NFL power rankings

We all know the Pats are the best, but how do the rest of the teams line up?

Romer Bautista, Staff

We’re midway through the NFL season, and it has become obvious that there is one team that is standing heads-and-shoulders above the rest of the league. By defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts on the road, and in come-from-behind fashion, the New England Patriots have cemented themselves as the team to beat this year.

Here is how the rest of the league ranks in the NFL mid-season power rankings.

1. New England Patriots

Calm and poised, yet frighteningly explosive — that is how the Patriots offence likes to operate. They’ve defeated arguably the second and third best teams in their own stadiums. There aren’t many obstacles left on their way to a perfect 19-0 season.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Still the second best team in the league, even with the loss to the Pats. They were missing a few key players (WR Marvin Harrison, LT Tony Ugoh, and LBs Freddie Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler), so we’ll have to see how they fare with a full lineup in the playoffs.

3. Dallas Cowboys

We’ll get a real gauge of how the Cowboys rank in the NFC in the next five weeks, when they play the Giants, Redskins, Packers, and Lions.

4. Green Bay Packers

With the way Brett Favre is throwing miraculous game-winning touchdowns and the way the team continues to succeed without any semblance of a running attack, the Packers are looking very much like a team of destiny.

5. New York Giants

Based on their ability to rush the quarterback alone, the Giants defence has become one of the best in the league.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

They should be on par with the Colts and Cowboys, but the inexplicable loss to the Broncos drops them down a notch.

7. Tennessee Titans

The team continues to win despite Vince Young’s terrible play thanks to the strong running of LenDale White.

8. Detroit Lions

The defence has quietly become the best at forcing the opposition into turnovers, which makes the Lions legitimate contenders — well, at least in the NFC.

9. New Orleans Saints

The offence has absolutely exploded in the past two weeks, averaging 36 points and 488 yards. If they keep playing like that, they’ll once again be playoff bound.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

The defence is still great (despite the performance against the Saints), and Maurice Jones-Drew is a game-changer, but the team isn’t going anywhere with Quinn Gray at QB.

11. Cleveland Browns

With the Browns already surpassing their win total from a year ago, this campaign can already be considered a success. And with the young pieces that they have in place already, things are only looking up for Cleveland.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jeff Garcia is a favourite, but with the Saints coming on strong, the Bucs might not have enough fire-power to hold them off in the NFC South.

13. Washington Redskins

The running game is starting to come around, which should help them avoid any more 45-point thrashings.

14. San Diego Chargers

After showing signs of life, the Chargers defence was run over by the Vikings, making this weeks game against the Colts nearly must-win.

15. Buffalo Bills

Had the Bills held on to win that Monday-nighter against the Cowboys, they would be above .500, and right in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race. On the flip side, they still have two games against the Dolphins.

16. Baltimore Ravens

So they trade for Willis McGahee in the off-season, only to pass in short-yardage situations? Curious play calling in Baltimore is only part of the reason the team has struggled to meet lofty pre-season expectations.

17. Kansas City Chiefs

They kind of snuck into the playoffs last season, and with how things are panning out now in the AFC, they might sneak into them again this year.

18. Seattle Seahawks

What’s happened to Shaun Alexander? From winning the MVP two seasons ago, to averaging just 3.3 yards-per-carry this year, it’s been a long, hard fall from grace.

19. Minnesota Vikings

Hats off to Adrian Peterson for his record-setting 296 rushing yards against the Chargers. With offensive rookie-of-the-year already locked up, AD is making a case for MVP.

20. Chicago Bears

Just when you think they have their quarterback problems solved, Brian Griese goes and throws four picks.

21. Denver Broncos

It’s tough to be a good team when their most valuable player right now is Jason Elam, their field-goal kicker.

22. Carolina Panthers

There’s still time to make a push for the playoffs, but they’ll need to get the ball into the hands of Steve Smith more than two or three times, which is what he’s gotten in the last two games.

23. Houston Texans

I said it last time, and I’ll say it again: the Texans need Andre Johnson to play if they want to win games.

24. Philadelphia Eagles

Coaching is vital in football, moreso than in any other sport. It’s apparent that Andy Reid won’t be able to focus on football while his sons go through their legal problems, and because so, the Eagles will have trouble picking up any more wins.

25. Arizona Cardinals

They’re not completely awful, which in the NFC West makes them good enough for second best.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

It’s time to panic for Bungle fans. At 2-6, these guys will need a miracle to get back into the playoffs.

27. Atlanta Falcons

With the whole Michael Vick scandal and the failed Joey Harrington experiment, it’s been a season to forget in the ATL.

28. Oakland Raiders

Even though they are just two games back for the division lead, the Raiders would be better served starting the JaMarcus Russell era.

29. San Fransico 49ers

The 49ers have to be the least-cared about team in the league about now. Does anyone, except possibly those who drafted Frank Gore in fantasy, even read their boxscores?

30. New York Jets

They can’t throw the ball, they can’t run the ball, and when they do take a lead, they always find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Not a lot of good things are going on for Jets.

31 & 32. Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams

Nothing much to say about these two cellar-dwellers. It’s just a matter of who gets first pick in next year’s draft.





Volume 95 Issue 12	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 07, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly NFL power rankings We all know the Pats are the best, but how do the rest of the teams line up? Romer Bautista, Staff We’re midway through the NFL season, and it has become obvious that there is one team that is standing heads-and-shoulders above the rest of the league. By defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts on the road, and in come-from-behind fashion, the New England Patriots have cemented themselves as the team to beat this year. Here is how the rest of the league ranks in the NFL mid-season power rankings. 1. New England Patriots Calm and poised, yet frighteningly explosive — that is how the Patriots offence likes to operate. They’ve defeated arguably the second and third best teams in their own stadiums. There aren’t many obstacles left on their way to a perfect 19-0 season. 2. Indianapolis Colts Still the second best team in the league, even with the loss to the Pats. They were missing a few key players (WR Marvin Harrison, LT Tony Ugoh, and LBs Freddie Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler), so we’ll have to see how they fare with a full lineup in the playoffs. 3. Dallas Cowboys We’ll get a real gauge of how the Cowboys rank in the NFC in the next five weeks, when they play the Giants, Redskins, Packers, and Lions. 4. Green Bay Packers With the way Brett Favre is throwing miraculous game-winning touchdowns and the way the team continues to succeed without any semblance of a running attack, the Packers are looking very much like a team of destiny. 5. New York Giants Based on their ability to rush the quarterback alone, the Giants defence has become one of the best in the league. 6. Pittsburgh Steelers They should be on par with the Colts and Cowboys, but the inexplicable loss to the Broncos drops them down a notch. 7. Tennessee Titans The team continues to win despite Vince Young’s terrible play thanks to the strong running of LenDale White. 8. Detroit Lions The defence has quietly become the best at forcing the opposition into turnovers, which makes the Lions legitimate contenders — well, at least in the NFC. 9. New Orleans Saints The offence has absolutely exploded in the past two weeks, averaging 36 points and 488 yards. If they keep playing like that, they’ll once again be playoff bound. 10. Jacksonville Jaguars The defence is still great (despite the performance against the Saints), and Maurice Jones-Drew is a game-changer, but the team isn’t going anywhere with Quinn Gray at QB. 11. Cleveland Browns With the Browns already surpassing their win total from a year ago, this campaign can already be considered a success. And with the young pieces that they have in place already, things are only looking up for Cleveland. 12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jeff Garcia is a favourite, but with the Saints coming on strong, the Bucs might not have enough fire-power to hold them off in the NFC South. 13. Washington Redskins The running game is starting to come around, which should help them avoid any more 45-point thrashings. 14. San Diego Chargers After showing signs of life, the Chargers defence was run over by the Vikings, making this weeks game against the Colts nearly must-win. 15. Buffalo Bills Had the Bills held on to win that Monday-nighter against the Cowboys, they would be above .500, and right in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race. On the flip side, they still have two games against the Dolphins. 16. Baltimore Ravens So they trade for Willis McGahee in the off-season, only to pass in short-yardage situations? Curious play calling in Baltimore is only part of the reason the team has struggled to meet lofty pre-season expectations. 17. Kansas City Chiefs They kind of snuck into the playoffs last season, and with how things are panning out now in the AFC, they might sneak into them again this year. 18. Seattle Seahawks What’s happened to Shaun Alexander? From winning the MVP two seasons ago, to averaging just 3.3 yards-per-carry this year, it’s been a long, hard fall from grace. 19. Minnesota Vikings Hats off to Adrian Peterson for his record-setting 296 rushing yards against the Chargers. With offensive rookie-of-the-year already locked up, AD is making a case for MVP. 20. Chicago Bears Just when you think they have their quarterback problems solved, Brian Griese goes and throws four picks. 21. Denver Broncos It’s tough to be a good team when their most valuable player right now is Jason Elam, their field-goal kicker. 22. Carolina Panthers There’s still time to make a push for the playoffs, but they’ll need to get the ball into the hands of Steve Smith more than two or three times, which is what he’s gotten in the last two games. 23. Houston Texans I said it last time, and I’ll say it again: the Texans need Andre Johnson to play if they want to win games. 24. Philadelphia Eagles Coaching is vital in football, moreso than in any other sport. It’s apparent that Andy Reid won’t be able to focus on football while his sons go through their legal problems, and because so, the Eagles will have trouble picking up any more wins. 25. Arizona Cardinals They’re not completely awful, which in the NFC West makes them good enough for second best. 26. Cincinnati Bengals It’s time to panic for Bungle fans. At 2-6, these guys will need a miracle to get back into the playoffs. 27. Atlanta Falcons With the whole Michael Vick scandal and the failed Joey Harrington experiment, it’s been a season to forget in the ATL. 28. Oakland Raiders Even though they are just two games back for the division lead, the Raiders would be better served starting the JaMarcus Russell era. 29. San Fransico 49ers The 49ers have to be the least-cared about team in the league about now. Does anyone, except possibly those who drafted Frank Gore in fantasy, even read their boxscores? 30. New York Jets They can’t throw the ball, they can’t run the ball, and when they do take a lead, they always find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Not a lot of good things are going on for Jets. 31 & 32. Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams Nothing much to say about these two cellar-dwellers. It’s just a matter of who gets first pick in next year’s draft.


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