NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 11: Who's Carter's Number One?
There are about eight to 10 teams I would consider elite and about four that were in the running for my top spot. The Jets keep finding ways to win, the Falcons are starting to look fantastic, the Titans are underrated, the Colts are always solid as long as Payton Manning is taking snaps, Michael Vick is leading the Eagles and leading them very well, and the Packers are looking to pick up where they left off after the bye week.
But only one team can get the top spot. I've been doing these for a while, but I've never done a slideshow version...until now. Enjoy!
32. Carolina Panthers (1-8)
1 of 32
This team is the absolute worst in the entire NFL.
They get crushed basically every week, they really donโt a quarterback, their running game is terrible, they have no significant receiver (not even Steve Smith) and John Fox is going to get fired soon.
Itโs not going to get any easier for the Panthers either. Iโd be shocked if this team wins another game this season. Maybe the home game against the Cardinals on December 19 but other than that, thereโs no success on the horizon and they will get the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
2 of 32
The Cardinals are a team that pulls off a crazy win here and there, but still stink for the most part. Theyโve lost four in a row every since upsetting the Saints and have given up at least 27 points in three straight games. This team is bad and took a huge hit with the retirement of Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald got the worst of it.
30. Buffalo Bills (1-8)
3 of 32
Itโs interesting: the Bills have eight losses. Only two of those are by more than 10 points, and those two opponents were the Patriots and Packers. So they can hang around with the mediocre teams but they canโt play with the big boys. Simple as that. I honestly donโt think the Bills defensive linemen can stop snails from going through their gaps.
.jpg?w=256 "Bears Eagles Football")
29. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
4 of 32
Many see the Cowboys win over the Giants as a turnaround, which could be true. But Iโll label it as a turnaround with new coach Jason Garrett if I see them beat teams like the Colts, Saints, and Eagles. The Cowboys are acting like they are excited again, but they are pretty much done as far as playoff chances.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
5 of 32
If I were a Jaguarsโ fan, I wouldnโt get too excited about their 5-4 record by thinking that they are going to the playoffs. Here are the facts: when the Jaguars win, they barely win, and when the Jaguars lose a game, they get CRUSHED! David Garrard will never become an elite quarterback.
27. Denver Broncos (3-6)
6 of 32
The only significant win this season was their 26-20 win over the Titans. Itโs going to be a while before they become a contender for anything.
Theyโve lost four straight games against true contenders (Colts, Ravens, Jets, Raiders). If they can beat the Chargers on Monday night, it could be a start of a nice second half for the Broncos, seeing that they have mediocre teams like the Rams, Chiefs, and Cardinals coming up after the Chargers game.
26. Washington Redskins (4-5)
7 of 32
The Redskins have had a couple of shining moments this year with wins over the Eagles in Philly and the Packers in overtime.
The whole Donovan McNabb issue is interesting and confusing. Heโs getting up there in age, getโs a contract extension before Mondayโs game against the Eagles, they get crushed into a billion pieces that night and the next day everybodyโs talking about him getting released again. Itโs just weird and I feel bad for Mike Shanahan. The Redskins probably have the worst secondary unit in the NFC.
25. Houston Texans (4-5)
8 of 32
Iโm not sure what to say about this team because I just donโt know if they are good or not. They have wins over the Colts, Redskins, Raiders and Chiefs, but have lost to the Cowboys, Giants, Colts, Chargers and Jaguars.
The wins over the Colts and Raiders are pretty nice when you look back on them and see where the teams are right now. The bad news for the Texans is that their upcoming schedule is going to be tough. They have road games against the Jets, Eagles, and Titans, and home games against the Ravens and Titans again. The second half of the season is going to be interesting and theyโve already started it with a loss to the Jaguars. Their secondary is so bad itโs not even funny.
24. San Francisco 49ers (3-6)
9 of 32
The only elite win theyโve had this year was over the Raiders. The Broncos stink and the Rams are just okay but not good. This team isnโt going to the playoffs no matter what anybody says. The playoffs involve elite teams and theyโve already lost to the Saints, Falcons, and Eagles, who are all significant playoff-caliber teams.
23. Seattle Seahawks (5-4)
10 of 32
Bold prediction: the Seattle Seahawks are going to get crushed by the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Before their win over the Cardinals on Sunday, they were outscored by the Raiders and Giants, 74-10. This is not a team I would put my money on if they are playing a team over .500.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7)
11 of 32
Iโm sure itโs hard for Bengalsโ fans to continue to watch their team barely lose games. On their current six-game losing streak, all six losses are by eight points or fewer. Aside from the first game of the season against the Patriots, theyโve been in every single game theyโve played, but just canโt seem to get over the hump. And itโs not going to get any easier as they have the Saints and Jets coming up.
21. Minnesota Vikings (3-6)
12 of 32
Honestly, Iโm getting tired of all this Brad Childress/Brett Favre crap. Itโs like television is reporting things between two junior high teenage girls. On the field, this team has no chance to win the Super Bowl or probably make the playoffs. The playoffs are stacked with elite teams and the Vikings have already played four teams I consider elite and theyโve lost to them all (Saints, Jets, Packers, Patriots).
20. Miami Dolphins [5-4]
13 of 32
The Dolphins do have a couple of wins against elite teams. In fact, they have wins over teams that I think are the best in the league. Letโs see if they can beat the Raiders and Jets and then Iโll tell you if I think they are a legit playoff contender.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
14 of 32
Arguably the biggest fraud team in the entire NFL. Their five wins are over the Browns, Panthers (twice), Bengals, Rams, and Cardinals, but have losses against the Steelers, Saints, and Falcons.
I bet the Buccaneers go no better than 10-6 and get crushed against whoever they play in the playoffs if they get there. If you have fantasy football running backs going up against the Buccaneers, you are probably going to win that week.
18. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
15 of 32
Browns fans should feel optimistic about their team right now. They have a great young QB who can give them a chance to win every week in Colt McCoy. Another reason why the Brownsโ fans can feel optimistic is because of their upcoming schedule. Their next five games are against opponents that are mediocre or just bad (Jaguars, Panthers, Dolphins, Bills, Bengals).
I wouldnโt be surprised if the Browns have at least a 7-7 record heading into their Week 16 game against the Ravens the day after Christmas.
17. St. Louis Rams (4-5)
16 of 32
Sam Bradford went over 200-yards passing yard for the first time since October 10 on Sunday against the 49ers, but it came in a losing effort. The Rams still have a chance to win the NFC West Division and make the playoffs a year after they went 1-15.
I believe this because theyโve only gotten crushed once this year. If they beat the Atlanta Falcons this week, that will be a huge momentum boost for this team.
16. Detroit Lions (2-7)
17 of 32
Iโm going to make a guarantee right now and say that the Detroit Lions will win at least one road game this season. Their final three road games are against the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Dolphins. All of those teams are beatable no matter where the game is. They are 0-3 against elite teams this year (lost to Eagles, Packers, and Jets) and probably wonโt beat the Patriots on Thanksgiving and might not beat the Packers at home either.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
18 of 32
The Chiefs have five wins to this point over no elite NFL teams (defeated the Chargers, Browns, 49ers, Jaguars, Bills). Those teams have a combined record of 15-30. They lost to the Colts and Ravens and their defense forgot to show up against the Broncos. If their running wasnโt so good, they would not be better than 3-6.
14. Chicago Bears (6-3)
19 of 32
The Bears have one significant win this year: the 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers.
This is the worst team in the NFL with at least six wins.
They lost to the Seahawks (a mediocre team) and Redskins (who stink) and couldโve lost to the Bills (the worst team in the AFC). They have the Eagles, Patriots, Jets, and Packers remaining on their schedule. If they can beat two of those teams, Iโll gain some confidence in them. For now, I they are the worst team in the league with at least six wins.
13. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
20 of 32
The Ravens are a team that I still believe can win the AFC North Division. They have already proven that they can beat the Steelers, but itโs going to be a fight to the end between them and Pittsburgh.
They are stacked defensively. The only real defensive collapse theyโve had this year was against the Bills. The best win theyโve had all season was against the Jets. Some might say the win over the Steelers was great too because they are their biggest rival at the moment, but the Steelers arenโt an elite team right now. The only real reason I have the Steelers ahead of the Ravens is because I would rather have Ben Roethlisberger over Joe Flacco as my starting QB in a playoff game.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
21 of 32
This team received a huge left hook from Tom Brady on Sunday night. That was the worst defensive performance Iโve seen from the Steelers in a long time. I understand that they played the Patriots but still, that was bad.
They had a great start to the season by beating two elite teams in the Titans and Falcons. After that, they currently have a three-game losing streak against teams I have ranked in the top 16 (Ravens, Saints, Patriots). Ben Roethlisberger has played well, but Iโm not sure if he can lead this team to a Super Bowl just yet. On a more positive note, if you are planning to run the ball against the Steelers, hereโs a thought, plan something else.
11. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
22 of 32
The only real significant win theyโve had this year is against the Titans and they do have a few weird losses. But when they lose, they barely lose. This team isnโt going to get crushed. Norv Turner has a team that will put up a fight in every game. I still think they have a chance to make the playoffs, but probably wonโt win the Super Bowl.
10. New York Giants (6-3)
23 of 32
Dallas was probably the most confusing game of the season for the New York Giants. I had such high hopes for them until Sunday evening. Itโs not a good thing to lose to a team that just fired its head coach a few days before.
The Giants have played against two teams currently ranked in my top ten and lost to them both (Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts). If they can beat the Eagles this weekend, my confidence in them will grow once again because it will be their biggest win of the season. But for now Iโm drawing a blank on my thoughts about the Giants.
9. New England Patriots (7-2)
24 of 32
The Patriots bounced back with a great road win over the Steelers after they got embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns in their worst game of the season. I donโt think the Patriots are as good as their record says because they have only out-scored their opponents by a combined 44 points and they donโt have any wins over teams ranked in my top ten. They will get a chance to do that against their buddies, the Indianapolis Colts, this Sunday.
8. Oakland Raiders (5-4)
25 of 32
The Raiders have only played one game against a team in my top ten, the Tennessee Titans, and they lost it in the first week of the season, 38-13. But hereโs something else thatโs true: the Oakland Raiders are a good football team and that loss to the Titans happened a long time ago.
Raider Nation is starting to feel confident about their team once again. Jason Campbell has played consistently well over the past few weeks, their running game is so good itโs just crazy and the team hasnโt given up more than 20 points in a game in over a month. They also have the best secondary in the AFC.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (6-3)
26 of 32
How many of you Eaglesโ fans still want Kevin Kolb as your teamโs starting quarterback? Not very many, if anybody at all.
Michael Vick probably had the best game of his entire career last night against the Redskins. As a team, the Eagles do have two wins over teams currently in my top ten (Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts). This proves to me that Andy Reidโs team is capable of winning against elite teams. If Michael Vick continues to put on big performances and stays consistent, the Eagles are going to fly as high as they want to. They could even fly to Arlington, Texas in February if they play like they did last night.
6. Atlanta Falcons (7-2)
27 of 32
The Falcons are beginning to capture my interest more and more each week. They are the only NFC team with at least seven wins, but they only have one win over a team currently ranked in my top ten and that is their 27-24 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints back on September 26. Their next big game comes on November 28 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This game will answer my question of who really is the best NFC team. Right now, itโs still the Packers, but if the Falcons win, my answer will most likely change to the โDirty Birds.โ
5. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
28 of 32
The New Orleans Saints still have a great team, but they arenโt as good as last year. They have the best secondary in the entire league. They have only played one team ranked in my top ten (the Atlanta Falcons) so far this year and lost. Iโm still going to question the Saints' ability to beat good teams until they actually do it. The Falcons are the next top ten team (for right now at least) on their schedule on December 27. Yes, they are a great team, but can they beat other great teams?
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
29 of 32
Peyton Manning gets to play against his biggest rival once again this week in Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Itโs going to be the biggest competition of the year for the Colts and this game could answer whether the Colts can beat another elite AFC team.
3. New York Jets (7-2)
30 of 32
This team is getting closer and closer to being the best NFL team. But it does concern me a little bit that they couldโve lost to the Broncos, Lions, and Browns and four of their seven wins are by eight points or less. Their defense is still good, but it isnโt as good as last year. I will give credit to Mark Sanchez, who has thrown for over 250 passing yards for three straight games and looks like it could be four in a row next week since heโs passing against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
2. Tennessee Titans (5-4)
31 of 32
This is a bit of a down-grade for the Titans, but I still think they are the ultimate dark horse team in the AFC. They have good playmakers in Chris Johnson, Nate Washington, and now Randy Moss, and solid defensive guys. If Kenny Britt comes back and plays just as good as he did before, if (enter starting quarterbackโs name here) can play consistently and if the defense plays well, this team will go far. The Titans are way better than their 5-4 record indicates.
1. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
32 of 32
With the bye week out of the way, itโs time for the Packers to prove that they are capable of winning games down the stretch and are a legit playoff team and Super Bowl contender. I still think this team is number one because of all the injuries theyโve suffered (not to mention another this past week with Mark Tauscher going down) and still managed to be 6-3. Who knows where they would be without Aaron Rodgers taking the snaps.
.jpg?w=480 "Bears Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Eagles Giants Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Giants Raiders Football")
.png?w=600 "Mike Brown Calls Out Refs ๐")
.png?w=600 "Spurs Get Over Knicks in Game 3")
