NFL Power 10: Tennessee Titans, the Last of the Undefeated

Quick personal note before I get into the Power-10. I’ve been hired by examiner.com as their New England Patriots Examiner. It doesn’t pay a lot, but it does pay some. And since I’m flat broke, some is much better than none.

If you have a few minutes, please take some time to check out my page over there. The more people who go there, the more I get paid. The more I get paid, the happier I am. The happier I am, the less suicidal I’ll be when the Broncos stomp the Patriots this week.

1 (2) Titans (5-0)

It’s time to give the Titans their due. They’re No. 1 in fewest points allowed, by a 28-point margin. They’re No. 1 in point differential with a plus-56. They may be middle of the road offensively, but with that defense, middle of the road is more than enough.

This is a team that, if they can keep the drama out of the quarterback position for the rest of the season, is a serious, serious Super Bowl contender.

2 (5) Steelers (4-1)

The Steelers benefit from the fact that the NFC East laid an egg last weekend. The Steelers have a second bye week Sunday against the Bengals, then we get treated to a Steelers-Giants showdown at Heinz Field.

We will know a heck of a lot more about the Steelers (and the Giants, for that matter) when we go to bed on Oct 26 than we do today.

3 (1) Giants (4-1)

I considered dropping them further, because their performance against the Browns was more than pathetic. However, I’ll give them a pass. No team goes undefeated. They know that better than anyone, except maybe the Patriots.

That said, the Browns game was distressing. They better rebound against the 49ers, because after next week their schedule gets ridiculous.

4 (6) Bills (4-1)

The Bills have a perfect opportunity this weekend to prove to the world that they’re the best team in the AFC East. You saw the Patriots and Jets both get obliterated by the Chargers. If the Bills can beat the Chargers, they take a huge step towards unseating the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

And there’s no reason why they can’t win, assuming Losman isn’t involved.

5 (-) Cardinals (4-2)

I have to admit, I’ve seen a lot of things. As far as overtime losses go, I thought the Seattle Seahawks had taken the cake with the whole, “We want the ball and we’re gonna win” thing. I was wrong.

The Cardinals won a game, in overtime, with a blocked punt for a touchdown. That is absolutely stunning.

You know what else is stunning? Right now, they may seriously be the fifth best team in the NFL. This has been a strange, strange season.

6 (3) Redskins (4-2)

I finally pick the Redskins to win and look what happens! I told you people, you do NOT want me picking the Redskins. Just be happy. I pick against them, they win. We had a good thing going. You finally brow-beat me into picking them against the lowly St. Louis Rams and what happens?

The Washington Redskins lose to the NFL’s Washington Generals.

7 (4) Cowboys (4-2)

Exit Tony Romo (for a little while, anyway), enter Roy Williams. This team has some serious issues. Issues I’m pretty sure Roy Williams isn’t going to solve. Unless he can coach, control egos, play cornerback, single-handedly stop the team from committing dumb penalties, and fix Tony Romo’s finger.

8 (7) Broncos (4-2)

Speaking as a Patriots fan, I’m scared to death of Brandon Marshall. Who on the Patriots defense is going to be able to stop him? Ellis Hobbs? Not likely. Deltha O’Neal? Less likely.

I’m guessing, barring a Belichick miracle, the Broncos will get back to their winning ways this week in New England.

9 (-) Buccaneers (4-2)

Just stomped the crud out of the Panthers last weekend. Completely decimated them. Jeff Garcia’s triumphant return to the starting lineup was a nice subplot in a game that featured as close to a perfect performance by a defense as you’ll ever see.

10 (-) Falcons  (4-2)

All hail the Atlanta Falcons! Matt Ryan for President!

Greatest, most improbably last-second victory I’ve seen in quite some time.

Dropped Out

(8) Panthers (4-2)

Can’t stick in the Power-10 after a beat down like that…

(9) Patriots (3-2)

On the bright side, even Matt Cassel should be able to move the ball against the Denver defense.

(10) Bears (3-3)

Now THAT was a gut-punch loss. Bright spot: Kyle Orton was fantastic.

Bottom Three

30. Raiders (1-4)

I guess the head coach wasn’t the entire issue, eh?

31. Bengals (0-6)

How is nobody fired yet? Seriously? How?

32. Lions (0-5)

I may not like Jon Kitna, but at least he’s a legit NFL quarterback. Dan Orlovsky, you are no Jon Kitna.

Sean Crowe is a Senior Writer and an NFL Community Leader at Bleacher Report. You can email him at [e-mail]. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.

Crowe is also the New England Patriots Examiner at Examiner.com. Check it out for all the latest on the New England Patriots.