1. New England 7-2 (6)...If they're as good as they looked against the Steelers, the rest of the league might be in trouble. I don't think that's the case but it's enough to earn them the top spot for now.
2. N.Y. Jets 7-2 (4)...The defense might not be as great as expected but it won't have to be the way the offense is coming on. Sanchez is delivering in clutch situations. Holmes is settling in now and I'd watch out for Greene down the stretch and in the playoffs since he hasn't had a heavy workload.
3. Atlanta 7-2 (7)...Right now the Falcons would be the top seed in the NFC, which would be huge considering their home success in recent years.
4. Green Bay 6-3 (3)
5. Baltimore 6-3 (1)
6. Philadelphia 6-3 (10)...Vick has been a destroyer in pretty much every game he's been healthy. Big matchup against the Giants next week.
7. Indianapolis 6-3 (11)
8. N.Y. Giants 6-3 (2)
9. New Orleans 6-3 (8)
10. Pittsburgh 6-3 (5)

11. Oakland 5-4 (13)
12. Miami 5-4 (18)
13. Tennessee 5-4 (9)
14. Tampa Bay 6-3 (16)
15. Kansas City 5-4 (12)
16. Chicago 6-3 (21)
17. San Diego 4-5 (14)
18. Cleveland 3-6 (15)
19. Jacksonville 5-4 (23)
20. Houston 4-5 (17)
21. Seattle 5-4 (24)

22. Washington 4-5 (20)
23. Minnesota 3-6 (19)
24. St. Louis 4-5 (22)
25. San Francisco 3-6 (28)
26. Cincinnati 2-7 (26)
27. Denver 3-6 (29)
28. Dallas 2-7 (30)
29. Arizona 3-6 (25)
30. Detroit 2-7 (27)
31. Buffalo 1-8 (32)
32. Carolina 1-8 (31)

I agree with the top 3 only for purposes of having the best record but I highly doubt they will be the top 3 after this weekend. New England did look solid against Pittsburgh but it may say more for Pittsburgh than it does New England. The Jets have squeaked by the last couple weeks. The Falcons need a road win to really solidify their presence in the top. I also think if the refs get the call right at the end of the game Thursday we wouldn't even be discussing this. The Falcons were playing great but the Ravens did come back to take the lead. The bottom line is that it was offensive pass interference. White admitted it. It doesn't really matter now but still.

bigdaddy2003;560475 wrote:I agree with the top 3 only for purposes of having the best record but I highly doubt they will be the top 3 after this weekend. New England did look solid against Pittsburgh but it may say more for Pittsburgh than it does New England. The Jets have squeaked by the last couple weeks. The Falcons need a road win to really solidify their presence in the top. I also think if the refs get the call right at the end of the game Thursday we wouldn't even be discussing this. The Falcons were playing great but the Ravens did come back to take the lead. The bottom line is that it was offensive pass interference. White admitted it. It doesn't really matter now but still.

A road win like @ New Orleans?

And eh theres pushing while the ball is in the air A LOT, if the Ravens CB doesnt act like White has superman strength and flop....he has a chance to make a play on the ball.

Hb31187;560497 wrote:A road win like @ New Orleans?

And eh theres pushing while the ball is in the air A LOT, if the Ravens CB doesnt act like White has superman strength and flop....he has a chance to make a play on the ball.

Ah I didn't realize the game against the Saints was in NO. I guess we can agree to disagree on the call. Obviously I am going to say it was a pass interference non call but when the 6 or 7 Browns fans I was watching the game with who hate the Ravens say it was a bad non call then I think there is something there. Like I said it doesn't much matter now but I am just kind of tired of hearing people say the refs did what they should have and let them play. That is just dumb. A foul is a foul. I don't think that a Raven's player has ever thought to himself damn I can't cover this guy so I'm going to flop and try to get a penalty. I could see that on a team with a lesser defensive mentality but not the likes of the Ravens, Steelers etc.

I think the top 10 looks pretty solid. As for the next 10 I'd have the Bears and Bucs right there at 11 and 12.

Dallas Cowboys = best 2-7 team ever. I'd have them right behind the Viking. I'd also have the Rams/49ers switched.

Good list though Non.

After the first 5-6 weeks it looked like there were 3 elite teams in the NFL (Pitt, Baltimore and the Jets) and then the 2nd tier.

Now, you could argue that anyone in the top 10 is the best team in the NFL at this point, for the most part.

thedynasty1998;560519 wrote:After the first 5-6 weeks it looked like there were 3 elite teams in the NFL (Pitt, Baltimore and the Jets) and then the 2nd tier.

Now, you could argue that anyone in the top 10 is the best team in the NFL at this point, for the most part.

I agree with you dynasty. During the Monday Night game I was talking with a friend and we basically said the exact same thing. We also said there might not be 1 team to go 13-3 this year. Falcons are pretty much the only team I'd say will do it with their remaining schedule. I wonder when the last team not 1 team went at least 13-3.

I'd have a hard time putting the Patriots at the top of my list. Sure, they smoked the Steelers but they also got their ass handed to them by the Browns. They are also 2nd place in the AFCE.

My top 5 would probably be:

1. Falcons
2. Packers
3. Jets
4. Patriots
5. Eagles

Not too long ago it would have been all AFC teams. The top of the AFC has faltered while the NFC is bringing it on.

I wouldn't want to play the Eagles right now....

justincredible;560637 wrote:I'd have a hard time putting the Patriots at the top of my list. Sure, they smoked the Steelers but they also got their ass handed to them by the Browns. They are also 2nd place in the AFCE.

My top 5 would probably be:

1. Falcons
2. Packers
3. Jets
4. Patriots
5. Eagles

Not too long ago it would have been all AFC teams. The top of the AFC has faltered while the NFC is bringing it on.

No Ravens?

bigdaddy2003;561179 wrote:No Ravens?

Apparently not.

I wouldnt have the Ravens in the top 5 either:

1. Jets
2. Eagles
3. Pats
4. Falcons
5. Packers

That doesn't mean I think they stink or anything. There are only 5 spots in a top 5 list. Not every good team can make it.

I like Laley's list with the Packers and Falcons switched.

Vick is extremely scary good right now.

royal_k;561247 wrote:I like Laley's list with the Packers and Falcons switched.

Vick is extremely scary good right now.

Packers are tough. They are really banged up, but are still winning.

UNLIKE the Colts (whose injuries are all year ending) the Packers will/are get/getting guys back. So you kind of have to rank based on patential as well. Its one reason I wouldnt have the Colts anywhere near a top 5 right now. Until these young guys prove they can get it done, they wont be a top team.

I guess I shouldn't be getting my panties in a bunch because power rankings are virtually meaningless anyways.

bigdaddy2003;561706 wrote:I guess I shouldn't be getting my panties in a bunch because power rankings are virtually meaningless anyways.

Exactly. It's just fun for us fans to talk about. This isn't college football. It doesn't matter who you beat or lost to and it doesn't matter how much you won or lost by. There are no style points. Wins and losses are all that matters. The standings don't lie.

In the NFL, at the end of the year, you usually have the 6 best from each division in the playoffs. MAYBE 1 WC team sneaks in with an easier schedule etc, but its rare that the top teams dont have a chance at the end of the year....and thats all you can ask for.