FanNation - The Republic of Sport

This weekend was the first time for a while that two teams (Bills and Saints) scored at least 50 points and another two teams (Patriots and Falcons) scored over 40 points. Also, the last of the unbeaten has fallen (Titans). Now all eyes are on the Lions, who are just five challenging games away from imperfection. And it could not happen to a more dysfunctional franchise.

1. New York Giants- record: 10-1 (rank last week (2) opponents' winning % .442: defeated Cardinals, 29-37)

No Brandon Jacobs, no Plaxico Burress, no worries. This team is too deep NOT to go to the Super Bowl.

2. New York Jets- record: 8-3 (rank last week (7) opponents' winning % .445: defeated Titans, 34-13)

Winner of seven out of their last eight games, and capped it off by giving the Titans their first lost of the season. It's safe to say New York City is on cloud nine right now!

3. Tennessee Titans- record: 10-1 (rank last week (1) opponents' winning % .445: lost to Jets, 13-34)

All good things must come to an end. I titled Sunday's game as "The Fall of The Titans". Kind of catchy, huh?

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 8-3 (rank last week (4) opponents' winning % .446: defeated Lions, 38-20)

The Bucs' next three games, including two on the road, are against divisional foes.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 8-3 (rank last week (5) opponents' winning % .458: defeated Bengals, 27-10)

With the Ravens' on their heels, the Steelers need a win in Foxboro this weekend.

6. Carolina Panthers- record: 8-3 (rank last week (3) opponents' winning % .455: lost to Falcons, 28-45)

The Panthers' passing game finally clicked and they still was blown out. Maybe a little run defense would have helped, also.

7. Indianapolis Colts- record: 7-4 (rank last week (8) opponents' winning % .537: defeated Chargers, 23-20)

After missing a game winning chip shot to beat the Chargers last season, Adam Vinatieri redeemed himself Sunday night with a 51-yard game winner. Only five more ‘must win' games left!

8. Arizona Cardinals- record: 7-4 (rank last week (6) opponents' winning % .512: lost to Giants, 29-37)

The Cardinals are fun to watch, but their non-existent running game will earn them an early playoff exit.

9. Dallas Cowboys- record: 7-4 (rank last week (9) opponents' winning % .496: defeated 49ers, 35-22)

Terrell Owens displays frustration about his role in the offense, then goes out on the field and has over 200 receiving yards. He may not have many fans outside of Dallas, but the guy can play!

10. Washington Redskins- record: 7-4 (rank last week (10) opponents' winning % .483: defeated Seahawks, 20-17)

Why does it seem like the Redskins play everyone close, no matter what team they are playing???

11. Baltimore Ravens- record: 7-4 (rank last week (11) opponents' winning % .521: defeated Eagles, 36-7)

Another strong fourth quarter in a dominating effort. Of course when your opponent sends out an inexperienced quarterback in the second half against a veteran defense, it should NOT be hard not to finish strong.

12. New England Patriots- record: 7-4 (rank last week (12) opponents' winning % .471: defeated Dolphins, 48-28)

Here comes the Matt Cassel to Tom Brady comparisons. At least until Brady comes back next year and Cassel is rich on another team.

13. Atlanta Falcons- record 7-4 (rank last week (8) opponents' winning % .462: lost to Broncos, 20-24)

Calm down, Falcons fans. They did earn some respect back by splitting the season series against a hot Panthers' squad. But do not forget that they still recently lost to the Broncos. The SAME Broncos who was blown out by the Raiders at home. That made their lost to the Broncos even worse!

14. Chicago Bears- record: 6-5 (rank last week (17) opponents' winning % .483: defeated Rams, 27-3)

After their scrimmage against the Rams, they have a chance to take control of the divisional race against the Vikings.

15. Minnesota Vikings- record: 6-5 (rank last week (18) opponents' winning % .517: defeated Jags, 30-12)

They sat down Adrian Peterson for the first half of the game, and still jumped out to a 14-point lead. This team just does not go away!

16. Miami Dolphins- record 6-5 (rank last week (13) opponents' winning % .504: lost to Patriots, 28-48)

I guess the Dolphins ran out of tricks. There is an old trick they could have tried: PLAY SOME DEFENSE!

17. New Orleans Saints- record: 6-5 (rank last week (19) opponents' winning % .479: defeated Packers, 51-29)

Drew Brees put on an offensive clinic on Monday night. And he even threw more than 2 touchdowns! The Saints' will not make the playoffs, but the passing yards record will be Brees'

18. Denver Broncos- record: 6-5 (rank last week (14) opponents' winning % .438: lost to Raiders, 10-31)

They must be trying to give this division away on purpose!!! Fortunately for them, the Chargers are not taking the bait.

19. Green Bay Packers- record: 5-6 (rank last week (16) opponents' winning % .537: lost to Saints, 29-51)

The Vikings and Bears are gaining more distance from this team each week. 

20. Buffalo Bills- record: 6-5 (rank last week (22) opponents' winning % .397: defeated Chiefs, 54-31)

 The Bills' stopped their four game losing streak, but they are already an afterthought in their division.   

21. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 5-5-1 (rank last week (20) opponents' winning % .500: lost to Ravens, 7-36)

Let me get this straight, Andy Reid: you are losing by three with McNabb. So you bench him for untested Kevin Kolb, against the Ravens no less, and lose by 29 points. What exactly DID you think would happen???

22. Houston Texans- record 4-7 (rank last week (25) opponents' winning % .500: defeated Browns, 16-6)

Sage Rosenfel finally completed a win without screwing it up.

23. Cleveland Browns- record: 4-7 (rank last week (21) opponents' winning % .558: lost to Texans, 6-16)

Welcome to the NFL, Brady Quinn. 

24. San Diego Chargers- record: 4-7 (rank last week (23) opponents' winning % .545: lost to Colts, 23-20)

Strategy of the week: let's tie the game with 1:30 to go in regulation against Peyton Manning. Wow, that Norv Turner sure is a brilliant strategist!!! <sarcasm included>

25. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 4-7 (rank last week (22) opponents' winning % .517: lost to Vikings, 12-30)

Surely they can beat the Texans next Monday night to avoid the AFC South cellar. Wait, that game is on Monday night??? NO!!!!!!

26. Oakland Raiders- record: 3-8 (rank last week (29) opponents' winning % .537: defeated Broncos, 31-10)

A blow out win in Denver??? A Darren McFadden sighting??? JaMarcus Russell with a quarterback rating well over 100??? Are these the signs of the Apocalypse???

27. San Francisco 49ers- record 3-8 (rank last week (26) opponents' winning % .458: lost to Cowboys, 22-35)

Surely they can beat the struggling Bills next week, right?

28. Cincinnati Bengals- record 1-9-1 (rank last week (27) opponents' winning % .625: lost to Steelers, 10-27)

Well, their losing streak begins again.

29. Seattle Seahawks- record: 2-9 (rank last week (28) opponents' winning % .517: lost to Redskins, 17-20)

The Redskins are done with them. Now they'll pass the Seahawks to the Cowboys.

30. Kansas City Chiefs- record 1-10 (rank last week (30) opponents' winning % .603: lost to Bills, 31-54)

Draft picks obvious are not enough to rebuild this team. They need help BAD!  

31. St. Louis Rams- record 2-9 (rank last week (31) opponents' winning % .567: lost to Bears, 3-27)

It was not too long again that this team was the ‘greatest show on turf'. How things have changed in the NFL.

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-11 (rank last week (32) opponents' winning % .529: lost to Bucs, 20-38)

Their quest for imperfection continues to be on track.

Five notes from week thirteen:

1. It is beyond me why, being down by only a field goal and against the Ravens, would a coach pull his starting quarterback for an inexperienced one??? It is bad enough that the Eagles have underperformed this season, but it is knee-jerk reactions like that one that leads to coaches being fired.

2. The Arena League meets the NFL in a few games this past weekend. And the best example, at least in my opinion, was the Monday night game between the Saints and the Packers. Of course the back and forth scoring only lasted for the first half, but it was an exciting half.

3. New York City has become the football capital. Both of their teams (even though some claim that the Jets are New Jersey's team) are the hottest teams in the league. Some are even predicting a New Yorker showdown in the Super Bowl.

4. And on the opposite side of the spectrum, the Lions are in a perfect position to be one of the worst team of all time.

5. And finally, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!