Month: October 2007 (Page 2 of 20)

Here’s a look at the top and bottom five after eight weeks of play:

1. New England Patriots (8-0)
Previous Rank: 1
Something tells me that for Bill Belichick and the Patriots, the past eight weeks has all been in preparation for the Colts. Belichick seems to be out for blood this year and is out to prove a point that no other team is in New England’s class.

2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
Previous Rank: 2
With a date against the undefeated Patriots only a week away and his team coming off a short week, Tony Dungy’s Colts still rolled over the Panthers in Carolina (where Indy had never played before last week). It never ceases to amaze me how Dungy always keeps his team focused.

3. Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
Previous Rank: 3
Year in and year out, there are always widespread quarterback issues in the NFL. Good for the Cowboys for opening their wallets and inking Tony Romo to a long-term deal.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Previous Rank: 4
Other than turnovers and mental lapses from time to time, the Steelers don’t have a ton of weaknesses. Their offense can put points on the board and their defense – which is giving up an NFL-best 13 points per game – is as stingy as ever. Can they beat the Colts or Patriots? Unfortunately we won’t know until the playoffs.

5. Green Bay Packers (6-1)
Previous Rank: N/A
I offended a few regular posters by leaving the Packers out of my power rankings last week, so I’m here to say that I’m sorry. I was wrong guys, please forgive me! Brett Favre is playing like a schoolboy again and the defense (which is barely being talked about in the media) is playing extremely well.

28. San Francisco 49ers (2-5)
Previous Rank: 28
Where has the good play of the defense gone? All the defensive pieces the 49ers added in the offseason have translated into them giving up just under 24 points a game.

29. Atlanta Falcons (1-6)
Previous Rank: 30
Good deal for the Falcons – they had a bye last week and moved up a spot in the power rankings. Beat the 49ers this week and we’re talking about them going from #30 to #28 in a matter of just two weeks. Baby steps, folks…baby steps.

30. New York Jets (1-7)
Previous Rank: 29
Finally, Eric Mangini makes the switch at quarterback to Kellen Clemons. And just a shade under a decade too, alright…

31. Miami Dolphins (0-8)
Previous Rank: 31
Give Miami credit for making the long trip to London and putting up a fight against the Giants. I think if the Giants had a better playing surface than a chewed up soccer field it would have been a different story, but nevertheless, good for you Dolphins.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-8)
Previous Rank: 32
Just the Rams luck – they finally get moving on offense and Steven Jackson re-injuries himself. Like all of the bottom feeders in this power ranking, this is just a season to forget for the Rams.

If you haven’t noticed, Bill Belichick is on a mission. After getting fined by the NFL and beat up by the media and fans in the wake of “Spygate,” I note in my latest column for Bullz-Eye.com that Belichick and his Patriots have responded by destroying their competition each Sunday and assaulting the record books.

Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher summed it up perfectly following Green Bay’s 19-13 OT victory over the Broncos Monday night when he said, “If you say he can’t do something, you can pretty much guarantee that he will.” That “he” Tauscher was referring to is quarterback Brett Favre.

Once again Favre delivered Monday Night Football greatness when he connected with receiver Greg Jennings on an 82-yard touchdown pass to lift the Packers to victory and a 6-1 record on the season. Just two weeks prior, Favre was criticized for throwing several short passes in Green Bay’s 17-14 victory over the Redskins. Critics started to wonder if Favre had the arm strength to throw the deep ball anymore.

Well, he does. So stop thinking this guy is going to fall apart and just enjoy the ride.