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.

NFL Power Rankings....sort of

Any sports power rankings are flawed in my opinion. They always look at a league as a whole. Who cares where someone thinks the Eagles rank in relation to the Steelers. It doesn't matter.

Just like in MLB the NFL teams do not play many games against the opposing conference. Each division plays one division from the opposing conference and that is it until the Super Bowl.

So what we need to do is look at the Power Rankings for each conference separately. So let's do that now:

AFC:

1. Baltimore Ravens ~ 3-0

The first place team in the AFC North has looked really good on both sides of the ball. My only concern is that they haven't played a real tough schedule as they have played Kansas City and Cleveland. But they did play San Diego and won that game. Defensively this team looks great although not as good as last season. Offensively they have shocked everyone but also consider that they have played three VERY questionable defenses.

Overall I think the jury is still out on the Ravens a little bit but that goes for everyone.

2. New York Jets ~ 3-0

Unreal. I picked the Jets to go 3-13 this season or something like that. Everyone knew the defense would be good but I didn't expect this. The competition has been okay with wins over Houston, New England, and Tennessee. The names look better then what those teams might be this year but still.

This week the Jets get New Orleans in the Superdome. What a game!

3. Indianapolis Colts ~ 3-0

This is one of my Super Bowl picks (along with New Orleans) and so far they have looked solid. The defense is still a slight question but the offense has been clicking. The game this past weekend against the Cardinals was probably the best they have looked overall. Bob Sanders hasn't even played yet this season so the defense is at least better then in the past when they couldn't do anything without him.

The question with Indy will continue to be their defense and rushing offense which has been underwhelming.

4. Cincinnati Bengals ~ 2-1

Yes I know the Broncos are 3-0 AND beat the Bungals but that was a fluke and we all know it. The Bengals followed that lose up with a win AT Green Bay and then home against the Steelers this past week. The defense is good and the offense is really improving. How about Cedric Benson? He has really shown that he can play in this league when given the complete opportunity.

The win over Pittsburgh was huge and should get this team some respect.

5. San Diego Chargers ~ 2-1

Again I am showing no respect for the Broncos as the Chargers trail them in the division but come on how can you like the Broncos. My biggest concern with the Chargers is their defense is still bad. I thought they would return to what they were 2 season ago but they look very similar to last season. They also had significant trouble with the Raiders in week 1 which is concerning considering how the Raiders looked the past 2 weeks.

Another tough game this week in Pittsburgh.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers ~ 1-2

Sure they are only 1-2 and in theory could be 0-3 if Tennessee was the least bit competent. But with Polamalu healthy this team is much better. He will be back soon enough and this team will return to prominence. The offense needs to get some sort of running game going or they are going to be in trouble. Big Ben needs to carry this team for now.

They get the nod over New England because the Patriots have looked even worse in their games.


Check in tomorrow for the NFC Rankings

AFC/NFC East Season Previews

AFC/NFC East Division Preview podcast (if link doesn't work click here and scroll down)



Now we get to the most popular divisions and quite possible the toughest divisions in the league....the AFC and NFC East.

Verb and I talk about all 8 teams and give our predictions of what will happen. And for the most part we agree about these divisions too.

We both have the Patriots and Giants winning the divisions. After that it is a free for all. Verb has the Eagles finishing second AND getting a wild card berth. Me...I have (my team) the Eagles finishing fourth in the division.

But that isn't even the most surprising part....listen and hear what I think the Eagles record will be. You will think I am crazy.

The AFC East is the Patriots and everyone else. I really don't think any of the other teams in the division even have a winning record. And Verb isn't too high on them either.

Take a few minutes (about 30) and listen to the podcast and then come and tell me how crazy I am with my NFC East picks.