Stay tuned for my article on the Eagles and Terrell Owens on Tuesday.
1. Indianapolis 8-0
So Indianapolis is playing some pretty good ball so far after the first 9 weeks of the season I would say. Now naysayers may say they have played the world's easiest schedule. I mean how many times this season do they play the Browns, Texans, and Titans? 3 times each? The Colts deflected any of that criticism with the way they dispatched the Patriots in New England on Monday night, 40-21. The offense was churning out yards and controlling the clock, and connecting on third down almost every time. This team doesn' appear to have many weaknesses as of so far, although I think a team like Pittsburgh could run it down their throats. For now they are the best in the league, and there is no one even close.
3. Pittsburgh 6-2 (2)
Without Ben Roethlisburger, this team is definitely not the same. I was not impressed with the 20-10 win at Green Bay. A couple of lucky plays on defense were the difference in this game. Green Bay could have easily won if not for the tipped-pass interception deep in Green Bay territory and the Brett Favre fumble (caused by my fifth cousin, Bryant McFadden) that was returned for a touchdown.
Charlie Batch had a horrible game, but it didn't matter. The Steelers only have to rely on him for one more week, and play another creampuff in Cleveland, so expect a similar game against the Browns this week.
4. Denver 6-2 (3)
Bye week for the Broncos provided them the chance to mull over how they always seem to collapse in the second half of the season after impressive starts. It doesn't seem likely that it will happen again, considering how balanced the offense has been. However, the pass defense has not been very good, and Champ Bailey is one of the most overrated "shutdown" corners in the league. If the run defense falters, this team could go into the tank.
5. Seattle 6-2 (4)
There isn't really much more than could be said about this team after a blowout against the hapless Cardinals. Shaun Alexander is a good running back, Matt Hasselback is a slightly above-average quarterback, and the defense is solid, having shut down both Atlanta and Dallas. Seattle's talented wide receiver corps got Bobby Engram back in week 9, and Darrell Jackson will be back soon. Seattle can pretty much lock up their division with a win at home against St. Louis, in what should be a close game with the Rams getting Torri Holt, Marc Bulger, and Isaac Bruce back.
6. Atlanta 6-2 (5)
Michael Vick has arrived as one of the premier passing quarterbacks in the NFL. I can boldy say that after Vick went 22-31 for 228 yards (a season-high) that he has now on the same level in passing as Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer. Ok, so maybe one game does not change the fact that he is a running quarterback and may always be. Chill out Michael, the media is going to continue to criticize your passing ability until you prove yourself on a week-in, week-out basis. You had one good game, and c'mon, it wasn't even that great. You still have never pass for more than 300 yards in a game. Now I do respect you and think that you single-handedly make your team competively, but you are not a good pocket passer. By the way, Warrick Dunn is the man, and the defense is bouncing back after a couple lackluster weeks.
7. Dallas 5-3 (6)
The Cowboys have two weeks to prepare for the Terrell Owens-less Eagles. Will it be enough to ground them for the second time this season? Maybe not, but the 'Boys are playing good defense and Drew Bledsoe is still miraculously playing well. Julius Jones will return against Philly and Marion Barber, who has been filling in admirably, will take on a complementary role. The Cowboys can make a strong statement by beating the Eagles in Philly on Monday night, and possibly end the Eagles' playoffs hopes.
8. New York Giants 6-2 (7)
Again, not really a whole lot to say when a good team (New York) beats up on a crappy team (San Francisco). Although the Giants didn't play very well, they didn't really need to. A touchdown pass by Eli Manning to Jeremy Shockey was about all the offense they needed, and luckily for me in my fantasy league Tiki Barber finally had a bad game. Regardless, the Giants are leading the now-tough NFC East and its there for the taking. It should be noted that the Giants have played the weakest schedule of any NFC East team. This week they play another easy game, Minnesota. 7-2, here they come.
9. Cincinnati 7-2 (8)
Cincinnati looked good this week, defeated Baltimore 21-9. Baltimore's defense is always tough, and the Bengals moved the ball consistently against them. The defense also stepped up and stopped the run, holding Jamal Lewis to 49 yards on 15 carries and Chester Taylor to 9 yards on 3 carries. Although it should be noted Lewis hasn't really had a good game all season. Nonetheless, a solid effort from the Cincy D, but seeing as teh Bengals have lost to the only two good teams they have played this year, they are not in the upper-echelon of the league just yet. They need to prove themselves against a quality opponent (i.e., not the Texans or the Titans). Carson Palmer vs. Peyton Manning is almost here (Week 12)
10. Carolina 6-2 (unranked)
Carolina, a.k.a. the Steve Smith show is back in the top 10. After thumping Tampa Bay (now 5-3), the Panthers have solidified themselves as one of the top teams in the NFC. True, the defense does not seem as dominant as it could be, but Jake Delhomme and Smith have been lighting up the scoreboard.
As always any questions or complaints, or letters of admiration should be directed to lbpimp47@hotmail.com
