The Starting Five NFL Power Rankings Going Into Week 10
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The big boys are beginning to make a statement. Teams who haven’t consistently got it done are falling back with the pack. In this top 5, there are no surprises…or should I say, there shouldn’t be.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Even with two losses, the Steelers are the most complete team in the NFL. Ben Roethisberger is the first half MVP. He’s completing 70% of his passes and is the only quarterback in NFL history who has the luxury of two Super Bowl MVP’s at receiver. Rashad Mendenhall is healthy and giving the Steelers that bruising back they so covet. If Willie Parker somehow returns to form, the Steelers will be two time defending champs.
| Steelers | Opponents | |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 170 | 137 |
| FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty) | 50 - 111 - 9 | 26 - 103 - 8 |
| THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS | 42/93 | 47/111 |
| FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS | 3/4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS | 3056 | 2279 |
| OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards) | 500 - 6.1 | 474 - 4.8 |
| TOTAL RUSHING YARDS | 922 | 563 |
| RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards) | 214 - 4.3 | 154 - 3.7 |
| TOTAL PASSING YARDS | 2134 | 1716 |
| PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg) | 186 - 263 - 7 - 8.7 | 178 - 297 - 8 - 6.3 |
| SACKS | 23 | 23 |
| FIELD GOALS | 9/12 | 7/11 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 24 | 17 |
| (Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive) | 6 - 15 - 0 - 3 | 2 - 9 - 2 - 4 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 32:44 | 27:49 |
| TURNOVER RATIO | -2 | |
2. New England Patriots (6-2)
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Pittsburgh and New England are better teams than the three teams with less losses. New England’s running game isn’t where it should be, but look at the rest of the offense relative to game experience. How are you going to argue with what Brady, Moss and Welker have done so far? Sweatshirt Bill will figure out a way to balance the passing game with a running back by committee of Maroney, Taylor and erstwhile stalwart Kevin Faulk.
| Patriots | Opponents | |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 189 | 135 |
| FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty) | 49 - 121 - 19 | 36 - 90 - 9 |
| THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS | 49/109 | 39/100 |
| FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS | 5/10 | 3/9 |
| TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS | 3274 | 2334 |
| OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards) | 552 - 5.9 | 468 - 5.0 |
| TOTAL RUSHING YARDS | 914 | 899 |
| RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards) | 221 - 4.1 | 202 - 4.5 |
| TOTAL PASSING YARDS | 2360 | 1435 |
| PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg) | 213 - 321 - 5 - 7.5 | 141 - 251 - 7 - 6.2 |
| SACKS | 15 | 10 |
| FIELD GOALS | 17/20 | 8/9 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 25 | 13 |
| (Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive) | 8 - 16 - 0 - 1 | 2 - 9 - 0 - 2 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 34:01 | 26:34 |
| TURNOVER RATIO | +8 | |
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
Brett Favre is shutting me up. I had no idea he would have this type of impact on the Vikings. When he threw that simply amazing pass to Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone…a pass he didn’t see completed because he was laying on his face mind you…my mouth was wide open. That was one of the best passes I’ve ever seen. It’s obvious now Favre’s arm was rag last year. AP is a bad man and so is Jared Allen. While the Vikings MVP is obviously Adrian Peterson, what Favre has given Minnesota is immeasurable. Allen is almost uncheckable. He gets his. This team is loose and right now I would have them penciled in the NFC Championship. We’ll see how Brett holds up. He’s got a groin halfway through and it could undermine his effectiveness despite his penchant to stay on the field
| Vikings | Opponents | |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 158 | 148 |
| FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty) | 47 - 99 - 12 | 37 - 97 - 14 |
| THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS | 54/116 | 36/102 |
| FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS | 4/7 | 5/9 |
| TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS | 2830 | 2661 |
| OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards) | 509 - 5.6 | 490 - 5.4 |
| TOTAL RUSHING YARDS | 950 | 758 |
| RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards) | 229 - 4.1 | 183 - 4.1 |
| TOTAL PASSING YARDS | 1880 | 1903 |
| PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg) | 178 - 262 - 3 - 7.7 | 176 - 276 - 6 - 7.5 |
| SACKS | 31 | 18 |
| FIELD GOALS | 13/14 | 12/14 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 29 | 20 |
| (Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive) | 10 - 16 - 2 - 1 | 2 - 13 - 1 - 4 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 31:40 | 28:19 |
| TURNOVER RATIO | +5 | |
4. New Orleans Saints (8-0)
This team is averaging a sick 37 points a game. Brees is doing his thing and the running game is keeping teams honest defensively. You can’t stay in the nickle or they will kill you slow. Offensively, this team is almost unstoppable and with the home field advantage they employ, a quick move up this list is almost inevitable. I just don’t know if this team has what it takes when the hot is hottest…playoff time. They’ve been good in years past…not this good…but I’m just not sold…yet.
| Saints | Opponents | |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 181 | 140 |
| FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty) | 66 - 105 - 10 | 53 - 76 - 11 |
| THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS | 49/106 | 37/111 |
| FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS | 2/7 | 7/13 |
| TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS | 3415 | 2653 |
| OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards) | 536 - 6.4 | 518 - 5.1 |
| TOTAL RUSHING YARDS | 1157 | 897 |
| RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards) | 259 - 4.5 | 202 - 4.4 |
| TOTAL PASSING YARDS | 2258 | 1756 |
| PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg) | 181 - 265 - 7 - 8.8 | 154 - 297 - 16 - 6.3 |
| SACKS | 19 | 12 |
| FIELD GOALS | 11/14 | 13/15 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 39 | 19 |
| (Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive) | 15 - 17 - 0 - 7 | 11 - 6 - 0 - 2 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 32:53 | 27:06 |
| TURNOVER RATIO | +8 | |
5. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)
Peyton Manning has thrown the most passes after 8 games this season than he has in any stretch of his career. The Colts keep plugging on. Think back and count the times they were undefeated at the halfway point. There are injury concerns in the defensive backfield that just doesn’t mention Bob Sanders. Don’t make too much of Sanders injuries because he really hasn’t been the player he has been in years past. Of course the concerns of Marlin Jackson being out, Kelvin Hayden out three weeks and other dings here and there looming large late are real, but in the NFL, every team is dealing with injuries. Freeney and Mathis have a combined 16 sacks and as long as the Colts have 18 lining up under center, they are a threat to go all the way.
| Colts | Opponents | |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 175 | 144 |
| FIRST DOWNS (Rushing-passing-by penalty) | 37 - 123 - 15 | 41 - 94 - 9 |
| THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS | 52/102 | 52/118 |
| FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS | 3/7 | 5/10 |
| TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS | 3203 | 2427 |
| OFFENSE (Plays-Average Yards) | 505 - 6.3 | 519 - 4.7 |
| TOTAL RUSHING YARDS | 683 | 865 |
| RUSHING (Plays-Average Yards) | 183 - 3.7 | 201 - 4.3 |
| TOTAL PASSING YARDS | 2520 | 1562 |
| PASSING (Comp-Att-Int-Avg) | 222 - 315 - 6 - 8.1 | 185 - 296 - 9 - 5.8 |
| SACKS | 22 | 7 |
| FIELD GOALS | 12/14 | 13/16 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 26 | 10 |
| (Rushing-Passing-Returns-Defensive) | 8 - 17 - 0 - 1 | 6 - 4 - 0 - 0 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 29:05 | 30:54 |
| TURNOVER RATIO | +7 | |
6. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Denver Broncos
9. Arizona Cardinals
10. Philadelphia Eagles
November 12th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Now you got me gassed.
You see that Turnover Margin at the bottom of those stats? Tomlin does and so do I. I’m in a state of mild exuberance. It’s tempered by those big fat positive numbers from teams 2-5.
Folks in Indy are like, “Word?!?!!”
November 12th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
LOL Yeah, they better check it. Peyton is chuckin’ it up at crazy numbers. I know Marvin Harrison is hot right now. How many yards and catches would he have…especially with Gonzalez going down. That’s a lot of passing yards this early in the season.
When I see the Steelers I see champiiiins barring injury of course.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I agree with the top 5 but not in the same order.
I’d go this way:
1. Saints
2. Steelers
3. Vikings
4. Colts
5. Pats
I’m just not that impressed with Indy & NE at this point because they both have played a relatively “soft” schedule. The Colts always play good during the regular season but come playoff time, they’re the same ole Colts….especially if they’re playing San Diego.
@mizz,
I heard today that LT has a hip injury. Do you think the Chargers will perhaps part ways with him after this season and take a chance on LJ?
November 13th, 2009 at 3:17 am
If McNabb is healthy I think the Saints lose to the Eagles. Wasn’t that Kolb’s first start and he put up 391?
SD might take a chance with LJ but from what I’m hearing, he’s coming east. LT does so much for the community there that it will be very difficulty to release him.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Hey Mizz,
Sorry to thread jack but I have an NBA question for you. Do you think the Sixers should try to swing a trade for CP3? I saw both the Sixers and the Hornets play last night and saw the Sixers need a beast at the point and Paul needs a change of scenery. Lou Williams has talent but he’s not there yet and maybe plying his trade in the Big Easy would be a good thing with him and maybe throwing in one of the young bigs like Speights could sweeten the pot for the Hornets. The Sixers in return get one of the top PG’s in the world and instant burn again in the Illadelph with CP3 teamed with Iggy and Brand. Giving up the young talent is risky but a mid-season swap for a player like that would put the rest of the East on notice that serious pro ball is still played in Philly.
Gimme sum thoughts.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Also, shame on you Mizz for that last post. The NFL stands for Not For Long and the Spanos and Smith would send LT outta SD smoking if they thought they’d win a SB without him and the fans wouldn’t blink if the wins piled up.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:33 am
I agree fam but I’m of the mind that you never trade or release a sure fire Hall of Fame player. Kills your fan base. Is LT the same player, of course not but only Moss and Owens share his offensive resume…not counting quarterbacks of course.
Look what happened to the Eagles defense without Dawkins. Miles Austin takes a sugar speed knock before he splits the defense for the game winner without question. Taking nothing from Austin because that was a great double move.
Speaking of the Eagles game…My soundbite asking Andy why he didn’t go long to DeSean is being played on talk radio here. Talk radio is actually giving me props for the questions I asked. Coach has the press room shook but it was a question that had to be asked. You should have saw the look on his face. It was of pure disgust lol. His answer was simply “They were rolling coverages.”
Of Hall of Fame players…remember the impact Weapon X had coming out of the tunnel before that 44-6 victory after everything else playoff wise fell into place?
The intimidation is gone here defensively. When he comes here, he will get the biggest ovation of a returning player her in Philly ever and that includes Allen Iverson obviously because the Link will be filled to capacity with 20 jerseys thick.
As far as the Sixers, that’s a great idea but I just don’t see that happening.
Power move thought though. Power move. Stunner. The East would definitely be put on notice. Iggy is coming into his own and might lead the league in bangs if he had CP3 whirling in and out of the lane. Again, definitely a stunner. The thought will be raised.
Trust me
November 13th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
My top 5 goes the same order as GrandNubian’s.
I think the Steelers are playing the best right now, but shouldn’t be #1. That should go to New Orleans. I don’t see any team in the NFC right now that could go into the Superdome and beat them in a playoff game. They’d better hope that they don’t get home field advantage.
The Colts always start out good, but falter at the end. The team just isn’t built for the playoffs. I agree that the Colts and Pats have just been playing bad teams so far. Neither deserves to be rated above being the third best team.
I was wondering if you were just trying to jinx the Steelers by rating them #1, Mizzo.
Playing the best overall in all facets right now, yes!
November 13th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Nah, I just think they are playing the best this part of the season ball bruh
Like I said earlier, I don’t think the Saints beat the Eagles with McNabb if a first start quarterback can shoot 391. That was fool’s gold. Don’t believe the hype. They will lose to a team that can score with them very soon.
That is if they have any left on the schedule.
This ain’t ya brotha’s 1998 Minny Nice Vikings here.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
wat is going on in chicago!
can someone say if Lovie Smiths job is safe!?
I am seriusly disappointed in Smiths difficulty in putting together a decent offense. I simply cant understand why.
chicagos offensive play-calling seems poor to say the least.
is that because Smith has people who may not be good enough up there because of loyalty or some such nonsense?
November 13th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I think Power Rankings are almost impossible to do — especially for the entire league. Kudos for even trying.
I noticed that ESPN’s PR has Minnesota ranked ahead of Pittsburgh. That’s just bizarre.
Just to put a number on my sentiment re: the Pats (shared by GN and kos)…the Patriots have a net point advantage of 110 points. That’s good enough for 2nd in the league, behind the Saints and ahead of New Orleans. However, 87 points of that advantage came at home in the snow vs. the Titans and at Wembley Stadium in London vs. the Bucs and rookie QB Josh Johnson.
In their other 6 games, the Patriots are a measly +23. That means, they’re winning by a shade more than one field goal per game. It’s hard to be impressed right now. If they return to their 2007 form, we can talk, but I don’t see it.