January 7th, 2011, Friday
MY NFL Team Power Rankings
(Thru Week Seventeen)
MY NFL Team Power Rankings
(Thru Week Seventeen)
The 2010 regular season has concluded and now the field has been narrowed to just 12 teams. After 17 weeks of action, the clear-cut favorite heading into the post season has to be the Patriots, but teams like the Eagles, Packers, and Steelers showcase enough talent to warrant argument.
There are also a couple of dangerous teams like the Falcons, Ravens, and defending Champion Saints that often get overlooked, but shouldn’t. The Falcons used a strong balanced attack to take the South this season and with the clutch play of “Matty Ice” (Ryan) they will be tough at home. The Saints return most of the same cast from last year’s championship team and led by quarterback Drew Brees present a challenge anywhere; although it appears they will have to take their show on the road this post season.
With so much unpredictability and uncertainty looking at the post season picture, one thing is certain these playoffs are not lacking true contenders. It really is anyone’s game and it will all get started this Saturday.
The Post Season Pre-Rankings
1. New England Patriots (14-2): Can anyone argue how good the Patriots look. Even in a meaningless game against the Dolphins, Brady and company keep the foot on the gas (won by a score of 38-7). This is a complete team that seldom makes mistakes and forces their opponents to play near perfect ball to have a chance.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): The Steelers boast one of the league’s top ranked and toughest defenses this season; they just might have enough to stop the Patriots. The failed in their earlier matchup this season with New England, but with one of the NFL’s best pass rushing squads they will make it interesting.
3. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): The Falcons stumbled slightly down the stretch dropping their week 16 matchup with the Saints, but other than that chink in their armor they appear infallible at home (7-1 this season). Quarterback Matt Ryan has been special at home since his career began and there’s no question it will be tough for any other team beside the Falcons to leave the Georgia Dome with a win.
4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): The Ravens contended with the Steelers all season long for the North crown, but even with their tenacious defense and improved passing attack, they have at times struggled with points; scoring and stopping. Teams like the Falcons, Patriots, and Saints had success in the air this season against the Ravens defense, while Flacco and company had their problems with defenses like the Jets and Steelers.
5. New Orleans Saints (12-4): The Saints fell short of their quest for back-to-back division titles, but they are back in the dance. With another 30+ touchdown and 4,000 yards passing season, Brees will lead the Saints once again on another championship run. The Saints have shown some vulnerability this season, but they are still ever so dangerous.
6. Chicago Bears (11-5): The Bears won the NFC North with a punishing defense and big play offense, but with losses down the stretch to the Packers and Patriots, they may have been exposed. Both the Packers and Patriots had success with pressure defensively and moving the ball in the air offensively. If the Bears don’t protect Cutler he can be prone to making mistakes, and if the secondary doesn’t play well, the Bears could be playing from behind. This will be quarterback Jay Cutler’s first taste at the post season, so he will surely be tested.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The Eagles have struggled with pass protection for the most part this season and more and more teams are becoming more aggressive attacking quarterback Michael Vick with pressure. The Eagles have lots of weapons to score, so putting points on the board shouldn’t be an issue, but if they struggle with protection and Vick struggles in the pocket, their post season life could be short-lived.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): The Chiefs boast the NFL’s top rushing attack and have a respectable passing game with quarterback Matt Cassel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, but if their very average 14th ranked defense does not come to play their post season run could end on Sunday against the Ravens.
9. New York Jets (11-5): The Jets earned the sixth seed into the post season and possibly the worst draw having to travel to Indy to face the Colts. The Jets have a balanced look on both sides of the ball, but the lack of a pass rush and great quarterback play could be their Achilles this post season. Sanchez has had his struggles at times and Jets rely heavily on a lot of blitzing to bring pressure; two things that could un-do their playoff run.
10. Green Bay Packers (10-6): The Packers could be one of those teams that no one wants to face. Aaron Rodgers had another big season in the pocket for the Packers and has plenty of weapons. The defense played very well in the season finale against the Bears. With Rodgers arm, his receivers, give him a defense and the Pack will be very dangerous.
11.Indianapolis Colts (10-6): The Colts took it down to the wire needing a week 17 victory to earn their playoff spot, nonetheless they still have Peyton Manning and a home game in the post season. Manning has shown he is capable of struggling in the pocket like other quarterbacks, but that could be a thing of the past as he has been on a roll. The Jets might sound like a difficult matchup, but just a year ago Manning torched this defense for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Anything may be possible with everyone starting with a new slate, but even at home the Seahawks don’t have enough weapons to keep pace with the Saints. Even with Hasselbeck starting and some expected showers the Seahawks are a long bet to keep this one close.
The Final Regular Season Rankings
• New England Patriots (14-2)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
• Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
• Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
• New Orleans Saints (11-5).
• Chicago Bears (11-5)
• New York Jets (11-5)
• Green Bay Packers (10-6)
• Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
• Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
• Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
• New York Giants (10-6)
• San Diego Chargers (9-7)
• Oakland Raiders (8-8)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
• Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
• St. Louis Rams (7-9)
• Miami Dolphins (7-9)
• Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
• Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
• Detroit Lions (6-10)
• Houston Texans (6-10)
• Washington Redskins (6-10)
• Tennessee Titans (6-10)
• Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
• Cleveland Browns (5-11)
• San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
• Buffalo Bills (4-12)
• Denver Broncos (4-12)
• Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
• Carolina Panthers (2-14)
There are also a couple of dangerous teams like the Falcons, Ravens, and defending Champion Saints that often get overlooked, but shouldn’t. The Falcons used a strong balanced attack to take the South this season and with the clutch play of “Matty Ice” (Ryan) they will be tough at home. The Saints return most of the same cast from last year’s championship team and led by quarterback Drew Brees present a challenge anywhere; although it appears they will have to take their show on the road this post season.
With so much unpredictability and uncertainty looking at the post season picture, one thing is certain these playoffs are not lacking true contenders. It really is anyone’s game and it will all get started this Saturday.
The Post Season Pre-Rankings
1. New England Patriots (14-2): Can anyone argue how good the Patriots look. Even in a meaningless game against the Dolphins, Brady and company keep the foot on the gas (won by a score of 38-7). This is a complete team that seldom makes mistakes and forces their opponents to play near perfect ball to have a chance.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): The Steelers boast one of the league’s top ranked and toughest defenses this season; they just might have enough to stop the Patriots. The failed in their earlier matchup this season with New England, but with one of the NFL’s best pass rushing squads they will make it interesting.
3. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): The Falcons stumbled slightly down the stretch dropping their week 16 matchup with the Saints, but other than that chink in their armor they appear infallible at home (7-1 this season). Quarterback Matt Ryan has been special at home since his career began and there’s no question it will be tough for any other team beside the Falcons to leave the Georgia Dome with a win.
4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): The Ravens contended with the Steelers all season long for the North crown, but even with their tenacious defense and improved passing attack, they have at times struggled with points; scoring and stopping. Teams like the Falcons, Patriots, and Saints had success in the air this season against the Ravens defense, while Flacco and company had their problems with defenses like the Jets and Steelers.
5. New Orleans Saints (12-4): The Saints fell short of their quest for back-to-back division titles, but they are back in the dance. With another 30+ touchdown and 4,000 yards passing season, Brees will lead the Saints once again on another championship run. The Saints have shown some vulnerability this season, but they are still ever so dangerous.
6. Chicago Bears (11-5): The Bears won the NFC North with a punishing defense and big play offense, but with losses down the stretch to the Packers and Patriots, they may have been exposed. Both the Packers and Patriots had success with pressure defensively and moving the ball in the air offensively. If the Bears don’t protect Cutler he can be prone to making mistakes, and if the secondary doesn’t play well, the Bears could be playing from behind. This will be quarterback Jay Cutler’s first taste at the post season, so he will surely be tested.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The Eagles have struggled with pass protection for the most part this season and more and more teams are becoming more aggressive attacking quarterback Michael Vick with pressure. The Eagles have lots of weapons to score, so putting points on the board shouldn’t be an issue, but if they struggle with protection and Vick struggles in the pocket, their post season life could be short-lived.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): The Chiefs boast the NFL’s top rushing attack and have a respectable passing game with quarterback Matt Cassel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, but if their very average 14th ranked defense does not come to play their post season run could end on Sunday against the Ravens.
9. New York Jets (11-5): The Jets earned the sixth seed into the post season and possibly the worst draw having to travel to Indy to face the Colts. The Jets have a balanced look on both sides of the ball, but the lack of a pass rush and great quarterback play could be their Achilles this post season. Sanchez has had his struggles at times and Jets rely heavily on a lot of blitzing to bring pressure; two things that could un-do their playoff run.
10. Green Bay Packers (10-6): The Packers could be one of those teams that no one wants to face. Aaron Rodgers had another big season in the pocket for the Packers and has plenty of weapons. The defense played very well in the season finale against the Bears. With Rodgers arm, his receivers, give him a defense and the Pack will be very dangerous.
11.Indianapolis Colts (10-6): The Colts took it down to the wire needing a week 17 victory to earn their playoff spot, nonetheless they still have Peyton Manning and a home game in the post season. Manning has shown he is capable of struggling in the pocket like other quarterbacks, but that could be a thing of the past as he has been on a roll. The Jets might sound like a difficult matchup, but just a year ago Manning torched this defense for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Anything may be possible with everyone starting with a new slate, but even at home the Seahawks don’t have enough weapons to keep pace with the Saints. Even with Hasselbeck starting and some expected showers the Seahawks are a long bet to keep this one close.
The Final Regular Season Rankings
• New England Patriots (14-2)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
• Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
• Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
• New Orleans Saints (11-5).
• Chicago Bears (11-5)
• New York Jets (11-5)
• Green Bay Packers (10-6)
• Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
• Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
• Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
• New York Giants (10-6)
• San Diego Chargers (9-7)
• Oakland Raiders (8-8)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
• Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
• St. Louis Rams (7-9)
• Miami Dolphins (7-9)
• Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
• Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
• Detroit Lions (6-10)
• Houston Texans (6-10)
• Washington Redskins (6-10)
• Tennessee Titans (6-10)
• Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
• Cleveland Browns (5-11)
• San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
• Buffalo Bills (4-12)
• Denver Broncos (4-12)
• Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
• Carolina Panthers (2-14)
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