Sorry about the absence last week, dad gum work getting in the way of stuff. So we return this week to another shuffling of the middle with the top and the bottom holding pretty firm.
1. New England Patriots (6-0)They didn’t look past Cleveland. And the cream of the NFC faded late against them. Looks like the AFC title game is the real Super Bowl again this season. Last week: #1
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0) – Indy is coming off a bye and heading to Jacksonville which should prove to be one of their toughest tests to date.Last Week: #2
3. Dallas Cowboys (5-1)- They hung with the Pats for three quarters. Unfortunately the games go for 4. These guys are still the best in the NFC by far and still the third best team in the league in my eyesLast Week: #3
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) – GO BYE WEEK GO! .Last Week: #5
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) – Big Monday night match up against the defending champs this week. Garrard is quietly putting together a damned decent season at QB which may be saving Jack Del Rio’s job.Last Week: #7
6. Green Bay Packers (5-1) – They bounced back from a heart breaking loss to the Bears to barely squeak by the Skins. They’ll be a playoff team because of their weak division, but with no running game, the magic can not last. Last Week: #4
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) – They got whipped by Indy and squeezed by Tennessee. But Jeff Garcia still hasn’t thrown a pick this year. How long can they go before they run out of running backs? Last Week: #9
8. New York Giants (4-2) – The Giants’ surge continues. Plaxico Burress is grabbing this team and dragging them kicking and screaming to a wild card berth.Last Week: #12
9. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – The defense forced 6 turnovers against the woeful Rams so they didn’t have to move the ball a lot. Which is a good thing. Because this offense really can’t move the ball well.Last Week: #15
10. Tennessee Titans (3-2) –Holding on to the top 10 by the skin of their pinky toes. If VY’s thigh injury is significant in any way, this team goes back to the doldrums. Last Week: #6
11. San Diego Chargers (3-3)-Hey, whaddaya know? Two straight weeks of feeding LT the ball and two straight dominating wins. With Chris Chambers coming to town, they finally have a veteran go to receiver that can at least mentor the young guys while still performing on the field. Last Week: #18
12. Houston Texans (3-3) – Andre Johnson is officially listed as Day to Day now and may play against the Titans this weekend. Matt Schaub has had 4 weeks now to get acquainted with his other receivers, most notably Owen Daniels. They’ve held pretty steady in their playmaker’s absence. Look for them to take off on his return. Last Week: #12
13. Carolina Panthers (4-2) – Well, they got their heart back with two straight wins now. Of course, they had to get it back so they could put it in the box to power Vinnie “Methuselah†Testaverde. My wife, understandably irked at me watching the Panther’s game while we were at the beach, couldn’t help but wonder if his balls really ARE green. Last Week: #31
14. Washington Redskins (3-2) – Jason Campbell is coming into his own and the defense is working hard, but something still just isn’t clicking right with this team.Last Week: #11
15. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) – They were able to outscore Cincinnati and get back to 3-3, this team still isn’t great, but they’re better than they have any right to be. Last Week: #16
16. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) – Shut out in Steel town and shut down against the Saints. Last Week: #8
17. Arizona Cardinals (3-3) – From Leinart and Warner to Rattay and Tim Hasselbeck. Good thing Boldin is coming back this week, if they can get the ball to him. Last Week: #17
18. Detroit Lions (3-2) – They were totally shut down by Washington but have had the bye week to rest up. Was it enough to fill the gas tank back up on this offense?Last Week: #10
19. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) – The Iggles beat up on the Jets but they still don’t look very good. Last Week: #22
20. Cleveland Browns (3-3) – The offense is firing on all cylinders right now. If the defense can ever catch up this will be a really good team. Last Week: #24
21. Denver Broncos (2-3) – Losers of two in a row including a blowout loss at home to the Chargers. Was the bye week enough to get them back focused and winning?Last Week: #14
22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) – Pardon me, I’ve never actually made one of these lame jokes, “Remember fellas, the stripes on the uniform are ORANGE and black, not WHITE and black.†You may now return to your regularly scheduled suckage. Last Week: #20
23. Oakland Raiders (2-3) – And the JaMarcus Russell countdown officially begins.Last Week: #19
24. Minnesota Vikings (2-4) – Let me know if you’ve heard this one before… Adrian Peterson is a beast. Last Week: #27
25. Chicago Bears (2-4) – Griese is not the answer. Orton starts by week 8.Last Week: #25
26. New Orleans Saints (1-4) – And they finally get that first win. And they looked pretty good doing it. Can they keep it up? Last Week: #29
27. San Fransisco 49ers (2-3) – The offense is dead in the water. They’re going nowhere but down..Last Week: #21
28. Buffalo Bills (1-4) – Another loss followed by the bye week. But they’re playing smart and letting the rookie that’s at least been playing well stay under center instead of Losman.Last Week: #23
29. Atlanta Falcons (1-5) – There’s talk of Byron Leftwich starting this week. That’s not gonna help.Last Week: #26
30New York Jets (1-5) – Pennington’s arm seems to have lost all its zip. I think it’s time to see what Clemens can do. Last Week: #28
30. Miami Dolphins (0-6) – And they’re now officially in rebuilding mode. If they don’t get a couple of wins by say, week 10, I think you have to see what the rookie, Beck, can do. Last Week: #30
32. St. Louis Rams (0-6) – So, they followed my advice. They let Gus play. They still suck. Last Week: #32
That’s it for this week. Agree with me? Think I’m an idiot? Want to call me names? Go here in the forums and we can discuss it.
Credit: nfl.com, the National Football League and individual partner organizations
