Power Rankings

Well, after week 9 I am ready to bury half of the NFL. Since these teams have zero chance for the playoffs we will be detailing their needs and potential moves for the upcoming off-season.

1. Patriots – WOW, that was a close one, for Patriots standards that might be as close as you get. They won the SuperBowl 41.5 so they are still on top.

2. Colts – They lost SuperBowl 41.5 so they have to stay below. Although, they still looked unbelievably good and when they get Harrison and the rest of their hurt players back it may be a whole new game.

3. Cowboys – Despite Hurricane Britney, the Cowboys rocked the Eagles at home. Dallas looks like they have just about everything going for themselves right now; pass-rush, running game, passing game, and the defensive secondary continues to get healthy. This is clearly the best team in the NFC, and with the schedule they have remaining, are lock for a first round bye. Plus they are getting stronger at the DT position with Tank being activated this week.

4. Steelers – Wow, the Steelers looked like they might be a team that could threaten the Pats. The amount of pressure that was on McNair made the game completely lopsided. As Mike Greenberg put it, "James Harrison had a great month [on Monday Night]". 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 INT. If this team can stay healthy on offense and Ben can limit mistakes they should be able to give the Pats a good game (which is more than I can say for anyone else on the Pats remaining schedule). If it wasn't for a game at Zona where Whisenhunt new every play in the playbook the Steelers would be in the convo for stealing Indy's bye.

5. Packers – Going to KC and handling that team, is to me, the most impressive win the Packers have this year. Don't look now but GB's games at Detroit on Thanksgiving will not only be an offensive shootout but will have NFC North and WC implications. Followed-up on the very next Thursday with a huge game at Dallas.

6. Jaguars – I know they lost in the city of Rebirth this weekend, but I really like their defense, and running game. They brought in Grady Jackson to fill in for Marcus Stroud while he is suspended. If they can get Garrard back soon they will stay in this spot through the end of the season.

7. Titans – VY has regressed, there is no argument about it. But they have the grittiest defense in the NFL right now (just edging out Jax), Lendale White looks like he can run the ball a bit. I have started to hear some pundits talk about White > Bush, which is just heinously inaccurate and premature. The Titans have continued to win in spite of Vince which just means they will be all that more dangerous when he snaps out of it.

8. Giants – They have the momentum and should be healthier coming off a bye. Still, they don't have much of a chance against Dallas this week.

9. Lions - Kitna is not just a story about a bad halloween costume...hes also a prophet, this team is legit.

10. Chargers – Norv strikes again. The Chargers looked completely unprepared for AD. Peterson should not be a surprise to anyone in the league anymore, and with no QB to speak of he should be the focal point of every defense. The fact that Norv missed this is reprehensible. With the talent they have this team is still dangerous but they must win in spite of their coach. Norv Turner should not have a HC job in the NFL next year, I bet he could get his job back with SF.

11. Browns – This team continues to impress, Derek Anderson should become a household name pretty soon. Best part of his story is that he was with the Ravens last year and they tried to put him on the practice squad this year, although before he cleared waivers he was picked up by the Browns with a $150 waiver fee. For that they got 2,108 pass yards 17 Passing TD's and a passer rating of 91.7, not bad for 150 dollars.

12. Buccaneers – Garcia and Co. continue their surge. Earnest Graham had another good week with 124 rushing, 13 receiving and 1 rushing TD. Thats not bad for a 3rd string replacement. It will be interesting to see if he continues to start after the bye when Michael Pittman is expected to be healthy again.

13. Chiefs – Losing LJ might be the end of their season. They need every game they have left and Priest Holmes is doubtful to produce the likes of what Larry was doing.

14. Seahawks – Shaun Alexander runs with NBA effort, its actually sickening to watch.

15. Redskins – When will the defense play to its potential, when will JC play to his potential. Reports say that the coaching staff is extremely disappointed with his sloppiness although they really have nowhere else to turn. Joe Gibbs and the assistant coach Hall of Fame have been there for 3+ years. Campbell will be making his 16 th start. This team is running out of excuses quickly.

16. Saints – They are back in a big way. Brees has finally started playing like he did all of last year and they are back in the hunt. From Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ "The past two Sundays, Drew Brees is a combined 66-for-88 for 781 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions."

And we're done with 07/08 contenders------------------------------------------------

17. Bills – How good is this team at home!?!? I love it. They have no shot this year but have put themselves in great shape for the near future. Assuming they stick with Trent Edwards, Losman is a one-trick pony.

18. Vikings – The QB situation prevents them from having a real shot this year. But they are one player away from making the NFC North one of the toughest divisions in football. Enter Donovan McNabb (see: "Is McNabb Done in Philly").

19. Eagles – This game was just ugly. The Eagles have no down field threat and even if they did it was unlikely that McNabb was going to hit him with the pressure that he had all game. Andy Reid should get out of the "Drug Emporium" and stop sniffing the glue.

20. Broncos - They got beat bad, their pass defense is lacking big time which is amazing considering they have the best corner in the game.

21. Baltimore - Ravens got destroyed on Monday night, getting their hurt players back did absolutely nothing positive for this team, their defense still is nasty but their offense is just so bad that they are losing points...Billick should just punt on first down every time and hope his defense gets him points.

22. Cardinals – This team SHOULD be in the QB FA/Draft discussion. After losing Leinert and having Warner start, they need help and fast.

23. Panthers – See above, same problems only insert Testaverde and Carr plus Carr's mysterious white gloves...fairy...

24. Bears – The Bears look like they are a QB away from being one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC. McNabb is originally from Chi-Town so that makes him a logical choice. They will be in a bidding war with the Vikings which just about ensures one of these teams will over-pay. Other possible QBs include; Chad Pennington, JP Losman, Damon Huard, David Carr.

25. Texans - They need Schaub and Andre Johnson back, without those two guys this team just does not work. They are one year away from being a contender and they should use that year to get better at the Offensive line positions.

26. Bengals – Bungles. Really glad Chad Johnson is okay, but he is done in Cincy. They are gonna need that cap room to sign a big-time defensive draft pick and defensive free agents.

27. Jets – Kellen Clemens looked great against a strong Washington defense this weekend, and he did it without L. Coles. If this OLine can get their act together and they can make some key moves on defense they may be able to compete next year. Although, having to play NE twice and once at Buffalo next year, will really make the playoff hurdle into a mountain.

28. Raiders – For the first time in recent memory I can actually give an identity on both sides of the ball to the Raiders. They play good pass defense and no run defense. They can run the ball on offense but don't have the QB to get it done in the passing game. If JaMarcus turns out to be worthy of his #1 draft pick selection the Raiders may not be far away from really competing in the struggling AFC West.

29. 49ers – I thought this was going to be the year that SF could take advantage of the terrible NFC West and get to the playoffs. The injuries have hurt but that is not an excuse for being this bad. Without their #1 pick in the draft this year it looks like they may not get the playoffs this decade.

30. Falcons – The Falcons have no immediate prospects. They need to get back to work from the top down. It will be a couple years before this team can really compete again it's probably in their best interest to draft a QB instead of making a run at McNabb or another Free Agent.

31. Rams – It is going to be very interesting to see what the Rams do with their draft pick. Their seem to be set at QB, RB and WR. The logical thought will be OLine, but with this draft you could probably trade down and get two for the price of one.

32. Dolphins – This team has an aging defense and holes everywhere on offense. A complete make-over is in order. Andre Woodson, Dennis Dixon, Brian Brohm, Matt Ryan????