Week Four NFL Power Rankings

Well, again, we'll see some shake-ups due to the many losses in my top ten. Steelers rise, like in many power rankings this week, knocking down some others, and the rest sort of, well, shift spaces, like cars in the first few laps of a race. Each week, the rankings will take more shape. 49ers continue their free-fall this week.



1. Pittsburgh Steelers - Right now, they are playing better than anyone. Even if the Pack, Saints and Texans had won, I'm not sure they would have stayed ahead of Mike Tomlin's Steelers.

2. Indianapolis Colts - Taking their rightful place in the top 5 again, they climb after dominating last week, and after having everyone above them fail.

3. NY Jets - Mark Sanchez looked like a budding star, and the team as a whole played extremely well. Hard to stop them if they keep that up.

4. New Orleans Saints - Still at an elite level, they just don't have a very good kicker. I don't think their loss this week says they are worse now -- a few teams just outplayed them this week.

5. Green Bay Packers - They can't run and can still beat you. If they don't find a running game though, they will slide out of top ten.

6. Miami Dolphins - They showed they can keep pace with the best, even if they don't win. Much like the Saints this week, the loss didn't adversely affect their standings.

7. New England Patriots - Still problems on defense, and Bill Belichick still doesn't care. He'll still outscore you.

8. Houston Texans - Despite a big loss, they still have the fuel to light the playoff fire. I don't see them staying down for long.

9. Philadelphia Eagles - Jumping into the top 10 for the first time this year, all of a sudden critics are comparing Philly to Vince Young and Chris Johnson of last year instead of Aaron Rodgers. Except they didn't start 0-6.

10. Baltimore Ravens - Not an impressive win, but still dangerous. they don't care how they win, they just do.

11. Chicago Bears - Great, great game against Green Bay. Everyone knows they are a good team now, to my surprise. They will take that wild card spot that Giants, Redskins, Vikings, and Cardinals fans were counting on.

12. Dallas Cowboys - Welcome back. They seemed to find a way to win, but going to their last best plan. Put the ball in Roy Williams' hands.

13. Tennessee Titans - Big time team with big goals this year. Hiccup last week means nothing. It was the Steelers, after all.

14. Atlanta Falcons - Way low for a team that beat the champs, but like I said, this game didn't do much to impress me. great win though for this hopeful team.

15. Cincinnati Bengals - Right in the middle of the pack means they can sneak up on your Ravens and Steelers.

16. Kansas City Chiefs - Here they come guys. They are shocking the world with this performance.

17. Seattle Seahawks - Perhaps I didn't give them enough credit last week. the last teams on the list last week were kinda interchangeable, but they rose above all that noise this week after a win over San Diego.

18. San Diego Chargers - Dangerous offensively, just can't seem to get it together. The drama around hold-outs may have distracted everyone too much. They need to focus if they want to reclaim their division.

19. Washington Redskins - Losing to the Rams will do wonders for your ratings, let me tell you.

20. Minnesota Vikings - They beat a tough Detroit team. Not a big deal though. They need to get it together of their season will pass them by quickly.

21. NY Giants - I once thought they might push for the division (not that that feat would be tough). But now they don't seem to have any chemistry at all.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Still an exciting team, but still alot of work to do.

23. Denver Broncos - Still lurking in second place in the weak AFC West. Amazing. Patriots are third in their division, and rated 7th in these rankings. A few wins and they are in the hunt again.

24. San Francisco 49ers - Here we go, start looking to next year folks, they are changing coaches mid-season.

25. Arizona Cardinals - Beating Oakland was lucky. Fortunately their division is still the weakest in football.

26. Oakland Raiders - Hey they scored some points and aren't terrible on defense. It's all relative, but it earned them a few spots.

27. St. Louis Rams - And so it begins. Sam Bradford has tasted blood for the first time and it won't take long for more wins like this.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars - This team is in trouble. Big trouble.

29. Detroit Lions - That defense needs some help.

30. Cleveland Browns - Delhomme coming back soon should give them a much needed boost.

31. Carolina Panthers - Growing up is a slow process.

32. And growing up is even slower when you are the Bills. They are still in next year's pre-season.

Week Three NFL Power Rankings

Week two in the NFL was vastly different than week one. This week we saw things normalize on many levels. The Jets looked like Super Bowl contenders, Colts won in big fashion and Steelers looked alive. Also, with a handful of new QBs starting in the league and injuries still making their impressions, this week's rankings are seeing a little shake up.

But that is the fun of power rankings!


1. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers and company seem to have practiced in their sleep. No stopping them right now.

2. New Orleans Saints - While the offense is not quite hitting on a cylinders yet, I have trouble thinking that many others can beat them.

3. Houston Texans - If you have a QB who can throw that many yards in a game, it gives you an immense advantage.

4. New England Patriots - Surprised? You shouldn't be. A loss to Rex Ryan's defense shouldn't be an earth-shattering shock. Still elite talent.

5. Indianapolis Colts - Rounding out the top 5, Colts still have what it takes to climb to the top.

6. Miami Dolphins - Passion, passion, passion. they get after the quarterback and make wins happen.

7. NY Jets - A division win over the Patriots at home is big, but rivalries like that do almost nothing to solidify how good you are. Always competitive, no matter how bad you are. It did catapult them to top 10 status.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers - When Big Ben gets back, look out. Obviously, the run game, defense and strategies are all set.

9. Baltimore Ravens - One bad game does not a season make. The blueprint is there now, though, thanks to their loss last week.

10. Washington Redskins - Excellent job here by everyone on this team. They will only get better as the season progresses.

11. Atlanta Falcons - This week they showed us why they were ranked so high in the off-season.

12. San Diego Chargers - In a virtual tie with Atlanta, they redeemed themselves this week. Why the blackouts though? Can anyone see it now? Los Angeles Bolts.

13. Cincinnati Bengals - Defense and the playmakers on offense are adding up to be a force. Though, this week they could tumble 5 spots even if they win, depending on who around them in the rankings plays well.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - You may be skeptical, but Michael Vick starting has the potential to open the offense for this team.

15.Chicago Bears - Great outing for Cutler, but I don't trust him just yet.

16. Tennessee Titans - This team has been known to be in the playoff hunt with 6-game losing streaks and old QBs. Don't count them out.

17. Dallas Cowboys - All they have to do is click. And then everyone will be scared of them again.

18. Minnesota Vikings - They are only ahead of the Giants because their defense is probably better.

19. NY Giants - Can play much better than they did last week.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Here we go guys, the NFC South is heating up! Fun game this week.

21. San Francisco 49ers - they can't seem to get the one thing that matters -- wins.

22. Kansas City Chiefs - They have electric players, hot coaches, and the ability to move up this board.

23. Denver Broncos - That defense is still not bad. But no one really knows what to expect from them this year.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars - They can still put up points. They just can't keep others from scoring.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Still something up their sleeve. Let's hope it's good.

26. Arizona Cardinals - Well, they can't all be in the bottom five.

27. Detroit Lions - Oh, so close! Oh, so close.

28. Carolina Panthers - This will be fun. Let's see how Clausen does.

29. St. Louis Rams - More talented players than those that follow.

30. Oakland Raiders - Gradkowski gives them a chance I guess.

31. Cleveland Browns - Oh, man. Things were looking up, too.

32. Buffalo Bills - Funny how the QB situation still hasn't changed. It's pretty much preseason for them until they draft a good QB next year. Working out the kinks.

Week Two NFL Power Rankings

So, after this past week of NFL games, how many of your Super Bowl favourites have changed? Who among you wishes you hadn't bet on the teams you did? Who was your number 1 team, and where do they rank now?

All familiar questions after the past week of NFL action. High-scoring offenses held to under 20 points. Last place rebuilding teams winning big games against bitter rivals. Injuries threaten the seasons of many players, and, in many cases, the seasons of their respective teams.

Compare your rankings to my new power rankings for Week Two.

Note: There aren't any rankings for week one, because well, almost seemed to be in agreement about where everyone was "supposed" to be.

So Here goes.

1. New England Patriots - Big win over touted Cincinnati defense. Welcome back, Wes Welker and the '07 Tom Brady.

2. Green Bay Packers - O-line still porous. Plus you just lost Ryan Grant for the year. Adapt and overcome, and you will keep your spot near the top of this list.

3. New Orleans Saints - Super Bowl Champs didn't seem to miss a beat against Minnesota Thursday night. Until they stopped scoring. And you can't blame Jared Allen for that.

4. Baltimore Ravens - Not many points on Monday night, and the Jets aren't exactly hot either, but can your team beat them?

5. Indianapolis Colts - Only because you have Manning as your QB. You can't ever discount his ability.

6. Houston Texans - You know, maybe losing their OC to Washington won't have as much of an impact as I thought.

7. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson, Vince Young, and a possible worth while receiver group keep them ahead of everyone's preseason favourites.

8. Dallas Cowboys - Shouldn't be this high after Sunday night, but like Baltimore, they have too many weapons to write them off just yet.

9. Minnesota Vikings - Brett Farve may done by the trade deadline. And with that, everyone start thinking Joe Webb 2011.

10. Miami Dolphins - Better defense and a better passing attack. Better team.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alive and still kicking, they will improve over the season.

12. New York Giants - Solid showing this week. it was the Panthers, but still. Solid.

13. San Diego Chargers - That team needs focus. Then they will get a W.

14. New York Jets - Defense is still among the league's best. Still an over-rated team overall.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - With their weapons on offense, all it takes is one click, and they will climb this list fast. Andy Reid is better when it gets colder outside.

16. Washington Redskins - McNabb never needed big name receivers and will be fine in DC this year.

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Lots of promise, but Carson Palmer DOES need big name receivers. And they can't commit play football all that well.

18. Arizona Cardinals - You almost lost to who?

19. Atlanta Falcons - If Matt Ryan continues to succeed at "4-yards-and-out" routes, they will never catch New Orleans. And touchdowns help.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars - Forgive me for not then enough credit, but a consist effort like this week's performance from Garrard, and we may have something here. Pro Bowl tight end.

21. Kansas City Chiefs - All-star cast of coaches and explosive rookies and big hearts.

22. Seattle Seahawks - Damn, Pete Carrol. You must have been holding back in USC.

23. San Francisco 49ers - Score a touchdown with your offense, and we'll talk.

24. Denver Broncos - Where did all their skill players go?

25. Detroit Lions - Weekly spoiler alert on these guys. I just can't put them ahead of Denver or Seattle yet.

26. Chicago Bears - Without Forte, Bears are bare. Cutler is your defense's 12th man.

27. St. Louis Rams - Learning curve, but see where they will be by season's end.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - See Lions. Youth and excitement. Good win this week.

29. Carolina Panthers - Still some weapons here. But the Giants aren't THAT good.

30. Cleveland Browns - Getting there. Can't see them behind Buffalo or Oakland.

31. Oakland Raiders - Madden AWR ratings for their WRs must be at record lows.

32. Buffalo Bills - Enough said.

Note On Health Care

I'm sure many have read and heard about the health care debate this year and many of you have very differing opinions on it, I am sure.

But here is a quick tidbit on my view, being the unfortunate recipient of a pre-existing condition.

Without insurance, my insulin costs me 126.99 at the local Walgreen's. This drug is necessary for continuing my life, to say the least, lol. So, add to the fact that millions of Americans don't have insurance and many insurance companies don't cover these conditions -- at least, without charging you your future financial stabilty for it -- and life becomes, well, complicated. Life begins revolving around "I need to afford my medicine" as opposed to "I need to better myself and those around me".

With the job market these days, it is tough to find a job with decent benefits, if at all. All these issues combined allow one to see their future shrink into the sunset while struggling to pay for the one thing they need to survive (not to mention paying for doctor's visits without insurance, syringes, test stripes that run about a dollar a strip or more, and insulin pump supplies).

I just received my health benefits, luckily, and now my insulin will cost less than $25.  Think of the savings each year!

And think of how that would help our economy.

Now, how about that health reform?

Immigration Disaster

So, I'm sorry I haven't been delivering on promises to post more often than I have been, however there is something happening that warrants a quick post before I jet to work for the day.

Has anyone read up on this new immigration law in Arizona? I'm sure many of you have, and the more I read the angrier I become. For a nation who champions personal choices and individual freedom, this bill is like splinters for immigrants looking for a better life in America.

I'm not going to comment on living situations in Mexico because, frankly, I've never been there. So I have no jurisdiction to discuss that. But these new American people who have crossed to our soil are looking for a better, safer, and more fair lifestyle. One which allows them to chose  how they live, where they work, and what they do. Not to mention that their families will prosper with the more opportunities here. These dreams can be smashed with the slightest flick of a lawmakers hand. And they were this year in Arizona.

Requiring immigrants to carry documents proving their legalization is nothing short of forcing the Jews to wear stars in Nazi Germany.

They are Americans, folks. Would you like to have to prove you live here at all times? And why would someone ever approach you about your citizenship status? Only if you look like an immigrant. So, this law, instead of helping find illegal immigrants, is allowing authorities to badger everyday Hispanic-Americans, or anyone for that matter, for their information and proof of citizenship. That's like going to a restaurant and being asked to a visa or passport. you shouldn't need it in America.

Security is a great concern of mine, but nothing of this law makes anyone anywhere more secure. The real point of this legislation should have been to not make it easier to kick people out of this country, but to make it simpler more new citizens to come in. It isn't fair to call the United States the "land of opportunity" when it's being treated like a containment camp, and it isn't fair to Americans.

Come on, Congress. All those years and years of studying in Harvard law? Now's the time to put something of your education to good use and figure out something that works.

Thoughts?

Manic Monday: McNabb to Redskins was best for both teams

Well, folks, being that I am a big sports fan, it is only fitting that I use my first opportunity to blog to discuss this very topic.

In addition, I don't know if you've noticed, but I did pick the perfect time to do so.


I am an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. I have been since, oh, about 7 or 8 years old. My heart always pulls for the underdog, so when I saw Joe Gibbs' Redskins pummel Philly week after week, I began to feel like Philly needed all the help they could get. And after watching countless Emmit Smith touchdowns and more Aikman-to-Irvin calls from the announcers than I can remember, I found myself rooting for the Eagles on every play of every game. It seemed the only team we had a chance to beat was a couple teams that wouldn't play on Mid-Atlantic television, or the St. Louis Cardinals (who at the team were part of our division, and have since moved to Arizona -- you can imagine the ancient frustration I felt watching them play the Steelers in the Super Bowl).


So this brings me to the present day, practically. Donavan McNabb, 33, is traded to the Washington Redskins for the 37th overall pick in the year's draft, and a conditional pick next year.


You can see the story all over the web, so I won't bore you with that. But here's is how Washington is better off: first they get an instant starter and clear upgrade over Jason Campbell. You also get a mentor for him to teach him how to handle the pressure on and off the field. This kind of leadership Campbell has not had during his stay at Washington and is highly valuable. Second, this clears the way for a no-pressure pick at no. 4 overall in the draft.

Now, Philly wins, as well. Last year the Eagles' defense was reduced to rookies (Macho Harris, a cornerback converted to free safety(, third-stringers (Joe Mays and Tracy White, both primarily special teamers filling in at linebacker) and has-beens (Jeremiah Trotter, the once-Pro Bowler who had been out of Football for nearly two years) just to keep the required 11 men on the field. Injuries had blown holes in the defense and clearly they needed help. With the only real depth being a QB, and all of them entering their last year on contract, it was time to move someone.

McNabb made the most sense. So now, Washington has their safety net, and Philly has picks to help defense. Now it is just up to both to use them wisely.

Numero Uno

So welcome to my blog. I decided to enter the blogosphere because, well, why not?

With the relative inability to make blogs on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter -- at least with universal posting -- i decided to find something that will allow me to post things and to link myself to my social sites. Sooo, when I post I will let you know via Twitter, Facebook and Myspace so you can come read what's going on.

What will be going here, you ask?

I'm a musician, husband-to-be, political commentarian, sports analyst, amateur philosopher, etc....

You know, the common American coffee shop gabber type. The type who might have a lot to say at times, and maybe not a whole lot at other times. I could probably ramble about anything. So, that is probably what will appear here most often. Just thoughts on things that I care about. I will try to tag them so they can get out there, but who will really read? That remains to be seen. Which is just fine. ;-)

So here goes.

First thing is finding a better title for this thing...

P.S. The links below are for your use to link my post to anything you might use. Let me know if there is another button you need.