NFC Power 6

AFC yesterday....NFC today....

1. New Orleans Saints | 6-0

Was there any doubt that this would be the top team? Best offense in the NFL and the best ball hawking defense (league leading 13 picks) in the league. The defense gives up points but that is only because the offense scores so much the opposition has to throw the ball all the time. I wasn't sure what this team was until this past weekend. Sure they had embarrassed the Jets and Giants but we still don't know much about those teams. The Dolphins (at home) I thought presented a unique challenge. And while the Saints failed early they passed with an A by the end. Next challenge is this Monday against the Falcons.

2. Minnesota Vikings | 6-1

All of a sudden the media is in love with Brett Favre again. You would think he is the only reason this team has won a game this year. Let me remind everyone that this same team went 10-6 and won the division last season WITHOUT #4. This team is barely hanging on to this #2 spot in my eyes. A bunch of really close games (albeit against good teams) shows that despite their 6-1 record they aren't as great as everyone thinks. Not a difficult schedule the rest of the way though so the sky is the limit.

3. Arizona Cardinals | 4-2

This surprises me as much as you. I didn't think the Cardinals were going to be any good this year and the beginning of the season looked like I was right. But they are better than most people are giving them credit for. And not just on offense...they are the #7 scoring defense in the league! Their one HUGE weakness is still the running game but Beanie Wells is more of a threat then they have had in a few years so defenses are still staying honest. Nicely setup schedule the rest of the way.

4. New York Giants | 5-2

What is this team? A couple weeks ago they were 5-0 but most of those wins came against weak teams. Now they have played 2 good teams and they are 5-2. Eli Manning is having a career year with average receivers but the running game is inconsistent. And defensively they are just average and with injuries. Not sure how far Eli can take this team once the weather gets bad. He struggles at home when the winds start swirling. Absolutely brutal schedule the rest of the way (@ Phil, SD, Atl, @ Den, Dal, Phil, @ Wash, Car, @ Minn). Ouch!

5. Green Bay Packers | 4-2

I wasn't expecting to put them on this list either but here they are. The offense is good but not great and the defense is about the same. They are shutting teams down but the schedule definitely plays a role in that (wins over Detroit, Cleveland, and St Louis). Its not a terrible schedule but it isn't easy either. Not a Super Bowl contender at this point...that's for sure.

6. Philadelphia Eagle | 4-2

After losing to Oakland can this team really be considered a top 6 team? I am not sure what to do here but comparing them to the other teams that are close I think they match up. When they actually show up to play they are good. McNabb is still a good quarterback and the defense is as good as any at putting pressure on the other team and turning the ball over. The running game is non existent which will keep them from making an impact late but for now they are in the running.

Just Missed

Dallas Cowboys...offense was great in their past 2 games but the defense is still suspect. Need to do more.

Atlanta Falcons...I almost put them in here but decided against it since their defense is struggling and is now injured. Will know more on Tuesday of next week.

AFC Power 6

A few weeks ago I told you that I don't like Power Rankings in sports because they compare the entire league as one when most leagues are distinctly separated by conferences. In the NFL each AFC division only plays one division in the NFC each season.

So why compare them against each other? Who cares if the Saints are better or worse than the Colts. We won't have to discuss that until the end of January.

For now let's look at each conference....the AFC today...NFC tomorrow.

1. Indianapolis Colts | 6-0

The Colts are the class of the AFC as of now. They have the #2 scoring offense in the league (#1 in AFC) and they are #2 in the NFL (and AFC) in scoring defense allowing only 12.8 points per game. With Peyton Manning having a career year and the defense playing as well as ever this has to be a Super Bowl favorite as of now. The schedule definitely gets tougher with New England, Baltimore, Denver, and San Fransisco still to come but as of now they are the top seed in the AFC.

2. Denver Broncos | 6-0

I mentioned above that the Colts are #2 in scoring defense, well the team ahead of them is the Broncos giving up a league low 11 points per game. That is impressive considering this defense couldn't stop anyone last season. Offensively this team is average or maybe a bit better. But they are still winning. Kyle Orton was thought to be a throw in for the Cutler trade but he is turning out to be a pretty good starter in that system. Like the Colts the schedule gets substantially tougher going forward with the Eagles, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, Ravens, and Giants still to come.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-2

At one point this team was 1-2 and was almost 0-3. Now the running game has picked up, the defense has stepped up, and the passing game is flying high. This is the best offense Pittsburgh has seen in years with Rashard Mendenhall getting yards on the ground and 3 good receivers (and a tight end) on the outside. They have an easier schedule than the first 2 teams and could push them for the top spots if things fall right. They are getting healthier and more complete each week.

4. Cincinnati Bengals | 5-2

Surprisingly they don't do anything great...but they do everything well enough. Carson Palmer is spreading the ball around and Cedric Benson (really...Cedric Benson??) is having a phenomenal year. The defense is what they were expected to be...solid not great. This team is a complete team at this point. We will learn a bit more in the coming weeks. They get a bye this week and then the Ravens and Steelers in back to back weeks.

5. New England Patriots | 5-2

I can't quite figure out this team. One week they struggle offensively the next they go off for multiple touchdowns no matter the weather or the time zone. The one thing I will say is that they have played an average at best schedule. Two winless teams the past two weeks have made them look like the best team in the league...but are they? They are top 5 in both offensive and defensive scoring...but consider the last two weeks again...7 points allowed and 94 points scored...against 2 teams that haven't won a game this season.

6. Houston Texans | 4-3

Here is a team that is still a huge question. They have beaten 2 good teams the past two weeks (Cincy and San Fran) but lost to questionable teams like the Jets and Jags. Offensively they are well balanced and can move the ball on anyone. But defensively they are substantially flawed. They are average against the pass and below average against the run. Their advantage is they can outscore you when they are on which keeps opposing offenses throwing the ball instead of running. They get Indy twice in the next 5 weeks so that should help clear some things up.

Just Missed:

San Diego Chargers....still need to show something but last week was a good start even though it was against Kansas City.

New York Jets....which team is the real team? Beating the Raiders badly or losing to Buffalo at home?


Check back tomorrow for the NFC Power 6.

theGM's College Football Top 10

After a couple week hiatus I am back and ready to post consistently again. Starting today I hope to have at least 3 posts a week up and maybe even more...who knows though.

Anyways a couple weeks ago I put my NCAA Top 10 up and meant to continue with it but alas I fell off the face of the earth. But here is the next installment in what will hopefully become a weekly thing.

1. Alabama - still my #1 team. They have beaten everyone on their schedule and have looked better doing it. Tennessee almost took them down but couldn't get it done. Not sure if they can beat Florida but right now they are better.
2. Texas - wins over Oklahoma and at Missouri are solid wins but the reason they jump over Florida is because they have looked better doing it. They have more chances to prove themselves starting this week AT Okie State.
3. Florida - still unbeaten and still might have the best chance to win it all but they have looked average the past couple weeks. A couple more hurdles to clear (this week vs Georgia to start) and they will be in Atlanta in the beginning of December.
4. USC - I hate putting them this high but of the top 1 loss teams they have played the best schedule. If they beat Oregon this weekend they will justify their high ranking.
5. LSU - their only loss is to Florida but they are still a good team. Completely shut down Auburn this past weekend and gets Bama in a couple weeks.
6. Cincinnati - their schedule hasn't been top notch as of yet but it is going to get better. IF they end the season unbeaten I think they could get a championship shot.
7. Georgia Tech - they had one slip up at Miami but have won all their other games. Not much left on their schedule til the ACC Championship game which they should win.
8. TCU - completely destroyed a good BYU team on the road. Probably the most likely BCS buster but would need substantial help to warrant a title bid.
9. Iowa - they haven't lost which means I should probably have them higher but I just can't. They are barely getting by in games and that matters to me.
10. Oregon - after their opening loss and struggle against Purdue every wrote them off but they haven't lost since the opening Thursday and they are looking very good.

Just Missed:

• Boise State - they just haven't done enough yet. And they can't do anymore. The Oregon win looks better and better every week but that is the only win they have. A good team that is getting pushed down due to their conference...sounds familiar.
• Pittsburgh - they have lost 1 game and are playing as good as anyone. Last 3 games are tough and could push them higher IF they win out. Good team that no one is talking about.
• Penn State - Other than the slip up against Iowa which doesn't look so bad each week they are playing good. Took Michigan to task on Saturday in the Big House. Still have games remaining to improve their status.

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