*Previous rank in parenthesis
32. Indianapolis Colts (32) - The Colts let slip their best opportunity for a win this past week, dropping their home game to the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-3. 0-16 is a distinct possibility, as their most winnable remaining games are after their bye this week at home against 2-7 Carolina, and a week 17 road game against the aforementioned Jaguars.
31. St. Louis Rams (31) - The Rams walked away with a road win against Cleveland thanks to a botched snap on a 22 yard field goal by Phil Dawson that would've given the Browns a 15-13 lead with just over two minutes to play. The Rams struggles this year are largely due to their #32 ranked run defense (150.6 yards/game), and their lack of big plays in the passing game.
30. Cleveland Browns (24) - There are other teams with a worse record, but few are currently playing as poorly as the Browns. The missed field goal against the Rams is just a microcosm of their season: close, but not good enough. Their wins this year are home games against Seattle (6-3) and Miami (17-16), as well as a road win over Indianapolis (27-19). Head coach Pat Shurmur has a lot of work to do.
29. Minnesota Vikings (26) - There's no shame in losing to Green Bay, but the way they lost at Lambeau was definitely a blow to the confidence of a team that had played better since Christian Ponder's insertion to the starting lineup. The good news is they don't have to play the Packers again this season.
28. Carolina Panthers (25) - The Panthers had been competitive the entire season, but a 30-3 schellacking by the Tennessee Titans following their bye had to be deflating. Cam Newton is going to be a good quarterback, but without a solid run game, he'll have to single-handedly carry this team to wins.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (28) - Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars defense are the only things keeping this team from joining the Colts at the cellar of my power rankings. Their offensive numbers have been putrid (31st in scoring, 32nd in total offense and passing offense), but Gabbert has done a reasonably good job of keeping mistakes to a minimum. Given time (and a stud receiver in the 2012 Draft), the Jags will be a good team. For now, they're too inconsistent on offense to be any higher.
26. Washington Redskins (23) - Mike Shanahan's running back-by-committee now has turned into a quarterback-by-committee as well, as Grossman got the start over John Beck in their 20-9 loss to Miami. This old adage seems to ring true: "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none".
25. Miami Dolphins (29) - The Dolphins have won two in a row, and are looking better with Matt Moore under center. Despite going 2-3 in Moore's first five starts, they've only been beaten soundly once (a road game against the Jets). Moore isn't the long-term solution at quarterback, but the Dolphins are now seemingly back on track.
24. Arizona Cardinals (30) - Their 21-17 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia this week was nothing short of shocking. With backup John Skelton getting the starting nod in place of Kevin Kolb, many (including myself) believed that Philadelphia would overwhelm the Cardinals. Skelton displayed good poise and decision-making (outside of his interception by Asante Samuel that was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter).
23. Seattle Seahawks (27) - The Seahawks took down the Ravens 22-17 in Seattle, and Marshawn Lynch carried them this week, amassing 107 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown, while also catching five balls for 58 yards. Thats two straight weeks Lynch has run for over 100 yards, and if Seattle can keep this balance on offense, this team could avoid a ten loss season.
22. Tampa Bay Bucs (18) - The Bucs got absolutely trounced at home against the Texans this past Sunday, 37-9. The fact is that both Josh Freeman and Mike Williams have taken a step back this season, and the relative lack of health of their running backs have made it a disappointing season for Tampa.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (16) - Speaking of disappointing, has there been any team that has failed to live up to their talent as much as this Eagles team? Its still hard to fathom, but anything short of running the table and this team will not be in the playoffs. I'm starting to wonder if Andy Reid's job will be safe at season's end.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (21) - The Chiefs lost at home to the Broncos despite allowing Tim Tebow to only complete 2-8 passes. Matt Cassel struggled, and now may be out for the season with injury, and they've played mediocre football on both sides of the ball (28th in total offense, 22nd in total defense).
19. Denver Broncos (20) - Say what you want about Tim Tebow, but the team is 3-1 in his starts this season. The offense is now being geared more towards Tebow's strength, so much so that the quarterback only completed two of his eight passes, but did throw a beatiful touchdown pass to WR Eric Decker off of play-action. A stiff test awaits them this week in a Thursday night game at the New Meadowlands in the Jets.
18. Buffalo Bills (14) - As sad as it is for me to say, the Bills have seemed to regress the past couple of weeks, losing to the Jets and Cowboys by a combined 71-18. The offense has stagnated, particularly through the air, as Ryan Fitzpatrick has combined to throw just two touchdowns to five interceptions in the past two games. With both starting C Eric Wood and DT Kyle Williams now on injured reserve, the Bills face an uphill climb to reach the postseason after such a promising start to the season.
17. San Diego Chargers (15) - In a game that could've put the Chargers in the drivers' seat of the AFC West, they let the Raiders out-muscle them this past Thursday night, falling 24-17. Philip Rivers now has 19 turnovers through nine games, and one has to wonder if we're seeing the last seven games of Norv Turner's coaching tenure in San Diego.
16. Tennessee Titans (19) - Tennessee looked good against Carolina, and Chris Johnson finally posted his first 100 yard game of the season, looking more like the back of 2009 and 2010. Cortland Finnegan did a great job on WR Steve Smith, allowing the explosive wideout only 5 catches for 33 yards and no touchdowns.
15. Oakland Raiders (20) - A big win over the Chargers has the Raiders now a game up with the tie-breaker in the AFC West. Once Darren McFadden returns from injury, this team will have a good chance of locking up the division and hosting a playoff game come January, something the late Al Davis would be proud of.
14. New York Jets (9) - Their 37-16 home loss was embarrassing to a team that seemed to be headed in the right direction. Mark Sanchez struggled, throwing two costly interceptions, and the Tom-Brady to Rob Gronkowski combination is quickly becoming one of the best QB-TE combinations in the league, ranking right up there with Brees-Graham.
13. Atlanta Falcons (13) - Mike Smith's decision to try and convert a fourth and inches inside their own 30 yard line in overtime was fool-hardy, as Michael Turner was stuffed, and three plays later, John Kasay kicked a game winning 38 yard field goal. Julio Jones will likely return to action this week after re-aggravating a hamstring injury before the Saints game.
12. Dallas Cowboys (17) - They thoroughly beat the Bills 44-7 at Cowboys Stadium, and that was without WR Miles Austin (hamstring). DeMarco Murray again proved himself as the best RB option for Dallas, as Felix Jones will probably be relegated to a third-down back role when he returns from injury. If Tony Romo can play like he did against the Bills (23-26, 270 yards, 3 TD), then this team can be a threat should they make the playoffs.
11. Detroit Lions (4) - The Lions absolutely got clobbered by Chicago 37-13. The lack of balance I talked about in last week's power rankings was never more evident than in this game, as Matthew Stafford threw the ball 62 times. If this team can't get more production out of their running game, then there stands a very good chance that Detroit might miss the postseason.
10. Baltimore Ravens (4) - I'm not exactly sure what Cam Cameron was thinking with the play-calling in their loss to Seattle. 53 passes to just 13 runs makes no sense for a team that's best suited to run the ball with Ray Rice. While Joe Flacco can have good games through the air, the Ravens bread-and-butter is the running game. Inconsistency is why they're at #10, as they've lost to both the Jaguars and Seahawks, who are each 3-6 on the season.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (6) - Little shame for the Bengals in their loss to the Steelers, as this team has a very bright future. The loss of Leon Hall (torn ACL) will hurt them down the stretch, but this team still has a ferocious defense, an improving offensive line, and receiving weapons for QB Andy Dalton.
8. New Orleans Saints (10) - The Saints blew a late 14-point, 4th quarter lead against the Falcons, but capitalized on Falcons head coach Mike Smith's horrendous decision try and convert fourth and inches from inside their own 30 in overtime. I'm still concerned about their defense against good running teams, as their rush defense is still near the bottom of the league (11 20+ yard runs allowed, 121.5 yards/game, 5.2 yards/rush).
7. New York Giants (4) - The G-Men gave the 49ers all they could handle this past week in San Francisco before losing 24-17. The return of Ahmad Bradshaw from injury will help this team, and they are a team that is built for the postseason, so long as they can stay healthy.
6. Houston Texans (5) - With QB Matt Schaub potentially out for the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc fracture, the team will have to turn to backup Matt Leinart. The former Heisman Trophy winner will have an opportunity to play for a team that features one of the best offensive lines in the league, and will benefit from the teams #3 ranked running attack (158.1 yards/game). With Andre Johnson set to return from injury following their bye, Leinart will be asked to just keep mistakes to a minimum and allow the run game, as well as the #1 ranked total defense in the NFL, do their jobs.
5. Chicago Bears (11) - The Bears absolutely dismantled the Lions this past week, shoring up their run defense and harrassing QB Matt Stafford all game, forcing 4 interceptions. The return of Earl Bennett has been huge for Jay Cutler, and with a great all-around running back in Matt Forte and a defense that's now playing its best football, this team looks like a solid bet to make the playoffs.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8) - A 24-17 win against the Bengals means a lot more than it used to, as Cincinnati is no longer a cakewalk for any team (ask my Bills about that). My number one concern about the Steelers is their inability to consistently establish the run (17th), but with a solid defense and great receiving corps (Wallace, Brown, Ward, Miller), this team has the talent to make a playoff run.
3. New England Patriots (12) - Talk of the Patriots demise was proven premature this past Sunday, as the much-maligned Patriots defense forced two Mark Sanchez interceptions and kept the Jets run game in check, while Tom Brady picked apart the Jets en route to a 37-16 road win. Rob Gronkowski is a lock for the Pro Bowl, and along with Saints TE Jimmy Graham, is one of the frontrunners for first team All-Pro at season's end.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2) - In what may have been the 49ers most impressive win of the season, they were again stellar on defense, and Alex Smith did enough through the air (19-30, 242 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) to take down a very hot Giants team. Any doubt that this team is for real should now be put to rest, as they've beat the Bengals (6-3), Eagles, Lions (6-3) and Giants (6-3) this season.
1. Green Bay Packers (1) - A fixture in the top spot of my power rankings all year, the Packers did nothing to lose their grip on that spot with a 45-7 crushing of the Vikings. They were able to keep Adrian Peterson in check (51 yards on 14 carries, 1 TD), and harrassed Christian Ponder the entire game (16-34, 190 yards, 1 INT, 3 sacks).
Biggest Jump: New England Patriots (9 spots)
Biggest Drop: Detroit Lions (7 spots)
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