3afan
10-18-2005, 07:39 PM
from cbs.sportsline.com
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
1 Indianapolis Colts 1
Peyton Manning isn't putting up the big numbers, but does it matter? This team is winning with defense and a running game. Can you believe it?
2 Denver Broncos 3
Somehow that opening-day loss to the Dolphins doesn't look right. The Broncos are on a roll, but they do have to learn to put teams away.
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5
They head to the break at 5-1, but now they must finish out the year with Chris Simms at quarterback. He'll be fine.
4 Cincinnati Bengals 7
Give this young team props for an impressive bounce-back victory on the road. Carson Palmer is the real deal.
5 Philadelphia Eagles 9
Here's wondering how many times T.O. looked at himself in the mirror during the bye week. The Eagles needed the time off, and now get a good Chargers team.
6 Dallas Cowboys 8
Dallas got away with one against the Giants, but those are the kind of games playoff teams need to win. They're a different team without Julius Jones.
7 Atlanta Falcons 10
The Falcons didn't play well against the Saints, which has to change as they move to the second half. Will Mike Vick be totally healthy at any time this season?
8 Jacksonville Jaguars 12
They go into their bye feeling pretty good about being 4-2. That was a big-time road victory at Pittsburgh.
9 Pittsburgh Steelers 2
If there was any doubt about the value of Ben Roethlisberger, there shouldn't be anymore; Tommy Maddox was awful.
10 Seattle Seahawks 14
They appear to be ready to challenge for superiority in the NFC. That offense will win a lot of games.
11 San Diego Chargers 15
The Chargers once again looked dominant against the Raiders, but now they have a tough road test at Philadelphia. Does it ever get easy for this team?
12 New England Patriots 4
There are troubles in New England, particularly on defense. There has been too much attrition.
13 Kansas City Chiefs 17
We still have doubts about the defense, and the offense isn't fully cranked up. But they did enough Sunday to win at home. It won't be the same if they play that way on the road.
14 Washington Redskins 6
Playing at Denver and at Kansas City on successive weeks is a tough task for any team. The Redskins played well in both games, which is a good sign.
15 Carolina Panthers 16
They're coming off two road victories, which is tough no matter what competition you're playing. But they're still not clicking just yet.
16 New York Giants 11
That was a tough loss at Dallas, but the Giants still have to feel good about their start. The defense played better, so that's a good sign.
17 Buffalo Bills 21
Don't look now but Kelly Holcomb has the Bills tied for first place. That quarterback move looks good now.
18 Miami Dolphins 13
Was their quick start a mirage? At some point, talent does have to do the job. It can't just be the coaching.
19 Baltimore Ravens 26
Was there any doubt the defense would turn it up a notch? Now maybe the offense can get going, too.
20 Chicago Bears 24
They were dominant against the Vikings, which is hard to gauge because the Vikings are so bad. We know the defense will show up every week.
21 St. Louis Rams 18
Losing Marc Bulger for a couple of weeks could really hurt this team's playoff chances. We know the defense won't be able to stop anybody.
22 Detroit Lions 19
At some point the offense has to produce in key situations. Are they waiting for Jeff Garcia to get healthy?
23 New York Jets 20
It looks like it's going to be a long season. Vinny Testaverde looked his age against the Bills.
24 Green Bay Packers 28
The week off might have done this hurting team a lot of good. Surprisingly, they're still in the race.
25 Oakland Raiders 22
This team just doesn't look right. With Randy Moss hurting, even the offense has issues now.
26 Cleveland Browns 23
We knew there would be days like they had Sunday. Give this young team time.
27 Tennessee Titans 27
The Titans hung around for a while with the Bengals, but couldn't close the deal in the end. It will be an up-and-down year.
28 New Orleans Saints 29
The officials owe them one for blowing that call late. The shock of the day was that Jim Haslett didn't kill the official who made the call.
29 Arizona Cardinals 30
Should it be Kurt Warner or Josh McCown at quarterback? Then again, does it really matter since they can't run the ball?
30 Minnesota Vikings 25
Poor Zygi Wilf. He buys this team and then has to deal with all this garbage? Mike Tice is done, no matter what Wilf is saying now.
31 San Francisco 49ers 31
The bye week was probably a good thing for this young team. Now it's time for Alex Smith to start making strides.
32 Houston Texans 32
That was pathetic Sunday night in Seattle. Can it get any worse?
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
1 Indianapolis Colts 1
Peyton Manning isn't putting up the big numbers, but does it matter? This team is winning with defense and a running game. Can you believe it?
2 Denver Broncos 3
Somehow that opening-day loss to the Dolphins doesn't look right. The Broncos are on a roll, but they do have to learn to put teams away.
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5
They head to the break at 5-1, but now they must finish out the year with Chris Simms at quarterback. He'll be fine.
4 Cincinnati Bengals 7
Give this young team props for an impressive bounce-back victory on the road. Carson Palmer is the real deal.
5 Philadelphia Eagles 9
Here's wondering how many times T.O. looked at himself in the mirror during the bye week. The Eagles needed the time off, and now get a good Chargers team.
6 Dallas Cowboys 8
Dallas got away with one against the Giants, but those are the kind of games playoff teams need to win. They're a different team without Julius Jones.
7 Atlanta Falcons 10
The Falcons didn't play well against the Saints, which has to change as they move to the second half. Will Mike Vick be totally healthy at any time this season?
8 Jacksonville Jaguars 12
They go into their bye feeling pretty good about being 4-2. That was a big-time road victory at Pittsburgh.
9 Pittsburgh Steelers 2
If there was any doubt about the value of Ben Roethlisberger, there shouldn't be anymore; Tommy Maddox was awful.
10 Seattle Seahawks 14
They appear to be ready to challenge for superiority in the NFC. That offense will win a lot of games.
11 San Diego Chargers 15
The Chargers once again looked dominant against the Raiders, but now they have a tough road test at Philadelphia. Does it ever get easy for this team?
12 New England Patriots 4
There are troubles in New England, particularly on defense. There has been too much attrition.
13 Kansas City Chiefs 17
We still have doubts about the defense, and the offense isn't fully cranked up. But they did enough Sunday to win at home. It won't be the same if they play that way on the road.
14 Washington Redskins 6
Playing at Denver and at Kansas City on successive weeks is a tough task for any team. The Redskins played well in both games, which is a good sign.
15 Carolina Panthers 16
They're coming off two road victories, which is tough no matter what competition you're playing. But they're still not clicking just yet.
16 New York Giants 11
That was a tough loss at Dallas, but the Giants still have to feel good about their start. The defense played better, so that's a good sign.
17 Buffalo Bills 21
Don't look now but Kelly Holcomb has the Bills tied for first place. That quarterback move looks good now.
18 Miami Dolphins 13
Was their quick start a mirage? At some point, talent does have to do the job. It can't just be the coaching.
19 Baltimore Ravens 26
Was there any doubt the defense would turn it up a notch? Now maybe the offense can get going, too.
20 Chicago Bears 24
They were dominant against the Vikings, which is hard to gauge because the Vikings are so bad. We know the defense will show up every week.
21 St. Louis Rams 18
Losing Marc Bulger for a couple of weeks could really hurt this team's playoff chances. We know the defense won't be able to stop anybody.
22 Detroit Lions 19
At some point the offense has to produce in key situations. Are they waiting for Jeff Garcia to get healthy?
23 New York Jets 20
It looks like it's going to be a long season. Vinny Testaverde looked his age against the Bills.
24 Green Bay Packers 28
The week off might have done this hurting team a lot of good. Surprisingly, they're still in the race.
25 Oakland Raiders 22
This team just doesn't look right. With Randy Moss hurting, even the offense has issues now.
26 Cleveland Browns 23
We knew there would be days like they had Sunday. Give this young team time.
27 Tennessee Titans 27
The Titans hung around for a while with the Bengals, but couldn't close the deal in the end. It will be an up-and-down year.
28 New Orleans Saints 29
The officials owe them one for blowing that call late. The shock of the day was that Jim Haslett didn't kill the official who made the call.
29 Arizona Cardinals 30
Should it be Kurt Warner or Josh McCown at quarterback? Then again, does it really matter since they can't run the ball?
30 Minnesota Vikings 25
Poor Zygi Wilf. He buys this team and then has to deal with all this garbage? Mike Tice is done, no matter what Wilf is saying now.
31 San Francisco 49ers 31
The bye week was probably a good thing for this young team. Now it's time for Alex Smith to start making strides.
32 Houston Texans 32
That was pathetic Sunday night in Seattle. Can it get any worse?