By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Tue Oct 07 2008 at 7:02 PM EST 
More on: NFL Power Rankings, Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Reggie Bush (all tags)
The great Miami Dolphins are surging, people. They are taking us all by surprise and laughing in our faces. Not simply because they're winning games, but because they're doing it by playing unorthodox football.
And the worst part? The two teams from last season's AFC Championship couldn't stop them. So who does that speak louder for; those teams or the Mighty Dolphins?
I, much like you, am "all aboard" for a "who cares" train trip to week six. There are too many disappointing teams that are supposed to be contenders, that a team like this is a real treat. And quite honestly, they're one of the most exciting teams to watch.
They lost Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, yet their defense is playing very well, and stuffing offenses that normally dominate teams. And we were dogging the Jets for barely beating this team?
The Fins' won't be in the top 5 anytime soon, but their tricky style of "Wildcat" offense has got us, and every NFL team that isn't undefeated, reeling. They've got us all thinking, "Could they really make the playoffs?". And while it's unlikely, especially with the Pats', Jets, and Bills standing in their own division, it is a definite possibility.
So, aside from reading my rankings and sly comments, I beg of you to do one thing: Keep watching. Because as I say each week, it's only going to get better.
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By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Wed Oct 01 2008 at 7:25 AM EST
More on: Brett Favre, NFL Power Rankings, Terrell Owens, Cowboys, Packers, Patriots (all tags)
Brett Favre throwing for six touchdowns does not mean the Jets are going to the Super Bowl. Heck, it doesn't even mean they'll compete for their division. With the Bills being 4-0 and a team that's still pretty good in New England, the Jets have a battle on their hands.
However, this offensive outburst displayed improved communication and chemistry. It showed that with Brett Favre at the helm, this offense can score points, and a lot of them, when it has to. It also showed, that at 38 and with a new team, Favre is still a darn good quarterback.
You don't score 34 points in a quarter by luck. The Jets defense harassed Kurt Warner all game, forcing four fumbles and three interceptions. Do you think they minded giving up 470 yards through the air and 35 points? Of course not. Their job was done at halftime.
These Jets, at worst, bring some extra life to the AFC. A conference with undefeated teams such as the Bills and Titans, and supposed Super Bowl contenders Jacksonville and San Diego gasping for air in the land of 2-2, is as wide open as it has ever been. And as long as Favre is slinging passes, he's going to have something to say about it. If you haven't been impressed yet, have no fear. I have a strong feeling that things are about to get even more interesting...
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By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Tue Sep 16 2008 at 12:14 PM EST
More on: NFL Power Rankings, Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre, Darren McFadden, Aaron Rodgers (all tags)
Aside from Redskins tight end Chris Cooley revealing more than just his playbook, this week was nothing but gravy in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers continues to impress, while backed by a quite clearly explosive defense. However, the Packers were facing the Lions.
Interesting circumstances had certain teams winning or losing games, and sending a bunch of pre-season Super Bowl contenders to the dreaded 0-2.
Just off the top of my head, it's looking like Mike Holmgren's swan song is going downhill before it could really ever get started, the Chargers desperately miss Shawne Merriman already, and the Minnesota Vikings, despite already being labeled as one-dimensional, are...well, just that.
However, what has not changed, is that Tony Romo and the Cowboys are the team to beat in the NFC, the Colts are still relevant in the AFC, and Tom Brady or no Tom Brady, the Patriots are undefeated.
But aside from the rise and fall of many teams, the most telling fact in the league has remained the impact of the 2008 draft class.
Felix Jones returned a kickoff for a touchdown on Monday night, DeSean Jackson registered his second straight 100 yard game to start his career, Eddie Royal caught his second straight touchdown, and Jonathan Stewart had two rushing touchdowns. And that's just on the offensive side of the ball.
Here are the week two NFL Power Rankings...
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By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Tue Nov 20 2007 at 12:16 PM EST
More on: NFL Power Rankings, Brett Favre, Patriots, Tom Brady, Tony Romo (all tags)
The Dolphins finally start John Beck and it doesn't matter. The 49ers switch to Trent Dilfer and it doesn't matter. Vince Young finally has a good statistical game and it doesn't matter. None of these teams could win this past weekend.
The fact is, the main thing that helps teams win in the NFL is consistency and continuity. If a team is one-dimensional they will find ways to lose. And for a team like the Titans, now is not the time to realize that when your quarterback plays well, you can expect your receivers to drop all the passes thrown to them. While Vince Young played his heart out against Denver, it didn't matter. In fact, as Tom Brady so eloquently WON'T tell us, none of this matters. What matters is the Patriots are undefeated and are likely to stay that way until the season is over. And that is why, once again, the Patriots triumph to the top of the rankings, and everyone else just sits and watches as history continues to be made.
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By Editor, Section NFL
Posted on Tue Nov 14 2006 at 8:20 PM EST
More on: NFL Power Rankings (all tags)
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.
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