Some terrific games this week, and the Sweet 16 is starting to come more into focus.
1. Houston (--) - So far, the best team in football.
2. Atlanta (--) - Sure, it took a miracle play by Ryan and Roddy White, but hey, way to go.
3. San Francisco (+1) - Utterly dominating performance against the J-E-T-S.
4. New England (+2) - Now *that* was an impressive second half vs. Buffalo.
5. Green Bay (--) - Leapfrogged by the Pats despite a win.
6. Baltimore (+1) - Defense is actually more suspect than I thought it would be.
7. Arizona (+1) - Still undefeated after a great comeback win vs. Miami.
8. Philadelphia (+2) - Hung on for dear life against the Giants, but sitting at 3-1 atop the NFC East.
9. NY Giants (-6) - Hate to move them down this far, but I have to.
10. Chicago (+3) - Punished the Cowboys. I have no faith in their consistency, however.
11. Minnesota (+3) - At 3-1, one of the biggest surprises of the season.
12. Cincinnati (--) - Also at 3-1, winners of three in a row.
13. San Diego (N/A) - Back in the Sweet 16 after falling out last week. We'll see if they're here to stay.
14. Denver (N/A) - Huge game against the Patriots this week. Manning vs. Brady.
15. Buffalo (-6) - Huge drop for the Bills, who had a legit shot to beat the Patriots after going up 21-7. Gotta finish that game.
16. St. Louis (N/A) - Nice win this week puts them in the Sweet 16 for the first time.
Moving Up: SF, NE, Bal, Ari, Phi, Chi, Min
Moving Down: NYG, Buf
Moving In: SD, Den, StL
Moving Out: Dal, Sea, NYJ
MVP at the Quarter Pole: Matt Ryan, Atl
Defensive Player of the Year at the Quarter Pole: J.J. Watt, Hou
Rookie of the Year at the Quarter Pole: Chandler Jones, NE
Surprise Success Team at the Quarter Pole: Ari (runner up: Min)
Surprise Disappointing Team at the Quarter Pole: NO (runner up: Det)
Best Division at the Quarter Pole: NFC North
Worst Division at the Quarter Pole: NFC South
Predicted #1 Seeds at the Quarter Pole: Houston, Atlanta
1. Houston (--) - So far, the best team in football.
2. Atlanta (--) - Sure, it took a miracle play by Ryan and Roddy White, but hey, way to go.
3. San Francisco (+1) - Utterly dominating performance against the J-E-T-S.
4. New England (+2) - Now *that* was an impressive second half vs. Buffalo.
5. Green Bay (--) - Leapfrogged by the Pats despite a win.
6. Baltimore (+1) - Defense is actually more suspect than I thought it would be.
7. Arizona (+1) - Still undefeated after a great comeback win vs. Miami.
8. Philadelphia (+2) - Hung on for dear life against the Giants, but sitting at 3-1 atop the NFC East.
9. NY Giants (-6) - Hate to move them down this far, but I have to.
10. Chicago (+3) - Punished the Cowboys. I have no faith in their consistency, however.
11. Minnesota (+3) - At 3-1, one of the biggest surprises of the season.
12. Cincinnati (--) - Also at 3-1, winners of three in a row.
13. San Diego (N/A) - Back in the Sweet 16 after falling out last week. We'll see if they're here to stay.
14. Denver (N/A) - Huge game against the Patriots this week. Manning vs. Brady.
15. Buffalo (-6) - Huge drop for the Bills, who had a legit shot to beat the Patriots after going up 21-7. Gotta finish that game.
16. St. Louis (N/A) - Nice win this week puts them in the Sweet 16 for the first time.
Moving Up: SF, NE, Bal, Ari, Phi, Chi, Min
Moving Down: NYG, Buf
Moving In: SD, Den, StL
Moving Out: Dal, Sea, NYJ
MVP at the Quarter Pole: Matt Ryan, Atl
Defensive Player of the Year at the Quarter Pole: J.J. Watt, Hou
Rookie of the Year at the Quarter Pole: Chandler Jones, NE
Surprise Success Team at the Quarter Pole: Ari (runner up: Min)
Surprise Disappointing Team at the Quarter Pole: NO (runner up: Det)
Best Division at the Quarter Pole: NFC North
Worst Division at the Quarter Pole: NFC South
Predicted #1 Seeds at the Quarter Pole: Houston, Atlanta