FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I normally post these rankings faithfully every Tuesday afternoon. I did not forget to post this yesterday, but purposely waited until today (Wednesday), instead, in honor of Veteran's Day. Being a Navy veteran myself, I can appreciate the significance of the holiday and also in supporting our troops everyday. Now to the rankings.

1. Tennessee Titans- record: 9-0 (rank last week (1) opponents' winning % .468: defeated Bears, 21-14)

If someone would have told you that the Titans' had rushed for 29 total yards and Kerry Collins attempted 41 passes, you would bet that they finally lost a game, right? This team might be BETTER than the 2000 Super Bowl winning Ravens that they are being compare to.

2. New York Giants- record: 8-1 (rank last week (2) opponents' winning % .429: defeated Eagles, 36-31)

Brandon Jacobs is a BEAST. And this Giants' team is easily better than last year's Super Bowl team. Can they keep this up for the rest of the season?

3. Carolina Panthers- record: 7-2 (rank last week (4) opponents' winning % .441: defeated Raiders, 17-6)

Good thing they were playing the lowly Raiders, because you will not beat a REAL NFL team turning the football over four times!

4. Washington Redskins- record: 6-3 (rank last week (8) opponents' winning % .541: bye)

When you have a good record in the toughest division in football, coupled with a couple of teams ahead of you who lose their games, this is what happens.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 6-3 (rank last week (6) opponents' winning % .507: bye)

Their next match-up is against an improving Vikings' team.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 6-3 (rank last week (3) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Colts, 20-24)

The Steelers' find themselves in a tough spot being tied in their division after losing against a desperate Colts' team. Next week they will host their second consecutive talented, but under-achieving and desperate team (Chargers).

7. Arizona Cardinals- record: 6-3 (rank last week (7) opponents' winning % .493: defeated 49ers, 29-24)

Terrible end of game situation by the 49ers' was this team's saving grace.

8. Atlanta Falcons- record 6-3 (rank last week (11) opponents' winning % .441: defeated Saints, 34-20)

 ‘Vick who'?

9. Baltimore Ravens- record: 6-3 (rank last week (10) opponents' winning % .433: defeated Texans, 41-13)

Ray Lewis is old? Ray Lewis is wasted-up? I'd take an old and washed-up Ray Lewis ANY DAY!!!

10. New England Patriots- record: 6-3 (rank last week (14) opponents' winning % .411: defeated Bills, 20-10)

After their lost against the Colts', the Patriots are back in the driver's seat in their division with their win against the struggling Bills.

11. New York Jets- record: 6-3 (rank last week (15) opponents' winning % .368: defeated Rams, 47-3)

Thomas Jones had a career game. When was the last time Brett Farve threw less than 20 passes in a game?

12. Dallas Cowboys- record: 5-4 (rank last week (9) opponents' winning % .522: bye)

The Cowboys' next game against the Redskins' is a make or break game.

13. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 5-4 (rank last week (5) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Giants, 31-36)

Dropping the Eagles this far may seem harsh, especially since they were on a winning streak before their loss against a very good Giants' team. There are teams above them that got the job done this weekend. I'm sure they will bounce back against the Bengals'.

14. Indianapolis Colts- record: 5-4 (rank last week (17) opponents' winning % .591: defeated Steelers, 24-20)

Speaking of bouncing back, the Colts' won their second straight ‘must-win' game against a formidable team. Only seven more must-wins to go!

15. Chicago Bears- record: 5-4 (rank last week (12) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Titans, 14-21)

The Bears' put up a valiant fight against the undefeated Titans, but came up short. Shutting down the Titans' rushing attack was impressive, but getting gashed by their rarely used passing attack was not. 

16. Minnesota Vikings- record: 5-4 (rank last week (18) opponents' winning % .522: defeated Packers, 28-27)

Adrian Peterson put this offense on this back and dominated. Truth be told, Peterson is the ONLY reason Brad Childress still has a job!

17. Miami Dolphins- record 5-4 (rank last week (19) opponents' winning % .507: defeated Seahawks, 21-19)

Ricky Williams looked great in their win against the Seahawks. Then again, who DOESN'T look great against the Seahawks (49ers do not count).

18. Denver Broncos- record: 5-4 (rank last week (21) opponents' winning % .435: defeated Browns, 34-30)

Eddie Royal's 93-yard touchdown catch and run sparked an impressive comeback to keep their divisional hopes alive.

19. Buffalo Bills- record: 5-4 (rank last week (16) opponents' winning % .448: lost to Patriots, 10-20)

Well, Bills' fans, it was fun while it lasted. It's a shame that the NFL season isn't eight games long or they would have a chance.  

20. New Orleans Saints- record: 4-5 (rank last week (13) opponents' winning % .529: lost to Falcons, 20-34)

With no chance of winning their division, this team needs to stop the bleeding to compete for a wild card spot.

21. San Diego Chargers- record: 4-5 (rank last week (23) opponents' winning % .507: defeated Chiefs', 20-19)

How embarrassing it would have been if they had lost, at home, to the Chiefs'!

22. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 4-5 (rank last week (24) opponents' winning % .462: defeated Lions, 38-14)

It's to be seen if beating up on the Lions' will boost this team's confidence.

23. Green Bay Packers- record: 4-5 (rank last week (20) opponents' winning % .522: lost to Vikings, 27-28)

The Packers' seemed like they were afraid of tackling Adrian Peterson. Then again, who isn't?

24. Cleveland Browns- record: 3-6 (rank last week (22) opponents' winning % .565: lost to Broncos, 30-34)

A solid debut by Brady Quinn ruined by a suck defense. Reminds us of Quinn's Notre Dame days!

25. Houston Texans- record 3-6 (rank last week (25) opponents' winning % .462: lost to Ravens, 13-41)

Wow, take about losing bad! Despite their (lack of) performance, I cannot in good conscience drop them any farther.

26. Seattle Seahawks- record: 2-7 (rank last week (27) opponents' winning % .522: lost to Dolphins, 19-21)

Is Mike Holmgren still on the sidelines?

27. Cincinnati Bengals- record 1-8 (rank last week (28) opponents' winning % .615: bye)

Now begins the stretch for a Top five pick.

28. St. Louis Rams- record 2-7 (rank last week (26) opponents' winning % .647: lost to Jets, 3-47)

I believe the Rams' thinking was ‘Why let a team blow us out when we can blow ourselves out?'

29. Oakland Raiders- record: 2-7 (rank last week (29) opponents' winning % .544: lost to Panthers, 6-17)

At least they did not allow 47 points.

30. San Francisco 49ers- record 2-7 (rank last week (30) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Cardinals, 24-29)

Well, they definitely played harder. Now they need to work on the playing SMARTER part.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- record 1-8 (rank last week (31) opponents' winning % .618: lost to Chargers, 19-20)

Is ANYONE surprised that the man who ‘plays to win the game' would go for the two point conversion???

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-9 (rank last week (32) opponents' winning % .456: lost to Jaguars, 14-38)

Dante Culpepper sure didn't last long.

Five notes from week Eleven:

1. The 49ers' defense played reasonably well against the highest scoring team in the league. But it is clear that there is a conflict in the offensive game plan. It is safe to say that if Mike Singletary stays, Mike Martz is out. And let's be honest, what has Martz accomplished since Dick Vermeil left the Rams???

2. There is NO excuse for an NFL team to lose 3-47! Better yet, there is NO excuse for a NFL team to give up 40 points in ONE half of football. Jim Haslett's chance of staying full-time took a serious hit Sunday.

3. The Chiefs' last three loses (including two on the road) have all been by less than a touchdown. Also, Tyler Thigpen has thrown 6 touchdowns compared to 0 interceptions during that stretch. This very young Chiefs' team now needs to learn how to finish games.

4. I know he has had only one start, but Brady Quinn looked very decisive and accurate in his debut. If the Browns had any sort of defense, Quinn would have had his first career win. Either way, Derek Anderson will probably be a starter again on a team that is not the Cleveland Browns.

5. Let us remember the men and women who are and have served in the armed forces, during BOTH war and peace time. It is too often that American recognizes their service members when they are ‘need' but remember that they also serve (voluntarily, might I add) during peace time, too. Meaning they are sacrificing their freedoms to ensure that we still have OURS.