The Powwa!

[ColtinIraq]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2007&week=9

ESPN.com's Power Rankings

The rankings were determined by a poll of ESPN.com's NFL staff: writers John Clayton, Len Pasquarelli, Matt Mosley, Jeffri Chadiha and Mike Sando; Scouts Inc. Insiders Jeremy Green and Keith Kidd; and ESPN.com NFL senior editor Mike McAllister.

Up to this point, it's easy to pinpoint which team has been more impressive. Or is it?

Yes, the Patriots are obliterating opponents, winning by an average margin of 25.5 points. Yes, they're on so many record paces that we can't keep up with them all. Yes, we could be watching the greatest single-season performance in the history of the NFL.

But consider what the Colts have done. They've won all seven of their games -- against statistically better opposition than the Pats -- despite their all-time leading receiver, Marvin Harrison, scoring just one touchdown. Who would've predicted that going into this season?

Harrison has missed two games with a bruised left knee and hasn't produced that low a TD total in the first seven games since his rookie season in 1996. But Reggie Wayne, who is averaging only two fewer receiving yards a game than Randy Moss this season, has picked up the slack.

While it's hard to ignore what Tom Brady & Co. have done through the air, they've also done it against some of the worst pass defenses in the league (five of their opponents currently rank in the bottom seven in the league in passing yards allowed, albeit thanks in part to getting shelled by the Pats).

So should we be dazzled by the gaudy numbers the Pats are putting up, or should we appreciate the grittiness displayed by the Colts? Of course, we can do both -- and then wait for Sunday's outcome to tell us which one should have more influence on the Rankings.

So how would you rank the teams after Week 8? Click here to access SportsNation's ranking tool.

BIGGEST RISE: Cleveland Browns from 19th to 13th. BIGGEST DROP: Carolina Panthers from 12th to 18th.

(Editor's note: LW indicates each team's ranking last week.)

2007 Power Rankings: Week 9
RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT

1 (1) Patriots 8-0-0 The issue for us is not running up the score -- it's risking Tom Brady's health during times when the game no longer is in doubt. Bill Belichick may be the best coach in the league, but that sure seems like a stupid, stubborn move.

2 (2) Colts 7-0-0 Win or lose on Sunday, the Colts suspect this will be the first of two against the Pats. "We will see New England twice this season," Dwight Freeney told the Indy Star. Presumably, No. 2 will be the AFC title game.

 

[PATSNUTme]

This week we settle all family business.

 

[wdkantro2]

No one cares about power rankings. I care about this:
"Win or lose on Sunday, the Colts suspect this will be the first of two against the Pats. "We will see New England twice this season," Dwight Freeney told the Indy Star. Presumably, No. 2 will be the AFC title game."

Exhibit A of why I love the Pats; they'd never say crap like that.

 

[ColtinIraq]

No one cares about power rankings. I care about this:
"Win or lose on Sunday, the Colts suspect this will be the first of two against the Pats. "We will see New England twice this season," Dwight Freeney told the Indy Star. Presumably, No. 2 will be the AFC title game."

Exhibit A of why I love the Pats; they'd never say crap like that.

Oh nooooooo - the Pats don't say anything. Not even Belicheck (literally).

 

[wdkantro2]

Oh nooooooo - the Pats don't say anything. Not even Belicheck (literally).

Yeah, that's kind of what I meant. Was that supposed to be a comeback?

 

[jays52]

"You don't talk smack! How dare you?! How rude! Don't you know that running your mouth to the media is the classy way? Not pandering to beat writers....that's so....un-christian!"

Indy fans are so cute and cuddly I just wanna pinch their cheeks!

 

[JoeSixPat]

"Win or lose on Sunday..."

Sounds like the spin on how a Colts loss doesn't matter has already started... from their own players no less...

NICE!

 

[BingoBrown]

"We will see New England twice this season," Dwight Freeney

Mr Freeney's Xmas wish list:

 

[FreakGoDeep]

Pats don't PLAY bad Pass defenses

Pats MAKE bad pass defenses.

washington was a good pass defense once....i believe it was 3 days ago.

 

[scout]

I'm not convinced that the Colts will see N.E. if they lose Sunday. I'll wait and see what they do at San Diego the following week. I'll give the Colts their due if they win the next two games, but right now I'm thinking two losses for them. That being said, they might have a hard road to travel just to get to New England come January.

 

[letekro]

If these "experts" are going to talk about competition - thay at least could take the same shots at the Colts defense. Let's take a look at the explosive offenses they have "shut down":

Titans: Vince Young threw for 43 yards last week. For the game.

Jaguars: Great defense, good running game. Horrible passing game. Is it a great accomplishment to shut down Quinn Gray?

Houston w/o Andre Johnson and Ahman Green: Which leaves.....Bueller????

Carolina: Vinny T came off his couch and led an 11 minute touchdown drive. Then he goes down and the great Colts D "smothers" the legendary David Carr.

Bucs: They had about 50 yards against us last year and they lost their top two running backs.

New Orleans: Their offensive struggles for the first month of the season were well chronicled.

Denver: No Javon Walker, still ran for over 200 yards in the first half.

There may be some good teams in there (I would include only Jacksonville and Tennessee), but there is not a single offense that would even be considered average.

 

[Patriot Missile]

If these "experts" are going to talk about competition - thay at least could take the same shots at the Colts defense. Let's take a look at the explosive offenses they have "shut down":

Titans: Vince Young threw for 43 yards last week. For the game.

Jaguars: Great defense, good running game. Horrible passing game. Is it a great accomplishment to shut down Quinn Gray?

Houston w/o Andre Johnson and Ahman Green: Which leaves.....Bueller????

Carolina: Vinny T came off his couch and led an 11 minute touchdown drive. Then he goes down and the great Colts D "smothers" the legendary David Carr.

Bucs: They had about 50 yards against us last year and they lost their top two running backs.

New Orleans: Their offensive struggles for the first month of the season were well chronicled.

Denver: No Javon Walker, still ran for over 200 yards in the first half.

There may be some good teams in there (I would include only Jacksonville and Tennessee), but there is not a single offense that would even be considered average.

Don't forget Brandon Jones dropping a wide open ball that would of put the Titans in FG range on the final drive. Indy ended up winning 22-20.

 

[KoolAidDrinker]

I'm not convinced that the Colts will see N.E. if they lose Sunday. I'll wait and see what they do at San Diego the following week. I'll give the Colts their due if they win the next two games, but right now I'm thinking two losses for them. That being said, they might have a hard road to travel just to get to New England come January.

I am hoping that too, but unless the Charger secondary has drastically improved, Peyton will shred it.

As for the playoffs, NOTHING is guaranteed there. That quick D of theirs might be tired by then.

A visit to Foxboro in late January is the sexiest scenario but who knows!

 

[He Ban Me]

If these "experts" are going to talk about competition - thay at least could take the same shots at the Colts defense. Let's take a look at the explosive offenses they have "shut down":

Titans: Vince Young threw for 43 yards last week. For the game.

Jaguars: Great defense, good running game. Horrible passing game. Is it a great accomplishment to shut down Quinn Gray?

Houston w/o Andre Johnson and Ahman Green: Which leaves.....Bueller????

Carolina: Vinny T came off his couch and led an 11 minute touchdown drive. Then he goes down and the great Colts D "smothers" the legendary David Carr.

Bucs: They had about 50 yards against us last year and they lost their top two running backs.

New Orleans: Their offensive struggles for the first month of the season were well chronicled.

Denver: No Javon Walker, still ran for over 200 yards in the first half.

There may be some good teams in there (I would include only Jacksonville and Tennessee), but there is not a single offense that would even be considered average.

So, how do all these crappy teams have a combined record of 27-24? 27-17 if you remove the losses to the Colts??
Every team has injuries, as YOU well know, as you have faced some depleted teams as well. While NE opponents are 24-34, 24-26 subtracting losses to NE.

 

[FrontSeven]

Rankings are kind of cute, don't you think?

There's only one ranking that really matters before the game is played, and that's the line set in Vegas. Granted, it's a ranking set by bettor expectations, but that turns out to be more accurate than any other ranking.

That's because big money is on the line with that ranking. It's too bad the ESPN guys and others get to make their picks without proper fear of losing their farms. Then you stop trying to figure out who you "like" and put your money on who you think will help you keep your farm.

Anybody betting on Indy straight up is in danger of losing their farm.

 

[letekro]

So, how do all these crappy teams have a combined record of 27-24? 27-17 if you remove the losses to the Colts??
Every team has injuries, as YOU well know, as you have faced some depleted teams as well. While NE opponents are 24-34, 24-26 subtracting losses to NE.

Look, I'm just saying, if you're going to say our passing numbers are skewed b/c we haven't played great defenses, you also have to look in the mirror and realize that you have played a bunch of mediocre to terrible offenses, several of which had their 2nd and 3rd string QB playing. Any downward adjustment you want to give to our offense ppg, you should give a similar upward adjustment to your points allowed. I mean if you want to have a civilized discussion.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I'm not convinced that the Colts will see N.E. if they lose Sunday. I'll wait and see what they do at San Diego the following week. I'll give the Colts their due if they win the next two games, but right now I'm thinking two losses for them. That being said, they might have a hard road to travel just to get to New England come January.

I totally agree. I predict that win or lose Indy will not be hosting an AFC championship game this year. I'm really going out on a limb saying the Pats will win this Sunday, and in doing so, draw up a blueprint to expose the weaknesses that are the Indianapolis Colts to all upcoming opponents. I.E. By neutralizing Bob Sanders with our multiple weapons of mass destruction and forcing their overrated defense to be on the field way too long and eventually softening up their marshmallow run defense by the 3rd quarter as Maroney will finally have a big game and Brady will occasionally drop back to launch satellites in the opposing endzone as the Patriots ruthlessly run up the score and Brady tosses three TD passes along with two rushing TDs from Maroney and a defensive TD as we cruise past the Colts much in the same manner we dispatched the Chargers.

Pats-42
Colts-24

 

[scout]

So, how do all these crappy teams have a combined record of 27-24? 27-17 if you remove the losses to the Colts??
Every team has injuries, as YOU well know, as you have faced some depleted teams as well. While NE opponents are 24-34, 24-26 subtracting losses to NE.

Why don't you wait until AFTER the Colts play San Diego to talk about records. New England has faced the Chargers and Dallas as top opponents, now what are the two top teams Indy has played?

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

So, how do all these crappy teams have a combined record of 27-24? 27-17 if you remove the losses to the Colts??
Every team has injuries, as YOU well know, as you have faced some depleted teams as well. While NE opponents are 24-34, 24-26 subtracting losses to NE.

Easy, They all play each other, and someone has to win those games.......... The AFC South is the most OVER-RATED DIVISION in the NFL. Couple that with the fact that the AFC South is on a NFC South swing. The NFC South is a hot bed of crappy teams (the whole division is (12-19). In fact, included in your vaunted 27-24 opponant combined records is 5 (yes 5) wins against the Atlanta Falcons, who if I'm not mistaken lost to the Great Fall River Otters JV team last week

Wheas NE has to burn through 2 of the harder divisions this year AFC North and NFC East.