It certainly took us long enough but here are Sportscolumn’s first NFL Power Rankings this season. This is really a tough season to do them. Outside of the Top 5, the next 10 or so can be interchangeable. You can make a very good argument for any of the teams ranked 6-15 in any order. In any case, let’s hear your questions, comments, and of course, gripes.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | Record | Comment |
| 1 (1) |  |
9-0 | Mark it down now folks, the Colts will lose to a Texas team. |
| 2 (3) |  |
8-1 | The Bears are looking at a 14 win season and HFA throughout the playoffs where Robbie Gould’s (23 for 23 this year) course knowledge at Soldier Field might be huge. |
| 3 (2) |  |
7-2 | Mike Bell was inactive against the Raiders for running poorly a week earlier. Talk about accountability. |
| 4 (6) |  |
7-2 | Did anyone really think the Ravens would be in the driver’s seat for the AFC North in week 11? |
| 5 (5) |  |
7-2 | Fantasy owners are wondering what happened to their prize TE pick Antonio Gates. Just 4 TDs? Even backup TE Brandon Manumaleuna has 3. |
| 6 (4) |  |
6-4 | People are talking about the Jets looming in the rearview mirror for the division crown. But these are the Pats, they will win the AFC East. |
| 7 (10) |  |
6-3 | They weathered the injury storm and it looks like clear sailing for the NFC West crown. |
| 8 (7) |  |
6-3 | Good news for Giants fans: Michael Strahan says his return will be on the low end of the original 2-4 week estimate. |
| 9 (8) |  |
6-3 | New Orleans is ranked #30 in forced turnovers with only 4 INTs and 6 fumble recoveries. |
| 10 (14) |  |
5-4 | Where is the running game? The Panthers rank 28th in the league in rushing offense. They only racked up 78 yards against a TB team that gives up 128 yards every week. |
| 11 (12) |  |
5-4 | A solid playoff contender at the beginning of the season, Jax is clinging to a 6 seed. (And yes, we know they moved up a spot despite losing.) |
| 12 (13) |  |
5-4 | While Andy Reid giving up playcalling duties had a lot to do with a more balanced attack, so did the early lead they jumped out to vs the Redskins. |
| 13 (15) |  |
5-4 | Routine win vs the Cardinals was offset by loss of team captain Greg Ellis to an achilles injury. |
| 14 (18) |  |
5-4 | They can’t possibly pull off another upset this week. Can they? |
| 15 (9) |  |
5-4 | As soon as you think Herm Edwards might have a clue as to what he’s doing, the Chiefs lose to Miami. |
| 16 (11) |  |
5-4 | Michael Vick has been absolutely awful in the past two games. 4 INTs and 2 fumbles. But don’t criticize him, he says it was the offensive coordinator’s fault. |
| 17 (23) |  |
4-5 | They’re not a playoff team but at least they’re respectable this year. One more win and they surpass last year’s total. |
| 18 (16) |  |
4-5 | Maybe those 287 arrests in the offseason were just a little bit of a distraction. |
| 19 (22) |  |
4-5 | If the Niners can somehow beat the Seahawks, they might (gasp) make the NFC West interesting down the stretch. Sorry Santa Clarans, it won’t happen. |
| 20 (17) |  |
4-5 | Losing Orlando Pace will be a huge blow as they struggle to stay in the playoff hunt vs a very good Panthers D-line. |
| 21 (19) |  |
4-5 | What started off as a very promising season might have Brad Childress thinking, “We’re done for! We’re done-diddly-done-for! We’re Done-diddly-doodly-done-diddly-doodly done-diddly-doodly.” |
| 22 (20) |  |
3-6 | Valiant effort against Indy but another lost season under JP Losman. When do they cut their losses? |
| 23 (24) |  |
3-6 | Too little too late but nice win vs Saints means this team still has some pride left. |
| 24 (27) |  |
3-6 | Droughns was limited to 92 yards in 2 games against the Steelers last year. |
| 25 (21) |  |
3-6 | The Redskins have given up on this year. But is The Jason Campbell Experiment a way for Gibbs to decide whether he wants to be here next year? |
| 26 (28) |  |
3-6 | Costly win over the Jags as Houston lost Travis Johnston, Zach Wiegert and Lewis Sanders to IR. |
| 27 (26) |  |
3-6 | Joey Harrington asked why the Dolphins couldn’t win 9 in a row. Well… cause they’re lead by Joey Harrington. |
| 28 (25) |  |
2-7 | Why is Jeff Fisher never considered on the hot seat? He hasn’t had a winning season since 2003. |
| 29 (29) |  |
2-7 | http://www.firemillen.com |
| 30 (30) |  |
2-7 | Gradkowski is awful. His two INTs and fumble was the main reason the Bucs didn’t upset the Panthers. |
| 31 (31) |  |
2-7 | After Andrew Walter criticized offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, Art Shell might make the switch back to Aaron Brooks. Which means exactly nothing to that offensive. |
| 32 (32) |  |
1-8 | We’re waiting for the announcement: “The Arizona Cardinals have been relegated to Serie B.” |