2003 NFL Power Rankings (week 9)
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Rnk | Team | Record | Comment |
1. | Green Bay Packers | 7-1 | Winning despite an injury epidemic on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Sherman has done a surprisingly solid job as GM and head coach with help from relatively unknown defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. |
2. | Denver Broncos | 6-2 | I have never been a huge fan of Mike Shanahan, but his handling of Brian Griese in the first half deserves praise. |
3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-2 | Rejuvanated running game led by Duce Staley and Donovan McNabb makes it tough on opposing defenses. |
4. | San Fransisco 49ers | 6-2 | Beat the Raiders by impressively controlling the ball for 15 minutes straight in the 4th quarter and overtime. |
5. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-2 | The offense finally had a breakout game. Remember though, the Vikings defense makes everyone look pretty good. |
6. | New Orleans Saints | 6-2 | Come off the bye having been knocked out of first place. A finesse team that needs to hope there is no repeat of last year's second half collapse. Return of Dale Carter from suspension should help the weak secondary. |
7. | New England Patriots | 4-4 | Finally woke up in Buffalo and the schedule is very kind for the next 5 weeks. Rated ahead of the Steelers because if they meet in the playoffs the recent past indicates the matchups favor the Patriots. |
8. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-3 | Tough to decide whether the players, coaches, or schedule makers deserve the credit for the Steelers turnaround. The Steelers have won 4 straight and have already grasped firm control of the pathetic AFC North. A week 1 playoff bye, even home field throughout the playoffs, is not out of the realm of possibility. Hard to believe after a 1-3 start. |
9. | St. Louis Rams | 3-5 | The problem is that 5 NFC playoff spots look set and the surging Falcons are 2 games ahead for the last wild card slot. |
10. | Atlanta Falcons | 5-3 | Won fourth straight despite Michael Vick's first off week. |
11. | San Diego Chargers | 6-2 | This probably isn't fair, but the Chargers couldn't afford a loss to the Jets. The AFC West is the leagues toughest division and the Chargers schedule is brutal in the second half. |
12. | Miami Dolphins | 5-3 | I never thought I would be saying this, but the loss of Jay Fiedler was a debilitating blow. |
13. | Kansas City Chiefs | 4-4 | Tied for last in the AFC West, would easily win the AFC South. |
14. | Buffalo Bills | 5-4 | Still a defense away from serious contention. |
15. | Tennesee Titans | 4-4 | Collapse of the Colts basically hands the Titans a playoff spot. |
16. | Oakland Raiders | 4-4 | Losers of 4 straight, the Raiders look old and confused just like managing general partner Al Davis. |
17. | New York Giants | 4-4 | Jekyl and Hyde in blue and red. |
18. | Washington Redskins | 4-4 | Can Daniel Snyder functioning as the defacto GM get Steve Spurrier the offensive talent his system needs to succeed? |
19. | Arizona Cardinals | 4-4 | In the last 2 weeks the 49ers and Rams put the Cardinals in their place. |
20. | Cleveland Browns | 4-5 | Tim Couch is just not a good QB and I'm beginning to wonder if Butch Davis might be in over his head. |
21. | New York Jets | 3-5 | A win over the QB-less Dolphins next week would get them back into the jumbled AFC East. |
22. | Baltimore Ravens | 3-5 | Those that thought Jeff Blake would be an upgrade on Chris Redman seem to have been proven wrong in the last 2 losses. |
23. | Indianapolis Colts | 4-4 | Tony Dungy looks clueless when the offense is on the field, but worst of all from a Colts' perspective so does Peyton Manning. |
24. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 3-5 | The cap losses are taking their toll. It is never a good sign for the Jaguars when Fred Taylor needs an MRI. |
25. | Carolina Panthers | 3-5 | Kudos to John Fox for his work with the defense. Rodney Peete's return can't hurt, although a season ending injury to Sean Gilbert, 4 game suspension to former Steeler Brentson Buckner, and injury to Dan Morgan that is expected to keep him out at least 2 weeks are all cause for concern. |
26. | Detriot Lions | 3-5 | Maybe Matt Millen and Marty Mornhinweg know what they are doing. No, probably not. |
27. | Seattle Seahawks | 2-6 | Mike Holmgren continues to learn it is easier to be a genius with Ron Wolf procuring talent and Brett Favre playing QB. |
28. | Cincinnati Bengals | 1-7 | The Bengals are poised to make their usual second half run at 5 wins. They remain a GM, coach, and QB away from respectability. |
29. | Minnesota Vikings | 2-6 | OT Bryan McKinnie was finally signed, although that doesn't really help a defense that is capable of making Brad Johnson look like Dan Marino. |
30. | Chicago Bears | 2-6 | I saw an interesting sign at the Bears game this week against the Eagles. A picture of the Three Stooges labeled Jerry Angelo, Dick Jauron, and John Shoop. |
31. | Dallas Cowboys | 3-6 | Somebody needs to bring a picture of the Three Stooges labeled Jerry Jones, Dave Campo, and Bruce Coslett to Texas Stadium. |
32. | Houston Texans | 2-6 | Dom Capers has done a solid job, but the loss to the Bengals shows the talent is just not yet in place. |