It's been a couple of weeks, so let's get back to the power rankings...
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-7): They're the only 0-and-7 team, and it doesn't look like things are going to get any better in the near future. Their defense is one of the worst two or three in the league, and their offense cannot even approach its true potential with Curtis Painter at the helm.
31. St. Louis Rams (0-6): Without WR1 Danny Amendola they're already one of the worst five teams in the game; without Sam Bradford they easily fall into the bottom two. Even if Bradford goes this week against the Saints (lock up another blowout), I don't think I can rank Spags' beat-up boys any higher than this.
30. Miami Dolphins (0-6): The best of the winless teams. Matt Moore has represented himself fairly well (Marshall and Hartline's drops don't help appearances) since taking over for the injured Chad Henne, and the Phins were one, three-minute defensive breakdown away from their first victory against Tim Tebow's lowly Broncos.
29. Arizona Cardinals (1-5): They're already bad, and who knows how long RB1 Beanie Wells will be out now.
28. Denver Broncos (2-4): If Tebow wins another two games this season, then I'll give him some credit. I'd be surprised if he won two, shocked if he won three.
27. Minnesota Vikings (1-6): What a difference a quarterback makes. In one week they went from a franchise going absolutely nowhere with Donovan McNabb, to a team that could legitimately compete with the undefeated Super Bowl champion Packers. Thank you, Christian Ponder.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5): What an incredible defensive performance against Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and the Ravens Monday night. That was one of the worst offensive games ever witnessed by mankind, and the Jaguars' relentless defense had an awful lot to do with the debacle.
25. Seattle Seahawks (2-4): Another clear example of the difference between a starting quarterback and his backup. Things were beginning to look up with Tarvaris Jackson under center; he goes down, and Charlie Whitehurst puts up three points against the Browns in a painful loss. They're probably the second-best team in their division if Jackson can stay on the field.
24. Carolina Panthers (2-5): They've been a surprisingly prolific offense, but they never seem to make critical defensive stops.
23. Tennessee Titans (3-3): This clearly isn't the same squad without WR1 Kenny Britt. If Chris Johnson doesn't break out soon, this will easily be one of the absolute worst teams in the NFL.
22. Cleveland Browns (3-3): It was far, far away from pretty, but this scrappy bunch managed to win a game this weekend with just six points. This is what they do.
21. Washington Redskins (3-3): An average all-around team. I feel like we all say this on a yearly basis.
20. Oakland Raiders (4-3): A once-promising season destroyed by a devastating injury to Jason Campbell. The panic trade for Carson Palmer was an atrocity, and their offensive play isn't going to get much better in the coming weeks. Palmer is finished (showed clear signs of that the past two seasons as well), and Kyle Boller is a bum.
19. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3): The feel-good team of the year. They lose RB1 Jamaal Charles -- their premier player -- right out of the gate, look like one of the worst teams in NFL history for a couple of weeks, and then respond with three consecutive, gritty, surprising wins. To me, with Campbell out of the way and Palmer calling the shots, the Chiefs are a virtual lock to finish second in the AFC West.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4): If they find a way to beat the division-rival Cowboys this week, I'd say Michael Vick and Co. still have a legitimate chance to win the NFC East, despite a nearly crippling start.
17. Dallas Cowboys (3-3): A truly enigmatic bunch. Maybe DeMarco Murray will be the answer. I hate Felix Jones.
16. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-3): Their running back situation is a mess with veteran Earnest Graham done for the season and LeGarrette Blount fighting to return to the field.
15. Chicago Bears (4-3): This team did go to the NFC Championship last season; I think they are a little under-appreciated. RB1 Matt Forte is one of the best all-around players in the game.
14. Houston Texans (4-3): If Andre Johnson returns and stays healthy, they're probably a top 12 team. Arian Foster is a friggin' freak. My top running backs in the world: Foster, Adrian Peterson, Forte, LeSean McCoy, Darren McFadden, Michael Turner, Ahmad Bradshaw and Fred Jackson.
13. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): Against the usually underwhelming Jaguars, John Harbaugh's Ravens put together one of the worst offensive performances (by a good team) in the history of professional football. Their offensive line is playing poorly, their receiving corp (with the exception of Boldin) is extremely thin, and I actually think Ray Rice is one of the most overrated players in the league.
I'd say this team could potentially miss the playoffs, but their schedule is one of the lightest. That, and their demonstrative defense, will likely save them.
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-3): Big, season-sustaining win over the Lions this week.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2): I believe in this young group. Damn, did they rip off the Raiders in that trade or what?
10. Buffalo Bills (4-2): After a stunning 3-and-0 start, the Bills have dropped two of their last three, and I'm not quite sure they'll hang around for a playoff spot. I have the Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Chargers, Jets and Ravens (hopefully this last spot goes to the Bills, Bengals or Chiefs) going forward.
9. San Diego Chargers (4-2): They blew an 11-point lead against the Jets because, simply put, they're an inferior overall team.
8. New York Jets (4-3): With Nick Mangold back at center their offense has begun to click, and under-performing players like Plaxico Burress and Shonn Greene are now emerging. When Mark Sanchez has protection and his receivers get separation, he's actually a very effective NFL quarterback.
7. Detroit Lions (5-2): After a 5-and-0 start they've dropped two in a row, and the Matthew Stafford injury situation is a blatantly obvious concern.
6. New York Giants (4-2): These NFC East teams (Giants, Eagles, Cowboys) are notoriously enigmatic. Nonetheless, the Geeee Men have been finding a way to get it done. I think Eli Manning is the fifth or sixth best quarterback in the game right now and, like Sanchez, he can be a real jaw-dropping performer when given ample time to throw. Ahmad Bradshaw is one of my absolute favorite players, and Hakeem Nicks is an awesome weapon at the wide receiver position. If their linebackers and corners play well, they should win the division.
5. San Francisco 49ers (5-1): They haven't proven what the top four teams have.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): It's been a down year for Rashard Mendenhall, but this team truly knows how to win. I'm a big Mike Tomlin guy.
3. New Orleans Saints (5-2): I'll be shocked if the Saints and Packers don't meet in this season's NFC Championship game.
2. New England Patriots (5-1): Throughout the year I've been pointing to their defense as a glaring weakness, but they've definitely improved their collective play in recent weeks. They did a very nice job defensively against two teams with talented, individual offensive players: the Cowboys and Jets.
1. Green Bay Packers (7-0): Aaron Rodgers is the best player in the NFL. Seriously, how does he throw on the run like that? How does he fire heat-seeking missiles 25 yards down the field, fading away off his back leg? Even further, how are those bullets accurate? It doesn't seem possible based on what I've seen in my 20 years as a serious football fan.
Maybe he's an alien.
Story Notes:
-Greatest Gainer: Cincinnati Bengals from 19 to 11.
-Biggest Losers: Oakland Raiders from 10 to 20 and Washington Redskins from 11 to 21.
-Aaron Rodgers is apparently not from this planet.
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