NFL Power Rankings: Giants up, Jets down
Team, record, last week’s ranking
1. Patriots (4-0) (1): Could you ever have imagined that we'd be talking about Randy Moss as an MVP candidate? Say what you will about the guy, but he has been the difference maker for the Patriots, who haven't scored less than 34 points in a game so far. 
2. Colts (4-0) (2): Colts go through September perfectly, but doesn’t it feel like the defending champs are under the radar? Injuries may begin to take a toll though. Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison, Bob Sanders, and Rob Morris are hurting.
3. Cowboys (4-0) (3): Memo to defensive coordinators: You want to keep Terrell Owens under wraps, then look for Patrick Crayton to do the damage, like he did Sunday against Rams.
4. Packers (4-0) (5): Brett Favre takes over first place in career TD passes. More importantly, Pack in firm control in NFC North after spotless September.
5. Seahawks (3-1) (9): ‘Hawks always seem to struggle in San Fran, but not this time.
6. Steelers (3-1) (4): Ben Roethlisberger might have been too consumed with beating his old offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt. Instead, the Cardinals rookie head coach gets the better of his former pupil.
7. Buccaneers (3-1) (17): Nice performance in Carolina, but a costly one. Bucs lose Cadillac Williams for the season with a knee injury.
8. Jaguars (2-1) (10): After week off, Jags visit a Chiefs team that suddenly looks more dangerous after road win in San Diego.
9. Lions (3-1) (19): Jon Kitna is 3/10ths of the way there in making good on his prediction of double-digit victories this season.
10. Ravens (2-2) (7): Is Ravens’ defense living in the past? Cleveland makes Baltimore pay for ineffective blitzes.
11. Broncos (2-2) (11): No matter the quarterback, the running back or the defensive formation, Mike Shanahan just can’t find a way to beat the Colts in Indy.
12. Texans (2-2) (8): Matt Schaub goes back to Atlanta and hopes to give his old fans a look at what they’ve been missing. Instead, Joey Harrington steals the show.
13. Titans (2-1) (18): After further review, we had the Titans too low last week.
14. Giants (2-2) (23): Back-to-back wins over Redskins and Eagles put Giants back in it. A dozen sacks against Donovan McNabb, and the possibilities of this defense look dynamic. Let’s see if they can keep it going.
15. Bengals (1-3) (14): Bengals are 6-11 in their last 17. No defense, people.
16. Panthers (2-2) (6): No Jake Delhomme. No chance.
17. 49ers (2-2) (16): Alex Smith might be gone a month with a separated shoulder.
18. Cardinals (2-2) (24): Don’t know how much longer Whisenhunt can get away with quarterback rotation. Matt Leinart starting to whine about it.
19. Redskins (2-1) (20): Let’s see what the Redskins can do with a week off. They host surging Detroit on Sunday.
20. Chiefs (2-2) (27): Herm Edwards bashers strangely silent after Chiefs blast Chargers on the road.
21. Eagles (1-3) (15): Armageddon in Week 5.
22. Bears (1-3) (12): Bears unravel on offense with Brian Griese, and implode on defense with a ton of injuries. Good thing Lovie Smith got his contract extension before it all came unglued.
23. Raiders (2-2) (28): Daunte Culpepper tells his old team to stuff it. He throws for two TDs and runs for three more as Raiders smoke Dolphins.
24. Browns (2-2) (29): Derek Anderson is keeping Brady Quinn where he belongs. Holding a clipboard. No need to rush the kid when Anderson is playing so well.
25. Chargers (1-3) (13): What a mess.
26. Saints (0-3) (25): Saints had bye week to get things straightened out. They’ll find out when they host injury-ravaged Panthers
27. Bills (1-3) (30): Injuries have decimated the defense, but they find a way to survive the Jets. Not sure whether that says more about the Bills or Jets.
28. Jets (1-3) (21): After clunker in Buffalo, Jets “visit” Giants on Sunday. If Big Blue’s pass rush is anything like it was against Eagles, Chad Pennington in for a long afternoon.
29. Vikings (1-3) (22): Imagine what this team would be like if they had a quarterback.
30. Falcons (1-3) (32): Still a bad team, but win over Houston at least shows there’s life after Michael Vick.
31. Rams (0-4) (26): Isaac Bruce is out of the guarantee business. He promised a win in Dallas, and Rams got smoked 35-7.
32. Dolphins (0-4) (31): Judy the Dolphins fan enraged about her beloved Dolphins. Sorry, Ju Ju, the ship be sinking.
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Comments (6)
Bob, I can't believe I'm saying this, but you may be giving the Steelers too much benefit.
A number six team should be what, 12-4 by the end of the season?
The Cards are a 9-7 team at best this year in a relatively weak conference.
The Steelers are heading into a tough part of the schedule. 12-4 would be a stretch for them at this point. 10-6 is much more likely.
The Steelers have talent and maybe the best coordinator in all of the NFL in Dick LeBeau. I'm not convinced that Bruce Arians is the right man on the offensive side of the ball.
Man, I tell ya, if the Titans ever break your Top 10, we're on our way tot he playoffs! ;-)
Easy does it, Rustmeister. We took what you said last week under advisement and adjusted accordingly. But Vince needs to do some more to crack the top 10.
Good deal, Bob.
It actually is too early to predict anything yet.
Hey Bob... Do you think the Giants can beat the Jets....I mean my boys had a great second half ve a bad skins offense and a great game vs a defense missing 2 pro bowlers n the offense missing 2 pro bowlers.....at least the jets are healthy
JerseyBoy1977:
If the Giants play like they did against the Eagles, they will beat the Jets. Don't think they can duplicate that pass rush, but Jets' offense is just not good right now. Defense might be worse. But you know how this league is. Weird things happen all the time.