NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 3

Several teams remained undefeated and looked good in so doing. Our top two ranked teams face off against each other this week, after turning in strong performances again last week. The Giants defense totally dominated the Bucs and may have a similar performance this week in KC. The Ravens and Colts are winning backwards from past practices, with offense and defense, respectively, taking the lead. The Eagles rebounded from their horrible home opener against the Saints and look poised to be a force after their break. The 49ers should have beaten the Vikings, but fell short on Brett Favre's unlikely last second touchdown pass. It looks like Brian Dawkins has helped instill a winning attitude in Denver. Overall, many teams have the ability to emerge as the season rolls on, but the balance of power may be shifting to the NFC. Future weeks should feature more NFC teams in the top 15 and at the top of the rankings. Here are the rankings after week 3:

1. Saints (3-0)-Defense exceeding expectations, offense to be tested by Jets
2. Jets (3-0)-Big test for defense against NFL's top offense this week
3. Giants (3-0)-Defense trying to keep up with the other NY team
4. Ravens (3-0)-Running trio and Flacco making offense worthy of defense
5. Colts (3-0)-Manning heating up with new mates, defense playing well
6. Vikings (3-0)-Undefeated on a wing and a prayer, but upset in waiting?
7. Eagles (2-1)-Dominated lowly Chiefs, regrouping for run after bye
8. 49ers (2-1)- Lost a heartbreaker in Minnesota, but looking legit
9. Broncos (3-0)- Surprising defense has them atop AFC West
10. Cowboys (2-1)-Rounding into shape for a 3 team NFC East race
11. Chargers (2-1)-Solid team, but still not firing on all cylinders
12. Patriots (2-1)-Looked better against Falcons, but not a powerhouse
13. Falcons (2-1)-Disappointing game against Pats, but extra week to rebound
14. Bengals (2-1)- Win over Steelers may have proven them to be for real
15. Steelers (1-2)-Missing Pal, Super Bowl hangover could continue Sunday

NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 2

Either we provided the jinx or had some teams over-rated as our top three and six of our top eight teams all lost in week 2. Additionally, a few other teams made a case to move into the top 15 spots. The Colts, Broncos and 49ers all ran their records to 2-0, while the Cardinals and Bills got untracked after disappointing week 1 losses. The Saints continue to demonstrate that they have the most dynamic offense in football rolling up 93 points in the first two games. After a strong season opening effort, our home town Eagles team took a hard fall. Big wins last Sunday included the Rex Ryan led Jets taking down the arch rival Pats, the Ravens outlasting the Chargers and the Giants spoiling Jerry Jones' attendance record setting, stadium unveiling Cowboys team.

Here are the greatly jumbled up rankings:

1. Saints (2-0)-Unstoppable offense + improving defense = contender
2. Jets (2-0)-Big win against Pats has their confidence soaring
3. Vikings (2-0)-Same story-have ingredients if Favre can stay healthy
4. Giants (2-0)-Pulled out see saw battle at Dallas, Eli looked good
5. Ravens (2-0)-Winning with offense rather than trademark defense
6. Colts (2-0)-Manning gives them a chance to win any week
7. Falcons (2-0)-Led by rising star Ryan, but won't sneak up on anybody in '09
8. Steelers (1-1)-Anemic offense
9. Patriots (1-1)-Chinks in the armor? Lucky to have one win
10. Eagles (1-1)-Outplayed in every phase by Saints
11. Chargers (1-1)-Tomlinson injured again and defense struggling
12. Cowboys (1-1)-Jones coming out party with Barber out, Romo ?'s
13. 49ers (2-0)- Could they be for real?
14. Broncos (2-0)- Flukey win followed by strong outing against Browns
15. Cardinals (1-1)-Offense came alive versus Jacksonville

I'm Just Saying......

A weekly collection of random thoughts and observations for you to consider.

• The incredibly low number of fans in the Land Shark Stadium stands to watch the playoff contending Florida Marlins face off against the division leading Phillies illustrates how Philadelphia is such a great sports town. And, it begs to ask the question whether the new $515 million baseball stadium being built for them in Miami is nothing more than a huge waste of money?
• I would tend to agree with Sheldon Brown that he has been and continues to be under appreciated by the Eagles. He has been a top quartile, dependable player for years, but I don't get what statement wearing a "Jason" mask makes about the team or his situation? And, doesn't it further lower what he already believes to be his substandard compensation as he accrues fines?
• Why impose limits on the Eagles offensive creativity? Perhaps the Eagles should run an employee contest offering a day off and a gift certificate for any suggested trick play that is used in a game?
• Where does the Wildcat obsession end? Might Reid and Mornhinweg put Brian Westbrook in at tackle to chip block a fast pass rusher or Leonard Weaver to serve as a pulling guard on a sweep?
• Derek Lee can attest to it being a tough season for the Cubs when a celebratory slap lands him on the injured list.
• Thanks to Rex Ryan and the Jets good start, they are my new favorite AFC team.
• I don't usually agree with his logic or actions, but it was good to see Ochocinco do the Lambeau Leap on Sunday to call attention to the NFL's double standard. I would prefer that the NFL loosen up its wet blanket approach to touchdown celebrations, but in the absence of that, it is absurd that they allow only the Packers to engage in orchestrated demonstrations of joy.
• Being in a town with the World Series Champion Phillies and NFC power Eagles, it might take more than rolling out new primary color uniforms and demo's on the "Princeton weave" for the Sixers to gain fan interest this season.
• He has hit into some tough luck of late, but look for Chase Utley to catch fire over the last two weeks and finish over .300.
• BrettFavre, BrettFavre, Brett Favre...There has been so much focus on Adrian Peterson, I thought Brett might need a little attention.

NFL Office Needs to Re-Examine Its Priorities and Logic

The National Football League has been wildly popular, a tremendous success story and the model for professional sports in many ways. That being said, the executives who run the league continue to have skewed priorities and counter intuitive thinking.

Over the years, the NFL has paid particular attention to ensure that their players wear uniforms with robotic precision, teams meticulously update injury reports to keep gamblers in the know and, heaven forbid, they drive any show of elation or fun to the confines of closed locker rooms. (Well, unless you are a Green Bay Packers player, which gives you license to jump into the stands and table dance with your fans after each and every touchdown while your team song pumps through the stadium loudspeakers.) Conversely, the NFL seems to have difficulty with the concept of protecting the safety of its players. A few recent events and NFL office rulings highlight their paradoxical approach.

On Sunday, the Eagles Donovan McNabb scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown run to extend the team's lead to 38-10, but his rib was broken when the Panthers 301 pound lineman Damione Lewis drilled him in the back at the end of the play. Not only was he already on the ground at the time, but he was also 3 yards into the end zone. Anyone familiar with NFL rules, including extra large sized 9-year veteran defensive tackles, knows that the nanosecond that a player crosses the goal line with the ball it is a touchdown.

A penalty was not assessed and the NFL office (relying specifically on head of officiating Merton Hanks) ruled that the hit was legal, no penalty should have been charged and no fines were in order. Perhaps Mr. Hanks needs to familiarize himself with the rule book as the play was dead on two counts with McNabb on the ground and well into the end zone. It also contradicts the league's longstanding desire to protect its signal callers. To add insult to injury, this same Panthers' team used a similar play to put McNabb out of the NFC Championship game a few years ago and help them advance to the Super Bowl- and did not get penalized or fined then, either.

While the NFL saw nothing wrong with a defender gratuitously breaking a marquee quarterback's ribs, they took strong objection to the Eagles touchdown celebration that took place an hour earlier in ironically the same spot. It was deemed to be a particularly heinous display of joy apparently due to the players' circular formation that smacked of premeditation. For their deeds, Eagles players were levied fines up to $10,000 apiece and $60,000 in total.

Speaking of fines and injuries, the NFL has just announced that it is fining the New York Jets, their GM and last year's since departed coach a total of $125,000 for not properly divulging Brett Favre's torn bicep injury last season. Of course, if they had, wouldn't that have put a large bulls-eye on Favre's arm for opposing team's 301 pound linemen?