3afan
11-16-2005, 06:36 PM
ESPN Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking)
1 (1) Colts 9-0-0 Remaining schedule is tough, with road games against the Bengals, Jaguars and Seahawks. But the Colts will likely be the favorites in all of their remaining games.
2 (2) Broncos 7-2-0 A franchise-record 193 pass attempts without an INT. Are we sure that is really Jake Plummer behind center?
3 (3) Steelers 7-2-0 We've probably written this before, but it deserves to be repeated: Hines Ward, who set the Steelers' record for receptions Sunday, is just fun to watch play.
4 (5) Panthers 7-2-0 Last week we noted that Julius Peppers needed to produce more. Well, 1.5 sacks against the Jets (5.5 in his last four games) is pretty good production.
5 (6) Seahawks 7-2-0 It's still early, but could the Seahawks grabbing the No. 1 seed actually become a reality?
6 (8) Bengals 7-2-0 Bengals faltered in their last chance to make a big statement (against the Steelers). They'll get another chance this week against the undefeated Colts.
7 (10) Cowboys 6-3-0 Roy Williams' experience on MNF was better this time around. After getting burned twice for late TDs in the Cowboys' Week 2 loss to the Redskins, Williams stole a win for Dallas over Philly with a late INT return for a TD.
8 (9) Chargers 5-4-0 We're figuring LaDainian Tomlinson is really looking forward to facing the league's 31st-ranked rushing defense (Buffalo) this weekend.
9 (4) Falcons 6-3-0 Michael Vick had another solid game throwing the ball (20-for-30 for 209 yards and two TDs), but that was overshadowed by his three fumbles.
10 (7) Giants 6-3-0 Eli Manning made everyone forget that he had started only 15 games heading into Sunday. Well, his performance in his 16th game reminded everyone of that.
11 (13) Jaguars 6-3-0 It would be huge for the Jaguars if Matt Jones (5 catches for 117 yards and one TD Sunday) can develop into a consistent threat in the offense.
12 (14) Patriots 5-4-0 Heath Evans was great for the Patriots on Sunday against the Dolphins. But New England needs Corey Dillon (even if he's not 100 percent) in the lineup.
13 (16) Bears 6-3-0 Brian Urlacher's blocking during Nate Vasher's 108-yard TD return was almost as impressive as the return itself.
14 (18) Buccaneers 6-3-0 Big game for Chris Simms, who couldn't have been more than a bad game or two away from losing the starting job.
15 (11) Redskins 5-4-0 To us, it didn't look like Mike Alstott got in the end zone on the two-point conversion. Although that probably won't make Joe Gibbs and the Redskins any less angry.
16 (12) Chiefs 5-4-0 The absence of Priest Holmes, Willie Roaf and now a dependable receiving threat could equal another non-playoff season.
17 (15) Eagles 4-5-0 Are their playoff hopes over? Well, they definitely will be if the result of Donovan McNabb's MRI today is bad.
18 (17) Rams 4-5-0 The chances for another miracle comeback in Seattle ended when the D couldn't stop Shaun Alexander in the fourth quarter.
19 (20) Bills 4-5-0 So what do the Bills do at QB now? If they go back to J.P. Losman it has to be for the rest of the season. They can't start yanking him in and out of the lineup.
20 (21) Vikings 4-5-0 When you get outgained 405-137 and win, you have to have a lot of things go right -- like three returns (punt, kickoff and INT) for TDs.
21 (24) Lions 4-5-0 Joey Harrington has arguably his best game in the NFL and what does he get for it? A spot on the bench if Jeff Garcia is healthy.
22 (19) Raiders 3-6-0 Some would say it was inevitable, but the bad Kerry Collins has returned (2 picks returned for TDs in past three games).
23 (22) Dolphins 3-6-0 Chris Chambers made some nice catches, but he also dropped a bunch of balls against the Patriots, including the last pass of the game. It would have been a nice catch, but it was one he could have made.
24 (23) Browns 3-6-0 Rivalry? More like being owned as the Browns have now lost 10 of 11 to Steelers.
25 (26) Titans 2-7-0 So rumors are beginning to surface about Jeff Fisher's job security? No matter how good a coach is, he still needs some players.
26 (31) Packers 2-7-0 It's a little misleading, because they beat the Saints 52-3, but it's still pretty amazing that the Packers are 2-7 and yet have outscored their opponents 201-184.
27 (25) Jets 2-7-0 Jets fans can start looking at the top prospects for next year's draft, because the Jets are on their way to a top-five pick.
28 (28) Cardinals 2-7-0 They have trailed after the first quarter in eight of nine games. Definitely not a recipe for success.
29 (27) Ravens 2-7-0 Will Kyle Boller and Brian Billick still be with the Ravens next year? We're guessing the answer is no for at least one of them.
30 (29) Saints 2-7-0 A week without controversy was good. Now they must find a way to snap that five-game losing streak.
31 (30) 49ers 2-7-0 The defense has been solid, but it doesn't matter if the offense can't score (three-game TD drought).
32 (32) Texans 1-8-0 At this rate (46 sacks through nine games), David Carr will break his own record for most in a season (76).
1 (1) Colts 9-0-0 Remaining schedule is tough, with road games against the Bengals, Jaguars and Seahawks. But the Colts will likely be the favorites in all of their remaining games.
2 (2) Broncos 7-2-0 A franchise-record 193 pass attempts without an INT. Are we sure that is really Jake Plummer behind center?
3 (3) Steelers 7-2-0 We've probably written this before, but it deserves to be repeated: Hines Ward, who set the Steelers' record for receptions Sunday, is just fun to watch play.
4 (5) Panthers 7-2-0 Last week we noted that Julius Peppers needed to produce more. Well, 1.5 sacks against the Jets (5.5 in his last four games) is pretty good production.
5 (6) Seahawks 7-2-0 It's still early, but could the Seahawks grabbing the No. 1 seed actually become a reality?
6 (8) Bengals 7-2-0 Bengals faltered in their last chance to make a big statement (against the Steelers). They'll get another chance this week against the undefeated Colts.
7 (10) Cowboys 6-3-0 Roy Williams' experience on MNF was better this time around. After getting burned twice for late TDs in the Cowboys' Week 2 loss to the Redskins, Williams stole a win for Dallas over Philly with a late INT return for a TD.
8 (9) Chargers 5-4-0 We're figuring LaDainian Tomlinson is really looking forward to facing the league's 31st-ranked rushing defense (Buffalo) this weekend.
9 (4) Falcons 6-3-0 Michael Vick had another solid game throwing the ball (20-for-30 for 209 yards and two TDs), but that was overshadowed by his three fumbles.
10 (7) Giants 6-3-0 Eli Manning made everyone forget that he had started only 15 games heading into Sunday. Well, his performance in his 16th game reminded everyone of that.
11 (13) Jaguars 6-3-0 It would be huge for the Jaguars if Matt Jones (5 catches for 117 yards and one TD Sunday) can develop into a consistent threat in the offense.
12 (14) Patriots 5-4-0 Heath Evans was great for the Patriots on Sunday against the Dolphins. But New England needs Corey Dillon (even if he's not 100 percent) in the lineup.
13 (16) Bears 6-3-0 Brian Urlacher's blocking during Nate Vasher's 108-yard TD return was almost as impressive as the return itself.
14 (18) Buccaneers 6-3-0 Big game for Chris Simms, who couldn't have been more than a bad game or two away from losing the starting job.
15 (11) Redskins 5-4-0 To us, it didn't look like Mike Alstott got in the end zone on the two-point conversion. Although that probably won't make Joe Gibbs and the Redskins any less angry.
16 (12) Chiefs 5-4-0 The absence of Priest Holmes, Willie Roaf and now a dependable receiving threat could equal another non-playoff season.
17 (15) Eagles 4-5-0 Are their playoff hopes over? Well, they definitely will be if the result of Donovan McNabb's MRI today is bad.
18 (17) Rams 4-5-0 The chances for another miracle comeback in Seattle ended when the D couldn't stop Shaun Alexander in the fourth quarter.
19 (20) Bills 4-5-0 So what do the Bills do at QB now? If they go back to J.P. Losman it has to be for the rest of the season. They can't start yanking him in and out of the lineup.
20 (21) Vikings 4-5-0 When you get outgained 405-137 and win, you have to have a lot of things go right -- like three returns (punt, kickoff and INT) for TDs.
21 (24) Lions 4-5-0 Joey Harrington has arguably his best game in the NFL and what does he get for it? A spot on the bench if Jeff Garcia is healthy.
22 (19) Raiders 3-6-0 Some would say it was inevitable, but the bad Kerry Collins has returned (2 picks returned for TDs in past three games).
23 (22) Dolphins 3-6-0 Chris Chambers made some nice catches, but he also dropped a bunch of balls against the Patriots, including the last pass of the game. It would have been a nice catch, but it was one he could have made.
24 (23) Browns 3-6-0 Rivalry? More like being owned as the Browns have now lost 10 of 11 to Steelers.
25 (26) Titans 2-7-0 So rumors are beginning to surface about Jeff Fisher's job security? No matter how good a coach is, he still needs some players.
26 (31) Packers 2-7-0 It's a little misleading, because they beat the Saints 52-3, but it's still pretty amazing that the Packers are 2-7 and yet have outscored their opponents 201-184.
27 (25) Jets 2-7-0 Jets fans can start looking at the top prospects for next year's draft, because the Jets are on their way to a top-five pick.
28 (28) Cardinals 2-7-0 They have trailed after the first quarter in eight of nine games. Definitely not a recipe for success.
29 (27) Ravens 2-7-0 Will Kyle Boller and Brian Billick still be with the Ravens next year? We're guessing the answer is no for at least one of them.
30 (29) Saints 2-7-0 A week without controversy was good. Now they must find a way to snap that five-game losing streak.
31 (30) 49ers 2-7-0 The defense has been solid, but it doesn't matter if the offense can't score (three-game TD drought).
32 (32) Texans 1-8-0 At this rate (46 sacks through nine games), David Carr will break his own record for most in a season (76).