I wrote last week that this was a season of haves and have nots more than any year I can remember. It's predictable who will win most of the games, as we saw about half a dozen games this past week that were won by four touchdowns or more. So many of the games were crap, I fell asleep on Sunday. But at least it makes the power rankings a little easier.
Once again we've got the six playoff teams in each conference and two teams from each conference that might end up in the playoffs if a few things go right here or there.
16) San Diego Chargers (3-3) (16)
MLC: A blowout win against a crappy team gets the Bolts right back where they were last week. This team has a first place schedule due to last year's late season resurgence, but they're not a first place quality team. That means they have the type of schedule remaining that's going to keep them out of the playoffs. The Raiders are up next (who they struggled with in the season opener), then they're at the Giants, home to Philly, and at Denver. Later in the season they play Dallas, Cinci, and Tennessee (who might have a pulse or a win or both by the end of the season). Right now I say they won't make the playoffs, but I like them better than the Jets or Dolphins right now giving the struggles of each of those teams at quarterback. The rest of the AFC is crap, plain and simple.
JNG: The Chargers looked good against the Chiefs. I'd be more impressed if the Chiefs didn't look like they should be playing intramurals.
JNG: The Chargers looked good against the Chiefs. I'd be more impressed if the Chiefs didn't look like they should be playing intramurals.
15) Houston Texans (4-3) (--)
MLC: I took Texans with my the first two picks of my fantasy draft. Andre Johnson at 9 and Steve Slaton at 16. 7 weeks into the season, they seem like they're finally figuring things out. Schaub has stayed healthy (keep your fingers crossed!), Slaton looks to be achieving the potential he showed last season, and Andre Johnson is as beastly as ever (depending on how he comes back from injury. The Texans play a bunch of third place teams as well as the entire NFC West. They also have impressive wins at Cincinnati and at Tennessee (hey, any road win in the division is impressive). Do they have the defense to make the playoffs and overtake my current wildcard favorites in the NFC North? Probably not, but it doesn't mean they can't have a damn good season.
JNG: Still can't wrap my head around how the Texans picked Mario Williams over NCAA All-Everythings Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and Vince Young...and got it right.
MLC: I took Texans with my the first two picks of my fantasy draft. Andre Johnson at 9 and Steve Slaton at 16. 7 weeks into the season, they seem like they're finally figuring things out. Schaub has stayed healthy (keep your fingers crossed!), Slaton looks to be achieving the potential he showed last season, and Andre Johnson is as beastly as ever (depending on how he comes back from injury. The Texans play a bunch of third place teams as well as the entire NFC West. They also have impressive wins at Cincinnati and at Tennessee (hey, any road win in the division is impressive). Do they have the defense to make the playoffs and overtake my current wildcard favorites in the NFC North? Probably not, but it doesn't mean they can't have a damn good season.
JNG: Still can't wrap my head around how the Texans picked Mario Williams over NCAA All-Everythings Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and Vince Young...and got it right.
14) Green Bay Packers (4-2) (--)
MLC: I left the Pack out of the Sick 16 last week because they have so many issues protecting Aaron Rodgers and I have never believed in Ryan Grant as a viable NFL running back. Say what you will, I'd rather have a lot of running backs in the NFL over him. I think the Packers need to address this need in the draft, because that team could be amazing with a running game that better compliments Aaron Rodgers and his receivers. But they play the entire NFC West (are you sensing a theme here?), so there's four wins, but they also play the AFC North. They won't make any headway against those tough defenses with the lack of protection they have for Rodgers. But they're better than the other NFC possibles (especially the Bears). So they could make it, but we'll see.
JNG: Aaron Rogers career as a quarterback in the NFL is going to be short lived if the Packers offensive line can't protect him. He's been sacked more times than Rome (a reach, forgive me).
JNG: Aaron Rogers career as a quarterback in the NFL is going to be short lived if the Packers offensive line can't protect him. He's been sacked more times than Rome (a reach, forgive me).
13) Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) (14)
MLC: This team still confuses me. They've played one good team so far and they got beat by that team (New Orleans) by three touchdowns. They lost to the Raiders. They beat the Redskins by ten in a game where the Redskins tried to lose by 30 (Did you watch that Monday night game? Just awful, and the 'Skins still had a chance at the end). They still have two games against the Giants, two games against the Cowboys, and games against the Falcons and Broncos, so like the teams at 14-16 I don't like their odds, but I feel a lot better about them than about the 49ers or Bears.
JNG: No confusion here. The Eagles suck.
JNG: No confusion here. The Eagles suck.
12) Atlanta Falcons (4-2) (7)
MLC: Our first playoff team. I really expect this team to move up, but they got so outplayed by the Cowboys that they have to go here. They finished as the first wild car last year, and they played a last place schedule and no one expected anything out of them. if they're able to make the playoffs again after playing a tougher schedule and with people game planning for their stars and expecting them to be good, that's an achievement in itself. Like I wrote last week, this is a league of haves and have nots. The Falcons are a haves team, but they got handled last week, so they go in at 12.
JNG: They have lost at New England and at Dallas. Both respectable losses. However, there season will be defined by how they handle the Saints in the Superdome next Monday. I am sure Drew Brees and Company will be licking their lips after watching tape of the Dallas O carving up the Falcons D.
JNG: They have lost at New England and at Dallas. Both respectable losses. However, there season will be defined by how they handle the Saints in the Superdome next Monday. I am sure Drew Brees and Company will be licking their lips after watching tape of the Dallas O carving up the Falcons D.
11) Dallas Cowboys (4-2) (--)
MLC: It's tough to argue with a double digit win over a legit team. Miles Austin looks to be emerging as a great young talent. They have three healthy running backs, the best tight end in the league, and they got back they're starting strong safety. Things are looking up for the boys and they have four games left against the Seahawks, Raiders, and Redskins (twice). They should at least get to eight wins. A couple more wins out there and they're in the playoffs. And if they keep playing like they did Sunday, they'll get those wins.
JNG: Witten as best tight end at football? How can you say that about a guy who's biggest accomplishment was making the tabloids with Romo and Jessica Simpson in Cabo? I'd take Gates, Clark, Gonzalez, Shockey, and even Vernon Davis over Witten.
JNG: Witten as best tight end at football? How can you say that about a guy who's biggest accomplishment was making the tabloids with Romo and Jessica Simpson in Cabo? I'd take Gates, Clark, Gonzalez, Shockey, and even Vernon Davis over Witten.
10) New York Giants (5-2) (4)
MLC: Two straight losses, including one at home to the Cardinals, who I must admit I did not believe it. Where was the defense Sunday night? Where was the running game? What the hell happened? They made Arizona's defense look like the Steel Curtain. They're vaunted front four got hammered by Beanie Wells. Anquan Boldin was gimpy the whole damn game, and the Giants couldn't stop the team with a near 40-year-old quarterback. What else is there to say? I can excuse a loss to the Saints, who are a great team this year. But this loss to the Cardinals raises some serious questions about the G Men.
JNG: As inconsistent as they may be, the Cardinals are the defending NFC Champions and not to mention very close from being defending Super Bowl Champions, so I am not seeing why this is such a bad loss. The Giants have their fair share of problems, but they will run away with the NFC East. Mark my words.
JNG: As inconsistent as they may be, the Cardinals are the defending NFC Champions and not to mention very close from being defending Super Bowl Champions, so I am not seeing why this is such a bad loss. The Giants have their fair share of problems, but they will run away with the NFC East. Mark my words.
9) Arizona Cardinals (4-2) (13)
MLC: Well, you just read everything I had to say about the Cardinals. Last week I said the 49ers were a playoff team because they look like the "best looking turd in the bowl." This week, I have to say the Cardinals have jumped out of the crapper and look like a good team. Yes, the Arizona Cardinals looked good. You can't doubt a team that comes back east and beats the Giants at the Meadowlands. They may have lost to the 49ers in San Fran, but let's revisit that matchup in a few weeks when they play in Arizona. I won't be surprised when the Cards win big.
JNG: Kurt Warner is like Tuck Everlasting at this point, he's not getting any older. We all know their offense is good, but it has gotten better with the addition of Beanie Wells. Note to offenses around the league, this is not last year's defense. These guys are good.
JNG: Kurt Warner is like Tuck Everlasting at this point, he's not getting any older. We all know their offense is good, but it has gotten better with the addition of Beanie Wells. Note to offenses around the league, this is not last year's defense. These guys are good.
8) Baltimore Ravens (3-3) (9)
MLC: This team really needed a week off. They had three tough losses in a row. The biggest worry is whether or not they'll return to 3-0 form or get stuck in that 0-3 rut. Sunday's game against Denver is a statement game. For both teams.
JNG: Is Willis McGahee alive?
JNG: Is Willis McGahee alive?
7) Minnesota Vikings (6-1) (3)
MLC: I don't really fault the Vikings for losing to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The way they lost, honestly, makes me feel even better about them. The defense is great. They have Adrian Peterson, and if their offense could make a tackle and didn't give up two defensive touchdowns to the Steelers, they probably would have won that game. This is still an elite team and the second best team in the NFC by a lot.
JNG: Not sure if I was more impressed with Peterson just completely bulldozing over Steelers cornerback William Gay ( Literally the highlight of the season thus far ) or if I was more unimpressed by Favres attempt at tackling ( It's hilarious until you realize how pathetic it is ) after throwing that crucial interception. Nevertheless, I am not worried about this team.
JNG: Not sure if I was more impressed with Peterson just completely bulldozing over Steelers cornerback William Gay ( Literally the highlight of the season thus far ) or if I was more unimpressed by Favres attempt at tackling ( It's hilarious until you realize how pathetic it is ) after throwing that crucial interception. Nevertheless, I am not worried about this team.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) (10)
MLC: Big win over the Vikings at home and all of a sudden the World Champs have won four in a row and have a head of steam. Too bad they're heading into a bye week. On the other side they've got a road game in Denver, a doesn't-matter-where game against KC, and a chance for in-division revenge at home against the Bengals. Pencil this team in for 10 wins and no worse than a wild card spot.
JNG: This team has gotten lucky in a few of their wins and their defense still isn't what it was last year. I don't see them making the playoffs. I really don't.
JNG: This team has gotten lucky in a few of their wins and their defense still isn't what it was last year. I don't see them making the playoffs. I really don't.
5) Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) (8)
MLC: The former Bungals must be on top of the world after taking the Bears to the woodshed. I mean that was embarrassing for the Bears. That's almost as bad as getting crapped on by the International Olympic Committee. Ochocinco looks great again, Carson Palmer looks good, and where the hell did Cedric Benson come from? If pepper spray made you a better running back, wouldn't Maurice Clarrett be a perennial pro-bowler by now? Bengals have a bye week as well, then the schedule gets tough with the Ravens, Steelers, and Vikings down the road. But they also have the Raiders, Browns, and Lions in consecutive weeks and the Chiefs later on. All four of those games are wins, so this is another team that should end up in the thick of the playoff hunt.
JNG: What exactly is a Bungal?
JNG: What exactly is a Bungal?
4) New England Patriots (5-2) (6)
MLC: They've got two blowout wins in a row over two bad teams, and they're headed into the bye week after a win in London. I still don't quite know what to make of the Patriots, but they got healthy and now they'll get healthier, so I like their chances. They can at least win the AFC East considering the disappearance of Mark Sanchez against teams not named the Oakland Raiders.
JNG: I would agree with you if not for the fact that the Patriots just beat two teams with a combined record of 0-13. And oh yeah, Mark Sanchez has already beaten them.
JNG: I would agree with you if not for the fact that the Patriots just beat two teams with a combined record of 0-13. And oh yeah, Mark Sanchez has already beaten them.
3) Denver Broncos (6-0) (5)
MLC: They got screwed by the NFL schedulers. But they also did exactly what they needed to do before they hit this rough spot. With games remaining against the Colts, Ravens, Steelers, and Giants, not in that order, it's a safe bet to believe they won't go undefeated. But they also have games left against the Raiders and Chiefs (twice). They also already beat the Chargers on the road, so the division is pretty much theirs. Don't know where they'll end up seeded in the playoffs, but they'll be there.
JNG: Elvis Dumervil is a great name. Really, take a step back and just let it roll of your tongue. It's great. On a relevant note, even though they are undefeated I feel like the Broncos have that Marty Schottenheimer feel to them. That is to say that they will have a great season, with probably no more than 3 losses, but then they'll be "upset" in their first game in the playoffs a la Marty's 14-2 Chargers a few years back or the Titans last year. I promise you this will happen.
JNG: Elvis Dumervil is a great name. Really, take a step back and just let it roll of your tongue. It's great. On a relevant note, even though they are undefeated I feel like the Broncos have that Marty Schottenheimer feel to them. That is to say that they will have a great season, with probably no more than 3 losses, but then they'll be "upset" in their first game in the playoffs a la Marty's 14-2 Chargers a few years back or the Titans last year. I promise you this will happen.
2) Indianapolis Colts (6-0) (2)
MLC: The team had a bye this week. Wait, what? They played the Rams?
JNG: Mitch, playing the Rams is a bye week.
JNG: Mitch, playing the Rams is a bye week.
1) New Orleans Saints (6-0) (1)
MLC: Just when I was about to say they let the hype get to them, they come back from down three touchdowns to win by double digits against a playoff team from last year on the road in the stadium in which the Super Bowl will be held in February. That makes two really impressive wins in a row, and that keeps the Saints at number one. And oh look, here come remaining games against the Bucs (twice), Panthers (twice), Redskins, and Rams. Six wins. Right there. Count 'em. Looks like the NFC's road to Miami runs through New Orleans this year.
JNG: When it was young, my cat used to catch all sorts of animals, mainly chipmunks and moles and the occasional bunny. One time it actually brought in a Blue Jay, how, I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Anyways, the cat wouldn't directly kill its prey . Instead it would toy with it, boringly almost, pawing at it, leaving it alone, pawing at it again, then leaving it alone again. lt let the animal think it had a chance to escape. Of course anyone who has had a cat will tell you, the animal does not escape. The cat eventually gets hungry and eats the thing.
That was the Saints versus the Dolphins last Sunday.
JNG: When it was young, my cat used to catch all sorts of animals, mainly chipmunks and moles and the occasional bunny. One time it actually brought in a Blue Jay, how, I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Anyways, the cat wouldn't directly kill its prey . Instead it would toy with it, boringly almost, pawing at it, leaving it alone, pawing at it again, then leaving it alone again. lt let the animal think it had a chance to escape. Of course anyone who has had a cat will tell you, the animal does not escape. The cat eventually gets hungry and eats the thing.
That was the Saints versus the Dolphins last Sunday.
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