makes himself known to be down, as if to say he slides or falls to the ground on his own. I’m not sold on the Giants, I think the defense as no depth and the offense is not explosive enough to keep winning. However, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs continue to bowl over people, and the Giants continue to win. 

Last Week- Not Ranked

9. Houston Texans (3-1)- The Texans seem to like to jump in and out of the top 10. The defense played extremely well against Pittsburgh, pressuring Big Ben and taking him out at the knees, the only way to tackle a 6 foot 5 inch quarterback. The team will be hurt by not having Andre Johnson (hamstring) for the next game or so, but it seems as if Arian Foster is fully healed (30 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown). 

Last Week- Not Ranked

10. New York Jets (2-2)- I’m not ready to give up on the Jets just yet. The offensive line was absolutely terrible in Baltimore Sunday night. I’m not giving Mark Sanchez a free pass for the loss (the Jets lost by 17, while Sanchez was responsible for giving up 21 points), but it must be pretty hard to make plays when the offensive line gives you 2 seconds of free time in the pocket before it collapses on you. The Jets will look to get All-Pro center Nick Mangold back for this weeks game against New England, but a loss to the Patriots will knock the Jets out of the top 10, and maybe even the divisional race. 

Last Week- #5

Honorable Mentions- Buffalo Bills (3-1, lost to the Bengals 23-20); Washington Redskins (3-1, beat the Rams 17-10); Tennessee Titans (3-1, beat the Browns 31-13); Philadelphia Eagles (2-2, lost to the 49ers 24-23)

NFL: Week Three Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (3-0)- The defending Super Bowl champs did it again last week against the Bears. The defense looked much better than in weeks past, but evidence shows that a Pee-Wee football team could get pressure on Jay Cutler with his offensive line. The game was dominated by the Packers, but a phantom holding call on a Johnny Knox punt return touchdown hindered the Bears comeback attempt. Green Bay gets another easy opponent in the Denver Broncos before visiting Atlanta in week five. 

Last Week- #1

2. New England Patriots (2-1)- How happy were fans everywhere thats not Boston after Tom Brady threw four interceptions to the Bills? Buffalo showed that the Patriots can be beat if you apply pressure to the quarterback and attack the weak secondary of New England. They only remain number two on the list because the Jets lost a pathetic game to the Raiders, who the Patriots visit this week. 

Last Week- #2

3. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)- The way the Ravens have played this year is the perfect symbol for this NFL season. Every week shows a different type of team. The Ravens dominated the injury riddled St. Louis Rams last week, its yet to be seen if the Ravens and Joe Flacco are actually this good, or if they are just capable of destroying bad teams. They face a key AFC battle with the New York Jets this Sunday night, with the winner moving to 3-1 and the loser having their playoff hopes hurt. 

Last Week- #6

4. New Orleans Saints (2-1)- The Saints have a message for the NFL: don’t bet against Drew Brees, ever. Brees won a shootout with Matt Schaub and the Texans in New Orleans last Sunday to move on to 2-1 on the year. The defense proved yet again that they are a work in progress, but just like the Patriots and Packers, the Saints will win games if it rests on the shoulders of the quarterback. 

Last Week- #5

5. New York Jets (2-1)- Can you tell me the last time a team ran for 200+ yards against a defense that Rex Ryan worked on? You have to go all the way back to the 1995 Cardinals, where Ryan was an assistant coach under his father Buddy. Darren McFadden torched the Jets defense on the ground, and Antonio Cromartie did his best to hand the game over to the Raiders with four defensive penalties and a fumble on a kick return which set up the Raiders go-ahead touchdown. Lost in the headlines was Mark Sanchez, who threw for a career best 369 yards, even with a broken nose that occured on a non-call hands to the face by Jarvis Moss. The Jets go to Baltimore this Sunday night in a game that will have playoff ramifications already. 

Last Week- #3

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)- Are the Steelers good? I’m not sold on them yet. Pittsburgh needed a last second field goal to defeat the awful Indianapolis Colts in Indy. The win was important, however, as it kept them tied for first place in the AFC North with the Ravens and Cleveland Browns. 

Last Week- #7

7. Detroit Lions (3-0)- Detroit are this years comeback kids. Entering halftime down 20-0, the Lions and Matt Stafford came all the way back to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 26-23 in overtime. I’m not sure if they won because their that good or because the Vikings refused to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson with a 20-point lead, but if Stafford stays healthy and continues to throw touchdowns to Calvin Johnson, the Lions will keep moving up in the rankings. 

Last Week- #10

8. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)- How about that “Dream Team”? The Eagles showed again that they didn’t improve enough on the offensive line to become a dominant team. Mike Vick got hurt again, this time with a “bruised hand”. How much longer can the Eagles turn to Mike Kafka and remain in the top 10? Not long. 

Last Week- #4

9. Buffalo Bills (3-0)- The Bills played their Super Bowl on Sunday, defeating the Patriots on a last second field goal after being down 21-0. If the Bills can maintain solid play on offense, then they will make the playoffs, i guarantee it. However, the defense will lose them games, even if they did pick Brady off four times. 

Last Week- Not Ranked 

10. Chicago Bears (1-2)- I had to choose between the Bears and the Atlanta Falcons for the #10 spot in this weeks rankings. I went with the Bears only because Matt Ryan is having an awful season so far. The Bears will live and die with Jay Cutler, but if he doesn’t get more time in the pocket then they will lose, alot, this year. 

Last Week- #8

Honorable Mentions- Atlanta Falcons (1-2, lost to Tampa Bay 16-13), San Diego Chargers (2-1, beat Kansas City 20-17), Houston Texans (1-2, lost to New Orleans 40-33)

NFL: Week 3 Storylines

5.) Detroit Lions v Minnesota Vikings: For the second straight week, a game in which the Lions are playing is among the most interesting storylines. For the first time since 2007, Detroit starts out a season 2-0. This week, the Lions face their first divisional opponent in the Minnesota Vikings, led by the corpse of Donovon McNabb. The Lions are attempting to go 3-0 for the first time in 21(!) years, and it will come only if they can stop Adrian Peterson and the Vikings running game. A 3-0 start and a win in a divisional game will be huge for the Lions as they attempt to get back to the playoffs for the first time in this century (1999 was the last time the Lions got to the postseason). 

4.) New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles: This game will be much more intriguing if Michael Vick starts at quarterback for the Eagles. However, due to a concussion suffered on Sunday nights in Atlanta, Vick’s status for this Sunday is currently listed as “unknown”. If Vick does not play, that will be huge for the Giants as they attempt to go 2-1 and 1-1 in the division. Last time the hated rivals faced off, Matt Dodge made the fatal mistake of punting to DeSean Jackson, who took the kick and returned it for a game winning touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter. Although this game is currently listed as the #4 most intriguing matchup of week three, if Michael Vick does play then this is another must-watch. 

3.) Buffalo v New England: The Buffalo Bills have been among the most unexpected 2-0 teams of the 2011 season. First, they demolished the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City. Then, they battled back in the second half to defeat the resurgent Oakland Raiders, 38-35, the game winning touchdown being thrown from Ryan Fitzpatrick to David Nelson within the final minute. Its still uncertain if Buffalo is a “good” team, but nonetheless a competitive performance against the high-flying Patriots would change alot of perceptions about the Bills. New England and Tom Brady look like the record setting team of 2007, but the defense can be scored upon, so look for big days from Fitzpatrick and the NFL’s leading rusher Fred Jackson. 

2.) Washington Redskins v Dallas Cowboys: This matchup used to be among the most talked about in sports. However, in recent years the Redskins and Cowboys have been mediocre at best. Now, the Redskins are 2-0 and at the top of the NFC East. The Cowboys are 1-1 and looking to ride the momentum following an overtime victory in San Francisco. If Tony Romo can stay healthy throughout the game, then this could be one of the best games of the young season. 

1.) Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears: This matchup will always be among the most intriguing, even if both teams stink. Fortunately, both of these teams are among the best in the NFC this year. The defending champion Packers are 2-0 so far this season, while the Bears are 1-1 after falling to the Saints. However, the Bears do pose a true test for the Packers. If Jay Cutler can be given enough time in the pocket to disect the Green Bay secondary, then the Packers may be headed for their first loss since losing to the Patriots in week 15 of last season. 

NFL: Week Two Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers- Survived a scare by the man, the myth, the legend Cam Newton. Aaron Rodgers started off slow, but that offense appears to be unstoppable. The defense is shaky, and will suffer due to the season ending neck injury of Nick Collins (safety). Will remain in the top spot until they lose.

2. New England Patriots- Another week, another 400+ yards passing for golden boy Tom Brady. Brady utilized the greatest two headed tight end monster in recent years, throwing three touchdowns between Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Like the Packers, the Patriots defense is getting shaky. If teams can throw on the Patriots, then they have a chance to beat them in a shootout. 

3. New York Jets- The Jets may have been able to move up five spots in this weeks rankings, but there is without a doubt a huge drop off between #2 and #3. New York’s defense completely demolished the passing game of the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing four interceptions from Luke McCown. However, if the Jets want to make the leap to the next level and join the Patriots and Packers in the upper echelon, then the offense needs to improve in all phases. Mark Sanchez threw two poor interceptions in the first half, but looked good overall other than that. The real problem lies with the offensive line. Wayne Hunter (RT) looks like he is going to get Sanchez killed this season. If the offensive line gels and give Sanchez time in the pocket while opening up the running game for Shonn Greene, the unit will improve as a whole. However, losing All-Pro center Nick Mangold for the foreseeable future to a high ankle sprain is going to hurt, alot. 

4. Philadelphia Eagles- Sunday nights game against the Atlanta Falcons was the Eagles game to lose, and thats exactly what they did. There should not have been much hope once Tyler Palko entered the contest at quarterback, but it isn’t a stretch to say that the Eagles win that game if Mike Vick stayed healthy. However, now Philadelphia must deal with a concussed Vick as they enter an important early season divisional game against the New York Giants. 

5. New Orleans Saints- New Orleans bounced back after a tough loss to the Packers in week one by defeating the Chicago Bears 30-13 at home. Prior to an 80-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, Drew Brees and the Saints offense looked anemic. The defense was shaky too, but due to a solid performance and losses by other teams, the Saints stand pat at the number five spot this week. 

6. Baltimore Ravens- It can be said about every team in the NFL these days, but teams play just as well as their quarterback. Week one the Ravens demolished the Steelers and Joe Flacco looked like Joe Montana. This past week, Flacco and the Ravens lost an awful game to the resurgent Tennessee Titans. Flacco went 15-32 with one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss, only racking up 197 yards passing. The Ravens need to find out if they are the team that beat the Steelers in all phases week one, or the squad that played like a Division-II college team against the Titans. 

7. Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers actually stand pat at the number seven spot this week, despite shutting down the Seattle Seahawks 24-0 at home. This is due to the fact that I still think the Ravens are better than the Steelers, and because the Seahawks are the worst team in football. However, the Steelers played exactly how good teams should play against bad ones. 

8. Chicago Bears- Chicago drops two spots this week after losing to the Saints for the first time in the last three meetings between the two teams. I hope Jay Cutler has good health insurance, because that Bears offensive line looks to be among the worst in the league this year. Matt Forte continued his strong play this week, but it will take better performances on offense and defense for the Bears to leapfrog the Packers in the NFC North. 

9. Atlanta Falcons- I don’t give much credit to the Flacons for beating the Eagles Sunday night at home. Matt Ryan’s numbers are deceiving, if it weren’t for Tony Gonzalez continuing to defy logic and Mike Vick getting hurt, the Falcons would have lost that game. Better play from Ryan at the quarterback position could allow the Falcons to outlast the Saints in the NFC South, but the jury is still out as to if this Atlanta team is as good as the one that went 14-2 last year. 

10. Detroit Lions- No, that is not a typo. The Lions of Detroit are for real, and this is 2011 not 1995. Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson are showing exactly why the Lions used top 5 picks to select both of them in past drafts. If Stafford can remain healthy (talk about beating a dead horse by saying that), then the Lions could be in contention for a playoff spot. The Lions have a slight test this week against the Vikings, but its safe to say that football in Detroit might be back for the long term. 

Honorable Mentions: San Diego Chargers (lost to New England 35-21), Houston Texans(defeated the Dolphins 23-13), Buffalo Bills (defeated the Raiders 38-35)

NFL: Week 2 Storylines

5.) Detroit v Kansas City- This is the battle of the perceived underrated and the overrated. Kansas City lost handily to the Bills last weekend, 41-7. The two headed monster of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles was nowhere to be found, while Matt Cassel only averaged 3.31 yards per attempt passing. Critics have been quick to write the Chiefs off after making the playoffs last season, but a win against the rejuvinated Lions could quickly get them back on track. While the score of last weeks Tampa Bay-Detroit game looked close, 27-20, the Lions won that game easily, even while not playing well. A 4th-and-2 late in the game touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson showed the rest of the league that the Lions are not messing around this season. The winner of this game should be discussed among potential playoff teams for the rest of the season. 

4.) Buffalo v Oakland- Wait, did I just read that right? A week two Bills-Raiders game is actually interesting? What year is this? The Raiders have a chance to start 2-0 for the first time since 2002, the last time they reached the Super Bowl, also known as the last year Al Davis was actually alive. Buffalo might have been the most impressive team from last week, and a 2-0 start against a solid Oakland defense could be a convincing message to the rest of the league that the Bills are making a return to relevance. 

3.) San Diego v New England- These two teams have been among the elite in the AFC for the past decade, and this early season game already has huge playoff implications. San Diego has always been a strong team, but they have never been able to take it to that next level, usually because the Patriots have always been standing in the way. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense looked unstoppable again last week against Miami, a game where Brady threw for 500+ yards, including a 99-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker. If the Chargers can get pressure on Brady and rattle him early, they have a chance to start off 2-0 and beat New England for only the second time in the last 11 meetings. 

2.) Chicago v New Orleans- For all the success Drew Brees has had since joining the Saints in 2006, he has always had trouble against the Chicago Bears. People still remember when Brees and the Saints lost at Soldier Field in the snow during the NFC Championship Game of 2006, and since then the Saints have lost to the Bears three times. Critics everywhere believed that the Bears would be among this years underachievers, after an improbable 13-3 season that ended with a NFC Championship lost to the hated Packers. However, Brian Urlacher and the Bears looked phenomenal against the Falcons last week. Urlacher is dealing with the loss of his mother this week, but expects to play on Sunday. Emotions will be running high in Chicago, and a loss for the Saints would put them at 0-2 right out of the game. 

1.) Eagles v Falcons- Michael Vick makes his triumphant(?) return to Atlanta, his first time returning to the ATL as a starter for an NFL team. The Falcons lost horribly to the Bears last week, and this game is a must win for Matt Ryan and Atlanta. This game has primetime written all over it, and look for Vick to have a highlight reel performance against the team that drafted him in 2001.