Another week in the books, and we’re now down to only three remaining undefeated teams. For the guys of ERP, it was an unanimous decision on the number one team in the league (Pittsburgh), as well as an unanimous decision on the worst team in the league (Buffalo). The 30 teams between those two were full of disagreements.
Indianapolis cracked the top three for all of us, putting them at solidly #2 in the Power Rankings. Doozer and Sharkey both had the Jets at #3, while MIB had them down at #8, apparently unimpressed with their back to back divisional wins. The guys all had different #4′s (New Orleans, Green Bay, and Atlanta), as well as different #5′s (Chicago, New Orleans, and New England).
Houston and Green Bay both fell out of the Top 5 this week, while the Jets and Bears moved in. Baltimore and San Diego fell out of the Top 10, while the Atlanta Falcons undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (finally) joined the Top 10.
The Falcons and the Seahawks were the biggest climbers in the rankings, both moving up 7 spots. The 49ers were the biggest losers, falling 9 spots all the way to 28th in the NFL.
These rankings are based on the individual lists of all three of us, which have been combined and averaged out to give you ERP’s Power Rankings. Included with each team is how many places they rose or fell compared to last week’s ERP rankings, what their record is, and a small blurb from one of the three of us.
Let us know how much you agree, or more likely, how much you disagree.
- (+1) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) – In week 6, Ben Roethlisberger may be joining a 4-0 team with the best defense in the NFL. Three weeks ago nobody would ever have considered this possibility. (shark)
- (+3) Indianapolis Colts (2-1) – Peyton Manning out coached the Broncos. The defensive adjustment has been made. They roll on. (doozer)
- (+6) Chicago Bears (3-0) – With the Giants, Panthers, Redskins, and Seahawks coming up, the only 3-0 team in the NFC might be 7-0 or 6-1 by the time they get to their bye week. (MIB)
- (+2) New York Jets (2-1) – Back to back good games against the Patriots & Dolphins? I’m convinced. This team is legit. (shark)
- (-4) New Orleans Saints (2-1) – They’re still good, but you don’t keep your #1 ranking missing chip shots in overtime. (doozer)
- (+7) Atlanta Falcons (2-1) – Week One loss to Pittsburgh doesn’t look so bad, suddenly. (shark)
- (-3) Green Bay Packers (2-1) – Bad coaching at the end of the game kept the Packers from having a shot at first place in the NFC North. (MIB)
- (+4) Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) – Hey, they’re one of three 3-0 teams. Pretenders? Until they’re exposed as such, you have to give them some credit. (MIB)
- (-1) New England Patriots (2-1) – The defense was shredded by the Bills. They’re going to have to go to Randy Moss a lot. (doozer)
- (-7) Houston Texans (2-1) – I’m on the bandwagon only so much as to think they’ll definitely have a winning season this year. (MIB)
- (-4) Baltimore Ravens (2-1) – Where are the fireworks we all expected from this stacked offense? (MIB)
- (+2) Tennessee Titans (2-1) – With the exception of his long garbage time run against the Giants, Chris Johnson has been shut down in back to back weeks. Safe to say there will still never have been a back-to-back 2000 yard rusher once this season ends. (shark)
- (+3) Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) – …or maybe this is going to end well. Either way, Michael Vick is going to be fun to watch.
- (-3) Miami Dolphins (2-1) – Chad Henne is proving to be a solid starter. Brandon Marshall is still a freak. (MIB)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) – I used to think Carson Palmer was an elite QB. With one elite WR, another who can still play, and Cedric Benson, it’s on him now. (doozer)
- (-6) San Diego Chargers (1-2) – Philip Rivers is throwing for huge yards, and the Chargers are stumbling out of the gate again. Seems like an annual rite of passage in San Diego. (MIB)
- (+7) Seattle Seahawks (2-1) – In this NFC West, all Seattle has to do is show up for their 8 home games, and they’ll make the playoffs. It’s still nearly impossible to go into that building and win, no matter who you are. (shark)
- (+2) Minnesota Vikings (1-2) – The Lions are the kind of opponent that can make you feel good about yourself. (doozer)
- (+3) Dallas Cowboys (1-2) – Good win against the Texans, but still have a lot to prove. Where did Roy Williams come from? (MIB)
- (+3) Denver Broncos (1-2) – Josh McDaniels is in over his head. I’ve said it from the very start. When you’re playing the Colts, you HAVE to put points on the board. Everybody knows this. (doozer)
- (-3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – Exposed. (doozer)
- (-5) Washington Redskins (1-2) – Eagles, Packers, Colts, and Bears in the next four weeks. This ‘much-improved’ team might have six losses before Halloween even gets here. (shark)
- (-2) New York Giants (1-2) – The undefeated Bears come to town. No time better to right the ship. (MIB)
- (+2) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) – This won’t get any better until I bench MJD (on my fantasy team). I won’t bench MJD. I lose, and the people of Jacksonville lose. (doozer)
- (+2) Arizona Cardinals (2-1) – 48 points scored, 77 points against. Doesn’t sound like a 2-1 team, does it? (MIB)
- (+4) St. Louis Rams (1-2) – I’m willing to bet this is the first time the Rams have been in the 20′s in any Power Ranking in the last two or three years. (shark)
- (-2) Detroit Lions (0-3) – The best of the 0-3 teams. Not that that’s saying a lot. (MIB)
- (-9) San Francisco 49ers (0-3) – Everybody (including us) said they’d win the division. They still could. But they’re playing like hot garbage right now. (MIB)
- (-1) Oakland Raiders (1-2) – Say what you will about Bruce Gradkowski, but the Raiders offensive players sure seem to rally around him. (MIB)
- (+1) Cleveland Browns (0-3) – The potential is there for this team to start 1-10 again, then figure it out, finish strong in December, and knock themselves right out of the Mark Ingram sweepstakes. (shark)
- (-1) Carolina Panthers (0-3) – This team has no redeeming qualities right now. (MIB)
- Buffalo Bills (0-3) – Second week in a row at the bottom of the ERP rankings. Any chance they move out of this spot the rest of the season? (shark)
Its surprising to see Mark Sanchez and Matt Cassell having so much success, and exceeding expectations. Then you see Palmer and Leinart, the guys that a lot of people thought were locks (Maybe not so much Leinart) coming out of college struggling so much.
I was one who thought Palmer would hae a savage season last year, and to see what he has done over the last two seasons he has been so unimpressive.
Good power ranking again. Im a little surprised the Eagles didnt crack your top 10. Im shocked by the success Vick is having. He looked pathetic in the snaps he took in the preseason.
I had the Eagles at #9 in my poll, but they were lowered by doozer & MIB having them at 12 and 14, respectively.
My top 10 was Pit, Ind, NYJ, NO, Chi, Atl, GB, Hou, Phi, KC. I don’t really believe the Chiefs are top 10 in the league, nor do I believe the Bears are Top 5, but they’re undefeated, so they’re highly inflated.
It’s likely the Bears are really in the 8-12 range, and KC is more in the 14-20 range.
Eagles would probably be higher for all of us if their two wins were against more quality than the likes of Detroit and Jacksonville.