Heading into week 10, only one thing is certain. New England will still be undefeated. We’ve got a rematch at Giants Stadium of what was an early season shootout between Dallas and New York. This past week saw a thriller in Indy, Cleveland and Detroit continuing their surprising seasons, and a rookie running back becoming the man. How do my rankings shake up this week? Let’s take a look… shall we?
1. New England Patriots (9-0) – They held tough against the Colts in Indy and pulled through in the end which is what elite teams do. They get a bye to rest up and get healthy. Hopefully it won’t kill their intensity as they’ll need it against a surging Buffalo team in week 11 and definitely Pittsburgh in week 14. Last week: #1
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-1) – They got some help from a couple of questionable calls early, but they still put up the most fight of anyone this year against the Pats. They have a tougher road to hoe from here on out though with San Diego coming up this week, KC the next, and dates with Jacksonville and Tennessee still to go. Last Week: #2
3. Dallas Cowboys (7-1)- They’re still rolling heading into the rematch with the Giants this weekend. Romo has started finding TO again but the G-men’s defense isn’t the same one they faced early in the season. Last Week: #3
4. New York Giants (6-2) – GO BYE WEEK GO! They’re well rested with Dallas coming to town and know better what to expect this time. This game is probably going to be for not only the NFC east, but will give the inside track to being the king of the NFC. Last Week: #4
5. Green Bay Packers (7-1) – And Favre has finally beaten all 31 other teams in the league with a come back win over KC. The Packers get more dangerous now with the emergence of Ryan Grant, if he can stay healthy (unlike the other GB backs this season). Last Week: #6
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) – Somebody woke up Big Ben this week. 5 TD’s in the first half? I think you can qualify this team as pissed off and desperate to hold off Cleveland. This is the team with the best chance left of knocking off the Pats if they can keep it together. Last Week: #8
7. Detroit Lions (6-2) – They’re on a three game win streak and the defense came alive this week. Where was all that against Philly? This team may just be for real. Last Week: #9
8. Tennessee Titans (6-2) –They ransacked a reeling Panthers team and sit only one game back of the Colts for the division lead. Lendale White is finally shaping up to be the beast that I thought he would be. Last Week: #10
9. Cleveland Browns (5-3) – A rousing come from behind win against the NFC West leading Seahawks signifies that this team really is for real. They head in to Pittsburgh this week looking to avenge a week one blowout loss. And this is a much different team than it was that week. It’s still hard to believe that this team is a last second time out call away at Oakland from being 6-2. Last Week: #13
10. New Orleans Saints (4-4) – Four games in a row with a tilt with winless St Louis this weekend. This offense is finally clicking and have an inside track to the NFC South crown after an 0-4 start. Last Week: #18
11. Washington Redskins (5-3) – It’s hard to figure out the Skins this year, but I can tell you that they, in no way, deserved to beat the Jets. Last Week: #12
12. Buffalo Bills (4-4) – They’ve scrapped their way back to 4-4 and J.P. Losman is fighting for his starting job back and he’s somehow gotten Lee Evans’ head back into the game. Last Week: #19
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) – They won an ugly game against the Cardinals and currently lead the NFC South. They should enjoy it while it lasts, because the Saints are coming to take it back. Last Week: #17
14. San Diego Chargers (4-4)-Absolutely embarrassing. I don’t know what Norvy has done to Phillip Rivers, but he’s the first head coach I’ve seen that Phil has played badly under. Hell, the man succeeded under Chuck Amato. Therefore I blame his troubles square on Norv. Last Week: #5
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) – They lost a shootout with the Saints with their third string QB throwing for over 300 yards. This loss was all on the defense, which isn’t something you hear very often in Jacksonville. They’ll turn it back around. Last Week: #7
16. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) – Put up a hell of a fight against the Packers, but how bad is LJ’s injury? How much is Herm Edwards willing to risk Priest Holmes’ neck if LJ can’t play? Last Week: #11
17. Seattle Seahawks (4-4) – Something is wrong in Shaun Alexander’s head. He’s just not running they way he used to. But then, the whole team is starting to show their age. Last Week: #16
18. Baltimore Ravens (4-4) – Wow, what a trouncing at the hands of the Steelers. Steve McNair, how do you only get 63 yards off of 13 completions? That’s just not acceptable. Last Week: #14
19. Houston Texans (4-5) – The bye week mercifully finally comes for the Texans. Coming back in week 11 they should have Andre Johnson back and hopefully Schaub will be able to go, even though Rosenfels has shown that he can handle it pretty well under center himself. John Fox could learn a thing or two from Gary Kubiak about having confidence in your backups. Last Week: #23
20. Minnesota Vikings (3-5) – There’s still no semblance of a passing game, but who needs to pass the ball when you have a back that can go for 300 yards? Just imagine if say THEY had taken Trent Edwards in the second round instead of another worthless wide out. Last Week: #26
21. Arizona Cardinals (3-5) – This team is almost there, they just have to find a way to stay healthy. Last Week: #20
22. Carolina Panthers (4-4) – They stay this high because I’m feeling nice. It’s glaringly obvious that John Fox has no faith in his backups and this team will be lucky to win two more games this season. Hell, if Vinny is going to be hurt and you obviously don’t think Carr can do it, let Moore play and see what the rookie has in him. What the hell do you have to lose Foxxy? Last Week: #15
23. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) – Will the real Eagles please stand up? Last Week: #21
24. Denver Broncos (3-5) – They looked horribly bad against Detroit. You’d have expected the offense to at least be able to move the ball. Last Week: #22
25. Chicago Bears (3-5) – GO BYE WEEK GO! Last Week: #24
26. Atlanta Falcons (2-6) – They almost beat the Panthers in Jake’s last game. With Steve Smith not able to give DeAngelo Hall DeFits, they just may be looking at an honest to God winning streak this week. Last Week: #29
27. Oakland Raiders (2-6) – It’s bad when your team is so bad the coach is afraid to put the rookie in to see what he can do for fear he’ll get shelled into the dark ages. Last Week: #25
28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) – There is no hope at all for this defense. Last Week: #27
29. New York Jets (1-8) – Clemens looked pretty good in his first start but was helped immensely by Leon Washington’s kick returns. But, hey, it’s a start. Last Week: #31
30. San Francisco 49ers (2-6) – How did this team ever start off 2-0. Last Week: #28
31. Miami Dolphins (0-8) – GO BYE WEEK GO! YAY! They didn’t lose this week! Last Week: #31
32. St. Louis Rams (0-8) – Did the bye week let them get healthy enough to put up a fight against the Saints this week? 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
