Major developments in the top five this week. Changes are forthcoming.
Here is a look at the class and trash of the league with nothing in between:
1. Indianapolis Colts (10-1)
Previous Ranking: 1
I like how the Colts have handled Joseph Addai. Pairing him with veteran Dominic Rhodes seemed to be the right move by Tony Dungy and staff. Addai doesn’t have to carry a full load as a rookie and Indy is easing him into the season. Now he’ll have fresh legs heading into the stretch run while still being able to learn the game when Rhodes gets his carries.
2. San Diego Chargers (9-2)
Previous Ranking: 3
What impresses me about the Chargers is that they stayed afloat while Shawne Merriman was suspended for steroids or flax seed oil or something along those lines. San Diego had every opportunity to fold up shop and lose to teams like the Bengals and Broncos. The Chargers didn’t and that only proves that this team is resliant. Hopefully Philip Rivers just had a bad game last week against the Raiders, though, because SD will need his strong play down the stretch.
3. New England Patriots (8-3)
Previous Ranking: 5
It’s overstated so much, but I’ll say it again: Bill Belichick is a mastermind for winning with the talent he has. Doug Gabriel is your No. 1 receiver? Actually, the tight end Ben Watson is your No. 1 receiving threat? So now Junior Seau is out with a broken arm. First thing that comes to mind is that the Patriots are doomed with another defensive injury. If you think that, obviously you haven’t been paying attention.
4. Chicago Bears (9-2)
Previous Ranking: 2
Rex Grossman is frightful when he’s bad. I think it’s safe to say that Grossman has exceeded expectations this year, but I wonder how far away Lovie Smith’s finger is from the Brian Griese button. This is two years in a row where Chicago is teetering on good and great and it looks like Grossman is the deciding factor. Russian Roulette anyone?
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Okay, so I might have jumped the gun last week by calling the Ravens “not that good”. Baltimore is that good, because the defense causes more turnovers than Stephen Dorff makes bad movies. And while I think the offense is flawed, Brian Billick obviously has his pulse on the play calling since he took over for Jim Fassel.
28. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Previous Rank: Unranked
Every time I get the Browns out of this spot they get shut out by the Bengals 30-0 and then start bickering amongst themselves. This team must madden their fans with its play. Hang with San Diego, hang with Pittsburgh, beat Atlanta and then get hammered by rival Cincinnati. Yikes.
29. Houston Texans (3-8)
Previous Ranking: 29
Let me get this straight. The Texans go into New York just under a month ago and hang with the Giants when the G-Men were still winning football games. Then Houston goes into New York last week and lays an egg against the Jets. That’s not a slam on the Jets either, because that’s a good football team. That’s a slam on the inconsistent Houston Texans.
30. Arizona Cardinals (2-9)
Previous Ranking: 31
Matt Leinart threw for 400 yards against Minnesota last Sunday. Before you crown him the next Joe Montana, remember that Teddy Ruxpin threw for 400 yards on the Vikings this season too.
31. Detroit Lions (2-9)
Previous Ranking: 30
After the Lions loss to the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day, cornerback Dre’ Bly walked away from Joey Harrington at the end of the game instead of shaking his hand. I don’t blame Bly for not shaking his hand, because he probably had to get into the locker room early for the burn treatment Harrington gave the Lions secondary when he tossed three touchdowns on them.
32. Oakland Raiders (2-9)
Previous Ranking: 31
What aggravates me about the Raiders is how well the defense actually plays on a weekly basis. That unit is young, fast and is filled with overachievers. Too bad the offense is putrid and people can’t see how decent the defense actually is.
