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....NL Team Rankings

In this weekly feature, we take a look at the top ten records in the National League (Rear View Mirror) and rank them based on strength of team going forward (Over the Hood.) Influencing factors include injuries, current and projected level of play, personnel changes, trends, schedule, star alignment and the writer's then current mood. Please feel free to provide your commentary whether you agree, disagree or just have something you want to get off your chest.

Rear View Mirror

1. Dodgers (90-60 .600)

2. Phillies (87-61 .588)

3. Cardinals (88-63 .583)

4. Rockies (85-65 .567)

5. Giants (81-69 .545)

6. Marlins (80-70 .533)

7. Braves (80-70 .533)

8. Cubs (77-72 .517)

9. Brewers (74-76 .493)

10. Astros (70-80 .467)

Over the Hood

1. Dodgers- Besides Wolf, many concerns about starters; great bullpen

2. Cardinals- Success as Pujols, Holiday, Wainwright, Carpenter, Franklin go

3. Phillies- Best talent, but tempered by mounting injury concerns

4. Rockies- Streaky team with no dominant starters, but score lots of runs

5. Marlins- Scary team with young starters and streaky line-up

6. Braves- Very solid rotation, but not enough pop in line-up, weak schedule left

7. Giants- Starting to fade with Dow Jones September, not enough offense

8. Cubs- Unfulfilled potential has been the story all year

9. Brewers- Turned it up to reach .500?

10. Astros- Current 8 game losing streak dashed any optimism

NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers squeaked out an OT win at home, but they were playing a tough Titans team and are still the defending champions. As a result, they find themselves at the top of our rankings after week 1. The Patriots did not look like the 2007 powerhouse that most expected with the return of Tom Brady....until the last couple minutes. As usual, they are potentially scary, especially for gamblers and fantasy footballers due to their passion for running up scores. The Eagles made a strong statement in week 1, but skeptics have a hard time drawing the line between their defensive dominance and the Panthers offensive ineptitude. The Vikings have the ingredients if they do not have to rely on their other scorned QBs. Lastly, the Giants Eli Manning's performance in last year's playoffs makes me wonder if he is hanging out with Mets players?

Without further adieu, here are our rankings after NFL season week 1:

1. Steelers (1-0)-Still the defending champs, will miss Polamalu
2. Patriots (1-0)-Brady's back, one year removed from 16-0 season
3. Eagles (1-0)-Strong start, but McNabb injury could cost week 2
4. Vikings (1-0)-Have ingredients if Favre stays healthy
5. Giants (1-0)-Strong defensive line and running game, but will lose at Dallas
6. Chargers (1-0)-Strong cast should win division if healthy
7. Cowboys (1-0)-Long TD throws are aberration, but still solid
8. Titans (0-1)-No shame in losing at Pittsburgh in OT
9. Jets (1-0)-Ryan defense, running game enough for Sanchez to win
10. Ravens (1-0)-Flacco taking next step
11. Saints (1-0)-Best QB in NFL will allow them to win shootouts
12. Falcons (1-0)-Led by rising star Ryan, but won't sneak up on anybody in '09
13. Packers (1-0)-Playoff possible with improving Rogers and defense
14. Cardinals (0-1)-History of complacency for defending NFC champs?
15. Bills (0-1)-Looked good until the nightmare ending

I'm just saying....NL Team Rankings

In this weekly feature, we take a look at the top ten records in the National League (Rear View Mirror) and rank them based on strength of team going forward (Over the Hood.) Influencing factors include injuries, current and projected level of play, personnel changes, trends, schedule, star alignment and the writer's then current mood. Please feel free to provide your commentary whether you agree, disagree or just have something you want to get off your chest.


Rear View Mirror
1. Dodgers (78-54 .591)
2. Phillies (75-53 .586)
3. Cardinals (77-55 .583)
4. Rockies (72-59 .550)
5. Giants (72-59 .550)
6. Braves (69-62 .527)
7. Marlins (68-63 .519)
8. Cubs (65-64 .504)
9. Brewers (64-66 .492)
10. Astros (63-68 .481)

Over the Hood
1. Phillies- Howard, Hamels, Lidge gearing up for big September
2. Cardinals- Player additions, ZZ Top closer, top 3 starters lead to 24-7 surge

3. Dodgers- Garland helps back-end of rotation; Thome adds needed power
4. Rockies- Returned to earth's atmosphere over last 5 games
5. Braves- Line-up boosted by Diaz, Prado, LaRoche, strong starting staff
6. Giants- Lincecum, Cain make for scary playoff opponent
7. Marlins- Slipped a little of late against softer schedule
8. Cubs- Have they hit the wall due to injuries?
9. Brewers- Sub-standard rotation, no supporting cast for Fielder and Braun
10. Astros- .500 talent at best

I'm just saying....NL Team Rankings

In this weekly feature, we take a look at the top ten records in the National League (Rear View Mirror) and rank them based on strength of team going forward (Over the Hood.) Influencing factors include injuries, current and projected level of play, personnel changes, trends, schedule, star alignment and the writer's then current mood. Please feel free to provide your commentary whether you agree, disagree or just have something you want to get off your chest.


Rear View Mirror
1. Dodgers (74-51 .592)
2. Phillies (71-50 .587)
3. Cardinals (72-54 .571)
4. Rockies (70-54 .565)
5. Giants (67-57 .540)
6. Braves (66-58 .532)
7. Marlins (65-59 .524)
8. Cubs (62-60 .508)
9. Astros (61-63 .492)
10. Brewers (60-63 .488)

Over the Hood
1. Phillies- Best O, Best D, strong starting pitching, bullpen improving
2. Cardinals- Holiday, Smoltz just what they needed
3. Dodgers- Starting staff questionable
4. Rockies- Stellar record after poor start
5. Marlins- Young pitchers and hitters coming through
6. Braves- Still power deficient
7. Giants- Not enough offense to go pitching
8. Cubs- Hurt by injuries, mediocre line-up
9. Brewers- Pitching woes continue
10. Astros- Middling pitching can't overcome lack of runs