NFL Power Rankings

[Ron Sellers]

Yes, everyone knows power rankings mean nothing - well, except in college football. But regardless, it's the middle of the week and I think I've read about all I care to on Randy Moss, Deion Branch, and Logan Mankins. Curious to see what others think of the Pats, and the rest of the NFL.

===============================================

Week 6 - after the bye and prior to Pats (3-1) vs Ravens

===============================================

NFL Power Rankings Week 6 - National Football League - ESPN
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Falcons, Colts
6-10: Pats, Bears, Packers, Saints, Colts
Pats: #8 (up 2); Deion Branch is a nice peace offering to Tom Brady after the Randy Moss trade.

NFL Power Rankings - Top 32 NFL Football Teams - FOX Sports on MSN
1-5: Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Falcons, Bears
6-10: Giants, Colts, Packers, Saints, Titans
Pats: #11 (down 1); It's hard to see how the loss of starting WR Randy Moss will make this team better, but it will be interesting to see how the addition of veteran WR Deion Branch will help going forward. It's debatable whether Branch is a quality starting player at this point in his career, however.

NFL Power Rankings: Saints aren't looking so hot now - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
1-5: Ravens, Falcons, Jets, Steelers, Pats
6-10: Colts, Bears, Saints, Redskins, Giants
Pats: #5 (up 3); No Moss. That's a Bill Belichick move that will be dissected in a big way. We'll see how that offense does against a good Ravens defense this week.

NFL Power Rankings for Week 6 has Steelers, Ravens at top - Don Banks - SI.com
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Falcons, Pats
6-10: Colts, Saints, Bears, Packers, Giants
Pats: #5 (up 2); The Patriots getting rid of Randy Moss and turning back to Deion Branch is a little like the guy who realizes he's dating someone out of his league and decides to get back together with his old girlfriend. She may not be the hottie of all time, but she's not a weekly headache either. Sometimes it's just not worth the trouble to upgrade.

Week Five Power Rankings | ProFootballTalk.com
1-5: Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Falcons, Pats
6-10: Colts, Saints, Bears, Titans, Packers
Pats: #5 (up 3); So they traded away supposed model citizen and stellar performer Randy Moss and they traded for a washed-up guy who pissed and moaned his way out of town? Sounds about right.

AC 2010 NFL power rankings week 6 - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
1-5: Ravens, Steelers, Falcons, Jets, Pats
6-10: Colts, Giants, Saints, Bears, Chiefs
Pats: #5 (up 2); Could this offense really be better without Randy Moss? We'll see.

NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Ravens, Jets Keep Leading AFC's Charge -- NFL FanHouse
1-5: Ravens, Jets, Steelers, Pats, Falcons
6-10: Colts, Bears, Titans, Saints, Redskins
Pats: #4 (up 1); Put the Patriots here with a bullet. With Randy Moss, they looked like an elite AFC team. We'll have to see how they fare with Deion Branch in the lineup instead. Upcoming games against Baltimore, San Diego and Minnesota provide a nice litmus test.

NFL Power Poll: Colts crack the Top 5 - NFL - Sporting News
1-5: Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Pats, Colts
6-10: Saints, Packers, Falcons, Titans, Bears
Pats: #4 (up 2); We'll know if they truly are among the AFC's elite after their Ravens rematch on Sunday.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Power-Rankings-5485.html
1-5: Ravens, Jets, Steelers, Pats, Bears
6-10: Falcons, Colts, Giants, Saints, Redskins
Pats: #4 (up 2); The Pats come off the bye week with Ray Lewis and the Ravens on the schedule.

 

[Ron Sellers]

It Is What It Is WEEI NFL Power Rankings: Week 6
1-5: Ravens, Jets, Steelers, Falcons, Colts
6-10: Pats, Saints, Bears, Giants, Packers
Pats: #6 (even); Since the last edition of the Power Rankings, the Patriots have traded away Randy Moss and traded for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. The truth is, we still don’t know what to expect from the New England Patriots. They have showed glimpses of brilliance but we’ve also seen some serious signs of weakness in the defense. We’ll learn a lot about this team after its Week 6 playoff rematch against the Baltimore Ravens.

Week 6 NFL Power Rankings - 2010 | NE Patriots Draft
1-5: Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Falcons, Colts
6-10: Pats, Redskins, Saints, Chiefs, Bears
Pats: #6 (up 2)

WalterFootball.com: NFL Power Rankings, League Leaders, Top Performers, Defensive Rankings
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Packers, Texans
6-10: Jets, Falcons, Saints, Cowboys, Giants
Pats: #11 (down 2); As I say every week, I compile these NFL Power Rankings by going 1-32 and simply seeding the teams based on how good they are. I don't care about records. That's why the Chiefs are No. 20.

But if you want crappy NFL Power Rankings blindly based on records, go check out ESPN. I'm just trying to give a fair assessment of each team; not an analysis of what their records are.

NFL Power Rankings Week 6
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Falcons, Saints
6-10: Pats, Colts, Redskins, Giants, Chargers
Pats: #6 (up 1); Here we are once again with the Patriots: the talent matchup says one thing, but Brady and Belichick say another. New England doesn’t have the strength on either side of the ball to hold down Baltimore. But with two weeks to prepare and a load of us-against-the-world motivation after the Randy Moss deal you know that the Patriots will be sharp. The home team is 4-1 ATS in this series. But can all of this make up for the physical mismatch? The Patriots front seven is still feeble and is allowing opponents to convert 55 percent on third down. And despite what they say their passing game won’t be as effective without Moss.

NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Jets, Giants make moves with big victories
1-5: Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Falcons, Pats
6-10: Colts, Chiefs, Saints, Titans, Giants
Pats: #5; Ravens test them Sunday.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Week 7 - after the win over Baltimore and prior to Pats (4-1) at Chargers (2-4)

======================================================

NFL Power Rankings Week 7 - National Football League - ESPN
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Falcons, Titans, Texans, Eagles
Pats: #3 (up 2); Deion Branch looks as though he never left Tom Brady. It's a dangerous combo.
Chargers: #24; The Chargers rank well in a lot of departments -- except wins.

Power Rankings: How the voters voted - ESPN
Mike Sando, John Clayton and Paul Kuharsky rank the Pats #3; James Walker has the Pats #5 (with the Colts #3 and Saints #4). Clayton has the Jets #1 and Steelers #2; the three others have it Pittsburgh and then NYJ.

NFL Power Rankings - FOX Sports
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Saints, Colts
6-10: Ravens, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Texans
Pats: #3 (up 8); The one noticeable thing missing from New England's offense with Randy Moss out of the picture is the deep passing game. Tom Brady seemed to have plenty of time to throw the ball against the Ravens, but he couldn't find anyone consistently open down field. At some point, WR Brandon Tate is going to have to get more involved, but Deion Branch already is starting to prove his worth.
Chargers: #23; This season is really about unpredictability. Can anyone really explain why the Chargers are 2-4? Other than the special teams struggles, it's hard to pinpoint any one area that's bringing the team down. Philip Rivers is putting together an MVP type of season, but he can only do so much.

NFL Power Rankings: Digesting the Sanchez factor - NFL - CBSSports.com
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Colts, Giants
6-10: Ravens, Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Bears
Pats: #3 (up 2); They are a quiet 4-1, kind of flying under the radar. As long as Tom Brady is slinging it, they will be fine.
Chargers: #24; They are in survival mode, and here come the Patriots. Even worse, they might not have Antonio Gates. Philip Rivers is a one-man gang right now.

NFL Power Rankings for Week 7 has Jets rising to No. 2 - Don Banks - SI.com
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Colts, Saints
6-10: Ravens, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Titans
Pats: #3 (up 2); I think what T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch have taught us this year is this: If you're a big-time free-agent receiver, stay out of Seattle. Don't sign with the Seahawks. Their money might be greener, but the grass isn't. (And besides, their lawns are wet a lot of the time, because, you know, it rains pretty frequently).
Chargers: #24; The Patriots are the team the Chargers have been chasing in the AFC elite class since about 2004 or so, and now San Diego and New England meet again this week looking like clubs headed in opposite directions. It would be just like the unpredictable Norv-men to surprise us and whup up on the Patriots, but I don't see it happening.

Week Six power rankings | ProFootballTalk.com
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Saints, Colts
6-10: Ravens, Eagles, Titans, Giants, Falcons
Pats: #3 (up 2); We prefer that Tom Brady confine his trash talk to comments on grooming.
Chargers: #27; With the Patriots coming to town and Antonio Gates in a walking boot, Norv Turner could be inching toward getting the shoe.

AC 2010 NFL power rankings week 7 - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Eagles, Saints
6-10: Ravens, Colts, Giants, Texans, Titans
Pats: #3 (up 2); The Pats could get a top five pick in the 2011 NFL Draft thanks to Oakland. Honestly, how do they keep doing it?
Chargers: #23; It's shocking to me that the Chargers are 2-4. so much so that I'm picking them over New England. Perhaps I'm in denial.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 7: Jets Soar Back to Top -- NFL FanHouse
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Titans, Eagles, Giants, Falcons
Pats: #3 (up 1); So that 2011 first-round pick the Patriots acquired from Oakland in exchange for Richard Seymour? Imagine if New England uses it to take Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. A dominant RB is a definite missing piece for the Pats right now.
Chargers: #25; It's easy to write off a 2-4 start to San Diego's usual early-season struggles. But make no mistake -- this is a team with major issues all over the field. All those missing and departed players might be catching up with the Chargers.

NFL Power Poll: Steelers on the rise - NFL - Sporting News
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Colts, Ravens
6-10: Saints, Titans, Giants, Eagles, Texans
Pats: #3 (up 1); They adjust to personnel changes better than any other team. It still doesn't matter to whom Tom Brady is throwing.
Chargers: #18; Dare we say they are missing that spark again? And unlike previous years, they might not find it in time this season.

NFP Power Rankings | National Football Post
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Giants
6-10: Colts, Saints, Eagles, Dolphins, Texans
Pats: #3 (up 1); Randy Moss? The Patriots look like a more complete team without him.
Chargers: #24; Plenty of talent—but still no real results in San Diego.

 

[Ron Sellers]

It Is What It Is WEEI NFL Power Rankings: Week 7
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Eagles, Giants, Falcons, Dolphins
Pats: #3 (up 3); The Patriots defense was very impressive down the stretch in the fourth quarter and overtime. New England’s D was able to stop the Ravens on their final five drives. Bill Belichick said it was the best game his outside linebackers have played all year. Their win over the Ravens should definitely be a confidence booster going forward.
Chargers: #22; San Diego has now lost all four of its road games. The Chargers’ special teams unit has been awful all year and the injury to Antonio Gates makes matters worse. Historically known for their slow starts, this Chargers team looks a lot different than the past teams who eventually heated up towards the end of the year.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 7 | NE Patriots Draft
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Eagles, Giants, Falcons, Dolphins
Pats: #3 (up 3); Three teams with one loss top our Week 7 NFL Power Rankings – the Jets and Patriots had to work for their victories, while the Steelers dispatched the lowly Browns with relative ease. All that said, the AFC looks like the class of the NFL right now. Each of the NFC teams has at least two losses.
Chargers: #27

WalterFootball.com: NFL Power Rankings
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Jets, Saints
6-10: Giants, Pats, Packers, Eagles, Texans
Pats: #7 (up 4); On Sunday night, Tom Jackson said the following of the Patriots pertaining to the post-Randy Moss era: "This is how they won Super Bowls."
New England won its three Super Bowls without a star wideout, yes. But Jackson's only half right. Tom Brady was awesome during the Patriots' dynasty last decade without Moss, but he wouldn't have won any rings without a great defense supporting him. Savvy veterans like Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Ted Johnson, Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law really put that team over the top. Now, the Patriots can't even stop Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Chargers: #14

Doc Sports: NFL Power Rankings Week 7
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Saints, Pats
6-10: Colts, Giants, Falcons, Titans, Vikings
Pats: #5 (up 1); I’m telling you, this is too high to rank this team. But their only loss was on the road to the Jets – in a game they were leading – and they just topped the Ravens. This is essentially a franchise that I am trying to stay far, far away from betting on or against. I just don’t have a great feel for where they are at. I do know that I have predicted that their defense is going to collapse when it goes on the road. The Patriots allowed only 14 points in Miami, but they were actually outgained by 135 yards in that 27-point win. Three of the last four meetings with the Chargers have gone ‘under’. The Pats are 23-11-3 ATS as an underdog and 13-6-2 ATS as a road dog. But they have only been posted as an underdog five times in the last four years (57 games) and are just 2-3 ATS in those games.
Chargers: #15; This team has outgained its opponents by almost 1,100 yards through its six games this year. That is one of the highest totals in NFL history and, according to stats compiled at the New York Times football blog that makes the Chargers the “best” 2-4 team in NFL history. Smarter men than I have said it: Norv Turner is a disaster. Just like Marvin Lewis and Wade Phillips, Turner is a proven loser who can take one of the most talented rosters in football and turn them into mush. San Diego is 1-3 SU against the Patriots since 2007 and just 3-7 against them since 1994. The home team has won three straight in this series, but I just don’t know how anyone could have any confidence with this team.

NY Daily News NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Subway Super Bowl? Jets and Giants playing like it could happen
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Titans, Giants, Eagles, Dolphins
Pats: #3 (up 2); Vindication for Belichick against Ravens.
Chargers: #25; Cowboys of the AFC,

NFL Power Rankings Week 7 - Jeff Howe - NESN.com
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Colts, Pats, Ravens
6-10: Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Redskins
Pats: #4 (up 2); After losing to the Jets and outlasting the Bills in a shootout, it would have been relatively unfathomable to think of the Patriots as a top-four team. And due to youth, the Pats still have room for growth.
Chargers: #22; The Chargers are ranked first in total offense and first in total defense, but they’re just 2-4 with losses to the likes of the Seahawks, Rams and Raiders.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Week 8 - after the win at San Diego and prior to Pats (5-1) vs Vikings.

The only head-scratcher is SI's Don Banks dropping the Pats one spot.

====================================================

NFL Power Rankings Week 8 - National Football League - ESPN
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Falcons
6-10: Colts, Titans, Texans, Giants, Packers
Pats: #3 (same); The Patriots are quietly moving toward division title without Randy Moss, who visits Sunday.
Vikings: #19 (down 2); QB Brett Favre is hurting this team on and off the field.

Power Rankings: How the voters voted - NFC West Blog - ESPN
All four espn voters ranked the pats third. Mike Sando, Paul Kuharsky and James Walker all ranked Pittsburgh #1; John Clayton ranked the Jets #1.

NFL Power Rankings - Top 32 NFL Football Teams - FOX Sports on MSN
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Giants
6-10: Colts, Titans, Falcons, Texans, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); Very quietly, the Patriots are playing very good football. They simply are not beating themselves. Despite having the 25th-ranked offense and the 30th-ranked defense, New England is still able to win consistently.
Vikings: #21 (up 1); Oh boy, just what they didn't need: another Brett Favre issue. But this one is just injury related. It's going to be very difficult for him to play on two fractures in his ankle, so it wouldn't be surprising to see this team continue to struggle offensively. And it's almost hard to believe the defense has recorded just six sacks this season.

NFL Power Rankings: Jerry's got a big mess in Big D - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Colts, Giants
6-10: Ravens, Falcons, Titans, Saints, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); They get the Randy Moss homecoming game this week. Please, Bill. If it's close, no more fourth-and-jackass plays. They are a quiet 5-1.
Vikings: #19; They face a potential survival game at New England. Brett Favre has to quit turning the ball over if they are to become playoff good, which I doubt.

NFL Power Rankings for Week 8 has Giants rising to No. 3 - Don Banks - SI.com
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Giants, Pats, Colts
6-10: Titans, Ravens, Falcons, Texans, Eagles
Pats: #4 (down 1); At 2-1 on the road, the Patriots have already matched their 2009 win total away from Foxboro. At home in the regular season, New England hasn't lost in nearly two years (12 wins in a row), since a Week 13 meltdown against the eventual Super Bowl champion Steelers in 2008. And by all appearances, the Pats are catching the Vikings at a very vulnerable time. Either they're going to get a banged up and turnover-plagued Brett Favre, or a very rusty Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback.
Vikings: #21 (same); Here's what no one seems to be talking about regarding Brett Favre's ankle: How is it No. 4 was able to do his running and jumping crazy-man celebration thing after he thought he threw that game-winning touchdown pass to Percy Harvin in the final seconds, but then he could barely walk up the tunnel moments later? Just sayin'.

Week Seven Power Rankings | ProFootballTalk.com
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Titans, Colts
6-10: Giants, Ravens, Falcons, Texans, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); The Pats tried to blow it against a Chargers team that hasn't quite figured out how to win football games, but in this craziest of crazy NFL seasons a win is a win and the Pats have won five of six.
Vikings: #19 (down 4); They outplayed the Packers on Sunday night. But the combination of an avoidable loss and an increasingly banged-up Brett Favre puts this team on a collision course with irrelevance.

AC 2010 NFL power rankings week 8 - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Titans, Ravens
6-10: Giants, Falcons, Colts, Texans, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); New England is doing it again, and you just know the Pats aren't going anywhere.
Vikings: #24 (down 5); This Brett Favre thing has gone from kind of funny to really sad. The Vikes need to save their season by telling the old man to have a seat.

NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Situation Remains Stable at the Top -- NFL FanHouse
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Titans, Giants, Falcons, Texans, Redskins
Pats: #3 (same); It's starting to feel like you could send Tom Brady out with offensive skill players he met five minutes before kickoff, and he'd still put up more than 300 total yards and win the game. Does that say more about Brady or the general state of the league? The answer really doesn't matter to New England, as long as the Pats keep on winning.
Vikings: #22 (down 3); Brett Favre's ankle fractures are just the latest drama for a team that's made plenty of headlines but seems to be really good at coming up short on Sundays. If the Vikings can't beat the Patriots, it might be time to consider benching Favre, whether he wants to play or not.

NFL Power Poll: More than Chris - NFL - Sporting News
1-5: Jets, Steelers, Pats, Colts, Titans
6-10: Giants, Ravens, Packers, Falcons, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); Just how long can their young defense hold up as they are narrowly escaping with victories?
Vikings: #17 (down 1); They should beware that creepy old man who's just lost it. Unfortunately, he plays quarterback for them.

NFP Power Rankings | National Football Post
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Giants, Ravens
6-10: Colts, Titans, Texans, Packers, Falcons
Pats: #3 (same); That 17-play drive to start the second half out in San Diego is a good sign of what to expect from Brady and the Pats moving forward.
Vikings: #19 (down 2); Favre’s ankle is just one of the issues for Brad Childress and the Vikings.

 

[Ron Sellers]

It Is What It Is -- WEEI NFL Power Rankings: Week 8
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Giants, Titans, Falcons, Dolphins, Packers
Pats: #3 (same); This team has been criticized for its poor play on the road and in the second half in the past. On Sunday, however, the Patriots stepped up their game and managed to win on the road. After struggling mightily on offense in the first half, Tom Brady led a 76-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter that took over eight minutes off the clock. Bill Belichick’s young defense is making noteworthy progress and has become fun to watch.
Vikings: #16 (down 2); It’s tough to understand why Brad Childress decided to publicly criticize his starting quarterback. That decision can only hurt and distract his team. The Vikings have a very important decision to make on whether to stick with their beaten-up 41-year-old QB.

2010 NFL Power Rankings - Week 8 | NE Patriots Draft
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Falcons, Titans, Giants, Chiefs, Redskins
Pats: #3 (same), Vikings #23 (down 7); There definitely seems to be a dropoff in consistency following the top three teams in our NFL Power Rankings for Week 8. Each of the rest of the teams in the Top 10 have definitely put up some bad games. Baltimore was the latest example, laying an egg against Buffalo. They escaped with a victory, but their defense was exposed at times.

WalterFootball.com: NFL Power Rankings
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Jets, Giants
6-10: Packers, Pats, Titans, Eagles, Texans
Pats: #7 (same); Does anyone else think these 5-1 Patriots are a bit of a fraud? They managed fewer than 190 net yards against the Chargers and really struggled to move the ball throughout the afternoon. Most of their points came off careless San Diego turnovers. Maybe this Randy Moss trade wasn't such a good idea.
Speaking of which, here's an interesting e-mail from John D:
How about that Moss trade? I’ve come to the conclusion that Bill Belichick is really just interested in draft picks - not using them - just collecting them.
I like where John is going with this. I could see Belichick sitting in a dark room at night and muttering to himself, "Draft picks... draft picks... my precious...
Vikings: #16 (down 1)

Doc Sports: NFL Power Rankings Week 8
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Pats, Colts
6-10: Giants, Falcons, Titans, Redskins, Saints
Pats: #4 (up 1); This is one of the weakest No. 4 teams that I can remember in the five year’s that I’ve been doing these power rankings. New England is of decent quality but, realistically, this team isn’t that good because its defense is still atrocious. They are ranked No. 29 overall and are No. 30 against the pass. It will be very interesting to see how they scheme Randy Moss this week in his return to Foxboro. And it will be just as interesting to see if Moss even cares about playing since he left a now 5-1 team to toil for a now 1-5 club. New England has covered its last seven games as a favorite of less than 10 points and the Patriots are a stunning 18-2 ATS against a team off a divisional loss.
Vikings: #15 (down 5); I will be surprised if Brett Favre doesn’t start this week, but we’re definitely past the point of wondering if he should be, healthy or not. I think they 100 percent would be better off without his negative karma and the entire sideshow that comes along with it. Cut him loose and take a shot at salvaging the season. I also have to wonder just how much emotion this team has left in the tank. Two weeks ago it was a virtual playoff game with Dallas. Last week it was the rivalry game in Green Bay. Now they have the Randy Moss Revenge Tour to New England. This team has been shackled with just a brutal schedule so they are clearly much better than their record suggests. The Vikings are 10-3 ATS after a loss but just 1-6 ATS on the road.

Rank 'em! NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Jets still at No. 2, Giants are best team in NFC
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Titans, Ravens
6-10: Colts, Giants, Falcons, Texans, Chiefs
Pats: #3 (same); Bill Belichick got away with one.
Vikings: #20 (same); Favre needs to be put out of misery.

NFL Power Rankings Week 8 - Photo 30 of 32 - NESN.com
1-5: Steelers, Jets, Pats, Colts, Ravens
6-10: Falcons, Titans, Giants, Redskins, Packers
Pats: #3 (up 1); Randy Moss was good friends with a number of Patriots defensive backs, and he’ll really want to beat them up Sunday at Gillette Stadium. This is another good test for New England’s young group.
Vikings: #19

 

[Ron Sellers]

Week 9 - after the win vs Minnesota and prior to 6-1 Pats at 2-5 Browns.

==================================================

NFL Power Rankings Week 9 - National Football League - ESPN
1-5: Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Colts
6-10: Falcons, Giants, Packers, Titans, Saints
Pats: #1 (up 2); A favorable second-half schedule could set up the Patriots for a 12- or 13-win season.
Browns: #26 (up 2); Coming off the bye, can Eric Mangini beat his former mentor, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots?

Power Rankings: How the voters voted - NFC West Blog - ESPN
All four voters rank the Pats first, Ravens 2nd and Steelers 3rd.


NFL Power Rankings - Top 32 NFL Football Teams - FOX Sports on MSN

The reason why I had the Steelers as the top team last week was because they appeared to have the least amount of issues, but with DEs Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel out, New England might be the team with lesser problems. That's really what the league is about at this time of the season. The team with the fewest injury and personnel issues probably is going to be on top.

Could we be headed for a repeat of Super Bowl XLII? It sure seems that way at this point. The Giants are clearly the NFC's best team right now. But could there be that one surprise team that rises up that no one is talking about?

1-5: Pats, Giants, Colts, Jets, Ravens
6-10: Steelers, Falcons, Chiefs, Saints, Titans
Pats: #1 (up 2); Well, they continue to win, but aren't exactly pretty while doing it. But who cares, right? New England's young defense is steadily getting better while the offense is starting to find its way. Some might say they aren't as good as their record indicates, but this team is one of the few that does not have a lot of weaknesses.
Browns: #24 (even); It will be interesting to see what the team does with the quarterback position going forward. Colt McCoy showed enough before the bye to warrant at least a few more starts, but the best test of the season for their offense will come against the improving New England defense on Sunday.


Power Rankings: Brady, Belichick keep Pats steaming along - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

So who's the best team halfway through the season? None other than the New England Patriots, the supposed "other" team in the AFC East this season. While nearly everyone was raving about the New York Jets this summer, fawning over their cursing head coach and the fun they had, many seemed to forget the most important part of football:
It's all about coach and quarterback.

The Patriots have both, two future Hall of Fame men who are second to none as a combination in the NFL right now, and arguably one of the great combos ever.

It's Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, two men bound forever by their genius and by their successes.

Did you really think they weren't going to be in the playoff mix this season?

The Jets were shut out by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and later that afternoon the Patriots beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-18. After Pittsburgh lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night, there was one team left with just one loss: the Patriots.

At 6-1, they move to the top of the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. The scary thing for the rest of the league is they are getting better. A roster full of young contributors still hasn't played its best football.

1-5: Pats, Colts, Giants, Ravens, Falcons
6-10: Jets, Steelers, Saints, Bucs, Chiefs
Pats: #1 (up 2); They've quietly put together a five-game winning streak. They are the chased now in the division and in the conference.
Browns: #28 (down 1); They come off their bye on a one-game winning streak. The rest of this season should be used to see if Colt McCoy is the quarterback of the future.


NFL Power Rankings for*Week 9 has Patriots rising to No. 1 - Don Banks - SI.com

As it turns out, there is an emerging elite class in the NFL this season after all. A quick check of our Week 9 power rankings reveals the following top four teams as November dawns: New England, Pittsburgh, the Giants, and Indianapolis. Pretty familiar territory for that foursome, wouldn't you say? The Patriots, Steelers, Giants and Colts have combined to win six of the past seven Super Bowls and comprise eight of the 14 Super Bowl appearance in that seven-year span. If there is an aristocracy in the NFL, those clubs would make the shortlist.

1-5: Pats, Steelers, Giants, Colts, Ravens
6-10: Jets, Falcons, Saints, Chiefs, Titans
Pats: #1 (up 3); How is it that the Patriots, with all their youth-related defensive issues and lack of big-name offensive weapons, are the only remaining one-loss team this season? It's another reminder of the edge that superior coaching supplies in the NFL. You can't overstate what Bill Belichick's work has meant thus far this year in New England. But as the Pats visit Cleveland this week, why aren't we hearing anything about Belichick's return to the city that once spurned him or about the latest chapter in his feud with Browns coach Eric Mangini?
Browns: #25 (up 1); Did Browns president Mike Holmgren really feel the need to point out that head coach Eric Mangini has final say over who starts at quarterback for the rest of the year: rookie Colt McCoy or veterans Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace? Isn't that the way it's always supposed to work? Otherwise you have a head coach who doubles as a hand puppet.


Week Eight power rankings | ProFootballTalk.com
1-5: Pats, Ravens, Colts, Giants, Jets
6-10: Steelers, Falcons, Chiefs, Packers, Saints
Pats: #1 (up 2); As if being the only 6-1 team in the league weren't enough, coach Bill Belichick gets bonus points for pulling off the ultimate con on the Vikings.
Browns: #21 (even); With games against the Pats and Jets on tap, that 2-5 quickly could become 2-7.


AC 2010 NFL power rankings week 9 - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
1-5: Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, Colts, Giants
6-10: Jets, Falcons, Packers, Saints, Titans
Pats: #1 (up 2); New England at the top of NFL power rankings? Second decade of this century, same as the first.
Browns: #24; Time to stop celebrating that big win against the Saints, as the Browns get the 6-1 Pats this Sunday.


NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Cowboys Bottom Out -- NFL FanHouse
1-5: Pats, Colts, Ravens, Giants, Steelers
6-10: Falcons, Packers, Jets, Saints, Dolphins
Pats #1 (up 2); Look out, NFL. The Patriots have put together the rag-tag collection of talent that Bill Belichick works best with, and Tom Brady -- with his Tim Lincecum tribute haircut -- is locked in one of those cool and breezy zones.
Browns: #23 (even); Cleveland's not going to challenge Pittsburgh or Baltimore this season, but it'll be interesting to see how the Browns come out of their bye after a win in New Orleans. There's a chance to show some real, legitimate progress here.


NFL Power Poll: Most Valuable Brady - NFL - Sporting News

They're back. The Patriots, with three Super Bowl rings, were the NFL team of the decade for the 2000s. Now they're staking their claim early in the '10s, as the only team with only one loss after eight weeks.

"We're winning tough games, and I think that's what it takes," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told reporters after beating the Vikings, 28-18 on Sunday. "Coach (Bill) Belichick stands up here and talks to us, and that's what he really preaches.

"I think it's nice when we can go out on the field and execute it."

Speaking of Brady, he deserves strong MVP consideration for leading a young, injury-riddled, ever-changing offense to the top of the league in points scored.

1-5: Pats, Jets, Steelers, Colts, Packers
6-10: Titans, Giants, Ravens, Chiefs, Saints
Pats: #1 (up 2); Brady has a modest 12 touchdowns to only four interceptions, but he's posted his best passer rating (96.6) since '07.
Browns: #29 (down 3); If this team only had 52 more Peyton Hillis-es.


NFP Power Rankings | National Football Post
1-5: Pats, Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Jets, Saints, Packers, Dolphins, Falcons
Pats: #1 (up 2); The Pats closed out the Vikings with a 13-play drive in the 4th quarter—a that style sells in the NFL.
Browns: #27 (down 1); Time to turn this offense over to rookie QB Colt McCoy for good.

 

[Ron Sellers]

It Is What It Is -- WEEI NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

A new team reigns supreme in this week’s edition of the WEEI.com NFL Power Rankings. Riding a five-game winning streak and holding sole possession of the best record in football, Tom Brady and the Patriots climb to No. 1 in the rankings.

The AFC still dominates at the top of the rankings. The Steelers, Ravens, Colts and Jets round out the Fantastic Five.

After another bizarre week in the NFL in which we saw the Jets held scoreless at home, Donovan McNabb benched in favor of Rex Grossman to run the two-minute drill and Brett Favre taken off the field in a cart, nothing seems more peculiar than the news of Randy Moss being waived by the Vikings. Following the Vikings’ loss and the sense that head coach Brad Childress has lost all respect in his team’s locker room, Minnesota plunges to No. 19.

Two other notable teams that started the season ranked high are currently in the bottom of the barrel, with the Dallas Cowboys (No. 30) and the Cincinnati Bengals (No. 24) scraping new lows.

1-5: Pats, Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Jets
6-10: Giants, Falcons, Saints, Packers, Dolphins
Pats: #1 (up 2); The news for the Patriots got even better this week with reports emerging that Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins will return to the team on Tuesday. The Patriots are looking more and more like the team we saw dominate the past decade. They’re an extremely disciplined team that doesn’t commit many penalties and rarely turns the ball over. They rank at the top of the league in both of those categories. Bill Belichick’s young defense seems to be improving and gaining confidence each week. Jerod Mayo leads the league with 86 tackles.
Browns: #25 (up 2); Coming off a bye week and a huge win in New Orleans against the defending champs, the Cleveland Browns will be well rested and prepared to take on the Patriots. Let’s see if their defense can build off a solid performance against the Saints and confuse Tom Brady like they did Drew Brees.


2010 NFL Power Rankings - Week 9 | NE Patriots Draft
1-5: Pats, Steelers, Jets, Ravens, Colts
6-10: Saints, Packers, Giants, Falcons, Chiefs
Pats: #1 (up 2); Browns #27
As Coach Belichick and others have always stated, “You are who your records says you are.” While the Patriots have been anything but dominant, their 6-1 record has done enough to warrant the top spot in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 9.


Walter Football: NFL Power Rankings
1-5: Steelers, Colts, Ravens, Pats, Giants
6-10: Packers, Jets, Saints, Titans, Eagles
Pats: #4 (up 3); Wow. Like everyone else, I was shocked that the Vikings waived Randy Moss on Monday afternoon. I didn't like the Moss trade for Minnesota in the first place, but releasing him just shows how much of a reh-TARD Brad Childress is. Oh, and Bill Belichick is a genius in case there was still some doubt.
Browns: #25 (even)


Doc Sports: NFL Power Rankings Week 9
1-5: Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Pats, Colts
6-10: Giants, Falcons, Saints, Packers, Titans
Pats: #4 (even); What was most striking about New England’s win last week is that it looks like the Patriots defense is growing up before our eyes. They are still ranked No. 28 in the league and No. 31 against the pass. But they have surrendered an average of just 18 points in the last four weeks, against quality opponents, after allowing an average of 27.3 points per game in their first three games. The Patriots are an exceptional 19-9 ATS as a road favorite and they have covered their last four meetings against the Browns.
Browns: #21; I think that Eric Mangini should give Bill Belichick the dead fish handshake after this Sunday’s game. In the first win that Mangini ever orchestrated over the Patriots he had an extra week to prepare. The two haven’t squared off since 2008 and Mangini was just 2-5 against his mentor. It appears that Seneca Wallace’s ankle has healed and that he may be the starter this week for the Browns. I know he is more seasoned and probably the better immediate option, but I think the Browns would be wise to see what they have with Colt McCoy. The home team is 4-1-1 ATS in this series.


Rank 'em! NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Jets drop after ugly loss to Packers, Giants gaining ground | NY Daily News

A week ago Rex Ryan and the Jets looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Then came Sunday and a shutout loss to the Packers at the Meadowlands. The defense still looks Super, but Mark Sanchez and the offense brought back all the question marks we had after the dismal performance against the Ravens in Week 1.

1-5: Pats, Steelers, Colts, Giants, Ravens
6-10: Jets, Falcons, Saints, Chiefs, Titans
Pats: #1 (up 2); Tom Brady hasn't lost a regular season home game since 2006.
Browns: #25 (even); QB controversy brewing for Mangini.


Patriots Take Over No. 1 Spot in NFL Week 9 Power Rankings, Remain Only One-Loss Team in League - Power Rankings - NESN.com

There's a new No. 1 team in the power rankings for the third consecutive week, but the Patriots have plenty of competition running up behind them. There are eight teams with two losses, and five of them reside in the AFC.

With two months in the books, things are definitely starting to take shape, but there are still a whole ton of unknowns. Have the teams in the top five or six really separated themselves from the rest of the pack? Are the Chiefs and Buccaneers actually legitimate? Can the Rams or Raiders (both of whom are 4-4) make a charge? And which middle-of-the-road team will really emerge in the second half?

NFL Week 9 Power Rankings - Photo 1 of 32 - NESN.com
1-5: Pats, Steelers, Jets, Colts, Ravens
6-10: Saints, Falcons, Giants, Packers, Titans
Pats: #1 (up 2); Devin McCourty is already one of the four best cornerbacks in the AFC East, behind Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie from the Jets, and Vontae Davis from the Dolphins.
Browns: #25; Three of Cleveland’s losses have been by one possession, and it sounds like quarterback Seneca Wallace will be healthy enough to play Sunday against the Patriots. Plus, with the bye week to prepare, head coach Eric Mangini will have something special in store for Bill Belichick. Sunday’s game might be a little more dangerous for the Patriots than you might think.