theGM's AFC Power Six

Last week the power six looked like this....not much is changing this week. With half the teams in last weeks top 6 on a bye week there isn't much you can do.


1. Indianapolis Colts | 7-0

As good a team as there is in the NFL right now. Even when Peyton can't get the ball in the endzone they beat a good team. San Fransisco played the game right and held the Colts to only 18 points but still couldn't do enough to win.

Can the Colts sustain their success without a running game? With games coming up against Houston, New England, and Baltimore we will learn plenty about the Colts over the next 3 weeks.

2. Denver Broncos | 6-1

Even with the loss I feel that as of right now they are still the second best team in the AFC. I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose to the Steelers next weekend but as of this writing they have been more impressive and consistent.

Baltimore exposed the defense a bit by staying with the running game and just flat out beating the Broncos but Denver still has the overall resume to remain my #2 team in the AFC.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-2

For a minute I wanted to move them up to #2 but then I looked at who they have beaten. Sure the win over Minnesota was impressive but before that they had beaten Tennessee, San Diego, Cleveland, and Detroit....not exactly a murderers row.

How good are the Steelers? Which team is the real team...the one that beat Minnesota or the one that struggles with Detroit? This Monday they get Denver....a win would be a good place to start.

4. Cincinnati Bengals | 5-2

Why are they behind the Steelers? Not sure actually. Looking at the schedules I would say that I am nuts. They have beaten far better teams (including the Steelers themselves) and have the same record. As of now I will leave them here but next week will be pretty telling as the Bengals get the Ravens while the Steelers get the Broncos.

5. New England Patriots | 5-2

Another team who didn't play this weekend but how can any other team pass over them? Not even sure what to say other than....no one outplayed the Pats this week.

6. Houston Texans | 5-3

One of the few teams left that hasn't had a bye yet they were introduced to the power 6 last week in this exact spot. A win over Buffalo is nothing to get excited about but the offense and defense have really started to pick it up over the last few weeks.

The running game works no matter who is running the ball and even with a hobbled Andre Johnson this team put up 31 points. Oh and Owen Daniels got hurt too. Now next week is a different story...Can they beat the Colts....not sure but it should be a good game.


Not Quite There Yet....

Baltimore Ravens...the win over Denver is a great start but with 3 losses (albeit to 3 good teams) they still have some work to do.

San Diego Chargers...they were closer last week than this week. When you play Oakland you HAVE to impress...and they didn't.

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.

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