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Post by CRASHER on Sept 30, 2005 6:34:31 GMT -5
The Chiefs could have iced the top of the rankings this week. All Kansas City had to do was win Monday night, and spots one through six would have been put on ice – frozen solid in the same slots as last week.
Didn't happen.
The Chiefs finally showed some flaws with their loss to the Broncos and tumbled down three spots, causing a slight shift in the top six. But the top-six teams from last week still seem to be a notch above everyone else, and they only underwent a bit of jockeying for position.
The real havoc is taking place at the bottom of the Top 12, where no fewer than eight teams have a strong claim to spots 10, 11 and 12. Unfortunately, the numbers game has relegated a few good teams to the Muddled Middle until the schedule can sort out the pretenders (probably Washington) from the contenders (the aforementioned Broncos).
As for the Bottom Five, Arizona – the season's early bust – has plummeted into the basement, along with the Saints, who are suddenly looking a whole lot like the bumbling team from early in 2004.
THE TOP 12 1. Indianapolis Colts (3-0) – Look at the film of opposing secondaries and you'll understand why Peyton Manning and the Colts aren't lighting it up. With every rushing and defensive win, Edgerrin James accrues a little more contract leverage.
2. New England Patriots (2-1) – You can't replace Rodney Harrison, period. But that doesn't mean this is no longer a Super Bowl-caliber team.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) – Why isn't Brian Westbrook averaging 25 touches a game? And the next time someone rips on kickers for not being "real" football players, give them a tape of what David Akers did to beat the Raiders.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) – Ben Roethlisberger is still losing his accuracy when pressured. Antwaan Randle El's fumbled lateral ranks right up there with the time Plaxico Burress spiked a live football.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) – The offensive line looks a whole lot more vulnerable without tackle Willie Roaf. Now we'll see if the defense has some resiliency after looking like the Chiefs of old in the loss to Denver.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) – The defense has a staggering 16 takeaways in three games. They look like a great team, but we'll have to wait until they travel to Jacksonville in two weeks to truly know where they rank in the AFC.
7. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) – It's ridiculous that Michael Vick's 167 passing yards Sunday were the most in his last nine starts (including the playoffs). Then again, if the Falcons can get Vick to play consistently like he did against Buffalo, the NFC's road to the Super Bowl will go through Atlanta.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) – Not to question Jon Gruden's wisdom, but should his golden goose be getting 37 carries in any game? This defense has to be salivating at the thought of facing Detroit's disheveled offense this week.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) – They scored a huge road win over the Jets, but what was with the Jaguars risking Fred Taylor's surgically repaired knee with 37 carries? Wasn't there another running back available to grind out three yards a carry?
10. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) – The last time Seattle's offense was playing this well, the bottom fell out. If the Seahawks put up big numbers again in Washington this week, the rest of the NFC had better sit up and take notice.
11. Carolina Panthers (1-2) – Two losses on last-second field goals hurt, but this team has too much going for it not to get it together. The absence of Kris Jenkins was really felt against the Dolphins.
12. Washington Redskins (2-0) – After watching the win over Dallas again, I can't understand why Joe Gibbs is still trying to run the counter trey. And I'm convinced Clinton Portis is never again going to see the stats from his Denver days.
RISING Miami Dolphins (2-1) – Good for Ronnie Brown, who shushed those fools who suggested he was a bust after only two regular-season games. Just imagine how much better this offense is going to be when Ricky Williams and Brown are spelling each other.
THE MUDDLED MIDDLE (in alphabetical order)
Baltimore Ravens (0-2) – With even Cleveland looking competitive in the AFC North, the Ravens are in serious trouble. Thankfully for them, the Jets are bringing their own jacked-up quarterback situation to town.
Buffalo Bills (1-2) – Kelly Holcomb should be given a couple of weeks to work with the first-team offense. Takeo Spikes may have been the best linebacker in the NFL when he went down for the season last Sunday.
Chicago Bears (1-2) – Welcome back to earth, Kyle Orton and company. Thomas Jones is already thinking about where he wants to be playing next season (hint: it's not Chicago).
Cleveland Browns (1-2) – A tip of the cap to general manager Phil Savage for knowing what he was doing when he brought in Trent Dilfer. The defense is still going to be horrid, but the Browns have found a way to be competitive anyway.
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) – Dallas is playing with fire by losing focus and falling behind in games. And Drew Bledsoe might not be an upper-echelon quarterback anymore, but he moves the offense enough to make the Cowboys a playoff contender.
Detroit Lions (1-1) – Guard Rick DeMulling and center Dominic Raiola have played poorly this season. But that's still no excuse for Joey Harrington's five-interception meltdown against Chicago.
Denver Broncos (2-1) – Over the last six quarters, this has been one of the best defenses in the NFL. But Champ Bailey is getting knocked around way too much three weeks into the season.
Minnesota Vikings (1-2) – I may never understand what problem Mike Tice had with Mewelde Moore. Whatever the issue was or is, Tice better let it go and make him the featured back the rest of the season.
New York Giants (2-1) – The defense went from looking great to getting slapped silly against San Diego. Will Tom Coughlin ever make it out of September without one of his players complaining about his rules?
New York Jets (1-2) – An aging Vinny Testaverde is better than any of the junk floating around in the free-agent market. But he's not going to save a team that is about to watch its season cave in before mid-October.
St. Louis Rams (2-1) – Don't get all caught up in Alex Barron's play just yet. One columnist's assertion that he's Orlando Pace with a mean streak is simply absurd.
San Diego Chargers (1-2) – Give Marty Schottenheimer and Cam Cameron credit for a gutsy and risky call on the touchdown pass thrown by LaDainian Tomlinson. The offense looks totally different with Antonio Gates back into midseason form.
Tennessee Titans (1-2) – Norm Chow's offense has flashes of brilliance, like Sunday's first quarter against St. Louis. But Steve McNair is making mistakes that are costing the Titans wins.
FALLING Oakland Raiders (0-3) – To be fair, they've been competitive with three teams in the rankings' top 5. If the Raiders lose at home to Dallas this week, kiss the playoffs goodbye.
THE BOTTOM FIVE 28. New Orleans Saints (1-2) – Don't assume Jim Haslett has a free pass this year because of Hurricane Katrina. Especially when Tom Benson's boys are playing like a high school team again.
29. San Francisco 49ers (1-2) – The defense has given up 1,026 yards in the last two games. Will Mexico City still want a pro football team after seeing the 49ers play Arizona this week?
30. Arizona Cardinals (0-3) – They're the season's biggest disappointment so far. An absolute paper tiger on both sides of the ball. I'm starting to feel sorry for Neil Rackers' leg.
31. Green Bay Packers (0-3) – It hurts to say it, but with seven interceptions in three games, Brett Favre has to take responsibility for being part of the problem. Even if this team can turn it around, back-to-back losses at Lambeau Field could be a killer.
32. Houston Texans (0-2) – Is David Carr worth keeping around this offseason for an $8 million roster bonus? The Texans have to be asking themselves that question.
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