Brandon's Positively Pointless Power Rankings Week 5

[Brandon]

Brandon's Positively Pointless Power Rankings Week 5

1. Giants

The Giants came off the bye week with a huge blowout of the Seahawks, dominating on both sides of the ball even without their #1 receiver. This team has become the posterchild for balance, while not the best in any one category, they excel in every area. Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs have come a long ways, quietly and confidently becoming some of the better players at their respective positions.

2. Titans

The Titans need to find ways to be more consistent on offense, before it's too late. The Ravens may have a great defense but they will be seeing many more of those in January and will be facing much better offenses. However their defense was still top notch this week, despite the flaccid offense.

3. Steelers

When injuries hit most teams, they tend to fold in half, but the Steelers have remained strong in spite of them. Ben Roethlisberger quelled any doubts about his ability to win the game through the air, with over 40 passing attempts and 3 touchdowns. No team has so desperately looked forward to their bye week as much as the Steelers have.

4. Panthers

Quietly, the Panthers have put together an amazing defense. Only 5 offensive touchdowns allowed in 5 games, zero 100yd rushers, and a 30% 3rd down conversion rate. With an offense that is starting to get into gear after a shaky start to the season, the Panthers are becoming a dangerous team.

5. Redskins

Clinton Portis is having a great start to the year, on pace for a career season and it only gets easier from here. With all divisional road games behind them, and an extremely soft schedule over the next few weeks the Skins might be challenging the Giants for first place in the division by year's end. Jim Zorn deserves a lot of credit for how well this team is playing.

6. Cowboys

This team is scary, but not in the way fans may hope. The D in Dallas seems to have fallen flat, and while the offense has been able to bail them out, quality teams will not let them away so easily. Too many mistakes on both sides of the ball are holding this team down, and coaching needs to improve if they don't want to be sent home early again in January.

7. Bills

Week after week of close games and Trent Edwards led come from behind victories finally came to an end when Edwards was put out against the Cardinals. While all is not lost, they need him back and healthy if they hope to continue this improbable run. Fortunately their bye week will give them the chance to do just that, and hopefully figure out how to play 4 quarters of good football.

8. Broncos

The Broncos defense finally decided to show up after four weeks of being completely, utterly absent. Worryingly though, the Denver offense has slowed tremendously over the past two weeks and will need to get back on track, and they will need it in the weeks to come. Unfortunately it isn't looking to get any easier over the weeks to come.

9. Bears

Even the Bears were surprised at the performance of Kyle Orton throwing for over 300yds and 2td's. The only bad news is that it was against the Lions. Fortunately though this may have been just what was needed to get Orton comfortable in throwing past the first level. With the Packers struggling and the Vikings unpredictable, the Bears need to string some wins together and get firmly into first place.

10. Buccanneers

Even with the quality defense the Bucs have, it's not enough to win games as long as the offense continues to struggle. Gruden needs to sit down and figure out which QB is going to be leading this team, especially if they hope to see the postseason. The upcoming game against the Panthers may decide how the rest of their season turns out.

11. Falcons

This may come as a surprise to many people but the Falcons are playing good ball and Matt Ryan is improving steadily. The pass defense is still a concern but as a whole the defense came together and gave the offense a chance to win the game. With Chicago coming into town it will show everyone if they are for real.

12. Patriots

Despite playing poorly on offense, their D has but them in the position to win games. Matt Cassel may have finally had a decent performance statistically but his mistakes would have cost them the game against a better team. Aided by one of the weakest schedules in the league, the Patriots may still have a decent season but don't expect much if they win the wild card.

13. Colts

This is not the Colts team many people have come to expect after many successful seasons. The offensive line injuries and poor defensive play have taken it's toll so far this season, not giving Peyton a chance to find his rhythm and get the offense going. Getting healthy is going to be key if the Colts hope to sniff the postseason this year.

14. Vikings

Ferotte took every advantage of the weak Saints defense and stepped up while the Vikings running game struggled to get anything going. The Vikings defense played especially well only allowing 1 offensive TD and slowing down the Saints passing attack with the exception of a couple deep plays. Special teams play however needs to improve.

15. Cardinals

Arizona's offense wasn't slowed too much without Boldin, racking up 41 points against the Bills' typically good defense. More importantly the Cardinals defense gave them the chance to win the game, and it will have to perform well against Dallas' potent offense. They will have to make the most out of the Cowboys impotent secondary if they want to win.

16. Eagles
17. Dolphins
18. Jaguars
19. Chargers
20. Saints
21. Packers
22. Ravens
23. Jets
24. Seahawks
25. 49ers
26. Chiefs
27. Browns
28. Raiders
29. Texans
30. Bengals
31. Lions
32. Rams

[Chubz]

i think the Giants have the most explosive offense in the NFL. This Giants team has the swagger of the 1990 Giants team

[cruzg24]

Finally some respect for the Patriots. Oh man my Titans prediction looks pretty sweet right now!

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by cruzg24

Finally some respect for the Patriots. Oh man my Titans prediction looks pretty sweet right now!

Sorry but the Pats are only that high because they are 3-1 one and that's about it. They're playing like crap and it will catch up to them.

[cruzg24]

You are wrong, they will find a way to win with one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by cruzg24

You are wrong, they will find a way to win with one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

Belichick is not the genius everyone thought he was. He was mediocre with the Browns and was a good coach with the Patriots but he got very lucky with personnel. The proof of him being less than great is being beaten by the same play time after time after time in the same game with little to no adjustment. Instead of setting spies on direct snap plays, he stayed with base defense and the rest is history.

[nyG]

Originally Posted by Brandon

1. Giants

This team has become the posterchild for balance, while not the best in any one category, they excel in every area.

431.0 Total YPG - 1st
181.3 Rush YPG - 1st
31.8 Points PG - 1st

Not to mention 3rd in total yards allowed, 2nd in passing yards allowed, and 2nd in points per game allowed with 12.3

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by nyG

431.0 Total YPG - 1st
181.3 Rush YPG - 1st
31.8 Points PG - 1st

Not to mention 3rd in total yards allowed, 2nd in passing yards allowed, and 2nd in points per game allowed with 12.3

They've also gone against opponents who generally (with the exception of the Redskins) allow you to gain some favorable statistics. My comment was based more on evaluation rather than stats.

[nyG]

Click me

sigh..

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by nyG

Click me

sigh..

They're not the best passing team, the best running team, the best run defense or pass defense, but they are the best overall team right now. What's so wrong with me saying that?

[nyG]

If you don't believe they are the best rushing offense in the league then you need to take a closer look.