NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions are Playoff Bound

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15.Atlanta Falcons (Previously New York Giants)

The Falcons are

moving on up

staying right where they were last week. They were firing on a lot of cylinders on Sunday…for the first 14 points. They just ran into the buzz saw Aaron Rodgers who is better than any defense right now. I’m not going to knock down anyone in the Power rankings for losing to the Packers.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previously New York Giants)

What was that? Terrible terrible game by the Buccaneers. The 49ers are playing well, and I thought the 49ers would win, but that was just brutal. The 49ers offense isn’t that good to score that many points in three games sometimes.

13. Oakland Raiders (Previously Pittsburgh Steelers)

After Al Davis’ passing I wanted to make the Raiders my lock of the week, but I didn’t.I think the Raiders are the first team to miss the playoffs right now in the league. The Raiders are stout up front have a very good running back and some improving young wide receiver talent. But they have a lot of problems at cornerback and are inconsistent. They will compete for the playoffs this year though because of all of their ability.

12. Tennessee Titans (previously Buffalo Bills)

Too jekyll and hyde for me. They look great, and then awful. Great and then awful. Make up your mind Tennessee! I made the Titans m lock of the week because they opened the week as such big underdogs vs the Steelers and “they rewarded” me with a pitiful performance. Chris Johnson is finding his groove which is the only bright spot on a bad Sunday for the Titans.

11. The Buffalo Bills (Previously Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The Bills are the anti-Giants and Eagles. They just continue to find ways to win. They gave up an inordinate amount of yards to the Eagles on Sunday, but turned the Eagles over a bunch of times including a pick six (the third straight game they had a pick six). They are spreading teams out with late round draft picks (Stevie Johnson) or undrafted free agents (David Nelson, Naaman Roosevelt) and scoring points in bunches. And then they are feeding Mr. M.V.P. Fred Jackson. He’s not the M.V.P. of the league because of how good Aaron Rodgers is playing, but he should be in everyone’s early season top 5.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously Tennessee Titans)

I can’t figure them out. So I sat Big Ben because he is nursing an injury and because they were playing the number one scoring defense in the league and then Big Ben throws for a million touchdowns and the Steelers routed the Tennessee Titans. what is up with this team? I’m not sure. But one thing I am sure of: mike Tomlin is my favorite coach in the N.F.L.

9. Washington Redskins (same)

Is it possible that Rex Grossman was on to something. I want to keep knocking them, but they keep winning. So at some point I’m going to just have to accept that they might really compete for a playoff spot this year. The NFC East is down this year. They didn’t play and all of the teams ahead of them were either idle (Ravens) or won their games (with the Texans as the only exception) so they remain at #9.

8. Houston Texans (Previously 49ers)

I can’t knock the Texans much for the loss on Sunday. There was no way the Raiders were losing that game. Football is an emotional support and the Raiders were playing for something bigger than Football. Still the Texans put up a valiant effort. What’s worse than the loss to the Raiders is the loss of Andrew Johnson for the 2011 N.F.L. season.

7. New Orleans Saints (Same)

Through

four

five weeks we have learned nothing we didn’t know already about the Saints. They are awesome on offense. The Saints are vying with the Falcons and Buccaneers for the top spot in their division, but right now are the best team in that division, especially until the Falcons fix their identity crisis on offense and their holes on defense. The Saints defense isn’t creating enough turnovers this year and that needs to change if they are going to be Superbowl contenders.

6.Detroit Lions (Same)

The Lions are playoff bound this year. They were impressive in their first Monday night game since Barry Sanders retired (I know I”m exaggerating here, but not by much). Suh is a nightmare in the middle and Jahvid Best had his finest game as a pro on Monday night with a 163 yards rushing and a touchdown. If Best plays like that, the Lions will be very hard to beat this season.

5. 49ers (Previously Houston Texans)

They don’t have a franchise quarterback, but they do have an excellent chance to make the playoffs. Their defense is awesome against the run. And they are playing well for their new coach. The 49ers dominated the Buccaneers on Sunday and have been impressive all year. The key is their defense which is the best in the league vs the run, and an opportunistic defense which is picking off passes in bunches. Are they the 5th best team in the league? Probably not, but they are going to win their division easier than any of the teams ahead of them, which means they hold a lot of power and deserve a high power ranking.

4. San Diego Chargers (Same)

1s, second, third, fourth, fifth? Who cares. As long as you’re one of the six that are in the playoffs in each conference you’re golden. The Raiders still don’t have the Quarterbacking to get them to the playoffs which is lucky for the Chargers because then they might have real competition in the division. As long as the Chargers don’t screw it up they should waltz into the playoffs this year, most likely with a bye. What’s scary for teams around the league is that the Chargers are actually winning games in September and October this year. Who knows how good they’ll be at the end of this season.

3. Baltimore Ravens (same)

The Ravens aren’t great, but they are playing pretty well. I could see arguing for the Chargers here instead of the Ravens, but the Chargers struggled vs the Broncos. The Texans lost (understandably) the Lions aren’t even the best team in their own division and the Saints defense is pretty bad. They are third by default.

2. New England Patriots (Previously New England Patriots)

The Patriots are remarkable and Brady is a genius. It doesn’t matter who he’s throwing the ball to, they will make plays and the Patriots keep chugging along. Their young defense is really struggling. They need more work on defense, especially their pass defense. The Patriots will be fine though, and are still the favorite to represent the A.F.C. in the Superbowl at this time.

The Patriots are also unbeatable at home. The Patriots got a little revenge on the Jets with their win on Sunday, but I think they are looking forward to the rematch in New Jersey. The Patriots defense needs to play much better.

1. Green Bay Packers (previously Packers)

Until they are unseated they remain King. Their pass defense has looked poor though early in the season and that bears watching as the season progresses. But when you have Aaron Rodgers, their offensive weapons, and a bright offensive minded coach you can win a lot of games by out scoring people.

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