Ron Glover’s NFL Power Rankings: Week 11
After Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, the inevitable question has surfaced; Can the Tennessee Titans run the table? Five of their next seven opponents are teams still in the playoff hunt, we’ll find out beginning Sunday in Jacksonville.
At any rate, it will be a tough stretch for Jeff Fisher’s bunch.
1. Tennessee Titans 9-0 (1): With seven games left, the Titans look to strut their stuff. With a predatory defense, the Titans will now be one of the hunted.
2. New York Giants 8-1 (2): The G-Men went into Philly last week and did basically whatever they wanted, when they wanted. Most 8-1 teams can.
3. Carolina Panthers 7-2 (4): The Panthers are in a great spot this week but their credibility will be tested in the upcoming weeks by the more notably the Falcons, Saints, Bucs and Giants.
4. Washington Redskins 6-3 (5): The ‘Skins next three division games are all at home, with winnable games in Seattle, Frisco and Cincy.
5. Arizona Cardinals 6-3 (8): Three of the Card’s next seven are against Seattle twice and the Rams, the division is theirs to lose.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-3 (3): The Steelers playoff mettle will be tested by the likes of the Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys, Ravens and Titans. Willie Parker is coming back at the right time. I’m sure Mike Tomlin will proceed with caution in rushing him back.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-3 (7): Can the Bucs catch the Panthers while holding off the Falcons? Here’s to a healthy return for Cadillac Williams.
8. Baltimore Ravens 6-3 (10): Could the Ravens steal the division from the Steelers? Part of their remaining schedule is against the NFC East.
9. New England Patriots 6-3 (12): Spygate be damed! Bill Belichick has gotten his team up off the map despite injuries and a quarterback that hasn’t started a game since high school.
10. Atlanta Falcons 6-3 (13): Everyone is waiting for this team to go belly up. If they slip, it won’t be too far.
11.Chicago Bears 5-4 (6): No shame in losing to the Titans, the Bears didn’t roll over with Grossman under center.
12. New York Jets 6-3 (20): The Jets haven’t had a running game like this since Curtis Martin.
13. Miami Dolphins 5-4 (21): Was I the only one that felt good for Ricky Williams last week? Can’t look past the Raiders as they look to sweep the Patriots.
14. Buffalo Bills 5-4 (11): Three straight loses, four starters out with injuries and a sputtering offense has left the Bills with more questions than answers.
15. Dallas Cowboys 5-4 (15): The Cowboys are looking to regain some confidence, momentum and revenge as Tony Romo returns in time for the rematch against the Redskins.
16. Minnesota Vikings 5-4 (19): Sunday’s defensive performance was one that we had been waiting to see from the Vikes.
17. Philadelphia Eagles 5-4 (9): These analysts that have been kissing Andy Reid’s butt for 10 years need to come up for air and question his ability to coach in tight spots.
18. Indianapolis Colts 5-4 (20): The Colts may have turned the corner with last week potential season-saving win in the Steel City.
19. Denver Broncos 5-4 (25): If they can beat the Falcons on the road, I’ll take it easy on them for a week.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-5 (23): A tough road to haul the rest of the way after digging a deep hole for themselves early.
21. San Diego Chargers 4-5 (24): With games against the Steelers, Colts and Falcons in the next three weeks, the Chargers season is on the line.
22. New Orleans Saints 4-5 (17): Not having Reggie Bush makes takes away so many offensive options.
23. Green Bay Packers 4-5 (18): The Pack need a win against the Bears at home on Sunday to stay in the division title hunt.
24. Houston Texans 3-6 (18): Having Matt Shaub last week would’ve improved the Texans chances of getting a win.
25. Cleveland Browns 3-6 (22): The Browns believe it or not still have a shot. Looking to see how Brady Quinn handles the Bills pass rush.
26. Kansas City Chiefs 1-8 (26): Have lost their last thee games by four points or less. No quit in this bunch.
27. Seattle Seahawks 2-7 (28): Matt Hasselbeck returns to try and save what left of a disappointing season.,
28. Cincinnati Bengals 1-8 (29): The Bengals have been reduced to spoilers. First stop: Philly.
29. San Francisco 49ers 2-7 (31): I hope the Niners aren’t looking for anyone other than Mike Singletary to coach this team next season.
30. St. Louis Rams 2-7 (27): It’s all about pride from here.
31. Detroit Lions 0-9 (30): Allen Iverson is finally in a city where he could double as a quarterback.
32. Oakland Raiders 2-7 (32): Just chalk it up Baby!
Greatest Jump: N.Y. Jets +8
Greatest Plunge: Philadelphia Eagles -8
Aiiight — so let’s say, for the sake of argument that you come over to my house and whooooop my ass, eat my food, sleep in my bed and leave a mess…then two weeks later, you get robbed by a bigger badder dude. Does that mean that I (only two weeks later) can now whoop your ass?
Me thinks not.
The Redskins do not deserve a Number 4 ranking. If they played the Steelers tomorrow in a garage, they’d get their asses kicked again.
Similarly, how can the Colts be ranked at #18 after beating the Pats (#9) and the Steelers (#6) in consecutive weeks?
All Green Bay has done since blasting the Colts is lose two close games to the unbeaten Titans and the Vikings on the road — by a total of 4 points with one loss in overtime. They’re 4-5, but look at their losses – a healthy Dallas team, Tampa, Atlanta. Solid group. The Packers are far better than #23 in the league. I expect them to get on a roll. They could win 6 of their final 7 games and finish at 10-6.
I’d have the Giants ranked first. The Titans are undefeated this season — and that’s all they can do, but the Giants haven’t been playing cupcakes all season and have beaten better teams in more impressive fashion. They’re more dynamic offensively and at least as strong defensively.
As for the Falcons, I can’t hate on their rating, but they’re going to hit the wall right?? They’ve played 4 teams with solid defenses and scored 9, 9, 14 and 22. Only Chicago gave up more than 2 tds and lost. Tampa, Carolina and Philly just weren’t having it. Not too many tough defenses left and in the 2nd half, they get the Panthers and Bucs under the dome.
I think I’m going to have to give up my hatred and disrespect of the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets. They have very, very good players in the trenches on both sides of the ball. That’s the key to the game. If they can win handily tonite, I’d look out for them. Thomas Jones is going to be beasting the rest of the year. The receiving corps is very good (Coles, Cotchery). Have you seen TE Dustin Keller? Whew! The Jets look good. Let’s see how they deal with the nemesis.
Aiiiight TBR – I’m done.
LOL, You make some very good points. You’re thinking this thing through better than I am. Maybe I better give my researching an extra day.
I’m with you on the Falcons and the Jets.
I wouldn’t count it as robbery if the Giants were ranked #1
Jason $hitlock rated Andy Reid the worst coach in the NFL this season, based on the playcalling and taking the ball out of Donovan McNabb’s hands in crucial situations I can agree with that.
Then of course he ticks me off putting Mike Singletary in the #7 slot and Romeo Crennell at #2. Crennell’s Browns beat the Giants.
Reid’s been coaching 10 seasons, Singletary 3 games, how about throwing the guy Singletary replaced under the bus.
I haven’t read that. I know that Whitlock thought the Eagles would do very well this season. It’s clearly not McNabb’s fault the team is struggling (Joe Namath voice).
I can’t speak for Romeo Crennel’s play calling, but I know the team has under performed over the course of the season. I can’t say why, but I’ve always thought that Derek Anderson sucked — even last year when he blew up. I was shocked. This is the DA that I know…the reckless dude who knows nothing about ball security. Crennel didn’t have a choice after Anderson significantly outperformed Charlie Frye. Quinn was 3rd on the list last year. If he’s going to get fired, he better make damn sure that he gets Quinn in there. If he gets fired behind DA not producing, he deserves it. It’s Brady Time.
Singletary shouldn’t be on the list – one way or the other, but Shitlock does have to pay the KillANigga bill. It’s due at the end of the month.
I said months ago that if the Steelers get through this schedule with 11 wins or more, Tomlin should get a bust in Canton. There is still a long way to go and the Chargers loom on the horizon. I think Jim Zorn, John Gruden, Childress, and Fisher have done great jobs this year as well…though Childress gets an asterisk.
I guess the haterade is gonna get flushed. The beatdown in New England is on. Now Pats will know for certain their team is not all that it should be.
If the Pats pull this out, I’m reaching back for my haterade — and I’ll keep it.
How seriously hurt is Big Ben? Does he need a week or two to recover, and let Byron Leftwich fill in? The Steelers are still in good shape, but last week may have been a good time to put Leftwich in there and let Big Ben sit.
We all know Big Ben is ‘The Man’, but the Steelers have lost a little ground and another bad, close loss from feeling a lot more heat. Coach Mike Tomlin can’t be afraid to pull Big Ben if he is hurt and hurting the team. Leftwich is a legitimate short term solution who knows his place within the Steelers’ team.
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Denver is a defensively flawed team, just like New Orleans. So if Atlanta can get a great game from Michael Turner, then Atlanta has a great chance of winning this game and staying in the hunt for the NFC South title. However, the true test comes vs. Tampa and Carolina in the upcoming weeks which will decide the Falcons’ playoff fate.
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From the AP …. Imprisoned NFL quarterback Michael Vick expects to return to pro football, according to his bankruptcy attorneys who laid out a plan to pay creditors based in part on his anticipated earnings.
“The Debtor has every reason to believe that upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living,” Vick’s attorneys wrote in a disclosure statement filed before a hearing Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Norfolk.
++
It will be very ironic if Vick’s release date is the same day as Obama’s inaguration….. January 20, 2009..
Great power rankings Ron. Also like the article you had on Blackathlete.com.
Yo thebrotherreport so Planet eating Unicron ranking coaches.
Yeah yeah Andy Reid is the worst coach. F that dirty c%%n Whitlock he will be slurping his nuts next year. Crazy how all of a sudden Whitlock loves Mcnabb but hates TO, that Bit^% was taking TOs side and hating on Mcnabb back in 2005.
F^%& him.
Sadly as I said before the season started that it was the same old same old with Reid. The eagles still don’t have good linebackers, the DTs still are light in the @ss and get run on in the 4th qrt. He refuses to get a freaking FB, I mean the last good fullback the eagles had was the white kat can’t think of his name. He was there when duece was. He got got 3rd and 4th down WRs like Kevin Curtis as number 1 WRs who can’t beat bump and run defense. I mean this is a joke. Still got a scat back in west brook who he is afraid to give the ball to more then 20 times a game. Still got a offensive line that doesn’t know how to run block because reid takes the aggressiveness out of them by passing 70% of the time.
Also since the eagles can’t run, all they run are off tackle plays. draws and traps. Come 4th qtr this doesn’t work when you are trying to run out the clock.
The eagles are a joke and Andy (mouse Jr.) is the main problem. I said it in 2004 draft and I will say it again. Reid not drafting Steven Jackson in the 1st round sealed his and Mcnabb’s fate in Philly.
Mcnabb over the years saved the Eagles and Reids @ss due to him being young and able to beat teams with his arm and legs. He covered up the lack of running game (Darnell Autrys of the world) and crappy WRs. Now that father time has caught up to his ability to run forever and run for 4 qrts. Its time to surround this brotha with talent. The same way golden boys like Elway were surrounded with talent, once he was unable to beat teams with his legs.
Another thing thebrotherreport whats up with these idiot fans in Philly who keep getting on Mcnabb for not running as much as he did when he was young. Do they not realize that he is 32 years old. Do they not realize that he isn’t as fast or as quick as he once was due to leg breaks and torn ACLs. They are the same fools who complained that he ran too much when he was young. They said he needed to be a pocket passer. Now he sits in the pocket and they complain.
Why are you cats talking about that dude on this site?
Let him fall in the abyss he created for himself.
He gets no run here.
Origin – They sorta did the same thing with Randall, and once McNabb finds greener pastures these idiots will once again realize what they had.
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