NFL Power Rankings: The Top 10
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by Behbigben15
Week 14 is right around the corner, and you know what that means: The playoffs are just 4 short weeks away. Two teams have already clinched playoff berths (Patriots, and Cowboys), which means there is only 10 playoff spots left, and there is about 14-15 teams fighting for those ten spots. This is the most exciting time of the season (other than the playoffs itself). Here is my Top 10 teams as of Week 13.
1. New England Patriots (12-0)- They are the obvious number 1. New England's offense has been slowed down the past few weeks, but they are still the best, and VERY explosive. NE's Offense consists of two possible MVP's, Tom Brady, and Randy Moss. The Pats defense has slowed down a little, and they will have their hands full with Pittsburgh, especially after the loss of Rosevelt Colvin, but there is still a big chance that NE could go a perfect 16-0, but let's hope the don't.
Overall Offense- 1st
Passing Offense- 1st
Rushing Offense- 8th
Overall Defense- 3rd
Passing Defense- 6th
Rushing Defense- 6th
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-1)- Dallas is the other team that has clinched a playoff berth. Dallas, lead by Tony Romo, is another team with an explosive offense, especially with the Romo to Owens combination that can change the momentum of the game in seconds. Dallas has a great running game as well, with a powerful duo of Julius Jones, and Marion Barber III. The 'Boys lone loss this year came against the Patriots.
Overall Offense- 2nd
Passing Offense- 3rd
Rushing Offense- 7th
Overall Defense- 8th
Passing Defense- 18th
Rushing Defense- 4th
3. Indianapolis Colts (10-2)- Of course you can't leave this team out. Peyton Manning is having a great year despite being without All-Pro wideout, Marvin Harrison, due to injury. Indy's defense is suffering as well, losing many to injury, but Manning is such a great player, as well as leader, that he can lead his team to victory no matter the circumstances. Manning is a sure hall of famer, and is always in the middle of the pack (sometimes in the front) come January.
Overall Offense- 4th
Passing Offense- 7th
Rushing Offense- 13th
Overall Defense- 2nd
Passing Defense- 2nd
Rushing Defense- 18th
4. Green Bay Packers (10-2)- The Pack, and Indy are about at the same level, lead by another future hall of famer, Brett Favre. Green Bay has a great young RB with a bright future, in Ryan Grant, and a much improved defense. All of this has helped Brett Favre have a career-year, after looking washed up last year, and almost retiring. Favre is just having a great time leading his team to victory after victory, and will go deep into the playoffs this year.
Overall Offense- 3rd
Passing Offense- 2nd
Rushing Offense- 30th
Overall Defense- 15th
Passing Defense- 23rd
Rushing Defense- 12th
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)- Despite losing to the Jets, Cardinals, and Denver, and nearly losing to the winless Dolphins, the Steelers are the fifth best team in the NFL. Not only because of their record, but because of their number 1 defense in the NFL, and the number 2 RB in the NFL, Willie Parker. Not to mention the leadership of Big Ben Roethlisberger. If this team can pull of the upset this week against NE, they could move up on this list.
Overall Offense- 14th
Passing Offense- 24th
Rushing Offense- 3rd
Overall Defense- 1st
Passing Defense- 1st
Rushing Defense- 2nd
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)- First-time starter, David Garrard, has looked great this year, throwing just 1 INT (v.s. Indy on Sunday), and he's got the ability of moving around, and finding the open receiver. The Jags run game, with the dynamic duo of Veteran Fred Taylor, and Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags are a dominant force. If they were in the NFC South, they would easily beat out the Bucs for the division, but they are not, so they are back at number 6 on the power rankings.
Overall Offense- 13th
Passing Offense- 21st
Rushing Offense- 2nd
Overall Defense- 22nd
Passing Defense- 27th
Rushing Defense- 8th
7. New York Giants (8-4)- Eli Manning showed a little bit of leadership skills during the Giants come-from-behind victory over Chicago on Sunday, and it gave his NY Giants a little hope, the Giants could easily win the Wild Card, but I don't see them going deep into January. New York has one of the best pass-rushing defenses i've seen in a while, with Pro Bowlers, Osi Umenyiora, and Michael Strahan. NY's next 3 games looks pretty favorable for them (Philly, Was, Buff), but then they will have to face the undefeated NE Patriots for the season finale.
Overall Offense- 15th
Passing Offense- 18th
Rushing Offense- 6th
Overall Defense- 7th
Passing Defense- 11th (T)
Rushing Defense- 5th
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-4)- With Jeff Garcia out on Sunday, first-time starter, Luke McCown, stepped in and played fabulous to lead TB over the NO Saints 27-23. TB's defense is doing great, and the Bucs remaining schedule is VERY weak (HOU, ATL, SF, CAR), so TB will easily win the South, and go to the playoffs. Earnest Graham has been doing a fine job replacing the injured RB's, Cadillac Williams, and Michael Pittman. The Bucs are a much improved team from last year, and are a highly overlooked team.
Overall Offense- 19th
Passing Offense- 17th
Rushing Offense- 12th
Overall Defense- 4th
Passing Defense- 4th
Rushing Defense- 16th
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-4)- Matt Hasselbeck leads the number 11 offense in the NFL, as this team has become a pass-first team after Shaun Alexander went down. But, he is probable for Sunday, but I think Seattle is better off without Alexander, backup Maurice Morris is averaging 4.7 YPC as the backup, and Hasselbeck is having a pro bowl year. Seattle's D isn't too bad, either, as the number 13 overall defense in the NFL.
Overall Offense- 11th
Passing Offense- 10th
Rushing Offense- 21st
Overall Defense- 13th
Passing Defense- 14th
Rushing Defense- 14th
10. Cleveland Browns (7-5)- Cleveland is possibly the "Most improved team" so far. Derek Anderson has come out of nowhere to become a great QB, and lead this team to second-place in the division. Cleveland's weakness, however, is defense (last in NFL in overall Defense), and you can't win in January with a horrific defense, like Cleveland's. But, Jamal Lewis, one of their offseason acquistions, is having a great year, along with TE Kellen Winslow, and WR Braylon Edwards (both possible Pro Bowlers). Lewis has 803 yards on the ground with 8 TD's for a 4.1 AVG.
Overall Offense- 6th
Passing Offense- 9th
Rushing Offense- 16th
Overall Defense- 32nd
Passing Defense- 30th
Rushing Defense- 28th
