Dave B’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 10
With Week 9 in the books it is time to take a look at the risers and the fallers in Dave B’s weekly Power Rankings. Things have remained relatively stable at the top for a few weeks now but there are a few mid-level teams looking to break into the Top 10 with some solid recent play. The cream is really starting to rise to the top – the sludge keeps sinking to the bottom.
Enough talk – let’s get on with Dave B’s Week 10 edition of the Rankings!
1. FALCONS (1) – No reason to take the Falcons out of top spot. Their perfect record was threatened in Week 9 but in the end this team proved why they are the team to beat in the NFC – balance, poised and Studs up and down the lineup.
2. TEXANS (2) – The Texans keep ticking along and are the best team in the AFC. Next week’s game against Chicago should be a fun one!
3. BEARS (3) – Defense! Defense! Six straight wins has the Bears knocking on the door as the best in the NFC. In Week 9 Chicago ran for 160. Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes. Chicago forced six fumbles. Brian Urlacher returned an interception for a touchdown.
4. 49ERS (5) – climb a spot this week even though they didn’t play. But based on their incredible win in Week 8 they deserve to keep a Top 5 spot. The Niners are balanced, they are physical and frankly they are scary for any impending NFC playoff team.
5. PACKERS (6) – The Packers have won four straight and are looking like contenders once again! They are Top 5 for the first time this season but injuries threaten to take them down.
6. GIANTS (4) – An emotional week in New York and New Jersey was capped off by an emotional letdown against the Steelers. We will give them a mulligan for Sunday’s loss but Eli absolutely has to snap out of his funk!
7. PATRIOTS (7) – The Pats had the bye in Week 9 so there is no reason to move them down. They are as balanced and as dangerous as they ever have been – their road heavy early season schedule is over – the bulk of their remaining games are at the extremely comfy confines of Foxboro.
8. BRONCOS (9) – the Broncos have won three straight and seem to get exponentially better each week. With Peyton Manning playing Pro Bowl caliber ball, his offense doing their jobs and with a defense that is #10 in the NFL, it is not difficult to imagine this team going a long way in the AFC this year.
9. STEELERS (10) – losses to the Raiders and the Titans are a distant memory! Pittsburgh is 4-1 in their last five and has beaten some tough teams along the way – the Giants at MetLife the latest. Big Ben is stellar, the running game is showing signs of life and the defense is getting better every week. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
10. RAVENS (8) – The Ravens have been unimpressive – they let the Browns hang around in Week 9. They have two games against Pittsburgh, one against Denver and one against the Giants coming up – OUCH!
11. SEAHAWKS (13) – the Hawks are 4-0 at home this year – too bad all their games can’t be played at CenturyLink. They have a top defense, an increasingly confident passing game and of course… Marshawn Lynch who makes this team formidable all by himself.
12. COLTS (15) – 4-1 since Coach Chuck Pagano’s leukemia announcement. Andrew Luck set a rookie record for passing yards in Week 9 – the only thing that will slow him down is Tommy John surgery!
13. DOLPHINS (12) – Played the Colts tough in possibly the Game of the Weekend. They have Tennessee and Buffalo twice plus a meeting with Jacksonville in the schedule – very nice indeed! The Fins are better than advertised in all aspects of the game and are a legitimate Top 15 team.
14. BUCCANEERS (19) – Josh Freeman has really elevated his play and rookie Doug Martin has been off the charts the last two weeks. He has 386 rushing yards in the last two games, at 7.1 yards per rush to go along with 5 TDs.
15. CHARGERS (21) – Do I have any faith in this team – no! Do they deserve a Top 15 spot? Based on Week 9 yes!
16. COWBOYS (14)
17. VIKINGS (11)
18. LIONS (18)
19. REDSKINS (17)
20. SAINTS (26)
21. RAMS (24)
22. BENGALS (20)
23. JETS (23)
24. EAGLES (16)
25. RAIDERS (27)
26. CARDINALS (22)
27. PANTHERS (30)
28. BILLS (29)
29. BROWNS (25)
30. TITANS (28)
31. JAGUARS (31)
32. CHIEFS (32)
