This is an update of my AFC Power Rankings from 2 weeks ago...not much has changed at the top...bottom though?
1. Baltimore Ravens (8-3) I had them #1 last time because they had beaten #2 Pittburgh twice. Since then, they have beaten the upstart Bengals and became just the second team, other than the Dallas Cowboys, to beat San Francisco. When Flacco is on, they can score...and with that defense, they dont need much. Incredible at getting to the Quarterback. Still the team to beat in the AFC in my opinion.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) Having lost to Baltimore twice, it is once again hard to rank them above the Ravens. The Steelers hold firm at #2 after wins over Cincinnati and Kansas City over the past two weeks. Health issues are seemingly always a concern for the Steelers, on both sides of the ball. Deep threats on the offense have transformed the way the black and gold move down the field.
3. New England Patriots (8-3) The Patriots lost earlier to Pittsburgh, so that's why they remain at #3. The offense is, in a word, wow! Brady to Welker, Branch, or Gronkowski are forming the best pass game in the NFL. The weakness is the defense that gives up too many yards to too many teams. They will just try to outscore you instead.
4. Oakland Raiders (7-4) Up from 6th in my Power Poll from mid November, Oakland just continues to win. The Palmer trade was just what this team needed in a wide open AFC West. Nice wins over Houston earlier, and the Bears last week, highlight the resume for the Silver and Black. Injuries that keep Darren McFadden in sweatpants spells the downfall for Oakland.
5. Houston Texans (8-3) The Quarterback situation is the obvious red flag for the Texans. With Matt Schaub out, and now with Matt "Hot tub" Leinart sidelined, former UNC Tar Heel TJ Yates takes over at QB, for now. This team has won with Mario Williams, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster out...so what makes us think they wont continue to win? The great running game, and stout defense leads this team, but without a proven QB to lead them on offense, it could be a short lived appearance on the Power Poll.
Since I did my AFC Power Rankings last week, here are my NFC Power Rankings through Week 11...
1. Green Bay Packers (10-0) The obvious choice as #1. With possible MVP Aaron Rodgers playing at the highest of levels, the Packers offense is nearly impossible to stop. The lone downfall could eventually be a defense that ranks 31st against the pass and has allowed points all season. Still the top team in the NFC and the top team in the NFL...easily the team to beat.
2. San Francisco 49ers (9-1) The surprise of the 2011 season is proving to be legit. Quality wins over Cincinnati, Detroit, and the NY Giants highlight the schedule. One overtime loss to Top 5 team Dallas is the only blemish on Jim Harbaugh's early NFL coaching resume. The lack of a play making Quarterback, or a rash of injuries to the offense would be possible roadblocks for the 49ers.
3. New Orleans Saints (7-3) A team that can look great and look average. Great offense, middle of the pack defense. Good wins over Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta show the good side...bad losses to Tampa Bay and St. Louis show the average. As long as Drew Brees is healthy, they can score. The teams sketchy running game, or a bad day by their average defense could eventually spell the end for the Saints come playoff time.
4. Detroit Lions (7-3) Hard to believe, but the Lions are for real. They can score, and they have pieces on the defense. Whether 2011 is their year or not, remains to be seen. Good wins over Dallas and Chicago headline things for the Lions. All 3 losses, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago... you can live with as well. The annual injury to Quarterback Matt Stafford, the team's inability to run the ball on offense, or their poor run defense could spell the end for the Motor City Kitties. 2012 is more their year anyway, right?
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-4) If you arent onboard with the Cowboys in 2011, you need to be very soon. They are winners of 4 of their last 5, and are beginning to get healthy. Tony Romo keeps showing why he belongs among the elite Quarterbacks in the NFL. The Cowboys are the only team to beat San Francisco in 2011, but that is the best win so far. Losses to Detroit, New England, and Philly you can live with if you are Dallas. Balance on offense and defense drives the Cowboys, but the inconsistancy of the team week to week is the biggest weakness for America's Team.
Tonight on Dayton Sports Scene, we will discuss the Bengals/Ravens game. Though they lost, the Bengals showed they are on the rise in the AFC...in my opinion. What do you say? Also, any comments from the Buckeyes loss Saturday to Penn State? Are Buckeye fans using the Urban Meyer story to not have to face the fact that this team is playing badly? Seems like the 1st thing every Buckeye fan says after you mention the season.
I was wondering where the Cincinnati Bengals fell in among the best teams in the AFC right now. Here are the Top 5, as I see it, and some resume points...
1. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) I know they have two bad losses, Jaksonville and Seattle, but they have beaten the Steelers twice! It is hard to put them below the Black and Gold with that said. Do they have the team to stay here, I dont feel they do, but they are the best the AFC has to offer right now.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) They have two very nice wins over top 5 teams in New England and Cincinnati. But the two losses to Baltimore are the natural tiebreaker. The injury to Ben will be big going forward, as will the health of the rest of the team. May be the class of the AFC if they remain healthy.
3. New England Patriots (6-3) The Patriots own the AFC East having beat the Jets twice. The three losses are all to teams that you can live with...Pittsburgh, NY Giants, and Buffalo. High scoring, dynamic offense, but a defense that makes you wonder sometimes. That will end up being the down fall of the three-time Super Bowl Champions.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) Only one win of note, over a decent Buffalo team by 3 at home early in teh season. Losses to San Francisco and Pittsburgh, you can live with...and the Denver loss was early on too. The fast rising Bengals have 2 more wins than 2010 already. This isnt their year, but they are getting better each week. Youth and a lack of a running game will mark the end eventually for the Bengals.
5. Houston Texans (7-3) A very nice win over Pittsburgh highlights the schedule to this point. The three losses are to Oakland, Baltimore, and New Orleans...all losses you can accept if you are Houston. The team would be ranked higher except for the loss of Quarterback Matt Schaub means for 1st Round bust Matt Leinart takes over under Center. This team has won with All-Pros Mario Williams and Andre Johnson being injured, but this injury might cut too deep.
This is a good problem to have, but what will the Colts do if they end up with the 1st pick in the 2012 NFL Draft? Do they do the obvious, and take Stanford QB Andrew Luck? Or do they trade the pick to the highest bidder? Either decision could have a lot of return, but being solid at QB is as important as anything in the NFL.
In my opinion, the Colts need to take Luck, and decide what to do with Peyton Manning at that point. Do they trade him? Do they keep him as a mentor...a mentor due around $28 million in March? A tough, but good, decision for the Colts franchise to have to make.
