FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Each team has now played ten games. This is the point of the season when teams are fighting for the lead in their divisions. Nearly every division is wide open, except for the NFC West and probably the NFC East and AFC South. This past weekend also presented the first tied game in the last several years; even though rumor has it that a certain quarterback who has been in the league for 10 years did not even know a NFL game could end in a tie.

1. Tennessee Titans- record: 10-0 (rank last week (1) opponents' winning % .460: defeated Jaguars, 24-14)

I watched their game from beginning to end, and had NO doubt at halftime this team would find a way to win. The Giants do have more overall talent, but the Titans are really good. The AFC South is definitely theirs for the taking.

2. New York Giants- record: 9-1 (rank last week (2) opponents' winning % .450: defeated Ravens, 30-10)

I know this isn't the BCS, but the Giants DO have one loss (and against a suspect team at that). Their blowout win was impressive, but not has impressive as being undefeated.

3. Carolina Panthers- record: 8-2 (rank last week (3) opponents' winning % .385: defeated Lions, 31-22)

They had the home crowd sweating for a while. This was supposed to be a lop-sided game. Not sure what is up with their passing game, but they might want to correct it before they go to Atlanta.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 7-3 (rank last week (5) opponents' winning % .506: defeated Vikings, 19-13)

They win another game on the strength of Jeff Garcia. Imagine that, Gruden.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 7-3 (rank last week (6) opponents' winning % .487: defeated Chargers, 11-10)

The Steelers have a short week before they have to face a potential spoiler in the Bengals.

6. Arizona Cardinals- record: 7-3 (rank last week (7) opponents' winning % .456: defeated Seattle, 26-20)

Another close victory against another lowly divisional opponent. Their next two games (Dallas and Philly) will show if this team is for real.

7. New York Jets- record: 7-3 (rank last week (11) opponents' winning % .397: defeated Patriots, 34-31OT)

The Jets nearly blew their big lead over the Pats to take sole possession of first place in the AFC East. Favre picked a good time to finally win an overtime game. Only hardcore Jets' (and Favre) fans expected them to be here with six games to go.

8. Indianapolis Colts- record: 6-4 (rank last week (14) opponents' winning % .580: defeated Texans, 33-27)

The Colts' offense resembled the Cleveland Browns' in the first half (dropped passes). The defense played better than the score would indicate (minus the 71 yard Slaton touchdown run) and backup safety Melvin Bullitt is going to be something special.

9. Dallas Cowboys- record: 6-4 (rank last week (12) opponents' winning % .532: defeated Redskins, 14-10)

Did you see the celebrating on the Cowboys' sideline after Marion Barber ran for the game clinching first down??? Not touchdown, but FIRST DOWN! Man, has expectations lowered tremendously since the preseason!!!

10. Washington Redskins- record: 6-4 (rank last week (4) opponents' winning % .537: lost to Cowboys, 10-14)

The Redskins allowed the Cowboys to split the season series with them. The rest of their schedule is manageable, but if they slip next week against the Seahawks their season will be officially O-V-E-R.

11. Baltimore Ravens- record: 6-4 (rank last week (9) opponents' winning % .494: lost to Giants, 10-30)

This was not the first time this year the Ravens have been blown-out. It IS the first game they gave up over 200 yards rushing. On the bright side, they still have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher.

12. New England Patriots- record: 6-4 (rank last week (10) opponents' winning % .449: lost to Jets, 31-34OT)

Well, can't win them all. The Patriots made a valid comeback attempt against the Jets, but fell short. Their hopes to stay in the divisional race lies in their next game against the over-achieving Dolphins.

13. Miami Dolphins- record 6-4 (rank last week (17) opponents' winning % .473: defeated Raiders, 17-15)

A loss next week to the Patriots probably will knock them out of the divisional race.

14. Denver Broncos- record: 6-4 (rank last week (18) opponents' winning % .456: defeated Falcons, 24-20)

Nice win against a quality team. The Chargers are in their rear view mirror, and losing distance.

15. Atlanta Falcons- record 6-4 (rank last week (8) opponents' winning % .462: lost to Broncos, 20-24)

Dropping the Falcons this far is not a knock against them. They will have a chance to rebound, and gain leverage in their division, when they play the Panthers.

16. Green Bay Packers- record: 5-5 (rank last week (23) opponents' winning % .519: defeated Bears, 37-3)

The Packers' blowout win against the Bears have made the NFC Central division race really interesting.

17. Chicago Bears- record: 5-5 (rank last week (15) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Packers, 3-37)

The Bears' probably wish it was two weeks ago, when the division race was not as interesting.

18. Minnesota Vikings- record: 5-5 (rank last week (16) opponents' winning % .545: lost to Bucs, 13-19)

I know I am stating the obvious, but once Adrian Peterson is slowed down there really is not much else to this team.

19. New Orleans Saints- record: 5-5 (rank last week (20) opponents' winning % .475: defeated Chiefs, 30-20)

Congratulations on the Saints' first road win. I know it was against the Chiefs, but it was still on the road.

20. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 5-4-1 (rank last week (13) opponents' winning % .500: tied Bengals, 13-13)

Dropping the Eagles this far IS a knock against them. I know in the standings this game is considered a tie, but this was the Bengals they were playing. I count this as a LOSS!

21. Cleveland Browns- record: 4-6 (rank last week (24) opponents' winning % .566: defeated Bills, 29-27)

A 56-yard field goal capped another underwhelming Browns' performance.

22. Buffalo Bills- record: 5-5 (rank last week (19) opponents' winning % .440: lost to Browns, 27-29)

I'm not saying Ryan Lindell is Scott Norwood, but ‘wide-right' is not very popular among Buffalo Bills' fans. 

23. San Diego Chargers- record: 4-6 (rank last week (21) opponents' winning % .532: lost to Steelers, 10-11)

They managed to lose another game. And even though their next three games are at home, their next two opponents (Colts' and Falcons') will be more than a handful.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 4-6 (rank last week (22) opponents' winning % .532: lost to Titans, 14-24)

After being swept by the Titans, I suppose Jack Del Rio will be back on the hot seat.

25. Houston Texans- record 3-7 (rank last week (25) opponents' winning % .481: lost to Colts, 27-33)

This team really is not that bad. They just lost to a more talented (and desperate) team.          

26. San Francisco 49ers- record 3-7 (rank last week (30) opponents' winning % .461: defeated Rams, 35-16)

Congratulations are in order to Mike Singletary on his first career victory! Also, kudos to Mike Martz for calling more run plays than pass plays for (probably) the first time in his career (as if he had a choice)! And guess what? The gameplan WORKED! Ok, it worked for one quarter, and it was against the Rams. But it's not like the 49ers are a juggernaut themselves.

27. Cincinnati Bengals- record 1-8-1 (rank last week (27) opponents' winning % .608: tied Eagles, 13-13)

If you want my honest opinion, I think Ryan Fitzpatrick has more potential than Matt Cassell.

28. Seattle Seahawks- record: 2-8 (rank last week (26) opponents' winning % .544: lost to Cardinals, 20-26)

When Mike Holmgren reflects back on his career, it's safe to say that he will not reflect pass the 2008 playoff lost to Green Bay.

29. Oakland Raiders- record: 2-8 (rank last week (29) opponents' winning % .551: lost to Dolphins, 15-17)

After seeing what a head coach with a quarterback background is doing for the Redskins, maybe that is what JaMarcus Russell needs here. Well, one of the MANY things the Raiders need.

30. Kansas City Chiefs- record 1-9 (rank last week (30) opponents' winning % .603: lost to Saints, 20-30)

They may be still losing, but they sure are entertaining while they are doing it!

31. St. Louis Rams- record 2-8 (rank last week (28) opponents' winning % .603: lost to 49ers, 16-35)

Unlike this team which is even more pathetic than the Raiders, and nearly as pathetic as the Lions. Do you suppose Jim Haslett pulled down his pants at halftime of their game versus the 49ers?

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-10 (rank last week (32) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Panthers, 22-31)

They're getting closer. I just do not know to what.

Five notes from week Twelve:

1. When asked (I do not recall who, but I know it was during the Sunday Morning Countdown show on ESPN) if they thought the Lions would go winless, that person replied that it was ‘harder to go winless in the NFL than to go undefeated'. How exactly does that work? Does a team feel pity for the winless team and throw the game on purpose?

2. On the other hand, if there ever was a perfect scenario for a team to go winless, the Lions would have to have it in hand. None of the Lions' opponents, as of now, have losing records and all (except maybe the Colts) still have a good chance of winning their division. And just when everyone thought they had hit rock bottom when the Lions' fired Matt Millen.

3. I have a wild idea that could fix the Browns' offensive issues: How about putting their linebackers on offensive. They showed, at least on Monday night, that they have better hands than Braylon Edwards. And it's not like they'll be missed on defense since they do not do much on that side of the ball anyways.

4. My head is still spinning after checking out the 49ers' stat line and realizing that they called more run plays than pass plays. And with Mike Martz at offensive coordinator, no less. I realize now why people call Martz ‘the mad scientist': only an insane person would keep doing the same thing over and over again that obviously is not working and expect a different result!

5. Who else thinks that the Cincinnati Bengals will make the perfect ‘spoiler team' for the remainder of the season?