MY POWER RANKINGS (WEEK 13)

December 2nd, 2009 10:37pm PST

My Power Rankings

(Updated prior to Thanksgiving games)

1. (1.) New Orleans (11-0): The Saints buried the Patriots on Monday night on both sides of the ball. Brees and the offense overwhelmed the Pat's defense and Brady was never able to get going. The Saints looked destined.

2. (2.) Indianapolis (11-0): The Colts do one thing, just win with Peyton's arm. Peyton Manning has made an art out of winning, even if it doesn't look artistic a not so pretty win counts the same. Right now Peyton has an outside shot at Marino's record for passing yards in a season; he's on pace to pass for 4,967-yards.

3. (3.) Minnesota (10-1): The common theme among the top teams in the league; great quarterback play. The Vikings have one of the greatest, but did anyone expect to see Favre play this well; 24 touchdowns, 69.3 completion percentage, only three picks and a passer rating of 112.1 (ranks second behind Brees).

4. (4.) Cincinnati (8-3): The Bengals have yet to resemble the best team in the AFC, but going undefeated in one of the toughest divisions they have to be considered. Quietly the Bengals defense has emerged as one of the toughest this season allowing on 15 points per games, which ranks number one.

5. (6.) San Diego (8-3): Don't look now, but one of last season's forgotten stories has re-emerged as one of this season legitimate contenders. The Chargers have reeled off six straight wins and are easily one of the more dangerous teams as tne playoffs near.

6. (8.) Dallas (8-3): It was only a few weeks ago many critics were getting ready to write off Romo and the Cowboys winners of six of their last seven. Since their week four loss to Denver quarterback Tony Romo has played exceptional throwing 13 touchdowns to only three picks.

7. (10.) Philadelphia (7-4): The Eagles and quarterback Donovan McNabb have not been as dominant this season, but with so many weapons they continue to keep post season aspirations alive. The Eagles ranked 7th in the league in scoring this season with nearly 27 points per game.

8. (5.) New England (7-4): The Patriots may look down after losing big to the Saints, but with the leagues 4th ranked offense they are far from out. With Brady leading the second ranked passing offense, the Pats will still be one of the most feared entering the postseason.

9. (7.) Arizona (7-4): Like the Patriots the Cardinals looke well on their way to making the post season and despite their recent loss (minus Warner), they will still be a very dangerous team in the playoffs.

10. (NR) Green Bay (7-4): The Packers are one of the recent surprise teams to re-enter the post season conversations. By winning their last three games the Packers are now 7-4 and in contention for a wild-card spot.

By David Ortega

Check back every week for more of my "Power Rankings!”

MY NFL HEADLINES: WEEK 13

December 1st, 2009 8:37pm PST

My NFL Headlines

Broncos find form again

After staring the season with a six game winning streak the Broncos found themselves on the wrong end of a four game losing streak entering their Thanksgiving matchup with the Giants. Thanksgiving came more in the form of Christmas for the Broncos when their Thursday night matchup concluded. McDaniels and company were filled with much cheer following their 26-6 victory over the Giants. The Broncos were impressive on both sides of the ball totalling 373 yards of offense while limiting the Giants to only 267 yards; very similar to their 6-0 start.

Titans rely on the arm of VY
The have the NFL's leading rusher in Chris Johnson (1,396-yards) was not needed against the Cardinals in week 12, although he did post a hefty buck-fifty (150-yards) on the ground Sunday. Tennessee was led by their former number one draft pick Vince Young who not only led the team to its' 5th straight victory, but passed for a scintilating 387-yards and a score. His Sunday performance culminated with a heroic 99-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard game-winning touchdown pass. Young is now 23-11 as a starter in his career and has won his last nine straight starts.

Bolts keep charging
The San Diego Chargers continue to enjoy their residence atop the AFC West division and on Sunday they continued their dominance. Led by quarterback Philip Rivers (317 yards, 2-touchdown passes) and running back LaDanian Tomlinson (2-rushing touchdowns) the Chargers blitzed the Chiefs 43-14. The Bolts defense also came to play forcing four turnovers and limiting the opponents to only 180-yards passing. The Chargers are clearly in control of the West and with a six game win streak look to be one of the hot teams heading toward the post-season.

Colts persevere once again
It never matters if it's pretty or not, a win is a win; just ask the 11-0 Colts. After week 12 Peyton Manning and company found a way to get in the win column once again. Trailing big in the first half 17-0, Manning and the Colts offense stayed the course by on four drives in the second half, which included 28 unanswered points. Manning passed for 244 yards and threw three touchdowns to lead the cause on offense, but a defensive touchdown scored by linebacker Clint Session may have proven to be the difference. The biggest difference was the tale of two halves; after surrendering 20 points in the first half the Colts defense held the Texans in check except for a late meaningless touchdown once the game was pretty much decided. The Colts may be living on the edge, but with both offense and defense contributing they will be tough to stop in the post season.

Vikings riding the arm of Favre
The Vikings have not chamged their philosophy at all this season. In their last four games (all wins) the Vikings are averaging 34 points per game and have scored 12 touchdowns by pass. In the same span they have run the ball 125 times and thrown the ball 134 times. Favre has only been sacked four times in the last four games, so when he is not pressured he's incredibly effective and the offense is incredibly productive. The Vikings offense has Adrian Peterson's legs to carry them, but right now they are riding Favre's arm; 12-touchdowns, 1,193-yards, and 136 points scored in their last four wins!

Saints are unstoppable

It was billed to be one of the biggest matchups this season and it was certainly hyped that way, but it didn't take long for Drew Brees and the Saints to take the sails out of the competitive spirit of this Monday night matchup. The Patriots struck first, but the Saints struck loudest and with more frequency. In the end, the Saints proved they do have a complete team; a high powered offense that rang up 38 points and 480 net yards and a defense that sacked Tom Brady twice, forced three turnovers and held one of the leagues highest scoring teams to only 17 points. Even if the Saints don't finish the regular season undefeated, they look like the perfectly built team to make a post season run!

By David Ortega

Check back every week for more of my “NFL Headlines!”

MY POWER RANKINGS

November 26th, 2009 8:37pm PST


My Power Rankings
(Updated prior to Thanksgiving games)

1. New Orleans (10-0): The Saints have used a balanced mix of their big play offense and an opportunistic defense to remain undefeated, but Monday will prove to be their biggest test this season.

2. Indianapolis (10-0): The Colts seem to enjoy playing with fire, taking both of their last two matchups down the wire. In week eight only a wide left field goal attempt by Texan's kicker Kris Brown spared the Colts a defeat. If Manning and the boys hope to avoid disaster a third time, they'd better not let this one stay close.

3. Minnesota (9-1): In many circles some may have the Vikings actually ranked higher. There is no question over the past several weeks no team is playing better than Minnesota. In their last three wins the Vikes are outscoring their opponents by average 33-15.

4. Cincinnati (7-3): The Bengals have had somewhat of a wacky season. In 2009 they have defeated both the Ravens and the Steelers twice and they could very easily be 9-1; and by all rights should be except for a flukie play in week one and a fumble in week 10 against them darn Raiders.

5. New England (7-3): Despite their loss to the Colts a couple of weeks ago, with the way that Tom Brady is now playing the Patriots will be one of the most feared AFC teams heading toward the playoffs. With all of the anticipation, Monday night's matchup will be classic even just after the coin toss.

6. San Diego (7-3): The Chargers were more than likely hardly the topic of the NFL post season after their week six loss to the Broncos that dropped them to 2-3. Well that was five weeks ago and five wins later, you have to start mentioning Rivers and the San Diego gang as one of the better teams in the AFC.

7. Arizona (7-3): Whether people would like to admit it or not, last year's fluke is proving to be anything but. The Cardinals are winning the games they should and when healthy Warner still looks like the gunslinger that took this team to the NFC title game a year ago.

8. Dallas (7-3): Prior to their Thanksgiving matchup with the Raiders the boys from Texas had earn themselves the top spot in the NFC East. With a win on Thursday, believe it or not Romo and company keep inching just a little closer to the post season.

9. Pittsburgh (6-4): The struggling Steelers are in danger of falling further behind the Bengals with a tough matchup this week against the Ravens and possibly no Big Ben.

10. Philadelphia (6-4): The Eagles have had their lumps this season, but without a sustained running game and no Westbrook, how far can head coach Andy Reid ride McNabbs arm. This week's divisional matchup with the Redskins won't be a walk in the park.


By David Ortega Check back every week for more of my "Power Rankings!”

MY NFL HEADLINES: WEEK 12

November 24th, 2009 5:37pm PST


My NFL Headlines




Colts remain perfect
It wasn’t pretty, but Peyton Manning and company will take it. Against a stingy Raven’s defense Manning had to rely on some help from his friends; his defense. The Colts defense came up with some big stops late in the game to preserve the 17-15 win over Baltimore. This could become the fashionable trend for Indianapolis as they move deeper into the schedule. Teams will be gunning to take down the undefeated Colts, so don’t expect to see too many second half of the season blowouts.

Cards survive two scares
The Cardinals were very fortunate on Sunday to survive a couple of scares. First, the outcome of their week 11 matchup with the Rams was not decided until very late. Only a fourth down scramble and fumble by quarterback Marc Bulger saved the game for the Cardinals. Their second scare was the injury to quarterback Kurt Warner. The Cards starter was knocked out of the game at the end of the first half with what is now being called a mild concussion. The good news Warner is expected to start Sunday against the Titans.

Chargers seize the West
You could see this coming from miles away, even a mile high away. With both team heading in opposite direction the Sunday matchup between the Charger and Broncos pretty much played out as expected. The biggest surprise was the fashion in which San Diego dominated the Broncos at Denver. The 32-3 win avenged an earlier loss this season to Denver and catapulted the Chargers into first place all alone, a full game up on the Broncos.

Favre shoots down Seahawks
It has been a magical ride for Brett Favre and the Vikings this season and it hardly looks like this drive will end soon. Favre and the Vikings patented offense looked to be on cruise control rolling up five touchdowns on their way to their ninth win this season. In the team’s last three games, the Vikings offense is averaging 33 points per game and this season they have scored 30 or more points six times (they are also 6-0 when they do).

Owens blows up in loss
The Bills must have finally realized what they have lining up on offense on the outside, or at least quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick did on Sunday. Fitzpatrick looked Owens direction constantly on Sunday targeting his big play wideout 14 times. Despite the loss on against the Jaguars, the Bills gained a lot of knowledge learning that they CAN get the ball to T.O.; Nine catches, 197 yards, and a score.

Detroit wins shootout win Browns
It figures it would happen when two of the worst defenses clashed, but for Cleveland and Detroit it was a breath of fresh air to see their young quarterbacks play well. The Brown’s Brady Quinn looked good passing for more than 300 yards with four touchdowns, but it was Detroit’s rookie that stole Sunday’s show. Stafford suffered a crushing hit during the Lions final drive that had apparently knocked him out of the game, but a saving timeout allowed him to re-enter in time to throw the game winner; his fifth touchdown of the day. Nice job rook.


By David Ortega


Check back every week for more of MY “NFL Headlines!”

WHAT'S HAPPENING: NFL NEWS

November 18th, 2009



What's Happening:
Just My Thoughts



Recent NFL News


Johnson signs with Bengals
The Bengals signed troubled running back Larry Johnson to a one year deal earlier this week. The move undoubtedly was insurance in case starter Cedric Benson goes down here in the second half.


The Bengals are looking more and more like a real contender in the AFC and have to be thinking playoffs. With Benson going out on Sunday the team recognized it's lack of quality depth at the position. The team is going to need to be able to lean on it's ground game if it hopes to go deep into the playoffs.


When healthy Larry Johnson is a proven commodity with great size and speed. In recent years the troubled back has fallen off the map, but with a fresh start and at the right price the Bengals are looking for him just to be there "just in case."


For now Cedric Benson is the guy in Cincy and unless something happens that is not likely to change. I wouldn't expect to see much from LJ in the Bengals stripes and if Benson remains healthy through the playoffs don't be surprised to see the team eventually release him in the offseason.


Just my thoughts...

MY NFL HEADLINES: WEEK 11

November 18th, 2009 11:30pm PST

My NFL Headlines

Colts and Saints: Not so Perfect
Through nine weeks the Colts and Saints have managed to keep their records flawless at 9-0, but their undefeated records have hardly been perfect. Over the past couple of weeks both teams have been taken down to the wire, just managing to avert disaster in the closing moments. Last Sunday's matchups with the Patriots and Rams were great examples. Both teams advertise dominance, but in recent games their have been chinks in their armor suggesting perfection could be slipping away.

Bengals own the North
With their huge road win on Sunday over the Steelers, only the lowly Browns remain with a chance to smear the Bengals perfect division record in 2009. Not only are the Cats from Ohio 5-0 in the division, but they have managed to knock off both of last year's AFC championship participants the Ravens and the Steelers. From 4-11-1 and a franchise in turmoil, behind head coach Marvin Lewis and an outspoken Ochocinco the troops in Cincy have rallied and risen from the ashes to become the class of the North. What a difference a year can make.

Chargers look primed to retake West
When the season began it was a fast start by Denver and the usual slow out of the gate beginnings by the Chargers that had many folks in San Diego questioning what 2009 would bring. When the two teams met on Monday night four weeks ago, both appeared to be heading in opposite directions. With Denver at 6-0 and the Chargers 2-3, it certainly appeared that way. Since that meeting the Chargers have rang up four straight wins, while Denver has dropped its last three. With both teams again heading in opposite directions, the Chargers are looking primed to retake the West with a monumental mile high showdown with the Broncos at Invesco Field this Sunday.

Vikings starting to Roll
When the 2009 season began very few knew really what to expect, after all Favre's arrival to Minneapolis was not exactly met with open arms by all. There was some indifference and resistance by some of the media as well as the fans, but fortunately for the rest of football fanatics Favre made the choice to play. And when you think about the many critics that questioned whether at 40 he could play; averaging 300 yards passing with eight touchdowns in his last four starts, questions anyone? Favre has the Vikings rolling at 8-1 and looking like a prime contender to take the NFC.