1 (1)

Colts

  7-0  

  Indianapolis got a huge conference win in Denver, as Manning had one of his most memorable games as a pro versus a Broncos’ defense that many considered to be “lights out”. Not to mention it was the Colts’ 4th win against a playoff team from last year.

2 (2)

Bears

7-0

Chicago blasted San Francisco and held a 41-0 halftime advantage. But with only 1 win versus a playoff team from last season compared to 4 such wins by the Colts, the Bears remain in the #2 spot.

3 (3)

Broncos

  5-2  

  It’s hard to lose a home game when your team combines for 227 yards rushing, unless of course you just played the Colts. Considering that Denver took Indianapolis to the wire, while also winning earlier this season at New England, the Broncos retain the third spot in the weekly power rankings.

4 (4)

Patriots

  6-1  

  New England blew out Minnesota. Brady and his new receiving core appear to have gelled. And the offensive line is giving him plenty of time. The Patriots could potentially pass the Colts and the Broncos in the rankings in week 9 with a win over Indianapolis.

5 (6)

Giants

  5-2  

New York struggled offensively versus the tough Tampa Bay defense, but the Giants’ defense more than made up for it holding the Buccaneers to just 3 points. With their only losses coming to Indianapolis week 1, and at Seattle with a healthy Hasselbeck, the Giants continue their climb in the power rankings.

6 (11)

Ravens

  5-2

  Baltimore improved to three games over .500 with a road thumping of the Saints… The Ravens’ defense held New Orleans to just 35 yards rushing while intercepting Drew Brees 3 times.

7 (5)

Saints

5-2

New Orleans was dominated by Baltimore, only mustering 35 yards rushing. Brees threw 3 interceptions and Reggie Bush sprained his left ankle… The Saints face a difficult stretch of games that could potentially knock them near the .500 mark, or cement their place near the top of the rankings.

8 (13)

Falcons

5-2

  Atlanta notched a key road win in Cincinnati. Don’t look now but the Falcons have won 4 games versus playoff teams from last season.

9 (14)

Chargers

5-2

San Diego rolled to their 5th win in a route of the Rams. The Chargers will host the Browns in week 9. Then stiff road tests follow with trips to Cincinnati and Denver.

10 (7)

Bengals

4-3

After starting the season with 3 wins in a row, Cincinnati has dropped 3 of 4 games. The losses are easier to understand when you consider the Bengals have played tough teams like the Patriots, Buccaneers, and Falcons… The schedule stays difficult with games at Baltimore, versus San Diego, and at New Orleans on deck.

Jaguars

  4-3

  Jacksonville did their best to make up for losing to the Texans in week 7 with an impressive road win in Philadelphia in week 8… However, the loss to Houston keeps the Jaguars out of the top 10 for time being.

12 (12)

Eagles

4-4

The Eagles ran into a Jaguars’ team fuming over their upset loss to Houston a week ago, and were absolutely stiffled on both sides of the ball.

Cowboys

  4-3  

Dallas got a great team effort coming back from down 14 in Carolina. The pass protection was top notch, and new QB Tony Romo made solid throws. Meanwhile, Carolina fumbled twice deep in their own end creating short fields, and John Fox called a time out which nullified a blocked kick.
Surely the Cowboys could have won this game with Bledsoe at the helm as well, just as Bledsoe might have been able to lead a come back 2 weeks ago versus a Giants’ team that had an injured Arrington and Umenyiora in the second half… But the change has been made. And the Cowboys replace a QB who had gone 20-11 in his previous 31 games, who played against one of the toughest strength of schedules any QB has faced in the last couple of seasons, who also threw for the 2nd most yards in Cowboy’s history last year. From Bledsoe’s perspective the NFL has once again become the “No Fair League”.

14 (8)

Panthers

  4-4  

  Carolina blew a 14-0 lead at home to the Cowboys thanks to 2 fumbles deep within their own territory, and an untimely time out called by John Fox that nullified a blocked field goal attempt. The Panthers fall back to .500 with the loss.

15 (9)

Vikings

4-3

  Not much went right for Minnesota against the Patriots on Monday night. The Vikings are still in the hunt. But this could be a difficult loss to recover from.

16 (10)

Seahawks

  4-3  

  Seattle’s defense allowed Damon Huard to throw for over 300 yards and Larry Johnson to score 4 TD’s. The Seahawks might have taken this game with a healthy Hasselbeck.

Chiefs

4-3

  As much as Kansas City’s defense and special teams tried to give the game to the Seahawks, Damon Huard and Larry Johnson wouldn’t have any part of it. As a result, the Chiefs finally got to above .500 with a home win over Seattle… Meanwhile, Trent Green is getting ready to return.

18 (16)

Rams

4-3

  St. Louis fell to 4-3 with a loss in San Diego… With games versus Kansas City, at Seattle, and at Carolina on deck, the Rams may be in danger of falling to .500 or worse.

Buccaneers

2-5

  Tampa Bay’s momentum ran out versus the Giants as the Buccaneers fell to 2-5. The Buccaneers’ 5 losses are against Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, and the Giants, with a combined record of 24-12 if it’s any saving grace.

20 (18)

Jets

4-4

The Jets lost their first game of the season to team below .500 which is quite unfortunate since last week we insinuated that with 10 such games on the schedule in total, the Jets could potentially grab 10 wins if they kept winning versus losing teams.

21 (17)

Steelers

  2-5

  Roethlisberger threw 4 more interceptions, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns as the defending Super Bowl champs fell to a Raiders team that was ranked #31 in last week’s NFL power rankings… The Steelers defense only allowed 51 yards passing, and 81 yards rushing in the loss.

22 (25)

Packers

3-4

  Green Bay got their first home win of the season. The Packers head to Buffalo where they’ll seek their third road win of the season in an effort to reach the .500 mark.

23 (22)

Redskins

  2-5

After losing in Indianapolis week 7, Washington had a bye in week 8. The Redskins return to action next week versus the Cowboys, and will attempt to salvage their season. Upsetting Dallas would be the perfect place to start.

24 (23)

Bills

2-5

After losing at home to New England in week 7, Buffalo had a bye in week 8. The Bills return to action home next week versus the Packers.

25 (26)

Titans

2-5

Tennessee won their second game in a row. If the Titans could have held on versus the Colts in week 5, they might have been looking at three in a row.

26 (27)

Browns

2-5

  After losing to the following top teams; Denver, Carolina, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, the Browns finally got a team they could handle and grabbed a win versus the Jets.

27 (24)

Texans

2-5

  After upsetting the Jaguars in week 7, Houston fell in Tennessee.

28 (31)

Raiders

2-5

  Oakland made it two in a row with an improbable win over the Super Bowl champion Steelers. It took 4 interceptions (2 returned for scores) and a last minute goal line stand to get the job done. Suddenly the Raiders are playing some decent defense.

29 (30)

Dolphins

  1-6

  After losing at home to the Packers in week 7, Miami had a bye in week 8. The Dolphins could right a lot of wrongs if they could somehow find a way to beat the Bears at Soldier Field week 9.

30 (28)

49ers

2-5

The 49ers might have 2 wins, but in each of their 5 losses they have given up 34 or more points. Ouch.

31 (29)

Cardinals

1-7

  Arizona lost in Green Bay and became the first team lose 7 games in 2006. At this point the near upset over the Bears is about the only thing keeping the Cardinals out of the bottom spot.

32 (32)

Lions

1-6

  After losing to the Jets in week 7, Detroit had a bye in week 8. With the Tigers having lost in the World Series, all eyes can now turn to the 1-6 Lions (if they so dare).