Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
Number in brackets indicates last weeks rank.
Patriots are not only crushing teams, they're crushing bookmakers around the world. The Pats are 7-0 straight up and against the spread. The betting public has backed the Patriots each week and they've cashed the money every time.
The Colts first true test @ Jacksonville didn't prove much because of the early injury sustained by QB David Garrard. The Colts were up 7-0 in that game when Garrard went down with an ankle injury and his replacement Quinn Gray was dreadful, only completing 9 of 24 passes with 2 INT's. The Colts have to play the Panthers on the road before facing the Patriots in the most anticipated game of the year. Belmont's early line is Patriots are a 4 point favorite @ the Colts.
Cowboys enter their bye week at a perfect time. They're 6-1 and in first place in the NFC East. Following their bye week they face the most critical part of their schedule, 3 divisional games, @ Eagles, @ Giants, and vs Redskins.
Steelers ran into a buzz saw last week and faced a very upset Bronco team. The Steelers are 4-2 with losses on the road to the Cardinals and Broncos. Still don't know how good the Steelers are, but a loss to the Bengals this week would drop this team out of my Top 10.
Giants are playing great football and look poised to give the Cowboys a run for the NFC East. Giants play in London this week vs the hapless Dolphins, then a bye week and then a rematch vs the Cowboys in the Meadowlands. That should be an epic matchup.
Chargers have to deal with moving their practice and team to Arizona due to the complications of the Southern California fires. I think they have more on their mind than football. God Bless anyone effected by this tragedy.
If it wasn't for Tom Brady and the Patriots, Brett Favre and the Packers would be the talk of the NFL. Think about, Brett Favre won 3 consecutive league MVP's back in 1995, 96 and 97, that was 10 years ago and he's still playing at MVP type level. Its an amazing story that he's leading his team to an NFC North title and a spot in the playoffs.
Their highly anticipated matchup vs the Colts on MNF was finished as soon as QB David Garrard went down. The Jags are still a team to be reckoned with, but they need Garrard back from a badly sprained ankle that will keep him out for at least 2 weeks. This team moves down in my rankings because of the loss of QB David Garrard, not because of the loss to the Colts. Up next for the Jags, 3 road games with Quinn Gray as their starting QB. Be careful, because this promising season could get away from the Jags real quick.
Redskins offensive output vs the Cardinals was offensive, gaining only 10 first downs and 160 total yards. Next up for the Skins, they travel to New England to play the best team in NFL history. Defensively, the Redskins match up very well vs the Patriots. Redskins have the best secondary in the NFL and have the guys that can at least slow down the Patriots high octane offense.
Titans keep winning even without star QB Vince Young. He's back this week. The Titans defense, which gave up a season high 36 points to the Texans last week, will look to get back on track against the dreadful Raiders.
Panthers are coming off a bye and they needed those 2 weeks to prepare against the Colts. QB David Carr needs to get healthy and has to stay healthy if this team is going to compete in the NFC South. Vinny Testaverde was a nice story 2 weeks ago, but there's no way he can lead his team to the playoffs.
The Ravens get a much needed bye. This team just needs to get healthy, especially QB Steve McNair.
The Lions were completely outplayed by the Bucs last week and after 6 weeks this team doesn't look any better defensively or offensively. They are 4-2 and in the chase for a playoff berth, but there are major concerns both defensively and offensively.
Bucs gave the game away to the Lions. They outplayed the Lions, but costly turnovers did this team in. The Bucs arguably have the best defense in the NFC which could carry them deep into the playoffs.
Seahawks are coming off a win, but there is something wrong in Seattle. Former MVP Shaun Alexander rushed for only 47 yards on 19 carries against the Rams. That's awful and obviously a concern for this Seahawk team.
After starting the season 0-2, the Chiefs have rebounded to win 4 of their last 5 and are in first place in the AFC West. I give head coach Herm Edwards a lot of credit for not letting this team quit after their awful start. The Chiefs are winning games with their defense, allowing only 14.6 points a game in their last 5.
Broncos are coming off their most impressive game of the 2007 season. Next up, the Green Bay Packers at home on Monday Night.
The Bears saved their season with their win over the Eagles and are one win away from getting to .500 and back in the playoff chase. Following their game vs the Lions, they have a bye week and after that, the Raiders. But first they have to beat the Lions @ home, a loss there and their season is officially over.
Eagles loss to the Bears could be the final nail in the coffin for 2007 season. Giving up a 97 yard touchdown drive to the Bears with less than 2 minutes to play has to hurt this team emotionally.
Browns are 3-3 and come off a bye week going against the Rams. Their game vs the Rams will go along way in telling us just how bad or good this Brown team is.
The Texans have regressed quite a bit since their 2-0 start. Defensively they can't stop anybody and have given up 75 points in their last two games, and that was to the Jaguars and Titans who don't scare anyone offensively.
The Cardinals still can't finish games this year. They've come up short in 3 games that they easily could have won. Last week against the Redskins, they blew a 2 point conversion that would have tied the game and Rackers missed a last second field goal to win the game.
Saints have won back to back games, but I'm not convinced this team is back offensively. In their win vs the Falcons, they only gained 14 first downs and 310 yards against a bad defense. This team is going to struggle to win games this year and it’s a team I'll be looking to fade in coming weeks.
Bengals got their 2nd win of the season, at home vs a hapless Jets team. Defensively, the Bengals are a mess. They've given up an average of 33 points in their last 3 games. The Steelers and their epic rushing attack should be able to run the ball at will this week.
Head Coach Brad Childress is not an NFL coach. He doesn't have the demeanor of an NFL coach and everyone is questioning his use of RB Adrian Peterson. After a brilliant 20 yard TD run that tied the game for the Vikings vs the Cowboys, Peterson had only 8 carries the rest of the game. That's INSANE!
Bills are coming off a nice win vs the Ravens. The Bills are 2-1 in their last 3 games and have covered in all 3 of those games.
49ers are really bad on both sides of the ball. They rank dead last on offense in total yards and they haven't scored more than 17 points all season. This team hasn't improved under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Nolan and they have regressed quite a bit since last years 7-9 finish. RB Frank Gore, the 49ers best player, called out the offensive coordinator Jeff Hostler saying the team doesn't trust the play calling.
After starting the season 2-2, the Raiders have lost 2 in a row and look like the Raiders of old. Against the Chiefs at home, the Raiders could only gain 10 first downs and 268 total yards on offense. The "Russell Watch" is on. Its time to play the first pick in the NFL Draft JaMarcus Russell.
Jets have lost their last 4 in a row and rumblings in the locker room have questioned Mangini's motivational techniques. The Jets season is all but over and its time for them to put in QB Clemens. Mangini is losing this team and bringing in Clemens would at least provide a spark for this unmotivated team.
QB Byron Leftwich got his first start last week, only to finish on the bench after a high ankle sprain. Leftwich looked good before going down. This team and franchise just can't catch a break.
The English get to witness NFL football this week, if you call what the Dolphins doing football. The Dolphins travel to London and get to showcase some really BAD football. The Dolphins are winless and hopeless and just lost their best player for the year. Cheerio!
Offensive Line is just disastrous, they can't protect Bulger who was sacked 7 times and threw 3 INT's. After sitting for 2 games, Marc Bulger came back for a beating last week. Makes you wonder why. This team can't compete with him or Jesus Christ at QB.
