NFL Power Rankings Week 9

Another week is in the books in the league and another great set of match-ups have been played. Some lived up to their hype (Colts-Texans), and some didn’t (Steelers-Broncos). Some games were surprisingly competitive (Jaguars-Chiefs), and some ended just like we thought (Seahawks-Lions). And above all, there was one GIANT upset….Congrats to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for knocking off the Green Bay Packers and earning their 1st win of the season! So all this adds up to B. Willie’s latest addition to the TOP 10 teams in the NFL….Let’s Get It On!!

1. Saints- Here was my prediction before the game last week, “Their run game will keep the Panthers in it for about a quarter or so, but this will not be much of a test for N’awlins.” Well, DeAngelo Williams went out and gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter and then the Saints woke up and won 30-20.  There is not much more positives that can be said about this team that hasn’t already been done already. One thing needs to be stated though, their run defense has sprung a leak and if they do not fix it, they will not continue to win, especially in the playoffs. Next Game- Rams. Should be another rollover game, but the St. Louis running game is pretty serious and if the Saints look past them it could get hairy.

2. Colts- I predicted an upset and if Houston’s kicker could kick straight I might’ve been right. Joseph Addai has played like a man possessed with two rushing td’s a receiving td AND passing td in the past two weeks. Dallas Clark can be damn near unstoppable when Manning sees a mismatch. There is an issue in Indy though, Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson are out for the rest of the season. This will have a huge negative impact on an already questionable secondary. Next Game- Patriots. Game of the week for sure has the Pats coming to Indy to try and hand the Colts their first loss of the season. If the Colts secondary can contain Moss and company they will remain undefeated. I don’t see this happening.

3. Vikings- Favre and company got some much needed rest with a week off. They watched themselves gain a three game lead in the division and with the Packers and Bears looking the way they do, it doesn’t seem that the Vikes will relinquish this lead anytime soon.  Next Game- Lions. The Lions have actually made some positive strides, but it looks as though this season is sacrificed to give Matthew Stafford, their number 1 draft pick, some big league experience.

4. Bengals- Boy, these dudes just won’t go away. Their have the oldest formula for winning in the NFL down pat. Get a couple of early scores, play lights out defense and pound the ball. They played against a fired up Ravens team and wupped their asses. They had four sacks, two picks and basically shut out a very talented offensive team. One problem I’ve noticed is Chad OchoCinco seems to have developed a fumbling habit, he’s only had two, but this still shouldn’t be happening. Next Game- Steelers. Game of the week part two. This one decides the leader of the AFC North lead and quite possibly the best team in the conference. If the Bengals can limit their turnovers and force a couple from Roethlisberger they will edge out the Steelers.

5. Steelers. This team is starting to look really dangerous. They went into Denver and demolished a talented Broncos team. One thing about this team that I love is when they smell blood in the water they attack like sharks. They never sit back in some type of ‘prevent’ defense. And they never just ‘run out’ the clock. They are always looking to make big plays, and Big Ben Roethlisberger might be the best in the NFL at creating them. Next Game- Bengals. As mentioned, this is one of the best games of the week. If the Steelers can slow running back Cedric Benson down, forcing Carson Palmer to throw, they can capitalize on the one dimensional play-calling and take the division lead.

6. Patriots- The Pats held off a feisty Miami team last weekend with some big Brady to Moss hookups. When they are on the same page, they are more unstoppable than any other combo in the league. Their defense is still creative and confusing, but not quite as dominant as years’ past. Next Game- Colts. This is it! The game game of the week or even the season. This annual chess match never disappoints, and this year should be no different. I see the Patriots exploiting the inexperienced secondary of the Colts and knocking off the undefeated ponies.

7. Cowboys- I have this team above the Broncos because they are heading in opposite directions. The ‘Boys are coming off four straight wins, three of them coming from quality teams. Their defense has been playing particularly well the past few weeks and their offense has made big play after big play when needed. Tony Romo has settled down a bit and is using all of the weapons at his disposal. The coaching staff was very creative employing their version of the ‘wildcat’ to make use of the crowded backfield to keep the Eagles defense on their heels. An impressive win in Philly this past weekend preventing the Eagles from ever getting into any type of consistent flow. Next Game- Packers. Another team heading in the wrong direction, the Packers are coming off a demoralizing loss to the previously winless Bucs. The game-plan should be simple for Dallas. Blitz the hell out of Aaron Rodgers on defense and capitalize on an aging secondary on offense.

8. Broncos- Yikes! Two straight losses have Denver only one game above the Chargers in their division. They were dominated by Pittsburgh Monday night on their home turf. Any time they seemed to be on the verge of being competitive, they let up a big play. Granted, Pittsburgh is one of the best teams in the league, but they really didn’t show much. Kyle Orton has quickly come down to earth after a productive start to the season. He is not a gunslinger, he is a caretaker. Teams are starting to notice. Champ Bailey has lost a small step. Santonio Holmes victimized him on several plays, making him look slow. Next Game- Redskins. This is the Broncos chance to get back in the ‘W’ column. The ‘Skins can put any team on the right track. The Broncos are going to do just that. This will not be an exciting game.

9. Chargers- San Diego is on a bit of a roll with three straight wins. Although two have been against the Chiefs and Raiders, wins are wins nonetheless. The Giants win was particularly impressive because the G-men really needed that win. They almost lost, but a two-minute drill, executed to perfection by Philip Rivers, stole the win. I’m really impressed with Rivers, he is as arrogant as any qb to ever play, but he backs it up. He really seems to be getting on the same page as Vincent Jackson, who is one of the better play-makers in the league. Next Game- Eagles. With the Broncos reeling this is their chance to make a play for 1st place in the division. The Eagles are experiencing some struggles as well and need this win bad to keep pace with the Cowboys in their division. If the Chargers can prevent the big-play machine Desean Jackson from doing what he does best, they will win their fourth straight.

10.Cardinals- The Cards are back in the top ten after dismantling the Bears at Soldier Field. If only they can play all of their games away, they are 4-0 in such contests. The Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald connection seems to be back in effect after two of Warner’s FIVE td’s went to Fitz. They still have a suspect defense, not much of a running game and are terribly inconsistent, but can be explosive at times. Next Game- Seahawks. I expect this to be a closer game than its expected to be. If Warner can continue to find Fitzgerald and the defensive line can bring the heat on Hassleback, Arizona will be able to pull out the victory.

Just outside the bubble has to be:
Houston- Played an extremely tough game and and almost pulled off a HUGE upset of the Colts.
Falcons- They can’t seem to just knock off a team that they’re not favored against. It prevents them from getting into above-average status.
Eagles- Their reliance on the big-play and McNabb’s inconsistencies prevent them from being elite.

So that’s my contract, so here it is and have it…B Willie, I’m Stillmatic