| 2007
Power Rankings: Week 9 |
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TW |
LW |
Team |
Comments |
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1 |
(1) |
Patriots
(8-0) |
In the red corner, the undefeated top contender, the Patriots who will be well prepared for the battle. Look for them to try
to apply outside pressure on Manning. |
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2 |
(2) |
Colts
(7-0) |
In the blue corner, the undefeated defending World Champs. Indy doesn't want
to play outdoors on the road in mid-January. Can they run the ball
and stop the run? |
 |
3 |
(3) |
Cowboys
(6-1) |
With a new contract, Romo now tries to put some distance
between Dallas and the rest of the NFC. I don't believe they have nearly hit their stride and could factor come playoff time. |
 |
4 |
(5) |
Chargers
(4-3) |
The Chargers continue to show weekly improvement on both sides of the
football. Tomlinson and his caddy Turner have played extremely well over
the past three years |
 |
5 |
(6) |
Steelers
(5-2) |
Roethlisberger is quietly putting up Super Bowl-type numbers. Willie Parker has become the most dependable power back in the
NFL. Defense is the best in the league so far. |
 |
6 |
(4) |
Packers
(6-1) |
A new-look Favre is the biggest reason why the
6-1 Packers are on top of the NFC North. The injury to leading rusher DeShawn Wynn could prove critical in their second half. |
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7 |
(7) |
Jaguars
(5-2) |
Regardless of his late-game heroics, I don't see Quinn Gray as the
answer at the QB position. Taylor and Jones-Drew hold
the key to any offensive success in the second half. |
 |
8 |
(8) |
Titans
(5-2) |
Vince Young is expected back. Running game
minus the injured Chris Brown has been erratic. Season-ending knee
injury to snapper Ken Amato could become a major concern. |
 |
9 |
(9) |
Redskins
(4-3) |
Humiliated last week, the Redskins are still a far better club than many expected. Campbell still evokes more
questions then answers. Andre Carter keys a young, improving defense. |
 |
10 |
(10) |
Giants
(6-2) |
Defense has kept them in position to win six straight. But the Cowboys will be
their first real test in over a month. Eli was unimpressive in his trip over the pond. |
 |
11 |
(11) |
Panthers
(4-3) |
Look for future opponents to try and force Panthers QB Carr into a
more critical role. Colbert and Carter have not stepped
up opposite Smith at the wideout position. |
 |
12 |
(12) |
Lions
(5-2) |
Kitna was wrong. Barring injuries this team is capable of
winning as many as 12, not just 10 games in 2007. I like the way they
have hung in there in tight situations. |
 |
13 |
(13) |
Seahawks
(4-3) |
Shaun Alexander has not played to the level expected and has not scored in over a month. QB Hasselbeck does not have a
lot of offensive weapons at his disposal. |
 |
14 |
(14) |
Buccaneers
(4-4) |
Garcia proved to be human and threw 3 INTs. For the Bucs not to fall below .500 mark, this scenario better not
repeat itself without a significant running game. |
 |
15 |
(15) |
Ravens
(4-3) |
Neither QB has been successful within the red zone. WR Derrick Mason is no longer a legitimate vertical threat.
Veteran LB James Farrior has played extremely well. |
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16 |
(18) |
Browns
(4-3) |
Loss of D'Qwell Jackson is a major blow for this shaky defense. Every receiving unit former great Wes Chandler has coached has
played to a championship level. |
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17 |
(16) |
Bears
(3-5) |
Even with a favorable second half schedule, things don't look
promising. Neither QB has played well, but the real disappointment has been the lack of any running game. |
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18 |
(19) |
Eagles
(3-4) |
QB McNabb, WR Kevin Curtis and RB Brian
Westbrook have played far better then a 3-4 record would indicate.
Games are won in the trenches, and therein lies
the Eagles' problem. |
 |
19 |
(20) |
Broncos
(3-4) |
Lack of scoring in the red zone has been a critical problem for Denver. Jay Cutler can really spin the ball should become one of the league's best in the not-to-distant
future. |
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20 |
(21) |
Chiefs
(4-3) |
Rookie WR Dwayne Bowe has been a very impressive addition to the
Chiefs' offense. Jared Allen is once again keying the defense from his
defensive end position. |
 |
21 |
(22) |
Bills
(3-4) |
Trent Edwards has really sparked this club while gaining confidence each week. Jason Peters is the top LOT prospect in football. Like the way this razor-thin
defense flies around. |
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22 |
(23) |
Bengals
(2-5) |
Lack of a consistent
running game has been a major setback. Robert Geathers
has been the only member of the defense to play to a championship level
in 2007. |
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23 |
(17) |
Texans
(3-5) |
Running game has been nonexistent and neither QB has been able to put this club on his back. After showing early improvement, Houston's offensive line is substandard. |
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24 |
(24) |
Cardinals
(3-4) |
Larry Fitzgerald leads Cardinals receivers, but has only scored once
on 46 receptions (not good for your fantasy squad or for winning
football games in the NFC West). |
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25 |
(25) |
Saints
(3-4) |
Last week's win over a poor 49ers squad was the Saints'
best performance of the season. QB Brees appears to have
regained his throwing stroke in the last three victories. |
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26 |
(26) |
Vikings
(2-5) |
As bad as the
receivers have been, the QB play has been worse. Adrian Peterson
has been their only bright spot on the season. |
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27 |
(27) |
Raiders
(2-5) |
Hard to see this team making many more strides. Justin Fargas, nicknamed the
"human crash dummy" because of his running style, has shown
well and is one tough hombre'. |
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28 |
(28) |
Falcons
(1-6) |
Sadly, the more I see him, the more it appears that the great Warrick
Dunn is nearing the end of a brilliant career. LB Michael Boley has been
impressive over the past few weeks |
 |
29 |
(29) |
49ers
(2-5) |
It all starts at the QB position, and I have not
been impressed with Alex Smith or backup Trent Dilfer.
See in this one contest vs. the Falcons a battle of over-hyped, overpaid
QBs. |
 |
30 |
(30) |
Jets
(1-7) |
See the new boss, same as the old boss. The problem is in the system
that doesn't throw the ball down the field. Journeyman LB Eric Barton
leads the club in tackles |
 |
31 |
(31) |
Dolphins
(0-8) |
Who will start next week at QB? Come on
Cam, your rookie John Beck isn't getting any younger. At 25, he's only
two years younger then Lemon. |
 |
32 |
(32) |
Rams
(0-8) |
Well, at least the bye will insure that the Rams don't drop yet
another one this week. Get those resumes updated boys, it's eight weeks
and counting by my calculations. |