Power Rankings: November 28th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Carolina Panthers blogger/podcaster, John White. John  writes for Cat Crave.

#	Team	Comment
1		They beat up your quarterback while theirs never has to throw thanks to a bruising running game.  They’re the best until somebody beats them.
2		One loss doesn’t drop you like in the BCS here.  Two in a row might.
3		Does anybody really want to play against this defense?  I didn’t think so.v
4		They invent ways to win.  Beat up running back?  Throw.  Quarterback playing badly?  Beat ‘em with defense.
5		With their upcoming schedule, do you think they can’t make a run for it?
6		They remain here in the top ten until their annual implosion.  It’s still on schedule for early January.  Bank it.
7		Was that just a bad day at the office or have the Panthers been exposed?
8		Clinton Portis - a leader or not?  Who cares?  He’s producing on the field.
9		I’ll believe it when Brett shows he can win in cold weather.  Is a heating pad allowed under a uniform?
10		Matt Cassel looks like the next Tom…wait a minute.
11		Matt Ryan ain’t no rookie.  Michael Turner is the real deal.  Shoot, this team is for real.  Shocking!
12		Kurt Warner might be the MVP.  They may have even found a defense in the desert.
13		Ray Ray and the defense can be happy that a real QB has arrived in town.
14		Everything was going great until they played Tampa Bay on the road.
15		AP is great, yes.  But with Gus this team can only go so far.
16		Who ever thought that anybody would be anxious to get Kyle Orton back from an injury?
17		Joey Porter, please shut up and play football.  Thank you.  Signed, the Miami Dolphins fans.
18		Can’t run.  Can’t stop the run.  Great championship formula, huh?
19		The Saints just scored again!  Is Aaron Rodgers the next Brett Favre or the next Don Majkowski?
20		When they beat somebody besides a cellar dweller they’ll move up.
21		Norv Turner, is your resume up to date?
22		Andy Reid, is YOUR resume up to date?  Oh, and, Donovan McNabb, you might want to call a moving van. (Update: Might want to wait another week)
23		Doesn’t it just seem wrong that the Jags are this bad?  Was this supposed to happen?
24		Who will be cut next?  If only it was that senile Al Davis.
25		If only we could have a do-over on that David Carr pick!
26		Is there even ONE player on their offense that wasn’t overrated prior to the season?
27		The highlight of the NFL season may have been Mike Singletary dropping his Dickies in the locker room.  Classic!
28		Mike Holmgren, please retire already.
29		Herm Edwards, if you and your pal, Carl Peterson, aren’t unemployed by early January, there is no justice in this world.
30		Marvin Lewis and Ocho Stinko, the unemployment line forms behind Mr. Peterson.
31		OMG!!!  They have a professional football team in St. Louis?  Really?  I knew there was a rumor going around but…
32		How low have the Lions sunk?  Daunte Freakin’ Culpepper?  What are the odds that they draft a wide receiver in the first round even without Matt Millen?

Power Rankings: October 17th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Pittsburgh Steelers blogger, Chris. Chris writes for Nice Pick, Cowher.

#	Team	Comment
1		One guy was traded, one retired, and one was lost for the season. Despite setback against Browns, does anybody think they’re not playing better this year than last?
2		Murderous post-bye schedule will test how good the class of the AFC truly is.
3		As long as sissy-baby Vince Young is sucking his thumb on the bench, Titans will remain excellent in all areas of the game.
4		One miracle play and one inept referee away from being 5-1.
5		Only thing scarier than Bears defense is QB Kyle Orton’s neckbeard.
6		Good team now that they’ve found a QB capable of taking them all the way to the Super Bowl and losing.
7		If A-Rod stays healthy could be a formidable playoff contender. RB Ryan Grant is killing fantasy owners, though. Yes, I’m bitter.
8		Kneel before Zorn!
9		Would be ranked higher but T.O. just doesn’t get the ball enough.
10		Explosive but sloppy offense. Defense would be okay except for the whole inability to tackle thing.
11		Kurt Warner succeeding where John McCain failed: demonstrating grizzled old man can do a better job than a charismatic young upstart. Need to get healthy, though.
12		Solid but unspectacular in all phases of the game. In other words kinda boring.
13		S Bob Sanders is the key to their defense. He might stay healthy if he learns to tackle instead of trying to spear everyone.
14		Everything was going great until they played Tampa Bay on the road.
15		Goldie Hawn should be proud of her Wildcats. Not sure if Woody Harrelson’s weak arm will hold up over an entire season, however.
16		Solid everywhere except QB. Too bad this is a QB-driven league.
17		Case in point. Broadway Bret best Jet QB since Namath. Wonder if he ever tried to kiss Suzy Kolber. Who wouldn’t?
18		Reggie Bush is finally playing like Reggie Bush. Kim Kardashian must’ve really screwed his head on straight. Or something like that…
19		Dirty Bird fans better hope Matty Ice is a member of PETA.
20		Needed to find a pass rusher and big play receiver this offseason. Instead are relying on a statue and a cokehead.  Refs need to help them more if they want to make the playoffs.
21		TE Kellen Winslow was hospitalized with swollen testicles. They really need to trade Brady Quinn because his boredom is affecting the whole team.
22		Head coach Andy Reid’s playcalling on offense continues to be dazed and confused. Perhaps he’s been spending too much quality time with his sons.
23		Raven fans, stop me if you’ve heard this one before: great defense, sub-par offense.
24		Karma is a bitch, right Bill?
25		Pittsburgh native Jim Haslett takes over as head coach, replacing inept Scott Linehan. He’ll restore them to glory. Look what he did for the Saints.
26		If the starting QB thing doesn’t work out for JT O’Sullivan, he has a promising future as a pub owner.
27		On one hand, Al Davis is right the team isn’t as bad as people think. On the other hand, Al Davis is a doddering washed-up lunatic.
28		Mike Holmgren probably can’t wait for this nightmarish farewell season to end so he can retire peacefully and enjoy all the free sardines he can eat at Sea World.
29		Things could be worse. They could be coached by Jerry Glanville.
30		Apparently Matt Millen didn’t have pictures of owner William Clay Ford “enjoying himself” at a furry convention. Which begs the question, how did he keep his job for so long?
31		Bill Cowher was the Chief’s defensive coordinator before becoming head coach of the Steelers so there’s something to hope for, KC.
32		Blow it up. Trade Chad Uno (TD catches). Trade Carson Palmer. Then bring in Michael Vick. That way the whole team can visit their parole officers together.

Power Rankings: October 11th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Denver Broncos blogger, Kim Constantinesco. Kim writes for Predominantly Orange.

#	Team	Comment
1		With or without Plaxico Burress, they’re playing like Super Bowl Champions.
2		No one would have thought that an old backup QB would get them there.
3		At this point Jim Zorn would take Jason Campbell over Tony Romo any day.
4		They beat Jacksonville without five injured starters, and their top three running backs.
5		It was a win against Cincinnati, but it was ugly. Romo needs to hold onto the ball if the Cowboys are really going to the Super Bowl this year.
6		They proved that they actually have a defense. Whether or not it sticks around remains a question.
7		They shut out the woeful Chiefs. The Panthers should give the Broncos their Chiefs’ game plan.
8		Trent Edwards may know who he is now after suffering a concussion in the Bills’ first loss, but has he kept his ability to bring the team back in the fourth quarter?
9		They’ve had a tough schedule so far with the exception of playing Detroit. This team is for real. The two games that they lost was by six points combined.
10		A loss motivates the Patriots, and they showed that during their win over the 49ers.
11		Their defense is so strong that it could stop this country’s financial crisis. Their offense continues to struggle.
12		They still have a lot to prove, but Peyton Manning is capable of putting this team in autopilot all the way to the playoffs.
13		They keep dropping lower and lower, and Brian Westbrook should be wrapped in bubble wrap.
14		Kurt Warner was close to retiring. The Cardinals’ offense is thanking their lucky stars that he didn’t.
15		With three losses under their belt and a game against the Patriots, things are not looking good for the Bolts.
16		Can they bounce back from two consecutive losses and get a win in Indy?
17		Regardless of who they play, Jacksonville likes to keep games close.
18		The win on Monday night saved them. They have had arguably one of the toughest schedules in the league thus far.
19		The offense is capable of doing some amazing things, and the team can easily win the next three games on their schedule.
20		When Michael Turner and Matt Ryan both play well, people start to forget about Michael Vick.
21		A tough loss on center stage negates Reggie Bush’s performance. At least they can redeem themselves against Oakland.
22		Knock off one more top AFC team, and Bill Parcells might as well run for President.
23		Aaron Rodgers’ shoulder may have been strong enough, but the ailing defense doesn’t give the team much hope.
24		The NFC East will be their enemy in the coming weeks, and the defense will continue to put in its fair amount of time on the field.
25		A bye week gets them ready and healthy enough to host the Giants and make it a contest.
26		The only team that they’ve beat are the Rams. That doesn’t bode well for the Hawks.
27		Sage Rosenfels must have spent a lot of time in therapy this week.
28		New coach + same owner = chaos. The Raiders are in trouble as they go in to face New Orleans.
29		The Chiefs may forget what it’s like to score by the time they play the Titans.
30		They gave the Cowboys a scare, but they’re not playoff contenders this year.
31		The only team they could beat are the Giants from “Little Giants.” Even then, Ice Box would give them a run for their money.
32		Feel bad as new coach, Jim Haslett, takes his team to the nation’s capital to visit Clinton, Cooley, and Moss.

Power Rankings: October 4th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Tennessee Titans blogger, Nick Bishop. Nick writes for Titan Sized.

#	Team	Comment
1		Who did you think we were gonna pick?
2		The defending champs do everything well, and have shown so far why they are still the team to beat in the NFC.
3		The surprise team in the AFC so far continues to impress, and much like the teams ranked above them, they do everything well.
4		New head coach Jim Zorn has these guys firing on all cylinders and Jason Campbell certainly looks legit.
5		Probably the most talented team in the NFL, but definitely not the most disciplined.
6		It doesn’t always have to be pretty, but just getting by isn’t gonna do it that much longer.
7		I don’t know what happened this weekend, but that was not the Denver Broncos of the first three weeks.
8		They’ve won three in a row and are incredibly well coached. Schedule gets pretty tough beginning next week in Denver.
9		Another loss this weekend drops them to 2-, but that was without Brian Westbrook so we’ll give them a pass here.
10		Got back on track this week after a bad loss to the Vikings. If Delhomme and Smith regain that chemistry they had a few years back, they could be a very sneaky team.
11		Two tough losses to start the season skew the record a bit, but a so-so performance against the lowly Raiders doesn’t help either.
12		They probably won’t be ranked this low again all season, so soak it in Titans, Jaguars and Texans fans. Injuries will be the only thing that could stop them.
13		Aaron Rodgers needs to be on the field if the Packers are going to contend in the NFC North (although as I’m typing this I don’t know if I wholly believe that statement.
14		Injuries to Colston and Shockey and losses to Denver and Washington gives them an excuse. A loss in Minnesota to a down and out Vikings team and they will no longer have any.
15		They are coming around. They’re a good football team.
16		They’ve got a solid defense, but the personnel on the offensive side of the ball just isn’t there.
17		Each week that goes by, the more comfortable Favre gets. Be on alert AFC East.
18		Belichick is too good a coach to get beat like he did in Week 3 against the Dolphins, but it ain’t happening this year for the Pats.
19		Beat two good teams, lost to two good teams and their next four are all winnable. Who knew they were suppressing all of this untapped potential that is Kyle Orton?
20		They better hope that A) Anquan Boldin is able to make a full recovery and return to the field and B) it happens sooner than later. If not, the only dynamic part of this team will become much less potent.
21		Tied for first place in a weak division, and O’Sullivan has played much better than Alex Smith so far. I don’t know if you can really pick a favorite in this race.
22		The wins haven’t been there, but they still have a great run game and a great run defense in a division that is still wide open.
23		Julius Jones has looked good in his new surroundings, and they’ve done a respectable job considering their receiving woes.
24		There shouldn’t be any great expectations placed on this team, but the Matt Ryan Michael Turner combo is more exciting than anything that has been in place in Atlanta since the last Outkast record (minus the Vick dog experiment)
25		Couldn’t have picked a better time for a bye after their win against New England.
26		If you are a Browns fan, last year was a beautiful step into an exciting future where your team might truly be relevant for the first time in more than a decade. Sorry it didn’t work out that way.
27		Another game that was close until the end vs. the Chargers. This is not a good football team, but they have been in the game their last few contests.
28		They’re better than their record, and almost pulled out an impressive win against the Jaguars. There are a few winless teams in the league, but they’ve played the toughest competitions of any of those teams.
29		They should almost be rated higher now that Matt Millen era/error is over. Almost…
30		A very good win against an undefeated division rival. With the ever present weapon of Tony Gonzalez, coupled with Dwayne Bowe and a resurgent Larry Johnson, there might be a little bit of life with this bunch. On second thought…
31		You are a very bad team that lost to another very bad team this week. It’s amazing that the “Battle of Ohio” didn’t lead every sports story over the last day.
32		A new (old) starting QB, a new head coach, the same overpaid unsatisfied RB. I’m pretty sure these guys can get tickets to the playoffs if they ask real nicely.

Power Rankings: September 27th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Baltimore Ravens blogger, Jarrett Carter. Jarrett writes for The Ebony Bird.

#	Team	Comment
1		When the biggest weakness for your team is rumors about Jessica Simpson, you’re in pretty good shape.
2		A week after losing close to Dallas, they won close against Pittsburgh. Window is still open for Donovan McNabb.
3		Are just below the Eagles for playing close at home against the hapless Bengals.
4		No Vince Young? No problem.
5		They haven’t lost yet, and haven’t looked horrible in any of their games.
6		Have a real chance for a two-game slide when the meet the Ravens on Monday night. Not great against the pass.
7		Too many close games to rank them as that powerful.
8		Rookie Joe Flacco made some mistakes last week, but didn’t look scared making them. Defense is throwback to 2000.
9		Playing NFC East type football as of late.
10		Aaron Rogers is solid, but can he sustain it for 16 games?
11		Zorn has the offense clicking in D.C., and the defense is following suit.
12		A lucky Week 1 win still has the jury out on their defensive unit.
13		Notoriously slow starters may have it back on track after big win over the Jets.
14		Yeah, they got blasted by the Dolphins, but they are still the Patriots until definitively proven otherwise
15		Could you imagine a time where beating Indy didn’t say much about your team’s talent?
16		Looked good until the second half against Washington.
17		Frank Gore make the whole thing go.
18		One down, and plenty more of Adrian Peterson to go.
19		No Bob Sanders and a shaky offense don’t have the Colts in a happy place right now.
20		A couple more balanced wins, and Michael Vick will be an afterthought.
21		Gunslinging is only fun when you’re winning.
22		So, the whole Reggie Bush being a star thing…have we given up on that yet?
23		Contacted me last week about working out at receiver.
24		Was Kyle Orton really that much of an upgrade?
25		When Joey Porter has something to say, its pretty much certain things are not as good as they should be.
26		The only prescription for an 0-4 start is more Ocho Cinco.
27		Could be worrying about the effects of Hurricane Ike, but they are a mess everywhere except the running game.
28		That’s the way they became the Brady Bunch.
29		Let’s just face it. The Raiders are doing this to drop a reality show on us in a few weeks.
30		They FINALLY fired Matt Millen.
31		Primary candidates to go defeated.
32		What happens when you build a team around offense without good offensive strategy? You get the 2008 Rams.

Power Rankings: September 20th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Chicago Bears blogger, Robert Floss. Robert writes for Bear Goggles.

#	Team	Comment
1		Would have liked to see better defense against Eagles but have best and healthiest team.
2		If Big Ben’s healthy they can dominate a suddenly weak AFC.
3		I don’t think they deserve to be in the top 10 but their schedule allows them to fall ass backwards into at least 10 wins.
4		All the doom predictors forgot they have a great defense and obnoxiously weak schedule.
5		Brett who?  This team has defied every one of my preseason predictions.
6		Sure they shouldn’t have won, but they did and have 14 more games to prove they deserve to be here.
7		No team benefits more from the rash of AFC injuries than the Bills.  The door is open, now it’s up to them to step through it.
8		Beat the Chargers and Bears and now get Steve Smith back on the field.  Oh crap.
9		Sanders injury a huge blow to a hurting team.  Still have a lot of weapons but need to rally together and regain confidence.
10		Tough loss to Cowboys but still very strong team.  Rematch of last game could decide NFC Championship.
11		Not sure if they deserve to be this high but middle of the pack murky at this point of the season.
12		L.T. is a beast and will find a way back onto the field.  If the toe becomes a problem this team could spiral downward fast.
13		Opening season against Steelers and Cowboys rough for any team, need to win next couple breather games.
14		How can starting Kerry Collins make a team better?  Watch the Titans and find out.
15		Still have a long way to go to prove they can run with big dogs, but can probably win the NFC West.
16		If Forte keeps running, the Bears keep rolling.  Hester injury appears minor.
17		Not a bad team but can’t keep up with rest of the NFC East.
18		Good defense will keep them in games but can only do so much.
19		This team was favored to go to the Super Bowl a month ago?
20		Poised for some upsets and in thick of rebuilding process.
21		They’ll have to do more than beat up on the Falcons to compete.
22		Barely beating Miami and losing to Brady-less Patriots doesn’t give me Jets Fever.
23		What do you do when you’re a passing team and you have no receivers?  Nothing.
24		What do you do when you’re a running team but you have no offensive line?  Nothing.
25		A lot of games they can win on schedule, but lack confidence.
26		Showed some promise last week but doubtful to repeat performance.
27		They win with offense and have 17 points in two games.
28		Will have ups and downs of young, rebuilding team.
29		Alexander or Benson will only make things worse.
30		They got owned…..by the Raiders.
31		Only a handful of players will still be on this team in a few years.
32		They’ve scored 16 points and given up 79.  Steven Jackson can’t get anything going.

Power Rankings: August 12th, 2008

Here is the latest Power Rankings from our Washington Redskins blogger, Dave Wagner. Dave writes for Riggo’s Rag.

#	Team	Comment
1		I’m of the school that says to be the man you’ve got to beat the man. The Giants despite not really being the best team will occupy the number one slot until the Redskins beat them on opening night.
2		They took the Pats to the brink with an injured LT and Phillip Rivers.
3		Peyton will be fine. Addai is primed for a big year. Gonzalez is ready to take over for Harrison full time. The defense? They never really needed one before.
4		Easy schedule. Holes in the secondary mean that they don’t match up well against the Colts and maybe not even the Jags.
5		You know it isn’t good when you are the fourth best team in football but also the fourth best team in your conference and the second best in your division.
6		Anyone but me old enough to remember when Roger Staubach was asked about his sex life on CBS’s pregame show? Staubach blanched and said the question was inappropriate. Romo, on the other hand, would be happy to tell any blog who asked him how he and Jessica did it last night.
7		Three of the top ten teams in the league are in the NFC East. Jim Zorn is exactly what the Skins needed. He’s a younger, more energetic, more prepared version of Joe Gibbs. Yes, the offensively philosophy has changed, but it is for the better.
8		They are trying to shore up the defense, and if Jonathan Vilma can return to form, it should be good enough to get them back in the mix.
9		The running game is the question mark. If Julius Jones and Maurice Morris can put together enough of an attack to give them a semblance of a running game, they are possibly the best team in the NFC.
10		Rashard Mendenhall will supplant Willie Parker as the starter by week 8. Remember that fantasy owners.
11		I don’t believe in Derek Anderson, but I do believe in Brady Quinn. I expect the team will miss the playoffs while trying to give Anderson too much time.
12		Word is that Young is stepping it up this year. If he does, look for them to shoot up the board.
13		I’m just not ready to buy that the Vikings defense is good enough to make up for Tavaris Jackson. But they are in a weak division, and they can stuff the run.
14		If Jeff Garcia has another magic year left in his arm, they can go higher. They’ve turned over that defense quickly and have drafted really well of late.
15		Schaub can be decent if he doesn’t have to play chuck and duck, and the defense has monster talent. Sadly, there is no room in the AFC playoff picture for them yet this year.
16		It isn’t that I don’t think Aaron Rodgers will be terrible. I just think he has to be spectacular to keep the fans from turning on him, and when they do, this team will go into the tank.
17		Problems on both lines and the linebackers combined with an aging and forever brittle Donovan McNabb will keep this team, the darling of the media constantly, from doing anything.
18		The Bills are an organization doing it right. They draft strong, and they are building a good running game and a lot of targets around their young QBs.
19		An aging, injured QB. An aging defense. Brawling wide receivers. A non-descript o-line. All of this equals a mediocre team.
20		Leinart is slow and plodding. Warner is a walking concussion. They’ll go 7-9 or 8-8 and next year they’ll be the chic playoff pick again.
21		Chad Johnson will play well because he knows he has to to keep his value up. Let’s hear it for the Bengals for sticking to their guns.
22		I won’t want to play this team in week 16, but right now, it is nothing special.
23		I believe in Mike Martz. I also believe it will take two years for Martz to work all of his magic. But 7-9 looks a lot better than last year’s disaster.
24		This is the year the Broncos lose patience with Mike Shanahan and fire him.
25		To paraphrase, when you have 3 QBs you have none.
26		No QB equals a long year.
27		Speaking of no QB. Jamarcus Russell is going to be another QB bust, and this team will flounder trying to solve the problem
28		Larry Johnson’s return won’t mask the real problem which is that the defense got old all at once. They did all the right things in the draft, but that is a long term fix.
29		Marc Bulger is going to be playing dodge ball all season and Steven Jackson will fare no better.
30		Without Martz this is a team with an aging QB, flighty receivers, a rookie RB, and a still developing defense. With Martz, at least they could occasionally outscore you.
31		Michael Turner will legitimize the offense but it is going to take awhile to eliminate the emotional scars from the Vick debacle.
32		You know how when you get a bikini wax, you are supposed to pull the wax off real fast so it hurts less? Umm…well I don’t either. But I’ve been told. Anyway, this is what the Dolphins did.</